2013 ~ 2014

Ok… Now that I’m in a super thankful state of mind, I think I’ll do something a little more lighthearted. Anyone up for cliche New Years Resolutions lists? ;) I actually really like lists, so I’m going to do two! I did not put a ton of thought into these, though. They are just off the top of my head. :)

First up is 13 things that I have really appreciated about 2013. Significant or otherwise. :)

1. My family. Always seems to be high on the list. ;) They have been so supportive through all of the things that I have been going through this year.
2. My dear fellow Muses. Thanks for picking up right where we left off. :)
3. Coffee. No question. I usually don’t go a day without it.
4. God’s super amazing faithfulness. I don’t even have words to describe it.
5. My weaknesses. God has taught me a lot through my weaknesses this year, and it’s been really hard for me. But I have learned more than I ever could have because of them.
6. New friends. Praise God for His provision of these wonderful and godly new friends. Young and old!
7. Inspiration. Through music, art, literature… I just have really been appreciative of beauty in these areas.
8. Simple pleasures. The beach. Puppies. Movie theaters and buttered popcorn. Random jam sessions. Kids. Classical music. Good books. Stargazing.
9. School. That’s right! I have really enjoyed school this year, and I’ve been learning more from it than ever before. :)
10. Music. Specifically this year, I am thankful for the opportunities to make music with other people. And not just to make music, but to express our hearts through music and use that expression to bless others. I am so thankful that God created music!!
11. Teachers and Mentors. This year I have been given numerous new teachers who have given of their time and personal experience to teach their students. I have also gained new spiritual and musical mentors, who have specifically honed in on my abilities and believed in me. Thank you to these amazing people! Also to the people from home who have continued to pray for me.
12. Reading. I’ve had to read a lot of theological books this year. Some by choice, and some for specific classes and such. I have really enjoyed them, even if some of them were read hurriedly to meet a deadline. ;)
13. Last, but not least… Technology. It seems like a very non-sentimental thing to be thankful for, but it has been very helpful in 2013. Facetime. Enough said. ;)

And now.. 14 things about 2014! Although, I probably should have been more clear. I definitely do not plan to make a list of 14 resolutions for 2014. However, I will make a list of 14 things that, if I did, would shape my life in a beneficial way. And maybe some things that I am looking forward to in 2014. :)

1. Communication. I would love to stay in better communication with my family and friends back home. I need to be more intentional about it. Can I also give a shout-out to Erato?? She sends me letters even though I never write back! She’s pretty much the greatest. :)
2. Practice. I really need to practice my musical instruments more. I have new teachers and new opportunities to use my musical gifts, and I would love to make the time to take advantage of those opportunities.
3. Write. It would be awesome if I could find the time to write. Journal, Blog posts, a novel - I don’t care! Just something. :)
4. Exercise. Oh, the cliche New Years Resolution. But ever so needed. ;)
5. Encouragement. I want to be a person of encouragement. I want to become one of those people that someone would come to when they need to talk.
6. Reading. I would love to read some really great books this year, on my own initiative.
7. Cleaning. Yep! I’d like to keep my room clean AND organized this next year. It would make things a lot easier and less stressful.
8. Time. With all of these goals, I need to learn to balance my time. It will not be easy. But it is possible to take small steps.
9. Prayer. I want to be a person of prayer. So many people have prayed for me and it has made a difference in my life. I want to be in constant communication with God so that my fellowship with Him is kept true and my relationship with Him is real.
10. Limited Technology. As much as technology is a blessing in communication, it really does hinder me with all it offers in the area of entertainment. Definitely takes away from the time I need to do all of these other things, for sure!
11. Relationships. I am so looking forward to the relationships that will be built this year! Some may begin, some may develop, and some may end. But I am so thankful for the people I am surrounded with.
12. Relax. With all of the things that I will be running around a doing, I need to take time to relax. Actually, a lot of the things on this list are designed to help me slow down and refocus on what is important.
13. Love. I want to love people without expecting anything back. I don’t do that very often. I want to be genuine with people.
14. Ministry. I am going to have so many amazing opportunities to serve God this year! I just want to take advantage of these opportunities. I also want to be sure to have good fellowship with God while serving Him, so that my service is flowing from thankfulness and is in His power. 

Here’s to 2014! It’s going to be great. :) Even with all of this to look forward to, Come Lord, Quickly.

Worship. *Dun-dun-dun...*

Yeah. I said it. Worship.

Now, before you get your knickers all in a knot, hear me out. Or read me out. Whatever. I'm not here to chew you out because you dance in the aisles. I'm also not here to chew you out because you've never raised your hands. (Although, if you're not raising your hand in school, then you may have a problem.) I'm here to say that no matter how you worship, I'm just glad you are worshipping.

Many people will give you a list of guidelines, (a.k.a. rules) that you HAVE to follow! If you don't you obviously aren't saved. And as they wave the threat of losing your salvation over your head, doesn't that just make you want to worship with all your heart? Yeah. Not as much. Alternately, if maybe there was someone who gave you a list of things to worship about. A guideline for new worshipers? Not a behavior book, but a list of awesome things to celebrate!

Because it all really comes down to who and why, not how. I'm sure I worship God in different ways than anyone reading this. But that doesn't make me any better or worse. And it doesn't make either of our ways to worship wrong. Society, and many church members, will never tell us this. But God does. David worshiped God so intensely that, well, you know the story. (2 Samuel 6:12-23) God didn't strike him with fire or anything. God did, however discipline his wife for basically saying that David was wrong to worship that way. This is something that I find reassuring when people around me aren't raising their hands, but I feel like doing so. I mean, it works the other way too. I'm probably not being super clear, but this is also helping me to think this out.

One last clarification. Worship is not emotionalism. Being emotional is often part of worship, but the two are not the same. I can cry a river over something religious, in church, or with other Christians, but that does not make my river worship. That makes my river over something religious, in church, or with other Christians. Feeling is fine but to some extent if that is the only facet of your worship, you are missing something. There is so much more to worship than emotion. There is a knowledge of who God is, His characteristics. His awesome characteristics that make Him who He is.

I worship an amazing God. I know that He loves me no matter what. That's why I worship Him.

Small Blessings

     Just a short note of observation about how God really does work all things together for good! (Not that whether I acknowledge it or not makes any difference.)

     Several years ago, my dad lost his job. He was able to get odds and ends jobs, such as census work, or working at the library, but things were still tight. A small background piece of information for you, our family has never had "luck" with toasters. Well, our toaster  had died again, and it was definitely not on the budget to get a new one. We hadn't said anything to anyone, I mean, come on, it's a toaster. But then at a baby shower for a lady at our church, a older lady we didn't know very well came up to mom and asked if we needed a toaster, because they had two for an odd reason. We have that toaster to this day.

     When I was in grade school, I was involved in softball. For the first couple years, it's mostly just fun, but then it becomes a little more serious and girls start dropping out. The first year that I didn't know anyone on my team also became my last, and it was a really frustrating and disappointing season. I'm an introvert, and I don't make friends. Pretty much period. I did actually talk to some of the girls though. Now last fall I started looking for a part time job and one of the girls grandma runs a small dollar store which I applied at. She called me back about a month later and said that she doesn't usually do this, but because I'd played softball with her granddaughter, and she kinda knew my family, she'd hire me! What a huge blessing it's been to me so far. And if I hadn't persevered through that softball season, I might not have gotten the opportunity.

     And the most recent, and most painful. Festival. Band festival. We had districts two weeks ago, and we were the difference between a A- and a B+ from an overall one, which would mean that we could advance to state. Our whole band was disappointed because we had really done well. But the other day I was looking at my schedule for the next month or so, (FULL) and saw that the potential state festival dates conflicted with a large youth group weekend activity, and with our church's senior honors banquet. God does know best, even when we throw a fit because it isn't working out according to our human perspective. You can trust Him. Always.

His Eye is on the Sparrow, and on you and me!

      I've got a prayer request for this couple who are going through some health issues that make all my problems seem like nothing, could you pray for them with me? Living in High Definition is where they are updating their prayer warriors.