Labor Day

Today's Labor Day. For most people, it's a day off work, a chance to spend a day with family. It's an opportunity to catch up on tasks that need to be done before winter and finish summer activities.

Unless, of course, you have to work. That's one of the things about Labor Day I find interesting - just how many people have to labor on this day to celebrate labor? I'm in a business where days off don't happen. It's the news, you know. It never stops. I spent much of today in the office working on stories and pages for this week's paper. They were things I couldn't do early because there were games over the weekend. If I could have done them early, I would have. But I didn't know how football teams would do on Friday night or how softball teams would do on Saturday. (My crystal ball is broken.)

So, anyway, we started a new challenge at church yesterday. We're memorizing Ephesians 1 and 2. I'm actually excited about that. I haven't really had to memorize anything since college, I think. Bible Doctrines required us to be able to write verses perfectly - spelling, punctuation and all. We don't have to do that for church, thankfully. The first two verses of Ephesians 1 are pretty easy. Paul's greeting the Ephesians, and almost all his letters start with the same pattern.

I also finished writing the Christmas program this weekend. I decided during last year's program that I would give it a shot. I've written plays before (I took a script writing class in college), so the idea wasn't completely foreign. And I thought I had a good idea. I finished the first draft Saturday. I need to have it read aloud, though, before I can put the final polishing touches on it. I've heard the voices in my head read it, and they're incredible. But I want to hear real people read it. I know it won't sound the same, but I think it's an important part of finishing a play.

And now we're into September and the fall sports seasons are well underway. That's football, softball, volleyball, cross country and girls' golf. Most nights I'll hit multiple events, so don't be surprised if you see me leave early or arrive late. It's all part of trying to get to as many events as I can.