Same God

Since Miguel and I re-located, we've been looking for a new home church. We've visited a lot of different styles of churches down here. This has definitely been a long time process. It's been enjoyable though. We've met some really great people and learned more about each other as a couple. Each church we've visited has been very different from the other.

Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist Interior
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The very first church we visited was the beautiful Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist.  The reason we really chose to visit this church was because it is just so beautiful. The intricate design and smack-you-in-the-face beauty really made me think of God. The service wasn't the best fit for us, however. We got there too close to the start of the ceremony and had to sit in the very back where it was a little hard to hear. Also, the family sitting directly in front of us had three small boys who they let roam free during the whole service. The children would go under the pews and start kicking the top of them, play with their toy trucks and cars by rolling them loudly over the wooden pews, and 'whisper' very audibly to each other. As far as the actual service, we couldn't hear very well and didn't really know all the ceremony that goes along with a catholic service. We enjoyed the beauty of the building, which also helped me imagine the presence of God, but it just isn't the right fit for us as a couple.

Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist Exterior
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The church we've visited the most is a PCA church really close to our house, Grace of the Islands. We stopped by there because 1) I grew up in a PCA church and 2) it's literally right there. Things that I love about Grace: soooooo many people recognized that we were visitors and came to speak to us, greet us, and learn about us. We met our friends Margaret and Curtis there. Curtis is a pastor there, in fact. This is the church where we met people to start the young married bible study. The music is all from hymnals and it's a little old school. We, mostly I, have had some fundamental differences with the church, but it's been really great to us and we're thankful it's there. We will definitely visit it again sometime in the future.

Lucas Theater
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Finally, today, we checked out Late Church which is a part of Savannah Christian. They meet in the Lucas theater down town. It's a really cool place to have a church service. I loved looking around. It draws a really young, hip crowd. We really enjoyed the pastor and the music really moved us. Although, the crazy lights and rocking out was a bit much. But all in all it was much more fitting for us. The video posted below is a spoof done by North Pointe church back home in Atlanta but it's similar to the kind of feel of Late Church. We are definitely going back again. However, it was interesting that no one spoke to us while we were there. It was very social feeling, everyone was talking to each other, but they must have all been friends. Miguel said I was being too critical but I just kept comparing it to Grace where so many people made us feel welcome. But in defense of Late Church, it's a lot bigger than Grace so maybe it's harder to notice new people?

It's just interesting that there are so many different types of church but we all worship the same God.

Southern Comfort

And the cliche picture to take: a rusty, old truck. 

Miguel and I had a low-key Saturday. I slept in, spent an hour and a half at the park with the dog, and did some grocery shopping while Miguel watched lectures for grad school. Then later in the afternoon Miguel, Emma and I went for a run on a really pretty trail that's close by. On our way back home we stopped by one of the local marinas and took some pictures as we watched the sun go down. I'm starting to really grow a spot in my heart for the low country! Enjoy what we captured.

Miguel took this picture. I love it. There seems to be a graveyard of sorts for old boats. 

Retired boat in the boat graveyard

 

Watching the sun drop below the horizon

Brighter Day

As I previously mentioned I have begun eating gluten and dairy free. This has been very difficult for me, but, some products like the Udi's brand bread, have really helped. Publix only carries a few loafs at a time. When they're out, I'm out of luck until the following Tuesday when the delivery truck brings a new shipment. So today I took Emma to the dog park and then after I went to Brighter Day Natural Food Market which I knew carried Udi's.

Brighter Day
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Ohhh em gee! I have found a new love! Brighter Day has sooo many gluten free and dairy free options. They're a little expensive but so worth it. Brighter Day is in a really fun location right next to Forsyth Park. It has hundreds of healthy food options, a juice bar, deli, and cafe. It's like a miniature, family-owned Whole Foods. Yay! I got rice pasta, grass fed beef (expensive yikes!), Udi's breakfast muffins, organic bacon, two loafs of Udi's wheat bread, Udi's rolls, goats cheese, gluten free pizza crust, dairy free mozzarella cheese, sweet potato patties, organic dog biscuits, and some organic pasta sauce. I am set for a while, but will definitely be going back soon!

Images and website for Brighter Day