Reminder

Well, the worst has come to an end. Last week I had 3 presentations, 2 tests, 3 quizzes, and 2 papers. It was pretty nuts. This week is technically the week of finals, but I only have 2. one on wednesday and one on thursday. I'm kind of excited for wednesday afternoon for John though because we're doing a 2 hour study of as much of the Johannine Epistles as we can get done.

Well i did a crash course in Christmas shopping this weekend too. I'm pretty much finished everything except for a few last minute things i have to pick up. I'm pretty excited to just take this next month off and read and hang out with people. School has been so nuts lately that i feel like i'm constantly on the run.

In case you've forgotten about the david crowder song that i remind people about every year at about this time...go down to my links and click on o come o come emanuel. it's amazing.

Sorry for so many random thoughts. I'm still collecting myself from the craziness of last week. haha. catch up with you all a bit later!

School

21 Credit hours of school has caught up to me. so be gracious as these next few weeks proceed. i have a week of classes and then a week of finals left then i can rest easy!

Updates!

As i'm sure you guys have noticed, i've updated some stuff in the past few weeks on here. I hope you guys like the new layout and stuff. In addition, I uploaded some new pictures to my flickr account, so it may be worthwhile to check that out too!

Reflections.

Wow, this past month has flown by! Somehow, taking 21 credit hours is beginning to catch up with me...not that i didn't think it ever would. basically most of my nights are spent laboring with some tea and coffee over books at muggswigz (and the occasional computer too ;) haha...and socializing too of course) Currently i'm just hanging out at muggswigz by myself for a bit working on editing a video for tomorrow morning. Right now i'm just waiting because it's ripping the dvd to my desktop right now. Well all that is besides the point.

There has been a lot of learning and living going on lately too. I've really been discovering a lot about my calling and reasons that God has placed me where i'm at and is directing me down the path i think he's put me on. mainly, the question was raised the other day in theology, "what are you going to do after you leave here." not really a new question for me. people ask me that dang question all the time, and unfortunately, not everyone completely understands what i'm doing and why...i mean, sometimes i don't even get it. but basically the question was posed...."could you be happy anywhere else?" and i realized my answer is no. I think this is why i've been kind of procrastinating getting a second job (besides the academic reasons) is that i don't want to. i don't want to work anywhere other than the church, because that's where i feel called to work. i don't think i'll be ok being anywhere other than the place God has told me to be, and that's the church. Let me try and explain using a conglomeration of things from a marketing paper i wrote and a subsequent journal entry that expounded on it....

First the marketing paper, then the journal follows:

"Many people strive to graduate from college and enter a prestigious business firm or other highly reputable business; however, I seem to fall on the opposite end of the spectrum. The organization that I would like to work for is, simply put, the local church. This may seem a little contradictory, but I feel that I have a great responsibility to learn basic business principle and integrate them into the Church. This does not mean that we should sell Christianity as a product or run some "faith-based" Christian business like Berean, but there are too many churches that have been devastated because the finances are entrusted to people who have no idea how to best allocate funds. The Church, similar to any business, should run most efficiently and effectively to serve the community around it and lead people into a deep and meaningful relationship with Christ. Instead of seeking a profit for personal gain, the church seeks to return that to serve the people around the world......

"i don’t think i could ever possibly feel like i'm really following God's calling for my life unless i were to work at the church. even with the whole business thing. a lot of people joke about me opening up an affordable berean or something, but i really don’t have the desire to do that either. i mean, it’s a good idea, and i’m sure it’s someone’s passion to offer goods at a cheap price....only enough markup to cover the cost of running the place...but i really don’t have the drive or passion for that. i mean, it would be cool and all, but it’s not my passion. i need to do something that i’m passionate about. and i’m just so passionate about the local church that i know i couldn’t leave it. i need to be a part of it."

That's merely a reflection on the business aspect, hopefully that clears up some of my thinking on the subject matter. The worst part is, this is only the business aspect of things...i can't even begin to go into my heart for worship.

Wess Stafford talked a little bit about callings today at church today too. I am here to do God's great work. Whether that be worship or business. Mabye both?

Atlanta

Atlanta was a blast. There were so many great speakers there. my favorite, by far, was donald miller. i'm actually still in the process of journaling and processing everything from the trip still in fact. I've been journaling on my computer a lot more lately, so i've had all my catalyst stuff with me for the past few days, but i'm still taking my time getting everything in there. I can't believe that it was exactly a week ago since we got back. I've got some greek homework to do though. I'm hoping to keep this thing more updated as school is starting to settle down and routines are beginning to be formed.

Atlanta here we come!! :)

I shall fill you in upon my return friday night!

The Last Kiss

Well, yes...it has definitly been a while. School is in full swing and we all know how that goes. Well anyway, tonight i went and saw the movie The Last Kiss. I kind of slated it "the next version of garden state" before seeing it because it has Zach Braff and whatnot. I really like it. See, as opposed to Garden State--which was all about feeling and emotion in life...the Last Kiss was all about not the feeling anymore, but the action. Here's a quote that I couldn't quite move on from once I heard it...

"What you feel only matters to you. It's what you do to those you say you love that matters."

So here's my thoughts I guess: In all of our realtionships--specifically those in which we love, or are supposed to love the other person, what are we doing to them. Is it more that just that feeling? Are we living a life where we are activiely showing our genuine concern and care for their lives? Regardless of who it is: friend, husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, family...or even just those people we have daily encounters with in life. If we are claiming to love the world and those around us, are we actually doing it?

Done.

Well, the first week of school is finished. I'm glad we get a nice long weekend though. My MWF aren't that bad. I've got a few bible classes and then management, then my TH are more stressful. Altogether I'm taking Greek, History of Christian Thought, Theology, Marketing, Management, Communications, and I'm sitting in on The Gospel and Epistles of John. I was kind of feeling distraught because it seemed like it was going to be a really tough semester, but it doesn't seem too bad yet. Though it is only the first week.

I'm really excited for Greek though. We're already reading and pronouncing pretty well, so I can't wait until I know what I'm saying! haha. Muggswigz seems to have become the place of choice. Not that it wasn't before, but some of us are going there to study and whatnot. Wednesday was really fun. We were there basically all afternoon/evening actually working on school work and just hanging out.

So this weekend my family is gone. Nick is in Chicago visiting Rachel and my parents are camping down at Atwood lake. I'm probably going to go join them for a day or something just because I think it'll be nice to get away for a day. But it's kind of weird being home by myself. I mean, its not that bad. It's weird because although I never really talk to my family a whole lot I know they're still around. It was weird coming home tonight and knowing that no one was here...nor was anyone going to be here. And I'm not tired at all...but it's funny because it's late I instinctively tried to be quiet when I got home...then I realized I could be as loud as I wanted because no one was here. haha. I'm really looking forward to eventually moving out and whatnot. I just can't afford it right now though. Someday.

Yikes! School Starts Monday!

Well I'm just kind of hanging out here at the church for a bit. Bible by the pool is in an hour. I was going to go work from Muggswigz today, but I opted not to.

I'm taking the next few weekends off, but I'm going to try to atleast make it to one of the youth services on sunday cause I'd like to see how it goes. nate is leading this week actually. Speakinf of the boys, their new stuff is pretty sweet....I'll listen to it. :) But then the following weekend i'm going to go camping with my parents probably. well most likely not the entire weekend, but part of it atleast. It will be nice to kind of take it easy for a little bit since school is starting up. I cannot believe that it starts on monday. In fact, the freshman moved on today. That is so weird. I'm not sure what this year is going to look like for me because i'm going to be doing a bunch of stuff here at the church like normal, but i've also this summer made a lot of really good friends that don't go to malone...but they know people there...so i'm not sure if i'm going to be around campus more because of that or whatnot. I just realized how much of a homebody I kind of am. I was just thinking about what this school year would look like if i lived on campus or was there a lot. I mean, I wouldn't hate it, that's for sure...but there would be an element of just relaxing at home or down at coffee shops that I'd miss. I don't think I could do the whole constantly in motion life. I mean, it's been a few days since I've had some low-key and indepth conversation and hangout and I actually miss it.

These past few months have just been so crazy lately. I think it's seriously just been one thing after another. not that they were all bad...it just seemed like there wasn't much room for rest this summer. A lot of travelling and being out of town at the beginning of summer with CIY and worship team camp and such...then there's just been a lot of events and things going on here too.

All together thoug, I'm pretty excited about it all. School is starting and I guess I've got to be ready regardless! haha. Well I'm going to get going! Have a great day!

Jack is here!

Well, it's been a few weeks. I honestly haven't been intentional about not blogging...I just haven't gotten around to updating it much lately. It seems like all my days are the same lately. I get up, go for my walk, shower, work, journal for a bit, then make it to a coffee shop for the rest of the evening. I actually haven't been on AIM much lately either. But honestly, there's almost nothing better than being around the people you love to be around most just hanging out outside while we can this summer. I mean, pretty soon it's going to start cooling down.

School is starting soon, and needless to say, I didn't get around to reading that Grudem book like I wanted to. Oh well. I've been doing a lot of thinking about other stuff lately. Actually, although I haven't been writing on here much, I'm almost all the way through my journal. Probably about 3/4ths the way through actually. That's pretty exciting. I don't think I've ever managed to keep anything like that going this long. I'm excited to go buy a new one too!

Oh, and for those of you who didn't know...my second nephew was born on Friday, August 4th. His name is Jonathan (Jack) Bryan Snavely. I went up and saw him the day after he was born, but I haven't gotten a chance to drive up there since then. I'm hoping that they'll be able to make it to family night on Monday so I can see him there. Here's a picture of the family.

Dog.

So, here's a funny story. I was out this morning with Christy walking, just like any typical morning. Anyway, as I'm walking in the neighborhood across from mine there are a couple dogs that always bark and annoy the crap out of me. So this morning, they begin to bark like normal and I just sped up a little to try and get them to shut up, then I realize that one is not barking anymore, it is full out howling. Then, in the distance, I literally start hearing the dogs all around the neighborhood barking. It felt like a movie or something. haha.

So I know what you're thinking now, "great story leanne." and I shall respond..."yup" :)

On another note, a few nights ago we went and saw Rob Bell at the agora. Let's just say there was so much to process and think about that it took 6 typed pages in my journal. That's what I do when I know I'll have a lot to say, because I typically can't write as fast as I think unless I'm typing. Anyway, he pretty much spoke out of Genesis 1 the entire time. It was awesome. An hour and 45 minutes of Genesis 1.

One of his big premises was that we, as a people are right in the middle. We are 100% physical while we are also 100% spiritual. We can sometimes get so focused on everything having to be one or the other, but sometimes we don't realize that it is indeed both. For instance, something in 2D can be a square or a circle. It cannot be both. However, take an object in 3D such as a marker, or any cylinder for that matter, and it can be both a square or a circle. We humans are sometimes like the people stuck in the 2D world. We can see either this or that, but we cannot comprehend both without there being an element of faith involved.

I felt like I was in science class for awhile too. But if Rob Bell is the one teaching science, then I'm ok with that. haha. But yeah, he took quite a while to explain all these big elements of creation that allow for life on earth, then he went onto talk about a bunch of little elements of creation that allow for life. It was really cool.

He also talked a lot about that one day of rest. Sometimes we just get so caught up in life that we don't rest. And when we do rest, we feel guilty because we feel like we're being lazy and such. The emphasis on that seventh day was to remind the Israelites that they weren't slaves in Egypt anymore. They are free. Their worth is not determined by how many bricks they make a day.

Bell

Well, things are finally beginning to settle down. Right now I'm waiting for marci to wake up...but that may be a challenge, becuase her away message said something about how she was still up and it was 6:15am. So yes, it may be a slow lunch for us. haha.

Anyway, i'm pretty excited about next thursday night. Rob Bell is speaking at the Agora in cleveland, so a bunch of us are going to go up there and hear him speak. I, eventually, would like to take a road trip up to Mars Hill...but that's being a little too ambitious for right now.

This weekend is also my weekend off. I think i'm going to go to starbucks, read, you know... Then I'll probably head down to massillon. I'd like to check out how things are going down there lately. They recently brought in some new worship folks, and switched over to doing the video digitally. I keep hearing good things about changed lives and how everything is going in staff meeting, so i figured I'd go check it out on a day I was able to.

Oh! Marci is awake! I've got to go finish getting ready! I'll continue this later!

The Way I Was Made

"New York City is quite a place. You can hear almost every language in the world on the sidewalks there. And along with Boston, New York is at the hart of college life in America--I'm told there are 900,000+ college students within a seventy-five-mile radius of Times Square.

"We had wanted to take a Passion Movement worship even into the heart of the city for a long time. Of course, it's one thing to take worship events to college towns in the south and Midwest. These days you know you'll probably get a crowd. But New York is different. It's a world away from the Bible Belt, for one thing, and it's a ton more expensive.

"We prayed, planned, and waited. But the doors to New York remained shut.

"Until one afternoon last April. My band and I walked out of the Newark airport and took a cab to uptown Manhattan. We were headed for the legendary Beacon Theatre, on Broadway and 74th, where the next day we were going to be part of putting on our first-ever worship event for New York City college kids.

"At 8:00 the next morning, when we went back to the beacon to set up, kids were already lining up. Curious drivers going on by Broadway were slowing down for a look, backing up traffic. By afternoon, the line wound around several blocks. And the doors didn't open until seven!

"You have to wonder what other New Yorkers were thinking. An MTV special? A release party for some hot new L.A. Band? No, just students who couldn't wait tot proclaim to their city the splendor of the Lord.

"that night eh place was packed. Thousands of students--so happy to be there, so hungry for God, so ready. And as soon as Charlie Hall opened, it was clear that the crowd knew the songs, and they wanted to sing.

"Loud!

"After Charlie was finished, Louie welcomed everyone, then we broke into small groups for prayer time. Everybody praying at the same time, out lout, for their campuses, for their city. I tell you, that's a beautiful sound.

"Then our band came on for a fourty-five-minute set. What can I say? Wish you coulda been there! It was so powerful. I felt as if the crowd was saying 'Hey Chris, just start the songs. We'll take it from there!' It was a worship leader's dream. I think those students sand better--and with more heart--than any place I've ever been. In fact, Joey, our video guy, told me later, 'that was the first time I couldn't hear you play, Chris. People were so loud!'

"Louie's message that night was about shining a light in the world. But it is a light that isn't our own. 'Be the moon,' he challenged. 'You don't have any light on your own. We only reflect the light of Another. But when you and I get in the right place, Christ shines on us.'

"When the David Crowder Band came on to play the closing set, a theater manager who had been standing backstage came up and wanted to talk. 'I've never seen anything like this,' he said. 'I had to step outside and call my dad.' Turns out his dad runs the theatre, and the guy had worked there for years. 'I just had to tell my dad that in all our years we've never had this kind of show. All the drug-filled concerts that come through here--they cant' being to light up the place like this!'

"He leaned closer. There was something else he wanted to tell me. 'Man, I just went out in the crowd and sang!' he said, grinning self-consciously. 'Course, I don't' know any of the songs. But I just felt something in my heart.'

"Two days later, John Leland of the New York Times wrote a feature on the event. He called it 'Christian Musics' New Wave Caters to Audience of One.' 'The worship gathering for college students reflects a groundswell both within churches and in the Christian music marketplace,' he wrote. 'The musicians--who call themselves 'worship leaders' rather than performers--sing not about God, but to God. The audience sings as much as they do.'

"New Wave? Old Wave?

"Ask Jehoshaphat, or Paul and Silas, or the angels gathered at God's thrown from the beginning of time. I think it's the real music of our past an d of our eternal future, and it's happening now."

B Collision.

I feel so relieved. It's nice. I like it. I hope life goes back to somewhat normalcy...I don't like drama. I seriously feel as if a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders.

On another note, you should all check out the new DCB cd. It's good. I like it. That guy is my hero. He lives my dream everyday.

My Hope

Here I am again in this raging sea
On my knees again deep calls to deep
I feel I'm drowning
My arms are just too tired to swim
I feel I'm sinking
On my knees again
In the roar of your waterfall
In the storm of you
May you find me holding on
May you find me true

Wash me clean, set me free
Hold me close, and cover me.

Journal

So I've been spending more and more time writing down my thoughts in a journal. I like it...it's challenging, but I like it. Like I've said here before, it's really cool to look back and reread stuff and see how God's been moving in my life, and even noticing undertones that kind indicate when other things have happened in my life, but it's been really freeing to just put everything down. No undertones. haha.

Anyway, yesterday was the big outdoor service at the Massillon stadium. It went kind of roughly, to say the least. But what can you expect when it's been raining all morning and ther has been no sound checks at all, let alone a single song runthrough or anything. But overall it was really cool. My heart is the unity of the church, so regardless of sound issues or logisitical nightmares it was by far an extremely cool thing. One of the coolest things was before everyone came, probably around 8:30ish, when the vocalists realized there probably wasn't going to be a full rehearsal they decided to warm up underneath the bleachers accapella. It was awesome. At that point, I was convinced that no matter what happened, that one moment of untiy that happened was worth all the running around in the rain and crazy events. God was there. Therefore, it was cool. :)

We had pulled an all-nighter the night before, which was fun. Basically it was an extended time of normal hanging out because we basically just ended up at muggswigz and then ihop. haha. We got to the church around 4:30 to start getting things ready and over to the satdium, and help with set up. I, however, was really confused yesterday after I woke up from my nap, because I kept thinking it was already monday! Well I must get going! Have a splendid day!

Wonderwall.

So recently I stumbled upon oasis's song "wonderwall" in my itunes. A couple weeks ago actually. I was packing for CIY and I couldn't get it out of my head. Well, even more recently I've stumbled upon the Ryan Adams version of it. There's something that just really attracts me to that song. I've known it basically forever...you know how many times i've heard it covered at muggswigz? probably millions...but something lately just makes me love it a lot.

Home.

I am home. Yes...finally home. I went to CIY for a week, then came home for less than a day, did my laundry and left for camp with the worship team. Hindsight of the week, it was a really great week, but it was still extremely trying. That's the best way that I think it could be worded.

However, there were some really awesome worship experiences last week. One of which was on tuesday night. We walked down to a creek and the speaker invited students into the creek to symbolically represent the cleansing of Jesus as he wipes away all of our blemishes. The worship team lead with a couple acoustic guitars. It was really cool.

On thursday night, there was a big storm approaching as we began worship. One song into our set, the power was shot. Instead of freaking out and freezing up though, we just kept going. Josh and Ryan went picked up the extra acoustics. It was especially cool because we had been doing this experiential thing with candles anyway, so when the power went out we still had light and it was really cool. It's nights like those that make me look past all the strenuous things that happen when it comes to putting trips and camps together.

So yeah, I'm happy to be home though. I've really missed some of my friend here. I've thought about how cool it would be to intern with CIY or an organization like that over a summer, but then when I think more seriously about it, I know that there would be almost no way I could do it. I think I'm just tied down to Ohio. Not in a bad way, of course, but I just mean that I'd be really nervous to leave everything and everyone I've ever known. Things just wouldn't be the same when I came home...I guess that's what I'm most frightened of. I'm not removing any possibility of being called away from here eventually...but I know, without a doubt, this is where I need to be right now.


(oh, and keep an eye out on the flickr for a bit...I'm going to be putting up CIY and Camp pictures here pretty soon!)

Picture

I took this picture a couple hours ago here at muggswigz. I really like it. I think I'm artsy at heart. :)

Leaving.

Well, I leave tomorrow for two weeks. Or no, I leave in two days for two weeks. I feel like its tomorrow though. I'll acutally be gone for a week in Indiana for a week then I'll be home for a day and then leave for another week to go down to elkhorn valley with the senior high worship team.

This may sound kind of wierd, but I'm really excited for the 7 hour bus ride. It's going to be amazing. 7 hours of forced nothingness. No work to do, no phone calls to make, no more philosophy class, nothing. Just me, SHers, some books, and some music. Perfect.

I have a feeling I'm going to get lonely though. For some reason, the times when I feel most lonely are the days when I am in crowds of people. It's like the typical movie shot where you see a person and everything else around them is blurred and the sounds are all echoed. You should know what I mean...it's the perfect picture of what I feel.

Change.

Last night was the art show at muggswigz. It was fun...crowded but fun. Anyway, I've just been around and workin on philosophy today. I read a dialogue on knowing today. It was interesting. What do we know? That is the big question. I've found that I don't necessarily hate that class or the reading, it just takes some concentration. The final is on Friday though.

I'm really excited for this summer. For some reason, I'm really dying to switch things up a bit. No vacation with the family this year though. I am, however, going to Anderson for a week then to a camp with the w-team for a week too. I think that'll be a blast.

I realized that last night though. I'm kind of tired of going to the same two places. Starbucks, muggswigz, starbucks, muggswigz...and now panera thrown in there due to the free wireless internet too. haha. What else is there to do? I'm lost. Either that or I'm just a super boring person. I do, however, really like the environment at those places. You feel so free. Talk to people you would never talk to. Build friendships with those you'd never see. I like it. So, I guess I'm not that tired of the routine after all. I'm switching things up a bit tonight I think.

We'll see...

Confusion

Things can never just be sorted out in my head.
There's always a whirpool of thoughts.
Some good.
Others not.
Mostly just wondering why things are.

I need things to be conclusive
No questions
Just answers
Specifically the answers I would like
But then again, that may make things too easy.

Obligated.

I feel the need to update since it's been over a week, but I really don't have anything to say. I really liked when I did that thing a while ago, so I shall do it again...it seems to be the easiest way for me to share my thoughts when I don't know what else to talk about...

I'm discontented.
I don't know why.
Something is going on.
But I don't even know if it even concerns me.
I bet if I could figure it out, I'd know if it was something I needed to worry about.
Life is confusing sometimes.
But why do I always need to have it all figured out?
It's pretty obvious that I'll never get it all.
So why do I keep trying to make sense of the world?
Like trying to figure out why some love and others don't?
Why some....well love is the only think I can think of.
I think people want to be in something bigger than themselves.
Love does that.
Not just boy love...don't get me confused with "that girl"
Just love.
It's bigger than us.
He's bigger than us.

A Little Refresher.

Well, I finally got the internet working over here....of course, now that I'm going home tomorrow. haha.

The new MacBook came out on Tuesday. I'm excited. I'm going to order mine this weekend sometime. (hopefully sooner than later). I'm excited not only because it's super nice, but because it's really going to help me work. That sounds weird. I mean, since I've been at the church it's just been a weird waiting game. I just can't wait to get everything up and running. (I heard they even smell good!)

I realized the other day how much potential this summer has to be the most amazing summer ever. It could even top the "white-shirt" year...not that I'm measuring or anything. haha. For some reason, I remember JR saying once how it felt to (figuratively, of course) walk into work everyday hand-in-hand with his best friends. I think I get it now. I was sitting in the offices the other day and that really just hit me. I mean, we all just kind of fit together. One person's weaknesses are the others' strengths and so forth. Can I just say...if all goes well...this summer is going to be pretty sweet. God is moving already.

Again. . .

Sorry it's been so long. I'm house-sitting again...so I haven't been around and online a lot lately. She doesn't get home until next sunday night. I'll try and make a better post later if I get the chance. My mom just got back into the workroom so I've got to get going! Have a great day!

Quaker Steak!

Last night, some of us drove up to Quaker Steak and Lube to go have a good time and eat wings. To our surprise as we rounded the corner, it may have been the largest bikers night I had ever seen. In light of nearly being toppled by several bikes and intimidated like no other, it was a great time! As usual, I whimped out on eating the atomic wings, but I got a few good pictures of the eventful task of everyone else eating them. (go check out my flickr!)

This week has been quite enjoyable. My parents are out of town, so the house is kind of quiet. Honestly, it's not really that big of a difference than normal because I typically am not around or am up in my room anyways. But the biggest difference is that I'm not working with my mom this week either, for the obvious reason. Which sucks financially, but it's been nice to take a week off before things at the church get super crazy and I start my summer class and stuff. Well, I must go get ready for the day, seeing that I've got some errands to run, lessons to teach, and small group down in Malvern tonight! Have a great day!

A Literal Translation Of My Thoughts.

I just finished my last exam.
I can't believe school is done.
I am excited.
I needed a break.
Summer is awesome.
It's really nice outside.
I'm going to go on a walk.
I went biking yesterday in Canal Fulton.
I'm going to go again today.
Sometimes I like quiet.
I left my cell phone at home too.
On purpose.
It was nice.
No calls.
But quiet makes me lonely.
I just looked up "lonely" in the thesaurus.
I look up words in there often.
But only when I want to make a point.
I stress the word with it's synonym or similar meaninged phrase.
I don't think "meaninged" is a word.
Anyway.
A synonym for it is "without a friend in the world."
That's interesting.
Actually kind of sad.
So should I use that term?
Do I feel like that?
Probably not.
But maybe.
So I'm going on that walk.

New pictures in my flickr account! Go check them out!

Beauty.

Ok, I know this is a little after the fact, but I haven't had the chance to load up the pictures or anything...which some of which are up above. Anyways, there's a story I've got to tell you all. Last Saturday night was really cool. See, I had just led worship at the church and a lot of cool things were announced there. (i.e. the new mosaic stuff) Well anyways, I ended up going to muggswigz, but it was on the drive there that was so awesome. See, no matter what I looked at, the only thing I could see was beauty. I'd look at the most run down house in Canton, but somehow see the beauty of the vines all over it, or a street sign that just looked cool, or how about a field of dandelions...weeds nonetheless...but still strangely still enough to awe. It was awesome. Anyways, I just wanted to tell you that we live in a beautiful world...yeah we do, yeah we do...

Passion.

Well, for those of you who didn't know, the new Passion cd came out a couple weeks ago. I just finally broke down and bought it a couple days ago and it hasn't been out of my cd player yet. I like it. I love that everytime I get a new worship cd I fall into this awesome obsession with worship. Not that don't care at other times, but I just get so much more passionate (pun not intended) about it when I hear new stuff. I think for me, and a lot of other worship leaders out there, that sometimes it's not always good to only listen to worship stuff. I know for me, when that was all I listened to it became hard for me to worship because they just became "just another song" that I listened to all the time. So I guess all this to say that I love when new stuff comes out because it renews (ah...that's the better terminology to express it!) my passion for what I do....what I'm meant to do. Like the other day I was driving home from starbucks in a really awkward mood and I had one of the best worship times ever. In my car. Alone. With God. Amazing.

I know this sounds weird, but these past few weeks I've felt the power of Christ's resurrection so much. I think a lot of times it's easy to get too focused on studies and all that equally good stuff...but to miss the big picture. God. God REIGNS. Christ. Christ is ALIVE. Holy Spirit. Lives IN US. We have power over death...think about that...we have power, through Christ, over the one thing that can stop even the most talented, strong, athletic, rich, powerful, famous, and influential people in their tracks. We are alive. I am awestruck.

Flickr

Hey, just an FYI...I just put up some new pictures on my flickr account, so you should go check them out!

On a different note...today was really sweet. Jesus is awesome.

Baby!

Yesterday was the day! We joyfully welcomed little Hudson Andrew Snavely into the family at about 7:45 last night. I scurried over to the hospital right after class...but I had plenty of time before he decided to make the move, haha. But because I was sick (still am?) I couldn't really get to close or hold him because we didn't want to take the chance of getting him sick. Well, that was one family night to remember!

Hmmm.

It's been a while...over a week actually. That's because it's been one heck of a week. In the midst of everything that's been going on I also am managing to get sick...again. This is frustrating. I feel like things are just hitting me from all directions...like I can't rest anywhere. So, I thought this house-sitting thing would be cool that way I could spend some time by myself relaxing and kind of getting refreshed I guess...but to no prevail I've found that without people around I get kind of lonely.

One Year and 2 Days Ago...

Well, as of 2 days ago, my blog has been existence for 1 year. What I figured would last only a short time has been here for so long already. You all have read my thoughts over the past year as many different events have unfolded in my life. I just wanted to let you all know how much I really do love you all and thank you for loving me. Don’t worry though, this thing isn’t going anywhere!

On a different note: Today was pretty sweet. 4 of my 6 classes were cancelled, so I went in to school late and got out early. It was nice to have a half day I guess…there’s just been so much going on lately it’s been crazy! I’ll be house-sitting next week starting Thursday, so I’ll have to see what I can do about getting on and updating this!

Coldplay

I can't believe it's been a week since I last wrote. This has been a crazy week. Last weekend I played for the Ruth Graham event, which made for a long day, but it was still kind of cool. On Monday was coldplay, which was AMAZING. I swear I like them more everytime I see them play. I've got some pictures I'm going to put up on flickr sometime soon...possibly as soon as I'm done writing this...so make sure you take a look.

It's About The People, Stupid.

Sometimes we all just need a little reminder that it's about the people...not the task...and most definitely not us.

Caring

So I guess I've been wondering...

The love that we have for the people around us...does it ever get to be too much? Ok, that sounds really bad...because it makes it sound like we can be too loving at some point...but that's not what I mean. What I mean is this: Is there a point in which we care so much for others that our worry takes too much of a toll on ourselves or that overburdens us with sadness? I guess maybe this is similar to the compassion that God shows for us....and the same kind of heartbreak that he has everytime we turn away or people reject him. Interesting thought....

Writing

You know what I've come to realize? I guess lately I've been experimenting (if you want to call it that) with writing. I guess my hopes are that one day I'll be creative enough to actually write songs well....but that might be awhile becuase the last think I ever want to be is some mediocre singer/songwriter chick (we all know that girl I'm talking about...haha) who plays nothing but GCDC the whole time. I fear I may be going backwards by writing lyrics first, but in my opinion, the music is what draws me in...but lyrics keep me coming back. (haha, cheesy metaphor yes, I know) I'm just a lyrical person I guess. So we'll see...maybe when I get my laptop eventually it will be a catalyst because I'm hoping to get a Mac with the mbox and protools and stuff I think. I'm still somewhat up in the air on exactly what I'm going to get...but I think a laptop will be a wise investment, especially for school and music and whatnot.

Real Community.

Here's a comment (I expanded it a little bit here) I left on someone's blog earlier...and this stuff has been on my mind lately anyways, so I thought I should share it on my blog as well...

When I was at catalyst, I heard a guy speak and one thing he said really stuck out to me. Interestingly enough, he was talking about how the "younger generations" are infatuated with this idea of community...yet we have absolutely no idea of how go get and live it. He said that, but then I was thinking that if we are so impressed with the idea, then the desire for such a tight-knit community is obviously there. Rather....here's a better question. I think that community exists everywhere, but what we, as Christians, desire is the REAL community through Christ. So maybe this idea of community isn't necessarily having a bunch friends, but it's an interconnection between believers through Christ on a completely different level. It's not about having a million best friends...it's about having brothers and sisters in Christ and the connection that you have with each of those people. Honestly, one of the places where I feel like I experience the most authentic Christian community is a place where, in a worldly sense, I do not belong. Nevertheless, the desire to know God permeates the group and none of those worldy classifications matter anymore.

Hidden Thoughts

So, my blog has been existence for nearly an entire year! I cannot believe it. I seriously thought that this thing would be abandoned within a month after I made it. Anyways, recently I've been reading back through some of my old posts because I'm going to do a recap soon...which will be fun. My point, however, is that as I've been reading back through these, it's been really cool to see how some of the things I was really worried about have panned out. Even more interesting is how I, as the author of them all, can look back and really read into what I was saying to figure out what I was really feeling or realize when I found out somethings but I wasn't really able to talk about it. For instance, I can tell down to the week or so when I was asked to step down from the worship team with the intent of possibly returning in the Fall to lead. Anyways, I realized how cool this all was because this is one of things were trying to do by studying the Bible. You know...figuring out what the author was thinking right then and there and what their purpose is (theologically and contextually).


There's a part of me you'll never know
The only thing I'll never show.
--Muse "Endlessly"

Normality Please?

Life has been a little crazy lately. I feel so busy because I'm never home...but then I realize that what I'm doing really isn't that stressful...it's just a lot. Like going to muggswigz or starbucks or stuff like that. (which I NEED to stop spending money at if I ever even want to attempt to save for a laptop) So you know how I was talking about how my voice was getting better and such? Well, that apparently was a lie...because then I got a massive stuffy nose and now that that's better, my throat is bothering me again. This is so frustrating. It's definitely been over 2 weeks.
So, Josh is leading this week...and I'm taking another week off from singing. I hope things get back to normal soon...

Maybe I'll have some time later tonight to let you guys more into my world...other than talk about my not being well. There's been a lot going on, but I've got to run teach a piano lesson...so i'll expand later.


I miss the way you sing low
So I can't hear your voice over the radio in my car
But you know every word they say
You knew you just the right thing to say
--Copeland "California"

Bored

So this weekend has been a strange one. Obviously so...it's only 10:15 and I'm home on a Saturday night. It's actually kind of frustrating. I have no one to call, nowhere to go....I'm going nuts. So, I used to put lyrics at the end of each post...and I'm not sure why I stopped, so I'm going to start doing that again I think. Yes...I am going to start doing it again.


It's just beyond those trees...
The place I've been dreaming of.
Will you follow me?
--Sleeping at Last "Trees (Hallway of Leaves)"

A Voice Returned

My voice has finally almost completely returned. Thank goodness. It wasn't that I had this massive sickness or anything, but my voice was just gone...completely! I was just really frustrated because I know that there are just some things that I know I'm meant and wired to do, and it's frustrating when you aren't able to do those things. I don't know, I tried to make the best out of, you know, not talking and singing but it was really hard. I guess you realize how important things are to you once they're taken away. Wait, that's a lyric...hmm...oh yeah, it's Damien Rice. But it's interesting how we get reassurance from the weirdest things.

Oh, and in case no one told you yet...Happy Valentine's Day.

The Stress Is Over...And The Fun Has Just Begun!

Well, it's been a week and this is probably the first opportunity I've really had to sit down and take a break. I had that big John paper and a big New Testament workbook all due today...even though Watson cancelled class so it really wasn't due today. I'm pretty excited for the weekend though...I'm not sure what's going on tonight, but tomorrow morning I'm practicing with a band for this big "women's event" thingy...then tomorrow I'm leading worship for JH then heading over to the Palace to see the boys play. Then Sunday it's Sigur Ros! That's going to be an awesome time! I can't be any more intellectual today, I used up all my intellectualness for the week writing my John paper last night, haha. I'm glad I got that done though. It was my only paper I had to write all semester...so that's going to free up some time I hope. I've been kind of overwhelmed this week researching and reading like crazy for that. This has been quite the week. Have a good one.


I really do...and that's what rips me apart.

Relationships

You know what's been hitting me lately? This idea of genuineness and being real with people. I think sometimes we, as Christians, feel like we have to have it all together all the time, and people aren't stupid. People can see through the fake facade that so many people put up. You know exactly what I'm talking about. The people who are "happy" all the time...because they don't think they're allowed to be anything else. But more than that I've been thinking about not our genuinness in how we view or see ourselves, but our realness in how we love others. Loving them for who they are, brokenness and all.

What if our ministry could just radiate from our lives. We don't need to be in a building or have a designated time-slot for ministry....we are the body. We are the Church. We are the people whom, through the work of Christ in our lives, can show the world hope. People aren't always looking for a building with good music or good "programming." I believe that the church is indeed very necessary...but I think the things that people desire most are relationships...real ones. People within the church and outside the church...they want real relationships. So we, through our relationships with others, should (or at least try to) be showing people the reality of the ultimate relationship with Christ.

Home

It's not that I didn't like being gone for the week....but it's nice to finally be back home. Well, mostly because not only was I gone all week, but I pretty much was gone the whole weekend before as well. I'm kind of overwhelmed with this whole John paper I've got to write. It's really not even supposed to be that long (7 pages) or that in depth I don't think, but all the sources he wants me to read total up to more pages than I could possibly ever read in less than 2 weeks. I guess that's the part I'm overwhelmed with. But honestly, I've only got one paper to write this entire semester...which is pretty good. I'm doing well with keeping up on school work and reading and such as well too. Well, sorry there's nothing too intriguing here today...I'm just sort of worn out from the week. Have a good day.

Let's Help

Well, this semester is treating me fairly well so far. Nothing too unbearable yet...but I guess that's what everyone always says in the first couple weeks of classes. Haha. My Mondays and Wednesdays can be a little overwhelming...but I love Fridays because there's no chapel and one of my classes is MW only. I kind of stayed home a lot this week to catch up on a bunch of reading that I put off over the weekend. Now I'm almost all the way caught up in everything! (even the read the bible in 4 months deal!) I think next week will be good for that as well because I'm going to be house-sitting over at the Kohler's (which is going to be a blast with Kaity!)

It seems like there has been so much going on lately with all different stuff...and I've been learning a lot and trying to put it all into practice. I've found that's hard to do. I can "know" everything and what i'm "supposed" to do...but a lot of the time it's actually doing it that is the tough part. But that's the beauty of christian community...we have eachother to rely on in order to help eachother put things into practice. So here's...well....I'm not sure if it's a request or just a statement but...let's help eachother be what God's intended us to be.

What A Weekend

The ski trip was great. I love my friends. There is nothing I'd rather be doing.


"You've captured my heart again."

Gone.

Oftentimes the Christian community has sent the message that we love people and build relationships in order to convert them to Christian faith. So there is an agenda. And when there is an agenda, it isn't really love, is it? It's something else. We have to rediscover love, period. Love that loves because it is what Jesus teaches us to do. We have to surrender our agendas.

"The Outpouring"

I thought this picture would be appropriate for the blog. Think about it and see if you come up with the same thing as I do...

Well, So I'm finally getting around to really learning how to mess with pictures and such on this thing. Take a look around...there's some new stuff and some not so new stuff...that is if people actually come here...who knows...I'm probably just talking to myself most of the time. haha.

An Old Theme Revisited

I really don't know what to think. I just got home from Starbucks....it was great conversation...but during so I realized something is wrong. I've allowed myself to forget....I had forgotten the intense passion (and hence sometimes my frustration) for the Senior High ministry. I'm just not sure of what I should be doing different. I guess sometimes as a "leader" I can say something or try to exemplify the idea that I'm trying to get across...but that's all I can do. I can't force things to happen, but I feel like it all rests upon my shoulders in the end. It's not about me or what I'm doing at all...all the "doing" that needs to be done is giving myself to God and allowing him to use me in this ministry....so do whatever You want with me...for You are God and I am not.

"' For your thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are your ways my ways' declares the Lord" --Isaiah 55

A Good Day

So today was a great day. It was the last day for me to sleep in before the semester starts on Monday...so I did. Then I spent the morning/afternoon reading, listening to 'reading' music, drinking chai, and having good conversations on the phone. I wish life was always that relaxing and carefree. It was good to have a day off before things get back to normal here in the next week or so. I seriously don't know where my break went. I had a whole month off...and I can't believe all the school craziness is about to begin again! Well sorry I didn't have anything particularly intriguing to say today...goodnight.

(oh, and if you haven't already, read my last post and check out the pics via flickr!)

Flickr!

Well, now that I've started aquiring some pictures on my phone, I created a flickr account where various pictures are posted. Look for the picture banner on the side of my blog underneath my previous posts. (not the link that says flickr....look lower!) It's also right above "some interesting stuff."

I've been enjoying my break. Still working at the church a lot, but not nearly as much as last week. Tomorrow I'll probably be there the majority of the day cleaning and such for the "preview" on sunday. Yes, you heard it right, this Sunday will only be a preview of the room. Unfortunately, we did not get all the pieces/parts of the room all pulled together (mainly one big piece that we're still waiting to be deliverd...but what it is is classified information! haha) before our deadline so this week will be considered a "sneak preview" then the following week (atleast the SH) will be in New York for the ski trip and then everything will be done by the following week. Today I went and purchased my books for next semester...it was still pricey, but it was somehow nearly $200 less than my first semester. (which was an outrageous $500!!) Anytime I go into a place with books I am seriously like a little kid in a candy store....and it's even sadder that it was all textbooks. I guess I still just excited about the fact that I am required to read books that I actually look forward to reading for my classes. I put some the stuff I got up in my "interesting stuff" thing if you want to check them out.

Well, it is nearly 12:30 now and I must get going. I've committed with a group of people to read the entire bible....cover to cover....in 4 months and I have not completed the readings for today yet. That sounds bad. It sounds as if it feels like a chore...but it isn't. This is something that I want to do....and it's just that I haven't had the time yet today to sit down and start. I'm excited. I think sometimes, especially with taking Bible classes and all, it's really easy to fall into a trap allowing your academic studies to become your personal studies...so I'm reading....just reading. I'm not looking for something to write a paper on or searching for some incredible theological revelation. (not that that can't happen naturally of course) But I'm reading to read....to look at the Bible as a whole. To feel the same passions and emotions that the authors felt. And to experience God without the formulas and agendas of our own making.