It's Coming Along...

I'm working on setting up an account somewhere so that I can share some of my pictures with you all. On another note, the room is coming a long quite nicely. I will not divulge any information about what is going on in there other than that it's going to be awesome! Today is the first day all week that I have not been there...I figured that I could use a day to just rest and not have to worry about the room. Have a good day!

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emanuel Has Come!

Well, Merry Christmas folks! It seems like this time of the year always seems to come and go quickly...either that or we just don't slow down enough to realize it's been here all along. Sometimes I wonder how we got from the celebration of the birth of Christ to trees and presents...and to the extent that those things seem to be overbearing the original cause for the season. (If you still haven't listened to the best song ever...which is quite fitting since it is Christmas and all...go here)

Ok, so there's a point to all of this....One thing (or rather several things) that I asked for this year for christmas were books. Needless to say, I got four of them....and I've already got one finished. So here are a few things I pulled from "the barbarian way" by erwin mcmanus:

• "Jesus is being lost in a religion bearing His name. People are being lost because they cannot reconcile Jesus' association with Christianity. Christianity has become docile, domesticated, and civilized. We have forgotten that there is a kingdom of darkness stealing the hopes and dreams and sould of a humanity without God. It is time we hear the barbarian call, to form a barbarian tribe, and to unleashe the barbarian revolt. Let the invasion begin..."
• "The original call of Jesus was so simple, so clean, so clear: "Follow Me." He wants us to surrender our lives to Him and follow Him into the unknown. And if it means a life of suffering, hardship, and disappointment, it will be worth it because following Jesus Christ is more powerful and more fulfilling than living with everything in the world minus Him. Have we forgotten this? Have we become so refined and so civilized that the benefits of our faith have become more precious and more valuable to us than the Benefactor of our faith?

So here's what I'm wondering...Have we become too concerned with music, worship, services, programming, and all the other stuff that comes with "church" and "christianity" are more important to us than God himself? Or have we been too concerned with our relationships with others that we have ingored our relationship with God? Do we love the benefits more than we love Him? But then again music, worship, service, and programming aren't bad...it's when they become more important than God that we need to realize that there is a major flaw in priorities. Moreover, what about allowing Him to live his life through us? Some people have missed the point. It's not about us! It's all about Him! Even if we had everything we could ever want, it would be nothing, vanity, meaningless, empty with out Him.

Quite A Strange Stream of Thought

Well, I know it's been awhile, but so much has been going on. Let's see, I got my new cell phone! That's pretty exciting. Oh, and today we started the youth room....or atleast some of us did. We spent the day tearing down the sound system so that we wouldn't have to do that when a million people are there on thursday. (ok ok, I may have just been exaggerating) So today was exciting...the room is pretty plain how it is right now...I took "before" pictures (conveniently on my new phone/camera/anything else you'd ever want in portable device, haha) and I'll take some after picture and post them all up here when we're done. I got to the church at 10:30 and left only for an hour or so to get my hair cut and then didn't leave until like 8:15ish. I was there forever, yet still my day was not as long others'. Oh, and today I got my hair cut. Whatever that chick put on my hair was so ridiculously potent it was giving me a headache (and still kins of is)...and she cut it kind of short too...oh well, it's just hair.

So you know what I just realized....I was thinking about hair and how meaningless it is. Ok, I'm stretching this analogy here, but stick with me. So then I started thinking about the youth room and how it looks and if it has a stage or lights or whatnot and how that will ultimately not really matter because it's just a room. We need to be living in the spiritual realm of life (even though a cool room can be a great outreach and ministry tool) where we realize that these seemingly "huge" worldly things are really nothing. Ok, so I have weird streams of thoughts sometimes...but I also just bought the Robbie Seay Band CD today too...which I've been wanting since I found them online last winter but have never bought....anyways, just as I was contemplating the meaninglessness of hair and stages the lyric said "life is fleeting" hence the prompting of the retelling of this whole story. Wow, I'm wierd sometimes. I've got a headache....I'm going to stop staring at the screen...I don't think it's helping. Well, have a good night!

Wait For It.

I really don't even know what to say tonight. I have not purpose for updating this, I just felt like updating. I guess because I know it's getting to be late but it doesn't matter because I don't have to be over to Malone until 1 tomorrow. Today I had my lit in society and old testament exam...I think I did alright on them. I think I got over-concerned about the whole thing. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. Anyways, tonight was worship team and then some of us went over to muggswigz afterwards for "open mic night."

Anyways, you know sometimes when there's something that you know...but you just have the hardest time doing...or convincing yourself to do it. (haha, I'm kind of being a little general here) Specifically, I've just really been thinking about God's will for me and more holistically the ministries and situations that I'm in. I guess sometimes we can fall into knowing where we'd like things to go...and then try to convince ourselves that that is really God's will. But then we go on rationalizing things again (which we ultimately cannot fully understand anyways) and realizing that it really isn't your will that ultimately matters, it's God's. In the long run, I'd definitly have to say that God's plan is much better than ours could ever be...so why is it so tough sometimes to just stick it out and wait? But I guess that's the beauty of it all...we can't do it...we can't just 'stick it out and wait' because that would remove our dependence on God. So I guess by waiting and depending on God to reveal His will for us, or just waiting for that will to unfold....we are infact serving, obeying, and loving Him just as much as if His will was already unfolded within a certain circumstance because we are depending on His guidance even more when we dont' know what's going on.

Wow, that all just came out of nowhere. But I think things are making more sense to me now. I'll just wait and trust His judgement because He knows best anyways.

Break Has Nearly Arrived

I found this picture online and did a little photoshop action to it to make it look cool for the shakespearean sonnet I had to write and present in my Lit class this past week. I like it...thought you guys might too.

Anyways, classes are over. I am happy...and sad. A bittersweet moment...haha, I'm so cheesy. Only 4 finals to go next week and one "assesment" for models. It should be a good time. None of my exams are going to be really difficult either (atleast I hope not). Just macroeconomics on monday, then on tuesday I've got Old Testament and Literature in Society, wednesday I've got my models thing, and on thursday I've got my accounting exam. The only ones I've really got to buckle down and study a lot are the ones on tuesday. I'm almost home free. I'm pretty pumped for next semester already. It's going to be a highly business-related semester for me, so Watson is letting me sit in on his Epistles of Paul and I'm taking New Testament.

Well, until next time...have a great day/night/evening/morning/afternoon! (those options are soley dependent on what time of the day you're reading this! haha)

Winter Is Here And So Is Christmas!

I took this picture not too long ago out in my back yard and for one of my projects I did a little photoshop action and this was the product. I never do stuff like that anymore. I will again I think though because I'm getting a new phone in the (near) future which will probably have some sort of camera on it. Then I'll be able to take as many pictures as I want. It'll be cool too because hopefully I'll actually have pictures of stuff I do. Like this last summer I went to tons of concerts and had tons of fun...but I don't have any pictures because my mom wasn't following me around anymore with a camera. (that, in case you were wondering, is a good thing) I want to remember the experiences I've had. Like yesterday my drive to school was probably the most enjoyable one I've ever had. The sunrise was astonishing...I could barely take my eyes off of it (only to drive of course, haha). God's creation is so amazing. Long story short...I like that picture and I can't wait until I get to have my own camera to play with.

I just finished the last of my papers for this semester! I'm quite relieved at this point. All I have left is a test on Friday and then four exams next week...which isn't too bad. I'm actually pretty pumped because I'm finally going to have some time to get some reading done that isn't for school (not that I didn't like reading that stuff or anything). I've had a few books that I've been wanting to read, but haven't been able to get around to it like: Mere Christianity (I started it, but stopped when I realized I wasn't remembering anything because I was too busy trying to read all this other stuff), Velvet Elvis, and some other good ones. (haha, I say that they're good and haven't even read them yet)

Anyways, I'm pretty pumped for Christmas break...there's going to be sooo much happening. But at the same time I'm going to have lots of free time to...well....to do whatever I feel like doing. The worship team and I are going to be working on the youth room over break too since service is cancelled for 2 weeks, which means we have 3 weeks where the room will not need to be presentable. So, we're going to fix it up...and finally finish it. I don't think I can even count the number of times that people have started stuff in there and it's never gotten done...just makeshiftedly (is that a word?) thrown together because it wasn't done by Sunday. Well...I'd better get going. Have a wonderful day!

Show Them The Way

"God, don't let them forget that I'm here, moreover...You are there...just waiting. Remember, as far away as they go, they can just take one step back...or even just one glance back, and You will come sprinting after them. My heart crys out for them and my eyes are not dry. I'm desperate for them to see what I see, feel what I feel...You're so real. You'll sweep them into Your arms and comfort them when they need comforted and make them whole again. Soften their hearts and lead them back to You."

Let's Be Radical

God has really been afflicting my heart with so much passion for the ministries I'm in and the ministries that I see around me...not only at RiverTree, but at churches across the area...and I just want to proclaim out to the Church..."let's be radical!!" I'm not saying there's a formula or a specific programatic way that this needs to be done...but God's been showing me that He needs to be the center of a ministry, no matter its size or stated "importance" within a church, and that will in turn reflect upon our approach to the ministry...so...

So let's be radical--

Let's be centered in You...
Let's lead them to You through worship...
Let's show them Your truth...
Let's give them something to talk about...
Let's show them something better than what the world thas to offer...

Let's be genuine...
Let's be loving...
Let's be deep...
Let's be a community...

Let's be transparent...
Let's be different...
Let's be real...

Let them see You...
Let them experience You...
Let them be in love with You...
Let them be filled with Your Spirit...

And let them know You.

What's Subscribing?

Just fyi--in case you didn't notice...not the last time I changed a bunch of stuff, but the time before when I added a bunch of stuff to the right side of the screen, I also added a "subscribe" option. This makes it very convenient for you, the more deticated readers, to be notified of a new update on my blog. Just put in your e-mail and you'll get a nice reminder e-mail everytime I add a new post. So no more checking my blog to see if there are updates; let the computer do the checking for you! You should do it! Be a subscriber folks!

A Cool New Look

Well, I kind of got tired of the old template (and some stuff was majorly screwed up) so I decided to go ahead and find a new one....so welcome to my *new and improved* blog! So tomorrow is thanksgiving, or rather, today is thanksgiving. I can't believe this year has flown by so quickly. I've only got two more weeks and then exams and I'm done for the semester! For those of you who aren't currently residing in Ohio, the first big snow was today. The Holidays are here...I love this season. It comes in a close second with fall and all the changing colors. Life is good....God is good. Honestly, who would have thought to make the leaves turn an amazing color or to have water freeze into intricately made flakes (while sometimes annoying when you have to scrape them off you car) which glisten in the sun and coat the grass? I know I'm definitly not that creative, haha. He is amazing. Well it's getting rather late, so I'll probably update more thoroughly later when I'm not so tired. Have a good night!

Lovely Ohio

Alright, this is a picutre for all of you who are always complaining about how Ohio sucks so bad. I took this picture a while ago out in my backyard and am just now finally getting around to posting it up here. Anyways, that's not my point. This semester is quickly coming to a close. I've got 2 days next week and then thanksgiving break...then only 2 weeks left! So needless to say, the end-of-the-semester madness is almost in full swing. Luckily I think I've been keeping up pretty well. Andrew and Rebekah move into their house tomorrow, which is exciting. We've been over there constantly helping them paint and get things ready. I probably should have gone over today so that I could help out clean or something since I can't be there tomorrow, but I'm getting a head start on some of these papers due within the next few weeks. Tomorrow should be a fun day though. We've got church in the morning, then we're having worship team practice so that we can go to Ryan and Josh's show on Tuesday, then "the gathering" is tomorrow night.

The gathering is the tri-church event that's happening with Rivertree, First Friends, and First Christian. I think it's awesome that, even though there have been some struggles putting these together, that these three churches are making and effort to connect with eachother. It really saddens me that so many churches are at war with eachother instead of realizing that they are all part of the body of Christ. How awesome would it be if everyone could for once forget about their "church" and truly become the Church? No church wars, no feelings of superiority, no hatred, and no divisions. What if, for once, we saw churches combine instead of divide, and work together instead of against eachother? Then people could really see the unity and love talked about in the Bible coming from the Church.

The Health and Wealth Gospel

Well, sorry it's been so long. I was house/kid-sitting last week so I didn't really get a chance to update or anything. Really nothing different has been going on, I can't believe semester is over in only 4 more weeks!

So, I went to Faith Family Church (formerly known as CCF) a couple weeks ago just to check it out. It seems that a lot of people don't really like it a lot, so I figured that I would just have to go see it myself before I was to go around bashing the thing. It was a perfect example of a church that has all of the resources in the world, but doctrinally is terribly unsound. I still want to go check out their college service sometime, just to see if it's the same way...and Josh insisted that I must see the youth room all set up. I glanced in, but didn't get a good look or anything.

Well, I'm going to get going...Crowder put up some chords/tabs on his site, so I think I'm going to dig into them. Man, he has the best job ever...touring the country and leading worship...amazing!

Christmas

I know it's not really Christmas time yet (not that that means we can't listen to some specific songs just because they've become associated with Christmas) But anyways, I was just in the mood to listen to this song tonight. I think I forgot how much I love the words and the lyrics and the sweetness of David Crowder*. I'm even going to go out on a limb here and say that this is probably my favorite song of all time. I've seriously just been hitting "refresh" on my browser for the past 40 minutes listening to the same song over and over again. You've got to listen to the whole thing, because it gets awesome at the end...just saying it over and over. It get's intense in a David Crowder kind of way.



*In case you didn't know Crowder released it online in 2003 after the release of illuminate that year.

Sorry It's Been So Long

Well, it's been quite the week...or I guess it's been more than a week since I've updated. It's been pretty crazy with tests and papers galore. I'm still managing to do pretty well in most of my classes though, which is good. I need some chai or something, I'm so exausted tonight. (and it's only 7:45!) I was up pretty late last night writing an Old Testament paper on the Domumentary Hypothesis and then studying fo accounting. Old Testament is surprisingly interesting. It just gives you such a more complete understanding (not that your understanding of the Bible is ever truly complete) of the New Testament when you can see how all these things are so inter-connected.

So, I've been having a hard time understanding how that thing at David Crowder's church could have happened on sunday. Moreover, what in the world would I have done if I were there. I didn't even know him, and I was somehow overwhelmingly saddened and affected by the news. It just doens't add up.

He Is.

So, I was just writing some responses to a worsheet for one my classes when I realized something....

In the Geiblestudy last week someone brought up the whole concept of "The Dark Night of the Soul." Anyways, I knew that I had heard some stuff about it before, and it was kind of a side-track from the holistic idea of the biblestudy, so I didn't think too much into it until it resurfaced today. The whole idea of the dark night of the soul is that we tend to rely on “feelings” in order to witness God within us even though we know that we constantly have the fullness of God within us. So, this “Dark Night of the Soul” is not God withdrawing himself from within us, but rather, it is God withdrawing the emotions from us so that we can rely more fully on Him and give Him our entire selves. Anyways, I was more hung up on the idea of knowing that God is there even when we don't "feel" that He's there. And I really began applying this to my life right now. Sometimes I don't "feel" like God is there on Sundays when the team is leading worship...but then it occured to me...I have the fullness of God within me, so even when I don't think like He's there, He is. When I don't think He's leading through me, He is. And when I don't think the students get it, He's still there.

Break Has Arrived

Well, it's Fall Break! Let's see what's been going on...

On monday I went the bible study down on 31st street because John Geib was leading it. It was pretty great. He was discussing the "exchanged life" concept. A couple of us are doing this drama thing on Sunday for the JH service that is sort of based on one of the ideas that we talked about. It's that everyone you meet, including yourself, will fall into one of four categories: Pagan, Infant Christian, Worldly Christian, or Spiritual (wo)Man. It should be kind of cool. Needless to say, the biblestudy was definitly life-changing.

Tuesday was the normal. I had the whole day full of classes, meetings, lessons, and worship team. We ended up at starbucks after worship team (like normal) and Josh and I had a great conversation about some stuff about the worship team and such. I'm excited to see how things are going to get going.

So amid the craziness of my life, I was also smacked with two exams (hermeneutics and macroeconomics) on wednesday back-to-back. It wasn't too bad though. I think I did pretty well on my hermeneutics and I got an 85 on the macroecon exam. Hopefully I'll be able to pull that up to an A or A- by the end of the sememster though. I've got to go meet with my advisor sometime soon though because I'm pretty much changing my entire schedule. The way they set it up for me, and the professors they chose, are definetly in need of some change.

Yesterday was the first day of break. I slept in really late (like noon!)...later than I think I've ever slept in. (well other than when we got home from catalyst at who knows when in the morning) Anyways, I pretty much just hung around the house and taught some lessons and ended up with Kristen. We went to muggswigz and then back to her place so I could re-string her guitar.

And today is Friday, the best of them all. Why you ask? Well, tonight I have the opportunity to play with some folks from RiverTree at a church out in austintown at their once a month contemporary service. It's going to be a great time. I realized that I kind of miss not leading if that makes sense. It's just nice to know the pressure is not all on me to be up front and well...leading. Plus I love playing different instruments...and I'm going to be playing bass and keyboard. I haven't played those in a long time since I'm always usually playing acoustic. I think I'm going to be switching up the SH worship team a bit...you know, letting some other people step up that way I can kind of have a break (well atleast of leading) some weeks. Plus it's going to be cool because Benny, Jason, and I are looking into getting some of the stage stuff back out in the youth room and Adam and Nick are going to work on some lighting stuff in there once Massillon gets more up and running.

So that's what's been going on. Thank's for caring enough to read and have a great day!

Almost Fall Break

Fall break is this week...which means it's only going to be a 3 day week! Sadly though, I've still got a paper and a couple big exams though. Sad day. So anyways, it's going to be a good time to be able to rest up over the extra long weekend. This Friday I'm playing at some church in Youngstown with some guys from RiverTree...I think it's going to be a good time. I really enjoy playing in bands and stuff like that--to bad I'm not good enough to be David Crowder though, haha. Anyways, last week was pretty hectic school-wise too with midterms and such because of the break this week and everything. On Friday Kristen and I went out thrifting and I got some sweet coats then we hit up muggs. Then on Saturday, I spent the day beginning to work on my lit. paper so I wouldn't have to do it all Monday since I've got tests to study for too. But that night I "jammed" with Kristen and Cameron in the youth room...it was a good time. Then I met up with Lauren, Danielle, and Emily since they're all home for the weekend cause their fall break was a week early. It's good seeing them again, but seeing them always makes me realize that I really do miss them. I think I'm going to go up and visit Lauren sometime since she's not too far away. We'll see...but for now I'm going to get going...Geib is going to be speaking tomorrow in chapel, so I'm going to get up early and go.

Some New Stuff

In case you haven't yet noticed, I just finished spending some time doing some cool new stuff to the site...so check it all out!

Oh...and by the way, I got an "A" on my first hermeneutics paper!

I Guess I'll Explain Something

Alright alright, for sake of not being a "tease" i'll tell you guys a little bit more about the weekend. (even though you could always e-mail/call/IM me to talk about it) One thing that really hit me this week was the idea of community. Well, i guess not the concept itself, seeing that it's not really a new idea for me...but it was interesting what Bill Hybels said. He was talking about some fot he major problems with the 20-somethings (haha, i'm close enough) that do ministry. He said that we are all impressed and infatuated with the idea and concept of community in Acts 2 but we can't live it. I realized that he was exactly right. There is nothing more that I want than to be in that type of community with other believers, but I have no idea how to do it. Same thing with the worship team...I want to have that type of community, but I don't think i can necessarily create it. In fact, I don't think it can't really be "created" per say at all...rather, it has to develop. Anyways, it hit me that all throughout my time in the SH ministry at RiverTree I had been searching for that community through different groups of friends and ministries, but I could never really find it. I guess I'm kind of in the same boat right now too...still looking and trying to find that community somewhere. I don't know, I was talking to Kristin yesterday and I just got this overwhelming feeling that something big is going to happen. (good or bad, i don't know) Whether it be with me and the young adults at Rivertree, or the worship team, or something with massillon...I have no idea. There's so much more...but Dr. Watson and hermeneutics calls. Have a good night!

Home From Catalyst!

Wow, these past couple of days have been awesome! Catalyst was really great. I don't think there were any speakers i necessarily disliked, and the worship was good too. Actually, I probably would have not even have noticed the problems unless Adam hadn't mentioned it. The speakers were: Andy Stanley, John Maxwell, Louie Giglio, Malcolm Gladwell, Donald Miller, Erwin McManis, and Bill Hybels. I wanted to get several of their books, but for some reason, they were actually more expensive at the conference than they would be if you walked down to berean or borders and bought them. I guess it was good though, since I really don't have money to be buying a bunch of books anyways.

There was sooo much talked about this week I can't even share it all online. So if you want to know more about the past couple days, ask me about it sometime and I'll give you the deeper thoughts of the weekend!

Hotlanta Here I Come

In atlanta for a couple days for catalyst with some folks from the Tree. I'll have to tell you (whoever it is that reads this) all about it when I get back!

David Crowder Revelations

Well, I thought this weekend was going to really suck, but it wasn't so bad after all. Tonight I went to the oktoberfest thing in the park for awhile and watched a couple of bands play...but I got there kind of late so it was pretty much over already. Anyways, I saw some people there I knew...but I just don't feel comfortable going up and hanging out with them. I just don't know what to do...I want to get to know people, but sometimes I feel like there's just a huge wall standing between me and everyone else. I honestly just don't know what else I can do...I'm always trying to be on-campus hanging out...but it seems that no one is ever out or willing to really take the time to get to know me. Anyways, I ended up over at lazer quest then hung out with Kristen for the night...it was acutally a lot of fun. We discovered tonight that we are really similar.

Well, I bought the new David Crowder Band cd on Tuesday...at first I was a little weary of it because it's not necessarily you're typical DCB cd, but I really like it. Anyways, I was driving home tonight and I was listening to the song "Do Not Move." For some reason, I just felt like God was talking to me...I'm in such a weird position right now...and to a certain extent, I've been wanting to go back to last summer. I remember thinking to myself during summer..."if I could just freeze life it would be perfect." I somehow got stuck in this mindset of not wanting to move...I just wanted to stay where I was and keep things the way things had been going. This, however, is not God's plan for us. Well anyways, this song says..."I don't want to move, I don't think I could...I don't want to move, I don't think I should." Things change, even if I don't want them to...but God is in control, even if I don't really want to be "moving" in a sense. Anyways, the song keeps going and he just kesp saying "breathe in deeper now." And I realized God is just calling me to trust him...breathe it in, let things go, let things be. I don't need to be in control, and I don't know why I think that I do. Human nature I guess...

Let me want to move....Let me want to change...moreover, let me breathe in deeper now.

Spontanaiety

Hey! I just finished writing my first hermeneutics paper. I think it's alright...we'll just have to wait and see what Watson thinks. It's weird though, now that I'm done, I feel like I really don't have a lot to do. Well, I do, but I dont...haha. I've got a bunch of reading to do, but that's pretty much it. I'm going to try and get ahead on things soon becuase we leave for catalyst on wednesday! I'm so excited, it has come so fast...I just can't wait! Anyways, you'll never guess what I did today....we're talking total spontanaiety here. Ok...well not total spontanaeity...but pretty close. Let's just say I decided yesterday and went and got it done today. Just next time you see me...just take notice of anything different. haha.


(okok...I know it's not really THAT big of a deal...but it is becuase I finally did it)

Things Are Getting Underway

Wow, I feel like it's been so long...and it's only been a week. Anyways, this week was a killer. I got hammered big time with tests pretty much in every class...and if I didn't have a test...I had a paper due. What can I expect though, it is college. Malone got supported by the facebook finally, so now i'm able to keep in touch more easily with some of my friends from Jackson...plus it's opening up some opportunities for me to talk with people from Malone.

I think finally this whole making friends thing is getting underway. I'm telling everyone (and if you haven't heard this yet...you probably will soon) that if you ever see me on campus after 1 or so, I'm usually just wandering around...so stop and hang out for awhile! Not only that, but for one of my classes I'm going to start practicing the spiritual discipline of solitude. This may sound a little paradoxal...but I'm going to pick somewhere on-campus for me to do it. See, I'm still going to hang out and all like I've been doing these first few weeks, but I'm also going to be spending an extra amount of time on-campus in a particular spot for the practice of that spiritual discipline. Plus I've committed to keeping a journal with me at all times for the next 8 weeks for the purpose of capturing all the little things God shows me everyday.

Well, I must be going. Oh...and don't forget...Facebook me! (haha, I swear I'm addicted!)

Meditations On Luke 2

This week has been nothing but average. I had my first big exam on tuesday...but I guess I should get used to it, because I've got 4 or 5 more this coming week. There was a worldview forum on thursday about the gay marriage bill that I really wanted to go to, but I couldn't because I scheduled worship team right over it...but I made someone promise to tell me all about it. I'm hoping it'll be a help considering my first paper in hermeneutics is on homosexuals in the church.

Oh, this is cool...for one of my classes I had to choose a passage of scripture and just meditate on it...so I went to Luke 2 to look into the story of Jesus as a boy. Out of that whole story, God really pulled me into just a few lines out of the whole story where Jesus is responding to his parents saying, "Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?" What really stuck out to me was two words. The word "know" and the word "had." You can break this down into two essential things...he asked, "Didn't you KNOW?...I HAD to be in my Father's (capital F) house." He HAD to be there, it was as if he didn't have a choice. It was his only desire to be in the presence of his holy Father. So here's my prayer: God, make my only desire to be in Your presence.

A Farewell Chipotle Trip With JR

Well, today we went to chipotle...again. haha. It was JR's last sunday here before he leaves on wednesday to go back to California...so we had to go one last time with him. It was a good time...the boys were having fun in my car because I was letting them choose cds. Let's just say if you would have seen us, you'd have been cracking up. Three of the least ghetto white kids ever driving up to chipotle listening to rap. Oh, and last night was a pretty good time too. We watched the ring two over at rachel's house. It was mackenzie and her boyfriend, nick and rachel, and me. So anyways, rachel and mackenzie are wimps. They were screaming and freaking out the whole time. After the movie was over, mackenzie was walked around the house and turned every light she could find on. So while she was in the bathroom, we turned all the lights in the house off and ran upstairs. She came out and screamed, then we turned on the TV from upstairs and it was set to a channel with static and she freaked out...it was the best thing ever. If we would have been even so much better if it would have been executed perfectly. Wow, I just realized that this has actually been a pretty good weekend. I love you guys.

Just To Catch You All Up On Life

Wow, I can't believe it's almost been a week since the last time I posted. Time has flown by with school starting and everything. I really love my Bible classes at Malone...they seriously couldn't be any more interesting. Let's see what's happened lately...I went to a celebration meeting last week and then helped out with it the next night. I think that might be a good way for me to get involved on campus, I just hope that some of those people who have already kind of established themselves at Malone with friends and all are going to be willing to get to know me. But anyways, I think celebration is going to be a lot better this year...and hopefully I'll be able to get some of the worship team to come down with me sometime. So friday was pretty boring, and saturday too...I just ended up hanging around the house. Oh, my car got saran-wrapped on Sunday night...it was pretty great. I just want to know who it was. Last night was a bbq at the church...but I ended up leaving early to go hang out with the boys. Tonight was worship team...it was kind of rough. I just know I had so much to talk with them all about, but I forgot it all. A few of us ended up at starbucks, which was much needed because I hadn't had it in awhile. Well, I've got a macroeconomics quiz tomorrow, so I'd better get some studying done. I'll try and update more fequently than I have been...but I can't promise anything.

Malone Has Begun

Today was day number 3 of my college life. I still haven't gotten to go to all of my classes yet though because two of them only meet on fridays. But anyways, I don't think this is going to be as bad as I thought it would be. Lots of reading, that's for sure, but nothing too extremely difficult. (although I may kick myself for saying that later) I really like my MWF classes so far, it's always a plus that I know some people in them too. I don't really know anyone in my TH classes, but it's not that bad...I'm sure I'll be getting to know people. Tonight I have an informational meeting for celebration...I'm not sure exactly how that's all going to play out, but it should be interesting. Yesterday I realized that for the first time in a while, I feel like I'm doing something right. Well, I must be studious and get back to some reading. I'll catch you all later!

Orientation!

Well, I had orientation stuff all all this week. (well actually just wednesday through now) But anyways, it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. I'd venture say that I almost enjoyed it. I'm really just trying to open up and be on-campus as much as I can that way I can really get to know people. I know I'm probably not going to meet my best "college friends" in the first 3 days, but this is a start...and I've got to start somewhere.

On wednesday, all the freshman checked in and got to wander around on campus for a while until we went over to First Christian for a short seminar and worship servie. Then we met our humanities group. At first I was pretty uncomfortable around that new group of people. So after that, I was going to go down to muggswigz but ended up over in haviland hanging out with Laura and her roomate. I hadn't seen her all summer, so it was fun to get to catch up. So after that there was new student olympics (not exactly my idea of fun) but then I got to see Chris and JR after that so it was all good.

On thursday I had an extra long seminar on rules and stuff that I already know in the morning. Then we ate lunch and split up and went "into the street" doing different community service activities around canton. I ended up at the turnaround center in downtown...which is pretty much exactly like the refuge of hope, except that it was planted by the church formerly known as CCF. It was a lot of work...we did just about everything you could think of that had to do with cleaning or organizing in a building.

Then yesterday we went to camp gideon. The interesting thing was that I was completely dreading this part of the week, but it turned out to acutally be pretty fun. It really gave me a good opportunity to get to know the people in my humanities group a lot more. We did a bunch of rope course/team building exercises...which aren't my favorite things to do. But I think being put in a situation where I had to do most of them made me equally forced me to open up to those people. We did some spider web thingy, a telephone pole challenge, a wire course, and "the wall." Not that I was really ever alone, but I was able to get a lot of thinking done.

So anyways, today was campus tours and a technology information seminar. Both of which I really didn't need. But, I'm beginning to realize that the more I'm on campus, the easier it's going to be for me to get to know people. So I went even though I didn't really need to. Same thing with tonight...I don't really need to go to the "main event" but I'm going to anways. For now though, I've got to go work on some worship stuff for tonight. I'll try and write again soon!

Lord of the Rings...or sleep.

Yesterday was a pretty good day. I had fun at lunch yesterday with everyone and then last night Rachel tried to make me watch the first lord of the rings movie...I kept falling asleep...and she wouldn't let me leave early either. I really was trying to stay awake to begin with...but then once I fell asleep and realized that I had no idea what was going on, I just kind of gave up. A couple nights ago we went to go see a movie at the palace down in canton...I love it there. Well, that's it for now!

Olive Garden Goodbyes

Wow! I can't believe August is here already...college is coming so quick. Yesterday I went out to lunch with some of my friends from school...most of them leave today. I guess it didn't hit me until we were all saying goodbye that this is actually happening. I don't know, I guess I'm just really comfortable where I am right now...I could stay here forever. I guess this past week hasn't been anything really out of the usual for me...just hanging out some more. Rachel and I had a good "girls night" on tuesday after worship team...and on wednesday a bunch of people came over and hung out here. I was pretty frustrated last night though...and the movie that nick and rachel were watching was pretty terrible, so I ended up just going to bed really early. So I guess I'm pretty rested up for this weekend...whatever it may hold.

Friendship Irony

Hello! I'm over at rachel's house watching some movie called "the four feathers" with rachel, nick, makenzie. I love her laptop...it's so nice to be able to sit around on the couch and be online at the same time. I wish I had one of these things...but needless to say, I spent theh bulk of my graduation money on my guitar. This past week has been quite interestinig. Coldplay was amazing. I want to go to their show again in Columbus on the 31st, but I'm not sure if my parents will let me go, seeing that it is the first week of school and all. I can't believe that school is starting in 10 days. Holy crap. I think it's just going to be weird not being around the same people anymore. I wish that this summer would just keep going...it's been so great. I'm just kinid of nervous because I know that once I start, there's really no turning back. It's so ironic though...two years ago all of my friends were two years older than me, and now that I'm graduated, most of my friends are a good two years younger than me...what the heck. Things will turn out alright...I know Malone is where I'm supposed to be.

Enough Said

Coldplay is amazing.

Tomorrow!

Coldplay is tomorrow. I'm excited. I can't believe it's here already. Today's a pretty busy day to. I've got to teach lessons, then go talk to a lady about house-sitting this friday, then I've got a meeting at the church, then I have no idea what's going on...all I know is that me, rachel, and lauren will end here at my house eventually.

Great Repetitiveness

Tonight was fun. I went out to dinner with Rachel at Panera and then went over to the park to go catch the josh and ryan's show. It was really good tonight. So then after that we just hung out with them all and ended up at ihop then over at Lauren's house again. But I had to leave early because my parents wanted me home when the Mumfords got into town. So I flew home and got home literally right at 11:30 like my dad wanted me to...but they didn't even get here until around midnight...so basically my parents made me come home extra early for nothing. Anyways...let's see, we've pretty much done the same thing everyday this week. Tonight and last night we were at Laurens, the night before that we were at Rachels, the night before that we were at my house. I don't mind the repetitiveness though, I love hanging out with them.

Leanne at Warped Tour?! WHAT?!

Well, a lot has happened since saturday morning. Shawn invited me last minute to go with a group of people to the warped tour over in pittsburgh. After spending some time convincing, my parents decided that I would be able to go. So, we left on sunday after church. We got there late-afternoon and went out on the lake on Shawn's boat. It was just like tour...except with a completely different group of people...so I guess it wasn't really like tour at all. It was Shawn, Sarah, Ryan, Josh, Adam, and me. We all spent the night at Shawn's parents house and then this morning (or actually I guess it's now technically yesterday morning) we got up and drove over to the Post-gazette pavillion. (same place as coldplay in less than 10 days!) Although I'm not really a huge fan of that specific type of music, it was still a really great time. Shawn, Eric, and Sarah left early, so it was just me and the three boys hanging out pretty much all day. Eric was able to get us wristbands that essentially let us go anywhere except behind a couple of the bigger stages. It was really cool, we were actually able to go sit on the pavillion stage and watch as bands performed. Well, I just got home a little bit ago and I'm still wired with Starbucks...I had to make sure I stayed awake driving home. Well, I think I'm going to atleast try and get some rest tonight.

Festivals=No Flipflops

Flip-flops were not the shoes of choice for yesterday. See, I went to the balloon-fest all night and now my ankles kind of hurt from walking on the uneven ground for so long. (the same thing happened after alive...where I also chose made the unwise decision to wear sandals) Anyways, I got there at about 6 thinking I'd stay for a couple of hours before I headed over to the lot party, but I ended up staying there until nearly 11. There was actually quite a few people there...a lot of whom I thought I'd never see again after graduation. Unfortunately I didn't find anyone to really walk around with, so I pretty much just wandered around for a bit then I'd go hang out with rachel...then go back to wandering around again. But anyways, then when rachel got off, we went over to the lot party. Apparently last night was the rave night, because I walked in and the lights were all dim with black lights and strobe lights and balloons all over the place. And to top it all off, benny had the radiohead cd going. We ended up just sitting on the couches/laying on the floor talking.


we're all the same
and love is blind
the sun is gone
before it shines
so if I had a chance
would you let me know
-the killers "change your mind"

Nooooooma

These past few days have been really quite interesting. Let's see, on monday I didn't really do much until I went to the college house for community dinner. After we were done with the bible study, we watched a couple of those nooma things. I really like those. So then on tuesday rachel and I were trying to get the worship team together, but our efforts failed, so it was just us two. We ended up getting the key to the college house from sean and watched the rest of those nooma things. We watched a couple of them before it started to storm really bad, so then we ran over into the church to try and be in a slightly safer location. After the storm had passed, we locked up the hosue and then just ended up going back to my house and watching the last of them. Anyways, then last night was bible by the pool...which was no bible and all pool. Needless to say, we skipped out of there a little early and went over to starbucks then back to the boy's house. My parents were frustrating me so much, but I called my dad at work today and talked to him for a while about it, so I think we should be cool now...at least I hope so.

Chipotle Goodness!

Rachel ate a whole burrito!

Home From Vacation!

Well, I'm home at last! Thank goodness my brother and I conviced my parents to take the drive home in one day. It was a long drive, but I'd rather have just gotten it done with instead of dragging it out over two days. It was pretty refreshing to get away for awhile, but at the same time, I was really missing a lot of the people here. For the most part, I got most of the reading I was planning on doing done. Anyways, we met the mumfords down there and stayed in a pretty nice house in corolla...which is pretty much as north as you can get in the outer banks. We went to the beach and hung out around the house a lot...it was pretty much a stress-free week. Corolla isn't really that commercialized, so there wasn't a whole lot of activity type stuff to do...but it wasn't boring or anything. I love snavely-mumford vacations.

I leave in just a couple of hours for vacation! Not looking forward to the drive, but definitly looking forward to the destination! I've still got some mixed feelings about the trip, but JR made a good point yesterday. It's better to leave when things are going well. A lot of the time people leave because they want to escape whatever problems or struggles they are going through, but leaving when everything is going well just makes you trust God even more that things will be alright when you get back. It's often harder to trust God when things are going well, so, I'm just going to trust him that things are still going to be alright when I get back. I guess my biggest hinderance is just knowing that I'll be gone from everyone for a week. I feel like I'll be missing out on whatever is going on. I haven't even left yet, and I'm already missing everyone already. (I think that's because I really didn't get a chance to say bye to some people.) But don't hesitate to call me if you want to talk for awhile because I'll have my cell phone. I've got more minutes than I know what to do with, and it's hopefully going to be a pretty stress-free vacation, so we'll probably just be hanging out a lot. Well, if I don't talk to you sooner, I'll see you all when I get home!

I guess now that it's after midnight, I technically leave tomorrow for vacation. I'm pretty excited, but then again I've kind of got mixed feelings about it. It just feels like things are going so well right now, so I kind of hate to leave. I think part of it is also that I know that when I get home, it will be really close to August, and that means summer is ending soon. But at the same time I'm excited to go see Steph (whom I haven't seen in what seems like forever) plus just to get away from here. It'll be good. So I brought my guitar home tonight and it was still in a weird tuning from this afternoon, so I was tuning it back to normal...and a string definitly broke. Ah! I just put a new full set on less than a week ago! So, I've either got to go buy some new strings tomorrow, or just not bring it on vacation. This week seems like it has flown by...I think it's just because I haven't been doing as much. Let's see...sunday I just hung out at my house, monday I went to the college house, tuesday I went out with the worship team, and then tonight I went to bible by the pool and stuff. Well, I guess I've actually been doing a lot more than I thought I had. I've got to do most of my packing tomorrow, but I still want to go out somewhere since it'll be my last night in town...plus I'll be with my family all next week. You know what I really feel like though...just going and hanging out at starbucks and having good conversation.


Why you leaving me now?
There must be some doubt in your mind
Can't you open your heart?
Don't want to be left behind.
--aqualung "left behind"

Well, it's only been one day since everyone left for mexico, and I'm lonely already. On friday night I went to the lot party and then spent the night at the church. The bands weren't all that great...but mostly because I'm not into hard core rock stuff. Once the boys realized the bands weren't good, they left me there to fend for myself...sometimes they just don't think outside of their immediate group. Luckily, rachel eventually showed up. So, I hung out at the church until about 4am because that's when the mexico bus left, then I went home. I probably wouldn't have stayed the whole time because all I pretty much wanted to do was sit down and talk with rachel because I hadn't been able to do that in awhile...but people kept following us...not that I dislike them or anything, I just wanted to talk. We literally didn't have a minute to really talk until nearly 2:30am. I wish the worship team as a whole would talk like that more often. It's really easy to only talk about music with all of them, not that music is bad or anything, but there is so much more to each of us than just playing an instrument. Sometimes I try, but people just shut down. I'm hoping that the worship team might become a good d-group sort of thing this fall. But anyways, yesterday I didn't really do much of anything other than lead worship at the church like normal. Then today I pretty much did the same thing...I got up and went to church then came home. I almost feel like I'm bothering people by asking them if they want to do anything, but I'm dying here people...let's go do something...even if it's nothing big.


I've been watching your world from afar
I've been trying to be where you are
And I've been secretly falling apart
To me, you're strange and you're beautiful
--aqualung "strange & beautiful"

So these past couple of days have been nothing extremely unusual...well kind of. On monday I went to the college house for a bbq then we all went out to go see fireworks, then tuesday was worship team, then last night was bible by the pool. It was essentially a big prayer time. It was pretty cool...then instead of swimming we went to starbucks and then over to shawn and ryan's place. But anyways, the most amazing thing happened after I got home. It was around 1am, but since I had gotten starbucks, I wasn't tired at all. However, instead of turning on the tv and watching conan or something like usual, I just really felt compelled to open up to 1 Corinthians and start reading. Sean asked me to read it for next wednesday. Usually I would wait until closer to next wednesday to actually do it, but something was different. The only way to explain what happened is that God was there. Ask me about it, because I'd love to talk with you about it, it's just that telling the story over the computer just doesn't do it justice. So anyways, I woke up this morning and I literally felt like everything that had happened the last night was a dream...but I know it wasn't.


and the wonder of it all
is that I'm living just to fall
more in love with you
--delirious "deeper"

Happy 4th of July! Nothing out of the ordinary is happening today. My parents and brother went up to some park up near my other brother's house...but obviously I didn't go. I stayed home because I was supposed to meet with my freshman today...but that fell through, so now i'm just hanging out here. I actually just got back from a pretty long walk. I went over into that neighborhood across lake o'springs and just wandered around there for almost an hour. Tonight I'm supposed to go to a bbq at the college house, I'm not sure if I really want to though, I'd almost rather just call rachel and see if her and some of the other w-team people want to do something else instead.

Yesterday I got up and went to church then me, rachel, josh, and ryan all went out to chipotle afterwards. Then after we dropped the boys off, rachel and I went back to her house. We literally were there all afternoon until we went to go see the fireworks later. So, I left my house at around 9am, but didn't even get home until 11pm. I could have stayed out later, but I kind of felt bad not being at my house all yesterday...like maybe my parents were going to be mad or something, but they werent, which was good. Rachel and I bonded over the greatness of damien rice's song called "the blower's daughter."


I can't take my mind off of you
--damien rice "the blower's daughter"

Well, this week flew by, like normal. I can't believe that today is July 1st. Tomorrow is my mom's birthday, so I have to go out and buy her a gift tonight...I hate picking out presents...I can never think of anything good. Well, let's see what's happened lately. People came over on tuesday night, and then I met with Sean on wednesday. We pretty much went full circle talking about worship. Then I was feeling slightly rebelious so I skipped out of bible by the pool. I felt kind of bad because I've been hyping it up so much and getting people to go, and then I didn't...but it was raining really hard, and I just didn't feel like going. I guess a week isn't going to kill anyone. So instead, me and rachel went and saw war of the worlds and then went to ihop with the boys. It was a good time. Life is great...so far I'm still able to hang out with all of my friends from the SH and go to all the college stuff. If anything, I think I've probably gotten about 10 times closer to them all since school's been out. Great times already, and it seems like summer has just begun!


We live in a beautiful world
Yeah we do, yeah we do
We live in a beautiful world
Oh, all that I know,
There's nothing here to run from,
Cause everybody here's got somebody to lean on.
--coldplay "don't panic"

Today was an alright day...so far. This summer is flying by so fast...I can't belive that friday is going to be July 1st! Just when I thought that I was starting to figure out where I'm going to fit into this whole thing, everything seems to change. Actually, last saturday night was quite encouraging. I've been consistently leading worship there for about a month or so now, and it has been consistently pretty bad. It got to the point where I beginning to get pretty discouraged about this whole transition thing. However, it actually went relatively well this past weekend. It can be so easy to forget that leading worship is so much more than just showing up and using your gifts to play a couple songs and sing. It is leading people into an experience with the living God....and there is no way that we can do that on our own. It really hit me last night when I was reading John 15 when it says...

"Remain in me, and I will remain in you.
No branch can bear fruit by itself;
It must remin in the vine.
Niether can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."

The lone act of playing the guitar, or piano, or singing, or doing whatever it is that you do, is never enough to guide people to having the experience with God that we try to facilitate through corporate worship. Nothing good would be coming out of our labors if that were the case. The most dangerous thing, is that if you really dig deep into this analogy that John uses, is that if there is a dead vine, it must be cut off from the rest because it will begin to strangle and damage the well vines as they continue to try and grow. By one person's lack of bearing fruit, it can be harmful to all the others around them. The good thing is that this is not irreversible because if we remain in Christ...or even come back to Christ for that matter, we would once again be able to "bear fruit."


All of my life
I've been in hiding
Wishing there was someone just like You
Now that You're here
Now that I've found You
I know that You're the One to pull me through
--david crowder band "deliver me"

Yesterday I went to alive with the worship team...it was really fun. The majority of the bands during the day weren't all that great...but the David Crowder Band and Switchfoot definitly made up for it. Plus, it was great just to be able to hang out with the worship team all day. It was really hot and dusty...I literally got home at midnight and took a shower just because I felt so nasty. I would go back tonight and go see third day and crowder again, but it's still $40 even if you only go to the night concerts...plus I'm leading worship again at the church. I'll just have to try and find something else entertaining to do later tonight.


For you I'd wait 'til kingdom come
Until my day, my day is done
And say you'll come, and set me free
Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me
--coldplay "til kingdom come"

Monday I really didn't do anything too important. We had my dad's belated father's at sluggers and putters and went minigolfing. I was doing great...but I still came in third place. (that is out of 7 people though) But then yesterday I did the norm. I taught all of my lessons and stuff, then I hung around for worship team practice...even though I didn't play anything. Sean said it was alright if I just hung out during practice, just as long as I didn't let him put me to work doing stuff. It just makes sense that I stay anyways...I'm there right before hand teaching lessons, and then I normally go out with them afterwards anyways. Well then afterwards we went to taco bell...which I ate. Fast food freaks me out sometimes. Then Josh spilled an entire cup of water pretty much in my lap...it was all good though...mostly funny. So then after that I went over to rachel's and just hung out. Pretty exciting life huh?

I have nothing philosophical to say today...but if you have any free time this summer and are looking for a few books to read...read "Lady In Waiting" by Debby Jones and Jackie Kendall and "The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel. I just finished re-reading "lady in waiting." It's an easy but very insightful read. I'm still working on Lee Strobel's book, but it is really good so far. I swear that something has happened. Strangely enough, something has turned me onto reading recently...I think it's just the idea of all the insight and knowledge you can gain from reading about different theological perspectives and ideas about different topics that are applicable to any Christian's life.


Say what you want but I know what you're thinking
Go where you want but I won't be too far
Go where want and I know where you'll end up
--copeland "hold nothing back"

It's been a long weekend. All last night and this morning I was running around down at the church playing with the boys at the car show. It was me, sean, ryan, nate, josh, and eric. It actually sounded pretty good. So pretty much all afternoon I've just been hanging around my house not doing a whole lot of anything. My dad is out of town, so we're going to do father's day tomorrow night...so I'm not really obligated to be around my house tonight, and Rachel is out of town...so I don't even know who to call about tonight. Tomorrow I'm getting my hair cut. I don't think it'll go too short...I'm not sure. For awhile I was thinking about just chopping it off...but I just can't do that. It definitly needs trimmed at least. Yesterday morning I bought tickets go go see coldplay! I'm so excited, you have no idea! I'm buying nick his ticket as his birthday present, so we're going to go to the show over in pittsburgh in august.


You're the one that I wanted to find
And anyone who tried to deny you
Must be out of their mind
--coldplay "green eyes"

So, I'm quickly discovering that there really is nothing to do around here. Apparently the only thing to do is watch movies because that's all I've been doing lately--Monday-movie night with the freshman Tuesday--movie with the worship team gang Wednesday--movie with rachel. Tonight--proably another movie. There's got to be something more interesting to do...not that movies aren't good or anything...but it's starting to get a little old. So, essentially, that's all I've really been doing lately. Hmm...what else has been happening...oh, jr crashed here at my house last night because he left his keys at the clubhouse in benny's neighborhood.

I wish that my parents would loosen up a bit. When my brothers graduated and turned 18, they could do pretty much whatever they wanted to do...but not the case with me because I'm a girl. That is seriously the only reason why I'd want to move out...just so that they can't tell me what to do anymore. They were never like this with my brothers, so it's really frustrating me. They really don't care how late people are here at my house...they just don't want me out. It just doesn't make any sense. The reason (supposedly) that they don't want me out late is because they don't want me driving around when all the bars are closing and stuff (which I didn't even know there were that many bars around here to be concerned about) But, they don't care that I always have to take the people home who are over at my house later than they let me stay out. So, I'm still out driving late...but now they don't care. Apparently they haven't thought out their arguments too well because I'm finding loop holes...


If it looks like it works
And it feels like it works
Then it works
With the sun on your face
All these worries will soon disappear
Just follow me now
--snow patrol "wow"

Last night was great. Rachel, Josh, and I went up to Cleveland to go see copeland at the odeon. They were really good. They played all of my favorite songs. Anyone can sound good on a cd because they can keep redoing sections of songs or digitally altering things, but they were surprisingly just as good in concert. And on top of that, they were pretty funny too.

"aw, how cute, you actually think we're listening to you"
"...your form was just a little off..."

But anyways, I wasn't really that tired afterwards, which was good because they both fell asleep for most of the ride home. It was actually kind of funny...and at the same time it was relaxing because I was just driving and listening to Damien Rice. I love going out like that...we should do it more often. Well, today I just slept in. I really haven't done anything of great importance. I cleaned up the basement a little because I'm having a big movie night with my d-group girls and then went out and ran errands for awhile.


Nothing unusual, nothing's changed
Just a little older that's all
You know when you've found it
There's something I've learned
'Cause you feel it when they take it away
--damien rice "amie"

Today was a long day. I went to ryan and sarita's wedding, then danielle's grad party, then I went to church and led worship, then I drove up to fairlawn and went to jackie's grad party. So, tomorrow is the copeland concert up in cleveland. I'm not sure if I want to go or not...I do, but I don't...if that makes sense. Part of it is the driving...I just got gas, and i know i'll need it again. I'm really tired tonight...and I wasn't really even out late last night or anything. Last night I went to the "lot party" (once again moved inside). It was fun, but there really weren't that many people there. I know that benny is really trying...but it's just really difficult for him to get people to do anything other than show up on sunday mornings. If anything, I'd think that having a lot of stuff planned during the summer would get people coming more and more. my question is...what else are people really going to do? Is there something else more interesting going on that I don't know about?


Still a little bit of your song in my ear
Still a little bit of your words I long to hear
You step a little closer to me
So close that I can't see what's going on
--damien rice "cannonball"

So, I just got home from the movies with some of my friends from Jackson. We went to go see that sisterhood of the traveling pants movie. It really wasn't all that great...better than in good company...but still not that great. But anyways, I was quite intrigued by this whole idea of loss and connection that surrounded the movie. The thing is, is that as far as these 4 girls were apart, they were still connected by something--the pants. But it really got me thinking. Things change, people change, circumstances change...everything changes. For me, there are certain things that I want to change...but then there are other things that I want to hold onto forever. But even if I do get separated from the people I want to stay with, I realized tonight that there will always be something that is connecting us. As far apart as we may go, we can remain even closer through knowing christ. Listen to some of the words of paul to the phillipians:

"In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me."

This is not necessarily a whole new concept for me, but sometimes it's easy to forget a lesson once learned. Re-visiting this has really encouraged me. It's so easy to leave people and give up hope of ever really connecting with them again. But we are one in christ and that shall bring us closer than ever...even though we are physically apart.


I wonder what's gonna happen to you
Who's to say where the wind will take you
Who's to say what it is will break you
I don't know where the wind will blow
Who's to know when the time has come around
I know that this is not goodbye.
--u2 "kite"

Well, let me catch you up...
Friday I hung out at my house then went to the "lot party" at the church. (which was actually inside) Then Saturday was my grad party...which went awesome. It was a really long day, but totally worth it. Then yesterday, sunday, was my last day on the worship team. Sad, yes, but fun. It was probably the best time I've had playing with the guys in a long time. It's just going to be really weird not being a part of that anymore...but I'll be back soon enough. But anyways, then coldplay was on mtv last night...which was great. I can't wait to get the cd tomorrow. My voice is still completely gone. Actually, it was the worst it's been over the past couple of days today. Not only did I completely lose it because of the show on friday, but then I've been talking on it a lot in the past few days. Especially yesterday I found myself once again having to talk pretty loud in the youth room. It doesn't hurt or anything...it's just really annoying because I can't talk or sing. I sound like a injured duck or something if I try and sing...it's actually quite humorous because it sounds so bad. I hope it comes back soon.


And the hardest part
Was letting go
Not taking part was the hardest part
And the strangest thing
Was waiting for that bell to ring
It was the strangest start
--coldplay "the hardest part"

So, I'm not exactly sure when I'm going to learn that drinking starbucks at night keeps me up forever. I guess it's just that I never really drink a whole lot of caffine, so when I do, it keeps me up. Tonight Rachel and I went to borders for awhile and checked out some books then stopped by starbucks before we came back to my house and watched anchorman. That's a great movie...I've seen it twice in the past week since nick bought it. I can't believe it's June already. This year is flying by so fast. Earlier tonight I had this big dinner/awards thing at Glenmore for one of my scholarships. It was really nice. Kind of boring though...nothing that you wouldn't expect from a scholarship dinner.

Lately it's really been occuring to me that we often find ourselves forgetting that everything is according to God's will and in his timing. We can be so focused so on the future that we lose the precious time we have right now. Or, we are too focused on something that we want to have at this very instant that we falsely fall into the trap of thinking that we "need" it immediately. It's all according to God's plan. Why try and rush? Sometimes what you think you "need" now really isn't as urgent as we think it is...be patient, it will come eventually.


There's a love that transcends
All that we've known of ourselves
I'll wait for it to come
--copeland "coffee"

Tonight was boring. We had everyone over to celebrate my grandma's birthday. We're talking everyone. Grammie and Bumpa, Mom and Dad, Bryan and Karrie, Andrew and Rebekah, and Nick and Karee. So needless to say, I was the odd-person out...which made things even more boring than ever. I escaped up to my room after a while. Today I was dying to get out of my house, so I went to walmart and put a few pictures through the 1 hour photo to finish up my picture boards...and I wandered around for the entire hour. Well actually, I did run over to Target, but that's besides the point. Tomorrow won't be so bad because I'm teaching lessons and then I have worship team practice. Then after that me, josh, ryan, and sean are going to practice for the car show. What a sad day, tomorrow is going to be my last worship team practice.

Well, I'm running out of things to read already this summer...I've actually began to re-read a book on corporate worship since it seems to be a fitting topic for the next couple of months. There is so much power in people's encouraging words. Sometimes the smallest little things can stick with people forever. Remember that.


I’m diving off the deep end
You become my best friend
I wanna love you but I don’t know if I can
I know something is broken and I’m trying to fix it
Trying to repair it anyway I can
--coldplay "x&y"

Well, nothing too exciting has happened since thursday. I've just been enjoying the life of a college kid. haha. Over the school year I got in the habit of going to bed relatively early (10ish) because I had to get up so early. But it's nice now that I'm done, I've been slowly getting back into the routine of staying up later and such. I'm much more of a night person (depending on what i'm doing of course)...but when you've got to get up so early for, you've got to plan for it. So I went to the record exchange a couple days ago and found a couple of good cds for pretty cheap. I got coldplay's parachutes and U2's the joshua tree. I've been wanting the older coldplay cd, and I was highly advised that the next U2 cd I buy be the Joshua tree. So when I saw them for only about $6 each, I couldn't resist. Then, I was talking to one of my friends that works there and found out that they put out new releases 5 days early (so that's on fridays instead of tuesdays). Which means that if I wanted to spend a little more, I could get x&y 5 days early...I'm still debating about that.


But on and on, from the moment I wake till the moment I sleep
I'll be there by your side just you try and stop me
I'll be waiting in line just to see if you care
--coldplay "shiver"

It's over. I'm done with high school, officially, forever. Graduation was last night. It went well. I still can't believe I'm actually done though. It seems like I waited so long for it that I don't believe that it has actually happened. I'm kind of sad, but it's ok.


Hey it's ok
It’s just change
Hey it's ok
Nothing ever stays the same
You can’t be sure of everything

Certainty is over-rated
Even though it might be nice to have a guarantee
Oh stuck again, stuck again
Do the answers come?
--justin king "change"

I'm so anxious for the new Coldplay Cd to come out...two weeks from today! I love most of the songs...but I think my favorite song is going to be their second single called "fix you." I've been listening to a preview of the album online. (which you can get here) I could just listen to that 30 second clip forever. Those are the lyrics that stuck out to me the first time I heard it when they performed on saturday night live.


The tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?
--coldplay "fix you"

Nothing really exciting happened today. I've pretty much just hung around here for the majority of the day with the exception of running a few errands. I worked on the last of the picture boards for my graduation party to...but I still have to tape it all down though. I think I've decided not to go to camp ligonier. There is just too much stuff going on with graduation. Plus, I'd feel bad leaving for a week while my grandparents are here visiting for my graduation. The weather today was kind of crappy...but I guess it's got to rain sometime. Well actually, it's not really that bad. I love thunderstorms. (well, sometimes) Sometimes I feel bored just hanging out at my house all day...but today wasn't boring. It's nice to be able to take a day off sometimes.


I've done all I can
To stand on the steps with my heart in my hands
--john mayer "daughters"

I fell asleep on the couch this afternoon. But I guess I had it coming...I drank starbucks last night around 7ish and it kept me up forever. And then I had to get up early for worship team this morning...but I don't mind. Life is good.


We do the best we can in a small town
Act like big city kids when the sun goes down
If it's not too late for coffee
I'll be at your place in ten
--copeland "coffee"

Well, it may seem kind of early to be up on a saturday morning....but when the sun is glaring in through your blinds, there's nothing you can really do about it. Plus, I've been sleeping in for the past couple days anyways. These last few days haven't really been all that exciting. I went to zack's lacrosse game and then watched the season finale of revalations over at benny's on wednesday, and then on thursday the only thing I did pretty much all day was teach a few lessons and go to worship team. Yesterday my mom and I spent the day shopping for graduation clothes and such. I like shopping, (especially when I don't have to pay) but yesterday was entirely too long. I'm more of a hoodie and corduroy type of girl and we spent all day looking for skirts and dresses.

I want to have people over soon to watch a movie in my basement because we just hooked everything up. We had the surround sound and everything before...but now we have an extremely large TV to go with it. I haven't seen Napoleon Dynamite, and I eventually want to...but I know it'll be stupid if I watch it by myself.

Why is it that all the people that you need to talk to are never online?

I just finished my last day of high school...ever. I can't believe I'm finally done...I never thought this day would come! I'm so excited! I don't really feel different...I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do with myself...I wish I could bring some of my un-graduated friends with me. It feels like I should still have to get up everyday at 5:30 and get going to school. It's really mixed emotions. I'm really excited to be finally getting out of there, (boy have I waited forever for this or what!?) but at the same time I'm sad to leave the comforts that any high school brings. You know--walking down the same halls, hearing the same bells, going to the same locker, seeing the same people everyday for 12 (or in my case 10) years. It's actually kind of weird that when you walk down hallways that you can time whether you're late or not based on when you pass someone you recongnize...or once you've made eye contact with a stranger once in the halls, you will do it again everyday without intending to. That is, of course, if you even pay attention in the hallways. It's just going to be weird to never speak to more than half of these people again after I've continuously seen them every day august-june for the past 10 years of my life. I guess I'm just happy to be a little sad...if that makes sense.

Today was kind of boring. I got up and went to school like normal and then hung around the house the rest of the day. I worked on a bunch of stuff for my graduation party...mainly putting together the picture boards which my mom insists on having. It's actually kind of funny to look back at all the old pictures and remember california. Most of the time, it's almost like I forget that I used to live there. I also figured out where my name really comes from...and I thought I was always exaggerating when I said that I am named after every grandma I've ever had! We're talking it goes all the way to my great-great-grandma on my mom's side. It's really funny in the pictures of after we moved because most of them are of me and Steph over the past 10 years. Some of them are pretty hilarious too.

I wish it were sunny outside...or atleast warmer. I was so miserable today stuck in the house...I really just wanted to throw on some shorts and go outside and read for a while. Hopefully it'll be a little warmer tomorrow. Plus my mom set the fire alarm off to day cooking dinner, (which isn't that big of a deal), but in order to air out the house really quick, she opened up doors and windows so our house is freezing. We finally got our new TV yesterday too...it's pretty sweet. You've got to love those deals my mom makes making curtains. In exchange for making some curtains, we were given a 55" TV free. It's huge...but it's great for movies. I watched the I-talian job on it yesterday...it was pretty sweet. I don't even like minis all that much...but that movie makes me want one.

Only 3 days left! Well, yesterday was senior service day. It wasn't actually as bad as I thought it would be. For awhile I was debating on whether or not I should even do it, but i decided to since I really don't have anything better to do. It was actually quite refreshing to hang out with some of my Jackson friends again. I haven't done that in what seems like forever. Usually I only see them for 5 minutes in the morning before we all head to class...if we're lucky. It was me, Lauren, Danielle, Karrie, and Emily. We went to oakbrooke...or oakpark preschool. (I don't remember...but I know it was something with "oak" at the beginning) We planted 10 flats of flowers all over the place. My knees hurt today from kneeling on them all yesterday. We actually got done early, so we illegally went out to eat before we went back to the park to check in. (haha...i know, we're rebels!) It was a pretty good time. Well, then last night was Ryan and Christina's wedding. It was gorgeous. I really didn't know anyone at the ceremony...but I knew quite a few people at the reception. The reception was at this amazingly beautiful ballroom in downtown Akron. It was cool because it was kind of my first big night out since I turned 18 last week. Of course, to be "considerate," I called my parents to let them know I was on my way home, but they really didn't specify that I had to be home by a certain hour or anything. I felt like I had so much freedom that I didn't have before...not that I really ever had a set curfew before either, I usually just tell them when I'll be home, and they're ok with it as long as they know what's going on.


I just know that he warms my heart,
and knows what all my imperfections are.
--copeland "brightest"

I've done a lot of running around today. I got gas yesterday and I'm already down to 3/4 of a tank! That makes me kind of sad because that means I will have to get gas again sooner than I wanted to. Oh well. I got the new Dave Matthews Band CD today too. I've never really listened to them a whole lot before, but since I like their new song, I decided to check them out online and their new cd is actually pretty good. (they're no coldplay though) What really interests me is their wide variety of instrument use. They're not your typical 4 instrument band. The music is very textured with a lot of different sounds. Oh my word, now I feel like I'm in music theory all over again. I was in starbucks when the storm hit tonight...I got drenched running from the doors to my car parked only about 100 feet away. I love thunderstorms.


It's out of my hands for now
I can't just walk away
It'd be nice to walk away
--Dave Matthews Band "out of my hands"

I'm so torn between where I am and where I want to go...between how things are and how they should be.



My ship set its sail a long time ago
My mind has said its farewell
And my lips have declared "it's time"
But my heart cannot say its goodbye.
--Shane and Shane "still at shore"

Well, this weekend has been pretty awesome! Not only was yesterday my 18th birthday, but my parents and I drove back down to good ol' coshocton and got me a guitar as my birthday/graduation gift. My eyes got a little too big down their though, so I ended up sacrificing a large lump of money to put towards it. Oh well, I love my guitar. In fact, it's not even one of the two that I had narrowed it down to. The Larrivee had an awesome acoustic sound in relation to the taylor I was looking at because it had a slightly larger body. However, the taylor blew the larrivee out of the water when they were plugged in. So, I had come to a halt in my search for my perfect guitar. Luckily, my dad was getting a little curious and began to look at some of the other taylors. He pulled out a 414ce and it was "love at first play." (haha...i know i'm cheesy) But it has a slightly larger body than the orginal taylor...about the same size as the initial larrivee...so it put out a pretty good acoustic sound. And once it was plugged in, I was officially convinced. The taylor expression system is amazing. It's a limited edition made with a spruce top and indian rosewood sides and back...compared to the normal spruce top and ovangkol back and sides. Ovangkol is essentially a cheaper version of rosewood. So, I was able to play last night and this morning with my new guitar! Check it out--My Taylor.

Well, tomorrow is senior skip day...and I have to go to school. My parents think that it's not a good idea and that it's "illegal" and such. I remember they didn't let any of my brothers skip either...they all were pretty mad. But honestly, I'm not that upset about it since I get out of there after 2nd period anyways. I didn't even go to prom or cedar point anyways, so it's not like I'm unusually tired or anything either. You know what I realized today...I love hanging out with the with the worship team and folks that always go out to eat on sundays. I wish we would all do more together.

Lying on the floor I wonder--
Are you just too afraid to show it?
I guess we'll never know
Are we blinded by a reason?
Am I waiting for an answer I don't want to know?
--Matthew "never"

David Crowder said this when talking about one of the new songs on his record--

"It is a very personal song and one that holds a lot of emotion and sometimes it is a difficult thing to get this into your voice and skin. but it was all very present. it is a wonderful thing to feel. i know a few people who are unable to feel anymore. life has just taken it out of them. so i sang. and i felt it all. i am glad."

After reading that, thoughts just started to fly through my head. It is true, especially about music (atleast for me), that different songs can hold different a lot of emotion...whether it be coldplay or crowder. However, this is especially true about worship songs. So often, we all sing songs of love, joy, repentence, and surrender, but how often do you really just let our emotions go? Of course I don't mean that you have to cry everyweek, or be jumping up and down during every song...but how often do you really let those words that we are singing penetrate into your soul? How often are those words truly your prayer as we sing? Too often you allow your heart to harden and you just stop feeling. You stop feeling God in your worship and even in your life. But just let yourself go. Open up your heart and let him capture your heart again. You're head may be hanging in defeat, but He is standing right infront of you calling your name--just look up.

Less than four days! That's right, on saturday I get my guitar and it's my birthday! I can't wait. Plus, today was my last exam at Malone. So from now on it's going to be smooth sailing until graduation. I can't believe it's almost over...wow. So everyday from now until the rest of the year I will get out from Jackson at about 8:45 and be able to do whatever I want. I'm thinking that I may frequent starbucks a little more in the next month or so. With all this extra time on my hands, it will be a good opportunity to hang out with some of the gang before graduation. Have a great night!

Yesterday was amazing. I was like a little kid in a candy store...it was great! I went down to wildwood to start looking at acoustic guitars. I think I have it narrowed down to two...which is a great accomplishment since that house is packed with guitars. Either a Larrivee or a Taylor. I keep swaying back and forth. Yesterday I was leaning more towards the Taylor, but today I'm leaning more towards the Larrivee. Tomorrow I will probably be back toward the Taylor. The mahogany on the Larrivee is just so beautiful...who would have thought that a guitar could be so gorgeous? Ok, so check out the two that I'm looking at and let me know what you all think. I'm all about getting as much feedback as I can before I make my decision...which will hopefully be soon. My parents want to look around, but my heart is set either one of those two. So check them out and let me know what you guys think.
The Larrivee
The Taylor


I love being near you.

My mom and I went shopping for stuff for my graduation party today. I've already seen enough purple and gold to last me a lifetime, and the graduation madness has yet to fully start! I wanted to do green and brown or blue or something other than purple and gold...but my mom insisted on the use of school colors. Personally, I thought it would be quite the unique party if we hung up mexican flags and used white, green, and red...you know, to commemorate tacos.

Well, I was hoping to go either to Sam Ash or Wildwood today to look at guitars and such, but due to some uncontrollable circumstances, we could not go. Maybe tomorrow will be better. Both my parents are gone tonight and nick is working, so I've got the house to myself. It's nice to be alone for awhile...plus it's giving me some time to practice up for th next couple of sundays. I don't like to play the guitar/keyboard/singing when people are around the house listening. Well, I'm going to go wander around the kitchen to see if I can find some decent food for dinner!

With a few exams left next week, I'm pretty much done with Malone for the year! And speaking of being done with school and graduation, my mom and I sat down and talked about my "present" that my parents are hopefully going to get me. (a guitar) So hopefully within the next couple of weeks I'll be able to start looking around. Maybe that would be a good road trip for some people on the worship team and I. Well, I just got home from Benny's where we watched "revelations." I can't believe that I actually enjoy that show--I thought it was going to be so dumb at first. Anyways, these past couple of days have been interesting.

Today I finally sat down with Sean and talked about this summer and where I am headed as far as worship team stuff. We've decided that I am going to step down at the beginning of June and then Sean and I are going to study some material together this summer. And then we'll just have to see where things go this fall. I think a little separation time is necessary though...it'll be nice to finally have some time off since I've been consistently playing for the past 4ish years. That is, of course, separation time from the playing and responsibilities of the team, not the people. Honestly, with the exception of christmas and vacation over the summer, I have literally played almost every week. I'm sad that I'm stepping down, but at the same time it's exciting to try and figure out where God is going to lead me next.

Well, nothing out of the ordinary is going on. Classes at Malone end tomorrow! But with that comes about a million papers that I have to write. I'm on my break between Jackson and Malone right now...there's not much to do. I'm going to be really bored once Malone is out and Jackson is not. Don't get me wrong...it's going to be great...but everyone else will still have to be at Jackson so I'm probably going to be bored. But it's great that I don't have to get a job this summer either...that means my schedule is going to be whatever I want it to be. See, I'm teaching 13 lessons now, so I should be fine. Oh, by the way...marke your calendars for June 4th. That's right, it's going to be the "mother of all taco nights" at my house for my graduation party! Oh, I can't wait...it's going to be just like the good ol' times with even more people! Well, I've got to get headed off to Malone!

Well, this week has flown by...and this weekend is going to fly by too. I'm pretty much going to be devoted to the writing of my papers since the end of the semester is quickly approaching. Anyways...I'm heading off to go do some reading. Have a great night!

Well, today has been great. The new coldplay song was released which in itself would have made today great even if it was freezing cold and snowing outside. But it was so nice outside I spent the evening reading out in my backyard. I feel like it should be summer. How nice would it be to live on a lake on a day like today. Relaxing and looking out over the water reading...that brings me right back to Deep Creek last summer...too bad I never did finish that book. Speaking of reading, Malone has given me a new appreciation for reading this year...mostly because you have to atleast pretend like you like it or else your life is miserable.

Well, this weekend has been alright. I've pretty much just been relaxing and taking a break from life because the past couple of weeks have been ridiculously hectic. I realized in my english class at Malone last Thursday that I only have about a week and a half of classes left there this semester. I can't believe it, school is coming to and end so fast. I don't know what I'm going to do when I don't have to get up and go to Jackson everyday and do all the high school stuff I'm so accustomed to. Like quitting the worship team--I'm dreading that. I really don't want to, especially since they're cancelling One18. It's like Sean, Josh, and I have been working so hard this past year to acclimate all of us to new positions and work on our leadership and musical abilities. It's almost as if we've done all this work just to let it all be thrown away. What the heck...why do all my friends have to be either two years older than me or two years younger than me. But here's the thing...The people that I was friends with that were older than me all graduated and moved on. I never talk to those people anymore. I'm desperatly trying to make sure that doesn't happen with the people that are younger than me. Seriously the entirety of the worship team is two years younger than me...if not more. I feel like graduating and relationships are the only things I ever talk about here...but I think that's because that is what is real to me right now. Plus I don't think anyone read this anyways...but these are the things that I am facing head on a day to day basis. I feel like I just need some good old starbucks and an afternoon with a go-to person.

Well here's your chance to learn about Leanne!

First name: Leanne
Birthday: 5-7-1987 (yep...my birthday is in less than 1 month!)
Who do you live with?: Mom, Dad, Nick
Any Brothers or Sisters?: 3 Brothers--Bryan, Andrew, Nick
Any pets?: A dog named Christy
What school you go to?: Jackson/Malone College
Whose your teacher?- Have have 5...do I really need to list them all?
Got a license?: Of course
Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?: nope...when the time is right
Why do you like them?: refer to the previous question
What do you guys got incommon?: refer to the fact that I don't have a boyfriend.
Besides your family who is the closest person to you?: I don't really have just one person that I'm really close to...so probably my friends at church.

What's Your Favorite...?

Bands: David Crowder Band, Coldplay, U2..and many more
Movies: Billy Madison, The Italian Job
Song: Oh...so many to choose from! But Just to name a few...
Your love is extravagant-Casting Crowns
Yearn-Shane and Shane
Amsterdam-Coldplay
Sometimes you can't make it on your own-U2
Food: Chicken or Tacos
TV show: Trigger Happy TV...too bad it's never on.
Thing to do when your bored: Play an instrument or read
Stores: VDO
Color: Brown and Green
Book: Lady In Waiting by Debbie Jones and The Sacred Romance by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge

This OR That

music/movies: music
black/white: black
computers/tv: computers
cd's/cassettes: CD
snow/rain: Snow (but not when I have to clean off my car)
hot/cold: Cold
penguins/llamas: Penguins...llamas are mean! (trust me I know!)
coke/pepsi: water
summer/winter: Summer
email/aim: Depends on the conversation
mohawks/shaved heads: neither

Have You Ever...?

Smoked: no
did drugs: no
gotten drunk: no
laughed when you were by yourself: yeah
thumb wrestle and lost: probably...who honestly remembers
got kissed in the rain?: no
been on tv?: not that I know of...
been on the radio?: no
broken the law: Do you count slight speeding breaking the law?
snuck out of the house at night?: no
won a bet: the last time I made a bet...we both one (but i guess it was more of a deal)
slow danced with a guy/girl: Yeah, at my brothers' weddings
won a trophey?: Yeah, for swimming in California
yelled at the teacher?: no

Some Personal Stuff

In The Past 2 weeks have you...
Cried: no...but teary-eyed at the wedding
Cut your hair: no
Worn a dress: yeah...some of you guys even witnessed that occasion
Been sarcastic: yes
Missed someone: for sure
Hugged someone: yeah...just about every single person at the wedding because we were in a receiving line.
Wished upon a star: i don't think I've ever actually done that
Watched the sunset: Yep...it's so beautful, how can you not?
Laughed until you cried: probably
Went to the beach at night: let's think about the fact that I live nowhere near a beach...
Read a book for fun: yep...but i'm not done with it yet
Been lonely?: probably
Been happy: yeah...now that I'm finally done with this thing!