Redheaded Jill

I don’t know if I’ve ever given you a “day in the life” schedule for a weekend. But here goes!

7:30 – Wake up, get dressed (changing your outfit 2-3 times before satisfaction), tame the hair that is freshly washed from Saturday night and get in the car by 8:15

8:15 – Head to church, driving the back way so the traffic is less busy but the chance of seeing a wild animal or occasional dog run across the road is at least 50/50. Stop at a random empty intersection to do makeup because the natural lighting is 100% better than the bathroom lighting in the house.

8:55 – Arrive at the building and hopefully arrive not long after my brother so I can walk in with his family instead of alone. (Still working on my codependent habits and social anxiety.)

9:00 – Sit down for a killer class on Galatians. I am enjoying this study SO much. 10 out of 10 stars, would recommend.

9:45 – The kids return from Bible class, make small talk with some of the sweet folks around me who are so sweet to say “Hi” so I don’t have to initiate the conversation. (I am getting better at remembering names because every time I meet a new person I write them down in my notes app.)

10:00 – The main service begins. We sang a handful of new to me hymns Sunday. I am not a pro at reading music, but I can follow along enough to participate. During services I get some cuddles from my nephews and niece, but am mostly able to focus on the lesson.

11:15 – Church lets out. This week I talked to a friend for a while and my younger brother. A few greetings from kind folks and made it out to my car without being invited anywhere for lunch. (People are so nice and often issue invitations, but I was pretty tired today and ready to go home and try the chicken I had put in my crock pot. Tell me you’re from the midwest without telling me you’re from the midwest.)

11:45 – Head home

12:45 – Changed into cozy clothes, I brought in a batch of firewood so I could have an afternoon fire. It was SO cold today. I fed the animals and huddled down by the fire listening to my audiobook and playing a mindless game on my phone. Set some goals for the week, made plans with a friend, and accomplished some minor chores.

4:00 – Changed into something warm and had a snack.

4:15 – Headed back for evening services.

4:55 – Arrived after my brother’s family so I had to walk in alone. (I survived.)

5:00 – Short devo, then a class on questions submitted by members of the congregation. This week the preacher talked a little bit about the nephilim from the old testament. (SUPER interesting.)

6:00 – Class is dismissed. Talked to someone who had been out of the country for a few weeks and missed the snowpacalypes of 2025. Was invited to dinner with a group of new friends. (I declined because I was peopled out for the day.)

6:30 – Headed home to my cozy pajamas once again, with taco bell in tow because… sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

7:15 – Did my entire bedtime routine, huddled up by the fire and promised myself I would be in bed by 10. I was in bed by 10:30 so that’s a win! I listened to some meditations, some of the limitless audiobook and was actually asleep by 12.

Because I drive 45 minutes to attend church services I have a much shorter Sunday than I used to, but I love the preacher so much I don’t mind. And it’s super fun to attend with my brothers and their families. It has been about 3 months now and my only complaint is that I haven’t magically become great at small talk or making friends. But the me from a year ago would definitely be proud of the me from today. The progress you can make in a year, a month, even a week…

Thank you, God, for progress!