Good as annual

My Aunt's house at the lake is one of my favorite places to be. It's like a vacation, but it's like home too. I could sit out on the dock all day, especially at Christmas because everyone has their lights up across the lake. Every year on the weekend of my parent's anniversary Scott, my Grandma, and I go there to spend the night. Every year it's the same tradition. On Saturday afternoon we see a movie, eat at Ryan's for dinner, do a little shopping, it rains, and we go home to open a couple of presents.

Movie Review: Four Christmases sucks.

I'm going to Gaffney on Tuesday and staying the whole week after Christmas. I couldn't be more ready for a REAL break from work!
holler.

I promise you the world. again.

I don't even pretend to pretend like I know anything about Revelation. The demon, spiritual warfare topic has been one that I could never wrap my mind around, and I guess that's a good thing. I hope no human fully understands it. But as opportunity would fall, it's my week to teach sunday school and we're in Luke chapter 8, where Jesus heals a demon-possessed man. I never know how to teach high schoolers, much less on anything demon-related. However, in my attempt to study up on it, I found some pretty cool things about the authority of Jesus. Ya know, one of those characteristics we say Jesus has because we're supposed to, but often do we think anything of it. I'm the worst at that game. The thing I find cool about these demons inside this man is that over and over they begged for mercy. When Jesus speaks, they first call Him by his name, then they beg him for mercy. A demon begging for mercy. To me it's a pretty solid example of Christ's authority over everything, even the spiritual world.

It says in Revelation 20:2-3 "He seized the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil, or satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended." So the abyss is no Disney World. No one wants to be up in there. I would imagine that's where most demons hang out, and that's where they belong. In hell with Satan. Luke 8:31 says, "And they begged him repeatedly not to order them into the abyss." That place must be pretty evil if the demons are terrified to go there.

Reading this makes me realize Jesus can heal anything. I act like my sin and my problems are too much to handle or sometimes too small to worry about. The man in Luke had hundreds, maybe thousands of demons inside of him, this lasting for years and years. Imagine being that man after you were freed from that. I very rarely ask the Lord to free me from my own sin. It's usually just a "hey, help me out." But Jesus heals because He has the authority to do so.

Greatest Hits are the Only Hits

Why do musical artists always seem to come out with their "greatest hits" album right at Christmas time? I saw one christian artist put out a new album called, "the yearbook," including all of his hits from I guess 2008. Putting out a new album is great, and around Christmas is a good time for purchasing purposes. BUT my problem lies within the fact that those artists only have like 2 albums out anyway. And then their gonna make a "greatest hits" album out of that? Na, man. I wish more people would think before they act.

EP albums drive me nuts too. I mean, let's just make a full album. I know you have the time.

Welcome back, love

When I was smaller, but not too small, my dad always made sandwiches with only one peice of bread that was folded over. Usually pamento cheese, which i loved. I thought it to be way cool so i started to do that and would have one like...everyday. I feel like I had way too much pamento cheese in those days, and I haven't had it for years. Until yesterday. I was re-introduced and the fire was re-lit. I realized it wasn't over.

Don't get excited but you should

I really have nothing substantial to say this time around, so i'll first express my excitement that the Christmas season is upon us once again! I've waited a whole year, and now I can drink hot chocolate out of my Penguin mug, listen to pop Christmas music, and watch the 25 days of Christmas countdown on abc family. I put up my 5 ft. tree this afternoon. Christmas isn't about the gifts I know, but I'm pretty sure I know everything I'm getting for Christmas from Mom and Dad and that excites me. I love surprises but surprises make me nervous, so I prefer knowing sometimes. Especially when I know my gifts will be awesome. Mom and Dad do a great job on me every year, I tell ya.

Thanksgiving was awesome dude. Laura, Erin, Erica, and I had our annual kfc feast that started when we all went to college. This is where we go to kfc and call it our thanksgiving meal together. This year at the table, I mentioned my recent trip to the original kfc museum in Corbin, Kentucky and Erin asked me where it was. I love them. Also in our attempt to fight boredom, we rode around Gaffney to find Christmas lights but on the day after Thanksgiving, the lights are hard to come by. I concluded that the Grinch blow-up thing will be the decoration of the season.

Tomorrow I'm going to the Gavin Degraw concert with Grace and Laura. It's all acoustic, with Matt Nathanson and We the Kings. Oh boy.

My heart would rather rip out than obey...

That's a lyric from a song by Paul Wright that I really enjoy and one that I have found to be true for me lately. I haven't liked me this week. I've had a cruddy week for several, very general reasons and it has made me grumpy. I've been working with and coaching small kids for a lot of weeks now and I've found my most obvious observation to be that kids are selfish. Their brains aren't fully developed, so anatomy is to blame for most of this, but they literally don't have the full capacity to think about other people. The truth about the game of soccer is that the most important player on the field is the player without the ball. The player that actually has the ball at any given time is completely innefective without open players on the feild to pass to. It took me a lot of years of playing to wrap my head around that, and my 8 and 9 year olds have no concept of it. When they step on the field, their main concern is the ball. All 18 players focused on one ball and that's soccer to them. Yet even with a fully developed brain, doctor's say, I'm no better than my 8 and 9 year olds. An Andrew Peterson song says, "I cannot trust my own desire, my heart is prone to disobey." The root of so many sins is selfishness. Our human nature is selfishness. When I have a bad day or week, I very rarely stop to think that it's no ones fault but mine. It's usually because several things didn't go my way and my selfishness can't stand it. My heart is so set on itself and it would rather do anything than obey. But God wants something different for me. I love how He teaches. How he always brings out the stuff we dont want to be exposed because it makes us sick of ourselves. That is, if we are willing to face it.

I Hate Everything (but you)

I was bored... Thanks Ktb.

1.Put your iPod or whatever mp3 player or music player you use on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Grace is sufficient

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
It's Christmas

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Time Well Wasted

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
King of Glory

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Everything Glorious

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Your beginning to get to me

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Restless

WHAT IS 2+2?
Falling at your feet

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
All for Love

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Mockingbird

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
First Date

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Friend Like That

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
So Long Self

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU
Tango Maureen

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
To make her love me

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Beauty for Ashes

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Since You been gone

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Me and My Gang

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Tequila Loves me

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
There is no one

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Amazing Grace

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
I want it that way

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
When Our Hearts Sing

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Gethca Head in the Game

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
By His Wounds

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Don't Phunk with my Heart

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
The Blood

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
I'm Not Who I was

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Breaking Free

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
I Hate Everything (But you)

A Political Top 10

Top 10 reasons why i love Election Day:

10. Being proud to be an American
9. Wearing my American Flag converses. Now that's freedom
8. CNN
7. The Colbert Report
6. Another year to try and understand what the Electoral College really is
5. No school mostly for those under 18 and can't vote anyway
4. The media actually has something to report on
3.That cool sticker they give you
2. Free food and Starbucks with that free sticker they give you
1. This conversation: (through text message)

Ktb: "I was in the bathroom when Obama won. Good historical moment"
Me: "Dude we have a black President! woot."
Ktb:"haha awesome. Good luck guy."
Me: "shoot i wouldnt want that job."
Ktb:" No way in hell."

When's the Deadline?

That is Mark! You've probably heard me talk about him if you've been around me for more than 12 seconds. He is 5 years old and has the best sense of humor of any kid i've ever met. If you asked me if i loved my job, right now i would say absolutely. If you asked me if i wanted to keep this job for the rest of my life, i would have to say absolutely not. I haven't figured out what I want to be when i grow up and i'm wondering, when is the last possible day you have to decide that? When I graduated 5 months ago, i really wanted to change the world. I thought seriously about joining the Peace Corp because what better way to serve people and live adventurous with no Wal-Mart or Mcdonald's for a couple of years. As Christians we all want to go on these mission adventures. I've been telling God since May 10th, "God, if you want me to go to the very last peice of land on the planet earth to live and serve and tell people about the gospel, just tell me and i'll go." The thing that i hate about myself is, why am i not that enthusiastic about Rock Hill, South Carolina? My current job is just as much a missionary adventure as Africa would be. I get to hang out and give as much attention as possible to 16 wonderfully obnoxious kids everyday. And everyday God says, "Take care of these kids." Twice a week I get to leave those 16 kids and coach another 16 different kids in soccer. When i'm there God says, "Teach these kids how to play soccer and encourage them as much as you can. This is what I want from you right now."

In the movie Evan Almighty, Evan wanted to change the world. It was even his campaign slogan. But instead of taking on the world, God gave him one little opportunity to be obedient. He didn't change the world by building an arc, but he did what God asked. So instead of looking into my next job and my future so durn hard and wanting to take over the world, i want to be obedient to the small little responsibility of living in Rock Hill and love on the small little people that He has put before me. And if we could just grasp how big the world actually is, we probably wouldn't want it anyway.

We'll call it...Senior Year!

After I watch a musical I get this feeling of solid happiness and thoughts like nothing in the world could be wrong. I hope that's what love feels like. Ok i know that most of you reading this blog probably don't like musicals. But i think it's because you don't understand them. I'll start off by making the statement that musicals aren't real. I understand that your normal high school cafeteria won't break out into song during lunch. Twice. But the magical thing about musicals is that it takes you out of real life and into a place that is just....happy! Singing and dancing is good for the soul, and you can't say that it's not. They tell a story by music and catchy tunes instead of talking and that is WAY more fun. I loved High School Musical since its debut as a Disney Channel original movie. I went and saw the 3rd one last night, and I haven't stopped smiling. I didn't like it just because I'm a fan, but because it was a REALLY good movie in general. The dancing and the soundtrack and the actors and the colors and everything was just put together so well and it was fantastic. My favorite part of the whole experience I think was how the entire theater clapped after each song and at the end during the graduation scene we all started clapping on beat together. Kids were dancing in the front rows.

Quote of the week:
Me: "Remember when i dropped that cinnamon roll in the oven and it caught on fire?"
Brandi: "You're gonna die."

Thanks B!

Only the curious have something to find

I'm a huge fan of festivals and this weekend i went to the Apple Harvest Festival at Windy Hill. Besides it being unseasonably cold for October, we had a big time. There wasn't much to do, but i think that's the point of a festival. I had baked apple pie and a sippy cup of apple juice. There was an acoustic band and a hayride. And kids and dogs and goats and chickens running around in the pumpkin patch. A festival says a lot about where it's located. In Gaffney we have the Peach Festival every July and our claim to fame is the Tractor Pull. This shouldn't surprise you. I really love everything about the Peach Festival, including Peach Beach and especially the Peach Parade. Rock Hill's Come See Me festival is my favorite thing about Spring in Rock Hill. Cowpens has the Mighty Moo Festival, which i still haven't actually seen anything happen there.

If you were to host a festival, what would it be? I think mine would be a shagging and fried foods festival. There are probably about a million of those in South Carolina, i've never been to one. One day when i'm rich i'll tour the country attending fairs and festivals to see what i can find.

Music and Lyrics

"Music is transferable. Sounds and words and thoughts that were someone else's creation find lodging in your chest. Music speaks of universal things. That's why your lungs swell and your eyes close and you force as much air as possible through your vocal chords whenever you encounter a song that expresses what is your life." "One note can express a hundred emotions, depending on its context. And a single note becomes a different note with a different color depending on the room or setting where it is sounded. It resonates or fades in different ways, bouncing around or dying off. It's thrilling."

David Crowder

I would call myself a music snob for the most part. I HAVE to be in charge of the radio and I don't put my car in gear to drive until the right tune is playing. Though I'm not a musically talented person by any stretch of imagination. I can play just simple worship songs on the guitar and I played the trumpet in jr. high. But music is an important part of my life. Worship music, country music, mellow music, gangster rap. I'm all there. And lyrics. Oh man do I love lyrics. I've always said that David Crowder WILL lead worship in heaven. He is a geneous with words because they go deep and they are based on scripture. That above quote is from his book, "Praise Habit" and I think I could read that book everyday if I had time. The Psalms are my favorite book of the Bible and he goes through some of them in that book. He talks honestly about worship and how it's not to be confined to singing, but music is his thing and it moves his soul and we should let it do the same to us. Because God made it to be beautiful and I'm glad we get to worship with voices and notes and beautiful instruments. I would love to have a conversation with David and just talk to him about where his mind goes when he writes a song. To be that intelligent and that creative and that in-tune with the Lord. I'm just rambling now. sorry.

It just so happens that I have a song that I'm usually obsessed with for about a week at a time. Not necessarily a new song. Actually, most of the time they aren't new at all. Just a song that gets my attention for a while and I can't stop listening to it for whatever reason. I'll try to share them with you each time, just so you can know my opinion. Since you don't get enough of that already from this blog :)

This weeks obsession song: "Sleeping to Dream" by Jason Mraz

An honest look at engagements

Engagements are in the air. There are lots of thoughts and ideas that go through a 22 year-old, single girls mind when every other girl in her life, most of them being younger than her, seems to be getting married. Since I am in fact a 22 year-old single girl, heck, I’ll share mine. Well I’m ok with it for the most part. The close friends of mine who have acquired a ring in the past few months and weeks are all in really good relationships and this makes me happy for them. There is nothing worse in the world than 2 people who are dumb and get married just because together their favorite color is green.

Except for the whole picture of the newly engaged girl holding up her left hand and pointing to it. That profile shot on facebook is a little old. But why do girls get all “I hate the world” when their friends get engaged? Well, im a girl and I can’t accurately answer that question. We have this whole jealousy thing that makes us want everything our friends have. A boyfriend, a ring, a good grade, a pair of jeans, a pencil. We compare everything to everything and weddings mean that your friend the bride is getting more attention than you. The most honest reason us girls want to throw up at the sight of that ring is because if you’re single, you’re single and your friend isn’t. At least that’s my reason, most of the time.

Those are just general thoughts, but how I really feel about this certain time of recent activity is pretty good. The truth is that I don’t know how to love Jesus enough right now, so I need to work on that relationship. I’m not just saying that because saying it makes me feel better about being single. I’ll never ever be able to love people the way I should without loving the one who created them more. And that goes for all human relationships. I may be approaching the “average age” of being married or engaged, but I have a ton left to learn in order to be a good girlfriend, fiancé, wife, soccer mom.

I like weddings, especially when I get to be the DJ! woot!

You need a friend, I'll be around

"People are always telling you that change is a good thing. But all they're really saying is that something you didn't want to happen at all, has happened."

-Meg Ryan, You've Got Mail

That's a good movie and I find that to be an honest quote. I have a lot to say on the changing of life and growing up front, but I won't venture into those thoughts for now. I will say how bad it hurts to say goodbye to people. After 7 years of friendship, after a 10 minute phone conversation, or a weekend visit. I just don't like goodbyes. After a much anticipated weekend with Brandy and Ktb and a last church service with a wonderful pastor, I found myself crying all the way home being happy and sad and empty and thankful. This was a feeling I felt very frequently my freshman year when I left Columbia or Gaffney after a weekend with Laura and Erin. When Brandy talks about her new place in life she lights up. She looks content and that makes me so happy. Ktb's new seminary stories are hilarious and she's passionate about what she's doing and I couldn't be more proud of her. Dan and Brenda left church this morning with a burden lifted and leaving quite an impact. Most of the people I have grown to love over the past few years are still away from me and things will only change more as I get older. But Jesus fills me up. When the emptiness comes back, as it did today, He'll cover it and I'm so thankful for that.

I'm one of those kids

I saw the trailer for the 6th Harry Potter this summer and was quite intrigued by it. I made it my goal to watch all 5 of them so I could be ready at midnight with everyone else when it comes out. And even though they pushed the release date back, I am ready cause I watched them all this week. I know, I know I should read the books and I promise I believe you people when you say this. I just don't have the time and the truth is I like movies more.

This may make me a bad christian, but I hate it when people try and get the gospel out of every movie these days. I mean just let Nick Spark's do his thing, ok? BUT I will say the 5th Potter is my favorite for just that reason. Towards the end, Voldemort gets inside Harry's head (literally) and starts to control his mind. All of these images of bad things that have happened to Harry over the years flash through his head but Harry fights back by controlling his own mind. It's my favorite part of the whole movie, when he says to Voldemort, "You're the weak one. And you'll never know love. or friendship. And I feel sorry for you." It's a really intense scene and I love the whole story of Harry Potter because of the constant battle between good and evil. And all of us have both inside of us. It would be so sweet if we were all wizards.

Problems I Can't Fix

I don't really know what a "soap box" is, but I think I'm about to get on board one. Bear with me.

I just recently had a friend "break up" with a guy she was seeing. She was completely digging him, and she's wonderful, so he was pretty into her to. They are both strong christians, and during the time they were hanging out he told her all kinds of things like how thankful he was that God put her in his life. Ya know, those kinds of lines that sound even better when you throw "God" and "Blessed" into them. After a couple of months of this relationship, things just kind of didn't work out. The details aren't important, it's just that she thought she knew this guy. She thought he was this awesome Christian who really loved Jesus and cared about her. Turns out that wasn't the case. And it makes me think about people like that. Christians like that. That's the point I'm really getting at.

Where's the point where we stop talking crap and using "God" in every sentence, and actually live like we love Jesus Christ? Lately I've had frustrations with the church in general, not just my church specifically. Some churches put on a good show, complete with guitars and drums and videos and cool-haired youth pastors. Some churches are hanging on by a thread with no one willing to step up and serve. And few churches operate how Jesus did and by stepping out of their walls and reaching their community. Christians wonder why church attendance sucks. Why our campus ministry attendance sucks. Why our youth group has three teenagers. And I really have no idea behind the math of any of that or the exact reasons, but I do know a lot of it has to do with Christians.

I realize every bit of this is my opinion. I also realize I am one of those Christians who are part of the problem. What if we would open up the Bible and actually live like that. Man, this world might see a little something different. But it's easier to talk about it. It's easier to act the way we always have. It's easier to care about ourselves instead of giving a crap about our brother and sister. I just feel like if we make Christianity first about Jesus, then other people, and ourselves last, we would all be more effective. This is my blog so I can say whatever I want :)

Feel free to opinion-ize this topic too.

Ramblings

It's been 25 days into my 40 day Coke fast. I tell you folks, it hasn't been easy. My friends have been great, though. Grace bought a cheerwine in wal-mart the other night instead of a coke which was pretty cool of her. Most places I go out to eat requires sweet tea anyway, so it's really been ok. There are those places like Moe's, Waffle House, and Steak and Shake where nothing else will do and then it hurts. But it's been good overall.

Confession time. I may be the most competetive person on the planet. That ones a shocker to most of you I know. I'm coaching 8 & 9 year olds in rec league soccer this fall and practice started in full force this week. Tuesdays practice was awesome. It was semi-raining, cold, and the kids were all scared of me because I was taller. At Thursdays practice, such things were not the case. They didn't listen to a word I said and they couldn't keep their hands off the ball. And what's the ONE part of the body we don't use in soccer? yea. I was 8 years old when I played my first soccer game, and I have been on exactly one team with a winning record since then. I know losing builds character and all that fun stuff, but I really want this team to win a few times. No one, no matter how old you are, wants to be on a losing sports team. But as the coach I have to keep "FUN" written on my hand during games. ha.

I'm in a fantasy football league with my Pastor and I think that's really cool. The Panthers are actually winning this year, and with every player in the NFL getting hurt recently, heck, we may make it to the Super Bowl. Doubtful.

Your Love is Strong

My obession song for the week is "Your Love is Strong" by Jon Foreman. He's the lead singer guy from Switchfoot if you don't know. I came across it this week just because I really hadn't heard his solo stuff and thought I'd give it a listen. I'm living by myself officially now which I honestly absolutely hate. I'm one of those people who needs personal alone time like once a month. Maybe. I like having other people around, including someone to live with and to be around to talk to all the time. Yes, God is breaking me of that because it's not always a good thing. I value relationships a whole lot and being by myself makes me go nuts. This week with Maggie moving and other things I've felt pretty weak. I'm just so tired of all of my best friends moving away and being here still with no answers on anything I've prayed for. And this isn't meant to to be a pity party, because God is strong. And as weak as I've felt recently I love being reminded of that. He's given me everything I need in life even though this life is kind of hurting right now.

In other news...Slopfest was amazing! Our youth group had a big messy 2-hours of games yesterday. They had to do some crazy stuff like pass a dead fish on a rope through their clothes, have marshmallows stick to their faces with peanut butter, dig around in the mud, drink 5 different sodas mixed together, and a lot of other things I'm kinda glad I didn't have to do. Greg and I have been planning it for a really long time and this week I was having my fair share of doubts. But 17 students showed up, the gospel was heard at the end, and the church parking lot was covered with shaving cream when we pulled in this morning. I was glad.

He is Jealous for Me

I'm pretty sure I could push kids in the swing for days and not get tired. We have two kindergarten kids at the afterschool program I work at in the afternoons and they have been a blessing to me and to my job. It's not the best part of my job for a lot of reasons, but those kids have made it a little brighter this week. Today I was pushing Mark and Jaylen in the swings and the looks on their faces just made my day. They kept saying, "higher! That's not high enough!" They just kept wanting more and more of something so simple. Then Mark tried to push me in the swing and we didn't get very far. It was a really cool day and as dumb as it sounds, if you let them, kids will teach you more than you want to be taught about Jesus. It's so refreshing.

I've been reading Job lately and it's one of my favorite books of the Bible. Just because of all the stuff Job goes through yet he finds hope and life in the Lord. I also think it's rad that it's the book right before Psalms. hmmm....

"Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the almighty? They are higher than the heavens-what can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave-what can you know?

Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear. You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning; You will be secure, because there is hope."

- Job 11:7-9, 13-18

God has no limits!

Sports and Politics: An Analysis. or something.

There was no debating my clothes selection when I woke up this morning, for today is the first day of college football. And my Gamecocks play N.C. State at 7:00pm. Every Saturday from here on out don't expect me to rock anything but my carolina t-shirts and I will be unusually concerned with the tv, as if im not already. Clemson also plays this week, and there is the possibility that I'm more interested in Alabama winning that game than tonights game. Clemson is ranked 10th in the nation starting off, which is rediculous because they are in the ACC and that means they only play the worst teams in the country. So good job Tigers, keep that up.

As Christian as I am, I will not be voting republican this year in the election. Everyone calm down, I have my reasons. I don't watch politicalness on tv, just because I have no idea what anyone is talking about and it's mostly just yelling into the microphone. I only watch the Colbert report on special occasions and that gives me close to zero credibility as far as knowing anything about politics. I do watch sportscenter though. Obama was inteviewed by Stewart Scott of ESPN the other night on sportscenter and I learned that Obama is quite the sports fan. Does this fact help weigh my vote? Absolutely it does. Since I know nothing about politics really, I have to go on something. Yea yea, I realize that's ignorant and whatever but what's the difference. Either way America is in trouble in my mind. Three things he said that impressed me:

1.They asked Obama who he would have as his Vice President if it had to be an athlete and he said Michael Jordan. Great answer. He could have said Michael Vick or O.J. Simpson and we would have reason to worry.

2. He is a Chicago native so they asked, White Sox or Cubs? (these are both Chicago teams, by the way) His answer was the White Sox because he is not a fair weather fan, and that that's real baseball. Also another good answer, because there is nothing worse in America than a fair weather fan. You know those sports fans who pull for their favorite team only when they are winning, but when they lose they act like it never happened. Also known as just being a Tar Heels fan in general. That's just living in sin. Moving on.

3. His final remark was awesome and pretty much sealed my vote for the democrats this year. He said he was going to fight to get a basketball court put in the White House if he's elected.

"It's like telling Iran and Isreal to get along. It's just not going to happen."
-Spencer from The Hills

Giving up things.

I really miss the friends that have moved away. Ok, I miss Brandy. I thought this whole thing would be easier than it is and maybe I wouldnt notice it as much. But I was wrong and I miss my best friend pretty badly. I went over to the 321 today and called it "Erica's house." I didn't like the sound of that one bit either. I hate realizing that things like growing up and seperation have to happen in order to move on and grow, but that reality doesn't make it fun, nor does it hurt any less. Pastor Dan announced his resignation from Manchester Creek today and that was hard too. I have been blessed in my church families over the years with Pastors who have me over to their house and we talk football. I've been so hesitant to move away from Rock Hill with Manchester being a big factor in those thoughts. The people are great, but Dan knows the word and he handles scripture in a way that is different from what I'm used to hearing. I always learn something new from him, and I hate that that has to end, as far as his sermons go. His family has been a huge gift to me over the past few years and I was sad and felt peaceful today.

What has God been teaching me lately? I got asked that question recently and I literally laughed out loud. My initial answer was nothing, becuase He's not giving me any direction. But what He's teaching me won't always be understood, and I'm trying to learn to be ok with that. I'm not being persecuted and this is far from the kind of suffering most people face everyday, but everything seems to be falling apart, but being put back together at the same time. I'm learning that God puts things together, especially things that are broken. And not just all these situations in my life, but me as a person too. Because I am for real broken. The band played a song in church this morning by Jill Phillips, and my favorite line simply says, "nothing I feel is outside the reach of your arms." It talks about pain and how the hurt doesn't hurt any less, but theres nothing outside of God's hand. I've noticed in my life that singing that and saying that and being taught that in sunday school has no real meaning until you go through a tough time.

And if I'm not stressed out enough already, I'm fasting from Coke for 40 days. Why you ask? Well, it's time for a challenge. I always let Pastors and teachers challenge me, so its time I took on one for myself. One that I know will kick my butt. I hope it does. You're probably thinking thats no big deal, but if you know me at all, then you know I might die in about 10 days. 40 days seems like a good time. Not too long, but long enough for me to take a break from something I really enjoy. Not that drinking a Coke is hindering anything but my health, it's just something I want to try. October 3rd. Whew.

"For he wounds, but also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal."
-Job 5:18

Live and Learn and that's all!

Today was the first day of public school for most of South Carolina i think. Today Wal-Mart is virtually empty, new clothes can now be warn, repuations are formed for both students and teachers. blah.

Courtney Blake said something profound last night that brought me to a sigh of relief. She said "this is the first time i havent gone back to school since i was 2!" Let's think about that for a second, we who have graduated from the collegiate level. Half of me really misses the rush of the first day of school/class. Seeing all my friends and goofing off because class was boring and pointless. The more dominant half of me hates school with a passion and internally celebrated today and the freedom I now possess as a bachelor of science. The most scary thing about being at this point in life, besides the "real world" factor is that now I have to make what we call an effort to learn. I have to voluntarily pick up a book and read it. The fun part is that that book is subject to my choosing. I can freely learn in the subjects I want to learn like surfing and golf and camping and no one will grade me on it.

Every ending is in fact a beginning

It has been a really tough day. I had to say goodbye to Brandy this morning, which was really hard as most of you know. But man, it was good at the same time. To be blessed to be a part of her life for a while and to see how the Lord is working in her and where He is faithfully taking us both. It's a real good thing and I smiled because of that this morning when she drove off. And I know we'll have some more good times because I don't intend on never seeing her again. Erica moved out today, ending a good run of about 17 years. We haven't lived together for that long, but shes always lived on the other side of the path through the woods or in the same room or house. I'm glad her current house is only a couple of stop lights away. Not too far. The 709 1/2 is the most depressing thing I think I've ever seen. Especially on a day like today. There's really nothing but a rug, my computer desk, a bookshelf, and some dust balls in the living room. It echos a lot. Needless to say the up won't be the hang out spot anymore, unless we have a Rave or maybe a small football game in Erica's room.

I think we're ready!

So this is my new blog. The word "blog" is very interesting.

I chose to create a new one because I'm sort of starting a new chapter in life, but really the reason is because I was tired of my old one. Not much will change I reckon. This one is yellow because I like bright colors and the title is from a Mercy Me song that I really like. As you know most of the titles of my posts are song lyrics of some kind. I forsee that to continue as well.