One of the perks of my job is that when our partner churches hold events, they usually invite me to come (I’m sure they’re just wanting some free PNC). This is especially perk-y when said event is a concert, such as the one I ended up attending this past Saturday night. I originally hadn’t planned to go once I got sick last week. I checked to make sure it was still okay for me to come and the church said I should bring a couple of our leaders with me.

And so, I told Laura and Anna to meet me at my house and I’d drive us there (the church is in another city). When they pulled in my driveway, there sat a NEW CAR THAT I WAS GIVEN SATURDAY AFTERNOON!

Betcha’ didn’t see THAT one coming.

Here’s the story: the car I’ve been driving was one I got when I was 16. I loved that car, but it isn’t the safest thing to drive. Since I do a lot of traveling on the weekends for Starlite (”And so, I’ll be at a table in the lobby of your church in case you care to give toward our PNC deficit”), it just really wasn’t the best thing for me to be driving. However, I drove it happily as you may have noticed from the, um, videos.

Last week, I was talking to someone about my dream car and mentioned that I’d like one just like my dad drives. When I hung up the phone, I actually asked God if He’d send me the perfect next car — and if it could please have one of those clicker things that lets you unlock the door by pressing a button.

I’ll admit it — I just wanted to feel cool.

My dad called me the next day and said that he wanted me to use his car (he also has a work car that he drives most of the time) for an upcoming out-of-town trip I’m taking. I thanked him profusely and we decided he’d drive it to me before I left on my trip.

The next day, he called to tell me that he wanted to give me the car. Just give it to me.

Now, this may not seem like that big of a deal to some of you, but trust me, it IS. My dad and I work hard at having a relationship, with me wanting to be in ministry being a touchy thing between us. For him to unexpectedly give something like that to me — just because he wanted to help me — means more to me than I can put in words.

And so, the girls and I rode in style — with key clicker and all — to Saturday night’s concert. And, since that was the first excursion in the new car, we felt it only appropriate to record a video for you, our loves. Don’t worry, I didn’t film it — not taking a chance, especially with a new car.

You will notice I am rocking big hair so, obviously, it was a wild night. You will also notice that Anna, in the backseat, seems to be the calmest one of us. I just want to go on the record as saying that isn’t really the case.

Enjoy. I think.