Do Hard Things

Hello everyone.
I have a question.
Will you please pray for me? Pray that I will hear exactly what God is trying to tell me. I feel it is something important but I'm afraid I might over look it or avoid it. I want to be different, set apart from the world, do something great for God's Kingdom, yet I feel like I'm not trying hard enough to accomplish this goal.

God has been teaching me that to do the right thing is what He expects of His followers, yet we are to go beyond the expected. We must be more then normal, we must do hard things, things that no one else wants to do. If you feel (like me) that you want to have a better idea of what this lifestyle of doing hard things looks like check out therebelution.com. It is a website/blog made by two young men (twin brothers Alex and Bret Harris, younger brothers to author Joshua Harris) who have seen the low expectations of this generation and refuse to meet them. This blog is what got me thinking; I want God to use me.
To use the slogan coined by Bret and Alex, I want to "Do Hard Things".
Please pray for my strength. I love you all.

Proverbs 4:25-27

"Let your eyes look straight ahead,
fix your gaze directly before you.
Make level paths for your feet
and take only ways that are firm.
Do not swerve to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.

Summer Arts Institute

God gave me an awesome two weeks at the Summer Arts Institute at Shorter College! I made great friends, I learned many new things and was able to experience so many different kinds of music! Everywhere you turned there was music in some shape or form whether it was blue grass, classical, opera, musical theater or jazz. My teacher was incredible and the staff was wonderful. God's hand was with me through the entire two weeks and He never let me stumble. I am tired now but it was worth it! Here are some pictures (I couldn't keep it down to a few!)

Me and Joanna right before the bluegrass concert. She is the sweetest Christian girl. And so talented, her piano skills are amazing!

Accompanying class!!

My Putt-Putt team: Emily S., Me, Bethany and Emily M.

Bethany and Dr. Nedvin after Putt-Putt

Bethany and I before a game of "Hunter"

My roommate Maria at bowling night

Eliza! The crazy counselor :)

Yoga class. (Surprisingly enjoyable)

Final performance!

Group photo!
My jaw was cramping by the time everyone got their picture!

Bethany and I.
God truly blessed me with her friendship. Because we share the same beliefs and morals it was very encouraging to have her there.

Dr. Nedvin and I.
Doesn't he just look crazy? He even tie dyed the shirt himself :) He really is a nice guy though and orchestrated the camp very well.

Tex, Cara and I.
Tex will be attending Shorter in the fall so hopefully we can stay in touch. Both he and Cara are awesome pianists.

My roommate Maria.
She came all the way from Puerto Rico to attend the camp!

My awesome teacher. What a wonderful, Godly woman she is.
I don't think I will ever find another teacher as talented as she is.

I will cherish my memories of this summer. Thank you Jesus for providing everything I needed so that I could attend camp and make awesome friends.

Psalm 20:4
May he grant you according to
your heart's desire,
And fulfill all your purpose.

Sunshine

Your smiling aren't you? :)

Catching Up

I know, I'm a horrible blogger! So many things have happened in May. Maybe that's why I haven't had time to post :)

Here are some pictures of the awesome times God has blessed me with during May.


A great trip to the Aquarium with new and old friends

Both are so photogenic don't you think?

A new friend who brought laughter (and new drawing skills) into our home

A beautiful (but nerve wracking) spring recital

Went to (seemingly countless) ball games....
but enjoyed them all (especially Will's first home run!)
Such a wonderful start to the summer! Thank you God for such a blessed month.
Thanks for reading.
Hope:)
(See Aunt Jenny, I did it!)

A Psalm of gratefulness

Psalm 30:11-12

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

I have just spent an entire afternoon shopping 'till I dropped with our student minister's wife (I found a skirt at Gap for $6!). I had a blast :) Yet I can't help but remember how exhausted I would become not too long ago when I tried shopping for over an hour. The Lord has returned to me my strength and I am so very thankful. I pray that I may "give thanks to You forever" as David promised the Lord. My strength has returned, praise be to God!

Jesus, the answer to the question

I was looking through pictures recently and I couldn't help but think of the countless things that God has blessed me with. The blessings are almost always unexpected and are in the Lord's perfect time. Yet even in the midst of these gifts I catch myself thinking of the future and how impossible some of my dreams seem. I seem to think that after so many blessings God cuts off the spout. My rations are spent and the Lord has nothing left to give me. How the Lord must laugh at what I think of His resources. When these doubts creep in I must ask myself a few questions:

Who has blessed me with four sweet piano students?

Who has put family in my life that make me laugh till' I cry?

Who has given me irreplaceable memories with my awesome sisters and wonderful mama?

Who gave me two brothers that tell me they love me every night?

Jesus. That is the answer to all of these questions. That one word can calm every fear, erase every doubt and dry every frustrated tear. That same Jesus can take my seemingly impossible dreams and make them a reality. The familiar words of this song come to mind and I hope it will encourage those who find themselves thinking God has cut off their blessings spout.

Why should I feel discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart feel lonely?
And long for heaven and home
When Jesus is my portion
My constant Friend is He
His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me

No Place Like Home

After a day of errands and music lessons it feels wonderful to be home again! A day in town makes me appreciate the hard work Mama has put into making our home a perfect haven, a sweet place of refuge from the busyness of life.

My favorite occupation. Thanks for the book Princess!

Little Man, isn't he a sweet napper?

Buddy, he even sleeps in his cap :)

Thank you Mama for making our home a welcome respite from the troubles that tend to overwhelm us. Thanks for reading!
Hope:)