First of all, is it possible to watch "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" WITHOUT crying? I have found it impossible. Anyone with me?? (I just watched an episode today online, can ya tell?)
In other news, PlanetRock is back up and going! It's great to read blogs of fellow Rockers. :)
It's dead week at ISU, which means the week before officially freaking out with finals. I started early, having my first final this morning.
Although having a busy weekend with performing in 2 concerts on Sunday, I was able to have some down time on Saturday night and watch the movie "Becoming Jane" with my mom. No, we didn't watch it because my mom's name is Jayne.... we watched it because my mom hadn't seen it. What a sad yet beautiful movie! I'm finally to the point in my life where I don't completely freak out if a movie doesn't have a "happily ever after" ending (coughcough::disneymovies::coughcough). It's refreshing to see Hollywood acknowledge that most of the time in life things aren't always just jolly and wonderful. Heartache, pain, hurting, etc. is a part of life.
"It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting.." Ecclesiastes 7:2. I think that's why I enjoy this movie-- because the main character does the RIGHT thing, even if it goes against her personal desires. I'm sure it caused her immense heartache but I am so encouraged by her commitment to do what's best for others first.
Funny how some movies can sure set a great example for us, while others do the complete opposite. Movies can and have had a huge impact on our society- and specifically our culture.
Just some random ramblings for the day...
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Meditations
This really encouraged me:
Has the Lord put a new song in your heart? He has if you know Him! (Psalm 40:2-3). And He loves to hear you sing to Him - even if your voice isn't good enough to make it on American Idol! Singing to the Lord brings Him pleasure, it lifts our spirits and, I believe, it drives Satan and his demons crazy. They can't stand to hear the praises of God, so they flee when God's children lift up their voices in songs of praise and adoration. Music transports our thoughts from our heads down into our hearts. How beautiful it is to sing songs of love from our heart to our God and Savior. It really does mean a lot to Him. Unfortunately, most of us don't do it nearly enough. Sometimes we are afraid of others hearing us. Sometimes we simply don't take the time to praise the Lord. And, sometimes we just sit by passively and listen as others sing. Let me encourage you to change all that. Sing to the Lord! Sing out loud in church. Sing with all your heart while you're in the shower. Sing as you drive your car. If you don't, the very stones will cry out. Don't be quiet! Make a joyful noise to the Lord (Psalm 100:1 KJV)!
--Tom Short's Tip of the Week
I've also been thinking a lot about time management, priorities, etc. I deleted my twitter because it didn't make my time priority list and it also ended up on my "procrastinating tools" list as well. I've been thinking a lot about this lately.
So much of what we waste our energy on will not matter even a year from now, much less for eternity. Don't trade your life for temporary things. Jesus said, "Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62 LB). Paul warned, "Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you. This world as you see it is on its way out" (1 Corinthians 7:31 MSG).
What are you allowing to stand in the way of your mission? Whatever it is, let it go. "Let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back..." (Hebrews 12:1
LB).
You need margin in your life. When you're not hurrying and worrying all the time, you have time to think. Time to relax. Time to enjoy life. Time to be still and know that God is God (Psalm 46:10).
I am making time to be still. I'm making time to stop, sit in the silence and think.
Has the Lord put a new song in your heart? He has if you know Him! (Psalm 40:2-3). And He loves to hear you sing to Him - even if your voice isn't good enough to make it on American Idol! Singing to the Lord brings Him pleasure, it lifts our spirits and, I believe, it drives Satan and his demons crazy. They can't stand to hear the praises of God, so they flee when God's children lift up their voices in songs of praise and adoration. Music transports our thoughts from our heads down into our hearts. How beautiful it is to sing songs of love from our heart to our God and Savior. It really does mean a lot to Him. Unfortunately, most of us don't do it nearly enough. Sometimes we are afraid of others hearing us. Sometimes we simply don't take the time to praise the Lord. And, sometimes we just sit by passively and listen as others sing. Let me encourage you to change all that. Sing to the Lord! Sing out loud in church. Sing with all your heart while you're in the shower. Sing as you drive your car. If you don't, the very stones will cry out. Don't be quiet! Make a joyful noise to the Lord (Psalm 100:1 KJV)!
--Tom Short's Tip of the Week
I've also been thinking a lot about time management, priorities, etc. I deleted my twitter because it didn't make my time priority list and it also ended up on my "procrastinating tools" list as well. I've been thinking a lot about this lately.
So much of what we waste our energy on will not matter even a year from now, much less for eternity. Don't trade your life for temporary things. Jesus said, "Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62 LB). Paul warned, "Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you. This world as you see it is on its way out" (1 Corinthians 7:31 MSG).
What are you allowing to stand in the way of your mission? Whatever it is, let it go. "Let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back..." (Hebrews 12:1
LB).
You need margin in your life. When you're not hurrying and worrying all the time, you have time to think. Time to relax. Time to enjoy life. Time to be still and know that God is God (Psalm 46:10).
I am making time to be still. I'm making time to stop, sit in the silence and think.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Awesomeness
My dad sent this link to me. Awesome.
Watch it. You know you want to!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
Watch it. You know you want to!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
Monday, April 13, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Top April Tune-age
Here we go, April!
(Yes, this means I got my new laptop chord in! :)
1. Show Me What I'm Looking For- Carolina Liar
2. Lamb of God- Sarah Reeves
3. The Kingdom- Bethany Dillon
4. Latika's Theme (from Slumdog Millionaire)-A.R. Rahman & Suzanne
5. Hope- Remedy Drive
6. Unashamed- Starfield
7. Free to be Me- Francesca Battistelli
8. Please Don't Go- Barcelona
9. Love is the Reversal- Starfield
10. I Am Still Running- Jon Foreman
11. Psalm 145- Shane & Shane
12. Beautiful (Acoustic)- Bethany Dillon
13. So Much Love- Rocket Summer
14. Count Me In- Leeland
15. God of This City- Bluetree
16. We Need Each Other- Sanctus Real
17. The Real- Nevertheless
18. Let it Out Now- Leeland
19. I Had My Reasons (so good.)- The Great Upset
20. If You Want Me To- Ginny Owens
(Yes, this means I got my new laptop chord in! :)
1. Show Me What I'm Looking For- Carolina Liar
2. Lamb of God- Sarah Reeves
3. The Kingdom- Bethany Dillon
4. Latika's Theme (from Slumdog Millionaire)-A.R. Rahman & Suzanne
5. Hope- Remedy Drive
6. Unashamed- Starfield
7. Free to be Me- Francesca Battistelli
8. Please Don't Go- Barcelona
9. Love is the Reversal- Starfield
10. I Am Still Running- Jon Foreman
11. Psalm 145- Shane & Shane
12. Beautiful (Acoustic)- Bethany Dillon
13. So Much Love- Rocket Summer
14. Count Me In- Leeland
15. God of This City- Bluetree
16. We Need Each Other- Sanctus Real
17. The Real- Nevertheless
18. Let it Out Now- Leeland
19. I Had My Reasons (so good.)- The Great Upset
20. If You Want Me To- Ginny Owens
Friday, April 3, 2009
Short 'n Sweet Update
I haven't updated in a while.
Short 'n sweet version:
-I turned 21 last weekend. Some friends from Des Moines came to the Rock and ate cake with me afterwards, which was wonderful. :) My little brother took me out for lunch and I spent the rest of my bday going to class and working. It was good.
-I played in the ISU Concerto Concert last Saturday. I performed Weber's Clarinet Concerto #2 Mvt. 3. It went WAY better than it should have considering my hand circumstances. God answered prayers BIG TIME! I got a DVD and CD of the performance, and might try and figure out how to put it up on youtube for the fam and friends that couldn't make it to the actual performance.
-My laptop chord busted on me on Saturday-- it has been really weird going without a laptop all week! It has been good for me though. Top Songs for April will be a bit belated, as I don't have access to my tune-age at the moment. I ordered an iPod touch for my birthday. Haha, best part is I didn't realize the features of it til after I ordered it. I didn't know it had internet and games and stuff. I wonder how long it will take me to learn how to use it.... ?! I'm definitely not a technology genius.
-Josh McDowell is going to be in Des Moines this whole weekend speaking on different topics. I can't wait to be encouraged by this man's truths he is going to share!!!!
-I had an MRI and 9 viles of blood drawn last week to see what else is going on with my hand. The MRI showed that I have 2 cysts on my right hand carpal tunnel. My doctor doesn't think it's serious enough to operate on at the moment- but it will continue to be monitored and if tendonitis makes a comeback, I will probably have to have surgery. My hand is gradually healing. I'm finally able to use my right hand fingers slightly. And now that I'm off my steroids, I can actually take pain reliever!! PTL!
-God has continued to be faithful to me and bless my socks off when I don't deserve it. I learned SO many things in Spain that are still fresh in my mind and I continue to be in a mindset of trying to apply these learned truths to my life here in Ames. It's a process of transformation. It's hard. It's worth it. I'll blog more on this later.
Sending love to you, readers.
:-)
Remember to keep your eyes directed above. That's where hope and purpose lie.
Short 'n sweet version:
-I turned 21 last weekend. Some friends from Des Moines came to the Rock and ate cake with me afterwards, which was wonderful. :) My little brother took me out for lunch and I spent the rest of my bday going to class and working. It was good.
-I played in the ISU Concerto Concert last Saturday. I performed Weber's Clarinet Concerto #2 Mvt. 3. It went WAY better than it should have considering my hand circumstances. God answered prayers BIG TIME! I got a DVD and CD of the performance, and might try and figure out how to put it up on youtube for the fam and friends that couldn't make it to the actual performance.
-My laptop chord busted on me on Saturday-- it has been really weird going without a laptop all week! It has been good for me though. Top Songs for April will be a bit belated, as I don't have access to my tune-age at the moment. I ordered an iPod touch for my birthday. Haha, best part is I didn't realize the features of it til after I ordered it. I didn't know it had internet and games and stuff. I wonder how long it will take me to learn how to use it.... ?! I'm definitely not a technology genius.
-Josh McDowell is going to be in Des Moines this whole weekend speaking on different topics. I can't wait to be encouraged by this man's truths he is going to share!!!!
-I had an MRI and 9 viles of blood drawn last week to see what else is going on with my hand. The MRI showed that I have 2 cysts on my right hand carpal tunnel. My doctor doesn't think it's serious enough to operate on at the moment- but it will continue to be monitored and if tendonitis makes a comeback, I will probably have to have surgery. My hand is gradually healing. I'm finally able to use my right hand fingers slightly. And now that I'm off my steroids, I can actually take pain reliever!! PTL!
-God has continued to be faithful to me and bless my socks off when I don't deserve it. I learned SO many things in Spain that are still fresh in my mind and I continue to be in a mindset of trying to apply these learned truths to my life here in Ames. It's a process of transformation. It's hard. It's worth it. I'll blog more on this later.
Sending love to you, readers.
:-)
Remember to keep your eyes directed above. That's where hope and purpose lie.
