so today...

[or rather three days ago...]

so today i start this new thing called
"not being a teenager anymore."
sure is a strange feeling.
does this mean i need to start acting like an adult?

i heard this song sunday morning
and i really want it to be my anthem
in this new year - and throughout my twenties.
(agh! not used to saying that!)

"i could hold on, i could hold on to who i am
and never let you change me from the inside.
and i could be safe, i could be safe
here in your arms and never leave home,
never let these walls down.
but you have called me higher,
you have called me deeper,
and i'll go where you will lead me, LORD.
where you lead me."
--all sons and daughters

so hello twenties.
i welcome you.

a pioneer in the oceans of life

your grace abounds in deepest waters

your sovereign hand 

will be my guide

where feet may fail and fear surrounds me

you've never failed, and you won't start now

so i will call upon your name

and keep my eyes above the waves

when oceans rise

my soul will rest in your embrace

i am yours

and you are mine

spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

let me walk upon the waters

wherever you may call me

take me deeper than my feet could ever wander 

and my faith will be made stronger

in the presence of my savior

--oceans by hillsong

let your heart not be troubled

i won't run when bullets chase me

i won't rest where arms embrace me

i will love when people hate me

i won't hush, no you can't make me

send the dark but it won't break me

you can try but you can't change me

take my life, they will replace me

i won't hush, no you can't make me

i won't hush, no we will sing

--pioneer by the band perry

~~~

it's been a long time. and i'm still kinda rethinking this whole blogging thing…whether i still wanna do it or not. not that i didn't miss you guys…i did.

twenty-thirteen…

it's brought along some major challenges.

major changes.

pushed me and challenged me in whole new and different ways.

which means me may be kind of a different me than some of you remember.

which is okay, i think.

and which is why an update is coming soon.

but for right now. these songs have become like my anthem.

and my God is so good.

rules

These thoughts and questions started rattling around in my brain a few days ago and I thought, "I should really write this down...or blog about it."  I don't know how well this is going to read or how understandable it will be, being three days old and all.  We'll see...

Do you ever think about what life would be like lived on the edge?  Without the hindrance of rules and schedules?  What does that look like?  I was thinking, would it be so wrong for me to break a few rules every now and then.? To maybe even be a little crazy?

I'm not talking about law-breaking kinda stuff.  Definitely not rules like that.  *chuckle*  But, I think we all set rules for ourselves.  Maybe even without knowing it.  Rules like...

Don't embarrass yourself.

You don't have to stand out.

Make safe choices.

Don't take a risk.

Know what I mean?

What would happen if we broke some of our own rules sometimes?  Lived life outside our comfort zones?  One the edge...so to speak.

While you're here, check out this new-to-me music I discovered on Pandora a couple weeks ago.  (Isn't Pandora amazing, folks!)

I've got something to say.

"You are heaven's Haley's Comet; we have one shot at seeing you shine.  You offer a gift to society that no one else brings.  If you don't bring it, it won't be brought."  --Max Lucado

Senior Banquet

Graduation

 Instead of picking one gown color, we decided to be a rainbow.

It happened.  I graduated.  I am officially a high school graduate and a college freshman.


My weekend was amazing.  If I tried to thank every person individually here and now I know for certain I'd leave somebody out... So, thank you to everyone who attended my graduation; you are the bomb.  Thank you to all the behind the scenes people that made this thing happen; everything was beautiful.  And one big thank you to my parents who put in so much hard work and dedication these last many years to giving me the best education possible.


What an incredible journey I've had up 'til now.  It's been so fun...and gone by so fast.


Am I ready for this growing up thing?  I think so.  God'll be with me.  I can do it.


The song below was kind of my theme song for graduation.  It says that if we're living and breathing, we have something to say.  That if our heart is beating, we have a message to share.  God's love is in us and speaks through us.  That is my hope for the coming years...that the Lord will shine through me.  


  


Philippians 2:13 & 15, "For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to will and to act for His good purpose. ...so that you may be blameless and pure children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars."


{Photo credit goes to my daddy.}

new obsessions

Before I start this post, let me just say...I know I am way late.  Many of you, I'm sure, got hooked on these things a long time ago.  But, bear with me.  Just let me ramble on about how awesome they are if you will. ;)

the hunger games

I first heard about this book a couple years ago.  And, I've gotta admit, I judged before I read.  "Kids killing other kids?!  Say what?"  But, when the movie started getting big, I watched the trailer and thought, "Hmm...I might actually like this."  Like a typical book nerd, I had to read the book before I went to see the movie.  A fellow co-worker let me borrow the first one...and, my entire family can vouch for me, it was like I disappeared for three days.  I was hooked.

Annie and I went to see the movie a couple days later for her birthday.  I think they did a super job.  But, also typical book nerd, I liked the book better.

So, I know the question you're all asking... Peeta or Gale?  Well...despite the fact that I'm sure every girl in the entire world is a Peeta fan, I am too.  I can't help it.  Haha!  What about you?

I have yet to read book two.  I think I may wait awhile.  No need to disappear again, eh.  Plus, I'm like number 30 in the hold list at the library.

~~~

downton abbey

I heard a lot about this show before I ever watched it.  It was circulating at work and I was reading about it on the internet so, I put myself on hold for season 1.  Annie and I set down to watch it one night and, wow, I loved it!  It wasn't really what I expected...it was better.

Favorite character?  Mine is probably different than most of yours.  But that's okay.  I really like Mr. Bates.  He is just such a nice guy.

I have season 2, after much patience, but have yet to start it.  I can't wait to see what happens next!

~~~

Since we're talking about obsessions...I'm going to throw in this music video that I love.  I drive my brother crazy by playing it over and over again in the car.  Great song!

Okay, I want to hear from you.  Any new obsessions?  Do you share any of mine perhaps?

I'm a girl.

{credit}

I originally was going to post something different today.  Something different from what I'm writing right now.  But this is something that has been on my heart for the past few weeks and I felt like being really transparent with you all about it.

Boys.

Yep.  Aren't they just so complicated sometimes?  I'm 17 going on 18 in a few months and I've watched myself really change over this year of being 17.  I'm becoming a young adult (scary!), getting more privileges...growing wings. And for most of us girls, relationships almost come hand-in-hand with becoming an adult.

I've committed to not dating.  I'm a girl who doesn't want to give a piece of myself to a dozen boys before I find Mr. Right.  I'm a girl who wants to be pursued.  I'm a girl who is going to court.  I'm a girl who is pure.  I'm a girl who is going to wait for my wedding day.  That's who I am.

Over the past month or so, it's really hit me that I am growing up.  That I've committed for years to wait until I'm old enough to start a relationship and that I'm nearly 'old enough'.  I'm starting to desire having a guy in my life.

Then I heard this song last Sunday morning at church.

Enough

 You are my supply
My breath of life
And still more awesome than I know

You are my reward

worth living for

And still more awesome than I know

All of You is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need

You satisfy me with Your love

And all I have in You is more than enough

You’re my sacrifice 
Of greatest price 

And still more awesome than I know 

You’re the coming King 

You are everything 

And still more awesome than I know

More than all I want
More than all I need

You are more than enough for me

More than all I know

More than all I can say

You are more than enough for me

He is all I need.  I'll still desire to have a husband one of these days.  But I learned that I don't have to have one, because I am more than content in my Lord.  He is more than enough!

"Heaven Is For Real"

"Heaven Is For Real" is an incredible book about a little boy's journey to heaven and back.  His dad, Todd, tells his story.


The first time I saw this book was on vacation in a Barnes & Noble bookstore.  I picked it up, read the back, and immediately decided I needed to put myself on hold for this book at the library when I got home.  Well I did and I was about 6th or 7th in line for it. 


When it finally came in, I reluctantly gave it up to my mother who requested to read it first.  I was, after all, in the middle of another book at the time.  I ended up finishing my book about a day later and picked up "Heaven Is For Real" to start on my break at work.  Well, let's just say I was mesmerized for about a day and half.  *Shhh!*  Don't tell my mom.... I took breaks during school to read.  *sheepish grin*


I don't want to give too many spoilers, but the Sunday after we sang two songs in church that have a profoundly different meaning to me now: "It Is Well With My Soul" and "You're Beautiful" (Phil Wickham).

"And Lord, haste the day, when my faith shall be sight

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll

The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend

Even so, it is well with my soul"

"I see Your face, You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful

I see Your face, I see Your face..."

This book is a must read in my opinion.  It left me with no doubts, a strong, renewed faith, and a longing for the day I'll someday be in Heaven hanging out with Jesus.  

Has anyone else read this book?  Thoughts?

The Lion King: A Musical

"A musical?  Really?"


^This kinda sounded like me a couple days ago.  I had no idea that "The Lion King" was a Broadway show.  Until I accidentally checked out the soundtrack for the musical (thinking it was the movie's) from the library.  I immediately became interested.

I grew up on this movie.  It is so special to me.  And, plus, I genuinely love it.  So, to google I went. ;)

...and found out that the musical is playing 4 hours from where I live next August-September.  Oh.  My.  Word.  I jumped up!  And then set back down to print it out...  And then jumped up again to show my mom. ;)  And you know what...there's actually a chance I can go and see it with my dad!  Talk about excited!

So, that would be my joy moment for the week. ;)  What about you?  Any big things going on recently?

P.S. None of these photos are mine.  I got them off Google Images.

All Things Bright and Beautiful

Guess what I got the other day?


Owl City's new CD!


Guess what I've been listening to for hours on end the last few days?


Owl City's new CD! *cheesy grin*

Lyric love...

"Met a girl in the parking lot and all I did was say hello. Her pepper spray made it rather hard for me to walk her home." --Deer in the Headlights

"And if I reached for your hand for the rest of my life?  Who knew the other side could be so green." --Honey and the Bee  

(I think this^ is my favorite song on the album.)

"For He is the saving grace of the galaxies.  He is the saving grace of the galaxies." --Galaxies

"I tossed and turned in sterile apathy, until the violets arrived for me. The bouquet burst and blossoms filled the room.  And the police grew smaller as they grew taller, and taught me to bloom." --Hospital Flowers

"Remember to live, 'cause you're gonna be thrilled to death, when the stars collide and your eyes grow wide." --Alligator Sky

"I'd rather waltz than just walk through the forest.  The trees keep the tempo and they sway in time." --Plant Life

Does anybody else have the new CD?  What do you think?  What's your favorite song?

"Always Only You"

This is the cutest song.  If you have a second...er, 2 minutes and 55 seconds take a listen. 



*sigh* <3  See, I told you so. ;)

I'm a Music Lover

Last night I went to the Winter Jam concert with my youth group.  It.  Was.  Amazin'!  Like seriously.


I got to see...

Jason Castro

Chris August

KJ-52

RED

Francesca Battistelli

Kutless

Newsong

Sidewalk Prophets

and......Newsboys!

I wasn't real familiar with everybody, but they were all great!  I was really really excited about seeing Francesca Battistelli and I actually ended up being able to meet her!  Along with the Newsboys!  Ah!  It was a great night!

~~~

I saw this tag going around blogger and thought it looked like a lot of fun.  And since I'm talking about music anyways...why not? ;)


10 of my favorite artists:


1. Matthew West
2. Owl City
3. Francesca Battistelli
4. Tenth Avenue North
5. Britt Nicole
6. Jimmy Needham
7. Josh Wilson
8. JJ Heller
9. Chris Tomlin
10. Sanctus Real


What was the first song you ever heard by 6?
"Forgiven and Loved"


What is your favorite song by 8?
"What Love Really Means" <3


What kind of impact has 1 made on your life?
A good one!  His songs...and the story project he did with is newest album...he's just amazing!  I got to meet him last fall which was totally cool!  Matthew West is one of my favorites. :)


What is your favorite lyric of 5?
"...why don't your rise up now.  Don't be afraid to stand out.  That's how the lost get found."


How many times have you seen 4 live?
Zero... :P lol


What is your favorite song of 7?
"Listen"...oh or "3 Minute Song"! 


Is there any song of 3 that makes you sad?
Hmmm....no not really.


What is your favorite song by 9?
Wow that's a hard one.  Chris Tomlin has SO many great songs.  Probably "Holy is the Lord".  Or "Our God".


How did you first get into 2?
Hm.  Well, I looked up "Fireflies" one day because my friend had mentioned it to me.  And I had also heard a lot about Owl City from different friends and on blogger.  I got my first CD a couple months ago and now they're one of my favorites! :)


How did you first get into 3?
I heard "Free to be Me" on YouTube and went out and bought her CD like the next day.  Hehe ;)


What is your favorite song by 4?
Ooo, hard one.  I love "Satisfy".  And "Oh My Dear".

How many times have you seen 9?
Once.  What an amazing concert that was, too!

What is a good memory concerning 10?
Seeing them in concert and being like super close to the front!  And jumping up down with my friends.  Hehe ;)  Good times.

Is there a song by 8 that makes you sad?
Yeah... "Olivianna".

What is your favorite song of 1's?
Gosh!  Hard question!  I like "More" a lot.  And dancing to "Something to Say" is a lot of fun. lol  I don't think I really have an all time favorite song of his...they're all great.

How did you become a fan of 10?
After I heard "Forgiven".  Lovvee that song!

Who ever wants to do this tag, feel free! :)

I think I'm falling in love...

...with Owl City. *grins*


I got this the other day...

{Not my photo.}

...and was totally happy!  I've been listening to it over and over for hours. ;)



Lyrics that make me smile:

"If you're the bird, whenever we pretend it's summer, then I'm the worm, I know the part it's such a bummer, but fair is fair..." The Bird & The Worm

"...I will disguise myself as a sleeping pill, and descend inside of you." Hello Seattle

"Tell me darling do you wish we'd fall in love? All the time, all the time." Saltwater Room

"Golf and alcohol don't mix and that's why I don't drink and drive, because good grief, I'd knock out my teeth and have to kiss my smile goodbye." Dental Care

"I am not my own, I have been made new, please don't let me go, I desperately need You." Meteor Shower

"'Cause I'd get a thousand hugs from ten thousand lightning bugs as they tried to teach me how to dance..." Fireflies

"If all the roads were paved with ice that wouldn't thaw or crack I could skate from Maine to Nebraska then onto Alaska and back..." The Tip Of The Iceberg

"...'cause the spaces between my fingers are where yours fit perfectly." Vanilla Twilight

"Then I was grace and love, I was blind but now I can see 'cause I found a new hope from above and courage swept over me." Tidal Wave

Oh!  Before I forget...I have an annoucement.  Be on the look-out for my 100th post photo contest!  It'll be up sometime next week most likely. :)

More Tags! *grins*

Hi all!  I was tagged!  3 times! ;)

First of all...I was tagged two more times in the 8 Question Tag, but, if it's all the same to you, because I've already done it one time, I don't think I'll make up new questions these times.

Here we go!  I was tagged by Danielle.  Thank you!

8 Questions Tag

1. Would you rather read or watch a movie?  Ahh!  This is so hard!  It really depends on the book or movie...I think I'll choose book though. :P

2. How would you describe yourself?  Saved by Jesus, blessed, shy, friendly... :)

3. Do you have many best friends or just one?  Many.  I have some of the best friends, ever!

4. If you could choose your own name, what would it be? Hmm...I love the name Rebecca.  My mom said I was almost a Corie, though. :)

5. If you could have any dream job what would it be and why?  I want to be a nurse.

6. What's one material item you couldn't live without?  My laptop. Hehe ;)

7. If you had to choose between doing your hair and doing your make up which would it be? Well...now that my hair is short(er) it is much easier to fix.  But I think make up is more fun to do. ;)  So I think I'll choose make up.

8. What is a trend that you never understood? Bieber Fever....yeah. lol

~~~

I was tagged twice by Bleah Briann.  Thank you, girl! :-)

8 Questions Tag

1. At what age would you want to get married? 20something.  I'd like to be graduated from college, I think.

2. How many times do you eat a day? (snacks included) With snacks included, probably around 4 times....I think. lol

3. If you could go anywhere and spend a month where would it be? Somewhere with my family.  Florida sounds nice. ;)

4. Do you like your middle name? Yes I do.  It's Dawn.  I'm named after my grandma. <3

5. How many pictures do you take a month? Hmm...a lot.  I don't keep count, though. :P

6. How many times do you post on your blog a week?  I post around twice a week.

7. Are you happy with the amount of followers you have? I love my followers!  You all are awesome!  And of course I'm happy.  But the more the merrier. ;)

8. Do you think you could write better questions? Course not, Bleah. ;)

"Satisfy"

Rules:

1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.

2. For each question push the next button to get your answer.

3. You must write that song name down no matter how silly it sounds.

4. Tag 20 Friends.

5. Everyone tagged has to do the same thing.

6. Have fun!

Questions:

1. If someone says "are you okay" you say?
"I'm Not Who I Was" by Brandon Heath

2. What would best describe your personality?
"Lift Us Up To Fall" by Tenth Avenue North

3. How would you describe yourself?
"Way Beyond Myself" by Newsboys (lol)

4. What do you like in a guy/ girl?
"Your Love is Better Than Life" by Fee

5. How do you feel today?
"East to West" by Casting Crowns

6. What is your life's purpose?
"Be Your Everything" by Big Daddy Weave

7. What's your motto?
"Free To Be Me" by Francesca Battistelli :)

8. What do your friends think of you?
"You Wouldn't Cry" by Mandisa

9. What do your parents think of you?
"A Breath or Two" by Jimmy Needham

10. What do you think about very often?
"Born Again" by Newsboys

11. What is 2 + 2?
"Light of Day" by Jimmy Needham (Mmhm...this question is rigged.)

12. What do you think of your best friend?
"Who Am I" by Casting Crowns

13. What do you think of the person you like?
"The Last Ones" by Matthew West

14. What is your life story?
"Only Grace" by Matthew West :D

15. What do you want to be when you grow up?
"Stand Amazed" by 33 Miles

16. What do you think when you see the person you like?
"All Things New" by Sidewalk Prophets

17. What will you do at your wedding?
"Go (I Wanna Send You)" by Newsboys

18. What will they play at your funeral?
"Broken Hallelujah" by Mandisa

19. What is your hobby/ interest?
"Take It All" by Third Day

20. What is your biggest fear?
"Like A Star" by Britt Nicole

21. What is your biggest secret?
"Break Me Down" by Tenth Avenue North

22. What do you want right now?
"The Words I Would Say" by Sidewalk Prophets

23. What do you think of your friends?
"Let God Arise" by Chris Tomlin

24. What is the one thing you regret?
"You Save Me" by Kutless

25. What makes you laugh?
"Rend" by Jimmy Needham

26. What makes you cry?
"If We Are The Body" by Casting Crowns

27. Will you ever get married?
"Your Grace is Enough" by Chris Tomlin

28. What scares you the most?
"Listen" by Josh Wilson

29. Does anyone like you?
"God Is Alive" by Fee

30. If you could go back in time, what would you change?
"Indescribable" by Chris Tomlin

31. What would you want to say to the person who tagged you?
"Only You" by Mandisa (Hehe ;) Only you, Bleah!)

32. What will you name this note?
"Satisfy" by Tenth Avenue North

I Tag:
Danielle
Anna
Zach
Emily
KayCee
Becca
Kriseea
Tessa
Eldarwen
Lauren Nicole
Shannon
Zoe
Emily Grace
Sophie
Emii
Amber
Katie
Polka Dot
Taylor
Annndd...who ever would like to do this. :)

Have fun!

New "Do"...Plus a Special Thanks

I got my hair done today! I really feel like a new person. Haha! ;) I got it cut, permed, and got my brows waxed.


Anyway, wanted to show you my new look. :) What do ya think?

Good-bye hair... I got about 5 inches cut off.

And the finished product...*drum roll*...twa-da! Do you like it? I know I do!

Now...if all you're thinking is "Whoaa...poofy!" some of that will go away. ;) lol

I think this picture is my favorite one. :)

I want to say thank you BIG time to my awesome brother, Zachary, who took these pictures of me. And not only that, but put up with my clothes changing and girly poses. ;) But! It doesn't stop there! Ya know the picture of me laying in the yard? Zach got up in a tree to take that! Yes, you read right...a tree! So, thanks again Zach!

But, as much as I'd like to brag on my brother, I have a few other very special people to thank as well. Today is veteran's day. And I'd like to recognize the amazing men and women who have served and are serving currently for our country (my Daddy included). *applause* Thank you so much!!

This song by Mark Schultz is really great! Please take a few minutes to listen to it. God bless! :)

Miss A Thing

I recently bought a new CD by Jimmy Needham. He's one of my all time favorite artists. He had a song on this album that I thought was very relevant to today and I wanted to share the lyrics with you.

Miss A Thing

Last night I dreamed that I was sneaking up on Babylon. I awoke to find it was the very street I'm on. I close my eyes, but what I see won't go away. Away...

The city closed the shelter down the street. We'd rather pay to save a tree than give our brother something warm to eat. It breaks my heart that we're so incomplete. Oh...

Maybe there's a reason for it, but it's so hard to see. So many broken people, living in this lonely city. When if feels right to give up, I get up and realize Your blood can cover all these stains. You don't ever miss a thing. No, no You don't ever miss a thing.

I catch the news on channel three about once a week. But You see so much more. You see the husband flee the scene. You hear the woman hit the floor, crying out, "Can you still save me Lord?" Ohh...

You see it all, 'cause there is nothing You can't see. You can free us, 'cause there is nothing You can't free. And even when we fall, You come and meet us at our knees. You don't ever miss a thing. No...