Joining Forces—Music News

For those of you who don't know, CCM—which is a great magazine that used to keep me up-to-date on all the latest in Christian music, is no more. I received my final issue two weeks ago...hence, this blog: (which might be slightly biased due to my musical interests)...

So, it looks as though two of my favorite musicians/songwriters have joined forces... March 29, Shane Bernard of Shane & Shane and Bethany Dillon got married...perhaps this is semi-old news for some of you, but I just found out. I am excited to see how this will change music for both of them. Will they collaborate on a project? (I think that would be awesome!)... we shall see what the future brings. Until then, congratulations to two incredibly talented songwriters who I really admire! Click here for more pictures.


In other exciting news, the phenomenal wordsmith himself—Bebo Norman, has a new, yet to be named album coming out on September 16. To hear the complete podcast, click here.

Beautiful Baby Boy

The Happy Family - DeeDee, Ricky, and baby Tyrell

Tyrell

Dad, jealous of the baby getting all of the attention, decided to pose for his own photo shoot...

Congratulations DeeDee & Ricky

Tyrell Thomas

One of My Best Days

Today has been such a good day! Ok, so not all of it has been perfect... but I'll admit, I have been just kind of down/lethargic... trying to get through these last few weeks of the semester. Well, today is Administrative Professionals Day, and since, during this season in my life, I happen to be an Admin, I was showered by much love today at work! I received flowers and a gift from my boss, a gift from my supervisor, and flowers from a couple who came to visit campus.

When I went to my English class, I was nervous because we were getting our exams back today. I confess, I have been saddened by most of my grades in that class, mostly because I always try to do my best, and frankly, my best has not been cutting it, and also because I love this class. It is the best class I have had since my college career began! So, anyway, when he handed our exams back, I was slightly shocked and amazed to see a big "A" on the front! I can't tell you how happy that made me!

And, for those of you who don't know, our dear DeeDee who has lived with my family for the past several months, had her baby yesterday. Tonight, if she hasn't left the hospital already, I am going to get to see sweet baby Ty! I can't wait!

You know, sometimes life is hard and at times, it feels like you trudge through it. But I am consistently reminded of the goodness of God...in days like today, in blessings like Ty. While we should praise God in the midst of the storm, every now and then, it is so great to be able to praise Him in the midst of tremendous joy!

I thought of an old Geoff Moore and the Distance song as I was writing this post, hence the title. It's a great song... even if I am dating myself! : )

Best Days

The river was deep, the water was cold,
I was only twelve years old.
My dad and me, trout fishing,
Waist deep in a Michigan stream.
He showed me how to make that fly,
Look like it was so alive.
And then he helped me understand,
How to be a fisher of men.

And all the world was right,
And I felt so full and alive
In the wonder and the light,
And I would never be the same,
For I knew somehow I had changed.
Even now I'd have to say,
It was one of my best days.

It was like a rock, a lump in my throat,
I was eighteen years old,
But I had to say something
To the prettiest girl I'd ever seen.
A new world record was set that day,
For the stupid things I'd say.
I made her laugh, It must've been enough,
For by day's end we'd fall in love.

And all the world was right,
And I felt so full and alive
In the wonder and the light,
And I would never be the same,
For I knew somehow I had changed.
Even now I'd have to say,
It was one of my best days.

Sometimes I look to the eastern sky,
Wondering what it will be like,
When we all finally learn,
Of the day You return.
What will I feel?
Where will I be?
Will it all seem like a dream?
I think it'll be like a long-lost friend,
Coming back to His family again.

And all the world will be right,
And we'll feel so full and alive
In His wonder and His light,
And we will never be the same,
For I know we all will be changed,
And we will surely say,
This is the very best of days,
This is the very best,
The very best of days.

Where Ya Been?

Some of you may be wondering where I've been—then again, maybe not... I am not always the best at regular blogging. What can I say? Life happens.

My life for the past month or so can be summed up into three words: homework, work, and meetings. I am happy to report that homework is on the decline. The semester is almost over, and I am thrilled that all papers, tests, and every other source of torture have been turned in! All that's left are the dreaded finals. Luckily, as a part-time student, finals don't have the same adverse affect on me that they have on my fellow classmates.

As for work, April is one of our busiest months. We have a biannual board meeting to prepare for (with some pretty important people in attendance)...I will refrain from name dropping, but let's just say that I've had telephone conversations with a former senator and exchanged jokes with one of the men responsible for VeggieTales! Anyhoo, even though we were really busy, I enjoyed the excitement and the fruit of hard labor. I feel like I am a part of history... seeing the groundbreaking ceremony for a new music facility and partaking in all of the festivities. However, I am glad that it's over and life can get back to normal.

As for meetings, maybe that's not the best word, but youth group has started to get...interesting... We are talking about dating, healthy relationships, and past hurts in that area... let's just say, it's not easy, comfortable or fun. I feel like the worst person in the world to even try to talk about those things. Who am I to offer advice on something that I have so little knowledge or experience?

Anyway, that has been my life in a nutshell.

Thankful for so many things.... here are a few:

1.) Interesting literature... for so long we were reading things like, "Of Plymouth Plantation." Thankfully, literature has moved on, and so has our class. We are now reading, "A Streetcar Named Desire." Not the most moral piece of literature, but at least I fully understand what is happening, and I can stay awake while I read it!

2.) That my parents are only vacation for another week. The cats are driving me crazy! It is obvious who showers them with attention while the rest of us are at work. Let's just say that I haven't had the best sleep with two cats vying for attention all night long! ; )

3.) Little Women—the Broadway rendition. I am excited that this show will be in Cambridge next week! I am even more excited because my cuz Sar and I have tickets!

4.) Friends who don't make fun of me when we go bowling. I love bowling. Unfortunately, I am really bad at it. Thankfully, God has given me Jodie, who looks past my score of 50.

5.) Oldies but goodies. Before he left for vacation, my dad informed me that Simon and Garfunkel's greatest hits was on sale at Wal-Mart... of course we made a special trip in to purchase it! Thanks Dad!

Finally::Georgia...Part 2::

So, the call from my mom caused my little heart to flutter. It was the dreaded, "I don't think you are going to make it home," phone conversation that every traveler hates to hear when they just arrive at their destination. Immediately, I jump into action mode. Apparently, in my absence, the heavens were beginning to unleash what was thought to be the biggest snow storm of the winter (turns out it was!).

I got on the Delta web site to see good news, every traveler flying into Ohio was able to change their ticket one time with no fee! Wow! So, I tried a few things online to no avail. I decided to sleep on it and mess with it in the morning.

I woke up before Misty, and began the process to work things out with my ticket. I tried to change it online again, but I failed miserably. It was then that I decided I would do it the old fashioned way, I would call. So, after a two-hour hold, I finally spoke to someone who helped me get a later flight.

Here is the cool part of my adventure. Weeks before my trip, I had hoped to be in Georgia until Sunday night so that I could go to church with Misty and see her in action. Sadly, the tickets were $200 more to stay over a Sunday. Thus, I had purchased a ticket returning early on Saturday morning. However, now with the snow storm in Ohio, it looked like things were going to work out after all! I was able to change my ticket to a the last flight on Sunday night, giving me an extra two days with Misty and all kinds of adventures. I called my mom, who told me that Misty and I must be living right for things to be working themselves out so well.

After a long day of painting, Misty took me to a really nice sea food restaurant, and then we returned to her house to finish up our painting.

Saturday dawned bright and beautiful! Misty's new and dear friend Jenny offered to take Misty and I on a 4-wheeling adventure on her 2,000 acre plantation, Gray Moss. Of course we said yes. It turned out to be a brisk, beautiful day, even though it actually flurried in the morning. It was one of the only snows that some of the locals had ever seen, go figure. Anyway, Gray Moss was indescribably beautiful. There were times when it took my breath away. The entire time I thought to myself, "I might have missed this if not for the snow." God truly cares for His children!

Later that night, we went plant shopping to help Misty decorate her office and her house... you can see that we were successful!

Sunday was amazing. I said my good-byes, but with the hope of a return visit in the future in the back of my mind. At the Atlanta airport it became apparent how blessed I truly had been. I met several people who hadn't changed their flights earlier, and were now doing whatever they could to make it back to Ohio. Some had been sleeping in the airport. In fact, two people were asked to leave the plane because they had overbooked the flight. After some juggling with seats and luggage, I was off to Akron. We landed on the snow encompassed pavement, and I couldn't believe how perfectly everything turned out.

Looking back on the adventures of Georgia, I can see God's hand in all of it. He's just so cool like that.

Blizzard '08

Yesterday I just got back from spending the Easter weekend with our youth group. Our denomination's annual youth weekend happened—Blizzard. I am not new to this event at all. I started attending when I was 12 years old and continued to go until I was 19 years old. I missed the next year due to a missions program that I was involved in. I have since chaperoned a few times. Every Blizzard I recognize that God does really cool things.

This year started off with a bang, and I mean that realistically. The bang was my muffler. I offered to drive the overflow vehicle since not everyone could fit into the church van. On our way, I hear a "bang," and then I proceeded to pray that my muffler would not fall off on the way to the hotel! : ) Thankfully, we made it one piece. My parents, also my lifesavers, rescued us with a car and took mine to be fixed. The weekend continued to have all sorts of excitement from glasses breaking and having to be fixed, to air mattresses getting wholes in them...you name it, I think that myself, the other female chaperone, and our pastor dealt with it.

Despite the chaos that would normally send me packing, I really felt this odd peace about working with the youth group. I can't say that there weren't times when I was frustrated or annoyed, but I felt a renewed desire to do whatever I can to speak truth into the lives of the teens that are in this small group.

As I processed through what God did in me this past weekend, I recognized the following:

• I felt like God answered a prayer for me to build closer relationships with the teens.
• I was reminded constantly of the set of scriptures in Matthew 6, where Jesus speaks to the crowds about worrying. He takes care of birds and wildflowers, how much more does He love and care for His children. Through all of our struggles this past weekend, God continued to provide and work things out.
• I began to pray for our church body that God would increase in them a desire to step into the callings that He has on their lives. Everyone has a purpose in the body of Christ, and it is my fervent prayer that everyone would find their place in our church family. If someone had told me six months ago that I would be helping with the youth group, I probably would have laughed in their face, but I recognize that God has asked me to step up and out of my comfort zone. So, here's to being obedient and hanging on for dear life as God takes me into unexplored territories.