What's a Blog? Who's a Blog? Oh! There's a Blog!

Tomorrow: it's off to California for some coaster and some beach. Leaving home always get me thinking of what it will be like on my own, my own car, my own family. It feels wierd, but it feels so right. So at that point I have to get back to reality. Wait on my Savior. His timing is perfect and He will take care of me. His plan for my life is perfect and perfectly amazing. Well, that's all the blog I have time for this morning.

My Prayer for Today:
Jesus, It's amazing how you continue to love me even through the silly things that I do throughout the day and the thousands of times I sin and forget that you are always near me. Help me please to give up my pride and lay it at your feet. Thank you Lord. Amen.

In the Early Hours of the Morning...

Is not when I wrote this blog, but that's when I got up this morning. It was about 4:30, the sun-forsaken hours of the morning. What I didn't realize when I woke up this morning (even though I only got 3 hours of sleep) is that God was taking care of me, even then. Sometimes, I hear some people call early hours of the morning "the God-forsaken hour of ____". I realize that He never forsakes me, even when I'm too sleepy and sinful to think about my heavenly Father. He always takes care of me. He watches over my soul and my life, even when I'm falling into sin or despair. I think, however short I make this blog (only a few more sentences), I've realized that He loves me more than I'll ever know. More than my finite human mind could ever comprehend. After nearly 5 years in His arms, I've never regreted being in God's fold. I've doubted His promises because I'm a sinner, but I've never regreted it. He wraps His arms around me so tight, how could I possibly regret? There's no way I'm going back to the way I was. Which will tie in really nicely to the lyrics for today.

Lyrics for Today:
It's not the end
But it feels like it is
I'm waking up
Like I'm back from the dead
I'm stepping out
And I feel so afraid But as long as I'm moving it's alright

I feel alive
And it hurts for a change
And looking back and it's hard to believe
That I was cool
With the days that I wasted complacent and tasteless and bored
but that was yesterday

We're never going back to OK
We're never going back to easy
We're never going back to the way it was
We're never going back to OK

This discontent
Like a slap in the face
Of mediocre
I've had enough of this place
This party's over
And I'm moving away from the frills of you Beverly Hills
but that was yesterday

We're never going back to OK
We're never going back to easy
We're never going back to the way it was
We're never going back to OK

We're here to stay
This is our time
Our only life
Our chance to live

We're never going back to OK
We're never going back to easy
We're never going back to the way it was
We're never going back to OK

"Never Going Back to OK" -The Afters

P.S.
I also highly recommend these guys. I haven't heard much of their new album but their old one (I Wish We All Could Win) is fantastic.

76 Trombones and a Big Parade.

It does seem that I did not blog yesterday. However sad this is, I am writing one today, so don't be sad. With a slightly irregular schedule at the moment, I never know when I'm going to be busy. Yesterday, my Mom and I went to see our friends Peter and Renee perform the music man with 55 other people; I was quite impressed. I really don't like the story but the group pulled it off pretty nicely. Beforehand, we went to Firehouse Subs, which was amazing, by the way. I highly recommend it. Better than Quizno's. Today, well, today is Friday. Friday's are great! No more school for 2 days! Being in a band is fun and hard at the same time. It's a lot harder than doing solo work. But it's still fun because there's a camraderie that you don't get with, well, yourself because it's only you. With people, jokes are made, other musical thoughts aside from you own are created, all kinds of things you don't do yourself. I am very blessed.

Lyrics for today:

We fall down
We lay our crowns
At the feet of Jesus
The greatness of
Mercy and love
At the feet of Jesus

We cry holy, holy, holy
We cry holy, holy, holy
We cry holy, holy, holy
Is the lamb

We fall down
We lay our crowns
At the feet of Jesus
The greatness of
Mercy and love
At the feet of Jesus
We cry holy, holy, holy
We cry holy, holy, holy
We cry holy, holy, holy
Is the lamb

We cry holy, holy, holy
We cry holy, holy, holy
We cry holy, holy, holy
Is the lamb

My Jesus, I love you
I know thou are mine
To thee all the follies of sin I resign
My gracious redeemer
My savior, art thou
If ever I'll love you
My Jesus tis now

"We Fall Down (My Jesus I Love Thee)" - Chris Tomlin

Shleiden, the Infantry's Flanking the Left Side!!!

So, I just ate some Arby's. Tasty. Beef N' Chedda. Before that, I took my little brother out to Target so he could buy some stuff with his gift card from his birthday. He ended up buying some little World War II soldiers, which are pretty cool. The reason he got them: well, I promised that I would play with war with him. =P So we named then all and fought with them. It's actually pretty fun. It takes me back to the days when I played action figures and things with my older brother. What simple things in life can make someone's day. It's great to see someone's face "glow". That's like instant blessing. Wouldn't be cool if happiness came in like an instant coffee jar? "Just add humans." Naw, that would make life no fun =) I'm glad God didn't decide to put happiness in jars. Besides, I'm poor, I would never be able to afford something like that. Haha! Wow, God really helped me through a crazy emotional day. It was like Mt. Everest to Pacific Ocean all day. Somehow I made it. Only because of my dearest most amazing Savior. Without Him I would be...I'm not sure exactly, but I definitly wouldn't want to be friends with me. I also learned to watch out on "both sides". Because Satan likes to take you from the side you're not watching. Ambush. Yeah. Man, I learned a lot today.

In case you didn't notice, I only do the 'prayer for today' in the morning =) But here's some lyrics =)

Lyrics for Today:
Love is all around you now
So take a hold
Hidden in our words
It sometimes ain't enough
Don't suffocate day after day
It's building up
Cause when you're feeling weak
You know I'm strong enough

Just one more day
One more day

Oh, let the world crash
Love can take it
Oh, let the world come crashing down
Oh, let the world crash
Love can take it
Love can take a little
Love can give a little more

Love is indestructible
So take a hold
Sometimes hard to find
A reason good enough
I'll stand beside you
Never leave through it all
And faith will bring a way
To the impossible

Just one more day
One more day

Oh, let the world crash
Love can take it
Oh, let the world come crashing down
Oh, let the world crash
Love can take it
Love can take a little
Love can give a little more

You can find me
You can find me
You can find me anywhere
Take a look over your shoulder
I'll be standing there
Standing there

Love is all around you now
So take a hold
And faith will bring a way
To the impossible

Just one more day
(You can find me, You can find me)
One more day
(You can find me anywhere)

Let the world crash
Love can take it
Oh, let the world come crashing down
Oh, let the world crash
Love can take it
Love can take a little
Love can take a little
Love can take a little
Love can give a little more
A little more

Take a little more
Take a little more

"A Little More"- Skillet

Who Left the Dead Animal in the Pantry??

Anybody ever had to ask this question before? Or how about, "Did something die in here?" I'd take a gander and say that you probably have walked into your pantry sometime in your life and smelt the most terrible scent that has ever graced your nostrils and asked one of those questions. I had that experience this very day. I came home and went into the pantry for some cereal and came these words, "Ehhhhhh, it smeels like a dead animal in here!" Alas, it was a dead animal: ham that was cut, cooked, and in a tupperware container, rotting. I took care of the situation, but there's that lingering scent that I anticipate every time I come within a 10 foot radius of the pantry. With that being said, I'm going to tie this to something of value. Think of this situation like a bad attitude. It "smells" like something died: your humility and servanthood. And not only that you can smell it from a mile away. And not just that either: you know it smells and so everytime you know you're going to be near it, you avoid it. It seems like whenever my mother asks me to clean the kitchen, my attitude stinks like a dead animal in a tupperware container that you can't find. Just about an hour ago, my mother asked me to clean the kitchen and then she basically ran for the hills (not literally, but she said it and was about ready to go into her room) and guess what I said, "Mom, it's not even my night." You know how long it took me to clean the kitchen? Like ten minutes. And I was complaining. SO if you don't want people to avoid you because they know your attitude always stinks, then throw away animal and wash out the Tupperware container. As much as my attitude stinks, I should probably wash the container about 1,000 times a day. Work in progress? I sure think so. Thank God for His grace and love to help us with things like attitudes. Because we certainly need Him or we'd always smell like dead animals. What an amazing God we serve.

Lyrics for today:
My heart is restless in me
My wings are all worn out
I'm walking in the wilderness
And I cannot get out

I need You, Oh, I need You
Blessed Savior come
I need You, Oh, I need You
Fill the every longing in my sould

Oh, how I need You, Lord
I need Your perfect Word
With tearful eyes to see
The sin that I afford
I need to weep and prayer
For all the thousand ways
That I have failed You just today

My bed is soaked with sadness
My sadness has no end
A downward spiral of despair
That I keep falling in
I need You, Oh, I need You
To You my soul shall fly
I need You, Oh, I need You
Yaweh, how I love You more than life

Your silence is like death to me
So won't You hear my desperate plea
Today my soul is soaring
Way over mountains high
Though I can see the valleys
They're all just passing by

It's not that I am stronger
Look at my feeble wings
But I've been lifted higher
Yaweh's lifted me in His own strength

Oh, how I love You, Lord
I love Your perfect Word
With tearful eyes to see The God who always will endure

Now I will celebrate
For all the thousand ways
That You have shown me grace
And made my heart in grace to stay
You've made my heart in grace to stay
Lord, make my heart in grace to stay
I need You, Oh, I need You

"I Need You"- The Swift

Now Back to Particularly Random Titles

Wow! A new week! God has brought me safely through last week's bedlam and pandemonium (oo would you look at that?? One good weekend of sleep and I'm already using big words) I still have a ton of work to do this week and lots of errands to run today. But it won't be as hectic as last week. No more play. Yay! Good experience, but I now have time to work on my sanity. I had a "I-forgot-how-to-deal-with-people" moment yesterday, thankfully I have a forgiving and loving dad who understands. He gave me that "dad-look" and I knew I'd done it. All that being said here's

my prayer for today:
Jesus, give me patience to serve and love those around me, even though I'm really tired and really would rather be home and not working. Help me to seek Your face and live for You. Teach my heart to constantly sing praise to You! You are so amazing beyond everything I could ever understand. Thank you for your awesome love. Amen.

Lyrics for Today:

I think I caught a glimpse of life without friends
Bitter, empty, hollow, dark and lonely
We never meant to hurt each other
So can we trust again
And take it as a chance To keep on growing

I don’t know why it doesn’t come easy
But I know that we could be happy
If we’d only learn to love

Oh oh we need each other
So what’s the fighting for
Oh oh we need each other
Please don’t close the door
Oh oh we need each other
Through all the highs and lows
Oh oh we need each other
'cause no one’s meant to be alone

Life revolves around the need
Of having someone
Causing every complicated feeling
Oh and I don’t want to lose you
so there is nothing wrong
with telling me what you need
To keep our love strong

It’s just a part of being a family
Taking the good with the bad and the ugly
If we could only learn to love

Oh oh we need each other
So what’s the fighting for
Oh oh we need each other
Please don’t close the door
Oh oh we need each other
Through all the highs and lows
Oh oh we need each other
'cause I don’t want to be alone

Oh Oh we need each other
Fathers and Mothers
Oh oh we need each other
All your sisters and brothers
Oh oh we need each other
We need friends and lovers
Oh Oh we need each other

Well I need you
You need me
'Cause that’s the way
It’s meant to be
I need you
We need each other
(I don’t want to be alone)

"We Need Each Other" - Sanctus Real

Good Morning Party Land

Yesterday had to be one of the most chaotic days of my week. I went to school, then left at 12:15 for lunch had to be back at 12:30 from a place that was already 15 minutes away. So I grabbed my Someburros, made like an elephant and got back to school as fast as I could without speeding. By the time I got there, they were about to leave. Mrs. Mahaffy told me to follow her to the hair academy. So we got on the freeway. I lost her almost instantly because she got in to HOV lane and was going fast. Two problems: I don't speed and I was only one person (so no HOV lane for me). By the time we got into Tempe, I got off on the wrong ramp and had no idea how I was going to get back. More problems. My lunch (which I only ate a little of, because driving with yours knees in a little precarious) then spills everywhere. Fortunately my burrito stayed but my chips and salsa didn't: there was salsa all over the passengers side and chips everywhere. Then I realized I don't have a cell phone and can't call anyone. So I thought that I could get to a pay phone; I didn't have enough money for a pay phone. I just spent the little money I had on a burrito and a small drink. By that time I was pretty overwhelmed and very lost. I let it all get to me and just started to cry. Then I just cried out to Jesus and asked for His protection and guidance and maybe help to find some way back to where I was supposed to be. About a mile after I said my prayer, I decided to get off on 50th street to see if I could find something. And there, right off the off ramp was a church. The River of Life church. God had answered my prayers. Just like that. How crazy amazing is that??? Long story longer, I got help from the church people, got to the hair academy, went home, drove to the performance, performed and went home. There's no other way to put it: God cares and He will guide us. He really showed some amazing grace to me yesterday.

My prayer for today:
Jesus, thank you for your help and your love. You have carried me through this tough week and showed me how to love in a way I didn't know I could. Please help me to acknowledge your amazing grace in my life. I love you so mcuh and pray that you would grow me and help me be the best that I can be in You. Amen

Lyrics for today:
Jesus you have carried me
When I could not stand
Jesus you have carried me
It's all been part of your plan

Jesus you have carried me
It's your footprints in the sand
Jesus you have carried me
It was always in your hands

-Jeremy Camp "Carried Me"

Good Morning Land of the Eloquent Elephants!

The first night was a sucess! Better than any of our first nights ever, so I'm told. It's kind of fun being all proper and things. We have two more to go and I'm excited to step it up tonight, even though I have absolutely NO energy whatsoever. Have to go get my hair done by Christiana today. She's my professional hairdresser (in training). But she's good! Yesterday, I was late due to a small stampede of elephants in front of my house (ehm, laundry wasn't done) I'm afraid they may be back again today. They're pretty awesome though. Well, off to another busy day.

My Prayer today:
Jesus, I know that you are my dearest most faithful friend! Thank you so much for being here for me this week! I know I can ALWAYS count on You to encourage me and hold me in Your arms. Thank you for your grace and mercy to me this week! Please help me to hold my angry tongue so that I can shine your light effectively. Please help me through this busy day. I lay my burdens at your feet. Amen.

No time for lyrics this morning, sorry =)
Have a great day!
Alex

Good Morning Grand (Wacko) Land!

Dress rehearsal was pretty fantastic last night. Went to Filly B's afterwards with Hannah, Kevin, Kelly and Daniel and Jacob. It was nice to do something besides drama. But tonight's the first night. I have so many things to do today. I have to get my hair cut, have to do homework, fit a nap in somewhere and maybe find time to be sane. We are burning the candle at both ends. Off to school. Though I think I'm going to be late, unfortunately. Forgot to do some laundry =\ But it's almost dry.

Prayer for today:
God, I feel very rushed today. I feel like I'm not getting anything done. And when I want to do something I don't want to do it well. I only want to do it half-heartedly. Please forgive me for my lazy attitude. Help serve my family, friends, and my teachers with a grateful and happy spirit. Today will be rough if I don't look to you. So please help me focus my eyes on you. Give me grace and love towards everyone I meet today. Help me to be a bright shining light of Your Love. Amen

Lyrics for today:
Overwhelm me with your love
And never let me go
Drown away the crashing waves
Leave me water for my soul

Overwhelm me with your love
And heal my broken heart
Keep me down upon my knees
Till your love is all I see

I have my hope in the beauty of your majesty
And all that I cannot see

I'm all I am
Because of what you gave up
Life for death
How do I start to say that I'm thankful Jesus

Overwhelm me with your love
Set my mind on things above
Show me what you have in store
For my home beyond this world

Overwhelm me with your love
And burn my heart again
Keep me focused on your cross
So I know I'm forgiven

I know you hear me very time I whisper to the throne
I'm all I am because of you

"Overwhelm Me"- Adie

Good Morning Fatigue Land (Blog Number Five)!!

Wow! It's finally Wednesday. It seems like it took forever to get here, but it came just as fast as God wanted it too. So here on Wednesday, I have some of my sanity left! We have a dress rehearsal "family night" so we'll be in for an audience tonight. Which should relieve any nervousness present in anyone. I'm so happy today is chapel day. It's quite delightful to get to worship God at school during the middle of a crazy week.

Prayer for today:
Dear Jesus, Please give me patience, kindness and the fruits of the spirit that are spoken in Your Word (Galatians 5:22). It will be a lot easier for me to be selfish today but please help me consider others as more important than myself. Help me to love you with my whole being today, because you deserve every last bit of my praise and then some. I am thankful that you are eternal and that you never stop loving me even when I fall and fail to look to you. Thank you. Amen.

Lyrics for today:
I know this life I lead will pass away
Along with every other earthly thing
So I will set my heart on a higher plain
Where my treasure lies with You

And in this marriage of our hearts
There is no death do us part
For You are eternal
And I am eternally Yours

And I could never lose Your love to sickness
Oh I could never lose You to divorce
And there's no concept of abandonment
For I am safe within Your arms

And in this marriage of our hearts
There is no death do us part
For You are eternal And I am eternally Yours
Oh I am eternally Yours
I am eternally Yours

(No abandonment)(Safe within Your arms)
I never had enough until I found You
I never knew love until I met You
I never had enough until I found You
And now I have everything

And in this marriage of our hearts
There is no death do us part
For You are eternal And I am eternally Yours
And I am eternally Yours
Oh I am eternally Yours

I could never lose You
No I will never lose You
I could never lose You
And this life will pass away

But You will never change
Oh this life will pass away
Oh but You will never change

"Eternal"-Sanctus Real

Think on Christ's amazing love for you today.
Alex

Good Morning Wacky Land!

Ah, the tiredness is already setting in. If this is how I am with a drama production, I wonder how I'll be when I decide to go on tour (haha yeah right, I wish). More school, than nap, drama, sleep. It kind of makes me think of Copeland's "Eat Sleep Repeat" album. We had band practice yesterday, that went very well; we got lots of stuff done in a short amount of time. We should be ready to play a show in a couple of weeks. Another crazy day. There's definitely no way I could do this alone =) God is good to me.

Prayer for today:
Lord, I am tired and have no desire to do what I'm supposed to do. Please give me strength and determination to fufill my responsibilities and also the joy to do it well for your glory. Help me to serve others with a happy heart and show them that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Amen

Lyrics for today :
If weakness is a wound that no one wants to speak of
Then "cool" is just how far we have to fall
I am not immune, I only want to be loved
But I feel safe behind the firewall
Can I lose my need impress?
If you want the truth I need to confess

I'm not alright, I'm broken inside
And all I go through, it leads me to you

Burn away the pride
Bring me to my weakness
Until everything I hide behind is gone
And when I'm open wide with nothing left to cling to
Only you are there to lead me on.
Honestly, I'm not that strong.

I'm not alright... that's why I need you.
"I'm Not Alright" -Sanctus Real

PS I very highly recommend any of their albums. Go get one =)

Good Morning Chaos Land!!

Here we go! This should be a fun week. Schedule for this week: School, nap, then drama. Got up at six this morning, got my laundry out of the dryer, prayed and then listen to some Sanctus Real to get my morning started out with my eyes in the right place. Stayed tuned for a much more tired and boring me. To work I go!

My prayer for today: God help me through this chaotic week. Help me to keep my eyes on you even though I might get overwhemled with responsibilities. Please help me to be a servant and lay down my troubles at your feet. Give me the strenth to be a bright shining light for you.
Amen

4 Days Until First Performance!!

So I am bracing myself for a crazy week. I have 3 drama performances this week. And three rehearsals before that. It just good to remember that God's in control and He's got it covered. I just need to not get stressed. Prayer, my friends, is quite essential to alleviating stress. Well, off to study lines =) Maybe play some guitar, write some music to relax a little.

Blog Number One

Hello, my blog-viewing friend!
Welcome to my blog, and my first post. I have had a couple of blogs and I always find that writing the first blog is always the hardest. So here I am trying to write my first blog and all I am doing is rambling. I suppose it's only natural. Of all the places I have blogged I would have to say that this one is the best. I like it's format. Anyway, since I've got the first blog out of the way, I'm sure the other ones will probably be a bit more interesting. I'll try to blog frequently. So till next time, put the ladder down, you can't climb into my world yet =)