Marshmallows and lots of fun...

These are some photos from our intergenerational group playing Chubby Bunny.  In case any of you are wondering what we do at Movie/Game nights... this will give you a clue :)  We don't always play games like this, but we always have fun!!

When the light is green...

A few things really resonated with me during Pastor Joe's sermon on Sunday.  He was talking about plans changing...

When God says STOP, He'll tell you where to go.

This has been a very accurate statement in my life so far.  Whenever I tried to transfer to CBU early, God shut the door.  Not only did He shut the door, he opened new ones (opportunities that I would not have chosen on my own).  One of those opportunities was the music internship at church.  The thought had crossed my mind before, but I refused to let it sink in.  Conduct in front of Gracefull?  Ya, right!  Learn in front of an 85-member choir?  You've got to be kidding me.  Well, obviously, I took it - and even though it was more than challenging at times, it was a great learning experience for me.  Even though I'm still not totally sold on the art of conducting, I probably learned the most from the experience of standing in front of the choir and getting all kinds of critiques.  Who would have thought??  :)

The other thing that jumped out at me while Pastor Joe was talking?

When the light is green - GO.

This statement pretty much speaks for itself.  Seems so simple - yet, easier said than done.  I'm definitely scared about moving down to CBU.  Honestly, I was terrified to accept the internship at church, too.  But two years later, I'm finishing up my internship and am so thankful for all that I have experienced.  And I know I would not have made it through if this weren't where God had intended me to be.  And I know this is the same case with transferring to CBU.  Even though music is the scariest path to me, I know that it is the path God has laid out (for the time being) and that means it's the only path... until He redirects me :)  The light is green... so I'm going!

"And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.  I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.  However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." - Acts 20:22-24

I've been here a thousand times before

Face down on the floor

Wondering how I even reached this place again

But You have shown so endlessly

How Your love pours over me

No picture can re-create the beauty that I see

Show me what it means,

To live my life a sacrifice

If only I would realize

How much it took to pay the price

I know I'd always give

Everything to You

I want this world to always see

Your perfect majesty

Reflecting from my life

This brilliant poetry

Written all over this place

The signs of all creation that You breathed

Words can't even state 

How much You mean to me

I want to face my very crime

Of not giving all of mine

But I can feel the hope

You bring to me

Show me what it means

To live my life a sacrifice

If only I would realize

How much it took to pay the price

I know I'd always give

Everything to You

Funny thing

Today, I went by SLOHS where I attended high school 3 years ago.  It wasn't that long ago, but it feels like so much has shifted since then.  It was interesting... the campus felt smaller somehow, not intimidating.  Not like such a big deal.   

This life changes so quickly

For what feels like the first time in my life, I'm the one packing my bags and saying farewell to the life that I am so accustomed to.  I registered for my fall classes at California Baptist University last week.  It was an interesting day... sitting through countless administrators talk about orientation, living on campus, financial aid, registering for classes, etc.  It all seems like a blur now.  The one part of my day that is quite clear was the moment of panic when an academic counselor told me I probably wouldn't be able to graduate in 2 years - ultimately killing my dream of attending CBU at all.  Then followed an hour of waiting to hear if the music department would waive theory requirements so I could sign up for music history.  I was sitting in the computer lab asking God, "Do you not want me to go to CBU?"  In the end, I got my answer.  Running into the Associate Dean of the Music Department sure helped.  He made a call and got my schedule straightened out... deep breath.  Long day.  Now comes the panic of packing my bags and embarking on the new journey God has set in front of me.  I guess it's not so much panic as excitement and nervousness of leaving people that I love dearly and stepping into a whole new world.  Ultimately, I know that this is where God has called me and I'm looking forward to the future He has planned for me.  

But before the big move comes summer!  I'll be heading to Europe with my sister in a couple weeks (June 29th - July 14th) and then to Mammoth with my family (July 14th - July 19th).  I will hopefully make a couple posts while overseas to keep you all somewhat in the loop.  So check in every once in awhile :)  France, Austria, Italy... here I come!

Spoken for...

Take this world from me

I don't need it anymore

I am finally free

My heart is spoken for

Oh and I praise you

Oh and I worship you

Covered by your love divine

Child of the risen Lord

To hear you say "This one's mine"

My heart is spoken for

Now I have a peace

I've never known before

I find myself complete

My heart is spoken for

Oh and I praise you

Oh and I worship you

Covered by your love divine

Child of the risen Lord

To hear you say "This one's mine"

My heart is spoken for

By the power of the cross

You've taken what was lost

And made it fully yours

And I have been redeemed

By you that spoke to me

Now I am spoken for

Covered by your love divine

Child of the risen Lord

To hear you say "This one's mine"

My heart is spoken for

Take this world from me

Don't need it anymore...