Is this what our society has come to?

Getting a bargain is more important than someone's life?

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/11/28/2008-11-28_worker_dies_at_long_island_walmart_after.html


Come on, America!!

Next Vacation!

I decided on my next vacation location. I don't really expect this to happen in the near future, because I haven't been on a vacation in about 5 years, but I've got it planned out for when it DOES happen.

The adventure takes place in Quebec, Canada at an ice hotel.

The website for this fabulous destination is here:

http://www.icehotel-canada.com/index.php

Not only do you sleep and dwell surrounded by ice, but you also have the option to attend chapel at the icechurch, get a (iced) drink at the icebar, or grab a chilled bite to eat at the icecafe.

Does it get any better than this???

Who knows, I might just end up getting married in the ice chapel while I'm there!! Apparently it's a hot wedding location. I'll just need to find the husband part of the equation....minor detail.... :)

Tenth Avenue North

My crazy life hasn't allowed time to blog about the most refreshing, encouraging concert I have been to this past year. The upside to having pink eye(s) and a sore throat is that it gives me an excuse to become a couch potato and catch up on emails, blogging and movie-watching. "Tenth Avenue North" played at Zeke's this past Saturday night. It was a fairly small crowd, but every person I talked to after was just incredibly blown away with these guys. Not only were they musically really tight, but they were just a bunch of nice, solid, down-to-earth guys. The best part of the whole concert wasn't even the playing, but it was Mike (the lead singer) speaking inbetween the songs. His "mini messages" were so easy to relate to and were so REAL- I could tell that he really believed this stuff and he was very passionate about sharing the truths with others. I sat next to Mike's uncle and family who came from Omaha, NE for the concert. They were a hoot-- clapping off the beat and getting really pumped up. It definitely rubbed off on me. :-)

If you haven't heard of "Tenth Avenue North", check 'em out. They're genuine, uplifting and their songs are CONTAGIOUS!

Just as a side note here-- the band all got some gelato from our very own Capanna's and LOVED it. Man, that stuff is so good.

Here's a vid of them talking about their album "Over and Underneath" that came out this year.

Some Neat Encouragement

I haven't had the greatest past week, with my grandpa passing away and then being sick/finding out today I have pink eye as well. God has really used some of my sisters to really encourage me during this time!

Here are a few of the things that have really been really encouraging for me:

"What happened to you this week? Did you have a good week or a bad week? Did it seem like the events in your life were spinning out of control? In order for us to have deep-seated joy, we must realize that God is in control of every area of our lives.In life, things happen to us that we don't like and haven't planned. We can become frightened or angry when things happen that are out of our control. How we respond to these things will determine the state of our heart. Joy can only come as we rest in the sovereignty of God.Paul understood this well. His life was given to presenting the Gospel, discipling believers and planting churches. He effectively did these things all over the world. In the process of doing these things, many opposed him.Writing from prison in Rome, Paul was confident in the Sovereignty of God. If he had his choice in the matter, Paul would much rather have been free and spreading the gospel than being chained up as a prisoner. But in telling the Philippians to rejoice, Paul tells them that his circumstances have turned out to advance the gospel into a sphere that he would never have dreamed of (verses 1:12-14). God used a situation that He didn't like and couldn't control to advance the Gospel.When you understand that God is in control of "what happens to you," it enables you to rejoice in adverse circumstances. Joy is that deep settled confidence that God is in control in every area of my life."

Thankful for the Example

My grandfather, Lee Vandewater, died yesterday morning. Fittingly, it happened on Veterans Day and Grandpa Lee was a proud patriot and veteran of World War II.

He will be missed, but his legacy will live on in my family. Serving our country is something that several of my cousins have followed his footsteps in. I'm also pretty sure the good-looking ones in my family got their looks from him. :)

I love you grandpa. We'll miss you.

Top Songs for November

I've been slacking. Here we go:

1. Mighty to Save- Laura Story
2. You're Beautiful- Phil Wickham
3. Cinderella Man Theme- from "Cinderella Man"
4. I Bring Everything- Ginny Owens
5. Face Down- The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
6. Awesome God (Your Voice)- Vineyard UK
7. Love Somebody- Madisa Feat. tobyMac & Diverse City
8. Thunder- Boys Like Girls
9. Cover Your Eyes- Straylight Run
10. Fallen From The Sky- from "Once"
11. Song for the Broken- Barlowgirl
12. The Sum of All Things- The Great Upset
13. Beyond the Sea- Bobby Darin
14. For My Love- Bethany Dillon
15. Bulgarian Melody- Deep Forest
16. Streamside- The Album Leaf
17. Crack the Shutters- Snow Patrol
18. In Like A Lion (Always Winter)- Relient K
19. Take Me As I Am- Nicole Nordeman
20. River Constantine- Jars Of Clay
21. Faith My Eyes- Derek Webb
22. Goodnight and Go- Imogen Heap
23. Martyrs & Thieves- Jennifer Knapp
24. Lead Me To The Cross- Hillsong United
25. Don't Know If I'm Coming Or Going- Billie Holiday