Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow

Since Virginia has gotten a few inches of snow over the last few days, I decided to share with you my favorite song from on of my favorite Christmas movies; White Christmas.

SNOW SONG-Bing Crosby

Snow
It won't be long before we'll all be there with snow
Snow
I want to wash my hands, my face and hair with snow

Snow
I long to clear a path and lift a spade of snow
Snow
Oh, to see a great big man entirely made of snow

Where it's snowing
All winter through
That's where I want to be
Snowball throwing
That's what I'll do
How I'm longing to ski
Through the snow-oh-oh-oh-oh

Those glist'ning houses that seem to be built of snow
Snow
Oh, to see a mountain covered with a quilt of snow

What is Christmas with no snow
No white Christmas with no snow
Snow

I'll soon be there with snow
I'll wash my hair with snow
And with a spade of snow
I'll build a man that's made of snow
I'd love to stay up with you but I recommend a little shuteye
Go to sleep
And dream
Of snow

O Christmas Tree

Here are some Christmas Trees from around the world! Enjoy!

England:



Italy:



France:





Germany:



Tokyo:




United States:

Spiritual Fire

Fire of Advent

"Advent, like its cousin Lent, is a season for prayer and reformation of our hearts. Since it comes at winter time, fire is a fitting sign to help us celebrate Advent…If Christ is to come more fully into our lives this Christmas, if God is to become really incarnate for us, then fire will have to be present in our prayer. Our worship and devotion will have to stoke the kind of fire in our souls that can truly change our hearts. Ours is a great responsibility not to waste this Advent time."
---Edward Hays, A Pilgrim’s Almanac, p. 187

*Special Thank You to: this site for having the quote

Christmas Cookies

Today is the 1st day of baking cookies. I am attending a Cookie Baking Party at one of my sisters' house. We are suppose to bring tins and some of the cookie ingredients to share. I am very much looking forward to baking and so wanted to share a recipe with you.

SUGAR COOKIES

Ingredients:

· 1 1/2 cups butter, softened

· 2 cups white sugar

· 4 eggs

· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

· 5 cups all-purpose flour

· 2 teaspoons baking powder

· 1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight).

2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

3. Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.

Decorate and Enjoy!

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room

Being that it is almost the 1st Sunday of Advent, today is the perfect day to make your heart ready for Christ's coming. It is time to "Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room." Advent is a perfect time to "clean-up" and "get ready" for the birth of the Newborn King. I took time this morning to vacuum and dust. It felt great cleaning up my apartment as a small offering to God. I also got out my Advent wreath, which I am very excited to light the 1st candle tomorrow! Next to my wreath is a vase filled with fresh flowers as another small offering to Christ.

What do you need to do to prepare? Do you have to resources available to help? Invite your family and friends to help and get closer to Christ with you.

I will leave you with the lyrics to "Joy to the World," because we need to ring out the JOY that Jesus is coming!

JOY TO THE WORLD

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Thankful for Thanksgiving

It is again that time of year when the leaves have changed to a golden yellow, rustic red, or amber orange. Also, the groceries stories are full of shoppers gathering their Thanksgiving Day trimmings. I will be traveling to my parents' house and enjoying a nice dinner with them. I look forward to waking up and watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade while my parents' cook the Turkey and all the sides. Then early afternoon we eat a beautiful meal followed by watching "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles." We have watched that movie every year since I can remember!

This year, I will also stress to my family and friends how thankful I am for them being in my life! It is such a joy and comfort to know that I have people I can depend on and trust to always be there for me. What a blessing! God truly is good!

What are you thankful for?

I want to take this time to say a special prayer for you (the one reading this):

Heavenly Father,
Please bless all who read this. Take each person into the closeness of your heart, and give them your special blessing. May your Thanksgiving be filled with joy, laughter, love and good food. :)

Always share the goodness that is in your heart. Do everything with love.

DC, Theater and Cate Blanchett

I was among the lucky few who was able to get a ticket to "A Streetcar Named Desire" at The Kennedy Center long before it was completely SOLD OUT. I went up last weekend to stay with a close friend of mine and we treated ourselves to a matinee performance. She wanted to see some theater and I, of course, was also up for it! :)

This production was awesome! Tennessee Williams is by far a very talented playwright and visionary. Given his history, I was neither shocked nor surprised by the themes presented in this play. He had a rough life.

And since Mr. Williams is such a popular playwright, I am sure that many of us have soon one or two of Mr. Williams' plays before. So...it is then fair to assume that a person will only see a play a second time if this particular production has a "wow" factor. To be honest, I have already seen "Streetcar," but now I can also say I saw Cate Blanchett play Blanche.

For this production, Ms. Blanchett is the "wow" factor. And she certainly delivered. All the way up in the balcony, I felt captivated by her performance. She truly highlighted the vulnerability of Blanche's character. She pretty much stole the show. This worked out fine given that Blanche is a very "steal-the-show" type of character. Cate knows how to play high class and her sweet Mississippi charm for Blanche was just right. Everyone knows the classic line, "I have always depended on the kindness of strangers." I was very impressed...but more rather, not surprised by Cate's magnitude. She deserves all the praise she has been getting for this role. It's a role of a lifetime.



But to give credit where credit is due - Joel Edgerton, who played Stanley Kowalski, was brilliant. He had the muscular manly presence that Stanley's character requires and yet offered the subtle charm that helps the audience understand why Stella keeps coming back to him. Joel was not afraid to grab hold of Stanley's animalistic tendencies. I also found that this production had a very tasteful way of portraying the scene between Stanley and Blanche in which Stanley takes advantage of her. Joel deserves praise too because we need to feel threaten by Stanley as well as find moments in the play when we like him, even though the former always takes p residence.


The final character of the "Big 3" of this show is Stella Kowalski. Being Blanche's sister, she is almost expected to be the same "high class" Southern Lady that Blanche portrays. Yet, Stella differs in that she is now being affected by the high strong manner of her husband, Stanley. Robin McLeavy was a gentle yet passionate Stella. It was hard having her up with Blanche, given that Cate took Blanche to so many high levels. However, Robin proved she could handle her own onstage. Her chemistry with Joel was the perfect match for these characters. The most important relationship dynamic is between Stella and Blanche. The audience has to see the love between them. Robin was compassionate, patient, understanding and even took hold of playing "the big sister." Stella is happy in her life with Stanley and when Blanche comes, she not only has to redefine her relationship with Stanley, but also with her sister.



I was very pleased with this production and so was my friend. It was a lovely afternoon of theater!

My 100th Post

Being that today is my 100th post, I wanted to do something festive. Do you like my balloon? :)

100...wow! To think I had 100 things to post about. Geez...really, I know I just rambled. LOL

To reflect on my past posts I have found that I need more unity. I will do more re-occurring themed posts as well as have more of a blog focus.

To continue with the "100" theme for today...let's see...

100 ways to make the most out of your day:

100. Wake up with a smile
99. say a prayer
98. have a good hearty breakfast
97. sing a little tune in the shower
96. wear your "special" outfit
95. call an old friend
94. treat yourself to a great cup of coffee
93. listen to your favorite song
92. take the scenic route to work
91. wear your pretty scarf/necklace/earrings
90. pay a compliment to a stranger
89. take a long lunch break
88. turn your radio up in the car
87. wish upon a star
86. sing a Christmas carol
85. youtube your favorite childhood cartoon
84. start to read the book you have been longing to read
83. send a card to your good friend
82. order dessert
81. paint your nails
80. be more forgiving while driving during rush hour
79. write a love note
78. laugh
77. plan your dream vacation
76. buy yourself a blow-pop
75. go for a long walk in the park
74. rent a movie you have been waiting to see
73. pop some popcorn
72. order a regular soda instead of diet, it's ok
71. go window shopping
70. take a mini road trip
69. smell some roses
68. go out on the town
67. document your day through your camera lens
66. call your parents
65. break out into a random dance party
65. read your favorite childhood book
64. order yourself some flowers
63. buy some good chocolate and savor it
62. allow opportunity to knock
61. keep a secret
60. support a local organization
59. make a special visit to your church
58. create a special moment with a stranger
57. help a close friend in need
56. tell someone close to you that you care about them dearly
55. write a poem
54. put your toes in the sand
53. write a list of the things you are thankful for
52. buy your favorite ice cream
51. smile at everyone you pass
50. be a tourist in your own town/city
49. go get your hair cut/styled
48. make a small sacrifice for another
47. make the most out of all your struggles today
46. dance to Michael Jackson
45. watch reruns of your favorite old TV show
44. give out free hugs
43. buy tickets to the theater...you will like it, I promise!
42. go out and celebrate your un-birthday
41. finish your to-do list, or at least check something off
40. visit the SPCA to play with the kitties and puppies
39. take time to play in the rain
38. read a passage from the Bible
37. put a little cream and sugar in your tea
36. revisit an old journal you have or start a new one
35. spend some time in your favorite place (either outside or in your home)
34. roll the windows down in your car
33. sing along to the radio
32. bless someone when they sneeze
31. call your sibling(s) to see how they are doing
30. brush up on your "electric slide" dance skills
29. have a glass of wine with dinner
28. use your "nice" dishes
27. read poetry
26. light some candles
25. support a worthy cause
24. ride your bike or walk somewhere
23. skip
22. buy a balloon
21. go and feed the ducks
20. let the sun shine on your face
19. watch an old movie
18. recycle
17. don't be afraid to be honest with yourself and others
16. use glittery gel pens
15. cuddle with a warm blanket
14. buy a surprise treat for one of your co-workers
13. do a 15 min exercise
12. be very encouraging of yourself, "I can do it!"
11. wear your hair a new way
10. fly a kite
9. research your astrological sign
8. write a letter to yourself to open in 5 years
7. watch Harry Potter
6. send a funny text
5. go running down an aisle in Target with a cart
4. buy a pair of new shoes
3. forgive yourself
2. don't be afraid to cry and let it out
1. believe in miracles

A special thanks to Faith, who helped me come up with some of these. :)


Check out my 50th post!

All Souls

In honor of All Souls Day, I wanted to post a short prayer. It is important to take the time to pray for the souls in purgatory and for all those who are lost.


Invocation for the Souls in Purgatory

My God,

bestow Thy blessings and Thy mercies
on all persons and on those souls in Purgatory
for whom I am in charity, gratitude, or friendship bound
and have the desire to pray.

Amen

It's All a Bunch of Hocus Pocus

Halloween season begins when I get the opportunity to watch this Disney classic. "Hocus Pocus" is an awesome Halloween movie which highlights the great workings of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy. Seriosuly, I love them as the Sanderson sisters. And because of this movie (and the brillance of one of my best friends) I want to name my future black cat "Binx."

Happy Halloween!

Things I Love This Week...

Songs:
"How He Loves": John Mark Mcmillan - it is such a beautiful song! If you have a chance to look up lyrics, I highly recommend it!

Movies:
Hocus Pocus - it's almost Halloween and this movie always gets me in the mood!

Other:
Theraflu - seriously, I am getting over a cold and this helped so much!

kleenex with aloe - this also helped with my cold!

To Be or Not To Be (in Love with Jude Law), that is the question...

So...as I mentioned before, in a previous post, I was planning on going to NYC to see Jude Law in Hamlet.

Well, IT WAS INCREDIBLE! Seriously...the best theater I have seen since I was in London. After the first scene, I wanted to truly rate Jude Law's acting ability and not get swept away by his overall aura.

And I just take a quick second to say how awesome my seat was...I was on the Orchestra Left side 2nd row...(I know!)...AND, lucky for me...Jude Law played most of his scenes Stage Right anyway! So...I go to be up close to him a lot!!! Ok, ok...brag time is over...

Truly, truly though the production was amazing!

I will go over all elements:

Scenic Design - Stunning! It was this immense concrete-building-like structure that provided moving door ways, dark crevices, and alley ways for the lights to shine in...

Lighting - Wow! The lighting provided the perfect means to highlight each character and moment exquisitely. The scenic design was a perfect match with the lighting design. When the massive doorways were parted, the lighting then established the mood of each scene.

Sound - The underscoring of this production, was brilliant! Also, there were moments when fabric came flying down in sync with a beautiful rolling of music.

Costumes - I loved that for the most part it was modern dress. The pieces were simple in design and all had a color scheme of dark grays, purples and black. This helps make moments more important when light-colored clothes were used.

As far as the cast...I could not take my eyes off everyone. All the actors were brilliant and fully developed. Not only did Jude Law capture the audience with his persona and stage presence, but he also showed us how he works on stage. Through the course of the play, he developed into the Hamlet that slowly becomes insane. Also, I was thrilled that there was so much humor in this production! It is important to laugh amongst all the drama involved with a son avenging his father's death. Plus, the cast was beautiful! All the key players and the side characters were great! I believed in the relationships, love, deceit, revenge, friendship, etc. Everyone was truly stunning to watch. From Claudius to Polonius, from Gertrude to Guildenstern, from Hamlet to Ophelia, from Horatio to the Players. I give this performance a big A+!

And the best part...I got to get a picture of Jude after the show! :)

FAME

I saw "Fame" last night and I loved every "artsy" second of it! My whole life I have been involved in one aspect of arts or another. I danced when I was young up until Middle School and I have been working on theater since High School. Every "Arts" bone in my body tingled as I watched this musical-turned movie event. And it was an "event." The cast was awesome and their talent illuminated the big screen! I adored it and recommend it as a fun night out for all the theater artists, dancers, aspiring film-makers, composers, and musicians out there!

This movie also reminded me how much I miss New York...good thing I am will be there in 9 days! I will exploring my own theatrical roots. I am visiting with artist friends, seeing 2 shows and simply taking in the Big Apple! :)

How He Loves Us

How He Loves Us - David Crowder

He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realise just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves.

We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…

He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves.

***This song gives me chills. I absolutely adore it and find that whe nI hear, my soul stirs.

Patrick Swayze

“I found that dance was key to keeping depression out of my life. When you dance, things just go away, things don't seem so bad. There's no better way to take care of health than through something as joyous and beautiful as dance.”

---Patrick Swayze



In honor of Patrick Swayze's beautiful life, I wanted to post his views on dance. Dance was a passion he had in life that made him happy! :)

Noteworthy Graffiti

This picture if found on the Noland Trail in Newport News, VA.

It illuminates a valid point we all need to address...let's stand out and me true to the beauty that lies within each of us!



Picture is a shout out to http://www.sturdmouth.com/

NYC:Hamlet

I am simply dying to see Jude Law play Hamlet on Broadway...well I would be dying to see Jude Law play anything really. Shakespeare's words ring true in a very special place in my theater heart and I am very excited to travel to NYC to expereince Hamlet in a way I have never before...

I am deciding whether to go to NYC in October or November. Either way...NYC and Jude Law in the same sentence is a pretty good sentence! :)

Happy Labor Day!

Have a beautiful and safe holiday! Enjoy this day celebrating!

Let us take a moment to honor those who work so hard to keep us safe...those who work so hard and their work goes unnoticed...and those that work so hard to allow our lives run more smoothly.

I also hope that those who are without work will earn special graces today to get a job very soon!

I am about to go to a cook-out and I am bringing dessert! :)

Birthday Dream Destination

So...since it's my birthday tomorrow, I thought I should dream a little and post my next "Dream Destination." I want to stay relatively close...

Location: Las Vegas

Reason: It's my birthday! And why not spend it in a city that is always ready for a party?! Plus, I have never been and it's tme I go.

Appeal: Bright lights, casinos, and shows! And...I would finally get to say, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!"

Obsession...

Ok, so I am still obsessed with stalking people who have just gotten married so I can look at their wedding photos. It's quite a sickening addiction and those of my friends who have witnessed me look at these pictures will tell you that it has really gone too far. I am "oooh"ing and "awwww"ing left and right and am pretty much on the verge of tears...mainly because these are beautiful photos but also because I want pretty pictures too.

One site has photography by Katelyn James, who is brilliant! She is great and her pictures are breath-taking...please take a look at her webpage.

Live From the Director's Chair...or Rather, the Asst. Director's Chair

I will be the Assistant Director for Billy Bishop Goes to War, a show that VSC is performing January 19-February 7 2010. I am very excited to not only work with a brilliant director, but to be back in the rehearsl process again. I am currently working at VSC in the Box Office and I miss being in production. I have begun to do a little research for the show and in doing so I have begun to realize how much I miss being "behind the scenes." The Box Office has its moments of fun and enjoyment...but my heart lies in the process of creating the show!

So theater lovers...I will try and keep you posted on the process. Plus, I will even post some "behind the scenes" stuff about the show from an Asst. Director's perspective! :) Stay tuned!

One True God

There is a song on KLOVE (radio station...also found online) that is speaking to my heart right now. Mark Harris sings of his God being "true" and the first verse gets me EVERYTIME.

"I don't have a God I can put on a stand
Or a God I hold in the palm of my hand
I have a God that's holding me..."

What a beautiful image! My God is not a "thing" I can put on a stand or hold in my hand...He is the One who is holding me! I just love this idea and beleive it fully!

Times are rough and everyone goes through periods where we need a helping hand. It's nice to be reassured that God is ALWAYS there for us and He is the One holding us and protecting us from harm.

Here is the song for you to enjoy and I recommend you finding it to listen to as well. :)

One True God - Mark Harris

I don't have a God I can put on a stand
Or a God I hold in the palm of my hand
I have a God that's holding me
And I don't have a God that I can create
In the place I live with the money I make
I have a God, He made everything
So I don't need a temporary man made deity
When I got the real thing
I got the real thing

He's the Lord of all the earth
The maker of all things
He alone is the one true God
Kingdoms rise and fall
But even through it all
He remains
The one true God

I don't have a thing that I got on my own
I don't have a care that I carry alone
But I have a God who's carrying me
I don't have sin that He doesn't forgive
And I don't have a heart that is worthy of His
But I have a God who still loves me
So I don't need a temporary man made deity
When I got the real thing
I got the real thing

Who is this King of Glory
The Lord strong and mighty
Who is this King of Glory
The Lord strong and mighty
Who is this King of Glory
Who is this King of Glory

Saintly Wisdom

"Christ has made my soul beautiful with the jewels of grace and virtue. I belong to Him Whom the Angels serve."

---St. Agnes

"Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ below me, Christ above me, Christ at my right, Christ at my left, Christ in lying down, Christ in sitting, Christ in rising up, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks to me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me."

---St. Patrick of Ireland

"In everything, whether it is a thing sensed or a thing known, God Himself is hidden within."

---St. Bonaventure

These quotes came from this site. Thank you

Awww...I Am Loved

It is nice to know that people you work with like you...especially when it's written on a dry-erase board in our office!

Thanks lovely ladies of the Box Office!

Seriously...you all rock my world. Yep, it's true! ;)

Movies I REALLY want to see...

Those In Theaters Now:

1- The Ugly Truth...It has Gerard Butler. Enough said.

2- The Time Traveler's Wife...It's a great novel and I am anxiously awaiting how this story goes from paper to film...plus it has Rachel McAdams and I adore her.


Those In Previews:


1- The Blind Side...It is a heart warming story (the preview made me cry) and it has Sandra Bullock who I love.



2- New Moon...I cannot help it...I have been bit by the Twilight Saga bug (or vampire?)

Unanswered Prayers

I was thinking about something earlier today and realized that Garth Brooks' song "Unanswered Prayers" should have been playing in the background. Even though I am single, I often reflect on the times in my life when I wasn't. The guys I have dated and where they are in their lives at this moment. One guy in particular is currently married and I am very happy for him and his wife. I see super cute pictures of them together and know that this is what his life was intended to be like at this moment - not mind. I sit quietly and remember praying so hard to be the one he would be with and now I know that God has something different planned for me. My time will come and so will the man I am supposed to grow old with and cherish forever.

It's funny, you know? That when we pray...we always ask for something for ourselves and it is always with urgency. Instead, next time...pray for what He wants...pray to know, understand and accept His plan.

"Unanswered Prayers" - Garth Brooks
Just the other night a hometown football game
My wife and I ran into my old high school flame
And as I introduced them the past came back to me
And I couldn't help but think of the way things used to be.

She was the one that Id wanted for all times
And each night Id spend prayin' that God would make her mine
And if had only grant me this wish I wished back then
Id never ask for anything again.

(chorus)
Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because He doesn't answer doesn't mean He don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.

She wasn't quite the angel that I remembered in my dreams
And I could tell that time had changed me
Inn her eyes too it seemed
We tried to talk about the old days
There wasn't much we could recall
I guess the lord knows what hes doin' after all.

And as she walked away and I looked at my wife
And then and there I thanked the good Lord
For the gifts in my life.

(chorus)
Some of God's greatest gifts are all too often unanswered...
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

Tis the Season

I attended a wedding this past Saturday and I will be attending another one this upcoming Sunday. Tis the season for weddings!

The wedding that I attended this past Saturday was celebrating the union of my friends Melody and Zach. One of the quotes that they used throughout their wedding slide show was:

Proverbs 12:4
A wife of noble character is her husband's crown...

I absolutely love this section of scripture and I wanted to reflect on it for a moment... What a beautiful image - a wife as a crown. And what another beautiful image that a husband thinks so highly of his wife that he is to wear her proudly as a crown jewel. A wife and husband should compliment each other. I can only hope that my husband will find me worthy of being his crown. :)

Pink Flamingo

I have a little pin that says, "I am the pink flamingo on the lawn of life."

I love pink flamingos and actually my bathroom is decorated with flamingos.

I just wanted to post this to encourage myself and others that at times we need to stand out. Whether it is in a cute way, bright pink way, or annoyingly obnoxious and kind of tacky way is completely up to you.

Go out and have fun and buy a pink flamingo for your lawn!

On Hold...

Currently...and for the past few weeks now...I have been experiencing the long "yellow light" stage of my life.

Yep, I have been put on hold.

I had the notion before the summer started that I would be moving to DC, but as fate would have it...I was just a little ahead of myself. DC is not making itself readily available and therefore...well my options are now limited.

"Are you giving up hope?" You ask.

The answer: NO!

I am just realizing that maybe my dream of moving to DC was just not apart of my plan in life right now. That does not mean I am never moving to DC...it just means that DC has to be put on hold. Bot only for now.

More Beautiful You

I heard this song on KLOVE and loved it! What a beautiful message! It's easy to look at magazines and see what is perceived as "beautiful" and then look at ourselves in comparison. This song shows that it is not what the world perceives as beautiful that matters, but what we are is beautiful to God.

More Beautiful You - Johnny Diaz

Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine
Says she wants to look that way
But her hair isn’t straight her body isn’t fake
And she’s always felt overweight

Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
That beauty is within your heart
And you were made with such care your skin your body and your hair
Are perfect just the way they are

There could never be a more beautiful you
Don’t buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you

Little girl twenty-one the things that you’ve already done
Anything to get ahead
And you say you’ve got a man but he’s got another plan
Only wants what you will do instead

Well little girl twenty-one you never thought that this would come
You starve yourself to play the part
But I can promise you there’s a man whose love is true
And he’ll treat you like the jewel you are

So turn around you’re not too far
To back away be who you are
To change your path go another way
It’s not too late you can be saved
If you feel depressed with past regrets
The shameful nights hope to forget
Can disappear they can all be washed away
By the one who’s strong can right your wrongs
Can rid your fears dry all your tears
And change the way you look at this big world
He will take your dark distorted view
And with His light He will show you truth
And again you’ll see through the eyes of a little girl

America

With Independence Day approaching, I wanted to reflect on what it means to live in America.

There's the country of America, which you have to defend, but there's also the idea of America. America is more than just a country, it's an idea. An idea that's supposed to be contagious.

--Bono, Oprah Winfrey Show, 2002

There is nothing wrong with America that the faith, love of freedom, intelligence and energy of her citizens cannot cure.

--Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890 - 1969)

Michael Jackson

“In a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream. And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe.”

-Michael Jackson

He will be missed. He left an impression on my life and I will never forget all the great music he has made.

Fireproof

I watched this movie for the first time this past weekend and I am still thinking about it! I just can't help it. It left such an impression. There were some slight "over acting" issues I had, but overall this movie is powerful and poignant. I laughed and cried but more importantly I realized the power of Christ in a marriage. The power of knowing His ultimate love and therefore sharing that love with your spouse. Once I am married, I hope my marriage will have Christ at its center.

I highly recommend this movie! Besides..."The Love Dare" (a book mentioned in the movie) has been working for many married couples! I would love to work with this movie company someday. Using film as a medium to spread the Gospel is such a great idea!

Things I Love This Week...

Movies:

Fireproof - powerful message, wonderful story

Songs:

Summer Nights - by Rascal Flatts, perfect song to get you in the summer mood
Wild at Heart - by Glorianna, this new group has my attention

Radio Stations:

KLOVE - a Christian radio station that always keeps my heart focused
US 106 - a new country station I have been exposed to


Other:

Updating my status on facebook and twitter - I like keeping my friends informed

Dream Destination

It's time for another "Dream Destination"...

Location: India

Reason: India seems to be a magical place of history, beauty and profound sense of peace. I have been reading "Eat. Pray. Love." and feel the need to explore my inner self and India seems the perfect place to do it.

Appeal: It's a country that has beauty. The Taj Mahal is exquisite! India also believes in mediation and self-awareness. I need some of that.

Here are some pictures to accompany me on my journey: