ACDA stands for A Choral Directors vacAtion

Going to conventions are always refreshing for me. I learn, I hear, I get ideas-it's great. I just came back from the ACDA Western Division Conference and had a blast!

Melanie was my roommate and we stayed at one of the nastiest hotels I've ever stayed in. The paint was coming off the walls, the tile in the shower was about to fall at any moment, the lady at the front desk had one tooth...well, come on you know that just weirds you out too! But I wasn't going to ask to take her picture! So we get in our room and immediately start laughing at where we were supposed to stay.

There were some great memories made this week, and I gained a lot of advice/wisdom/introspection about this career and my game plan. Don't get me wrong, there were lots of "receptions" and "teacher therapies" too :) If I learned anything this conference it is: This line of work is grueling, hard and emotionally draining, but with supportive friends who believe in you and God's wisdom and guidance, it can be done (and with a little passion and understanding, it can be done well). I'm ready for the future.

Afraid of the frog

For Valentine's Day, Patrick bought me this hilarious frog that dances . You'll see in the video that the frog is wearing a robe and boxers, and dances to the song You're Unbelieveable. The best part though, is the reaction my dogs have when they see this frog. It really freaks them out. Just watch...


We're bad parents I know.

I was not alone

These past two years have been a very trying time for me. No, it's not Patrick-it's my work. I have been challenged in ways I never dreamed of. It's hard to imagine that your dream turns out to be the thing that makes you depressed, anxious, sick, over-ridden with frustration and anger. Since I was in junior high-yes-junior high I knew this is what I wanted to do. But maybe that's the thing...this is what I wanted, and what about God's will for my life?

I've really been wrestling over that thought, "God what do you want for me?" It started out as a mere question and has now become a crying plea. I've agonized, searched (in probably all the wrong places) and all but given up, except that I have grown so much along the way. I've been promised a role reversal and change in destiny (late first semester) and I've even heard a clear sign of "wait." All the while I continue to remind myself that my God is indeed the creator and is in control of this very small situation.

I went to a prayer conference at my church and James McDonald was the keynote speaker for the weekend. Let me rephrase: God was the keynote speaker and James McDonald was the merely the voice. I learned countless things but one thing that I keep hearing like a voice in my head is, "Cry out to the LORD! No, not in a whisper. Not in a way that proves you can pray intelligently in front of your friends. Cry out to the LORD!" As James said it so well, "Lord forgive us for our tiny little whispery prayers where we're distracted with a million things and can't stop long enough to hear what you have to say." In that very moment I realized I never cried out to God. Not until tonight.

Tonight the weight of the world was on me and I couldn't stand up on my own two feet. I sat on my couch and cried out to my God. I cried out loud to the LORD. Never have I felt so broken, so humble, so close to my Savior. Never. There's something about being at the very bottom that makes you realize you can't start crawling out with your own two feet. Beautiful Jesus was right there in my hurt, in my pain, in my desperation, in my utter brokenness to reach his hand in and say, "Daughter, I am right here, and I love you." I am dearly loved by Jesus, and he cares enough about me to walk beside me through it all.

Don't try to do things on your own. Cry out to the LORD. He will meet you, and he'll pick you up off the floor, and into his precious loving arms. Try it, you won't regret it.

2 years down, and a lifetime of love to go

Patrick and I celebrated our anniversary in Colorado this year. We went skiing, hung out in Downtown Denver and had so much fun!






This journey of marriage has been so much fun. Don't get me wrong, it takes work, selflessness and sacrifice, but wow it's worth it. Here's to a blessing of a lifelong partnership with the man I love most.

The last of the weddings?? Nope, there are more in sight.

We went to Adam and Christina's wedding last night and had a good time. It was a little bit of a nostalgic moment to walk into the same place that we were married-the Regency Garden. Attached are some pictures we took. We pray that Christina and Adam have a blessed and wonderful marriage.







And almost two years for us! They have been the best two years of my life :)


Their vows...

Dogs shed too much

This is what happens when I only sweep once a week.

Yes, that is dog hair.

Destiny

The Lord has done a mighty work in me, and is continuing to do so. Recently I've struggled with my job, my calling, my destiny. To the point that I cry out, "Lord! What do I do?!" Every person has a God-given destiny, and I'm on the road of my own.

This process has been a time of growth, a time of trial. There are days that I rejoice in only one fact, "My Lord is good," and other days I struggle even getting out of bed and facing the day. But through it all God is working in me. He is working in me.

I started a Bible study by Beth Moore at my church at the beginning of the semester with the main goal of making friends. How much more God has given me! You see I went in with the plans to connect with some people, and God sent me out with new life! He sent me out with new perspective, and a deeper desire to commune with the very being that loves me and knows my every heart's desire. I walked out with a deeper passion to do God's will in my life. Such a simple statement but packed with a punch. To do God's will in MY life.

I highly recommend studies by Beth Moore. She's an incredible lady and dives into the deepest parts of the Bible, the biblical truths that we all need to hear. This particular study was on the book of Esther. Do you know that there is no word mention of God in Esther? Yet his name is written ALL OVER IT! Esther was a woman, a human, who took the courage God offered her-she took it! and fulfilled her destiny.

"And who knows (italics added by me) whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" God knows. God KNOWS! And in my own life God knows that I have come to this place for such a time as this.

Through this study I've have learned so much about the desires of my heart. I've learned about God's way of destiny-Lord why am I here? And Fear-even the fear of death. But death is not our destination, it's merely a part of our destiny. And if God be glorified in death-WHICH HE ALREADY CONCURRED!-then I will be courageous.

"The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever." ~Ps. 138:8

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me. And I don't know about you, but God is the one person I can trust in for doing what he says!

"May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion!...May he grant your (CHECK THIS!) heart's desire and fulfill all your plans! (italics added by me)" Ps. 20:1-4

God could not have put this in a more perfect order: First he will answer in the day of trouble, then he will protect, AND support! And last he will grant your HEART'S DESIRE. Wow. When I go through a trial, a time of growth I need to hear these words. That my Lord will hear me, protect me, support me, and fulfill what I desire so deeply.

I desire to fulfill my God-given destiny. I don't know entirely what that entails yet-I'm still walking the road. But Praise the LORD I know God is with me. And he loves me. Thank you Lord. Thank you.