Music & God

I was talking with one of my friends today and we were discussing the different forms of entertainment. She mentioned that she loves all three: Music, Reading and Books and can actually be doing two or more at a time. i.e. reading and listening to music. I was telling her that I love all three more now than I used to, but over all, the one I love the most is...

Music.

Along with God, music is the only other thing that can fill my soul like it does. It runs in and through me, like a heart beat. Dancing through my veins and bringing me to life. I find music to fit my mood, or I let music change my mood. I can quickly be uplifted and rise above all my problems the second a melodic tune comes on. It really can change me, in a second. I love that about music. Thats why I listen to music mostly about God.

I learned somewhere, that the spiritual component and musical component (or places in the brain they have detected activity when involved in these activities) are next to each other. I.e. They are connected.

With my knowledge of God and how He so intrically created us, I know this wasn't a mistake. That's why there is something about WORSHIP. Its music that brings your soul closer to God. There is a quote I heard once that said...

It is in the process of being worshiped that God communicates His presence to men.

Dwell on that.

God communicates His presence to us through music. I know I feel that. Do you?

Its Been A While!

First of all, I just went to title this blog and realized the usage of "a while" or "awhile" has always left me perplexed! I turned to Google, only to come to the conclusion that: the english language is weird! Haha! If anyone is curious though, I believe I used it correctly in my title as a "Noun Phrase" of a-while because the use of "awhile" is an adverb meaning "for a short time." Interesting!

Okay, well now that's settled! On to some updates! I would love to write on here that life has been amazing... that I got a NEW JOB that PAYS way more! Or, I signed up for SCHOOL and am stoked on pursuing the perfect career! Or that I lost 20 lbs by straight diet, exercise and self-conrol! Hmm... Not really.

Life has been quite challenging lately. Overall I'm doing well, but it did take a perspective change to help me understand some of the things God has in my life right now to shape me and mold me. Its been a mixed bag, really. Some heavy stuff, some really fun stuff and then some just Blah stuff. First off, my Grandma is dying of lung cancer. Its really one of those things that you're never prepared for and the crazy reality of death is breath-taking. I have experienced death before with my grandparents on the other side but I think because this is my Mom's mom and the grandma I've always been closer to, its much harder. Really though, the bond we have had in Jesus has been the strength that has helped me through. I flew home 2 weekends ago to visit her and spend my last moments with her. I painted her nails, rubbed lotion on her legs, read her some scripture and cried with her. After lots of tears and even as I write this, I can only be thankful for the precious time we got to spend together, one last time. I will replay the words she said to me over and over in my heart forever. Until we meet again. She is a beautiful, strong and compassionate woman of God and her influence on my life has been profoundly spiritual. I know she will be in God's presence soon and for that, I am actually kind of jealous.
I truly love her and will miss her dearly.



God is very good though because as one life is ending, another is beginning! We celebrated my best friends baby's near arrival last weekend and after all the emails and planning... the shower turned out fantastic! I have absolutely loved watching this new life being formed in my friends womb...its a nice way to live vicariously through her until the time is right for me to have my own. After all I've seen and learned though, I think I can wait. ;)





This weekend has been relaxing, perusing the Street Fair on Adams, playing with friend's puppies, planning Halloween Extravaganzas, bachlorette boudoirs, etc. At this party, it actually came up that I hadn't blogged in FOREVER, so this one's for you, Cyna! Glad someone reads it. ;)

(Emo's new puppy, Baxter! Oh, for life to be this simple)

Tomorrow the agenda is:
Church (with Aloha!)
Call the parents and check in
Watch the Chargers Game
Relax
Practice Guitar

Sounds fabulous to me. Even when life brings me to my knees, I'm very thankful for the blessings that lift me up again.

Even if they are small.

[Your prayers for my Grandma and family are coveted. <3 ]

If I could do this the rest of my life, I would.

...He is worthy.

Happyness

Seeing my first raise at work on my paycheck. Discovering new yummy low carb/sugar food like Cookies and Cream thinkThin Bars at TJ's. Jesus Culture's album Your Love Never Fails. Running after a long, tiring day at work. Getting some time alone to just worship, nothing else. The movie Pursuit of Happyness. Looking forward to work everyday.

:)

Weekend of All Weekends

When your weekend consists of these things, you know it was good. :)

1. Amazing Friends
2. Amazing Iced Coffee
3. Beach/Tan (We'll leave the burn part out ;)
4. Healthy Pizza
5. Dinner on the porch
6. The Proposal
7. Church with an Amazing God


I'M BLESSED!!!

Cheddar Bunnies

Too many of those dang little things snuck into my mouth today! I think I had one carb too many today (Exactly, actually. I have 6 servings of carbs each day and today I had 7. Dang) Therefore I will remedy this tomorrow! No more reaching into the Annie's Cheddar Bunnie box without counting. :) Tedious? Yes. Necessary. Yes again. Hey, at least I get like 50 of those bunnies instead of something lame like 16.

Well to update folks on my sugarless "lifestyle" ADJUSTMENT* things are getting a little harder as I approach the end of Week 2. Not harder as in, Oops! I just bought a milkshake and downed 6 cookies! but just like "Mmm, that looks good. I want one. Oh yeah, I am not eating sweets. Hmmm, when will I have sweets again? Not anytime soon? Oh yeah, is that what I said? I almost forgot what cookies taste like!" The inner dialog begins but the Spirit and Determination override her. She will be beat down. Relentlessly.

On the up-side, its fun to look in the mirror when you can expect some positive changes. Then you know you've taken it too far when you are stepping on the scale morning and night and maybe at some point in between! Oops! Yes, I weigh a few more lbs in the evening. Yay! I weigh a few less the next morning! Who cares! GEeez Louise. I will be stoked when I buy some smaller clothes. Until then... The journey continues!

God Speed!

*I put this in CAPS as its a BIG adjustment, but only an adjustment none the less.

POUR SOME SUGAR ON ME!

Well, actually please dont! Because that would be really hard not to get some in my mouth and then I would have to count that as at LEAST 1 sugar gram of my 15. That would sort of be a waste and really not an enjoyable experience...Not to mention the sugar in your hair and stuck to your face...in your ears. But anyways, that song has some good memories attached to it. Hopefully someone who is reading this remembers...AND it was a good segway into this blog post. :)

... I have joined the sugar-LESS world! I know some others can't have sugar due to surgeries or illnesses, etc but my situation is a little different. I like to describe it as similar to one of an alcoholic. Although I am not an alcoholic (PTL), I thiiink I was a sugar-aholic! Seriously! I did sort of a test on myself and yeah, well, I failed! I gave it up for about a week and realized I didn't even give up all sugars...just the obvious stuff like brownies, cake, cookies (Mmm) But really, that is not a food group. Brownies are not supposed to be a daily after-lunch treat. Dang! :) But really? Did you know a glass of 2% milk has 14 grams of sugar? Or somethin craZy like that?? Yes, I did NOT know this...but when I found out, I realized... WOW. I really am addicted to sugar. Needless to say, Not good. [Note: I am not advising everyone to be on such a sugarless program like this...but for me, I feel it necessary]

To remedy this along with other healthy desires to get in shape, I started a sugarless, low carb diet! I made it through 1 whole week aleady! Yippee! I know, I sound excited. How could you be? Well, I am. I will be. Its a mental game, really. Not a diet, but a lifestyle change. And one I plan to stick with for as long as necessary, maybe adjusting later in the game to slowly add some things back. But I often come back to the question, Does the alcoholic have just one sip every once in awhile? Or the whole bottle. Hmmm... good things to ponder.

One week down and many to go, but I am motivated and feeling great! Yes I say no to many things in life now food wise, but I get to say YES to many MORE things and thats the way I choose to look at it! :)

Nobody gonna hold me down... Oh no... I got to keep on movin'!

PS Emily, yay for the sugar-free recipes...send more my way!

My New Lover,