Worship

Tonight, Joe and I went to Southside Church to watch a video, that he edited for an Inside Out event (the North Point name for their high school ministry), on the big screen. The video opened the event and the crowd loved it. (To find out more info on this awesome video and performance by Joe and the Southside high school director, Greg, click here.) After the video was over the high school students participated in a time of worship together. The worship leader was great. He had a lot of excitement and it was obvious that his focus was praising God. What really impressed me, though, was the fervor and passion of the high school students. There was quite a number of students there and I think about 30 of them had their hands in the air and were singing loudly. Now, I know that outwards actions are not necessarily a reflection of the heart, but let me just say that it would be hard to find 30 adults, at either the church we attend now (which has a congregation of thousands) or the church we attended in New York (which has a congregation of over a thousand), that would feel free enough to lift their hands in praise to our Lord. (Just so you know I'm not judging I can be included in those that do not feel comfortable enough to lift their hands.) This isn't the fault of the worship leaders, who at both churches gave their all trying to lead the congregations into worship of the Creator of all things. It was so inspiring to see students all under the age of 18 years being so enthusiastic about praising God with their hearts and their bodies. Maybe it's because "grown-ups" have more stuff on their mind that prevent them from entering into complete surrender of worship, or maybe it's because some have been jaded by friends, family, the church, or life in general and so are afraid to become so vulnerable in a place with so many people. Whatever, the reason, all I know is that I felt more comfortable worshiping around these passionate high school students that do around most adults. They were able to surrender to God and show Him that He was their focus for the evening and nothing else. That to me speaks true worship.

Audition Dreams

No, not dreams like hopes and goals for an audition to go well, actual dreams in my sleep about auditioning. I should mention that I dream a lot. There was even a period in my life where I would have frequent nightmares (sometimes every night for a week). Fortunately the nightmares are gone and I am having normal dreams again.

Last night I had two separate dreams, one in which I was auditioning for American Idol and I was trying to pick out the right song to sing, but just couldn't find it, and the other one in which I was trying to find the right monologue for an audition I had coming up. I know why I had both of these dreams. The church that I am attending in Atlanta (Buckhead Church) is holding auditions for their KidStuf program. I am hoping to attend these open auditions and I am pretty excited because it would mean that the four years of music theatre classes at NYU would be helping me serve God at my church. Unfortunately, apparently I am also anxious about these auditions; probably because I haven't had an audition since attending NYU. I know there's not a lot of people that read this blog, but if anyone reading this has a suggestion of a funny kid appropriate monologue and rock song that I could use feel free to let me know!

This audition and these dreams last night also got me to thinking about auditioning in theatre again. Now, here's the thing, I really feel that God has called me into ministry for Him. And yes I know that ministry can be anywhere you are and everywhere you work, but I'm saying I am really passionate about working in the church and I really believe that I'm being led to work in the church. However, that time may not be right now and I may be starting to get the theatre itch again (I was bitten by the bug ever since I was young). I don't want to make theatre my career and there is definitely a limitation to which shows I would even audition for, but lately I've been perusing the auditions in Atlanta more and more and wonder how I would do if I went to one. Just thought I'd share my auditioning thoughts and dreams. =)

Romantic Husband!

My husband is very romantic! Valentine's day is the anniversary of our first date so it is very special to us. This past Valentine's Day was kind of low key, but we had a very nice dinner at home where we actually sat at our dining table and had music playing. Joe got me the best presents I could think of. He got me two seasons of "Gilmore Girls" (which is the new show I am currently addicted too) and a gift certificate to a spa for a message (or facial or whatever I want to use it for). =) I just wanted to say what a good and thoughtful husband I have. It was a very nice relaxing Valentine's Day and I hope everyone had as good of a Valentine's Day as I did!

Blogging

So, as I said at the end of my last post, I am really bad at posting on my blog. I thought when I first started it that I would be writing for it all the time and expressing my feelings and thoughts and it would be open for the whole world to see. Turns out, I am not good at keeping this thing updated and not too many people read it. (Although, that's probably from me not telling anyone about my blog and from not keeping it updated so that people want to read it.)

Why is it that I don't post a lot and why is it that I don't tell anyone about this blog so they can read it? I think I'm embarrassed. I don't know if people are going to want to read my blog. What if what I post isn't good reading material for someone's time spent on their computer? Now here is my predicament. A blog is a place for expressing your feelings and whatever you think about the world and life and other stuff. I shouldn't have to care about what other people think about my blog because I can just get over it by blogging about it and expressing my feelings through my words to other people who might think my blog isn't good. Hmm, I think I'm confusing myself right now. Let try this again.

I could keep just a journal and keep all of my thoughts to myself, but the fact that I have this blog means that I want people to know what I'm thinking about. On the other hand, the fact that I haven't told anyone about the blog means that I'm not sure if I want people to read what I'm thinking about. What if they think it's boring or stupid? On the other hand, it's a blog and they're for being boring or stupid or funny or sad or deep or whatever your feeling at the time. I'm also afraid to have people know about my blog because I don't update it that much, so people would just be looking at the same thing over and over again. However, maybe I don't update it that much because I don't have that many people reading it! I doubt this though judging by the amount of time I spend on facebook where I actually have a lot of friends that comment to me without me even posting anything personal.

Oh well. My conclusion of this entry is that I will just post when I do and when I feel like it and what I want to post. Maybe I'll get up the courage to share this with more people someday.

Don'ts for Wives

My friend Abi sent Joe and I these two books for Christmas. Mine is called Don'ts For Wives and Joe's is called Don'ts For Husbands. Mine is one of the best books of advice I've ever read for wives. I was reading a little of the book last night and stumbled across this gem that all women need to hear (I know I did).

"Don't work yourself into a fever every time your husband omits to turn up
at the expected time. He is in all probability neither run over by a motorcar,
nor robbed and murdered on his way home, nor lying in a lonely land with
a sprained ankle, nor in any other of the terrible predicaments your
imagination pictures. Probably he stopped at the bookstall to buy an
evening paper, and so missed his train. So don't greet him hysterically
when he does arrive."

Now, I know I'm not the only woman out there that goes over every possible worst scenario in our heads if our husbands are late coming home, or (and this goes for women who are dating or engaged) if our men haven't called us when they said they would or when we thought they should have.

I must say that Joe is very good at saving me the worry by calling and texting me a lot and that's something I really appreciate. In spite of this, I still worry sometimes if I know he's out driving and the roads are slippery or if it's dark. This piece of advice was something that I needed to hear, even if I knew it anyway. This advice reminds me of the Bible verse, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Philippians 4:6) Both text are bits of wisdom that I need to listen to more.

Thank you Abi for the books! I'm loving mine and I know that Joe has been enjoying his too!

(Just as a side not at the end of this entry, keeping a blog is hard! I'm so bad at writing in it frequently. Hmm, maybe that will be my next blog entry?)

Best Husband Ever!

My husband hinted to me tonight, while I was at a babysitting job, that he was making dinner for me for when I got home. I thought that was so sweet and couldn't wait to get home and see what he had prepared. When I did get home not only had he made me dinner, but he had also made peanut-butter cup brownies for dessert, set the dining table for a nice sit down dinner, and cleaned both the kitchen and the living room, which I have been tackling this whole past week to try to clean them up. It was the best surprise to come home to. Not that I want to brag, but I really do have the greatest husband ever!

2008

Joe and I just got home from our holiday travels and I just wanted to say...

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!!!