Thursday, April 24, 2008

indecisive much?

I just realized how incredibly indecisive I sound in my profile. I mean, I often have trouble making very important decisions (like about my life) but when it gets down to the wire, I always end up making a decision. I have never not decided! Anywho, it's just about "favorites," which is a ridiculous concept, if you ask me. I mean, really! A favorite movie? There are so many different kinds of movies and I appreciate each of them for different reasons. The same goes for books. I have read and want to read so many books of so many genres...it's impossible. Whatever. I'll be indecisive, then.

Friday, April 11, 2008

baby willitts' birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Mary Rachel and Zion David Willitts, daughter and son of Joel and Karla Willitts. One year ago these little fighters were born two months premature, and today we celebrate their life and their spirit. GOD IS GOOD!

So...

Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Every day of the year
May you find Jesus near.
A happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
The best that you've ever had!
(courtesy of Mamaw Robins)

Peace

hermitage: exhibit A

Yeah, you can tell I've begun the end-of-semester hermitage--the last post was last Sunday. This week has been so exhausting and I know I only would have made it with God's help. Pray for me that I would not be anxious and that I would trust Him with EVERYTHING. Amen.

Peace

Sunday, April 6, 2008

an exiting bit of news

Yesterday was the last choir concert of the year, and as much as I wish I felt otherwise, I was mostly relieved. We are finished with rehearsal, meaning that for the next four weeks I will have an extra four to six hours per week to work on all of my projects! Despite my lack of inspiration, the evening turned out well and I rounded it off nicely by watching "Snatch" with a couple of friends and reading At the Corner of East and Now by Frederica Mathewes-Green until 1:30am. I really need to stop reading late...

Anyway, back to the exciting bit of news. After the concert I approached Rollo to let him know about an appointment I had already made for next Wednesday during the rehearsal he had schedule last-minute. He said, "Oh, yes, that's all right. It's just a choral exchange thing anyway, and we're not really supposed to be having rehearsal." So I thanked him and prepared to leave and he said, "Actually, I'm glad I got a chance to talk to you. I've been putting together the program for next year..."
"Yes," I said knowlingly--Rollo's been sharing his ideas for next year with me since last semester.
"...And I really would like for you to be the alto section leader for me." Giant Rollo smile.
"Oh my goodness, of course! I mean, yeah, sounds good."
It was fantastic. I thanked him profusely and he told me that he had prayed over his decisions for a long time and it became apparent to him that he "needed my leadership" because he's making a lot of changes to the choir and he want's me to help him "galvanize them." Cool, eh? And here's the kicker--he thanked me for "all that [I] do for the choir." I really don't know what he's talking about. All I "do" is tell him how we could be better and how he should really push us more and how it's sad that so many people are consistently late. So, basically, I just whine...positively...-ish.

Well, the bottom line is, I'm going to lead the alto section of University Choir next year and I'm SO EXCITED! Thank you for celebrating with me.

Peace

Thursday, April 3, 2008

new leaf

Haha--I've been saying that all day and I've only just realized how appropriate it is that I should declare my new leaf on one of the first true days of spring.

For those of you unfamiliar with this phrase, and there are many from what I observed today, "turning over a new leaf" means that one has decided to do something differently in their life. To turn over a new leaf is to move from something that is not working to something that is. It's rather significant and should have a more dignified cliche attached, but I suppose there are worse cliches...

Anyway, the new leaf is this: From this day forward, with God's help, I shall be open with those whom I consider to be friends and not bury my negative emotions until they overwhelm me. I commit to being at all times as genuine as I can be, and to work to improve my capacity for intimate friendships. Please pray for me and hold me accountable--I'll need all of the help I can get!

Thanks y'all.

Peace

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

my long-avoided hermitage

Yes indeed, folks. The time is fast approaching when I shall be forced into hermitage with my pile of papers and other preparations. Just be warned that soon I will no longer be part of normal society and that my social calendar will suddenly be inaccessible. Have a great end of your semester!!

Peace

california part five

Whew! After that long day at church the whole choir slept really well!! This part of my experience includes my second-favorite event on tour...

Again to the bus. We all crawled on and sat for approximately two hours as we drove to Santa Cruz. They gave us about an hour in a really tourist-y-looking part of the town, but despite it's cheese that was my first experience with the Pacific ocean in all of its salty glory! It was so cold in the ocean that day that when I stepped into the water I couldn't feel my feet. The numbness was almost that fast.

Aaaannndd back to the bus. We drove the remaining hour or so to Mission Springs Covenant Camp. As we exited the bus after pulling into the camp, I was overwhelmed by the scent of the place--it smelled of camp! It's difficult to describe (other than the overpowering scent of redwood) but it brought back memories instantly of my eight years of Girl Scout camp. Camp Pokanoka...wow. It's amazing how our memories work, that even the tiniest thing can trigger a whole catalogue of experiences! I felt right at home there in the woods of California.

We sang a concert that night and had dinner in the cafeteria with the "over sixty" retreat participants and their leaders. I was planning on going to bed since we finished with the concert around ten, but I was a little sad that I wouldn't be able to truly enjoy the camp atmosphere. Then Stephen knocked on our door and said, "Hey y'all, we're goin' up to Eagle's Landin' if you're interested." So, Bethany, Johanna, Kate, and I all got back into our day clothes and sturdier shoes and prepared for a hike. It was a very short hike (1.5 miles) but it was still exciting. And it was dark most of the time unless you happened to be holding a flashlight.

A small group of us reached the 3/4 point at which there were a variety of obstacle-course activites. There was also an ampitheater, and it was here that a few of us sang songs that we all knew, just for fun. When the rest of the group caught up with us, we finished the hike to the Landing.

Given that it was about midnight at this point, the view wasn't really all that spectacular looking down, but looking up...that was somethin' else. I mean, I've been to camp and seen stars, but I have only seen stars to rival those on that landing in California when I was in Colorado with Melissa last summer. It was beautiful! Unfortunately, the four of us did not stay long since the rest of the group was being loud (and somewhat tipsy...) and it was late. However, we did decide to get up early the next morning to see the sunrise.

....


...and we DID. This is my second-favorite moment of the trip! Johanna and Bethany and I woke up at 6:30 the next morning and hiked back up to Eagle's Landing and saw the sunrise. We sat there for awhile, reading Bibles and journaling. We read the Office of Dawn together (Divine Hours), and then I needed to leave. It was definitely the most beautiful moment of the trip, and I am so glad that I was able to truly experience the nature of California and to get some hiking in. Yay!

That's enough for now...

Peace

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

suddenly...McBRIDE

I just heard the most fantastic song...by Michael McBride! It's called "Suddenly," it's fabulous, and you can check it out here. LISTEN. ENJOY.

More news on this later. I have to go to sleep!

Peace