Music

I love pursuing music.

I am 100% confident that its what God created me to do.

That's a pretty cool feeling. To know God built you for a very specific purpose and to be able to pursue it. There's plenty of much better musicians, singers, and songwriters out there, and maybe I'll never make it big, but God has opened the doors for me to be able to do it full-time and I'm jumping in. I'm overwhelmed with gratefulness.



I set aside hours every day to brush up on old original material I'll be recording, work on harmonies, listen to some of the legends (Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, etc), try to come up with new songs, and voice training.

The date is set and soon to be released concerning my first recording session. Yeah yeah! :-D
Please pray that The Lord makes it financially possible and that my focus stays on HIM and my music glorifies HIM!

What does it mean to be a Godly woman?

I used to read the last half of Proverbs 31 every day. You know... the section about the virtuous woman? And I'd try to picture a woman today and what she would dress like, act like, what her daily routine would be, how she treated others, how she treated her husband and how she treated other men and women, how she parented, what time she got up in the morning, how disciplined she was etc... And I suppose I always pictured a woman who had it pretty well together with a balanced schedule.

But yesterday while I sat in a Do Hard Things conference and was being taught to do what's right and avoid what's wrong when it hurts I realized what an emotional mess a virtuous woman must be. She's strong because she's knows she's incredibly weak. She gives up things she craves, wants and desires because she puts others before herself. Yeah, she's strong and she perseveres but its because she's so willing to suffer and sacrifice for a greater purpose. A virtuous woman appears like someone who has it together because she's obtained God's peace by accepting that she never will have it together.

That's why this virtuous woman "smiles at the future" while the rest of are panicking over what may or may not happen. She's okay with not knowing, not controlling, not being able to plan her path. She knows life is fleeting and she lives for today.

I'm so thankful God brought this message to my attention, because I DON'T have it together and - praise God - I don't need to!!!

Missions Trip and Life

Its so nice to finally have a chance to blog. Last week I spent six days in Nashville Tennessee serving at Cottage Cove, a Christian facility for kids where we would watch them, play with them, and teach them Bible lessons all day. It was an awesome opportunity!

I've also had the opportunity to be at home the past few days and take a big breather. Its been so busy, and, even though I've loved every minute of it, I was ready to take a break. My parents have been gone for a couple of days on business and I've been taking care of the house and spending my evenings watching movies. Tomorrow its back to normal life though. Lots of school! :)

Practicing Yoga

Yoga, my friends, is a marvelous stress-buster! This Summer, I am doubling up on school (as opposed to taking a break), preparing for a missions trip, leading a Bible study, and joining another worship team. I have a bit on my plate, you see. And I already struggle with anxiety. I've memorized many comforting verses that have helped me through it, but I knew I needed more ways to cope.

So I've started practicing meditation and yoga! Now, I used to be against meditation. I thought it was dangerous because I'd heard some people say that to meditate is to "open your mind" which can be dangerous for a Christian. Not so. I mean, it can be if you do it that way, but when I meditate I make a point of focusing on God. You sit outside with your legs crossed, hands on your knees, open to the sky, eyes closed. Listen to the birds, wind, etc, and focus on God's beautiful creation. It's so relaxing - and healthy.

And then there's yoga. They kind of go hand-in-hand. Most people who are big on Yoga typically meditate too. But doing Yoga for exercise is very relaxing and freeing, and I'm doing it more and more. Both of these things are doing wonders to keep my stress under control. I totally recommend doing them. All right. I need to get started on my homework! (:

Music

I haven't blogged in a while so...

I thought I would. :-)

Lately I've been taking piano lessons from a very patient teacher, and it's been so helpful.

I'm trying to be more disciplined. In every way. Eating habits, school, music practice, exercise, etc...

Anyways... life is good and God is great. I'm outa here.

Salvation

Do you ever get refreshed in your relationship with God? Out of nowhere you're just so excited over what He's done for you?

That's where I am, and it's incredible.

The feeling of a Father who welcomes me back with open arms is new again. Thinking of His grace makes me send up an "I love you Daddy" prayer all the time.

Possibly the most amazing thing I've ever known is that God can forgive a sinner like me.

Thank you Jesus. ♥

Sore throat

I came down with a bit of a cold Monday. With a really bad sore throat. Ugh. This is like my thousandth sore throat. I. Hate. It. Luckily I found a new trick that helps it feel really fast and I can talk a little already (that's a fast recovery for me)

I can't wait to get better and tackle some new music stuff with my dad.
In the meantime I'm laying around watching television. Bleh.

I think I'll catch up on some reading now.

Later...

Livvy

Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss.

Mrs. Emily McDonald.
Barry took her away - and if he weren't such a great person himself, I'd probably be angry.

She's my "big sister", and the main person who got me through what is still the hardest thing I've ever experienced. I love her dearly, and miss her very much!

Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile.

Teen group. Me and Emma made an outfit for Katie Justice out of wrapping paper.
Good times.

Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of.

Doctors... I've had some not-so-fun trips to the ER. :(

Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member.

Me and the brother at Chuck E Cheese for our little brother's birthday party.
We are so cool. ;)

Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you.

Family vacation. I miss it.

I'm not sure where we were in this photo... It was our trip out west. Maybe Oregon? I think this is 1880 town. Hmm. :)

Day 25 - A picture of your day.

I know I'm so behind on this stupid thing.
But here was my day yesterday: school, school, and more school.

fun stuff. :)

Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change.

the fact that I'm NOT recording - that's something I wish I could change! I miss singing!!!

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book.

Probably some of the best fiction I've ever read.
Then again, anything from this guy is outstanding!

Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at.

Sports! I'm not coordinated..... at all. I'm the girl that does the artsy stuff. It would be nice to be good at more than one thing, haha.

Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget.

Heartbreak, and the scars it left.

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel.

New Zealand. I think it would be just amazing.

Day 19 - A picture of you when you were little.

Pretty cute, huh? :)

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity.

Just looks in general are what REALLY bother me. The contest to look better than other beautiful women. It's horrible.

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.

I wasn't sure what picture to use, but this seemed like a good'n.

What's had a a huge impact on my life lately is the love of Jesus. Seriously. I'm going through an amazing journey with Jesus, and feel closer to Him than ever before.

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you.

Oh my goodness. So many wonderful things about this woman! I think the way in which she inspires me most is with her perseverance and work ethic - along with her unconditional trust in, and love for God. I love you Nettie!

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die.

To help at a Crisis Pregnancy Center. I've been more and more passionate about wanting to save lives, and help the mothers looking for direction. It's something I've wanted to be involved in for a long time.

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.

My mom and my Aunt Dory.
Two very amazing women that I love and aspire to be like.

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist.

For about nine years now.
She's been my favorite artist and the one who inspired me to sing in the first place.
Rebecca St.James.

Day 12 - A picture of something you love.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate.

In so many ways...

Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with.

Yeah, me and Emma are pretty crazy together.

I just love her.

Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.

Katie Justice. For sure.
God has used her to get me through SO much, and to keep me from making some seriously bad decisions. She's taken so much weight off my shoulders with her Godly advice and wisdom. I just love her to death.

Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh.

Haha. Me, Olivia Lindstrom, and Greg Justice.

This was the morning after we'd spent the first night on the fall retreat with the youth group, and me and Olivia were both wiped out and so not ready to start the day. So we went downstairs and crashed on the couch in the lounge area, and Autumn decided to take a picture with Greg "creepin'". Too awesome.

Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item.

My guitar(s)

(:

Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day.

This is Nichole Nordeman, an amazing Christian singer.

Honestly, I don't listen to her stuff all that often, but the overall idea of what her life is like is what I dream of mine being like someday. She's a wife and a mother, and also a songwriter and singer. She finds time to spend with her family, and occasionally travels to hold concerts as well.

Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory.

The missions trip to Arizona last Summer! It was amazing, and changed my life in a lot of ways.

This is my BFF Josh that I met there - he's awesome!!

Day 04 - A picture of your night.

I wasn't able to get online last night, but here's what I did!

We heard there was an ice storm coming, and our power might go out, soooo, I made sure we had plenty of snacks just in case. ;)

-brownies

-blueberry muffins

-cinnamon muffins

Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show.

8 Simple Rules


Gilmore Girls

So I couldn't pick one. I watch both of these shows allll the time. Even though they only play reruns now. I think they're great!

Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been close with for the longest.

Yup! Miss Katie Prevost, out of all my closest friends, has been there the longest.
It's a rare friend that stays in your life for very long at all, but me and Katie have been good friends for around six years now.
We've laughed, cried, fought, had really awkward moments that we still laugh about together, but all in all we've had a GREAT friendship.
She's always there to be whatever I need for comfort. To be happy, sad, or angry for me. Katie, you're great! :)

Day 1 - a picture of yourself with fifteen facts

(Thirty day picture thingy, inspired by my amazingggg friend Emily who's doing the same thing!)

1) I love coffee. I'm drinking some right now.

2) I enjoy the paraphrase "the message" and read from it often.

3) I love to cook and bake. Sometimes I get burnt out from it, other times I need to do it for stress relief. Odd. It either adds stress or takes it away.

4) I have very specific dreams that I have to hand over to God daily, because I've clung to them so long and feel He's calling me to let go.

5) I love hair and makeup products. If I could take two hours to get ready every day, I definitely would. I'm such a girl.

6) Me and my best friends laugh so hard we cry over things that aren't even truly funny.

7) I have an OCD problem with feeling like my email and facebook get "cluttered" and I have to delete something. So far I've deleted 20 pages of messages, ten "friends" that I never talk to, around 70 photos, and over 500 "likes".

8) I'm a morning person. I've tried to be a night owl - and I can't.

9) If I'm so angry or upset that I can't calm down, I deep clean the house. It helps every time.

10) I play guitar for my youth group worship team

11) I love speaking. Like, giving my testimony. Even though it makes me REALLY nervous and I usually end up crying, it's one of my favorite things to do.

12) I'm incapable of leaving a project unfinished. I've started books I couldn't stand, but I HAD to finish that book, even if it took me four months. It's an issue, really.

13) I'm a complainer, and thankfulness is a constant goal for me.

14) I overthink everything.

15) I love Jesus with all of my heart

Coffee :)

I've been having fun with my espresso machine a lot here lately.

Today I made a great big Vanilla Latte (made with soy, being lactose intolerant)

It made me happy :) :) :)