On Sunday, July 26, the entire universe turned against the newlywed McCollister's, with a four-pronged attack.
We were vanquished in Van Nuys.
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1. THE CHURCH
We started out with best intentions, leaving to visit Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA this week.
Since they only have one service at 10:30 AM, we woke up and left in plenty of time to get there.
But Google Map's estimated time can be deceiving, because we have learned that even if you make it to the destination's general area, finding the place and allowing for parking really takes another half hour.
Battling a maze of confusing directions, we finally arrived at a large church campus on the right that we assumed was the place. So, we went through the first entrance we could find into a huge parking lot.
Vastly huge.
Because we were behind schedule timewise, immediately we began searching for the visitor's parking area, which would assure us a close, convenient spot.
Of course, we would be wrong.
After driving around in circles, passing tons of empty handicapped parking spaces (is it really necessary to have 50 spaces for the lame?) we asked someone about the location of the guest parking.
He began to give us confusing instructions, something about two lots that were already full, and one across the street that we could try to park in.
So much for convenience.
We pull out and trying to find this magical parking lot on the "other side of the street." But there is no "other side" of the street, just a highway.
Finally, we spotted a road that seemed to lead to a parking lot "across the street." We turn in, only to discover that there is no entrance in the back.
So, we ended up parallel parking at (what seemed) a mile away.
By this point, the service had already started, and as were walking, I called an audible.
"Let's just leave."
In our thorough search for a temporary church home here, I hate to waste a visit. If we can't be there for the entire service (including the worship) I'd rather come back another time.
Our Sunday visits are very important to me, and unfortunately, Grace Community failed us as visitors today. Better communication and signage would have saved us from a horrible experience.
We elected to visit a church with an afternoon service instead.
NEXT:
The WalMart
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