Week 8 Already?!

Hello everyone,

Well, I CANNOT believe it's the end of my 8th week here as an intern at Calvary. Time is flying by and I feel like I just started interning yesterday! It has been a pretty good, yet fast week...that's for sure!

My worship pastor came back from vacation this week and things are going at a fast speed for me now till the end of my internship. We had a service planning meeting Tuesday morning...then a meeting with my pastor. At this time, we were able to catch up with the past 2 weeks and "get back on track" with everything. We talked about creating a new vocal ensemble, Christmas plans, orchestra stuff, etc. On Tuesday, I also finished my 2nd orchestral arrangement - this was a better piece than the last just because now I know what I should do. This piece will be performed on Sunday, August  5th - my last Sunday here as an intern for the summer. The first piece will be performed next Sunday, July 15th so we all need to be ready by then! Ahh!

I didn't intern on Wednesday because the office was closed on July 4th - it was such a productive day personally. I spent 7.5 hours practicing on my piano for my upcoming performances - and I was very encouraged by the productivity and progress I made. Unfortunately, my back and arms are completely sore from it...but recovering fairly quickly now!

Thursday was filled with very few events but very long ones. I had another meeting with Pastor Dan, my mentor (continuation of Tuesday's meeting) and it was a very productive meeting. We talked about what I need to do for the last 4-5 weeks of my internship, leading worship on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday nights, learning more about how to work the sound board, learning how to lead, etc. etc. It is going to be a good, yet very challenging last weeks and I'm super excited! I know I'm going to learn a lot more the next few weeks and I'm especially excited to see what God will do through me through these experiences.

Thursday night was filled with rehearsals - I had to run orchestra rehearsals and had to be a part of the worship team rehearsal for Sunday. Unfortunately, I didn't make it to the worship team rehearsal, but Pastor Dan filled me in on Friday and went through the worship set with me. As of the orchestra rehearsal, it was a very frustrating one - my expectations were not met and my patience was tested. Although it turned out okay, I think I had very high expectations especially with us performing next Sunday - it scares me a bit! But I'm just hoping for the best - these people still have a passion for music and they are still playing their instruments for God's glory. I'm challenged to really discover a way to minister without getting frustrated or annoyed - what a great conviction!

I finished off the week with just wrapping things up on Friday - Fridays are the days when only the worship arts department is in the office and some others on some days. So, I basically just do whatever needs to be done for the week and for Sunday, if needed. It has been a good week and looking forward to more in the next 4-5 weeks! Obstacles and challenges, here I come! :)

Thanks for your support and prayers!

With love,
Andrea