lately.

 Beach trip with my mom.

 Being goofy with Gina.

 Learning how to play guitar.

 Fourth of July.



This is coming soon!

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There's been a lot of stuff happening lately. A lot to keep me busy. A lot to bring a smile to my face. And certainly a lot to remind me of how blessed I really am.

01. Last monday my Mom and I were dragging our feet around the house, wiping away the sleep from our eyes, when she said, "Want to go to the beach?" Honestly, how could I resist? My schedule was almost completely cleared, so we did just that. We packed a light and healthy lunch, slathered some sunscreen on and hit the beach. It was a gorgeous day. Low tide, quiet, the water was the perfect temperature. Plus, I got to spend it with my mom. She's the best!

02. This past weekend my Floridian born-Michigan living friend Gina was in "town". I say "town" because she lives about an hour south of me, but in "town" is better than in Michigan. I drove down on Friday afternoon, and stayed until Saturday evening. We got caught up on each others lives, played games together, became frustrated from said games, spent time with friends, hit the flea market, sweat until we couldn't sweat anymore, grabbed ice cream, when to the Chik-fil-a, learned some guitar. We had a great time together. It always a great time when I get to hang with Gina and her family.

03. Like I said, Gina taught me how to play a little bit of guitar. It's something I've wanted to learn how to do for a while, but haven't had a guitar to do so. I recently aquired a guitar, so what better time than now to learn?

04. Last week was the 4th! How exciting! I spent most of my day doing homework, but was able to get out for some fun in the afternoon and evening. My church was doing a picnic, so I got to eat some yummy food, and hang out with my good church people. Then I met up with some friends from my young adult bible study group and we went to the city fireworks. My friend Felicia knows some of the city cops, so we were able to get the hook-up and had ourselves some really great seats. We could literally see where the professionals were setting the fireworks off from in the road. It was incredible. And loud. And smoky. And we got rained on by firework debris, but it was still amazing, all the same. Afterward, I went to IHOP with my friends Kelsey and Felicia to keep the party going. It was awkward and weird. And I got really bad heartburn because I ate a bunch of food that I shouldn't have, but other than that, it was a fine night out.

05. The Jason Gray concert that I've been planning is a month and a half away! Crazy! Things have really picked up over the past couple weeks with that, and I am getting pumped. It will be here before I know it. As much work as this whole concert planning gig is, I'll be very sad to see it end. Plus, the planning is part of the fun, right?

Also, I'm taking an oceanography class right now, and last week I got a B on my first test!

The Lord has been blessing me left and right. Not only has he been blessing me, but He's been blessing those around me as well. It's so encouraging to see the hand of God in every little detail. Wow! I'm just blown away. 

community.

Earlier today... I was tired, cranky, didn't want to do anything, would rather have stayed in bed, needed an attitude adjustment, wanted a vacation.

I had a meeting that I needed to go to at church, which I was totally okay with, and later in the day I was supposed to meet with a friend to grab coffee and "exchange cookies for hugs". The time in between was unknown. I came home and my mom wanted me to help her clean a little bit. No problem there, except my mood totally went down hill. I was tired, didn't want to go anywhere, didn't want to do anything. I needed to trade my tired and unhappy heart in for a merry one.

Later today... I met my friend at Starbucks. The point of this was so she could deliver cookies she so sweetly and kindly decided to bless me with, and I could exchange her cookies for a big hug. You see, on Thursday I found out that I will be tested on seven chapters of American history this coming Thursday. One week to read and study seven chapters. I was overwhelmed and posted something about my panic on Facebook Thursday. My sweet friend Lindsy kindly left me a comment and said she would bake me whatever type of cookie I wanted, because baked goods are every studying girls best friend. My request? Ooey gooey chocolate chip cookies. They are fantastic (I'm eating two right now). 

We ended up getting coffee, sitting at a tiny table in a small Starbucks, just talking. Sharing life and laughter with one another. By the time we looked at the clock, three hours had passed in the blink of an eye. There wasn't a dull moment, and the conversation was life giving, soul lifting, and just generally good for my weary heart.

As were were talking, we talked about prayer, and how it can be hard to pray sometimes. I feel silly when I pray most of the time, especially if God already knows what the outcome will be. It's hard for me to pray for something and hope that my praying will turn the situation around if that's not God's plan. But...I know that through my praying, my relationship with the Lord is becoming stronger. I'm working at the relationship, but God is also working in my heart through the conversations I am having with Him. I tell Him the desires of my heart, he takes those desires, molds them into what He wants for me, hands them back and the desires of my heart become the desires of His heart.

The Lord knows what we need, when we need it. Today, the Lord knew I needed to be rejuvenated. He knew that I needed to be in community with a friend. And He knew I needed some chocolate chip cookies...

"Wherever two or more are gathered, there I am with them."

Matthew 18:20

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.

rainy disney world shenanigans.

Last Monday I went to Disney World with my friends Jen and Sherri. They are sisters (you really couldn't tell, could you? ;-), and some of the sweetest people I know. 

We made plans to go to Disney World at the beginning of March because we hadn't seen each other for a while, and we determined that we would hang out even if there wasn't a concert happening as an excuse for us to see each other. Jen has a friend who works at Disney World, so she was able to get three free park hopper passes (try saying that 10 times fast) for one day. Considering the fact that Sherri and I are both poor college kids, this was amazing news! Especially since Disney World is extremely overrated. What? It's true!

I had been checking up on the weather every day like it was my job or something to make sure that we would have perfect weather for the adventures that awaited us. We did.

Until I checked the forecast the before our adventure and the stupid percentage for rain went from 30% to 80%. 

Eighty-stinkin'-percent. 

Shoot...

After calling Jen up we decided that we were Floridians and a little rain couldn't hurt, and definitely wasn't going to put a damper on our day. Hee hee. I immediately ran out that evening and bought a poncho from good 'ole Walgreens. I was set and ready to go for the fun and craziness and sogginess that would ensue.

6:45 the next morning...I'm on my way and it starts POURING the moment I walk out my front door. Pours all the way to the notorious Orlando toll plaza, and lets up about 20 minutes before I get onto Disney property. So goes the story of the rest of our day...rains just enough for us to get wet, but doesn't pour quite enough to make us feel like we're miserable. Until we get under a covered area and the heavens open up. It never failed. Thanks, God! I know that's cheesy, but that's the way I saw it throughout the day.

Anyways, we started at Hollywood Studios. Can we please have a moment of silence for the greatness that once was MGM? Thank you. Moving on...
We got our passes, and decided that while we were there we would ride Rockin' Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror. They were both just as amazing as I remembered. Even though Tower of Terror did scare the life out of me for 2.5 seconds and made my heart pound way more than I ever thought it did. I might be getting old...

Then we made our way to Magic Kingdom and visited The Haunted Mansion. I hadn't been on that ride in ages, and they changed my favorite part. It was still silly, though. Jen and I even managed to have a mini-dance party in our cars. It was amazing. We wanted to go on Splash and Thunder Mountain, but they were closed because of lightning, so we ended up going on the tea cups. Note to self: Don't ride the tea cups with a poncho on. You will choke and feel like you're going to throw up. After that we grabbed some fast passes for Space Mountain, and decided to go eat lunch while we waited. By the time we were done eating lunch it was time for us to take a ride through space. After we were done with that, Splash and Thunder Mountain were opened again with about 20 minute wait times so we hopped in line and rode the both of them. After that we headed on over to Pirates of the Caribbean and literally walked right on. There was absolutely no wait at all. It was amazing.

After that we headed on over to Animal Kingdom and it was only 4:00, so we still had plenty of time to do what we really came there to do. I had my mind set on one place, and one place only. Expedition Everest! It was raining pretty hard by the time we got to Animal Kingdom, and the days activities were beginning to wear on us, but we were still pumped up about getting to experience the BIG mountain for the first time. There was only a five minute wait, so we walked right on. There was definitely not enough time to prepare for what we were about to endure. Especially after I saw the huge incline and my stomach dropped. Not to worry, though. It was everything and more than I hoped it would be. It was stinkin' incredible! So incredible, in fact, that we had to ride it again immediately after. We also watched the show in the tree of life. It was interesting and gave me the creepy crawly feeling. If you know what I'm saying... ;-)

Afterward we headed back to Hollywood Studios to hop into our warm cars and go grab some dinner at a Bob Evans off of Disney property. We warmed our bellies with food and drink, and warmed our hearts with conversation. We sat in Jen's car for a little bit and had a mini-listening party to Jason Gray's new EP. After all, it was his music that paved the way to my formed friendship with Jen, it was only right that he be a small part of our day. 

After our listening party, we both went our separate directions with memories of that one rainy day at Disney world to last us for a very long time.

monday musings and happies.

Sorry for the break. It was totally unexpected, but I was on Spring Break last week and just needed it, I guess.

I love the times when I have some much to blog about that I don't know where to start, but I'll start with today because it really has been a magnificent day.

Today was my first day back to classes after Spring Break, and I was totally dreading it. I was expecting it to be miserable. 

Until this afternoon happened...

I knew that my friend Jason Gray was sending me his new EP in the mail for my birthday (which was this past Saturday), and was expecting to get it today. Except that when I got the mail today there were TWO packages in the mail with my name on them. One from Jason Gray and one from my friend Breann. Hello! I mean...what the heck?! Breann sent me an Andrew Peterson and Eric Peters CD for my birthday. She provided the sweetest note, too. 

It's days like today and this past weekend as a whole that make me feel so blessed.

Today could have very well been a miserable day if I had allowed it to be, but God knew that I would need a pick-me-up, and provided it through these two sweet people. I'm so blown away by the ways that God is so involved in the details and knows exactly what we need before we ever do. Now I feel like it's possible to get through the next three and a half weeks until the semester is over.

I'm blessed and so so grateful for every single one of my friends. I love every single one of you. Thank you for being shining lights in my life.

hi-ho! hi-ho!

Sometimes it really is wonderful to live in Florida. It isn't very often that you'll hear me say that, because there really isn't that much that I love about this state. 

Until I have a trip to Disney World planned.

It doesn't matter how many times I've been there throughout my life. It really is the most magical place ever, and I'm so excited to have a trip planned there with my friend Jen a week from today. We know where we'll start, but we have no idea where we'll end, and I'm totally okay with that. The joys of spontaneity! 

I'll come back, I'm sure, with many stories and pictures to share and I can't wait!

What are your must do's at Disney World?

over the weekend.

-I went camping in the middle of the state and got to hang out with some pretty adorable children.

-Ate more food then should probably be legal.

-Gained a few pounds that will promptly be lost.

-Got a break from homework and other crazy things.

-Spent hours playing Apples to Apples.

-Smelled like a campfire 99.9% of the time.

-Probably ingested about a pound of dirt and ash.

-Went on a six mile walk.

-Biked 4 1/2 miles.

-Got a foot massage. Yes, it's true...

-Laughed like it was going out of style.

happys and sads.

It's true...I'm hooked, and I don't care what you have to say about it. 

I absolutely cannot wait for tomorrow nights premier of the new season. Especially with this new twist?! I'm interested to see how it goes. Don't hate!

However, I am not looking forward to saying goodbye to my best friend tonight for who knows how long. She came here in November with her husband and a baby girl inside her. She'll be leaving tomorrow morning to head back to her home in Haiti with her husband and her baby girl in her arms. It's so much harder to say goodbye this time because her little girl is just the sweetest thing ever. The next time I see her she'll probably be talking, crawling (probably walking), and she won't have a clue who in the world I am.

Not only that, my life is so much different without Keturah here. It's just not the same. It's so hard to have your best friend live so far away. I hate it. The only thing that could possibly make it easier is that I know she's in the middle of God's will for her life as a missionary. I really and truly hope to make it down to Haiti for a missions trip and a visit sometime in the not-so-distant future.

Let it be known...

...that I have the best friends ever...

Jason, Mindy, Jaclyn, Lori, Gina, and all of the other downhomies that weren't able to contribute to this - thank you. From the bottom of my heart. Your kind words mean more to me than you could possibly know. I'm so grateful for the family that I have found in all of you through the One who is higher than us all. I will read your notes often while I am gone, remembering that I have people all over the nation praying for me. Thank you for seeing me for who I really am in Christ when I have a hard time seeing it myself. I love all of you so much. 

Jesus, thank you for giving me this opportunity. Thank you for leading me on the pathway to Minnesota for the summer. Thank you for seeing me as worthy to minister, once again, at a summer camp. My biggest prayer is that you use me however you want while I'm there. Let me not stray from what you are calling me to. Thank you for proving time and time again that you've got me and my life in the palm of your hand. Thank you for showing me that your plans are greater then mine, and that I need to trust you and what you are doing. Thank you for always coming through for me even when I fail you. Lord, thank you so much. 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Had the privilege of hanging out with my friend, Gina, on Sunday and Monday. It was a great visit, but way too short. We were enjoyed a cold night of a Christmas lights show on Sunday night. It was the coldest weather we've had for the season in Florida, and it was delightfully cold. Numb toes and cold noses. I had four layers on and it was probably only in the 40's. Oh well, we still had a good time. On Monday we hung out at her house and watched Once. It was fun to get to share such a great movie with my friends. The visit was short and sweet, and I enjoyed it immensely. Thanks for having me, Gina!

mr. and mrs.

My best friend, Keturah, got married on Saturday to Wayne Snow. It was such a beautiful day. Despite the hectic morning with the pictures, Keturah and Wayne were so calm and so thankful for the day. Thankful that God brought them together. It was so sweet the see how in love the two of them are with each other. I am so happy that my best friend has found someone to spend the rest of her life with. It is a little bittersweet, now that she starts a new chapter in her life with this marriage, it also means she will be leaving the United States to live in Haiti. She and Wayne are missionaries. Even though I will miss her dearly, I am so excited to see what God does through she and Wayne in their work with YWAM Haiti. Congratulations, you two! Love and prayers to you both!

lizz came to visit.

My friend Lizz from camp stayed at my house last night and we hung out today. It was a great time. Laughing into the wee hours of the morning until we literally almost passed out. I haven't had that for awhile, and it felt so good. Lizz was my one friend from camp, who I knew I could totally and completely confide in, no matter what. It's good to have people like that in your life. I'm grateful for Lizz and our friendship. She's definitely a friend for life.