Feb 20, 2014

Jesus, The Hope of Man

Life is so short.

Make the moments count.

R.I.P.

My thoughts and prayers are with the (insert name here) family.

Phrases like these haunt me. When someone suddenly and tragically passes away, these are the phrases that we turn to. Frankly, I cannot find comfort in a 140 character post that will ultimately not make any difference in my life. I know what it feels like to lose someone so tragically. In that time in my life, the last thing I wanted someone to say to me was, "Dang, life is so short. Don't forget to make your moments count. My prayers are with you."

I wonder what would happen if we actually went to those families and started praying over them. Praying that God would reveal his purpose through these awful tragedies. That God would bring restoration and peace, even in the midst of losing a child, sibling, or friend. I wonder what would happen if we poured out the same love over them as Jesus did for us. I wonder if our simple words would open up a door to their healing process, or moreover, their salvation. I'm not saying that we can save people. It's the Holy Spirit's job to open up their hearts. But it is our job to be a burning light to the people around us. We are the ones who share that good news. 

I promise you that you will not find answers, hope, or peace through inspirational tweets or Facebook posts. You won't find them in your girlfriend, boyfriend, or spouse. You won't find them at the bottom of a bottle or on the edge of a razor blade.
Let me tell you from sheer experience that you will only find everything you need in Christ alone. Because HE WILL fight for you. You need only to be still. He wants your heart. He wants your life. He seriously wants you. Your hopelessness and brokenness will FLEE when you turn to Him. They no longer have you bound in chains. Instead, Jesus brings healing, joy, and freedom. Open up the Bible and seek Him. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. That is a promise.

Philippians 4:7 has helped me through some of my darkest times. It says this; "The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
And also John 14:27; "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid"

Jesus is our ultimate healer. He is our provider. Our savior. Our redeemer. Our comforter. Our firm foundation. Our only hope.

Seek Him, and find your security in Him alone.

Jan 22, 2014

In the Studio with Callahan Divide

So I know I'm way behind on this, but life happens and time slips away. There was just no way that I was NOT going to post this.
A couple of weekends ago, I was in the studio with Callahan Divide for the last bit of recording for their second album. I had the pleasure of singing on their first one, as well; you can find it right here! It's a fun one!
There are just no words for me to express how proud I am of these guys. Their style of writing and creativity blow me away. Their songs aren't just about trucks, girls, back roads, and beer. While some of them do mention those things (I mean, it is Texas country, so what can you do?), they still have a much deeper meaning and purpose behind them than just those things alone. They were written from the heart. Through experience of pain, loss, and heartbreak. Along with joy, happiness and true love. I've known these guys for as long as I can remember, and I've never been more proud.
Enough of the sappy talk. You're just going to have to listen for yourself when you get the album.


The album is supposed to be released sometime this spring. There isn't an exact release date yet, but I'm sure I'll be posting more about it!
I always have the best time with these fellas. There is never (no seriously, NEVER) a dull moment.

A message to CDB: Thank you for your friendship. All of you. Thank you for giving me the honor of being on your album for the second time! I'm looking forward to so many more adventures. I can't wait for people to see what you guys have to offer.

In my eyes, they are better than most of  the country bands at the top of the charts right now. I'm thinking that this album is seriously going to knock some socks off!

Follow Callahan Divide on Twitter to keep up with them.







Jan 8, 2014

Weekend Getaway

I meant to post this earlier this week, but life got in the way so what can I say?
This weekend was my friend, David's, birthday. John and I met him when we started traveling to Graham. We played in the band there together. He was our lead guitar player. He quickly became one of our good friends. It had been a while since either of us had seen David, so we couldn't pass up a fun, birthday weekend! David turned 33 on Sunday. I know he won't mind me saying because he looks about 23. Oh, and ladies, he's single! ;D
Happy Birthday, David!!
On Saturday, we attended Gateway in Southlake. It was the first night of the First Conference. I was telling several of my friends that I've been watching their services, YouTube videos and whatnot online for years. So to actually be in the building and experience everything in person was just so surreal! We didn't know before hand, but James Robison was the speaker that night! For those of you who don't know who he is, just Google him. You would be reading this blog for the rest of the week if I told you about him. Basically, he's awesome. He's been a televangelist since the late 60's. Pretty much BFF's with Billy Graham. One of the most amazing speakers of our time. His sermon was about how God is a Holy and Consuming Fire. Go watch the full sermon here. It'll give you goosebumps, let me tell you! I had them the whole night. After the service, David took us back stage to meet some of the worship leaders and pastors, including, Thomas Miller, Davis & Alena Moore, and others. Such sweet people.
After church, we had some delicious food at La Hacienda Ranch. (FYI "hacienda" means "ranch" in Spanish so we enjoyed saying "we're going to The Ranch Ranch!" Yes I know, easily entertained.) Anyway, after dinner we went to Barnes & Noble To "geek out" as John and David would say. I just enjoyed looking at the countless shelves of journals. I ended up buying two because I couldn't choose. When we were done "geeking out", we watched Frozen which, by the way, is such a cute movie! Go see is soon if you haven't already.
On Sunday, we went to the North Ft. Worth campus where I was able to meet Zach Neese. Such a genuinely, friendly person. This is what I love about Gateway. Despite that it is one of the biggest and fastest growing churches in the world, the people there are so open and kind and friendly towards others. It's a refreshing atmosphere to be in.
John and I were supposed to head back home after lunch that day, but we found out that Max Lucado was going to be speaking that night. He originally wasn't going to be speaking until Monday night, so we were thrilled. We decided that driving back home late in the dark was worth it. Before it all started we were able to sit in on rehearsal.
Kari during rehearsal.






Kari Jobe was there that night. She is a better singer live than she is on her album.





We were so close!








Max's sermon was also amazing, of course. He spoke about his new book, "You'll Get Through This". You can watch his full sermon here.









That night, John and I also met one of our long time Twitter friends, Quinton Bobb, who attends TKUG. We've been friends with him on Twitter for about 2 years now. He is such an incredible person, and so wise and mature for his age. I just love him to death.

o o o

If you follow me on Instagram, you'll know that I spontaneously purchased an opal ring just because I wanted to, for myself. After the entire weekend with being away and attending Gateway several times, I realized that I don't do enough fun things for myself. I never reward myself for anything. So this ring is just a small reminder to keep life interesting, adventurous, and fun. And to never settle for a life that is less than what I am capable of living.

Opal isn't my birthstone, but I love them anyway.
 


















Such a fun weekend. I cannot wait to visit there again.
I hope everyone has a blessed week.

Jan 2, 2014

Reasonings

First things first.
Happy New Year!
Just forget I ever posted my last blog post. I thought I was going to do a "Relaunch", but obviously it didn't follow through. I didn't think I would really get back on track with my blogging.
But just recently, I've gone through quite a bit. The past year has been nothing but constant change. Physically, emotionally, financially, spiritually. Literally in every way possible. And so to be honest, I lost a lot of inspiration. I stopped doing the things that I was passionate about. I stopped hanging out with my friends. I stopped eating healthy and taking care of myself physically, gaining some wait in the process. I stopped doing things FOR ME. I've always been the kind of person who puts others before myself, and their feelings before my own. I don't count that as a bad trait at all, I just took it a little too far. To the point where I lost myself and who I was completely because I never did anything for myself.
I love serving people. I love helping them in any way that I can. But I think helping people and being a servant is a different kind of "putting others before myself" situation than what I'm talking about here. I made decisions based on what was best for other people and not what was best for me. I was always trying to please my friends, my (at the time) boyfriend, the people in my church, even my own parents. I was in a constant state of pleasing other people, despite how it effected me and my own life. Unfortunately, it took me a long time to figure this out. I ended up breaking a couple of hearts (my own included).
I wanted to start blogging again because I know it's something that I truly enjoyed doing. It inspires me to take more pictures, and to just do more fun things.
I believe that if we don't treat ourselves a certain way, we will go insane. And it doesn't matter what other people say to us to make us feel better if all we are doing is constantly hating who we are. I am blessed to have people in my life who call me out on my crap. I thank you.
And so now I've come to this. To live a fun and exciting life, and not a comfortable one.


Oct 26, 2012

Resistance.

I was born into a system constructed for failure.
It's a sinking ship manned by drunken sailors,
An escape artist behind the bars of a jailor,
An asthmatic attack when we forgot the inhaler.
If the shoe doesn't fit, what good is a tailor?
In the midst of a crisis, please cancel the gala.
Without a symphony there's no need for a prelude
to foreshadow what's to come.
See the secret committees, commence with their meetings
To make red tape in response to simple questions.
Questions threaten to preception of the beneficial systems,
A pyramid scheme with it's cogs and it's pistons
Mechanization of men, making more and more live
In a miserable existence.
How can so few, claim so many victims?
And this begs the question;
My rest is a weapon against the oppression
Of man's obsession to control things.
Look at the long line of make believe kings,
The lord of the flies wants you to kiss his ring.
Follow new rules with invisible strings,
And become a puppet in the diabolical scheme.
How do good men become part of the regime?
They don’t believe in resistance.
Hold fast like an anchor in the storm
We will not be moved.
Lesson number one
Overcome every fear of regret and confusion,
It’s all illusion, delusion
Sent to disconnect the holy fusion
Of spirit and the flesh.
Every mortal breath is meant to bring forth fire,
But only when the fear of death gets consumed
On the funeral pier,
So let the flames rise higher.
Let every man be considered a liar
If he doubts the goodness and faithfulness of God.
Itching ears will compulsively nod in approval
When unbelief is taught in all our temples and schools,
But God can restrain the madness of a fool.
He can bring His truth through the mouth of a mule,
You can move an mountain without any tools.
It just takes the faith of a little seed
to make a way through what might seem to be
Impossibility,
And the ability will match the occasion,
The outcome will defy explanation,
The liberation will not be televised
When it arrives like lightning in the skies
Hold fast like an anchor in the storm
For Your love, we will rise and overcome
Through the fire
Hold fast my people and sing
Through peace and through suffering
All for the joy that it brings, to be free.
It’s gonna cost us everything
To follow one Lord and King.
True love endures everything
To be free.

Sep 26, 2012

Wonderful Wednesday. Wonderful Life.

A lot has happened since the last time I've typed up one of these things. Obviously. I mean, when am I ever going to blog on a regular basis? who knows.. But until that day comes, "a lot will happen" between these blogs.
I am enjoying my job a lot. Just taking pictures of babies. Making moms and dads cry when they see pictures. no big deal.
I also got a hedgehog. Yep. A hedgehog. No, not a porcupine. A friend of mine left for the navy a couple of weeks ago and she needed someone who would take really good care of her. I volunteered. Her name is Alice. (if you are friends with me on Facebook, follow me on twitter or on Instagram - which basically sums up my whole life - then you would know about Alice). Shes kind of awesome. She enjoys eating, sleeping, pooping, digging, and licking my feet (I know..weird). But she's a sweetheart and is getting used to me more and more every day.


Yep. She's a cutie. She has a twitter account too, so go follow her. John and I are still investigating on how she made her own twitter account, but we're just going along with it.

I also got my hair cute yesterday. I have been growing it out for quite some time, and I haven't even gotten a haircut since January. Needless to say, I was getting bored with my hair so I decided to give it a little more style. I told the stylist to not cut off a lot of length, and to just add in some layers, and guess what she does? Cuts off about 647325 inches off my hair. I may be exaggerating a little bit, but still. I did not like it right when she got finished. But after playing with it (and while my hair needed a good change) I started to like it a lot more.


I know you all appreciate the duck face, too. You're welcome.

I had my first Klondike bar last night (which also explains why I have been calling it a 'Kondak bar' my entire life). It was glorious. and messy. mostly glorious.

I also hate country music now. Except the old stuff. This new country just really sucks.

John and I watched The Fox and the Hound last night while eating buttered kettle corn. I forgot how much I loved that movie, and how crazy awesome that kettle corn was.
Yesterday was just full of awesome things.  
I think that's about it.

Here are some September favorites of mine:
- Alice
- 'Yes to cucumbers' makeup remover towelettes (all natural)
- Basically the whole 'Yes to' line.
- Febreze air effects 'sandalwood & soothe'
- Aussie 3 minute miracle deeeeep conditioner
- The 'Art' section on Pinterest
- Pumpkin spice lattes

Have a good week, everyone!


My mom will really appreciate this.

 the.end.

Aug 31, 2012

Whoa, BABY! A lot to take in.

I am so good about keeping my blog up to date! ... NOT.
It’s been a really crazy month. or two. I don’t even know how long it’s been since I’ve blogged last.
But to sum things up:
I got a job at a hospital here in town as the newborn photographer. I think I might have mentioned this is my last blog. but oh well.
I get to see every single baby being born in this hospital in SA and go have a mini photo session with them! (as if my baby fever couldn’t get any worse). Some of them are super cranky and don’t ever want to even be touched, but others (more than not) are the biggest cuddle bugs and will let you take pictures of them all day. I can go on forever with stories about my job, but then you would be reading this blog for the rest of the year. But here are some examples of pictures that we might do in a photo session:
Disclaimer: I did not take these pictures nor do I have any right to own these pictures.
Copyright - OUR365:

Copyright Our365©
Copyright Our365©
Copyright Our365©
Copyright Our365©
Copyright Our365©
Copyright Our365©
Copyright Our365©

Alright, you get the point. As you can see, my heart definitely melts with every baby that I get to photograph. It never gets boring because every baby is different. I literally love my job.

[Random subject change]

And for those who have been asking... No. I am not taking any classes this semester.
“*GASP!* WHAT!? She’s not going to school!?” might be your reaction. It’s cool. I’m used to it. But no, I’m not going to school. Last year was a great experience for me and I grew tremendously and learned more about myself and grew in my faith more than I ever have in my entire life. Truth is, I prayed my guts out all school year and all summer about it. I just didn’t feel the Lord calling me to go to ASU anymore. It was actually a very long time before I could really come to this realization. I made some great friendships, and did some awesome things while I was there. but there was always something missing. So for now I am working full time, and I love what I do. It’s my passion. And when and if someone asks me, I get to share my faith and the love of Jesus. One day I’ll go back and ‘get that degree.’ But I’m trusting in Him first to tell me where He needs me to go at that time.
I praise Jesus everyday that I have such godly parents and friends who can back me up on my decisions, and who will pray for me and be there for me. I seriously have no idea what I would do without them. I know that’s kind of a cliche statement. But seriously. I would be lost without my parents, John, and my brothers and sisters in Christ.

So until my next post,
happy friday!