Donna in Hollywoodland

Sunday Church & BBQ

Today was my first Sunday of getting up extra-early to teach the 3 year olds Sunday school. Yes, I was sitting there drinking my half-caf coffee thinking "Why did I agree to this?" I mean, on most work-days I don't have to get there until 9:30 am. Now, here it is Sunday, and I have to be there at 9:15.The fact that its only 10 minutes away, makes it alittle easier... but its still early.
I grabbed my South Beach Meal Replacement Bar , munched it in the car on the drive over, and got to Church early, about 9-ish.

The thing was that I also had to find a refrigerator for the 2 pasta salads that I had made for the afternoon BBQ. Luckily, there was one not far away from the classrooms. Its the same place I have to pick up the graham crackers and apple juice for the kids.

Being with the 3 year olds for around an hour and a half, was fun. Exhausting. But fun. They are all great kids, and they have a ton of energy.
Most of the kids when they arrive, just dive into the classroom because it is filled with toys. There are one or two who pout or cry and cling to their parents, but I guess thats to be expected.

Next to the classroom, there is a little miniature chapel, with 3-year old sized pews. Its really cute. We have our Bible story in there.

Then after the Bible story, we head to the other side of the classroom for the graham crackers and apple juice.
The other teacher was still reading a story to one little boy, so it was my job to serve the 8 other kids their juice and graham crackers.
I had given them all some, and said "Ok, go ahead and start eating".
Nothing - they all just sat there looking at me.
"Hey, you can eat your graham crackers now. Go ahead".
Still no response. They all just sat there.
Finally, one little girl said "Teacher, aren't we going to say a prayer first?"

Oh, yeah, Duh.... this is Sunday School, and I'm the teacher and we need to say Grace before we eat.

I said "Oh, thats right ! Thank you for reminding me !". And I said Grace.

Towards the end of our class time, the teachers for the next shift started to arrive. Many of the kids stay in the classroom all morning, because their parents might go to two different Services.

I got my salads from the fridge and headed over to the CUE service. I am on the "Event Team", so it was part of my job to help organize the Fourth of July BBQ. When I arrived one of the other Event Team members was organizing the food that people were bringing for the potluck.
I gave her my Salads, and said "Is there anything I can do?"
She said yes, she really needed to sit down because they had been busy for the last hour and asked if I could take the food, and put in down on the table in the section where it belongs. So I did that for about another 15 minutes.

Then after the Service was over, we organized the BBQ Grills outside the door. And brought tables and chairs into the back of church. And organized the food and drinks along the back table/bar area.

It was while looking for things, that I lifted a cover along the wall, and saw a row of hard Liquor bottles, Vodka, Tequila, Rum, behind lock and key all along the back bar area that is in the back of church. Gee, I didn't realized we were meeting in a functioning Bar. I thought it was church property.
I guess not.

Later on in the week, one of the numerous Los Angeles area mailing lists I belong to, sent me an invitation to a new Club that is opening on Saturday nights ... I looked at the address... and guess what - yeah, its the building where I go to church.

Only in Hollywood.