Okay, so, Austin and Law are both 'officially' gone from the music group, and tonight's practice was... well, I was going to say, "I'm not going to say 'terrible'..." but I won't say that, because I am going to say 'terrible'.
Three weeks ago at practice, before we started, Austin told me that the next week was his and Law's last week. I was the only one who didn't know, because I go to the adult service on Sunday nights, instead of the youth classes. Everybody else found out the Sunday night before, when they were practicing for that night.
I knew Austin and Ava would soon be going to their new church on Wednesdays too, in addition to Sundays, but I didn't realize it would be so soon.
And I was completely surprised to hear Law was leaving. He said his folks had said he could at the end of the school year. He didn't give reasons or explanations (he's just like Archer on that), but his life shows that he wants what the Lord wants for his life; it's between the two of them, and I didn't ask more questions.
I was going to be gone the next week, so they agreed to push it back another week - until May 21st, instead of May 14th.
So, this past week was the last one of us together.
It was a wonderful, wonderful, final week. I took my camera and got pictures of us at practice, and then Trissy took some on Wednesday night. The spirit of camaraderie, and joy, and praise to God was so special - I think we all were consciously trying to focus on the good memories, the little 'family' we'd formed, and the reason for it all - to glorify the Lord - instead of the fact that this was the last time to play together. It was just so so great.
I've been sad, but haven't let myself focus on it. Last time I lost a cluster of dear friends all at one time, it nearly did me in. Of course I'll miss them, but hopefully I've grown in my reliance on the Lord since that time. The night Austin and Law told me they were going to be leaving, I felt almost sort of guilty that I didn't feel worse about it! But then it seemed like the spirit of the Lord showed me - and I pray this is why! - 'It's because I've become enough for you.'
This evening, I felt a reluctance, but not a dread, about going to practice, and the new way it's going to be. On the way, I didn't let myself think about it as the loss of our old group, I made myself think of it as the forming of a new group, and I could almost look forward to it. At least anticipate the newness of it.
Abigail will sing still, and I will still play the keyboard. But Trent's moving to drums, Peter to bass guitar, and Lydia will now be our leader/organizer/director and play acoustic guitar.
It was pretty much, 'terrible'. Everyone wanted to do their best to make it work, I think. It's just that it was practically a whole new group trying to learn how to work together.
I think the biggest thing to get used to is going to be how Lydia leads, versus how Austin led.
Austin is very mild-tempered, very considerate, and very open to suggestions from the other members. He hates to see or be part of conflict, or for others to be uncomfortable, and he will do all he can to accommodate others' feelings. He's excellent at deflecting difficulties, relieving tension, and bringing out the best in people, all while getting the job done right.
Lydia is very much a 'take the bull by the horns'-type person. She knows music, she's been/is a music teacher, and she's got a very bold, honest, up-front personality. She doesn't hem and haw and beat around the bush about anything, and she is meticulously honest, perhaps a little to the point of bluntness.
Both types of people are great for leadership positions. One is, 'Come with me'. One is, 'Follow me'.
The hard part is switching from following one type of leader, to *BAM* following the other type, with practically no transition phase.
This is a whole new ballgame. We've just got to learn how to play.
