#TBT: I’m singing with who???

Today’s #throwback goes ALL the way back to February 21st . Ok, so it’s not that far back, but it’s a special story with a special memory.

Actually, it’s more of a #throwback if I include the back story that dates to the 1990’s/early 2000’s in Puerto Rico. So, here goes!

I grew up on the island, singing in school talent shows and at my church, in the same way many singers get started. While in college, I started working at a Christian radio station. I still dreamed of being a singer, and enjoyed living my dream by singing in coffee shops, churches, conferences, weddings, you name it, I sang it! But through my radio job, I mostly got to interview OTHER artists.

That was great, but I still kind of wanted to be on the other side of the microphone being interviewed.

So, one day, my job was to represent the radio station and present a special gift to the pastor of a church in Caguas, Puerto Rico. We were doing a “Clergy Appreciation Month” contest, and the church went ALL OUT — they not only nominated the pastor, but when he won, they threw in as a prize, an all-expense paid cruise for him and his wife! AWESOME!

I was super excited to arrive for that special church service with a huge basket of goodies — the cherry on top of the huge cruise surprise.

Wouldn’t you know it, I met a worship leader there named Daniel Calvetti. He was starting to have success, having recently recorded his first Spanish Christian music album with a record label that was highly respected in Latin America.

Wow! That’s so cool! That’s the dream, getting to record worship music and sing. I hope I get to do that someday, just like Daniel Calvetti.

Fast forward about 20 years or so and we come to this #throwback photo taken February 21st, just a few weeks ago:

In the picture, that’s Daniel Calvetti (far right) with my parents and me, backstage, before we got to lead worship together with two other awesome talented singers, Gracco Contreras and Hector Sotelo at Sugar Creek Baptist Church.

It was an awesome Sunday! Sugar Creek already had incredible Spanish ministry, but this was the Sunday they were making official their move into the main worship center. So exciting!

My favorite part was when the pastors of the English church came up with the Spanish church pastors and joined hands together, saying “we are ONE church!” (Yeah, I got teary-eyed!)

But, guys, I didn’t just get to be one of the singers, celebrating and leading worship at this event. At one point, Daniel Calvetti, the special guest, joined us, so the four of us were singing together!!!

(Pictured L-R: Gracco Contreras, Daniel Calvetti, me, Coppelia and Hector Sotelo).

It is absolutely CRAZY to me, to think back to all those years ago in Puerto Rico, when “radio girl with singing dreams met singer Daniel Calvetti” … to actually getting to sing and lead worship with him on the same stage.

Never try to talk yourself out of your dreams.

Even if they sound ridiculous, or seem like they are taking FOR-E-VER to come true. Sometimes it takes a little (or a lot) longer that we’d like. Sometimes things don’t work out exactly the way we thought they would.

But guys, dreams seriously do come true. And then, you can post #throwback pictures to remember and celebrate.

Love ya!

~Coppe

P.S. Ladies, speaking of Sugar Creek Baptist Church, I would LOVE it if you would join me for their #Avívame Women’s Retreat en español, August 12-13th, 2016 at Moody Gardens in Galveston. I’m super excited to lead worship for this awesome event again this year. It is going to be EPIC!

“Como decimos en Puerto Rico, va a estar BRUTAL!” 

Celebrate Easter All Year Long!

I hope your Easter was filled with a lot of colorful, confetti-egg-filled fun. How about we keep it going all year?

One way we do it is with the Bible app for kids. Seriously, my kids ages 10 and 6 LOVE it!

It’s super cute (they ask for “cartoony Jesus”), and it’s interactive, too! You click through the stories on your phone or tablet and people move, you click on diamonds and surprise little things that pop up throughout (so-called Easter Eggs, as gamers call them).

The same people who put together our favorite Bible app for kids have an actual Bible you & your kids can enjoy 365 days a year, not just on Easter!

If you click on this Bible icon,  check it out and buy it, thank you! This is my affiliate link, which means purchases made here give me a small commission, at no extra cost to you.

Thanks and have an amazing, life-changing, fun and Happy Easter that lasts you all year! Jesus is Alive! He is Risen!

 

Love,

Coppe

Good Friday: Sad, Scary or Sacred?

I couldn’t decide if it was scary,
sad or sacred. But I brought my kids anyway. 

We stood at the entrance, about to walk through a dark path.
    
We would stop to touch, smell, see, hear and taste different things that represent the last week Jesus lived here on Earth.

It’s definitely an experience that is richer, deeper and more meaningful than sitting down to hear a sermon in church.

This is like walking into a movie about Jesus and getting to interact with props; you are an extra that can get pretty close to the main character.  

Christopher, my ten year old son, stood for a moment, feeling how rough and heavy the wooden cross was.

  
  

My six year old daughter Allyson was curious about how pointy the crown was. Daddy explained that some mean people made Jesus wear it. 

  
Good Friday was a very sad day, we told the kids. 

Jesus had been loving people, doing awesome miracles and teaching about the Kingdom of Heaven. But the people still turned against him and had him killed. 

We also shared with the kids that, we can be mean, too. Jesus had to die to forgive and save us, too.

But, like Allyson said when I asked her if the whole experience was a little too scary and sad, she said:

“Mom, it’s actually good, too!”

Baby, you are absolutely right. That’s why we call it Good Friday. Because the story didn’t end there.

Allyson stood where the veil was torn, looking into a sacred place called the Holy of Holies.

  
Regular people couldn’t go in there. Only the high priests could, and only under certain strict conditions could they have access to God.

When Jesus died, the veil was ripped from top to bottom. He made a way for us to access God!

God’s love, His power, His peace, His goodness, all of it–we now have free and full access because of Jesus’ sacrifice.

Wow.

I don’t know how you feel about Jesus or if Good Friday has special meaning for you. But I hope this blog post maybe helped you consider it in a new light.

And if you’re in Houston, you can still dare to walk through The Passion Experience at Second Baptist Church today and see if it’s not an experience that completely changes your life. And bring the kids, too! 

Love you!

~Coppelia

Not-So-Holy Week?

So it’s Holy Week. 

If you are a Christian, feel free to skip the next few paragraphs or bear with me.

Ok, everyone else, let’s chat for a minute. 

Have you ever been turned off by church? Maybe you have been to church and it was boring or irrelevant. 

Maybe you’ve met mean “so-called” Christians who have hurt you with their words or actions (or lack of action.)
Maybe what you know about “Christians” makes you just want to throw up. They hate love and equality (or so you’ve heard.) They don’t want women to have choices and rights (or so you think). 

So, what about Holy Week? And why would anyone want to have anything to do with those awful sounding people?

Check this out–

Imagine all the media, making a big deal about some guy who supposedly is coming to fix things and solve problems. He’s got ISIS, global warming & world hunger on his agenda & He can totally make things right. This is the GUY!!! Let’s all wear t-shirts with his face, wave flags when his entourage comes down our street and like his Facebook page!!!

Imagine just one week later, the masses turn against this guy. He’s a FRAUD!!! Get rid of him!! We are DISliking his page and online bullying him now. 

He gets executed. People sell his stuff on Ebay. Story is over.

Except it’s still Holy Week. The story is not over. 

This all happened in a different way, many years ago. And it’s still unfolding today.

This week, the Passion story was told by celebrities on network television through an incredible Tyler Perry production. 

People who normally don’t go to church have Easter clothes and brunch plans following the yearly church reunion. Hey, you even get to see some old friends! 

I grew up in church around Christians–both nice ones and mean ones. I have questioned a lot of things that didn’t make sense. I have met a lot of people who celebrated a not-so-holy-week, living up the holiday at clubs and beaches in Puerto Rico, where I grew up. But at the end of the day, I always come back to one thing. Actually, I come back to one person.

A lot of the craziness surrounding that one person doesn’t always make sense. 

Those of us who follow him, sometimes do a great job and sometimes we fail massively. But He always makes sense.

All I ever have to do when things around me get crazy, is go back to who He is.

If I simply look at Jesus, read about him in the Bible and truly get to know who He is, what he said and did, even if His followers don’t always represent Him well, He never lets me down.

Jesus said “let the children come to me” when his disciples wanted the kids to leave Jesus alone.

Jesus healed the sick and didn’t just forgive sinners; he met with them, shared meals with them and loved them.

Jesus was wrongly accused and crucified. Before he died, he said “Father, forgive them for they don’t know what they do.”

Jesus is the prince of peace. He is the way, the truth and the life. 

If you ever feel lost, He is the way. 

If you’re ever confused and can’t figure things out, Jesus is the truth.

If you wish your life made sense, was happier and more fulfilling, look to Jesus to find an abundant, deeply joyful life. 

I hope that during this Holy Week, you can discover or rediscover your faith and get to know Jesus.

There is nothing like having a true relationship with him. 

And when you find Christians who truly love and follow Jesus, you’ll meet some of the most amazing people in the world. 

I’ve met a bunch of them (a LOT) at my church! They are some of the most loving, caring, fun, talented and dedicated people you’ll ever meet. 

There are CEOs, blended families and bikers with tattoos who love Jesus and I’ve met many who have shown me love like no one else.

Please consider this an invitation to come give church a try, even if you’re not too sure about it. In Houston, you can come to one of the services at Second Baptist Church, or any other number of wonderful churches.

Come, enjoy it, soak in the experience, but keep in mind when you deal with people (though I hope you are loved and welcomed and appreciated), we don’t always get it right.

Come, looking for Jesus. And have the best Holy Week yet.

Love you!

~Coppe

A Comforting Pilot

I’ve never felt more cared for on an airplane than today.  
I’ve been flying since I was 5 and I’ve always enjoyed it. My mom taught me to pray before take off & thank God when we land. My dad taught me that, when there’s turbulence, the shakier it gets, the more you enjoy the ride.

Back when you chose “chicken or lasagna” on flights (those were the good days!), I was on a plane with my dad,
eating lasagna, when the turbulence hit. And I watched my dad pull his lasagna plate up and keep eating, as if to say Bring. It. On. 

That still makes me chuckle. 

But today, as I flew from California back to Texas, excited about seeing my hubby & kids (not excited, ecstatic!), I heard the pilot welcome us and say something like this:

“We might experience some turbulence during this flight. I’ll keep you informed, but please keep your seat belts fastened, for safety purposes.” 

I was not surprised. Flights out of California, whether we were flying to visit family in Puerto Rico, or now our current home in Texas, typically had their share of turbulence. It was to be expected.

What was unexpected and a sweet surprise was that the pilot, on the very few and brief moments when we experienced choppy air, with a calming, soothing voice would announce:

“We’re experiencing some turbulence, but it should pass quickly. Nothing to worry about.”

Sometimes with turbulence, the mind can wander to “I hope this is normal. I’m sure the pilot’s got this… right?! (insert nervous laughter.)

I often look to the flight attendants for assurance. If they’re cool, calm & collected, walking the narrow plane aisle, serving beverages, looking like business as usual, the turbulence doesn’t bother me as much.

But today that Delta pilot took it a step further and reassured me that everything was ok. 

The pilot’s calm and confident voice, acknowledging the bumpy ride & declaring that everything was great, just made me feel safer, like I could lean back in my chair (as comfortably as possible in economy class!), and relax. I did and I truly enjoyed that flight. 

I’m sure knowing I would be hugging & kissing my hubby and kids made the flight more exciting, too.

But, as a Christian, I couldn’t help thinking how this is such a great illustration of life with Jesus. 

I see him as my pilot (sorry, bumper sticker that says “Jesus is my co-pilot.”) The pilot is in charge, and I KNOW that having Jesus flying the plane is much better than me being in charge! 

I trust that Jesus knows every stop on the flight. 

I trust that Jesus will get me there on time (even if it’s not the time I want–his timing is perfect.)

I trust that, when turbulence hits, I can pray and listen to Jesus’ calm, confident voice saying, yes, I know the air is choppy. Just keep your seat belt fastened (keep that belt of truth on), sit back and relax. I’ll get you to the destination safely.

And to that I say “Thank You, Jesus.” 

Of Husbands and Blogging

How often do you hear a wife or husband say AMAZING THINGS about their other half? It seems like we hear more complaints than compliments. I wish we heard more of the good stuff. So when I came across the good stuff recently, I couldn’t wait to share it here.

In an interview with Pro Blogger, Crystal Paine, the fantastically successful blogger behind MoneySavingMom.com answered this question:

How important is your husband’s support in your work?

Crystal’s reply made my heart beam with joy! Not only am I thrilled that she has the support from her husband that she describes below, but I’m overwhelmed with gratitude because I can say the same (and more) about my husband, Adam (love you, Babe!)

This is good stuff. Check out what Crystal had to say about her honey:

Honestly, I doubt I would be blogging if it weren’t for my husband. He is my best friend and biggest cheerleader. When I was initially considering starting my first mommy blog, he believed in me and encouraged me to do it. When I was considering starting, MoneySavingMom.com, he said, “Go for it!” I’m positive I never would have had the courage to hit “publish” on so many posts if it weren’t for him reading through them with me and saying, “Yes, you need to publish that. Someone needs to read it.”

In those moments when I’ve doubted myself, wondered what I was thinking, or even considered quitting, his voice has been there speaking words of motivation, reminding me of the why behind what I do: to inspire and impact people. He’s prodded me out of my comfort zone so many times. He takes care of the kids so I can write. He runs our household when I’m out of town on business trips. He serves as a sounding board when I have difficult situations come up. He takes care of all the legal and financial aspects of the business. He’s always reading through contracts for me, helping my team with legal questions that come up, working with our accountant to make sure all the books and payroll are taken care of (spreadsheets give me hives!), and working with me to dream for the future and make sure we stay accountable to our business.

Wow. Go Crystal and your hubby!

I realize there is a long list of extraordinary women, single moms, mompreneurs who have gone after their blogging dreams and made it without that kind of support system (Elayna Fernández, The Positive Mom, is one inspiring example!)

But in a world where we hear more about broken marriages than thriving ones, let’s celebrate the ones that are not just getting by, they’re soaring!

I am beyond blessed and thankful to have this kind of soaring support in my husband, Adam Acevedo. Like Crystal says about her husband, I would not be following my dreams of blogging, speaking and singing without my hubby’s encouragement. He recently bought me a Surface Pro 3 Microsoft tablet to use for this exclusive purpose (and to store my millions of digital photos that keep taking up all his hard drive space!) He is a talented graphic designer and is using his talents to dream and design the website, graphics and everything we need on the tech side of things, to make sure this dream project is successful. When I doubt that I can do this, Adam is the one reminding me to see how far God has already brought us. He reminds me that we’re doing this together. He reminds me that God has equipped us for this. He prays with me and for me often. And he’s an amazing dad to our two kids.

Seriously, guys. I’m so over the moon thankful for the guy I’m holding on to in the pic. I’m holding tightly and not letting go, Babe! Ok, I’ll let go so you can watch The Walking Dead, but that’s about it. 😉

If you know an amazing couple, go up to them and tell them! Encourage them! Bless them! Post about them in the comments section below! I would love to hear about them!

I’ll start by giving a shout out to my friends Jade and Marshall. They are a godly couple, of the rare kind you see pursuing God fervently and loving people fully. Jade is a talented writer and speaker, and her hubby Marshall has been a huge supporter and encourager through their journey as well. It’s awesome to see them serving God together the way I got to see them serve at Journey Church in Kingwood, Texas. I encourage you to check out her blog, J.E. Berry Speaks. I know it will bless you!

You know, when we have this special kind of support in our lives, and it is coming from our spouse; the one we promised to love, honor & cherish when we said “I do,” let’s celebrate the moments when we’re “doing it” (you know what I mean!) Those moments when we’re doing life together and seeing success.

Hopefully, this will encourage you today. If you have a good marriage, ask God to make it great! If you’re struggling, ask God for healing (I’m praying for a few friends through this.) If you have a broken heart, ask God to mend it. He is close to the brokenhearted. And if you’re single, don’t settle! Wait for God’s very best. It’s worth it.

That is one of the most priceless gifts we can get in life. And I’m just being thankful today for mine. ❤️

Adam Acevedo, I love you on my blog. 😉

And everywhere else.

Love,

Coppe ❤️

(Please note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the product links and buy it, I could receive compensation, at no extra cost to you!)

California, here I come!

This is the part of the story where I ask you to pinch me. Am I really traveling to California today? 

 Just about a month ago, I was restless, excited and anxious. I wondered if leaving a steady job to pursue a dream would work out, all the while trusting God that it would, in fact, work out.

I have faith in God that, as long as I follow Him, my family will be more than ok. I believe He really does cause all things to work together for good.

Today, I’m feeding my faith with action! 

I’m unbelievably getting to live out part of this crazy story of faith by getting on an airplane and flying back home to do what I love: sing.

I say “home” because even though I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and part of my heart will always be there, California was the place where my hubby and I really established our home as newlyweds. We saw our children born in the Golden State. We fell in love with San Francisco. 

It’s almost symbolic that, at the beginning of this new journey, pursuing music, speaking and writing full time, I’m getting to do it in such a special place.

I only wish I could take my family with me!

Hopefully, we can plan another trip soon.
In the meantime, if you’re near Sacramento, I’d love to see you. I’ll be singing, leading worship here:

Sunday, February 28, 2016/10am/The Ridge Church/Lincoln, CA

Sunday, March 6, 2016/10am/The Ridge Church/Lincoln, CA

Sunday, March 6, 2016/2pm/Vida Church, Sacramento, CA

I can’t wait to sing and lead worship at my old church. I can’t wait to see old friends! I might hug random strangers, so watch out! Lol

But I want to encourage YOU today. If God ever puts something on your heart: a dream, a talent, a passion. Pursue Him about how to pursue it. He will guide You. And be assured, the world needs what you have to offer. They will miss out if you don’t shine your light brightly for Jesus as only you were created to shine.

“Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

http://bible.com/116/php.2.16.nlt

Love you!

~Coppe

What if your requests were granted?

I’m loving this today. I’ve been reading excerpts from “Daring Faith” in my Bible app.

Today, I read about how this guy in the Bible named Nehemiah prayed & asked God for favor to rebuild a city in ruins. After praying, he met with the king and asked him for a bunch of stuff he needed. And then, check this out!

 “… the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.” ‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭2:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬ http://bible.com/116/neh.2.8.nlt

Not only did the king grant Nehemiah’s requests, he sent him off with officers & horsemen to protect him.

Wow. When God takes care of things, He does it with abundance. He does it with more than we could have asked for. He does it with what He knows we will need.

In some ways, I feel like Nehemiah. In the Bible it says he heard about the problem during the Fall. In the Spring, he asked the king & got his request granted.

Last fall, Adam & I were praying about what to do with our “problem.” Should I quit my radio job and launch a full time singing/speaking/blogging ministry?

In the same way Nehemiah would be leaving the palace (and all its lush comforts), we would be leaving the security & comfort of a steady paycheck from a solid ministry.

And just like Nehemiah, as we head into the Spring season, we’re seeing God (our king), provide everything we need, and giving us “officers & horsemen” to protect us on this journey.

Ever since we took that wild & daring step of faith to leave a secure job & pursue ministry, my hubby Adam and I are seeing repeatedly how God had already been preparing the way, even before we set out. He is leaving us amazed by how He continues to guide and provide every step we take.

(Crazy side note, maybe on a spiritual level, I had a nightmare that was hard to shake this morning. It was our whole family, Adam & the kids, and I vaguely remember my parents there, too. There seemed to be more kids involved than just mine as well. We kept finding ourselves in life or death situations. The outcome of an elevator going up and out of a high rise building and plunging to the ground, but landing safely in a parking spot without damaging any of the cars parked around it, is crazy. I remember crying out to God for protection as we were falling, and He surely protected us. Then, we were eating at a fast food restaurant, like a Taco Cabana (we never go there). But all of a sudden, the restaurant started moving, like someone was hauling it. Remember, this is a nightmare; it doesn’t have to make sense. I asked my mom if we could just open a door and jump out to escape, but it didn’t seem safe. When it stopped, we walked around a house (like the restaurant had connected to a house with different rooms and areas.)  There were other people and it didn’t seem like an immediately dangerous situation. But at one point, a young girl said, “you know you’re here to get killed, right?” The girl and another young girl with her were like, hey, don’t worry. It’s no big deal, it’s better that way, etc. So crazy. The rest of the dream, I remember trying to figure out what to do next to escape to safety. I must have woken up after that. All I can think of is how that might have been a glimpse into spiritual warfare. Wow. But if our God is for us, who could be against us.)

Considering the weird dream/nightmare, and then reading part of Nehemiah’s story this morning, I just keep seeing more confirmation that this has to be God at work.

This is my prayer. Maybe you can pray it for you and your family as well.

• Father, I pray for protection for all my family, my parents, my kids & their friends. And for myself as well. Lord, please be with us, send your officers and horsemen for protection and guide us to accomplish what You are calling us to do. Please give us a long, fruitful, healthy, satisfying life to glorify You and You alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Coppe ❤️

God has a special love for the fatherless

I know way too many people who are fatherless. Too many kids are growing up without a daddy. Some dads just up and left. Some never showed up to begin with. And some have simply passed on from this life.

I’m thankful that I have my dad, Emilio, still here.  
That was us at the super Christmassy Dickinson Festival of Lights in December. Can’t wait to go again this year (it’s just 10 months away!) 🎄🎄🎄

My dad and I live about 4 hours apart. But his phone conversations are often encouraging, prayerful & sometimes sarcastic (which I find hilarious!)

However, we know our earthly dads, if we have one, are limited. Even the good ones, when they want to give us the world, sometimes they just can’t. They’re too far to help, or finances are tight, or the situation is simply out of everybody’s hands.

At times like that, we can feel fatherless. Helpless. Lost. 

But God is the “helper of the fatherless.” 

He hears & knows our desires. He strengthens our hearts. And He inclines his ear to do justice to the fatherless and oppressed.

I read this Psalm & wanted to share it with you. It changes our lives, our mindset and how we feel about ourselves and our kids, when we realize we are not fatherless. 

And our Father is a King.

“But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation, that you may take it into your hands; to you the helpless commits himself; you have been the helper of the fatherless.
The Lord is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land. O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭10:14, 16-18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/psa.10.14,16-18.esv

God bless you!

Coppelia

Young Life Gala: 75th Anniversary!

What an amazing night. The incredible organization that is Young Life has intentionally been going to meet teens where they are, helping them to know who Jesus is, for 75 years (50 years here in Houston.)

I got to emcee the celebration tonight and it was awesome!

Just in case you’re not familiar with Young Life, you may be familiar with Christian artist Brandon Heath. He has a very cool Young Life story that he shares in this video.

Young Life leaders impacted Brandon Heath personally. They shared with him how much Jesus loved him, and that started him on a life-changing journey.

Stories just like Brandon’s are happening all over Houston. That is exciting.

And tonight, I was honored and excited to emcee the Young Life gala for the 2nd year in a row. We were all dressed up in the beautifully decorated room at the River Oaks Country Club. Pinch me. I still can’t believe I had the honor of standing before Young Life staff, supporters, donors and friends, to celebrate the incredible milestone of 75 years (50 in H-town!)

It was exciting to be in the room as “Jimmy Rock” and “Fernando” (I mean, Fred), were able to actually have FUN and raise money at the same time, to help expand Young Life’s multicultural ministry in the Greater Houston region and send kids to the “Best Week Of Their Lives” at camp! Woohoo!!

As if that wasn’t enough, I had another honor — introducing guest speaker, Lee Strobel, author of life-changing books like “The Case for Christ” and his new “The Case for Grace.”

Lee was very open and vulnerable. I knew he had been an atheist before he became a Christian, but I hadn’t heard his personal testimony of being a drunk dad. He shared how his wife and daughter, for her first 5 years of life, didn’t have quite the best husband and father. After Lee came to know Jesus, the change was dramatic. In fact, it led his 5 year old daughter to declare that she wanted to know Jesus like her daddy because it changed his life. Wow.

Lee was very gracious with all of us fans, wanting to chat and take pictures with him. In this picture, Lee and I are in the middle, with the very cute Lynsey and Michael joining us. I was sitting with Michael and Lynsey and we just had a great time, chatting and having fun.

And I have to say thank you to “Jimmy Rock,” James Rockwell, Regional Director for Young Life Greater Houston Region. He is always awesome to work with, very encouraging and I hope we definitely get to do this again. It was fun!