new music.

First allow me to point out that this is my second post today. As far as May is concerned, I'm 3/2. I don't at all expect to continue posting at this rate, but so far I'm doing better than last month.

Today I had a not so great day. For reasons that I'll not go into now (they deserve their own post... and when I sort things out I'm sure I'll fill you guys in) I was just a little melancholy all day. Nothing was really helping to cheer me up. THEN, I remembered that I had a 15 dollar balance on my apple account. You know what that means... NEW MUSIC. I've been so busy with school stuff, moving, and various other life changes that I've not been keeping up with who was releasing music. As such, when I discovered that one of my favorite bands, Augustana released an EP last week, my day got exceedingly better!

I first heard of Augustana when their song Boston was on the radio. They sort of disappeared from my radar though, until they played on the Rock Boat in 2009. I saw 3 or 4 or their sets and they were fantastic every time. Then last summer I saw them from the front row of the Uptown Amphitheater when they preformed with the Counting Crows. That was one of the best shows I've ever seen.

So. Why am I writing all this? Because despite already having a soft spot for Augustana, I was blown away by how good this record is! I read a review that said "Imagine Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty had a child, then Bob Dylan adopted said child during its formative years. The music eventually produced by this kid?That sound that makes you feel so good, so wistful, so happy? That’s Augustana’s latest self-titled album." I completely agree.

The lyrics on every track are killer. Dan Layus has the PERFECT voice for folk rock, and there is just something about the simple feel of the record as a whole that seems to say timeless. I can TOTALLY see myself still diggin' this record in a few years.

I tell you all this as a public service... go get this record now... that way when MTV picks it up and everyone is playing it this summer you can say you've been listening to it since the beginning of May. Or, when one of your friends gets dumped (that sort of thing is inevitable, right?) you can provide this gem of an album. It'll help, and you'll be the hero.




I've listened to all the tracks a few time, and as of right now I'll leave you with the lyrics that are currently my favorite:


"Counting Stars"

Everything has a reason
Everything has a start
Anything that ever burned
Had a spark
Anything I ever wanted
Anyone I ever needed
Always seemed to leave me standing in the dark

Suddenly I'm caught in your light
Opened the door, and you stepped inside
And I'm watching the hours
Looking for reasons
Find that I'm missing every beat of your heart
'Til you're back in my arms,
I'll be waiting up, counting the stars
Counting the stars

Nothing could ever touch us
Nothing gonna shake my faith
Nothing in this big, bad world will ever take you away
Like a rolling hurricane
Nothing's standing in our way
Full of life, full of grace, in a perfect place

Suddenly I'm caught in your light
Opened the door, and you stepped inside
And I'm watching the hours
Looking for reasons
Find that I'm missing every beat of your heart
'Til you're back in my arms,
I'll be waiting up, counting the stars
Ooh, counting the stars, ooh

Like a rolling hurricane
Nothing's standing in our way
Full of life, full of grace, in a perfect place

Suddenly I'm caught in your light
Opened the door, and you stepped inside
And I'm watching the hours
Looking for reasons
Find that I'm missing every beat of your heart
'Til you're back in my arms,
I'll be waiting up, counting the stars

Counting the stars
Counting the stars
I'll be waiting 'til you're back in my arms
And I'll be waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting up
Counting the stars

single.

I read this today and I thought it was something all my single girl friends could relate to.

"My Every Day Single Girl Prayer"
by Evelyn Worthington

Lord you know my heart, you know every part of me,
Help me to live this life, please fulfill this need.
I have this longing Lord, and you know what I mean,
I'm just praying you'll fill it up, so I can be freed.
Lord, I want your timing, but lately I'm lonely for only you know who.
That longing, that desire, that missing someone, who knows? only you!
So Lord, I pray he's out there, help me be patient and strong,
Help me to not struggle with this, and help me not to long,
Teach him what he needs to know, help me, Lord, depend on thee.
Help me not to be conceited, and not to depend on me.
Help me to be wise and lead me in your ways.
Help me to trust in only you and follow you all my days.
Some days are harder than others, but today I feel so alone.
Help me to find my strength in you, and in you to find my home.
If he's not out there, then Lord, my prayer's the same.
Lead me, guide me, help me to feel your love, and trust in Jesus' name.
God I come to you as your child, lead me, make me like you.
Teach me your holy ways O Lord and make me wholly devoted to you.


On another note... I'm thankful today for my friends Cristina and Rachel who both took the time to ask me how I was doing, and truly listened when I told them. You ladies are wonderful, and I'm glad God blessed me with you.

Congrats!

I know, I know. I was SUPPOSED to be doing better at keeping up with my blog. Things have just been really busy still.
(This blog is devoted to my wonderful friends April and Jeremy who got hitched yesterday!)

Yesterday was a fantastic day. Two of my best friends got married. It was a BEAUTIFUL day, and I am so glad that I got to be a part of it.

April and Jeremy met a few years back at my apartment. My roommates and I were having people over for drinks and such. April was home from college on Christmas break and I begged her to come hang out at my place and meet some new people. She had recently gone through a bad breakup and I knew she needed some fun. She bumped into my high school friend Jeremy that night and the rest is history.

Anyway, back in those days I made a lot of dumb decisions. I drank too much, thought mainly about having fun, and didn't plan at all for the future. A lot of times I was selfish, impatient, lazy. Sometimes I wonder why I went through those days. Sometimes I wonder why I'm at the place I'm at now. Watching two people I love so much share the happiest moment of there lives yesterday, I couldn't help but think about how amazing it is that God uses us, even when we don't realize it. If I'd gone to a different college, lived in a different town after school, or any number of other things, April and Jeremy might have never met. All day long yesterday I was in awe at how God used seemingly insignificant circumstances in our lives to bring people together. I'm so so thankful that my life is intertwined with the lives of so many wonderful people.

April and Jeremy have been such an important part of my life over the last few years. When April became my roommate in 2009, I had no idea how much fun we would have, how close we would get, and how much God was blessing me by allowing me to be her roomie. April and Jeremy were there for me through a terrible breakup, and there is no doubt in my mind that God allowed me to live with April during that time because he knew how much I'd need her. When I wanted to talk or cry or yell, April always listened. When I needed to hear that I deserved a better guy, when I needed a big hug, or just a cold beer, Jeremy was always there for me. Watching those two crazy kids has always made me want to hold out for a relationship as wonderful as theirs. =) Like I told them at the rehearsal dinner, If I meet a guy half as great as Jeremy and I can be half as good a wife as April, then I will consider myself very lucky. They prove to all their friends that this love thing can still happen.

April, I know you'll see this, so congrats again! I love you!

Sadness and security.

Happy Good Friday to everyone. I've been on hiatus for a while now. My new apartment didn't have a steady internet connection until today. It was nice to take a break, but I have really missed blogging. Lately I've been reading in Lamentations. Previously, it was a book I avoided, but I finally decided to take a crack at it in the last week or so. Its a sad book, but really beautiful. Here's a little synopsis of what I've taken from the first part of the book.

God’s kindness will never cease. Its is new every SINGLE morning. He never runs out of generosity. EVER. Just when we think He could not possibly give us more, its morning and we get another healthy serving of his grace and mercies. They never cease – they never fail – they always work – they always accomplish their mission. There is no failure with God. He always completes what He has set out to do. Great is His faithfulness.

Short and sweet blog today. I'm gonna get back to enjoying my Friday. If you've never ventured into Lamentations, I encourage you to check it out.

22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”

PROMISE

I promise that I'm alive, and that I'm not going to keep neglecting my blog. I just moved into my own apartment. Tomorrow I'm unpacking, then hopefully Sunday I'll get to relax a little and update everyone on life. But for now suffice to say I'm alive and well... stressed and busy too, but thats another story. Hope everyone's doing well!

Sunday Lyrics.

We sang this song by Hillsong in our worship experience at Elevation this morning. The lyrics always move me... Just thought I'd share. Oh, and part 2 of Pastor Steven's series Grapes and Giants was PHENOMENAL. Check it out tonight, or online at www.elevationexperience.com, or via podcast. Its sure got me thinking, and I'll be posting some of those thoughts throughout the week I'm sure. For now though, I'm reflecting on these lyrics. Hope they stir your soul like they did mine. Happy Sunday. =)


Hillsong - Forever Reign
You are good, You are good
When there's nothing good in me
You are love, You are love
On display for all to see
You are light, You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope, You are hope
You have covered all my sin

You are peace, You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy
You're the reason that I sing
You are life, You are life,
In You death has lost it's sting

Oh, I'm running to your arms,
I'm running to arms
The riches of your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, You are here
In your presence I'm made whole
You are God, You are God
Of all else I'm letting go

Oh, I'm running to your arms
I'm running to arms
The riches of your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

My heart will sing
no other name
Jesus, Jesus

Oh, I'm running to your arms
I'm running to arms
The riches of your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

Fun Friday #4!

This video ALWAYS makes me smile... for obvious reasons. SO funny.