I don't have time to write a lot but just wanted to say it's finally here!!! the day i go to germany! :) i'm super excited and hopeful that God is going to show up big on this trip! Please be praying for me and the team!

please pray for

-safe and uneventful travels for me and everyone else (i'm flying by myself for the first time)

-gorgeous weather while we're there (or just good. but gorgeous would be awesome)

-team unity as we work together and encourage one another

-the God would do mighty and big things as we reach out to the artist community

Thanks so much guys!

That phrase.

That phrase the I hate. And am so tired of. You know the one…. "This could be the last time I ____" I feel like I'm thinking that all to often these days. And the worst part is that I have no idea when I'm leaving…only possibilities. Possibilities that seem like they're gonna work but then seem so impossible looking back on them. It's so draining to go through it again and again. When friends go off to college, when I say goodbye to family members for "the last time", but then end up seeing them a few weeks or months later where I then again say goodbye. So in light of that, part of me just wants to go ahead and go. To just get out. And I don't feel in place anymore. There are very few places and situations where I feel comfortable and connected anymore. I don't know how it happened, but it has. And it's not the whole "I don't belong so I'm really depressed" feeling…it's just recognizing that and feeling the need to move on. Maybe it could be depressing if I really took a minute to have a pity party, but I'm trying not to. I'm looking at the positive and praying that God will use this to make change easier. But in everything, it's good to remember God's promises. That He knows the plans He has for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future.

"All things new
I can start again
Creator, God
Calling me Your friend
Sing praise, my soul
To the Maker of the skies
A song will rise

I will sing a song of hope
Sing along
God of heaven come down
Heaven come down
Just to know You and be loved is enough
God of heaven come down, heaven come down…"

-Song of Hope

Well. I'm auditioning tomorrow. And I'm super nervous. Cuz I HATE playing in front of people. I get all shakey and my hands get sweaty…It's bad. But I'm praying that God will calm my nerves and allow me to perform my best and we'll see how that goes. Just if you think about it you can just send up a little prayer around 3 for me tomorrow :) Thanks!

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me…" Phillipians 4:13

"Help me if you can I'm feelin down, and I do appreciate you bein round…"

Listening to the Beatles all morning for SCHOOL. That's what's up. Tori Steyne, be jealous. :P

Friend.

Just have time for a short post today….

A couple of weeks ago, our youth leader taught a very powerful lesson on what a true friend is. It really made me see where I lack in being a friend to others and how important it is to do whatever it takes to keep those solid friends in your life. He gave us this definition and I wanted to share it with you! :)

Friend: A trustworthy peer with whom we mutually choose to lovingly live with and have a unique access and service for God's glory and our mutual good.

The Golden Rule.

So you know those things that you hear ALL your life and you think it means one thing, and then suddenly you realize it actually means something else? Well I had one of those moments today in Sunday School. With the Golden Rule. Everyone knows it: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." I've always kinda thought of that as "if you want someone to give you the first turn, the last bite, and the best seat, you should give THEM the first turn, the last bite, and the best seat." It's always struck me as kinda selfISH, but everyone seemed to tell you to do it like it was a selfLESS thing. But today, I realized the true meaning. If I was in a situation with, ohhh let's say Trey, it's not me saying, what would I wanna get out of this? And then give Trey that. No. It's me putting myself in Trey's shoes and thinking, "What would I, Trey, need in this situation?" And then turning around and helping Trey achieve that.

I hope that makes sense. But it was one of those things that I was just like "ohhhhhh! oh my gosh that's so cool!" I hope that doesn't make me completely like blonde for just realizing that, but I was excited. :)

Eternity is just going to be ridiculous.

"Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

Revelation 21:3-4