Friend's of whom?

Last night at Refuge one question really stuck with me. First of all the original question was, how much of your thinking was influenced by the world before you accepted Jesus as your Savior? Obviously the answer is 100%. The next question was a challenge and wake up call.....How much of your thinking now is influenced by the world? As I sat and thought about the music, movies, internet, fashion, and books that I participate in, I realized probably atleast 50%-65% of my thinking is still influenced by the world. That leaves less than half of me I offer for God to fill.

How often do you really challenge ourselves and our christian family about music or movies we watch, and listen to? Am I honestly set apart from the world, or do I look just like it except I go to church on Sunday?

I really don't want that. I don't down deep. How will I change that? God is worth everything.

James 4:4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

Here is to you.

I keep wondering if we ever affected you, or if you think about us. It's hard to tell, you are a boy and sometimes boys pretend things to seem more manly. I guess I could drive to Vernal and probably find you working for the police department, but you might not want to see me, so I'll hide behind a bush just to see what your life is like now. Sometimes that's how friendships end up.

Jesus and bodies of water are the two things that really keep me feeling alive. The moment your chest gets tight from the cold pushing its way into your heart and all around you the trees tower so that is all you can see. Sitting in the dark with the people you love, praying to God, so thankful He's filled our lives with purpose and hope. Those things are what makes me keep going and living life to the fullest, especially in those moments.

I keep thinking of the little blissful moments of next week, on the beach. I can't wait to leave on Saturday mornin' coffee in hand, drivin into empty Nevada with my love, listening to the National serenading us on the 80. Waking up to the ocean just footsteps away, being able to worship my Savior looking at one of the most beautiful scenes on the earth. Staying up late, and waking up early occasionally (if we want) and napping in between. Just exploring, relaxing, and catching up with family. I hope it's a retreat to the mind and body.

I cut off all my hair, well nearly all. It feels so good, when I glance at myself in the mirror I see a boy, but at least it's a cute boy who wears mascara. I really am happy about it though. Sometimes I don't even want to look like a girl very much. Especially in the summer.

Its crazy summer is over in a monthish, I'm really not ready, so here's to making the most of this month.

Cupcake Lights

So these are SO cute. I definitely am going to make them for the backyard, cute, easy and cheap!

http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2010/07/make-cupcake-garden-lights/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dollarstorecrafts%2FVSZK+%28Dollar+Store+Crafts%29

until next time weekend.

Full and wonderful weekend.

-swimming all day, but no sun burn.
-sleeping in way too late
-laying on the living room floor enjoying good friend's company.
-homemade pizza
-communion on a mountain
-city lights
-convicting message
-chocolate and peanut butter
-late night walks
-getting to know you
-youtube
-smores on a grill
-village inn
-$1 drafts
-learning to love
-learning to sew
http://frecklednest.blogspot.com/2010/07/home-ec-full-details-registration.html

Blue Blazin

The whole day was filled with the National. Literally every album. I think I needed it to work through my day.

Tonight was frisbee, but poor Lucy tore the pads on one of her paws, so she couldn't take part in the fun. I decided to stay home with her. I feel like I never get time with her because I'm either at work or church basically. It was nice to slow down and enjoy an evening with my pup.

My tummy is killing me. Hopefully that'll go away soon. Donuts in the morning.

my forest, on my street.

It gets so quiet. I start thinking more than usual, it sobers me.
Green trees tangled in my hair, green water, sitting so still. We casually chat about the scenes on your arms. The breeze stirs us up, it makes us more alive and less alert. I do love you, with my whole heart. We walk into our get away. A place you can feel safe and see the beauty. We bike through the forest, the forest I've made it out to be in my mind. I wish I lived in the fields. I wish I wore white and blue dresses everyday and walked through fields until it was too hot and I got a sunburn. So then I would jump in the green water and probably get quite dirty, but it wouldn't matter for awhile.
How easily I forget the pain of others. I regret that.
And that's why I cried that night, it hurt, because I knew they hurt.

Our stage in front of church

Us getting ready to play on the Tabernacle Stage

Yummy chips!

Our booth!

Avoice playing on Saturday night!

Freedom Fest

Man oh man, last weekend was pretty epic. I was so honored to be apart of all the Freedom Festival activities that were honestly all meant to just get the name of Jesus Christ out there in this city. We had concerts at the church, which went very well! 3 people actually accepted Christ, super encouraging. Then the booth had 1000s of people flood by it, which even if they didn't stop, they saw our sign and got one of our balloons for their kids. Now they can associate a smiling face with the Rock Church.
There was a couple other christian churches with booths in the festival as well, which I was stoked about. We did learn one of the families heading down to man their, 'Utah for Jesus booth' got in a car accident and a woman actually died. She had kids and a husband, and it broke my heart to hear that. Please be praying for that family. It really shows what a battle we are in, its not with flesh and blood, but with the powers for darkness. We can stand firm that Christ gives us victory over the darkness though, which is such a comfort. In this time of mourning please lift that family up to Jesus, I can't even imagine the pain.
Playing at the Tabernacle stage was another glory to God. We spent some time in prayer before we headed over there and just asked God to honor Himself there. What ended up happening is the parade went longer then anticipated, and we were supposed to be playing after the parade. The stage coordinator, a sweet lady name Delynn asked us to start playing even though the parade was still going. So we started the set out with our church family there to worship and support, and it was LOUD. It really carried over the speakers, and of course I didn't think much of it because I figured they expected that. Well, a lady came running over screaming at us to stop and turn it down. You could tell she was seriously upset. She then preceded to fight with Delynn and my dad about having us stop playing because she can't hear the parade and that's why she even came that morning. Well, after 2 more songs we did stop, I was getting really thrown off because I could just see her angry face and really, I just wanted to stop to appease her. We waited for about a half hour and the parade finally did finish. Delynn asked us to play 2 more songs, we couldn't finish our set because they needed to stay on schedule. The minute the parade ended people flooded into the tent, just because it was the next event. We played Holy Savior and Amazing Grace and it was an unbelievable feeling. God was being worshiped right in the middle of downtown Provo with hundreds of people listening. Plus the whole first 3 rows were was our family openly worshipping and singing, it was unreal. In that moment all glory was to Christ. I was honestly a little freaked. I was like, someone's gonna run up here and say, you can't do that, you can't worship Christ here. But no one did. I just closed my eyes and sang and it felt incredible. I can't truly explain it, all I know is you should be there next year, its proclaiming Christ in such an awesome way. People just watched and listened and I wondered what God was working in their hearts in that moment. I am so blessed and honored to have been a part of that. God is good.
Hopefully I'll get some pictures up today. I have the afternoon off, and I'm seriously looking forward to relaxing.

Freedom Fest

This weekend is Freedom Festival in Provo. Its a HUGE event, tons of people come from all over to buy homemade crafts, eat yummy food, look at art, dare to ride rides and listen to music. We're so blessed to have our church building just one block from all the partying. We'll be holding concerts in our parking lot Friday and Saturday night. We also have a booth in the festival where we give away water bottles and balloons. Its such an exciting, packed weekend! It'll be a blast. Then on Monday morning there is a giant parade that a quarter of a million people attend, and our band has the opportunity to play right after the parade on the tabernacle stage, which is in the middle of everything! Needless to say I'm a bit nervous, but ultimately God gets all the glory. We just want to make His name famous, so no need for nerves, though they'll probably stay with me until its over!! So if you don't have plans this weekend come rock the Freedom Fest with us, there will always be plenty to do! Hopefully I'll have some pictures to share after it's all over. Have a great weekend!