God works in mysterious ways.

So, I know a lot of you out there are wondering what exactly has just happened in the past 24 hours. Don't worry, me too. If anyone has been following my status updated on Facebook, you sort of know what is going on but maybe not completely. So I figured I would explain things a little bit for all of you wonderful people.

Most of you reading this already know that Downhere, Jason Gray, and Aaron Shust are out on the Called To Love tour right now. I tried getting the tour to come to my church back before I left for the summer, but the timing wasn't good for me to be planning a concert and it just didn't work out. So when I realized that the tour wasn't coming to Florida at all, I was really bummed out.

After I came home from one of the hardest/longest/craziest summers of my life, I hit the ground running and life was still not easy (when is it ever?). But I was thrown into one of the most challenging semesters ever, trying to keep my head above water, struggling every step of the way. The evidence is in the last post I wrote on here. So needless to say, I am totally and completely burned out. I haven't felt like myself for a long time. I miss that. And I need a break...a mini-vacation. Something.

So that's where this whole thing comes in...

My friend Sarah joked around with me on facebook a few weeks ago and said that I should go up to Virginia for the Called to Love tour. I said that I didn't think it would ever work out, and that it just wasn't a realistic thing to do. Then last week or something we started joking around again and she said she would throw in $30 dollars for gas money. I still knew it wasn't realistic to put all those miles on my car so I let it go. But yesterday, while I was doing my homework, I started day dreaming. What else is a girl supposed to do?

What if I REALLY did something about this joking? What did I have to lose? So I left Sarah a comment and said "Seriously considering taking donations to get my butt up to Virginia in less than a month. Any takers?" And that's where it all started. Sarah was immediately excited, so I posted it on my facebook. Just for curiosity's sake, I wanted to know who would donate money so I could buy a plane ticket. Of course, I had Sarah and her $30 dollars, and I wasn't really believing anything would happen.

After saying a little prayer, and asking my friend Tricia to pray for me, my friend Gina prayerfully put in $200. Then my friend Derk, said he would throw in a couple dollars. My friend Jen said she would donate. Within minutes I had $217 dollars in my paypal account. I had no idea what was happening, why it was happening, it was...just happening. I went to bed, woke up to nothing new, but then a family friend donated, and my friend Michael, then my friend Jen, Sharon, Deb. My step-sister Sarah even donated 10 dollars!

And just like that, I had reached my goal of $350 and had seven cents to spare.

I sit here tonight with a purchased plane ticket.

I am completely blown away by my Jesus this evening. Not only that, but I am amazed at the kindess and generosity of my friends, some of whom I have never met.

I almost wrote that I don't know why God would choose me to be the recipient of so much kindess, but I do know.

Every time I see downhere or Jason Gray, it comes at a time when I desperately need it. Concerts are like a breath of fresh air for me. I always leave feeling rejuvenated and refreshed by the message that is given. It's no secret that music holds a very special place in my heart, especially downhere and Jason Gray's music. With the stress that I've been dealing with lately, I realized long ago that I could use a break and get rejuvenated. I realize now that this is how God wants to reveal Himself to me.

I'll be the first to tell you that my relationship with God has been struggling lately. I've been hurt by people I thought I could trust, lost some of my closest friends, been dealing with the most stressful semester of my life, new issues arising in my family. I hadn't read my bible since the very beginning of the summer, and I knew that was having a big impact on my mental state. I just didn't want to do anything about it. Lame excuse, right?

Yesterday morning was the first time I opened my bible on my own to read it since the beginning of June. I realized this week while talking to my mom, while completely at the end of my rope with nothing more to give, that I needed to give everything over to God. So I did.

There were times through this little (big?) 24 hour journey where I wanted to take things into my own hands. Then he showed me that He had this in his hands all the way through.

As I reflect on the last twenty four hours I see God's hand throughout the whole thing. As I look ahead to the weekend of November 11-13th, I see the details for why God has made this a possibility. November 11th marks 5 years since I gave my life to Christ. It also marks 5 years since the first time I saw downhere. That weekend will mark 5 years since I've known my friends Monika, Cherylyn and and Sarah. It will mark the day that I get to meet Monika and Cherylyn. It also marks the 10th time I'm seeing Jason Gray.

I'd say that this is all a bit more than coincidence.
It is a miracle.

post no. 200!

On August 28th I had the wonderful opportunity to see Andrew Peterson in concert. The last time I saw him was last November, it was really great to see him again.
 

I was able to go with my friend Jen again, just like last time. Actually, the last few shows I've been to, Jen has been there as well. Maybe she's become my concert buddy? If so, I definitely can't complain! She's great, and so much fun to go to shows with.

Before the show started, we went to Tijuana Flats for dinner. It was generally just really nice to catch up, even though I felt like I barely spoke because I was still recovering from getting back home and the first week of classes back in session. It was great, though.

We rushed back to the church and it was filling up quickly, but we managed to get front row seats. The show was magnificent, but I couldn't have really expected anything less. And I think that it might be more fun for Andrew to play in Florida since he has a history here. Plus, when he tells his jokes, we all understand them because we live here and we know how it is.

Afterward, we talked to all three of the guys. They are so nice! There are reasons why these people are my favorites, and that's one of them. :-)

Afterward we parted ways and made our journey home. I didn't end up getting home until nearly midnight, and I was completely exhausted the next day, but it was so worth it.

If you ever get the opportunity to make it to an Andrew Peterson show, do it!

P.S. This is my 200th post on ye olde blog. Fitting that it's about a concert, no?

monday happiness # 3.

 

My Monday happiness is a bit more than Monday happiness. It's more like Saturday, Sunday, AND Monday happiness. Which, by the way, I'm really grateful that I can say. I've felt like such a Negative Nancy lately, even though I know that God is doing amazing things in my life right now, and I can clearly see the many ways that He is blessing me daily. I don't know, maybe I've just been so caught up in my head lately. I've certainly been thinking way too hard. 

Anyway, Saturday I had the opportunity to take my Grandma out to lunch. I don't know why, but I was just especially cheery for no reason. Then I heard Jason Gray's newest single "I Am New" for the first time on the radio. Then I was especially cheery for a reason. :-)

Yesterday I had the wonderful opportunity to drive 2.5 hours north to see Andrew Peterson in concert for the first time. It was such a wonderful show. A great night of storytelling about the greatest story of them all. I also got to meet up with some good friends in Ormond Beach. We got to geek out about music the whole night. It's weekends like this past weekend that really make me realize how much of a music junkie I am, and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Today, though I was very much lacking in the sleep department, I still managed to have a great day. It might have a little something to do with the fact that I found out I finished my English class with a B. Meaning I had to have done way better on my argumentative essay on pirating music then I had originally thought. I feel like a dork now, because that paper caused me so much anxiety. I think I had nightmares about it and came close to hyperventilating a few times.

Also, we finally got cold weather. Cold for a Floridians standards, anyway. It has been so beautiful the past few days. That always does my heart, mind, and soul some good. 

I just feel like I was fed spiritually, mentally, and emotionally this weekend.

I had the delightful opportunity to spend last Friday night, September 17th, with Jason Gray. He played in Orlando, FL for an event being put on by Orlando Union Rescue Mission for their annual event called One Homeless Night. 

 He only played four or five songs, but it was still wonderful to be able to hang out. We got to escape to Starbucks before the show with our friend Jen. She works with Z88.3, the Christian radio station in Orlando. It was wonderful to be able to meet up with her, and just have real and honest conversation together. We laughed together as Jason's GPS got confused with the crazy downtown Orlando roads, and as Jason recounted stories from the Centricity Music artist retreat he had just come from that week. Jason was able to tell us about how his single More Like Falling In Love has really been doing great at radio, and he told us about what God was doing in his life. It almost felt like a reversal from any time I had hung out him. He normally asks me to fill him in on my life, but it was refreshing to hear him talk about the things that are going on in his life. Jason even asked Jen and I if we would pray for him before he played. So the three of us gathered together in a circle under the I-4 overpass, and prayed for Jason before we finished setting up for the show. It was a blessing to be surrounded by such great friends.

I got to run powerpoint for Jason at the show, and I'm glad he asked me. It's nice to be able to do something like that. I feel like I'm giving something back to Jason after the kindness he's shown me over the past couple of years. Jen and I were talking while Jason was sound checking, and we were talking about conversations that I've had with Jason on Facebook and Twitter, specifically the ones when we joke around with each other. Jen said "You know you're good friends with someone when you can joke around with someone online, and have no one get offended." We both liked that so much that we retold it to Jason while we were at Starbucks. He liked it, too. The teasing continued on throughout the night, and I even felt comfortable enough to start bossing Jason around. He was going back and forth on whether he wanted to tell a certain joke in his set, or just take it out of the powerpooint completely. I finally just told him to just do it. He said 'Yeah...okay. I think I will. You think I should? Okay...yeah, totally...I'm gonna do it!". Then a few minutes later I realized, "I just told Jason Gray what to do. Like I have that right or something." I apologized to him and told him that I didn't mean to just tell him what to do. He said "No..it's totally cool. You just stuck it to me, and you know what? I'm going to do it. Here I go!" and he walked away and told his joke.

This was my 9th time seeing Jason play. The first time I saw him was at the very end of 2007. A couple days before New Years. Every time, no matter what, I always walk away with my heart being stirred in some way. It was no different this time. I don't know if it's the music or if it's the conversation, but God is definitely always in our midst. God has used Jason and his music to minister to me in some of the most difficult times in my life, or to help me through hours and hours of homework. I'm grateful that I came across the music of Jason Gray, and have had the opportunity to get to know and become friends with him over the past three years (almost). It's good.

my passion.

There is nothing in this world, besides Jesus, that makes me happier than planning a concert. I say this in no joking manner. I've only had the pleasure of doing it once before, but fully intend to do it many more times. There is just something inside of me that unknowingly comes out when I head into planning mode. You see, I can be a shy person, and absolutely hate taking any sort of leadership role because I have always felt like I can't do it. Along with being shy, I am also very soft spoken in an uncomfortable environment. If you were to talk to my best friend, she would tell you that I sound like a little four year old. We'll have to agree to disagree on that, but what I'm trying to say is this:

How in the world does a shy, soft spoken girl break out of her shell and plan a concert? 

I couldn't even begin to tell you. The last time I did this I surprised myself. It made me realize that I had a whole lot of other things inside of me that I didn't even know existed. Maybe when God has a calling on your life, He plants those tools inside of you, only to be brought out when absolutely necessary. Almost like a secret weapon, but not so weapon like. Not so scary. Just something to be used to further His Kingdom and glorify His name.

So I surprised myself again tonight. First, I have to start off by saying something. At the beginning of this week, I woke up thinking "Wow. I really want to plan a concert." The thought hasn't left my mind at all. If anything, it's just been knocking on my door harder. And harder. Today I tweeted "kaitluce has never had the urge to plan a concert more than I do right now." It's true. After I posted it, I prayed, asking God to let things happen how He wanted them to happen. Knowing that He would show me the way if this were to happen. Well, shortly after I posted that a couple of people told me I should go for it. So I went to church tonight and told the youth leader what I was thinking about, and he's ready to go. He wants it to happen like..yesterday. Then, while I was driving home, I thought "It would be cool to hear Jason Gray on the radio right about now. If that happened, that would be one more sign to add the the list that I should continue on with this." A couple songs later, his song For The First Time Again comes on. Yep. Call me crazy, but I have a feeling this should happen. The last time, I sort of just stumbled upon the opportunity to plan a concert.. The opportunity found me. Maybe this time I need to find the opportunity and we'll meet in the middle. Whatever happens in the end, God will get the glory. Anything to further His Kingdom.

P.S. I will keep you updated.

a weekend with jason gray.

Well, the day has come and gone, and I've been trying to gather it all together. The truth is, I can't. No matter how hard I try and think about how I could possibly write a blog about this past weekend, I can't wrap my mind around it. So I will attempt to write a blog about it, and we'll see how it turns out. Here we go...

Four weeks ago, Jason sent me an e-mail, asking me if my church would like to have him come and play on a Saturday night. He said that he would be traveling around the midwest, and making his way down south all the week before, so since he was in the area he wanted to know if we wanted to host him. I spoke to the people at my church, they said they would love to have him come. With a lot more details then just that, and a ton of trust in God, we got him here.

I was going to have Jason stay at my house on Friday night, so with that and the planning of the concert, I was one busy girl, who was running on little sleep for about a month. I was painting the bathroom and putting the touch ups on the edging, when I got the e-mail from Jason on Thursday afternoon, the day before he was supposed to arrive here if he was staying with us, that he was in fact going to be. With much excitement, nervousness, and adrenaline pumping through my veins, I got the bathroom done on Thursday evening. Friday I spent the day in a cleaning frenzy. I started when I woke up and stopped maybe three or four hours before he pulled into my driveway. Meanwhile, I had a splitting headache, exhaustion was setting in, and by the time he was sitting at my dining room table, I had nothing left inside of me. It's a good thing he did most of the talking.

We got to feed him a home-cooked meal of baked chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, salad and pumpkin pie for dessert. It was so great to be able to invite Jason into my home. He has done so much for me over the past two years since I've met him, it was the least I could do. It was great to get to hang out outside of a concert event, sharing with him a part of my family, and him sharing his many stories with us. We got to laugh a lot at some stories, and then we got to have more serious conversations. Something that you just don't get to do at a show.

I gave up my room for Jason to sleep in, and I slept on the couch. Even though I didn't sleep wonderful, it didn't phase me that much, because Jason got to sleep more than 4 or 5 hours. I was just fine with giving up my comfortable bed for a night, sacrificing my sleep, so he could be rested for the next day, and even the next to see his family and get ready to have a vacation with them!

The next morning we all got to have a leisurely morning, waking up, eating a late breakfast, and all sitting out on our back porch talking about music, movies, and books. I got to talk to Jason about things I would normally chat with him about on his message boards, but we actually got to talk about them on my back porch. It was so cool. I enjoyed it so much.

We got to talk a little bit about his music, the new record, what his favorite things about it were, what my favorite things about it were. I got to tell him things I kept reminding myself I was post on his boards, but never got the chance. Maybe that's the way it was supposed to be. Instead we got to talk about it in person, at my dining room table.

He got to do laundry at our house, our dryer ate one of his socks, and we got to eat cold-cut sandwiches together while going over power point for the show that night. All of the things I listed above, I was feeling nervous the whole time. You know, it's not everyday you get to have your favorite musical artist in your home, but around this time, I was starting to become more myself. I've known that Jason was a friend of mine, but there has always been that fan part of me in there. Not crazy fan or anything, just respecting what he does and his music. It was around this time, but not completely until later, that I realized that Jason and I are friends. Some people may not understand that, and that's okay. You don't have to. You can't fully understand until you've experienced it yourself. I'm grateful for the opportunity.

So, around 3:00 we packed up Jason's stuff in his mini-van. We were heading to the church with a couple of stops on the way. This is the part where I really felt as if Jason and I were friends. He cared enough to ask me about something that happened in my past, that has really defined who I am today. It is the cause of many of the fears and insecurities I have today, and the fact that he cared to ask and wanted to know touched my heart. He could identify with me on this subject, and we got to talk about something I don't think either of us talks to just anyone about.

We made a stop at Tropical Smoothie and had smoothies for dinner. Then we were headed on our way to the church. Then the madness began. I think that Saturday night was a defining moment in my life. I knew from the beginning that if this night went well, then I would know what God really wanted me to do with my life. I know that i've wanted to work in the music industry, but then somewhere along the way this year, I suddenly became confused with what it was I was to do with my life. So there was that to be nervous for, and just the fact that this was the first event I ever planned.

Things were hectic in the beginning, but then they just started falling into place. Jesus was telling to me trust Him once again, and I did. If I had tried to do any of this on my own, I have no idea how it would have turned out. It may not have even happened. Well, in the end, the night turned out more amazing than I could have ever hoped for. I know what God wants me to do with my life, and I know that many people were blessed my Jason and his music on Saturday night. It will be something that I remember and cherish for a long time to come. I'm so grateful for the opportunity. I so look forward to having Jason come and play at my church again, once we are in our new building. I look forward to the many lessons God has to teach me, and what He has in store for my life. Thank you Jason for your kindness. I think I will only ever be able to tell you how much you and your wife mean to me once we get to Heaven.

Today is the day. I'm one big ball of emotions. It's going to be a wonderful day, though. I'm looking forward to hanging out with Jason today. I'm interested to see how everything comes together at the concert. To see if my hard work has paid off. I feel like this show is like a 'make-it or break-it' thing. If this show goes well, then i'm almost 100% positive that God has completely shown me what i'm supposed to do with my life. It's exciting and nerve-wrecking all at the same time. If you think of it, pray for this evening. I believe that God is painting a really beautiful picture here.

If you want to come, here's some info:
November 14th, 2009
Doors: 6:00 p.m.
Concert: 6:30 p.m.

1470 SE Huffman Rd. Port St. Lucie, FL 34952
Love offering will be taken up for Jason and his ministry.
Child care available.

Have a wonderful day!

On my agenda for today:

1. Concert planning.
2. Straightening up my house.
3. Washing my dog.
4. Clean my room.
5. Job interview at Justice.
6. Maybe fit in some leisurely reading.
7. Concert planning.
8. Enjoy a great evening with my church family at our 2nd annual fall festival!

Have a wonderful day! I hope you get to enjoy some great fall festivities this weekend!

I wish the thoughts and things that I want to blog about could immediately be transferred from my brain when I think them up. There is just so much I want to tell my small group of readers here. One thing at a time, I guess. Well, if you've stuck around for the past week, you should have read this. Also, If you follow me on twitter you may have already heard about it. If you haven't, this is your lucky day.

Jason Gray will be coming to my church, Grace Emmanuel Church, on Saturday November 14th, 2009. There! My secret is out, and does it feel good! This whole thing has come together in crazy time, and it's a lot to handle, but i'm doing a fine job. It's exciting to get to be the planner for the concert. It's my first experience like this, and I really enjoy it.

I'm also happy to report that my sleep schedule from all of this excitement is back to normal, because I know God's got it all under control. It's probably also because i've been super busy with all of this stuff and school and and and and...My life has suddenly gotten busy. Wasn't I just complaining about not having anything to do a couple weeks ago?

i'll follow you.

On Sunday evening I had the privilege of attending the Follow You Tour with Francesca Battistelli, Leeland and Brandon Heath. It was a beautiful night of worshiping my Lord and Savior. It was just what I needed at the time, and my heart was filled to the brim by the end of the night. Sometimes a concert really is all that I need to relight the spark in my heart to get the fire burning again. I was saved at a concert, and I have found that it is how God speaks to me the most. I hear Him and feel Him the most through music. It really does keep my heart working properly. I feel as if my heart is working beautifully at the moment. I leave you with a video of my favorite song from the whole night.

My first blog!

I've been getting into seeing other people blogging but never actually done it myself. So I figured, what better time then now? So here I am. Ready to blog my little heart out. Okay, maybe not. I don't exactly know if i'll have a specific theme for my blogging. I guess we shall see, what we shall see.
Right now we are finally getting some much needed rain. Everything has gotten so dry around here, it's almost depressing. I'm ready for everything to be vibrant and green again. Instead of dead and ugly. Hurricane season is upon us and I think I can say that I may want it to come. I'll probably regret saying that in a few months when we get hit by a whopping big one!
I'm going to a concert in a few days. I know you'll be seeing alot of this in my blog! :-) I am a concert maniac. Sort of. Fireflight is the name of the band. http://fireflightrock.com/ I saw them a year ago at a festival in Orlando, FL called Cornerstone. I met them after their show. Such nice guys and girls! It will be interesting to see them in concert again. Since the last time I saw them them they have released a new album titled 'Unbreakable'. I have yet to hear most of the songs on it, but from what i've heard, it's amazing! I guess this is long enough for now. I hope you all enjoyed my first blog! :-)