thoughts on momentum 2012.

Last week I had the amazing opportunity to spend Wednesday September 5th-Sunday September 9th in Orlando at the Yacht and Beach Club for a music conference called Momentum. It's a gathering of radio people and record labels from the Christian music industry. I was able to get a super cheap ticket for the whole event as a college student, along with a free ticket to Night of Joy both nights thanks to my friend Jen. The whole entire weekend was a complete steal, so how could I not go?

My whole reason for going in the first place was to meet people and hopefully make connections. I realize that getting into the music business does have something to do with the education that you have, but the connections that you make along the way are just as, if not more, important than your education. So, off I went to momentum with no real expectations...

Jen didn't really tell me much about what to expect from the weekend, so I really had no idea what I was stepping into. But I suddenly realized that I had stepped into the right place when Steven Curtis Chapman walked into the lobby of the convention center and I turned to Jen and said, "Jen, that's Steven Curtis Chapman right there. For real?" After a minor inward freak out, I realized that this was how the rest of the weekend was going to go, and I accepted it. That was when I came up with the saying "My life is so strange..." to describe the entire weekend.

There were a number of crazy opportunities to meet people from all over the place, and to take in an insanely large amount of music. Like on Wednesday night, for instance, when there were little stripped down acoustic sets put on by Dara Maclean, Jason Castro, and For King and Country in a suite on the top floor of the beach club, or chatting with Andrew Peterson who introduced me to Steve Ford, who offered me an internship at Centricity Music after only chatting for 15 minutes. Or riding in an elevator with Jason Castro, his guitar, and his baby's stroller one night, and riding in an elevator with Matthew West the next afternoon. Or passing Amy Grant as you're running late for Night of Joy and exchanging an extremely awkward "hey".

Seriously...My life is so strange. I'm happy for the strange, but I'm even more happy that the Lord is leading me down this path, and that he keeps reigniting the passion within my soul for the music industry. I'm so grateful for the reminders that I receive on a weekly basis that I am doing the right thing with my life. So grateful...

part three: how do you say thank you?

(Nikole and I, 2008)
Part 1// Part 2

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  Community.

It was something that I'd been in search of for months. The people from my church and in my youth group were blessing me beyond measure. I was learning more and more, and growing in my spiritual walk with the Lord, but the community that I found on downhere's message boards was completely different. We all had a mutual love and appreciation for our favorite band which is what brought us together in the first place, but God had woven this community together and I "just so happened" to stumble into it.

I started realizing that we all had much more in common than just liking the band downhere. Many of us had struggled with making friends in the past and had felt like outcasts at one point or another in our lives. I suppose you'll find that you have many things in common with a group of people when the band that drew you together in the first place sings about "the broken, the beat up, and so called losers". My church family and the downhere community were pouring into my life, and I couldn't help but overflow with the things that God was doing in my life.

I no longer felt like an outcast because I was accepted. The loneliness? It was gone. The presence of God was permeating from my every pore and I couldn't keep it inside. Remember my high school friends that had stopped talking to me? Well, one day while I was sitting at home doing my school work, I got a myspace message from one of them. This was the first time we'd communicated via myspace in months, even though we saw each other frequently each week for colorguard practice. In her message she said that she noticed that some things had changed in my life. She could tell that I was changing by the words that were coming out of my mouth, and she said that I seemed much happier than I was before. It was purely by the grace of God that the changes that were taking place in my life were now visible to those around me. But it was true! I was happier than I had been in a long time. After that myspace message from my friend, things started changing in our relationship. While we both knew that our friendship would never be the same as it was before, we were talking to each other and we were able to enjoy each others company again.

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 (Brad, Sarah, Ryan, Gina and me at Perkins in Clermont, FL, December 2007)

(Jason Gray and I, December 2007)

Throughout 2007 I was getting to know more and more new people through the message boards, and found out that one board member grew up in South Florida just like me. She lived in Michigan now and was going to college there, but she visited her family in Florida a couple times a year. In December of 2007 we had planned to meet each other at a Jason Gray concert a few hours away (it was through downhere's music that I discovered my favorite musician and friend, Jason Gray). I was awkward about the whole thing, and didn't let on to my mom or step-dad that my friend Gina and her brother Ryan would be there, and that I knew Gina from online. So I tried to play it off all cool like I didn't know that they would be there, and I had just bumped into them. It didn't work for long, and my step-dad called my mom and told her that they were there. Of course, my mom was a little worried and told Brad to keep a close eye on me and make sure they were good people. They were. And Brad and my step-sister Sarah ended up loving them. We laughed a lot, and it was like we had known each other forever! After the concert we hung out while we talked to Jason for a little bit, but it was still pretty early so my step-dad asked if I wanted to invite Gina and Ryan to go to Perkins with us for a little bit. So we followed each other to a Perkins at 8:30 at night. We laughed until our stomachs hurt and had tears falling from our eyes. Sadly, Gina and Ryan had to drive back home that night, while we stayed in a hotel to wake up the next morning and see Jason Gray play again.

Unknowingly, downhere introduced me to three people who would enrich my life in more ways than I knew at the time. After that weekend, I listened to Jason Gray's music non-stop. And when I say non-stop, I mean I listened to it over and over and over again. It was the only thing I listened to for a week after I saw him. And the kindness he showed toward me when I met him, and through e-mails and facebook messages and comments was encouraging. And Gina was always praying for me and answering questions when I had them. She taught me how to rely on God and trust Him with everything.

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It was in February of 2008 when I logged onto myspace and clicked over to downhere's page when I realized that dates were posted for their upcoming Spring tour. I scrolled and scrolled and scroll...DOWNHERE IN KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA ON APRIL 18TH WITH JASON GRAY AND SHAWN MCDONALD! Jumping and screaming and clapping and cheering ensued, and my Mom promptly told me I needed to get a grip on life and calm the heck down. So then, I waited for the opportunity to meet my favorite band...


to be continued...

part two: how do you say thank you?

 Aurora, IL - May 2009 (Photo by Liz Ahlberg)

Part 1

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While I was sitting amongst my friends, in an amphitheater filled with many other people I didn't know, something new was taking place within my heart. During the Barlow Girl set, one of the girls began to pray, and something started moving within me. I really and truly felt the presence of God more in my life than I ever had before. I felt God nudging me to trust Him with my whole life. With all of my decisions, all of my worries, all of my victories. Everything. So I did. Just there in my seat, it was a silent and personal offering of my life, but I promised and knew that my life would never be the same. 

After the Barlow Girl's played we all settled in our seats and prepared for David Crowder Band and Third Day to take the stage. The long day in the Florida November sun was taking its toll on all of us, and we were starting to feel the results of the many hours of walking and taking in good music. With achy feet we listened and cheered to the rest of the music. As I sat there, I had to wonder how many other people's lives were being changed on that very night. What was going through other people's minds? Were they just there for a good concert? Had they gone because all their friends were doing it, but God swooped in and did something radical within their hearts when they least expected it? Either way, I knew that I was one of the latter, and was left wondering what my life would become and where God would take me.

Later that night, once I got home, I went to bed with a smile on my face and memories floating through my mind as I drifted off to sleep. I awoke the next morning with that song about rock stars needing money in my head. I was walking around my house humming it, along with another song by those guys from Canada. Something about little being much when God is in it. I liked that song a lot and felt as thought is resonated perfectly with the things that were going on in my life. 

I went to Wayfest only wanting to see Barlow Girl and nothing else, but I left with a new heart and a new band to fall in love with. The morning after Wayfest, I logged onto my Myspace page and immediately sent downhere a friend request. I added one of their songs to be my back ground music on my page, and began searching to find every little bit of information I could about them. I burned a CD with downhere's songs from their most recent album, Wide-Eyed and Mystified, and a mixture of my favorite Barlow Girl songs. It was like I was taking a little bit of Wayfest with me where ever I went, reminding me of the emotion and change that took place that night.

The year or so before this point was really rough for my family. One of my brothers was diagnosed with a rare lung disease that should have been found when he was an infant, but it wasn't found until he was 18 years old. Before he was diagnosed, it took months and months and many doctors appointments and hospital stays until the doctors finally figured out what was wrong. My brothers surgery was scheduled for the weekend after Wayfest at Shands at University of Florida. This was a major surgery that would involve removing the upper left lobe of his left lung. 

It was during my scouring of the web that I stumbled upon downhere's message boards. I shyly posted a prayer request for my brothers surgery on there, and was amazed at the amount of people I didn't even know who so generously poured out their prayers upon my family. The body of Christ...brothers and sisters. I left home with my mom, brother, and his girlfriend. I felt completely hollow inside. My heart was broken. I took that burned CD with me and listened and listened and silently cried. I covered up my tears by pretending my eyes were itchy. I didn't want anyone to know how nervous I was for my brother and his surgery and whether he would be okay. While it wasn't a surgery that was as risky as open heart surgery, there was still the risk of something going wrong. We drove up to Gainesville a day early because my brothers surgery was early the next morning. My dad, step-dad (then my mom's boyfriend), and grandparents drove up the next morning to join us in the waiting room for the day. My brothers surgery was completely successful, but he had a long road to recovery. My step-dad, brothers girlfriend and I left that night to head back home. It was tough, knowing that we were leaving my mom and brother. I knew how difficult it had been for my mom, and it was hard for me to leave, knowing that she had to do this on her own. 

My brother was in the hospital for about a week with my mom, which meant I was at home by myself all day until my step-dad came home. I'd try and do my school work, but my mind would wander elsewhere. I found myself on downhere's message boards a lot, and the encouraging words that were offered to me, knowing that people were praying for me, the community that was in this place, it was what I needed just then. It was what got me through when I felt so alone.

Community.

to be continued...

part one: how do you say thank you?

Sophomore band banquet, 2006.

I was just a 16 year old girl, newly taken out of public school, and beginning an adventure down the homeschooling road. I was a typical teenager trying to find her place amongst her friends, trying to figure out how this whole "high school" thing really worked. I'd just come out of a really rough summer where my childhood friends ditched me, my high school friends didn't want to be around me, and I ended up sitting at home for the entire summer, while working and spending copious amounts of time with my Mom. Every sixteen year old's dream, right? Right...

During the first month and a half of my junior year of high school, while I was still in public school, I felt so lonely. I would run into the people who were my friends just a few short months before, and I couldn't talk to them. I'd wait in the lunch line, see them laughing together, they'd look at me and immediately look away and go on with their conversation. It wasn't just the lunch line, though. We were in colorguard together (the girls who march with the marching band and spin flags, rifles and sabres). What was once us laughing and goofing off together, turned into me watching from across the room as they accepted other friends into their circle as I was pushed further and further away. 

It was in late September that I began my online virtual home schooling. I was still able to be a part of colorguard. It was hard to be at home all day long, but it was always nice to get a break and go to colorguard practice and do something I loved. It made me happy to just be away from my house, even if I still wasn't really talking to my old friends. 

During this time, I was going to my church's youth group, but wasn't really engaged. But I kept going because I enjoyed being around the other people who went, I liked the youth leaders, it was an opportunity to get out of the house. That was about it, though. 

Something strange started happening shortly after I started spending my days at home in front of a computer screen. Youth group became much more than just another place to hang out with my friends. I started paying attention to what my youth leaders were talking about, my pastors words on Sunday morning were being spoken directly to my heart, I found myself becoming more involved with my church, I was beginning to enjoy meeting other people outside of my little youth group bubble. These people were kind. They were approachable. They were loving me. All of the things that I was feeling in my heart began clicking in my head. Every Sunday morning it felt as though the Lord were speaking to me personally. Like he was sitting right next to me. I would sit in my chair frozen, my eyes locked on my pastor, taking in every word that he spoke, letting the Holy Spirit fill me up (Although, I didn't know it was the holy spirit at the time). I started wondering things that I'd never wondered before. Am I saved? Am I a Christian? Was I ever baptized? These were just questions that I kept to myself, though.

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There was a concert coming up that the youth leaders had been talking about for weeks. I figured it would be a good time, I liked music okay, so I decided to go. It was Saturday November 11, 2006. We all met at the church, were assigned our cars, loaded up and departed for our 45 minute drive down to West Palm Beach, FL. I was riding with my youth leader, Ron, and friends from youth group. They were chatting about who they were most excited to see, naming off these obscure band names and all I could say was, "I'm excited to see Barlow Girl!" Then Ron said, "I think Third Day is going to be great!" I shyly said, "I don't know who they are." It was almost as though the worst possible string of curse words had just flown out of my mouth and hit them all right in the forehead. They all said, "I'm sure you've heard their music before, but just don't realize it." "We sing some of these songs in church!" I'm thinking, "Yeah, yeah, sure...okay."

We arrive at Cruzan Amphitheater and everyone is so excited about what fun we are going to have at Wayfest! We all walked around for a lot of the day, visiting booths, listening to the no-name bands in the background. Who am I kidding? They all had no name to me! This whole Christian music thing was a new world to me. I didn't even know Christian bands existed, aside from those old, gray haired men who wrote the worship music that we sang along to in our church services. Anyway, my friend David and his brother Nathan started talking about this band they they wanted to see play on the small stage. They said, "We have to go see downhere play. They're awesome!" We all said, "What? Where?" Nathan said again, "Downhere! They're a band! They're really awesome!" I didn't know anything, so I was very agreeable and decided that I wanted to go see the down under's. We all headed over, and waited for these people, whoever they were, to come out on stage and play some music. The time finally arrived and they stepped out onto stage. They opened their set with "We Will Rock You" by Queen. I especially liked that, since the marching band show that I'd just finished was a Queen show, so I at least knew one song that they were singing. Their music was enjoyable, but what really caught my attention was this song about rock star's not being able to live on bologna sandwiches, or something strange like that. Everyone was jumping around, clapping, cheering, tossing their beach balls around in the air. These two men from the audience ran up to the stage waving dollar bills in front of the lead singer that kind of sounded like a woman when he sang, but sounded strangely like Freddie Mercury. He politely turned them down and kept on with the song. Man, that song sure was catchy! They played a few more songs, and I learned that they were from Canada. They had an array of jokes for us silly Floridians about their band name and being "down here" in Florida. Their set came to an end, and we all decided then would be a good time to go get our seats for the rest of the evening at the main stage.

Some guy named Matthew West came up first. His music was fine, he was kind of funny, but I was so ready to see those Barlow Girls. They were the whole reason why I came to this concert anyway! Matthew sang and sang, told his silly jokes, made up songs about Florida. Then...FINALLY! Barlow Girl took the stage. I sang along to the songs I knew, was quiet and listening during the songs I didn't know. It was in those moments that my heart was finally able to rest. In all the excitement that had been taking place throughout the day, my mind was racing a million miles a minute. The Lord had brought me to this place, on this particular day for a reason. 

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I've decided to do this in installments. It's taking me longer to write than I thought it would, and has turned into something very personal. I want to make sure I get it right. Hope you enjoy!

this is a sad day...

My favorite band, downhere, announced today that their touring ministry would be coming to an end starting the first of next year. It's understandable. They have growing families, they've dedicated the past 10 years or so of their lives to touring and playing music night after night. After spending much time around these guys, and others, I know that life is tough on the road. I don't know how they've done it for this long. The thing about these four guys is that they really and truly seek the heart of God out in all of the decisions that they make before they act upon them. There is a time and season for everything. This one has an ending that we can all see now, and a new season will be beginning shortly. Please join me in praying for Jason, Marc, Glenn and Jeremy as the Lord guides their steps down these new roads each of them will be walking. All things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose...Romans 8:27-29

On a personal note, I am still gathering my thoughts on this. I hope to post my story about how downhere's ministry changed my life very soon.

lately.

 Beach trip with my mom.

 Being goofy with Gina.

 Learning how to play guitar.

 Fourth of July.



This is coming soon!

__________________________________________________________________________________

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. 

best music of 2011.

Last post of reflection on 2011.
Here.we.go. !!

I've never done a 'best of' list of my own on my blog. I've thrown together a quick something here and there over the past couple of years, but never on my blog. Of course, my best of might not be your best of, but here's to new discoveries and new insights!

Music

Jason Gray-A Way To See In The Dark
Is this any surprise to any of you who have stuck around this blog for a while?
This album is, without question, my most listened to album of the year. It was on constant repeat the last four months of the year, and I'm still finding new bits of truth and grace in it today. The album is Jason's best work to date, and I wrote my very first album review on it back on release day. This album mostly just holds a very special place in my heart. The truth in these songs has taken hold of my heart, and has literally helped to keep me going. These songs have been the one thing that have continually spoken truth and life into my life over the past six months.
Song highlights: Nothing Is Wasted, I Will Find A Way, No Thief Like Fear, and Without Running Away.

The Civil Wars-Barton Hollow
Guy and girl duos are just one of those things that melt my heart. There was obviously a lot of buzz surrounding this one, and I couldn't get away from it. So instead of running, I dove. I first listened on Spotify, and then listened and listened on Spotify. It was the first album I purchased with all of that iTunes money I got for Christmas, and I now have their EP and their live album to go with it. I'm hooked.
Song highlights: Poison & Wine, Barton Hollow.

Ben Shive-The Cymbal Crashing Clouds
I had the delightful opportunity to see this guy again this year, and actually meet him before this project came out. He's a kind fellow, and meeting him helped these tunes come to life a little bit more. I just bought the album right after Christmas, so I haven't had the opportunity to listen to it as much as I would like to, but I'm a big fan so far. If an album can make its way onto my year long list after one week of being in my iTunes, then that's really saying something.
Song highlights: EGBDF, A Last Time For Everything.

Mumford & Sons-Sigh No More
I was briefly introduced to Mumford in Fall of 2010, and the buzz surrounding them is so loud you would have to be living under a rock to not know who they are, but I didn't actually give them a genuine listen until this year. The rough, folksy voice just gets me. Have you noticed a slight pattern here? It's the voice! The lyrics carry a certain depth that just reaches into my soul. Raw truth that takes your breath away.
Song highlights: Winter Winds, White Blank Page, After The Storm.

I have to give honorable mention to downhere, too.

I was going to include my favorite books and movies of 2011 as well, but those lists aren't substantial enough to be considered lists. Maybe next year!

What were your favorite albums of 2011?
Share in the comments.

somebody to love.


Marc Martel, from my favorite band downhere, submitted this video just for kicks and it's sort of gone viral. Check the video out and be amazed.

That is all.

centricity nation.

Last week the unveiling of Centricity Nation took place. It is a website run by fans of Centricity Music's artists. I got to be a small part of the amazing work that's taking place by writing an album review for Jason Gray's new album, 'A Way To See In The Dark'.

Hop on over and check out what's going on!

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.

today i got goosebumps...

THIS is perfect for a rainy morning.

They are so fun. It's a great mid-week pick-me-up! Enjoy!

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.

monday happiness # 2.

 This video was quite possibly the highlight of my day.

Something in The Water from Brooke Fraser on Vimeo.

As a follow up to my blog last night...

This song is a great reminder of how God makes us a new creation through the sanctification process. This song just may be my anthem right now...

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.

right now i just have to take the time to share something. addison road is currently on tour with sanctus real, above the golden state, and me in motion. while driving to one of their tour dates on the west coast their rv caught fire, and exploded into a firey inferno. their trailer with their equipment, merchandise and clothes caught fire, too. they now have nothing, and have a long road ahead of them (figuratively, and literally). if you want to get the full story from jenny herself, you can find her blog at www.jennysimmons.com. if you feel like you Lord is calling you to donate, please don't hesitate. these people just lost everything they have to do what God has called them to. if you don't have money to give, then prayer works wonderfully, too. personally, i will be lifting up many prayers for these sweet people. there is nothing too big for God to handle. after all, doesn't God tend to do His greatest work through us when we are beat down and broken?

i'm currently digging this video. this tune is just so catchy, how can someone not sing it? if you want to get your hands on this single, or jason gray's CD 'everything sad is coming untrue', go to www.jasongraymusic.com to access his store.

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!