Katie's Life...

Brilliant

2011-06-28T23:47:00.000-05:00

'Til We Meet Again, Birmingham

2011-06-03T23:00:00.003-05:00

So, tonight is my last night in Birmingham. As of 5 p.m. today, I was officially out of the collegiate athletics business and no longer employed at Samford. For a while now, I've felt God calling me to another career. For a bit, I thought I was being called to ministry. Now, I know I have been called to ministry. Just not the kind of ministry you think of when people say the word "ministry".

For 27 years of my life, I have watched my parents minister to people of all ages through their careers in education. Then my sister joined the ranks of teaching and I've been able to see God work through her.

I think for so long I tried to go as far away as I could from "they family business" that it eventually brought me back to what I was made to do. We all know that we can't escape God's will for our lives, and it is no different in this situation.

God has orchestrated an opportunity to for me to go back HOME to Jackson, be close to my family and friends, and do what I've been created to do.

Samford and Birmingham have played no small part in this orchestration and I will never be grateful enough for the people that God brought into my life here and for the things that I've learned.

So, in perfect Walden fashion, I've just formulated a list of things that I've learned and that I will miss from Birmingham:

1. I've learned that there's no getting around the fact that God is in control and that he's got this whole life thing rigged.

2. I've learned that you have to roll with the punches but never let someone punch you until you roll. Stand up for yourself but remember that respect is a two-way street.

3. I've learned that when a job makes you lose your passion for something, it's time to reevaluate.

4. No matter what anyone says, church and good small group are essential to Christian growth.

5. I'll miss seeing Hollie every day and all the complaining and encouraging and laughing that comes along with it. Friends like that are few and far between but it makes it easier knowing that I have four of those kind of friends waiting for me when I get home.

6. I'll miss Salem's and they way that Mr. Wayne and the hombres know exactly what I want before I even start to order it.

7. I'll miss my volleyball girls. They keep me laughing, feeling like a 20-year-old and up on the latest dance moves.

8. I'll miss baseball, because it's the only sport that I could legally cheer at.

9. I'll miss my football guys: Davis, Alvin and JT. And their moms.

10. Most of all, I'll miss my church. God knew what he was doing when he moved me to Birmingham, gave me a place to live and introduced me to a roommate who took me to a church that would rock my world for five years. I've been a Christian since I was seven years old, have won many rounds of Bible Baseball, but never have I really understood the Word and seen it in the light that I have for the last five years. And frankly, I needed it. God has opened my eyes to what I have been put here on Earth to do, and that is to glorify Him and proclaim his name to the ends of the earth.

So that's what I'll do.

And Birmingham, this isn't goodbye. It's see ya soon. I'll be back, probably more than you would like.

P.S. I wouldn't be my mother's child or my sister's sister if I didn't end this post with this video. Enjoy. And sing along. You know you want to.

So Long, Farewell

The Sound of Music

— MOVIECLIPS.com

Finales Galore

2011-05-25T11:00:00.009-05:00

Last night was the last night for a few of my shows. I think I've mentioned before that reality TV has taken over my TV life as we know it, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that they were all reality shows.

First - the finale of Dancing With The Stars. I really think this was the closest finale there has been in a while. And even though Kirstie Alley wasn't as good as Hines Ward and Chelsea Kane, she has a huge personality and is loved by all and her journey through the show was incredible -- weight loss, bouncing back from setbacks during dances, etc.

I'm still glad Hines won the Mirror Ball Trophy. He's just an example of good people. He loves his momma, his job is more than a paycheck for him, and he's a truly caring person.

Second - the Biggest Loser finale. I know I said on Twitter that I swore off BL after they voted Arthur off the show. If you don't know anything about BL, Arthur was the biggest contestant the show has ever had and he also had the biggest heart. However, there was a lot of head and heart stuff that Arthur needed to get right in order to be successful in the weight loss journey and we all knew that if anyone needed to be on the BL ranch for any reason, it was Arthur.

But I digress, because BL saw its first all-girl top three and for the first time ever in the history of "couples" episodes, one team made it all the way to the very end. This team had me in tears every week, whether from laughing so hard or from heart-breaking stores. Two sisters, Hanna and Olivia. They were my favorites from the beginning and I, like the rest of the world, never thought they'd last all the way to the end.

Olivia

Hannah

But there's another reason they were my favorite. Hannah and Olivia's relationship reminded me of the relationship that I have with my own sister. Olivia is an amazing opera singer. So is my sister. The only difference between them is that Olivia is in New York City living her dream and my sister is in Florence, Mississippi, living hers. I found myself looking up to Olivia like I do my own sister and being so very proud of her like she was my own. Meanwhile, I could identify with Hannah, the younger sister, in so many ways and I beamed watching Hannah's pride in herself and for her sister grow each week. Relationships like that don't come around everyday and I'm so glad that I have the same bond with my sister.

Here's the video of Olivia singing on the scale when she finally eclipse the 100-pound loss mark. I wept.

And finally - the American Idol performance finale. Even though we won't know who wins until tonight, you know I had to comment a little.

I've got to say, I called it. And I'm sure the rest of America did, with the exception of my mom and sister who were big Hailey fans. This was an extremely talented season and I'm sure we will see lots of these contestants with their own albums as soon as the AI franchise releases them from their grasp.

It's amazing to see that it's come down to the two youngest contestants in AI history. The country music world is about to get a little bit (read: a lot bit) better because of these two.

Going into last night, and even up until the very last performance by Lauren Alaina, I just knew Scotty had it in the bag. The kid is a natural all the way around. He's comfortable on stage and rarely sings a pitchy note. But y'all, Lauren Alaina killed that Mama song. Up until that song, she was coming in second. But with that performance, she won the shebang. Y'all know the country music fans have been out in full force voting for these two, and y'all know country music fans love them some Mama songs. So, I'll let you do the math.

So there's my prediction. Lauren Alaina it is. However, I'll be glad to see either one of them do well. Either way, they'll both be making lots of money in the near future.

American Idol - Top 3

2011-05-18T20:35:00.002-05:00

I'm baaaaaaaack!

I seriously thought about not posting again this week because it's been a pretty emotionally draining week at work and today has been pretty hard as well. It's like the Samford universe said, "Hey! Katie's about to bounce outta this mug, so we need to hit her hard with some crazy happ'nins before she wises up."

(Yes, I'm leaving Samford. Birmingham, in fact. June 3, peeps. But that's a whole different post for another day.)

It's hometown week, y'all. I don't know about everyone else but I'm kinda excited to see where Scotty comes from.

And also, I'm calling it now. An all-country final. I'll pay you all 38 cents if it doesn't happen.

Scotty McCreery

Amazed - Scotty just keeps getting better and better. (You see what I did there? Hint: song lyrics.) This was probably THE most honest performance that Scotty has given. There wasn't an ounce of cheese in that performance and I'm pretty sure he kept the mic upright instead of turning it sideways. Progress, people. But seriously, all kidding aside. Scotty has become one of my favorites. And that's saying a lot coming from an anti-country person. (I mean, seriously. I picked an all-country final. Wha???) He was pitch perfect and he's got what, two more performances left?

P.S. He looks exactly like his momma.

Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not? - Y'all, I'm running out of ways to say that I love Scotty. I've heard this song twice. Both times I was in my friend Hollie's office. She has her TV on CMT in the morning and ESPN in the afternoon. And I really do like this song. It was great for Scotty and I love that he pulled out the guitar for this one. I'm thinking right now that Scotty is gonna be the one to beat. However, I might eat my words since there's two more performances and a whole 'nother round to go.

Well, as if luck would have it, my DVR cut off after an hour and a half and only caught it 10 minutes later, so I missed Scotty's entire third song. Pretty bummed about that. So it's up to y'all to let me know how he did.

Lauren Alaina

Wild One - Lauren has hit her stride. I don't know that she's going to do anything particularly bad from now on. She's so like-able and cute and she looked like she was having fun up there tonight. I really can't say anything bad about her performance besides the fact that she looked like she was the musical guest for this week's episode of "Hee-Haw" with those earrings.

If I Die Young - I actually like this song too. Maybe living in Alabama has had a little impact on my anti-country perspective. She did a great job with it too. I'm pretty sure she had a little flub coming out of the bridge at the modulation point but she covered it well. It's crazy how before she hits the stage she just seems so young and immature and innocent, and then the music starts and she's a completely different person. She's great and she will do great things.

I Hope You Dance - Great. Fantastic. Blah blah blah. Y'all, you can only say she's good in so many words.

Haley Reinhart

What It Is And What Will Never Be - Loved that her dad got to play in the band for her performance. That's pretty dang awesome. And I loved how she bounced back from the fall. I knew someone was going to do that this season. I just didn't know who it was going to be. Haley has really grasped the directions that the judges have been giving her with her song selection. I think, starting with Bennie and the Jets several weeks ago, she really has picked one great song after another that really fits her voice, in my opinion. This week, even though it wasn't really a well-known song, she pretty much killed it.

P.S. I'd love to see her dad go on the road with her when her career takes off.

Rhiannon - Hailey's so original that I'm really running out of things to say about her too. She's also very vintage and I love that about her. It was interesting to see her just stay in one place and sing. I thought it might get a little boring but her voice and the way she feels the music is so captivating that it kept my attention the whole time.

You Outta Know - Gotta admit. I wasn't really paying attention. I got distracted by text message. Sue me. Sounded great though.

I lost interest toward the end but I'm keeping to my prediction. Scotty and Lauren in the final.

Put your 38 cents where your mouth is.

American Idol - Top 5

2011-05-04T20:52:00.002-05:00

I have to say that I was sad to see Casey go last week but I wasn't surprised. This is definitely one of the most talented seasons AI has ever had. At this point, for me, it's anyone's game. They are all so very good and have their own appeal.

Two songs this week. And Sheryl Crow. Let's do this.

Contemporary

James Durbin - "Closer To The Edge"

I completely agree that his voice fits this genre even better than 80's metal rock. No question. Did I think this was greatness from James? No. Did I think it was good? Yes. The beginning was a little weak, and I'm not sure if James wasn't loud enough or if the music was TOO LOUD. I'm going to lean towards the latter. It was shaky for me until he hit the bridge. The bridge was great and is crowd interaction was en pointe but I still don't think it was his best. There is definitely something lovable about James though. And he definitely show us where he could be in the music biz in a few months.

Jacob Lusk - "No Air"

I wasn't really sure about this song selection for Jacob and I've gotta say I didn't like the performance all that much. It was really awkward for me to watch when he started groovin' and doing the Superwoman punch-out move. Also, the beginning was a little to high for my liking. It sounded weird. When he hit the bridge and the chorus it got better but I just felt like there wasn't a lot of substance in the performance. It was a little pitchy and maybe a little sharp (confirmed by Randy). I am glad to know what kind of music he would release though.

Lauren Alaina - "Flat On The Floor"

Love this song. Loved the performance. Best of the night so far. I loved that Sheryl said to stand in a strong position and let the audience come to her. Lauren did that to night and it was great. Her energy was so high that she didn't need to move around the stage or get in the audience. That's a powerful song anyway so it doesn't need a lot behind it. It's one of those head-banging songs and she definitely had me head-banging.

(Can I just say again that I love Jennifer Lopez as a judge? She's fantastic.)

Scotty McCreery - "Gone"

This suits Scotty well and it was Scotty's best performance yet, in my opinion. There was nothing awkward or pitchy or fake about this performance. It was real, fun and real fun. And he sounded incredible too. It still blows my mind that that voice comes out of a kid like that. It's flawless. You can tell that Scotty has grown exponentially in this process, both as a person and as an artist. Yes ma'am Ms. Crow, he's got a great career ahead of him. Both he and Lauren Alaina just gave us a glimpse at what their concerts will be like in a year or two.

Haley Reinhart - "You And I"

My favorite thing about this performance? The violinist with the afro. Quality.

This is my feeling about Haley. Haley makes you love songs. I love Bennie and the Jets before she sang it and whenever I heard the song I thought of the movie 27 Dresses. Now, when I hear it I think of Haley. Adele's song Rolling In The Deep? Haley sang it two weeks ago. I've been obsessed with it since. Now, Gaga. I'm not a Gaga fan, but I love this song now. She had a moment like Sheryl said. Yes, she did. That's the thing about Haley, she just goes out there and sings. It's not premeditated, or at least it doesn't look that way. She has also definitely grown and come into her own. This is her sound, and I like it.

Well, the judges didn't really like it. I don't get it.

Oldies

James Durbin - "Without You"

There was definitely honesty in this performance. There were some really special parts in there too but overall, I just didn't like it. I wanted to like it because I know that song meant a lot to him but I think his emotions took over a little and it didn't work out too well for him. They kind of took him to that Yelly McScreamy place that I've noticed he goes to when he doesn't know what else to do. It just didn't work out this time. The last note was great though.

"It wasn't perfect, but it was emotionally perfect," said Randy Jackson. Tu chez, dog.

Jacob Lusk - "Love Hurts"

I think a lot of people are going to say that Jacob killed this song. I think he hurt severely injured it. I don't think it was great enough to say that he killed it but it was pretty darn good. Again, I wasn't sure about this one either but he pulled it through. I think it was a bold move and I think it was a good move, but I still don't think that he's made his case tonight.

Lauren Alaina - "Unchained Melody"

First of all, I love her dress. Second, I love her runs. Third, I loved this performance. It was sweet and gritty and elegant all at the same time. From a country point of view, she just put LeAnn Rimes to shame.

Scotty McCreery - "Always On My Mind"

Again, there's not much to judge here. I just sat back and enjoyed because it was another snippet of the Scotty McCreery national tour. He's just so good and I think he's made himself a front runner tonight.

Haley Reinhart - "The House Of The Rising Sun"

Brilliant.

Best Contemporary: Scotty

Best Oldie: Haley

Best overall: Scotty

In trouble: Jacob

What do you think?

Samford Gives Back

2011-05-04T16:22:00.005-05:00

As everyone knows, this area of the country was hit hard by the outbreak of tornadoes last week. Starting in Tuscaloosa, a tornado traveled some 200-plus miles through Alabama and into Georgia, leaving a path of destruction along the way.

I've only been able to get out to help once since it all happened. Sunday was the day. I'm still trying to wrap my head and heart around what I saw and I hope to share my experience, pictures and videos with you all on the blog here within the next week.

But for now, I wanted to share with you a story that appeared on our website today. It tells of the hearts of our amazing student-athletes, young men and women that I have the pleasure to work with every day. Students whose hearts explode for the people and communities around them in their darkest times.

The story is posted below. Please keep the disaster victims in your prayers as well as the thousands of people who are pouring out their hearts, lives and wallets to aid in relief. And pray that God continues to grow young people like the ones in this story.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 4, 2011

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - An estimated 100 Samford student-athletes spent most of the weekend volunteering in Pratt City, Ala., helping victims of last week's tornado outbreak.

Pratt City is one of many areas in the state of Alabama that was hit hard by the severe weather that came through the area last Wednesday. Scott Elementary School served as a base for collecting supplies people needed. Samford's student-athletes helped with delivering supplies to victims of the storms.

One of the groups of student-athletes who traveled to Pratt City to assist with the clean-up was football player Devyn Keith, along with teammates Bill Kottas, Jacobi Rodriguez and Jeremy Towns, and women's basketball player Jazmine Powers.

"Right after we saw the disaster, J.T. (Towns) and I immediately got on the phone, calling people, because we understood that those were people that we knew," Keith said. "After seeing what happened in Huntsville, I'm from Huntsville, and since I couldn't get up there, I said `let me go and see what happened to these people.' I didn't get to go down that day because I had to work, but we went down on Friday.

"We felt like it was an obligation," Keith said. "When you see that type of thing, you can't do anything but help, because here at Samford we were so blessed to not be affected that much by the tornados."

The group of athletes filled Kottas' truck with supplies and went down to Cherry Avenue, which was hit hard by the storms, checking door-to-door with people to see what supplies they needed.
One of the more touching stories that came out of this experience came from Keith. As he was working in the area, a lady pulled up in her car and Keith stopped her to see if she needed anything. She asked him if he was going to take care of her. He responded, "No, ma'am. I can't take care of you. God's going to take care of you. I'm just going to help out."

As the lady cried in her car, Keith reached in and hugged her and let her continue to cry. Keith loaded her car with sandwiches and other supplies. He then told her that he loved her and that everything was going to be alright. "We told her we loved her and we prayed for her," Keith said.

"She said she was really moved by the fact that we were out there. She said she had lost everything."

Powers said she had planned to go home that weekend, but she had a feeling she needed to help out in Pratt City.

"I was originally going to go home that Friday after class, but something just told me I needed to go and experience this," Powers said. "I was even packing up and my mind just shifted, telling me I needed to go. I got some stuff that I wasn't using in the house like soap and some other items I had and I just took it over and we went down there."

Powers said the experience of helping people who had just lost everything was something that really touched her. She said it was a tremendous experience.

"It was very emotional, but at the same time, you knew you were doing something great," Powers said. "I went to one lady's house, she was there by herself, and I brought a case of water into her kitchen. She just broke down and cried and gave me a hug. She said it was good to know that there are good people out there and that God is good and he is still looking after us.

"That was the part that was emotional for me, because they would get emotional, knowing that people were out there trying to help," Powers said. "It was a great experience and I was so glad I went over there."

Caroline Summers, Samford's senior photographer, was on hand to document the relief efforts for the university. Summers said she was touched by the efforts of the Samford students.

"I have always felt that I was blessed to work on a campus filled with such amazing people, both faculty and students," Summers said. "But, I must say, that I have never been prouder to be associated with Samford University than I was this weekend. These students don't just help out for something to do, they truly care."

April's Fury

2011-04-28T00:04:00.005-05:00

So considering that we just ended the 24-hour weather watch marathon here in Sweet Home Alabama (officially dubbed by Fox 6 as April's Fury), there won't be an American Idol recap again tonight (sorry to disappoint AGAIN, Anna Little Morris!).

I do plan to hop on the interwebs and watch it tomorrow but I've got to say, it won't be the same with out my Stefano.

On another less humorous note, most of you around the South have probably heard about the terrible weather we had here in Alabama today. It was pretty wide spread throughout the state but I think it's safe to say that Tuscaloosa and Cullman got hit the worst. We're talking major destruction and fatalities.

Please keep the people who have been affected by these storms in your prayers. The people of Alabama have already started trying to find out how they can help in disaster relief and I couldn't be more excited to hear that. These storms today were no mistake. They were caused by The One who holds ALL in his hands.

I couldn't have said it better than what one of my college professors said on Twitter today: "Words that never rang truer than today: I will praise You in this storm..."

So, that's just what I'll do. I'll praise God for the incredible display of power that he put on today in his creation of nature and through his people. I pray that he gets the glory in the disaster relief of these storms.

To Him who can do immeasurably more than we can ask.

Y'all, I can't wait for August...

2011-04-26T16:38:00.001-05:00

Wednesday? What happened to Monday and Tuesday?

2011-04-20T22:41:00.002-05:00

So, no American Idol post for me tonight.

I'm swimming in a sea of track & field championships and softball and awards banquets and other stuff that I can't quite talk about on here yet but that is sucking up all of my time this week.

Not to mention, I'm on migraine number two this week.

So, no American Idol post for me tonight.

I'll leave the commenting to you this time.

And, maybe, if I have time tomorrow, I'll let you guys know what I thought.

Video Madness

2011-04-13T22:05:00.005-05:00

1. This one gave me chills.

2. This one reminded me a little bit of the "It's A Small World" ride at Disney World.

3. This one is just funny. Go here and scroll to the bottom and click on the media video, "Acts In Three Minutes".

4. This one is scary.

5. This is precious. My nephew William's sweet moves to Thriller.

William's Sweet Moves from Katie Walden on Vimeo.

6. And last but not least, this one just because.

American Idol - Top 8

2011-04-13T20:10:00.003-05:00

I still can't believe Pia's gone but if anyone is going to have success after this show, it will be Pia.

It's movie night. Let's roll...

Paul McDonald - "Old Time Rock & Roll"

I give Paul an A- and the saxophone player a C+. I coulda done without her. But Paul's performance was good. I feel like Paul is coming into his own now and, no pun intended with the suit, but his flower is starting to bloom a little. (Yikes) I think we've always known that Paul is talented in the singer/songwriter area but he's really becoming a performer now. He's becoming a contender.

(P.S. Can we get Steven Tyler to say something negative? At all? I mean even like, "I don't like that color red on you"? Anything?)

Lauren Alaina - (I bet she does "The Climb")

What did I say? Nice play on words, Seacrest. This was great. I loved it. It was so much better than the Miley Cyrus version where Miley just YELLS THE LYRICS AT YOU! Lauren Alaina sings so effortlessly (like Pia does) and I really think she's finding herself again.

(P.P.S. I kinda love Will.I.Am on the mentor sessions with the contestants. He's weird on the stage, but he's funny and very knowledgeable.)

Stefano Langone - "End Of The Road"

Not only is Stefano my all-time favorite Idol contestant (bold claim there), this is one of my all-time favorite songs. This Boyz II Men classy and I go all the way back to my hand-me-down stereo and my old room at the Old Spanish Trail house. But I digress.

Y'all I really don't need to tell you what I think about Stefano's performance because no matter what the judges think about Stefano's performance, I'm slightly biased, and Stefano can do no wrong tonight. So (insert unbiased commentary here).

(And he's dressed like a member of Boyz II Men.)

Scotty McCreery - "I Cross My Heart"

This song was in my big piano book of movie songs. Ok, I think Scotty's going to have a great career as a country music artist. People love him already and country music fans are the most loyal fans around. However, I didn't like this performance very much. It may have been more of the Loudy McLoudersons that he had as BGVs. I did really like the bridge and I did feel like this was his least cheesy performance on the show, but it wasn't really my fave. Also, we need to stop the whole "I wanna hold the mic with two hands but that's kinda girly so I'll just prop it up on the side" deal. It's almost as distracting as Christina Aguilera's finger waves.

Casey Abrams - "Nature Boy"

Ok, Jimmy Iovine has a point. The reason he is there is to help because contestants on this show need guidance. No question about it. I liked Casey's performance. Like I said last week, and like Forrest Gump said circa 1995, he's like a box of chocolates. You never know what your gonna get.And y'all, the runs at the end? And the off note at the end? This guy has some kind of talent that a lot of people just don't appreciate. I usually like Casey because I like that quirkiness. Will the rest of voting America like Casey tonight? Probably not. But he just got a standing ovation from the judges and that proves that sometimes, even most of the time, you have to shut out the white noise (in this case Jimmy Iovine) and just go with your gut.

Haley Reinhart - "Call Me"

This is hard for me because I think Haley is the weakest person left in the competition but I feel like she is such a unique talent and performer that people should see her more. I just liked the performance this week, didn't love it. There were bright and shiny spots in the performance but there were also a lot of "yikes" spots too. I don't know that she's strong enough to stay in the competition, especially if Stefano's performance went over as well as everyone thinks it did.

(J-Lo made a great point though when she said that it's hard to say anything negative this season because everyone is so good. I think this is the strongest season of AI since Carrie Underwood's season.)

Jacob Lusk - "Bridge Over Trouble Water"

Jacob just took AI to CHURCH, y'all. To CHURCH! Steven Tyler took the words right off of my computer screen when he said that it's astounding how much of Jacob that Jacob pours into his performances. And that's what "taking it to church" means. Nestling right down in the gritty parts of songs and bring them out and slaying them that the person listening to it has a spiritual experience with the song. Singing the song so hard with emotion that the person on the very back row feels that emotion as much if not more than you do. Jacob did that tonight.

James Durbin - "Heavy Metal"

This was a great way to end the show. James Durbin is bringing heavy metal back. The kid is growing on me, y'all. Yelly McScreamy is growing on me. Dang it.

Best of the night: James and Stefano

Worst of the night: Haley

May end up in the bottom three: Haley, Paul, Casey (please just give Stefano a break America!)

Probably going home: Haley

True Maroon Goes Global

2011-04-13T12:32:00.002-05:00

This took my day to new heights...or another land. Whatevs.

American Idol - Top 9

2011-04-06T21:44:00.004-05:00

There are a few other things that I probably should be doing at this moment instead of review American Idol, like sleeping because I have a migraine that makes my right eye involuntarily weep, but my commitment to all six of you that read my recaps is undying. You are welcome.

I've got to say, this elimination process is going to get harder. This is a very talented group of kids and I think it's going to come down to who has the best week. Everyone has to be on their toes from now on.

Let's do this.

Jacob Lusk - "Man In The Mirror"

First of all, I thought that the backup singer to Jacob's right was Naima at first glance and almost yelled at the TV, "No fair!" But I realized it wasn't and saved me from myself. Second of all, say what you want about MJ, but the guy made some incredible music. (Same with Elton John from last week. Dude is probably off his rocker but is a musical genius.) Now to Jacob. This was a pretty flawless performance for me vocally. I don't think there were any pitchy spots and he didn't really over-sing more than the song needed to be. It was a great performance. At this point, we all know what Jacob can do and we all know what we are going to get from him each week. Now, we need to be pleasantly surprised each week.

Haley Reinhardt - "Piece Of My Heart"

Last week was Haley's coming out party. I think she really kind of found her niche and she continued that this week. I'm glad that she chose and Janis Joplin song so that it would shut everybody up. I usually don't like the Yelly McScreamy on this show. However, this is a good vibe for her. It looks good on her, she does it well, and people respond to it. One of her best performances to date. And J-Lo was digging it.

Casey Abrams - "Have You Ever Seen The Rain" (I realized Thursday morning that I put Casey James instead of Casey Abrams and I had to laugh a little because, y'all, Casey James was some good scenery last season.)

I love this song, especially during a baseball rain delay. But I also loved Casey's sound on this. He has the perfect voice for this song and he performed it very well. Another thing I love about Casey is that yes, we always know what we are getting with him, but in a completely different way than the other people that I say this about on the show. You always know that he's going to change it up and you never know when he's going to pull out the upright bass. Tonight, I felt like I was watching a Casey James concert. I think this is exactly the type of music he would record. And again, I love the grit and softness that he mixes together.

Lauren Alaina - "Natural Woman"

I love seeing this mature side of Lauren. And it's not too mature in the case that she's singing way older than her age but her voice and tone is very mature so she's in a sense matching that. This was a great performance for me. It was good to see her wail on a song that isn't an upbeat poppy tune for once. She followed some big shoes considering Kelly Clarkson crushed this song in season one. I don't think it was quite up there with Kelly's version, but she is definitely getting her confidence back and it's showing.

(If the performances keep going like this, it's going to be a hard elimination this week.)

James Durbin - "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"

This was a great change of pace for James. I actually enjoyed the slower performance from him. It was good to see him kind of rein in his energy and deliver a controlled performance, considering he's been all over the venue the last few weeks. I think he just had a moment on the stage, emotionally and artistically. Dangerous move, but a good one.

Scotty McCreery - "That's Alright Momma"

Ok. If I closed my eyes, I'd say that this was a great performance. He sounded great. Always does. But there was something about his mannerisms that I just didn't connect with. I found them a little distracting. I kind of wanted to whisper to the TV, "Hey Scotty, just stand there and sing." It was a great performance, but it just tickled me.

Pia Toscano - "River Deep, Mountain High"

Oh. My. Wow. She just killed an upbeat song. This girl will be in the finals. No doubt. That's it.

Stefano Langone - "When A Man Loves A Woman"

Dear Stefano, will you marry me? Check yes or no.

That was incredible. I loved the falsetto at the beginning and the runs at the end and everything inbetween. So good.

Paul McDonald - "Folsom Prison Blues"

Paul just delivered a true Nashville performances. This was a great take on a great classic and he delivered it well. It fit his style, looked good on him and was entertaining. Great way to end the show.

Best of the night: Pia and Stefano

Worst of the night: Comparatively speaking, Scotty

In trouble: Scotty, Haley, Jacob (Again, comparatively speaking)

The Global Intiative

2011-04-06T11:18:00.006-05:00

Surprise! This post is actually NOT about American Idol. Shocker. I know.

I hate that blogging has been put on the back-burner lately, since it's one of the very things that I love to do. Life has been kicking me in the hindparts lately, all whilst chasing me in this race some people would call work. I don't know that I've ever been this busy in my five years here at Samford. It's not all work's fault though. I'm getting ready for the next stage in my life (to be announced at a later date) and that, my friends, has been part of the problem. As lovely as it is.

But digress, I'm here to share a little linky click that meant to share about two weeks ago. This blog blessed my heart and I encourage you to read it and watch the videos and enjoy it as well.

It's called The Global Initiative and was written by my pastor, David Platt, on a recent trip to India. There are a few reasons why I love this link:

1. D. Platt has a way with words and his perspective on global disciple-making and the Word has completely revolutionized the way I look at the world and my faith right now. And he and his wife Heather are just precious.

2. It was so good to see my church family's faith, sacrifice and money at work in India.

3. It challenged me to look at how I'm living the gospel out in my everyday life. Especially the last post, "Do We Really Believe What We're Saying?"

I took about an hour out of my day a couple of weeks ago to read every post on this blog. I encourage you to do the same. Or at least break it up and read it all. I hope you are as challenged and encouraged by it as I am.

Enjoy!

Global Initiative Blog

Top 11...Again

2011-03-30T20:38:00.002-05:00

Y'all, I was about to throw my TV out the window when they said Casey had been voted off. But then I thought about who bought that TV and I heard the judges say that they were going to use the save. And all was right with the world again.

This week two go. I don't know that I can take it. Last week was one of the best Top 11 shows in the history of AI.

Let's see what happens.

(BTW, what is with Seacrest's hair. He sort of looks like Leonardo DiCaprio from Catch Me If You Can.)

Scotty McCreery - "Country Comfort"

I was a little worried about this one because well, Elton John and country music aren't very "alike" terms. However, Scotty did his thang again. When Jimmy Iovine said in the intro that he was worried that Scotty would become a one-trick pony, I had to agree. But then he said that it was the be one trick he's seen from a 17-year old, and I had to second that as well. The thing I like about Scotty is that he knows who he is and you always know what you are going to get from him. This could come back and bite him in the long run but for now, I think it's working for him. And wow, at the low note at the end. I also loved him and the guitar.

Naima Adedapo - "I'm Still Standing"

This is the first performance of Naima's that I have actually liked. The arrangement was kinda brilliant. There's still something about her that I just can't connect to and I still think that she's one of the weaker ones on the show but, I liked it.

(The judges didn't love it, though. I guess I just like reggae then.)

Paul McDonald - "Rocket Man"

Somehow I knew Paul would do this song. I loved the verse but when he hit the chorus it was kind of all over the place. He reined it in and got it back towards the bridge and I liked the ending, but I don't know. I don't know that it's going to hurt him this week but he probably should have a great week next week if he wants to stay in it.

Pia Toscano - "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me"

She is incredible. This was brilliant. And even though it was another ballad, it was a soulful change and I loved it. But next week? Give me an upbeat number, puh-puh-puh please?!?

(P.S. Steven just said something about the notes that she chose to sing in that song. He was right. It couldn't have been more perfect and it might have been better than the original IMO.)

Stefano Langone - "Tiny Dancer"

I love this song. I love him. I don't know what it was about the audience -- I guess they were mesmerized because they reacted afterward. He sang it brilliantly. We all know he sings brilliantly. I think it was a good moment for him after last week. I hope people go vote for him because he deserves to be there for a few more weeks.

Lauren Alaina - "Candle In The Wind"

This was incredible and I think she just had an AI moment on that stage just now. She looked like a pro. Lauren reminds me of Natalie, the lead singer of the Dixie Chicks (who were my favorite group until they got on their political high horse). She's got this originality to her country voice, something that you don't find much of in country music. This was the perfect song for her. She killed it, IMO.

James Durbin - "Saturday Night's Alright"

When I heard this song in the open of the show, I knew that James would be the one to do it. And y'all, I loved it. I don't usually love Yelly McScreamy performances (a la Adam Lambert) but I was very much entertained with this one. It was one of his best performances, maybe his best. And Randy made a good point that he comes out and enjoys himself on stage which makes the audience enjoy the performance that much more.

Thia Megia - "Daniel"

I think she accomplished what she wanted with this song. I felt her heart when she was singing this song and it wasn't a drama performance like her last weeks have been. She is such a good singer for 17 years old. The song was really good for her too. Randy's right. It was still a little safe. I just wish she would do something FUN!

Casey Abrams - "Your Song"

Redemption. This song was redemption for Casey. This performance showed everything that we have come to love about Casey. The soft, sweet side for most of the song and the gritty soul towards the end. This was a great change from the past week. Perfection.

Jacob Lusk - "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word"

Jimmy Iovine was right. This could've been over-dramatized to the nth degree by Jacob but I really felt like he kept it under control. We all know Jacob can sing a heartfelt ballad by now. Now, he's got to figure out another way to get to us. This is a good performance, just not great for me. Would've been a good way to end the show, though.

Haley Reinhardt - "Bennie And The Jets"

I've called a lot of these songs for these people and I called this one for Haley. I really liked how she did this. It started out a little iffy for me but she rocked it at the end, man. I was head-banging and nose-scrunching along with J-Lo. I think this was one of her best performances, maybe her best since she been on this stage. I really did all come together tonight for her. I'm glad for her.

Y'all, this week is going to be HARD! Every single person did a really good job.

Best of the night: Haley, Lauren and James

Worst of the night: Paul and Naima

Probably in trouble: Paul, Naima and (ouch!) Stefano

Thoughts?

American Idol - Top 11

2011-03-23T20:32:00.003-05:00

It's Motown night! I love it!

Casey Abrams - "I Heard It Through The Grapevine"

Other than the screechy parts at the beginning and the end where he tries to go up into his higher register, I loved everything about this performance. For me, Casey Abrams can do no wrong. Loved the BGVs, loved the strings, LOVED how he played to the audience. J-Lo said that she was trying to figure out if there was anyone out there like Casey Abrams right now and to be honest, I was thinking that too throughout this whole performance. I was trying to figure out who he sounded like and who he reminded me of, but I couldn't come up with anyone. That's fantastic. He knows who he is and he stays true to that, and everyone also knows exactly what they are getting with Casey. Casey said that this is where he was most comfortable, and it definitely showed tonight. Great way to start the show.

Thia Megia - "Heat Wave"

I enjoyed seeing this side of Thia. She looked more comfortable and I think it was a nice change for her. I still think she's got a lot of work to do when it comes to connecting with the audience right now. (And she missed a few lyrics too.) It's sad because she's got an INCREDIBLE voice. There was not one bad note in that performance, but I feel like she played it a little safe. She could've taken that song on a ride, belted a little bit and added some Diana Ross-type runs, but she didn't. And I know it's just because she's just a shy girl. I want her to do so well and I feel like AI just needs to crack that shell of hers. But she did look precious.

(Does anyone else get the feeling that Steven Tyler is just there for the front row seat and to make funny (and sometimes inappropriate) jokes? He loves every performance and never has anything bad to say. Dear Steven, judge already!)

Jacob Lusk - "You're All I Need"

Ok, y'all know that Jacob Lusk has been disappointing me lately with all the crazy runs and high notes and stuff. Well, tonight, Jacob won me over. I loved the restraint that he showed without losing himself and his style. Jacob took the critique that he has been getting and applied it this week and it paid off. This song was pitch-perfect and performance-perfect. What I love about Jacob is that he puts all of himself into every song that he sings, and I loved when he said that he doesn't just want to go out and sing a song that everyone knows but that he wants to sing something that is going to inspire someone. I wish that y'all could've seen my face during this performance because my eyes were as wide and my smile was as big as it gets. I love love loved this performance!

Lauren Alaina - "Keep Me Hanging On"

First of all, I'm not an animal print person but I LOVED her dress! Second of all, I loved this performance. She brought every single bit of confidence out there on the stage and left it out there. I think this was one of her better performances and I loved how she fused her little country twang swag into it. It was really good, and I'm glad that she did well this week. I hope this will be a confidence boost for her.

Stefano Langone - "Hello"

Y'all know I have a slight TV crush on Stefano. He is precious and his voice is like "butta" to me. I never really liked this song until they did it on Glee. Then I fell in love with it. Now, I'll probably buy it on iTunes and play it over and over again. Stefano has incredible pitch and feels his songs a lot like Jacob does. He did better with the closing of the eyes issue that everyone seems to be preoccupied with, but my stance on that is if you are feeling a song, you can't help but close your eyes. Either way, it was one of my favorites of the night.

(P.S. I don't understand what they aren't seeing emotionally. I'm feeling his passion from my living room so I don't see what they are missing.)

Haley Reinhart - "You Really Got A Hold On Me"

There's no denying that Haley can sing. We all know that and we all know that she can belt and do runs and all that. I just don't think that this was the right song for her. I think she could've KILLED some Aretha, and that's saying a lot. But then again, Aretha may have been too predictable. I'm not saying it was a bad performance by any means either, I just don't think that it did anything to indicate what kind of artist she will be. I can see her as an Adele/Alicia Keys-type artist but this wasn't it.

Scotty McCreery - "For Once In My Life"

Ok, Scotty's already got a record deal waiting for him. The kid is pure country music. I really actually liked the arrangement and it fit pretty well as a country song. My problem was that Scotty was a little awkward. I feel like maybe he tried to rock it a little to hard where the song just wasn't rockable. There was nothing else wrong with the song except for that. Scotty knows how to play to an audience, probably more than anyone else on the show. That alone will probably save him. I just didn't like the awkwardness of the non-rockable parts of the song.

Pia Toscano - "All In Love Is Fair"

I was really hoping that she would do an upbeat song but it didn't matter because she just killed that song. She had a nice little Celine Dion vibe going there. The way that she transitions from her chest voice to her head voice is fuh-law-less. She's just so good. I hope that this ballad deal doesn't get too old for people but I think that if she continues to kill songs like that, it won't even matter.

Paul McDonald - "Tracks Of My Tears"

I can't hear this song without thinking of my Dad's performance of it at my sister's rehearsal dinner. I wish I had video because it was incredible, complete with handmade props. But I digress. I loved the singer-songwriter vibe that Paul put on this song. That is totally his element and he seemed much more comfortable up there with his guitar. Also, the guitar prevent the herky-jerky moves that he's been laying out on stage lately too. This really showed what kind of artist Paul is going to be.

Naima Adedapo - "Dancing In The Street"

I thought this was one of Naima's better performances. She wasn't as pitchy as she usually is. I think she did make it a performance with the African vibe added to it but I could've done without the dancing. I think she could've done a lot more vocally with this song but maybe she played it a little safe this time so that she wouldn't be called out for being pitchy this week. I still haven't found what I'm looking for with Naima. She's just okay for me.

James Durbin - "Livin' For The City"

Ok, I've been comparing James to Adam Lambert for a while. I now think that he's nothing like Adam Lambert. Why? Because Adam Lambert was a showy fake rocker. He became what his voice sounded like. James' voice is who he is. He's a true blue rock 'n' roller. He's got the soulful sound that Steven Tyler has that makes him who he is. I'm actually starting to like James. I think this was a good performance for him.

Best of the night: Jacob and Lauren Alaina

Worst of the night: (This is a hard one because I enjoyed them all) For me, it was Hailey.

In trouble: Hailey, Naima and Paul

What do you think?

American Idol - Top 12

2011-03-16T22:20:00.002-05:00

I promise one day I'm going to write about actual life on this here blog one day soon, but for now, I'll just keep to my couch-potato judging ways.

Naima Adedapo - "What's Love Got To Do With It"

I didn't think that warranted a standing ovation but it was just okay for me. (I wish Steven could be mean, just once.) It was very pitchy. (Thanks, J-Lo.) She's definitely a good entertainer. But she's got some work to do when it comes to the actual singing part. Her pitch is off. I think if she gets that, I might like her a little more.

Paul McDonald - "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blue"

This makes me sad. I didn't really know how this song would go off with him and I didn't really like it much. I just don't think it was the right song. I still love his voice and his charisma. He definitely made it sound original but I just don't think it was his best performance.

Thia Megia - "Colors Of The Wind"

I think this song was perfect for her because she fits the Disney pop princess mold to a T. She's got an incredible voice for a 16 year old. And she wrote her first song at 6? I wrote a song when I was 8 but it wasn't as good as that one. And I kind of ripped off "White Christmas" too. However, I'm a little concerned that she doesn't really know what type of artist she is (ballads) and I'm also concerned that she's losing her luster a little.

James Durbin - "I'll Be There For You"

The first line of this was kind of horrible but he totally redeemed himself afterwards. This was the first GOOD performance of the night. He's a great performer and this definitely the genre of music for him. But we've always known that. He's going to be one of those that will always put his spin on a song . And that's good for someone like him. He's growing on me.

Hailey Reinhart - I'm Your Baby Tonight"

When I heard she was doing Whitney Houston, I was hoping she would pick this song. It's not as well known as the others so she doesn't have so much to live up to but it's a different vibe for her. I thought this was great and I thought it was her best performance since she's been on this stage. She definitely brought originality to the song with the awesome bluesy-jazzy tone of her voice. She really relaxed up there and kind of rocked it, and I was glad to see this side of her. Good job. She also looked fantastic (except did anyone else catch that she had a spot of lipstick on her chin and her cheek where she must've rubbed the microphone over it? Ha. And now that Ryan pointed out, I guess you did.).

Stefano Langone - "If You Don't Know Me Be Know"

Stefano, I feel, has incredible pitch. The kid could sing the ABC song and it was sell records. He is mad talented and feels every single word he is singing. I definitely agree that this was the best performance of the night so far. It was a hard song for someone to sing because of many different reason, two of which are that it's iconic and two because it has the potential to be slow and boring. Stefano put so much soul into that and I expect nothing less. He's still my second favorite boy in this competition.

Pia Toscano - "Where Do Broken Hearts Go"

Y'all, PIa Toscano has come out of nowhere and has become a front-runner of this competition. I was glad this wasn't another ballad and I was a little worried when she said she was doing this song. But she nailed it. Nailed. It.

Scott McCreery - "Can I Trust You With My Heart"

This was a great performance by Scotty. He knows who he his and where he wants to go with it. Nothing more to say except the girls really like him.

Karen Rodriguez - "Love Will Lead You Back"

This is the first night that she looks like an actual performer and not a pageant contestant. I believed her as an artist tonight for the first time. I feel like her voice is still one of the weaker ones in the competition. I want to believe that she has more power in that voice of her but every time she gets to a powerful peak in her voice, she doesn't go with it. She falls back on it. But it was a great performance.

Casey Abrams - "Smells Like Teen Spirit"

This was a gutsy move for Casey Abrams. He either just gained a lot of fans or lots a lot. I loved this performance. It's one-of-a-kind for this show. I think he killed it.

Lauren Alaina - "I'm The Only One"

REDEMPTION. This was the perfect song for her and for someone who is battling the flu, she killed it. SO GOOD.

Jacob Lusk - "Alone"

I really thought he would kill this. And some people probably thought he did. I feel like he was sharp throughout a lot of this performance. He's got to tone it down a little because when he over-sings is where he really starts to get sharp. He's still great and I love the way he pours his soul into every song he sings. That's what a gospel singer does. But I don't think it was his best. still better than "I Believe I Can Fly".

Best of the night: Stefano and Lauren Alaina

Worst of the night: Paul and Karen

In Jeopardy: Paul because I don't how many people he's connecting with and Karen because I don't think she has stepped it up as much as everyone else has. I mean who would you send home over her?

What are your thoughts?

American Idol - Top 13

2011-03-09T23:04:00.002-06:00

In a season with all the twists and the turns, I would expect nothing less than a Top 13.

Let's do this.

Lauren Alaina - "Any Man Of Mine"

This song takes me back to Paige Flanagan's bedroom and our feeble attempts at country line dancing. That's right, I said, country. line. dancing. But I digress. I think Lauren could sing the phonebook and I'd love it. This girl's voice is so effortless. But I don't think the song was just right. I love the song but I think it was a little weak to open the show. With that said, she is a pure country talent and she will have a great career whether she wins American Idol or not. And she's cute as a button.

Casey Abrams - "With A Little Help From My Friends"

Casey Abrams could be Brody Jenner's long lost homeless twin brother. Look it up, people. It's the truth. Anyway, Casey just killed that song. I would by a ticket to his concert tomorrow. They talked about feeling and being felt and stuff, Casey Abrams makes me feel what he sings every time. I love him. I hope he goes very far.

Ashthon Jones - "When You Tell Me That You Love Me"

This girl could've killed this song but she didn't. It was just okay for me. I hope everyone else liked it because I like her. She's got the IT factor. Of course she reminds me of Beyonce, but I see a lot of Jennifer Hudson in her. She a D-I-V-A, fo sho.

Paul McDonald - "Come Pick Me Up"

I know a lot of people may not like Paul because, well, he's a little awkward on stage. I think he's very natural and raw. When he sings, it's not premeditated. I felt like this may not have been the best song for him. It possibly started a little low because he would just go flat on the last notes of the phrases in the first verse. But like homeboy said on the intro package, Paul's voice is something AI's needed for a while so I hope this performance didn't hurt him too much. Maybe all of the girls will just remember his beautiful smile.

Pia Toscano - "All By Myself"

Wow. That is all.

James Durbin - "Maybe I'm A Man"

I still can't get over how he reminds me of Adam Lambert and, well, we all know how I feel about him. With that said, I thought James reined in the yelly-voice and did this song justice. He did well.

Haley Reinhart - "Blue"

That was really good. Not too many people can do those yodel-y parts that well and she did. I think she did it better than LeAnn. But, well, I'm not a big LeAnn fan anyway.

Jacob Lusk - "I Believe I Can Fly"

I called this song from last Tuesday. I did y'all. But he ripped the song apart when he started to over sing it and it was not good. The beginning and the end were great. The middle? Horrid. I wish he would realize that he doesn't have to over sing to make something great.

Thia Megia - " Smile"

This was very good. She's ridiculously talented for a 15-year-old. I wish she hadn't done the jazzy bit (as Randy just said) but her voice is incredible.

Stefano Langone - "Lately"

Stefano Langone could be the next Bruno Mars. That's who he sounds like to me. I love his voice. He is so cute. And he's definitely got the girl vote. I was worried when he started the double-time but I liked it in the end.

Karen Rodriguez - "I Could Fall In Love"

I am just not a big fan of Karen. She's too pageant-y for me. I think there are better singers on the show than her. I'm just glad she stuck to the American language tonight.

Scotty McCreery - "The River"

I think Scotty is precious and saw him get comfortable on the stage for the first time tonight. I'll be interested to see how far he goes. He's going to grow up on that stage.

Naima Adedapo - "Umbrella"

She was pitchy, very pitchy. I think she was trying to push it too hard. I think my favorite part was where she rapped actually. Ha. It was a performance, indeed, but I don't think it was a very good performance. But the judges have a lovefest with her so we'll see.

Best of the night: Pia and Casey

Worst of the night: Karen and Naima

Probably going home: Karen

Thoughts?

American Idol: Top 12 Girls

2011-03-02T22:24:00.002-06:00

1. Ta-tynisa Wilson - "Only Girl In The World"

Y'all, the music is just a tad LOUD, don'tcha think? Her notes weren't really hitting for me and it took a little while for her to show some originality. She did towards the end. It was a good way to open the show. She definitely played to the crowd but I think maybe that was the best part of it.

2. Naima Adedapo - "Summertime"

This a bold choice of song considering that this song basically belongs to Fantasia in the realm of American Idol. I liked the arrangement she used and it sounded good. There were a few spots that she didn't hit just right and then there was the one time she turned her back to the audience to walk back up the steps and I heard my mom circa 1999 in musical practice yelling,"NEVER TURN YOUR BACK TO THE AUDIENCE! NEVER!" Anyhoo, I do like her sound. It was a little "lounge-acty" as Randy said, but I totally think that's her vibe. I haven't been a big fan of Naima but she might just be growing on me.

3. Kendra Chantelle - "Impossible"

Y'all, that white girl just pulled off some Christina Aguilera. I think Randy and I are using the same brain tonight because I definitely just said she has a little Lauryn Hill sound. Kendra is good. Is she the American Idol? I don't think so but I see her staying around for a while.

4. Rachel Zevita - "Criminal"

Wow. This is a completely original take on a Fiona Apple song. I'm not sure how it went off. The audience seemed to like it. It was bold. And yes, it was a little show girl-y. I don't know that it really worked for the show.

5. Karen Rodriguez - "Hero"

Pageant. Karen Rodriguez is on the wrong show. Miss America was back in January and Karen, you might have given Miss Arkansas and her dummies a run for their money. Karen Rodriguez can sing. No doubt. However, the whole bilingual thing turned me off a little bit because it's um...AMERICAN Idol. With that said, though, she made it her own. It was one of a kind.

6. Lauren Turner - "Seven Day Fool"

Homegirl can sing. I loved this performance. She turned it around for me. A breath of fresh air, she was.

7. Ashthon Jones - "Love All Over Me"

This girl is a diva. She's got mad confidence. And if Destiny's Child decided to give it another go 'round, this girl would fit right in. She was good, and considering that I've never heard this song, it was as original as you can get in my book. The judges say she's Diana Ross confidence. I believe she could be the lost Knowles sister.

8. Julie Zorrilla - "Breakaway"

I really didn't like this song for her. I think she strayed too far away from the melody for me. I truly think she can sing because she rocked Hollywood week, but this song did not show it off. I think she tried to over do it.

9. Haley Reinhart - "Fallin'"

I love the sound of this girl's voice. She's so soulful. And at the same time, I think she has musical bipolar syndrome. That's when someone seems one way and then they are handed a mic and told to sing and they become this completely different person. Randy and I are not using the same brain anymore. I loved this. I think Randy feels a little pressure to be the hard judge because he knows that neither Steven nor J-Lo are going to say anything remotely negative.

10. Thia Megia - "Out Here On My Own"

Y'all, I couldn't even type during this performance, I was so captivated. From the first note, I was. That was incredibly brave and incredibly good. Pitch-perfect. I have nothing more to say.

11. Lauren Alaina - "Turn On The Radio"

This girl will be a country music star in a year and she will be successful. Why? Because country music fans are some of the most loyal fans in the world. There's nothing more to say than she can sing. It's natural and effortless. For realz. And she's got the "it" factor.

12. Pia Toscano - "I'll Stand By You"

One of the best vocals tonight. I was afraid for her to follow Thia and Lauren but seriously, the bottom of the order ripped back-to-back home runs. Completely deserving of a standing ovation. She worried me at the beginning but busted it at the end.

Best of the night: Thia, Lauren Alaina and Pia

Worst of the night: Rachel

What did you think?

American Idol: Top 12 Guys

2011-03-01T22:34:00.004-06:00

It's back. The new season of American Idol, so it can only mean that I must indulge myself as a Couch Potato Judge.

I'm channeling my inner J-Lo. (Ahem, a girl can dream right?)

Tonight was the first live show, with the top 12 guys performing. Here are my thoughts.

1. Clint Jun Gamboa - "Superstitious"

I've got to say that when Ryan Seacrest was saying this kid's entire name I thought he was saying Clint "June" Gamboa. I was perplexed as to why a guy would have the nickname "June", and then I tried to hold back any judgement until further review. Then I saw the name graphic on the show tonight. I stand corrected.

I still don't get the glasses though.

Now about the performance, I believe the term "karaoke" is appropriate here. Steven Tyler just used the term "brilliant" and I suddenly find myself missing Simon Cowell.

2. Jovany Baretto - "I'll Be"

First, I've got to admit that this guy isn't horrible to look at. I think what makes me like him is the fact that he is just so unassuming. He doesn't look like a singer, and the minute he opens his mouth, you're like "Whaaaa?" His voice is like butta.

Randy does have point that there wasn't anything unique brought to it but it still was good enough for me. It wasn't any more karaoke than Clint's performance.

3. Jordan Dorsey - "OMG"

This guy is too cocky for his own good. You can't come out of the gate with an URSHER song! What is this? It doesn't even sound good. Jordan Dorsey, we are done here. Also, if Usher is not the type of artist you want to be, then why did you chose that song to sing?

(Has anyone noticed that J-Lo has got the palms-only Paula clap down?)

4. Tim Halperin - "Come On Over"

I've gotta say that I didn't notice Tim until the duet he did with the other girl and the piano during Hollywood week. But when I noticed him, I NOTICED him. Kid's got soul.

With that said, this wasn't his best performance. I'm sure nerves played a big part in it and he probably pushed it a little bit. And also, his stage presence could use a boost. I still think he could do great things on this show.

He's got a winning smile though.

5. Brett Loewenstern - "Come On Baby Light My Fire"

I still don't understand how that voice comes out of that body. This is the first performance of the night that showed some originality, which kind of hurts me to say because I've not been a big fan of his. But I was just thinking, it's going to be long night if the first three performances are any indication of how this night will go. Brett picked it up. He was definitely a "little pitchy", as Randy would say, but it got better.

6. James Durbin - "You've Got Another Thing Comin'"

I just guessed on the title of the song because I'd never heard it before and well, he said that phrase a lot. This guy reminds me to much of Adam Lambert which is sadly a strike and a half against him. He's definitely a performer and you can tell that he knows what kind of artist he is and wants to be. And also he sings from deep down and I do like his story. It'll be interesting to see how far he goes in the competition. It was definitely the best performance so far.

7. Robbie Rosen - "Arms Of An Angel"

I love this kid, first because he reminds me of one of my student workers who is just precious, but second because the kid can just sing. I did feel like he never got with the music but his voice just can't be denied. He definitely put his originality in it, and I hope he goes far because his talent is one in a million.

8. Scotty McCreery - "Letter From Home"

I guessed on the title again because well, I think I've made it clear that I'm not a huge country fan. With that said though, I've loved this kid from his first audition. The guy can sing. No doubt. He's got amazing stage presence too and he knows exactly who he is and is proud of it.

9. Stepfano Langone - "Just The Way You Are"

This was the perfect song for him to sing and that shows that he knows exactly what kind of artist he wants to be. He could be a great R&B artist. He's still got some growing to do as evidenced by the high note he tried at the end. But I love this kid. And he's definitely got the girl vote. I hope he stays around for a while because I think it would be fun to see how much better he gets.

10. Paul McDonald - "Wake Up Maggie"

Perfect song for him. Some people may not like his style but this style is the exact thing that is trending right now. I love what he brings to the competition. He's so sincere. He's not trying to put on a show or be something he's not. He's doing him and that's great. That smile is perfect too. (Can I find out how he gets his teeth so white?) I hope he's around for a long time.

11. Jacob Lusk - "A House Is Not A Home"

If Diana Ross died and came back as a man, it would be Jacob Lusk. He's got great stage presence and he can definitely sing. He's got a bold voice. He's going to stay around for a while for the sheer fact that the kid can wail. However, I don't know how long it will take before the audience starts to get annoyed with him. He may be a one-trick pony. I hope not. But we will see. He's good. His notes are en pointe.

12. Casey Abrams - "I Put A Spell On You"

Y'all, this kid emanates soul and talent. He surprises me every week. Last week, never would I have thought he would pull out "Why Don't You Do Right". This week, he's sans instrument and completely rocks "I Put A Spell On You". This guy is the REAL DEAL.

(And I'm so glad to see that he cleans up well. I was starting to wonder.)

So, my faves are Casey and Stefano. Not-so-faves are Clint and Jordan.

What do you think?

I'm A Belieber

2011-02-22T10:53:00.004-06:00

Hello. My name is Katie, I'm 27 years old, and I am officially a Justin Bieber fan.

A few months I ago, I knew nothing more of Justin Bieber than the fact that he was the newest teeny bopper out there and that he was the new protege of Usher Raymond.

I'd heard his songs, hummed along in my car, but never really thought twice about it.

Then the kid's career BLEW UP.

A couple of years ago, this kid was singing covers on YouTube. Now, he's selling out Madison Square Garden. And not just that, he did it quicker than anyone probably ever has. He set his sights on performing at MSG a year ago and just a few months ago, he did it. In 22 minutes.

How do I know all of this? I saw the movie yesterday. In 3-D. (Who knew my first 3-D movie would feature the Biebs?)

Now I'm not like one of those preteen fans crying at the mere sight of the kid, but after seeing this film, I have mad respect for the guy. This kid is ultra-talented. No, seriously. He was given a drum when he was three and just started banging on it with impeccable rhythm. Impeccable. He sings, he dances, he plays four instruments (maybe more). The guy is good at everything he does - basketball, yo-yo, music.

He's got GOD-given talent and he knows Who gave it to him.

His work ethic is something I wish every 15-year old could have. If that were the case, this world would be unrecognizable.

But not only that, he's genuine. He's humble. He's just a kid doing what he was born to do. Sitting there watching that movie last night, the passion that Justin Bieber has for what he's doing and who he is doing it for, radiated from the screen.

When you are born to do something, no one can stop you from doing it. It's all you want to do and you're not happy if you aren't do it.

Justin Beiber embodies that very sentence.

Call me a bandwagon fan. I don't care. All board. I'm taking that wagon straight to Happy Town.

2011-02-14T11:33:00.001-06:00

Today calls for a repost of a video from three years ago. His body is like Disneyland and he'll make barbeque when you want him to. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you....Dave Barnes.

Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With String

2011-02-09T10:57:00.006-06:00

I was just about to start a post of funny/random web gems and use it as an excuse for a blog post because I've been struggling with some emotions and some thoughts and some things for the past couple of days and I wasn't really sure how to formulate meaningful sentences with all the words that are tumbling around in my head right now.

(And I thought the Apostle Paul was good at run-on sentences. Look at me.)

But then I just started writing and I couldn't stop. My cup overfloweth right now.

Yesterday was a pretty tough day for me. It was tough from the moment I stepped into my office until the minute I left at the end of the day. And it was tough for a number of reasons.

Work stress just kept beating me over the head, I felt horrible and to top it off my past came back to haunt me and you know that's never good.

Over the last year, I've watched someone from my past get everything I ever wanted and it has just gotten under my skin. I don't know why I let it get under my skin because truly that part of my life is over and done with, and has been for a while, but I guess when someone is that big a part of your life, and then it ends abruptly, and not very cordially, things tend to ruffle your feathers.

What I'd been forgetting, though, was that what I see that person getting, is not the life that God has planned out for me. At least not yet. And that if I was getting that life, then I would be miserable because I would be completely outside of God's will.

Then I think about all the great things God has given me since that part of my life has ended. And y'all it's a proverbial bucket-full of some incredible goodness. Amazing friends at work and at church. Once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that I wouldn't have had if I had been tied down to this or that. And most importantly, my growth and maturity in my relationship with Jesus Christ due to some powerful teaching and understanding of God's word. I've learned more about the character of God, His grace and his sovereignty in the last five years than I could have even imagined I could in a lifetime. I hate to think what I would've missed out on if God had not brought me to this town and these people.

Funny story: I got in my car to go to work this morning and thought I'd kick it with some old school John Mayer. So I opened a CD case and pulled out a mixed CD of JM's early tunes and when I put that sucker into the CD player, the first song that played was not John Mayer. It was Julie Andrews singing, "My Favorite Things". I literally laughed out loud. I reached to skip to the next song and caught myself. I stopped and pulled my hand away from the button. Nothing like some Sound of Music to get you going in the morning.

But what's really funny is it got me thinking. Ol' Jules is singing about how she thinks of her favorite things when she's sad or scared or frustrated. And it makes her feel better. I have certain songs or artists that I listen to that make me feel better when I'm down or scared. But I never thought about how thinking about my favorite things could completely change my viewpoint.

So I started thinking. Family. Old friends. New friends. Sweet memories. What God has done in my life. Those are my favorite things. That is what I should be dwelling on. Not the bad, icky stuff that happened in my past that satan tries to throw in my face to steal my joy. I should think about all the good stuff the Lord has given me, the intangible stuff, the non-material stuff. The eternity stuff.

And then I won't feel so bad.

GOLDEN DAYS - A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE EGG BOWL TROPHY - EPISODE 1

2011-02-08T09:53:00.002-06:00

This is brilliant.

Praying For...

2011-02-04T13:40:00.002-06:00

I'm sure you've noticed the blog makeover. I hope one day I'll be able to afford a complete makeover that makes it cute and me, but for now it's just this.

I've also added a "Praying For" section over to the side bar because I've been very convicted of my prayer life lately. It's not a secret here on this blog that my faith is the most important thing to me. However, my prayer life has left much to be desired recently, and that's not a good thing when prayer (my main communication with God) becomes less than a priority.

So, I've created this section as a reminder for me (and you) of what I should be dwelling on each day. Not money, not being tired, not how much I want to not be working. But I should be thnking about those around me and in this world who need me to be storming God's throne on their behalf.

So, I've started a running list and I'm going to keep those requests on the list until they are answered. If you have something or someone you'd like me to add to the list, please leave me a comment.

God has called us to come to him on each other's behalf (Acts 2:42), so why wouldn't we be adamany about that?

This Makes Me Happy

2011-02-02T16:27:00.005-06:00

Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors have to be my new favorite music group. I've got to say, I had really never heard of them until the Dave Barnes Christmas Tour, and from the moment Ellie Holcomb (she reminds me of Brooke White) opened her mouth to sing, I knew they would be on heavy rotation on my iPod. These two are mega talented and their music is so good. Here's the music video for their new single, "Fire and Dynamite". Their new record comes out next week, and I can. not. wait.

I Give Up. These Are Dumb.

2011-02-01T16:04:00.000-06:00

I'm pretty sure this is going to be my last one of these. The questions just get dumber and dumber.

1201. Have you ever owned a record?
As in a world record? No. As in a vinyl record? I can't say I ever OWNED a record, considering it wasn't purchased by me but when I was little, I wore out the Jungle Book soundtrack vinyl record. Yes I did. Bear Necessities, folks.

1202. In some states people want to make it a requirement that creationism (god made the world) be taught alongside evolution in high school sciences classes. What do you think of this?
It's never really affected me. I don't believe in evolution as a whole as in we came from monkeys, but I do believe in evolution within a species. It's a fact of nature. I don't really have an opinion as far as public school goes but if it is a private school founded on Christian principles, then I don't think you should have a choice.

1203. Should evolution also be taught in religious establishments like church or temple?
No. Evolution is not a biblical principle so there should be no discussion about it.

1204. Can a person believe in creationism and in evolution at the same time?
Not both as a whole. Like I said, evolution with a species is a scientific fact. The planets did not appear after a big bang and we did not evolve from monkeys.

1205. You obviously like surveys since you are filling out a 5,000 question one. Do any of the following surveys sound interesting:
The Doors/Jim Morrison Survey: no
The David Bowie Survey: no
The Beatles Survey: no
The Rocky Horror Survey: no
The Labyrinth Survey: no
The SLC Punk Survey: no
The birthday survey: no
So this is love, the survey: no
The heartache/break up survey: no
Creationism vs. Evolutionism Survey: no
Opinion Survey: no
World Trade Center Survey: no
Halloween Survey: no
Survey of Sin: no
How evil are you? Survey: no
The Roaring 20's Survey: no

Well, once, long ago, I created all those surveys. Now they are floating around in people’s diaries because the diary I had them in (Simply Surveys) was deleted due to disuse.
Well, good for you. Or sad for you. Whatever.

1206. Who did you get this survey from?
My good friend the internet.

Say one nice thing about the person you got this survey from:
It helps me in the hard times.

1207. Here is a list of priorities...
Love/sex
Family
Close friends
School/learning
Job/career
Being true to yourself/self respect
Honesty
Aesthetics (beauty in the world)
Creativity
Patriotism
Knowledge
Wisdom
Leading an exciting life
Making a contribution to humanity
Being rich
Being famous
Having power
Justice/fairness
World peace
Accepting and understanding others
Finding yourself
Spirituality/religion
Health
Happiness

What are your top three priorities from this list?
Spirituality/religion, making a contribution to humanity, family (not necessarily in that order)

1208. Out of that same list what are your BOTTOM 3 priorities?
Having power, being famous, being rich

1209. How many hours of TV do you watch in an average day?
Not counting the fact that the TV in my office is on all day, I'd say about 4 or 5.

1210. Do you want to have a car, a house and 2.5 kids?
I have a car. A house would be great. And I'd go for two or three kids. Half a kid might get a little messy.

1211. What song, CD, or band is a 'guilty pleasure' for you (meaning you know it sucks but you like it anyway)?
NKOTB. No question.

1212. If you were going to vote for a candidate for president and then you found out that the person you were going to vote for is HIV positive would that effect your vote and why?
No.

1213. Have you ever had an HIV test?
No.

1214. What time do you:
Get up in the morning: between 7 and 8. Depending on the day. Weekends are different.
Eat lunch: 12ish
Do something active during the day: depends
Go to bed: between 10:30 and 12:30, again it just depends.

1215. Have you ever ridden a motorcycle?
Yes. My dad's.

1216. When you hear the word ‘biker’ what kind of person do you think of?
Paul Tuttle Sr.

1217. Did your parents ever talk to you about sex?
Yes.

1218. If your pet dies, you can now have it cloned for $50,000. How do you feel about this?
That's just weird.

1219. Are you or would you be embarrassed about buying condoms?
I would be.

1220. Do any of your clocks make an odd noise or play a song when the hour strikes?
No.

1221. What are the things that make you go 'Hmmmm....' (remember that song?)?
I don't know.

1222. Are you a sinner?
Yes, but I've been saved by grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

1223. Are you naughty or nice?
Nice.

1224. Is belly-dancing sexy?
I don't think so.

1225. What celebrity would you love to be able to dance with?
Channing Tatum, oh and Maksim from Dancing With The Stars

1226. What is your favorite comic book movie?
Spiderman I guess.

1227. What movie would you recomend for couples to watch on Valentine's day?
I don't know.

1228. Besides when you were little, how many people have seen you completely naked and who?
I don't think anyone has.

1229. Is sex something that should be treated casually?
Absolutely not.

1230. Have you ever participate in an orgy?
Um, ew.

If no, would you ever consider it?
No.

1231. What song is in your head right now?
That Wendy's commercial, "My, my, my 99"

1232. What was the best day of your life like?
I've had a few of those so I don't really know.

1233. What are you all about?
A lot of stuff

1234. You have won a contest where you get all these great prizes but you can only keep one for yourself and must give the others away to friends, family or whoever. Which one do you keep and who do you give the rest to:
A $5,000 gift certificate to radio shack: My brother-in-law
A brand new yellow jeep: I'll keep
An all expense paid vacation for 2 to Italy: Mom and Dad
Lunch with N'Sync: Austin Lee
A lifetime supply of herbal essences shampoo: Lauren
A $1,000 check: Hollie
A palm pilot: They still make these?
An autographed picture of Shakira: who would want this?
Breakfast with kid rock: Or this?
A shirt once worn by Jonathan Davis: Who is this?
One round of mini-golf with Sharon Osbourne: Dane
A phone call from Robert Smith: Who is this?
A brand new washer/dryer: Casey
Free medical insurance for 1 year: Julie

1235. Who do you think you might have known in a past life?
This is a dumb question.

1236. Do you take vitamins?
No.

1237. Do you prefer fake or real flowers around the house?
Real

1238. Sometimes roses are pink, yellow, white or red. If you give someone a rose, does its color change the meaning behind it as a gift?
Not for me.

1239. What's the most deadly thing you can think of?
Anaconda

1240. To-MAY-toes or to-MA-toes?
To-MAY-toes

1241. Out of all your friends, family and the people you know who is the most:
Intelligent: These
Happy: Are
Miserable: Dumb
Easily influenced: Questions
Cranky: Will
Bitchy: Not
Evil: Answer
Nice: Them

1242. What's the best live musical performance you ever saw?
Band? Toss up between Third Day/Toby Mac and Dave Matthews Band
Broadway? Wicked

1243. Have you ever had a 'pregnancy scare'?
No.

1244. Kelly Osbourne or Madonna's version of “Pappa Don't Preach”?
Kelly Osbourne

1245. Can you change a tire?
Yes.

1246. Have you ever put your fist through a wall?
No.

1247. When do you feel the most relaxed and able to be yourself?
Around my family.

1248. Do you have a place that is your own where you won't show anyone else?
No.

1249. Are you a part of any teams or clubs?

Not these days.

1250. Is cheerleading a sport?

Absolutely, yes.

1251. Do you believe that people should be able to choose death for themselves if they want to end their lives?
Sure, but they shouldn't ask someone to help them end their lives.

1252. Is there anything you morally object to?
Homosexuality, drugs, casual sex. The usual.

1253. What would you never do for money?
Pose naked. Kill. Take drugs. The usual.

1254. Applebees, the Outback, or TGI Friday's?
Outback.

1255. Which do you drink the most: juice, soda, milk, or water?
Soda. Should be water.

1256. What sport do you like to watch the most?
Reality TV. Mostly, Survivor, The Amazing Race, Big Brother type shows.

1257. What sport do you like to play the most?
I don't "olay" sports. I'm not really good at it considering I was cut from the 7th grade basketball team because I couldn't make a layup. The easiest thing to do in basketball. So, clearly, I'm better at watching. However, I love to throw a football around and if someone is willing to bear with me, I think I may a pretty good wide receiver.

1256. Do you write poetry?

Not really. I can rhyme though.

1257. Are you aggressive?
Not usually. I'm more aggressive when I'm after something I really want but usually I'm pretty passive.

1258. Have you ever fallen from grace?
All the time.

1259. Does it bother you when a band you like gets really popular?
No. I think it's great.

1260. Has anyone ever won you a stuffed animal? If yes, did you name it after the person who won it for you?
I won something resembling a stuff animal at the fair one year. It was basically the shape of a bear sewn together with cotton inside of it. And it sucked. I immediately wanted my money back and no, I did not name it after myself.

1261. Can you go one week without cursing at all?
Sure.

1262. What's the best candy?
Harbo Gummi Bears. Hands down.

1263. Can you lick your own nose?
Don't think so.

1264. What song would you like to hear spontaneously in a public place (like a store)?
No preferences.

1265. Do you ever make others feel unwanted?
I think I have.

1266. Do you think you have ever made others feel unwanted without realizing you were doing it?
I never make someone feel unwanted intentionally.

1267. Are you very sensitive to what other people are feeling and how they will react to certain things?
Yes.

1268. Have you ever climbed a tree?
Yes.

1269. Do you feel somehow different when the moon is full?
Not that I know of.

1270. Who do you know that talks a lot but never really says anything?
Ha. I work with a few of those.

1271. Is world peace possible?
Not until Jesus comes back.

1272. Who do you know that is making a huge life mistake yet you can't stop them? What’s the mistake?
I don't know of anyone right now.

1273. Do you plan to own a home or rent an apartment for most of your life?
Own a home

1274. Would you enjoy going to a strip bar to see strippers (of whatever sex you find appealing)? Absolutely not. Full-on nakedness makes me uncomfortable.

1275. Would you ever consider stripping in a sexual way for money?
No.

1276. Would you ever consider being a nude model for an artistic life drawing class for money?
Nope.

1277. What are 2 goals that you have?
1) To read the Harry Potter series before the end of this year.
2) Find a job that allows me time to make an impact on the people around me in the way I know I can.

1278. What are 2 negative traits that you have?
1) Procrastination
2) Tardiness

1279. Will these negative traits stop you from achieving your goals?
They could.

1280. Everyone knows that you are nice, fun, creative, and good but what are 4 other positive traits that you have?
1) Encouraging
2) Good listener
3) Thoughtful
4) Smart

1281. How often do you daydream about your wedding day?
These days? Probably a little too much considering I don't have any prospects.

1282. If you were hiring someone for a job but could only ask him or her 3 questions in the interview what would you ask?
1. What would you change about yourself?
2. What would you change about this company?
3. How do you plan to impact the world around you?

1283. If you were interviewing someone for the position of your new friend but could only ask 3 questions, what would they be?
Probably the same questions from above but instead of company in number two, insert me.

1285. Wholesome - Conducive to sound health or well being; salutary: simple, examples: wholesome food; a wholesome climate, Promoting mental, moral, or social health: example: wholesome entertainment.

Do you enjoy wholesome activities (sports, cooking, beach, family time, zoo, museums, etc.)? If yes what wholesome activity do you enjoy the most?
Yes, I love sports, the beach and family time most of all.
Are you a wholesome person?
Yes

1286. When was your first kiss and what was it like?
My first kiss was in 10th grade with the kicker of the football team. It was in the upstairs family room of our old house. And it was horrible.

1287. Are you quiet and shy?
I can be.

1288. Are you bitchy, cranky, whiny, miserable, depressed, needy, mean, flakey, shallow, obnoxious, inconsiderate, nervous, and/or stuck up?
I'm sure all of the above at some point or another.

1289. Do you come off any of these ways even if you aren't really like that?
See 1288.

1290. Are you loud and unfriendly?
Loud, yes. Unfriendly, not usually.

1291. Can a positive attitude/good personality make up for someone being less than beautiful?
Absolutely.

1292. Can being totally beautiful and hot make up for a negative attitude/bad personality?
No.

1293.What are you seeking?
Christ.

1294. Could you see yourself as a future nun/monk?
Nope.

1295. Would you rather have a baby or get a pet?
Right now? Get a pet.

1296. What mistake do you repeat over and over?
Lots of them.

1297. What do you think of the restaurant Hooters?
I hate it. And the food is bad.

1298. What are 5 traits that make someone ugly?
Smoking, bad attitude, negativity, continuous cursing and over-confidence

1299. Do you hate when people tell you to smile?
No.

1300. Do you like the writing of Douglas Adams?
Never heard of him.

Happy Birthday Dad!

2011-01-26T20:01:00.003-06:00

Today's my daddy's birthday and I couldn't let it go by without letting the whole world know, or at least this little corner of the internet.

This guy.

I could list 59 things that I love about my daddy, but really, that just wouldn't be enough. So for now, I'll just list ten of my favorite things/memories of my dad.

1. I used to think (and still do) my dad was the strongest man in the world. Like ESPN Strongest Man competition strong.

2. He plays a mean harmonica.

3. The way I can discuss heart matters/theology with him because our minds are just simple.

4. The way he takes care of his mother.

5. Going fishing with hotdogs and catching about 20 (or more) fish.

6. His job is his mission field.

7. He always helps me remember "who I am, and whose I am."

8. He told my first date to be careful with me because I am the child of a King. And him.

9. When he tells me he will jump in the truck and drive to Birmingham to kick someone's ass, I know he really means it.

10. He is the reason I know who Jesus Christ is.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD! I LOVE YOU MORE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW!

"I love ya long, and ya know I'm gonna love ya strong"

2011-01-26T09:55:00.002-06:00

A couple, two, three things:

1. The Malcolm X glasses

2. "Stay your behinds at home!"

3. "A glow. in. the. dark. body paint party...Do not send me an invitational to something until Easter."

4. The MLK Rant. It's BRILLIANCE.

5. "We done boycotted the school buses for a week. That enough Rosa Parks."

6. "I need to get to the church house on Sunday. I need to hear the good Bishop and the good Word."

I want to be this lady's friend. If anyone in the ATL area is reading this, and you know this woman, hook a sista up.

10 Things I Learned From Miss America 2011

2011-01-16T23:47:00.003-06:00

It seems as though the half of the world that wasn't watching the Packers/Falcons game last night was watching the 90th installment of the Miss America Pageant.

Miss America, as well as Miss Mississippi, has been an annual event in the Walden family. Dad locks himself in his room (or in yesterday's case, he goes to the hotel and leaves Mom with me), and my mom, sister and I, no matter where we are, commence with the shameless and heartless commenting. It's a good thing the pageant is on a Saturday night because I almost always feel at the brink of hell's doorstep after some of the things I've said and a good Sunday morning of confession is almost always a must-do.

Yet it's all in good fun, and well, if you're going to get on national television in a bikini, then we, the national audience, are rendered the right to comment.

This year's pageant, however, was more entertaining than previous years. I'm not sure whether it was heightened cynicism on our end or the complete lack of talent on the pageant's end but nevertheless, the 90th anniversary handed America a truckload of entertainment last night which only makes me look more forward to the 100th anniversary (should we all live long enough to see it given that we aren't struck by lightning in the next 10 years).

So, without further ado and in no random order, I give you my list of 10 things I learned from Miss America 2011:

1. A wig and a sad story will get you into the top 10 nine times out of ten, but once you're there, you're on your own. (All kidding aside, I loved this girl and thought she was precious and is doing some incredible things with her platform as Miss Delaware.)

2. Did y'all know moonwalking originated from Irish riverdance?

3. Bringing back ventriloquism and yodeling will win you points with the viewers but not with the judges.

4. Also, who knew the girl with the dummies on her hands would be a better singer than the ones who sang dummy-less.

5. Note to self: Do some background research on the song I will sing for my talent. For instance, "Nessum Dorma", Miss Arizona? Not supposed to be sung by a woman. How do I know? My sister is an operatic encyclopedia. That's how I know.

6. "Papa Was A Rolling Stone", Miss Washington? Pretty sure that's the image the Miss America Organization wants to portray. Did she even hear what she was singing? "Papa never worked a day in his life...he had three outside children and another wife."

Also, her platform? Mentoring: Positive Influences That Can Change A Life.

COME. ON!

7. I'm pretty sure I could've won at least a talent preliminary with a paper bag over my head. And that's not saying much for the girls who competed considering I'm not even remotely the most talented person in my family.

8. Never ask a contestant who was just cut what she would've done for her talent had she been voted into the top 12. Why? Because her answer of "I would've tap danced to '9 to 5'" would've commenced a collective "Bless Her Heart!" from every women in the southeast United States.

9. Heather Whitestone is just as darling today as she was back when she won the title.

10. I wholeheartedly believe Chris Harrison wouldn't have a job if it weren't for girls who want to put on an evening gown and compete for money and love.

Did I mention the Miss Arkansas (a.k.a. The Yodeling Ventriloquist) should've won? I told my sister had she gotten rid of the dummies and just sang a song, she would've had it in the bag. But, had I taken my own advice and gotten rid of the dummies and gone about my business, my love life might've turned out differently. So who am I to judge?

What about you? Did you watch the pageant? Did your favorite get into the top 15 or even win?

P.S. The Packers won, which kept alive my streak of losses for the team I pulled for. I'm convinced the Bears will win the Super Bowl because they are the only team that have pulled for who has continued to win. Let's hope I didn't just jinx them.

I Don't Even Know Who I Am Anymore

2011-01-14T10:18:00.004-06:00

First, I just want to say that I know that God made me who I am and if that changes over the course of my lifetime, that's fine because that's pretty much out of my control. And I know that I am the way that I am because of the amazing parents that I have and the wonderful sister that I have and the incredible people that I've been surrounded by throughout my life. So, any great things that is found in me is only because God placed them in my life.

And, I know zodiac signs are probably a load of cow poo so let's just all keep that in mind as we read what I've written below.

Nevertheless.

This new zodiac sign is rocking my world. I've lived the large majority of my life (the majority in which I actually knew what a zodiac sign was) thinking I'm a Leo. In fact, the characteristics of a Leo are pretty spot on for me.

For instance:

- passionate

- kind-hearted, generous, sympathetic and magnetic

- emotional (nail on the head), very intuitive

- fine conversationalists, excelling in repartee, the best of storytellers (maybe pushing it here)
- always make a point and always see the point

- a most powerful people for good, with a marked ability to inspire others (Tim Tebow is a Leo, no doubt)

- have the most remarkable power in molding public opinion, and in swaying great audience (again Tim Tebow, not so much me)

- protective of their own (very much me)

- must be right all the time (I'm working on this). Argument is of no use under such conditions. In fact, it is well to let the Leo enjoy his opinions without interference.

- would rather plan than work, and by no means are fond of details

- sometimes very lazy (sometimes?) and are fond of basking in the sun and dozing in the chimney corner (yes, please).

So, yesterday, with this lost sign coming to the forefront, I'm being told I'm a Cancer. Let's see what that's all about.

- It's a water sign, so if that means that Cancers like water, then okay, you got me there.

- persistant will, a clutch of determination, intuition and purpose

- invincible to argument, and cannot be talked out of a thing; but if their feelings are hurt, they are apt to lose heart and abandon whatever they have undertaken. (this is pretty spot on)

- strong as giants and weak as infants; fond of travel, often taking long voyages, which are not always successful.

- have a very superior intelligence, and an aptitude for learning new things and working out new principles.

- generous and full of sympathy for the public good, but demand a full independence to develop the same.

- unpredictable and frequently change their occupation (wow, hello there Katie)

- apt to change companions and friends very frequently, often becoming bitter enemies of those to whom they were previously attached.

- tactful to diplomacy in some matters, and show their hands with painful clearness in others.

- Their powers of understanding are very quick and keen

- excellent memories (very much me)

- fine public speakers

- fond of money

- the male is apt to become miserly, the female covetous and ambitious to get and hoard

- afraid and ashamed of poverty

- mechanical mind, the women are intellectual and often very logical writers and speakers, remarkably progessive in their ideas, and frequently found among the prime movers in great humane enterprises.

- very apt to be comfortable, happy and unassailable during the day but very unhappy and depressed at night (I'm the complete opposite)

- conscientious about giving advice and like to be consulted in important matters

- fond of the beautiful and artistic

- like to dress fancy

- neat and orderly and expect others to be the same

I've got to say, some of the characteristics of both hit the nail on the head and some, well, just aren't me.

So, I've got to ask the people who know me, what do you think? Am I a Leo? Am I a Cancer? Is this all a load of crap?

Let me know what you think. And did your sign change? Are you having an identity crisis? Is this the beginning of the end?? Can you sense my sarcasm???

A View Of What I Hope Is To Come

2011-01-13T11:14:00.003-06:00

The guy who has been making these MSU highlight videos this year is mucho talented. Of course, when you've got the year we had to work with, it probably makes the job a little easier.

Here is the final installment of the year. A year-in-review, if you will. And a glimpse of what I hope is to come for the future of Mississippi State football. (It's the only thing getting me throug basketball season right now.)

And can I just say this again? National championship or not, I wouldn't trade Chris Relf for Cam Newton for a million bucks. Or 200,000 of them. The kid is class personified and I hope next year is an even better year for his has he closes his career out as a Bulldog.

Til I'm Home

2011-01-12T20:30:00.006-06:00

I've just come home from an incredible night of worship and prayer at my church. I can't thank God enough for moving me to Birmingham five years ago and placing this church and its people in my life. I am have been truly changed by the truth that has been spoken into my heart and that truth then coming alive in my life.

One of those people who has completely spoken truth into my life has been Mandi Mapes. God has totally used Mandi to transform my heart and she doesn't even know. I barely know her. Maybe have spoken two words to her in a choir practice. But, she is just one part of the amazing worship team at Brook Hills. God has gifted Mandi in so many ways, with the voice of an angel, the ability to play many instruments, but most importantly, the mind and the heart to create music and lyrics that completely speak the heart of God's people.

Mandi has been leading worship for about three years now, and after much waiting from our faith family, she has finally put out a full-length album. It's entitled Til I'm Home and you can get it at iTunes. And I urge you to get it.

Much of what Mandi writes tells the story of redemption through Jesus Christ and points us to our eternal home. The chorus of one of her songs pleads:

"This world is not my home,

I'm a stranger in this country,

Jesus in me, won't you pour me out.

I'm ready to abandon all my shiny things,

my family and this American dream

Lord, come take it all from me

until there's nothing left but you."

If that's not a prayer for the life that we should be living I don't know what is.

Over the holidays, I finished reading John Eldredge's book Desire. It's a fantastic read and I recommend it to everyone. But it struck a chord with me personally because it hit straight to the heart of what I've been dealing with over the last couple of years.

I've been struggling with what my purpose is in this life. I feel called to greater things that what I'm doing right now and that's hard for me because I've worked so hard (and my parents have shelled out a lot of money) to get where I am right now. Now, I feel God calling me to a completely different arena.

I've talked (read: blogged) a lot about how my desires have slowly become what God desires and how my perspective on that has completely changed. Eldredge points out that we shouldn't be afraid of desire because desire fuels life and prayer and accomplishment. If we don't desire anything, then we are dead in our tracks. It's what we do with that desire that is the key.

He writes:

"The clue to who we really are and why we are here comes to us through our heart's desire. But it comes in surprising ways, and often goes unnoticed or is misunderstood. Once in a while life comes together for us in a way that feels good and right and what we've been waiting for. These are moments in our lives that we wish could go on forever. They aren't necessarily the "Kodak moments"...More often than not they come in subtler, unexpected ways, as if to sneak up on us...Something in your heart says, Finally--it has come. This is what I was made for."

"...even though we sleep, our desire does not. It is who we are. We are desire. It is the essence of the human soul, the secret of our existence. Absolutely nothing of human greatness is ever accomplished without it."

I don't want to give too much of the book away but the basic take-away I got from the book was that my desire should draw me closer to God, not because I'm pleading with him for that desire to be fulfilled (which we should be doing anyway), but because my desire should be rooted in God in the first place.

If we are followers of Christ, then we are heirs of God's kingdom. I never really understood what that meant until I read this book.

"...when Genesis declares we are God's image, it is describing not certain qualities of our character but capacities of our nature. This is why when the essence of our likeness to God is announced, it is in the context of our position upon the earth, our place in creation....Our original design was for a life of creative rule, to share in the overall care and development of God's creation."

"His plan is for us to develop, as apprentices to Jesus, to the point where we can take our place in the ongoing creativity of the universe." (The Divine Conspiracy, Dallas Willard)

When we all get to heaven (sing it with me now, WHAT A DAY OUR REJOICING THAT WILL BE!), we won't just be sitting around strumming harps and eating an unlimited supply of Krispy Kreme donuts with no consequences. We will be participating in the ongoing production that is the creation and sustainment of the universe.

WHAT?!? How cool is that? We will be apprentices to Jesus! Jesus doesn't just sit on a throne next to his dad and watch life go on like it's an Oscar-nominated drama. He's directing the entire show, people! Therefore, if we are co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17) and made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26), we won't be spectators in heaven. We will be participants.

I don't know about y'all but that makes me PUMPED to get to heaven.

So, with that said, how do I get to heaven. We'll I've already taken the first step (enter into a relationship with Christ). The second step? Either I die, or Jesus comes and gets me. Those are my choices.

I kind of think it would be cool to be alive when Jesus comes and gets me. No joke. But how do I make that happen?

Well, the Bible tells us that Jesus ain't coming back until the whole world has heard His name. When the ends of the earth are reached for him, and all the work that he started here is complete, then he'll come back. (Matthew 24:14)

So what does that mean for me?

In words of Niecy Nash, I better "git to gittin'."

Y'all, the gospel isn't going to get up on a Delta airplane and ship itself to the Middle East. And it's not going to put on suit and walk into your workplace tomorrow and share itself with your co-workers. Actually, if God wanted it that way, he'd make it happen. I mean there is that "the rocks will cry out" verse in the Bible.

But what a privilege it is that God has picked us out to be his instruments to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth.

We were once the ends of the earth. Just ask that Columbus guy.

So, in conclusion (because obviously I'm writing a thesis here), what are you going to do with your desire?

About Last Night...

2011-01-11T19:29:00.006-06:00

Just in case you were living under a rock (or snowed in with no electricity), Auburn won the national championship last night in the Tostitos BSC National Title Game in Glendale, Ariz. And yes, you heard it right. Brent Musburger did say, "This is for all the Tostitos," just before Auburn's kicker nailed the game-winning field goal. Lame? Probably.

I have an interesting point of view on this national title game, not because I'm a girl living in the South, and we all know that we Southern Belles love us some college football. My view point comes from that of a girl living in Alabama. The heart of Alabama, people.

Now, I'm from Mississippi. I understand rivalry as much as the next person. The only thing that I could possibly love more than a Mississippi State win is an Ole Miss loss. I LOATHE the RebelBears more than my worst enemy. I think "fire of a thousand suns" would be the appropriate phrase to describe my hatred for them.

However, my approach towards rivalry is much different than than of my Alabama/Auburn comrades. My approach is to 1) chuckle at the dumb decisions TSUN makes on a daily basis (offensive coaching staff makeover when there were obvious defensive deficiencies this year), 2) say the appropriate rivalry-related things during games, but 3) to just try to ignore them like they never were there in the first place.

What good is it going to do to sit around and pine and hem and haw over "that other team" 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year? Nothing. All it seems to be doing to my friends of Crimson and White and Burnt Orange and Navy loyalty is skyrocketing blood pressure numbers and unnecessary doctor's bills. Not to mention that it's just annoying.

So, I say that all to say this. Last night, even those I had (literally) no dog in the fight, it was a lose-lose situation for me. Auburn loses, the Barners (Auburn fans) whine for the duration of the year and the Tiders yell about "The Bear" a little louder. Auburn wins, the Barners continue the obnoxious bragging until the end of time. The Tiders continue mourning "The Bear" and talk about how Auburn cheated and they will be stripped of their title in due time.

This is what I put up with on a daily basis, people.

Nevertheless, Auburn won. The SEC claimed its fifth-straight national championship and its six in seven years. Alabama kind rules in football right now considering back-to-back Heismans and national championships. And I guess since I'm technically a citizen of the state, that cool and all.

However, my win of the night was these wicked sweet unis that Oregon donned.

Technically, those are the wrong pants and the ones they wore last night was even cooler. But y'all, I've never seen a cooler helmet and the sheer fact that the yellow socks and shoes made them look even more like actually ducks on the field was, well, it was just priceless.

Here are my thoughts on the unis (ignore the third and fourth):

Oregon, for the win. Or loss. There's always next year.

24-Hour Life Change

2011-01-06T10:48:00.004-06:00

I'm sure by now most of you have heard about Ted Williams. No, not the fame Boston Red Sox player whose family chose to have his body frozen after his death in 2002. Not this Ted Williams.

There's a new Ted Williams on the scene. This guy.

In the past 24 hours, this guy has gone from living in a tent near a highway in Columbus, Ohio, to a haircut and new clothes, prospects of a new job, media appearances and a reunion with his 90-year-old mother. Read more of the story here.

I don't know how all of this started but I saw this video yesterday afternoon.

About three hours later, the Cleveland Cavaliers came calling. So did NFL Films. All because of the guy who made this video.

I majored in broadcast journalism in college and the one thing I learned about this industry is that it's not just about getting the news to people. It's about being aware of the world around you and taking notice of it, and then telling its story. It's about knowing that there is always more to a "story" than you think and every person in this world is a character who plays a role in this thing we call life.

What makes a journalist is a passion and desire to seek out story in every situation in life. To look a person or a business or a situation and wonder what's behind it. We all have a story to tell. We all do. Some of us can tell our own story. Some of us need help getting it out there.

The guy who made this video is obviously a journalist. He sees this guy every day. He passes him on the street. But I imagine what led to this video is his curiousity got the best of him and he decided to get a video camera and take matters into his own hands. He posted it on YouTube and it went viral.

And now a person's entire life has changed.

What would this world be like if we all had a passion to find true story in life and tell it? I like to think there would be a lot less judgment and a little more harmony.

But that's just me.

Don't Watch 2011. Live It.

2011-01-03T11:50:00.002-06:00

This is such a great idea. I love the story of it. If you've read Donald Miller's A Million Miles, you'll remember this story. If you haven't, Don tells a bit of the story in this post. It's worth the click and read.

I've heard about/gotten wind of so many traditions this holiday season that I not so much want to steal but to be a part of. This is one of those.

Here's the video about the New Year's Day Parade the Goff family started. It's just so neat.

The Funny Thing About Christmas

2010-12-23T23:45:00.003-06:00

I've just returned (well, not JUST. About three hours ago I did...) from the Stone Family Christmas gathering (my mother's side of the family). We did it a day early this year and yes, we are all at a loss of what we will do on Christmas Eve now.

Although half the family was missing, so many things remained the same. Chatting all long-time-no-see like with cousins. Stuffing our faces with finger foods. Singing "Children, Go Where I Send Thee" at the top of our lungs and in perfect three-part harmony. We are a musical family.

But also, asking the many kiddos what they've asked Santa for and if they've been good enough all year to get it. This is something we all do when we get around kids at this time of year, and it hit me today just how funny the whole thing is.

We sing, "he's making a list and checking it twice, gonna find out who's naughty or nice." We've ingrained into ourselves and our society, this figure, this man who gives gifts only to good little girls and boys. It's a ploy to get good behavior out of our kids. When my nephew starts acting up, the first thing that comes out of our mouths is, "Santa's still watching."

We've conjured up this idea that we have to perform for our gifts. There's this imaginary list that we try and try and try so hard to get on.

But the funny this is that the real meaning of Christmas reflects the exact opposite. Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The very nature of God come to Earth in human form to save the entire world from the wrath of sin. He's THE gift of the season. The FREE GIFT of the season.

Unlike our gifts from Santa, we don't have to perform to receive the gift of Jesus Christ. In fact, there is nothing, absolutely nothing, that we can do, on our own, to get Jesus. Nothing. That's why it's called MERCY -- compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an enemy, the discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone, something that gives evidence of divine favor.

The bible says we were enemies of Christ but now we are co-heirs with Him in the kingdom of God. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. And we didn't have to do anything or perform any task or act a certain way to gain His favor. He met us where we were -- dead deep down in our sin -- and He laid down his life and raised us up out of the yucky mess that was our life and now, when we confess Him as Lord, we will reign with Him in eternity.

And, we don't have to wait until Christmas day to receive the gift. It's there for our taking every single day.

Now, that's a gift worth taking.

Your Weekly Sing-Off Indulgence

2010-12-16T14:03:00.003-06:00

So I love my Committed boys from Alabama and they did fantastic this week. But Street Corner Symphony is quickly edging out The Backbeats for my second favorite. Except I really want to learn how to beatbox like that girl Courtney from The Backbeats. Anyway, everybody killed it on last night's show but SCS was just so good. So they win the honor of being spotlighted on el bloggo this week.

And they win an extra award for having a John Lennon doppleganger. Except it was especially freaky this night.

Jeremy Lister's voice is just genius. God knew what he was doing with that one.

Amazing Grace

2010-12-13T17:07:00.002-06:00

I promise one day I'm going to do a post with actual words but things are just way too busy for me right now to try to form sentences that don't have anything to do with track and field and softball.

So, here a fantastic video of my home church, FBC Jackson (MS), singing "Amazing Grace" at this weekend's Carols By Candlelight.

Music Video Thursday (Or The Post Where I Post Sing-Off videos)

2010-12-09T10:59:00.003-06:00

You're welcome in advance. These videos will be your favorite part of the day.

First a little Christmas fun from Northpoint Church.

Just get ready for me to post videos of this next group every week because I am slightly obsessed with how talented they are.

It Must Be Video Wednesday...

2010-12-08T21:08:00.000-06:00

I figured since its 22 degrees outside, it's perfect weather for a summer video. Ha. I was looking through some videos on my computer and realized that I made this video of our family vacation and never posted it. So here it is. I hope thoughts of the beach warm you up on this cold night.

Walden Family Vacay 2010 from Katie Walden on Vimeo.

Sing Off

2010-12-08T21:01:00.003-06:00

If you're not watching this show called "Sing Off" on NBC, then you'd better have something serious going on.

Y'all, these white boys from Oregon (On The Rocks) just rocked some T.I. and Rhianna. Rocked. It.

There's also a group from Nashville called Street Corner Symphony. But really, they are reppin' Mississippi because the Lister boys, Jeremy and Adam, are from Madison.

Committed is from Huntsville. That's in Alabama, y'all. And they are basically reppin' God because well, that's why they are named committed. They said they are committed to God first, each other second and music third. And there are some kind of good.

Then there's this other group, I forget what they are called. But they have a female lead singer who is insanely talented.

So, watch it.

Now.

Because I said so.

Have I ever led you astray?

This Makes Me Sad The Season Is Over. Oh, Wait...

2010-12-08T10:54:00.001-06:00

It's not! 1.1.11. The fat lady will sing. And she will be singing "Hail State!"

I could watch this over and over again...

2010-12-01T17:23:00.000-06:00

Blog-Linkity Goodness 12.1.10

2010-12-01T11:00:00.001-06:00

On this Wednesday, I share with you:

1. Our Fox channel here in Birmingham, spotlighted my church recently and talked to our pastor about what we call The Radical Experiment. I know it's reached people across the U.S. and around the world because we hear stories from those people and pray for those people every Sunday. I have to say I'm humbled by what I'm seeing God do throughout this process and very thankful that I'm being led by such a man as David Platt, along with other men who have a passionate commitment to making disciples of all nations. Click here to see the news package and here if you have 24:06 to watch the raw video of his interview.

2. If you haven't gotten Dave Barnes' Christmas album "A Very Merry Christmas", you need to drop what you are doing and go to iTunes or Dave Barnes' website and get it NOW. Seriously. My Christmas music collection never knew what it was missing until baby came along. His original songs are amazing and his version of "The Christmas Song" is chasing Avalon's for best version ever made. And his video for "Christmas Tonight" has everything, including Jennifer Lowe Hewitt. Watch it now.

3. If you didn't see my post about fashionABLE or if you did and don't remember where you can get a scarf, go here. Y'all they are cutie-patooty and are for a great cause. I just ordered mine Monday and can't wait for it to arrive.

4. Annie Downs' book, From Head To Foot, comes out in SEVEN days, people. That's exciting. It's her first and I know it won't be her last. It's geared toward teenage girls but I know the themes in her book will touch all women, young and old. This is a writer I admire so so much, who inspires me to take hold of what God has for me, and who I consider one of my spiritual heroes. If you have a teenage girl in your life who is facing or about to face those tough, yucky teenage-y years, this would be a great gift for her.

5. If you haven't seen the video for David Crowder's song, "Shine", consider this your Christmas gift from me.

6. And what's an editioni of Blog-Linkity Goodness without a link to SCL. Jon Acuff hit the nail on the head with this serious Wednesday post about when things in life don't go exactly as you planned.

fashionABLE

2010-11-15T14:33:00.004-06:00

Y'all, I'm going to go ahead and confess to you right now that I have a small obsession with scarves. Ahem, small.

I go through different phases about every six months where I become obsessed with some item, whether it be clothing, food, etc. Right now, it's scarves. And this one has lasted more than six months, I'm sad to say.

Mocha Club isn't helping my little addition at all. MC recently lauched a new line of handmade Ethiopian scarves. And y'all, these things are beautiful. Not just because they are pretty and can complete a solid outfit but because there's a story behind them.

I love story. I love hearing stories. I love telling stories. I love knowing the stories behind people, places and things and what makes those people, places and things tick and work and special.

FashionABLE is special. Mocha Club is special. MC director Barrett Ward is special. Barrett has seen first-hand how life-changing these scarves are for women in Ethiopia. Watch this video and hear Barrett's heart for what is being done in Ethiopia right now.

Still need more convincing? Go here and read the stories of women whose lives have been changed by this program.

How about that? These scarves are saving the lives of women all over Ethiopia. They are giving them a safe outlet in which to sustain themselves and their families. I don't know about y'all, but that's worth $22 to me. Actually, I think it's worth a whole lot more.

I don't know about y'all, but I love when the money I spend goes towards making a better life for people who really need it. When it means more than giving money and getting an item in return. With a programs like Mocha Club and fashionABLE, you're not just getting what you pay for. You're giving opportunity, empowerment, sustainability. You are giving life.

So, if you're still looking for Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers or are two months late on a birthday gift, go order one of these scarves.

It really is the gift that keeps on giving.

(And it keeps your neck warm.)

It's Our Time

2010-11-11T19:19:00.002-06:00

I love these game week videos Mississippi State is putting out, and this week's has to be my favorite. It's got it all. Mourning and joy, highs and lows. While honoring our late fallen Bulldog, Nick Bell, it also sets into focus what Nick Bell would have wanted his team to focus on. BEATING ALABAMA.

I won't say much, but I will say this: I got a feeling. And it's not a bad one either.

And you better get ready to head bang and fist-shake with the best of them because this video will make you do that. And if you have a cowbell, get ready to ring it after you what it because well, you're gonna want to.

GO DAWGS!!!!

Things I Miss From My Childhood

2010-11-10T10:52:00.002-06:00

I've been reminiscing recently about things from my childhood I really miss. I don't really know why but I sometimes get in these nostalgic moods where all I do is dream of the past.

Anyhoo, here's my list:

1. Billy Puckett (few will know who this is and what this means, but that kid forever changed my five-year old view of life)

2. Cold pizza for breakfast at LB's house and watching Muppets Take Manhattan in the green chairs.

3. Coca-Cola as a treat.

4. The days when Papaw picked us up from school and took us to the gas station to get junk food.

5. Being escorted across the street to my mom's school by Thomas Earl.

6. Kickball in Mrs. Parrott's class.

7. Music class with Mrs. Reed. And the recorder. And glockenspiels.

8. Backscratches from my daddy. I think still owe him upwards of about 3,000.

9. Playing restaurant and school with my sister.

10. Grandma's cooking.

11. Going to lunch at school on days when Grandma was subbing in the caf. I loved getting to see her when I didn't expect it.

12. Sandy, Cleo and Speck.

13. The time I found a dog in the gutter and begged mom to take it home. And I named it Gutter.

14. Saturday's a the Y pool. And the Phillips 66 gas station.

15. We (heart) Yogurt.

16. Old school Chuck E. Cheese. With the real talking characters.

17. Baton and tumbling.

18. Taco night.

19. Sister's homemade biscuit pizzas.

20. Dad's Mr. Pendelton story.

There are a lot more I could list but that would take days. Days that I don't have.

What are some of your favorite childhood memories.

God of All Comfort

2010-11-03T12:10:00.002-05:00

I'm praying this over a lot of people today.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort." (2 Corinthians 1:3-7)

Ode To My Cowboy Boots

2010-11-02T16:53:00.010-05:00

Oh, dear cowboy boots
How I love you so.
I fought it for a sweet forever,
but it's time I let you know.
Wearing you denies my own fashion instincts,
yet you've become my most comfortable shoe,
It's like you're hugging my feet.
I'm ashamed to say that it's so,
I shall never let you go.
Oh, dear cowboy boots,
How I love you so.

(These aren't my boots, but they sure are cute.)

You're welcome.

2010-10-27T11:26:00.002-05:00

Blog-Linkity Goodness 10.26.10

2010-10-26T15:45:00.002-05:00

Here are a few links I've found interesting recently.

1. This has to be the greatest capitalization of the dumbest reality TV move ever. Mad props to Bachelor Kasey (or the person who approached him with this idea)! Click here for a refresher of the dumbest reality TV move ever.

2. This post of Annie's I really loved because a) I love surfing and 2) I can totally relate.

3. I haven't heard much from Andy Merrick in a while but like always, when he comes back, he comes back with a bang. I may or may not have read this post four times today already.

4. In six days, it'll be November. Which means it's officially acceptable for me to listen to Christmas music. And I can't wait to purchase this. And this.

5. I guess when your job is done, your job is done. His reward awaits him in Octopus Heaven. Also, please look at the writer's headshot and tell that doesn't look like a police mugshot. I dare you.

6. I'm sure this comes in handy at some point.

7. And lastly, I also may or may not have watched this video (and this one) about seven times. I can't get over just how humble this guy is, but I guess after all that he's been through and what God has pulled him out of, there's no other way to be. I strongly believe that God does great things through people who constantly point back to him and since we are talking sports, I'll just mention a few names -- Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy (and here), David Tyree and Kurt Warner.

I'm not talking prosperity gospel, I'm talking about a God who uses people for His glory and people who live their life to make His glory known throughout the world.

That's inspiration enough for me.

Marcel

2010-10-25T11:17:00.002-05:00

Thanks to Annieblogs for sharing Marcel today. Marcel just made my Monday. I hope she makes yours.

MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON from Dean Fleischer-Camp on Vimeo.

5000 Question Survey (Part 12)

2010-10-20T16:29:00.000-05:00

1101. Continued...Let's see if I'm psychic.

You wrote three yes or no questions. Now I will answer them.

1. yes
2. no
3. no

Did I get any right?
No because I didn't write any.

1102. You wrote one question that can be answered with a color (example: what color is my car). I say....
White.
Is it true?
Maybe, sometimes the sky it white.

1103. You thought of a number between 1 and 100 and typed it down.

Was it 14?
I don't remember. But probably not.

1104. You wrote one more question, anything you wanted.
The answer is yes, 42, orange, Matt, Josh, Kim, Nicole, whatever or your mom. Does that answer your question?
No. The answer as penguin.

1105. Do you think that Britney Spears would make a good Bond Girl?
Absolutely not. I don't think Britney Spears would make a good anything until she gets her life in order. And I don't think that will happen until people leave her alone.

1106. Have you read anything by C.S. Lewis?
Yes, most recently, Mere Christianity.

1107. What is your favorite movie with Bill Murray?
There are a few. Off the top of my head? Groundhog Day, Ghostbusters, What About Bob.

1108. What is your favorite movie with Jack Nicholson?
Batman

1109. What is your favorite movie with Christopher Walkin?
I don't have a favorite. My favorite thing he's done is just about anything on SNL.

1110. What is your favorite movie with Johnny Depp?

What's Eating Gilbert Grape?

1111. What is your favorite movie with Orlando Bloom?
Elizabethtown

1112. What rhymes with 'orange'?
Sporange. Look it up.

1113. Why do guys have nipples if they will never need to feed a baby?
Because God made them that way. And they would look weird without them.

1114. Some people think that couples should be screened before they are allowed to reproduce (so that people who cannot afford to support a child don’t have one, or so that a child won’t be born into a dysfunction family or to unfit parents). What do you think about this?
I think God chooses to give people children for a reason. And no matter what happens, God gets the glory from those situations. I know plenty of people with sucky parents but they've turned out to be some of the most Godly people I know.

1115. Have you ever swallowed an object by accident?
I've swallowed candy and ice by accident. That's about it.

1116. Did you get it back?
nope

1117. Do you prefer He-Man or She-Ra?
He-Man

1118. Are you proud of yourself?
Yes

1119. Who should go to hell?
That's not my place to judge. The Bible says that those who reject God will go to hell.

1120. Is your eyesight 20/20?
Not at all.

1121. Have you ever had insomnia?
Don't think so.

1122. Does it bother you when people touch you?
Depends on the situation

1123. Is it better to get too much or too little sleep?
In my opinion, too much.

1124. Have you ever given away something you made? What?
I've given away several paintings as gift and I used to make stuff all the time for my mom and dad when I was little.

1125. Is it better to have kids when you are in your teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, or older?
Never in your teens. Mid-to-late-20s and after is good.

1126. What gets your adrenaline pumping?
Being a spectator at a sporting event, doing something adventurous, or being attacked

1127. Is hell all fire and brimstone or is it personal for everyone like in Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey?
No one knows.

Or does it not exist?
Oh, it exists.

1128. Do you ever talk about yourself in the third person?
Yes.

1129. What's your favorite radio station? What kind of music do they play?
Broadway on Sirius XM. The title explains itself.

1130. What did you think of these movies:
Election? Saw it once and didn't really get it.
Gone With the Wind? I've never seen it all the way through but it's one of those that as girl, you're kind of obligated to see.
Fight Club? Never seen it.
Spider Man? Great.
The Virgin Suicides? Never seen it.
Resident Evil? Never seen it.
Signs? Great.
Muppets from Space? The only Muppet movie I've never seen.
Pearl Harbor? Great.
Halloween Resurrection? Never seen it.
The Dark Crystal? I know I've seen it but don't remember much about it.

1131. Is everyone special?
Yes.

1132. Are your toes:
Painted (what color)? A pinkish-red
Manicured? not anymore
Sparkly? no
Soft? yes
Wearing a toe ring? no
Do you have hobbit-feet? no

1133. Do you believe there is anyplace still undiscovered in all the world?
There has to be.

1134. Whose picture would you like to paint a target on and throw darts at?
I can think of a few but I won't say.

1135. Is love all you need?
Should be.

1136. Ever caught a fish?
Yes.

1137. Are you adventurous?
Yes.

1138. Are you afraid of mediocrity?
Yes.

1139. Would you rather die tomorrow or have all your friends die?
Die tomorrow.

1140. What are 3 things you don't understand?
1. Homosexuality
2. Calculus
3. Why I'm so tired after eating at Salem's

1141. I would do anything for love but I won't do 'that'. What is 'that'?
Eat bugs

1142. Has your diary ever been rated?
No

1143. Do you do more than kiss on the first date?
No

1144. Are you very liberal or conservative?
Conservative

1145. What do you like about your neighbors?
They aren't too loud

1146. I read that by 2010 they expect to market a gene therapy procedure that will increase the life spans of adult human beings by double or triple. If this happened would you have it done?
Nope

1147. If you're happy and you know it clap your hands. Did you clap?
No

1148. Was this year a good year for you?
26 was trying. 27, good so far.

1149. What are you looking forward to next year?
Changes

1150. Are you a Jim Henson fan?
yes

1151. What do you think of these diarist names?
ToxicToast:
Solitary Music:
gemini_wish_star:
juneberry:

I don't care.

1152. Do you read the Diary Master’s diary?
No.

1153. Have you ever made an enemy on OD?
I don't know what that is.

1154. Have you ever (or do you know anyone who’s) been deleted from OD?
I don't know what that is.

1155. Were you ever in the first row of a concert?
Yes. Casting Crowns at my sister's church.

1156. Did you ever meet a celebrity? Who?
I've met several. Erick Dampier, Robin Roberts, Dick Vitale, Ethan Zhon, Sandi Patty, that's all the "celebrities" I can think of right now.

1157. Do you have any autographs?
Dick Vitale, Ethan Zhon, there are others.

1158. Can you visualize whirled peas?
No

1159. Are there some situations where love just isn't enough to keep 2 people together? When does that happen?
Abuse

1160. Do you have no attention span?
I have a small one

1161. What do you think of these entry titles?
me. back. home:
steak and butter:
The Smurfs Go Communist:
The controversial Athens:

I have no opinion.

1162. Have you ever been wrongly accused?
Yes.

1163. When you wash your hair do you blow dry it or let it dry naturally?
Blow dry.

1164. Where does your family go on vacation?
The beach.

1165. Have you ever been to:
Newport, Rhode Island? No
Dutch Wonderland? no
Salem, MA? no
Niagara Falls? no

1166. Have you ever given money to OD cares?
No

1167. Have you ever created an OD interest?
no

If yes, what interests did you create?

1168. What do you think of these entry names?
DEAR SOUL FRIEND 57 Loss:
I had a good title but i forgot it:
Left Alone:
yeah yeah...he kissed her:

These are dumb questions.

1169. If you have aol what is your 'you've got mail' sound?
I don't.

1170. What will you never have enough of?
Family

1171. Who can you only handle in small doses?
Jay Leno

1172. You are at a magic auction where you can bid on impossible things but you only brought enough money to buy one thing. Out of these..which would you buy?
entrance into whatever afterlife you believe in
a guarentee that you will have at least 3 books published in your life
a new car, house and boat each year
unending creative inspiration This One
ultimate compassion and acceptance of others
a trip into outer space
perfect health for the rest of your life

1173. In the above question if finding perfect love was a choice would you change your answer?
no

1174. What food is so fattening or unhealthy that you would NEVER touch it?

a fried snickers bar

1175. Which do you love more, your country or your planet?
my planet

1176. What do you think of:
Abba?
Brian Adams?
No Doubt?

They are all okay.

1177. Are you more logical or emotional?
emotional

1178. Do you think that tattoos and piercing are overrated?
no

1179. What do you think of these diary titles?
The Seamless Garment:
Your eyes can be so cruel:
What was, is no more:
shock me sane:

I'm tired of these dumb questions.

1180. Do you believe that Michael Jackson molests children?
I think Michael Jackson was severely scarred as a child and I don't think it's in my right to judge what he has done.

1181. Hypothetically, let’s say that he did molest them. Who would you feel should be held MORE accountable, Michael Jackson or the parents that allowed their children to go to Never Land Ranch unsupervised for sleepovers?
This is dumb

1182. Have you ever been to:
Manhattan? Yes
Disney? Yes
Paris? Yes
Anywhere cooler? London and the Netherlands are cooler, temperature-wise.

1183. What 3 music videos should everyone download?
I don't realy do music videos

1184. If someone bet you ten dollars that you couldn’t sing the whole Gummy Bears theme song, would you be able to do it and win?
I could do maybe the first two or three lines

1185. Do you like Bjork?
One song of hers

1186. How about the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club?
Never heard of them

1187. What do you think of Moby?
He's okay.

1188. What do you think of Alien Ant Farm?
They are okay.

1189. What do you think of the Flaming Sideburns?
Heard of them. Never heard their music.

1190. Do you believe that imps, trolls, giants, dragons, unicorns, etc. were real but became extinct?
No

1191. What sucks?
So far, these questions.

1192. What do you think of these diary titles?
Geologist to the Stars:
The Hussy Chronicles:
Gravy:
Napping in the Broom Closet:

1193. Do you ever think about suicide?
No

1194. Do you believe that Jesus Christ was a real person? How about Noah?
Yes and yes

1195. What is one luxury you refuse to live without?
my cell phone

1196. What is one luxury you feel you could live without?
TV

1197. Do you feel that you are high, medium, or low maintenance in a relationship?
medium

1198. What do you think of these diarist names?
N.Y.S:
Collapsibleman:
*})({*:
black dove:

1199. Do vegetables taste better from the store or from your garden?
I don't have a garden but when my Papaw had a garden, his veggies were so good.

1200. How long have you spent on this survey so far?

More time than I should've

A Date With Myself

2010-10-18T16:58:00.002-05:00

I did something Friday night that is really out of character for me.

I did something ALONE.

If you know me, I can be pretty independent but when it comes to going and doing things (unless it is shopping or a trip to Walmart or something), I NEVER do things alone. And I think for a while now, that never-do-anything-alone thing has kind of defined my life a little.

When I was younger, I'm pretty sure I was as close to a shadow for my sister as you could get. Whatever she did, I wanted to do. Unless it had a dramatic ending like GA camp, and then I was out.

As I got older, I always had something to do with someone. Whether is was putt-putt golf or a get-together at someone's house or the movies or dinner with a boyfriend, I always had something to do and someone to do it with.

When I moved to Birmingham, away from friends and family, I basically had to start life all over again. That meant making new friends and finding my way around this new city. People have told me that I'm good at making friends. I tend to disagree. I'm good at making aquaintences when the opportunity presents itself, but establishing relationships and keeping those relationships has been something that I've had to learn how to do again since I've moved here.

(I'm by no means at a lack for friends here. I just realized that this post is starting to make me sound like a no-friends loser, but bare with me. I have a point.)

With my job being as time-consuming as it is, and with friends not always being available to do things whenever I can (and vice-versa), I've struggled with the fact that there are things that I miss out on because my time is very limited.

But lately, I've discovered a newfound sense of pride in myself and a go-get 'em attitude. So, I decided the heck with it, the next thing that comes along that I want to do, I'm doing it whether I have a buddy to tag along or not.

I have a friend who works at the Red Mountain Theatre Company in downtown Birmingham, and she is always raving about their shows. (I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that she is the public relations/marketing director and that is her job. Absolutely nothing.) There have been several shows there that I've wanted to see but haven't for lack of money or friend to go with.

This weekend was the last run of The Drowsy Chaperone and I've always wanted to see it. This was my last chance. Everyone I'd want to take with me either was working or lived three hours away. So, I decided to bite the bullet and go by myself. Besides, Nicole would be there working and I'd at least get to see her smiling face on the way in and out.

I could not have made a better decision. The show was incredible and the night was perfect.

And as I sat there in the audience, I realized how great it is to be a lover of the theatre. There is something about going to a show that sucks you in a takes you away. As soon as the house lights go down and the stage lights go up, you are instantly transported to another time and another place. (Cue Sandi Patty and Wayne Watson)

The characters on the stage become more than just characters. If they are good at their job, you immediately connect with them and they become life-long friends of yours. You laugh when they laugh. You cry when they cry.

I could not have had a better time this weekend on my first big outing alone. It was nice, for a change, to go enjoy something by myself without having to worry about what the other person with me wanted to do next.

I've often questioned God on why he has kept me single for so long. I've touched on the main reason - he wants me to want Him more than I want anything else. The other reason? I think he's wanted me to learn how to enjoy life by myself.

And I am.

24

2010-10-18T11:11:00.009-05:00

Saturday night could not have brought me greater joy if Ed McMahon had been standing on my doorstep with a check for 22.4 million dollars. (That may or may not have been a gross overstatement on my part.)

Why?

Because this happened.

And then, this happened.

And Ole Miss lost. Which was really the icing on the proverbial football-shaped cake, if you ask me. And y'all, I've been snacking on that cake ever since. And it is G-O-O-D.

A few Monday morning SEC football notes for you:

- All but one SEC West team (can we guess who?) are in the top 25. Only one SEC East team (South Carolina, yay for the Beamers!) is still ranked in the top 25.

- Two weeks ago, everyone (who played) in the West won and everyone in the East (who played) lost. My friends, the SEC tide has turned.

- There are three SEC teams (Auburn, Alabama, LSU) in the top 8 of the BSC standings - no other conference has more than one. Thanks to @SECSportsUpdate for that tidbit of info.

- MSU is ranked for the first time in nine years. The last time the Bulldogs were ranked, I was a freshman in college. And then Florida whooped our hineys, 52-0, in the swamp, and that was the end of our top 25 days. Until now.

- The last time MSU won in The Swamp? 1965. That's a long beating. A long one.

- Feast your eyes on this lead in the game recap:

"GAINESVILLE, Fla. - No intimidation in the Swamp on Saturday. None at all.
In a venue where Florida has historically flexed its muscles with ease against opposing foes, on this particular night it was Mississippi State delivering blow after to blow en route to a 10-7 upset against the No. 22-ranked Gators in front of stunned crowd of 90,517 at Ben Griffin Stadium."

I didn't know Joe Galbraith could be so eloquent.

(Meanwhile, ESPNU is showing the replay of this game and my office TV is tuned and locked in.

Also, this guy...

Vick Ballard. Also known as, a maroon-colored mack truck with a turbo engine. And also known as, officially, my favorite 2010 Mississippi State Bulldog. This kid, this kid is mucho talented. And I'm so glad that Dan Mullen saw something in this kid that no one else saw because, as much as I would have loved Cam Newton to be our quarterback this year (no offense to Chris Relf and Tyler Russell, because I think those two are the best QBs Mississippi State has seen in a sweet forever), I'm glad Mullen got his claws in this one.

I've said it before, and been cautioned about saying it again, but Vick Ballard has Anthony Dixon/Jerious Norwood type qualities and he's going to do great things for Mississippi State football.

In summary, I see a bright future for Mississippi State football. Hopefully, we respond well to the success and make ourselves bowl eligible with a win over UAB this weekend. Then, let's take care of Kentucky, shock the world against Alabama, have a pig roast the week after, and then get rid of the black bear infestation that has come upon the state of Mississippi within the last week.

And GO SEC! (Boo Ole Miss!)

Video Wednesday

2010-10-13T11:11:00.004-05:00

1. Thanks to Dave Barnes for sharing this on Twitter on Monday. I don't know that I've laughed at Sesame Street so much in a while.

2. I think I used to know this kid.

3. Kurt and Rachel did this number on last night's episode of Glee and it made me think of Kathy Troccoli and Sandi Patty's version which then prompted me to YouTube this. What is your favorite duet?

What is your favorite duet?

May I remember this every day...

2010-10-11T10:02:00.001-05:00

“Don’t surrender to an area of work or ministry, just surrender to God. Hold tightly to Him and nothing else.”

-Beth Moore

Music & Film

2010-10-07T17:03:00.002-05:00

Just two things I'm excited about today:

1. My church just released a brand new original worship CD. Go listen. Buy it. And marvel at how God is using the people in my faith family for His glory.

Every song is my favorite but I'll go ahead and say "In Your Arms", "Redeemer", and "Hallelujah" will change. your. life.

2. Did you know they were making "Blue Like Jazz" into a movie? And then did you hear that it fell through because they couldn't fund it? And then did you hear that it's back in production now because a bunch of people got together and raised the remaining money?

Yeah.

I'm excited.

That is all.

You Can Thank Me Later

2010-09-30T12:43:00.004-05:00

I've watched the following video approximately 184 times in the past 8 hours. And my joy increases each time. Yours will too. I hope. You can thank me later.

I don't know who I love more. Jimmy, Justin or The Roots.

Jesus Wants The Rose

2010-09-27T14:49:00.002-05:00

I just read Ephesians 1 which led me to remember how great Romans 8 is which led me to read Romans 5 praise God for the powerful truth in these words. It makes me really want to challenge myself to memorize the whole freaking book of Romans. That's some good stuff to pull out when you've got nothing to say.

So speaking of Romans 5, I wanted to share this video of Matt Chandler. Powerful.

2010-09-20T17:56:00.004-05:00

I would like to urge anyone who is trying to get rid of the arts in schools to please take a look at this video. Being the daughter of a music teacher, I've seen how classes like art and music can transform a student's life. This guy has a serious gift for not only teaching music but teaching a love and passion for it. These kids never cease to amaze me. And it's a new group every year.

Went To A Wedding And A Broadway Show Broke Out

2010-09-20T15:30:00.003-05:00

Seeing how "musical-y" my mom, my sister and I are and see how much my dad loves to embarass his daughters with musical comedy routines like he did at my sister's rehearsal dinner, I can totally see this happening at my reception (especially since Fiddler On The Roof is my dad's go-to reference show). Only my dad would be singing "If I Were A Rich Man" instead of "To Life."

This is Tony Award-winning writer Lin-Manuel Miranda's wedding, most famous for In The Heights.

Enjoy.

Linky-Video Madness

2010-09-09T11:54:00.006-05:00

Y'all, the bloggy neglect is out of control. You don't have to tell me. This I know.

With the athletic season cranking up, I haven't had the extra time that I usually do to spend blogging away about the nonsense around me. Plus, those episodes of Friday Night Lights and Rachael Zoe Project on my DVR aren't going to watch themselves.

Anyway, to break the silence on the blog today, I thought I'd share some webby nuggets I've either found or been introduced to this week. So here goes...

1. This video by our Director of Multimedia Services here at Samford Athletics makes me proud to work with such talented people. And it gets me excited for next Thursday night.

2. Another incredible post by Don Miller. I love how he focuses in on character on everything he does. Becauser really, that's what we are. And the post is so fitting for me right now as I try to figure out what the next step is for me in life. It's so true that knowing where you are going keeps you out of trouble.

3. Also another fantastic post by Mr. Acuff. So good and again, so fitting for me right now. Sometimes I think what I want to do is impossible. Or even living life the way God wants me to is impossible. And I wonder why God makes it so hard. But His Word says that when we are at our weakest point, that is when God loves to show off. Read it. You won't be sorry.

4. Allow me to introduce you to Catalog Living, if you don't already know what it is. Brilliant.

5. And last but most certainly not least, I hope everyone is as pumped for tonight's MSU vs. Auburn game as I am. I'll be watching with a few State fans and a few Auburn fans and well, y'all pray that I'll display a Christian attitude toward the opposition.

Poverty Is A Twin Sister To Ignorance

2010-08-26T14:33:00.002-05:00

This video breaks me. And I can help but see the irony in this little boy's name.

Look For The Reason

2010-08-26T10:57:00.003-05:00

For the past few days and a large part of last night, I've been preparing for my first road trip of the year with the volleyball team. I gathered everything red, blue and khaki in my closet, threw it in a bag last night and shipped out this morning, with books and various Apple products in tow, ready to take on this massive nine-hour bus trip to the northwest corner of Arkansas.

However, when I get to work this morning at 9 a.m., I find out that the departure time was changed from 10 a.m. to 8 a.m. last night and no one bothered to fill me in. I'm a little annoyed that I wasn't informed of the time change, but I'm not angry at anyone. I'm just disappointed that I'm not on the trip. I was excited about visiting an SEC school that I've never been too. I was excited about spending time with people that I actually like to spend time with. And I was really excited to get to see the team actually play. So I'm not angry at anyone.

At least not anymore.

After much thought (Because that's what I do. Something happens and I can't help but just sit and play it over and over in my head. So annoying.), I decided that I've got to change my whole perspective on the situation.

What if I wasn't ever supposed to go on that trip? What is there's a reason that I didn't make it? What if God's got something planned for me here in Birmingham, this weekend? Something that he wants me to be a part of, and experience. Something he doesn't want me to miss.

I have to think that's the case. Because The Big Man has yet to steer me wrong. God's been testing my faith recently and I know for a fact that the tests are about to get much, much harder.

So instead of sulking about missing a bus trip to Arkansas, I should look at it this way:

1. I'm not stuck on a bus for nine hours.
2. I get to sleep in my own bed. In my own room. Alone.
3. I don't have to share a bathroom.
4. I can eat and use the bathroom when I want to. (And where I want to. Eat, that is. I'm pretty sure there's really one acceptable option for the other. Unless you're a bathroom snob.)
5. I can watch Big Brother and Project Runway tonight and not have to wait until I get home on Sunday.
6. I won't have to worry about being back in town on Sunday in time to see NeedToBreathe for the fourth time in about 5 months. For free!

In the meantime, I'm going to ask God to help me see the good in the situation. To help me be sensative to those moments that he held me here for.

Radical

2010-08-19T16:28:00.000-05:00

Do not read this book. I repeat -- Do NOT read this book...unless you want your life turned upside down.

I read this entire book yesterday. And yes, I worked an eight-hour day as well. Someone call the Guiness World Record people because I think this may have been a personal record for me. I've never, EVER finished a book in a day. Unless it was Dr. Seuss or Berinstain Bears.

When you go to this book's website, you are immediate confronted with this question:

WHAT IS JESUS WORTH TO YOU?

Just like that. In big bold capital letters. And here is what follows:

"Do you believe that Jesus is worth abandoning everything for? Do you believe him enough to obey him and to follow him wherever he leads, even when the crowds in our culture -maybe even our churches- turn the other way?"

In Radical, David Platt invites you to encounter what Jesus actually said about being his disciple, and then obey what you have heard. He challenges you to consider with an open heart how we have manipulated a God-centered gospel to fit our human-centered preferences. With passionate storytelling and convicting biblical analysis, Platt calls into question a host of comfortable notions that are common among Christ's followers today. Then he proposes a radical response: live the gospel in ways that are true, filled with promise, and ultimately world changing.

That doesn't even begin to scratch the surface.

I'm going to tell you, I have a love-hate relationship with this book. Why? Because I love and hate every word of this book. It's doused with conviction. Every word stings hard and then wakes you up to the reality that fills our world today. It leaves your brain thinking, "Are you kidding? I can't do that!" And all the while, your hands and feet are set in motion to shake the world by a force that is too strong to resist.

What is that force? It's faith, conviction, the Holy Spirit. It's the incredible urgency that you feel when you truly understand what we are called to do and you truly see the physical and spiritual need around the world.

And this isn't the first time I've heard of this "Radical Experiment" thing. I've been hearing about it throughout the last year. Every Sunday from the pulpit. I've even participated in it. I leave worship with such a burden that I feel like I should sell my car right there and walk the 20 miles to home because what good is me having a car when there are people around the world that are dying, inside and out?

So don't read this book. I'm begging you. Don't.

You'll find none of the things that you think matter in this world - money, fame, success -- none of them matter when there are 4.5 billion people out there who haven't even heard the name of Jesus Christ.

None of them know the love of a Father who works everything out for the good of those who love him. A Savior who looks at us in our sin and calls us, "My beloved," because the eyes of Jesus see no sin. A Lord who rules over all, protects us from all and is just in all his ways. A God who desires to see his glory and his name be exalted above anything throughout the universe because to desire anything else would be to deny the very nature of who he is.

So just stay away from the book.

This book leaves you broken -- for yourself, your loves ones and people you don't even know. It lights a fire in your soul that urges you to give up everything -- for some, material possessions; for some, entire careers; for some, both -- for the cause of Christ.

We all, at some point in ourselves, walk around wondering what our purpose in life is. We read book after book, seek advice, rack our brains and still come up with no answer. This book says that everything you ever wanted to know about what your purpose in life is supposed to be is found in the Bible. Specifically in Matthew 28:19-20.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

So if you want your entire life flipped upside down, be my guest.

If not, don't read it.

I dare you.

This Makes Me Want To Go To Walmart And Bust A Move

2010-08-19T15:52:00.000-05:00

5,000 Question Survey (Part 11)

2010-08-17T13:03:00.002-05:00

1001. What has caused you to reinvent yourself or reevaluate who you are?
God

1002. Name three annoying bands:
(Do they have to be bands?)
Taylor Swift
Demi Levato
The Samford University marching band

1003. Have you ever been to a foam party (a big dance floor full of soap foam that people dance in at a club)? If yes did you get into the foam?
No. I missed that swap in college.

1004. Who do you take for granted?
I think I take friends for granted a lot.

Who makes you feel taken for granted?
Friends.

1005. Short, knee, or ankle skirts?
Any of them. Depends on the occasion and the style.

1006. Do you wear a hat?
Rarely. I do at the beach or if I'm running outside.

1007. Did you watch Sifl and Ollie on MTV?
No.

How about Liquid Television?
No.

The Maxx?
No.

1008. What do you like that is NOT part of pop culture?
God

1009. What music makes you feel:
Sexy? This.
Passionate? is.
Violent? the.
Romantic? dumbest.
Sad? question.
Happy/joyous? ever.
ecstasy? in life.

Different kinds of music make me feel different things but I don't know that any music makes me feel violent or ecstasy.

1010. Who's your favorite cartoon character?
The Powerpuff Girls

1011. Does break dancing impress you?
Definitely. I sometimes wish I could do it.

1012. Are you a smooth operator?
Not really.

1013. Would you rather be a police officer or a criminal?
Police officer.

1014. Do you believe that government decisions should be made based more on economics or more on social reform?
I think it's got to be a mix of both. You can't spend money you don't have and also you shouldn't give people money who are just going to turn around and blow it. Instead of helping the wealthy, we should be taking care of the needy. But also if we are taking care of each other like we should, there would be no need for welfare and food stamps and universal healthcare.

1015. Why do 'they' spend money to sterilize needles that are going to be used to give lethal injections?
Who knows.

1016. This summer have you
Been to the beach? yes
been to the movies? yes
Played mini golf? no
Gone for a walk? yes

1017. Would you rather lay in bed all night talking or have sex all night long?
Right now, I'd rather talk. Maybe it'll be different when I've found someone to marry.

1018. Have you ever eaten tofu?
no.

1019. Who needs a brain?
Scarecrow

1020. Who needs a heart?
Tinman

1021. Does the moon have an affect on your mood?
no

1022. Do you feel pressure on Friday and Saturday to have fun, go out and party?
no

1023. Many people will say that the Harry Potter books are pure fluff with no literary value. Do you agree?
I disagree

1024. Is Harry Potter comparable to The Chronicles of Narnia and the Lord of the Rings?
Sure. I'm not a big Lord of the Rings fan but I think Harry Potter definitely fits into the same category when it comes to literature that has been a staple in children's lives.

1025. What are you doing next Wednesday?
Working

1026. Why do so many people think Elvis is still alive?
Because they. can't. let. go.

1027. What couldn't you live your life without?
God and my family

1028. Are your hands cold?
No

1029. Is your heart warm?
I'm sure it's somewhere around 98.6 degrees

1030. Palm trees or snow storms?
Palm trees. Definitely.

1031. What bands would be great if only the singing was edited out?
I don't know.

1032. What fantasy book would you like to see made into a movie?
I don't really read fantasy and the ones I have read have already been made into movies.

1033. Do you avoid risks and if possible stay at home?
no.

1034. What SCI-fi books do you read?
Zero.

1035. Would you be on that who wants to marry a millionaire show as a contestant?
Totally.

1036. Who's the best secret keeper you know?
Casey

1037. What is your favorite myth?
Bigfoot

1038. Is it easier to live when you're evil?
Probably. There's probably not as much consideration to the conscience.

1039. Have you ever belonged to a sorority or a fraternity?
Yes. Kappa Delta.

1040. Would you want to join one?
I'd do it again.

1041. If your friend were doing dangerous drugs would you tell their parents?
Yes.

1042. Would you rather be a unicorn, mermaid/man, or a sorceress/er?
I think probably a mermaid. Although being a sorcerer(ess) like Harry Potter would be pretty sweet. That invisibility cloak would come in really handy.

1043. Are leather pants sexy?
Absolutely not.

On you?
Not at all.

1044. Did you tell someone you love him or her today?
Not yet.

1045. Have you ever given blood?
Yes.

1046. Have you ever been thrown out of someplace?
I've been thrown out of class. Once. In grad school.

1047. What do you daydream about?
My future.

1048. Are you a miracle?
I think we all are.

1049. If America is one nation under god then are atheists citizens?
Yes. We all are under God's rule whether we want to be or not. And one day we will all bow down befor Him, some on their own accord and some by force.

1050. Should they be?
Yes.

1051. If you could pick any rock star to replace the Ozbournes in their reality show, whom would you pick?
This is a dumb question too. Why would you replace someone on their own show.

1052. What are your feelings about Mel Gibson's movie The Passion of Christ?
I loved the movie. It's hard to watch but it gives a great depiction of the events.

1053. What did you think about the last episode of Sex in the City?
I've never seen all of the episodes but that last one is really my favorite.

1054. What is your favorite movie with Adam Sandler in it?
Big Daddy

1055. What is your biggest problem?
Fear

1056. Have you ever been arrested?
No

1057. Can musicians be held responsible for influencing people to behave badly?
Sure

1058. Do you believe that there are subliminal messages embedded in some TV shows, movies & music?
Yes

1059. Is there anything that you believe should be banned for any reason?
Smoking

1060. How often do you eat too much?
all the time

1061. Have you ever descended into pure madness?
Maybe

1062. Would you want to?
No

1063. Do green m&m's make you feel sexy?
No

1064. If you died tomorrow, what mark would you have left on the world?
I hope a good one. One that reflects the glory of God.

1065. What movie would you NEVER want to see?
Anything with Freddie Kruger in it.

1066. What annoys you the most about yourself?
That I absolutely suck at waking up in the morning.

1067. How do you feel about capitalism?
It's okay.

1068. How do you feel about socialism?
Not so much okay.

1069. How do you feel about communism?
Hate it.

1070. Has anyone ever tried to injure you?
Yes.

1071. Has anyone ever tried to kill you?
No.

1072. How do you know when it's time to break up with someone?
When you just don't feel it anymore.

1073. What is your opinion of the Janet jackson/Justin Timberlake superbowl exposure incident?
It was dumb and stupid and given too much attention.

1074. What's the most annoying sound?
crickets

1075. Who was your childhood hero?
My daddy

1076. With nearly 100 channels why is NOTHING ever on?
One of those mystery's of life.

1077. Would you adopt a stray kitty wandering through your neighborhood?
No. I'm not a cat person.

1078. Describe what you look like:
5'3", short brown hair

1079. Describe what you ARE like:
Awesome.

1080. What bad habit do you have that affects other people as much as it affects you?
I don't know.

1081. How did you party new years eve 1999?
I'm sure I was partying with my youth group. I was a sophomore in high school.

1082. Does second hand smoke bother you?
Yes.

1083. Have you ever:
Dumped a drink over someone's head? yes
Dumped a drink over your own head? yes
Bit someone? yes
Torn at someone's clothes? no
Made out in the bathroom? no

1084. Which Lord of the Rings movie has the best ending?
I've never seen the ending to one of those movies.

1085. Do you have any interesting scars?
I have several scars from when I had chicken pox when I was four years old. Some are annoying. Some are cool. I also have a scar from when I busted my finger playing skee ball.

1086. Is it better for people to change and evolve their ideas or always be consistent?
If it's a constant back and forth, no. If it's a steady evolution, yes. You're surroundings and atmosphere will always be changing, some times you have to change with it. However, some things should never change.

1087. Warped tour, Lollapalooza or Area concert?
I don't know what any of these things are.

1088. What are you missing in your life?
A man.

1089. Do you ever know when someone is thinking about you?
Not really.

1090. What could you make a sculpture out of that's in the room with you right now?
I probably could do something fancy paper and scotch tape.

1091. Do you believe in the lost city of Atlantis?
Not really.

1092. Have you ever read The Little Prince?
I've seen the movie.

1093. This is Mr. fish <>< What's the best picture you can make on your keyboard?
:)

1094. What did Mr. Octopus say to Mrs. Octopus?
Nice legs.

1095. Let's see if I'm psychic. Write a yes or no question here.
Do you like blue?

1096. Write another yes or no question.
Do you like red?

1097. Think of just one more yes or no question.

1098. Type one question that can be answered with a color (example: what color is my car)
What color is the sky?

1099. Think of a number between one and one hundred & type it down.
78

1100. If you could be any color crayon, what would it be?
Sunrise.

Turning Indicator

2010-08-12T15:34:00.002-05:00

Dear fellow drivers,

I have for you today, a word of the day. See below.

Turning indicator - Also called: blinker -- a device for indicating that a motor vehicle is about to turn left or right.

I hope this clears things up.

If not, I'll be happy to give lessons. For free.

Thanks,

Katie

The Burden's Getting Lighter

2010-08-11T11:05:00.002-05:00

I think the burden that I've been feeling throughout the last six months is getting lighter because the vision for my purpose and my future is getting closer. Not because I can see it, but because I'm trusting the gut feeling called "God".

I just had to share John Acuff's post from today's Stuff Christians Like. It completely touched my heart and I felt like God told him to write that post just for me. Which he probably did.

I usually link to the post but I feel like, for some reason, that I should just include the whole post. No plagarism. All the credit goes to Jon Acuff.

Below is the post in it's entirety:

#831 Building benches instead of frisbees.

My dad uses his feet like hands, much like a gorilla opening a banana, when he loses frisbees in the pond at the disc golf course.

He’s not above stripping down to his shorts and diving in to recover discs. The pond is dark brown and is populated with turtles, snakes and frogs. If his disc lands in it, he walks around with his bare feet feeling in calf deep mud for it. Just typing that last sentence made me squirm a little.

But the course we played in Atlanta didn’t have that problem. There was no pond, just 18 holes of awesome spread across a massive park called “Wills.”

It did have a problem though.

Because the course was so spread out, it was hard to find your way from hole to hole. Some were literally a 1,000 yards away from each other so navigating the course was difficult. Or it used to be. Everything changed when a Boy Scout got involved.

He was earning his Eagle Scout badge. He was installing yardage signs that pointed the way between the holes. My dad and I ran into him one morning. He and his father were digging holes and dropping the poles in. When they told us what they were doing, the father said something that years later stuck with me. He said:

“He’s doing it for his Eagle Scout badge. Sure beats building a bench.”

On the surface, that’s not so profound. That doesn’t really leap off the blog does it? But the more I reflected on it, the more I realized it challenged my understanding of God.

See the truth is, I’m not completely sure God wants me to have fun. Like people who believe the first thing God will do if they turn over their lives to him is make them be missionaries in Africa, I’m not always convinced he wants me to really enjoy what I do.

When I sometimes imagine “doing the work of the Lord,” I imagine sweat and tears and hard work and being obedient and disciplined and self controlled. Turns out, in my head, I serve a God who makes me build benches.

But what if I’m wrong?

What if you’re wrong?

What if we’ve all been wrong?

What if God doesn’t want more benches?

What if God wants you to build signs for Disc Golf because he knows you love that game?

What if God wants you to write books because he knows you love that?

What if God wants to unearth all those things you’ve hidden because you thought you weren’t talented enough? What if he wants you to roll around in the joys you thought were too silly or stupid or not spiritual enough?

I don’t think that’s impossible. A friend of man argued as much when he told me his opinion about Matthew 11:28-30. Here’s what those verses say:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

My friend felt that when we find our purpose. When we surrender and are obedient to the Lord and find the thing he has uniquely prepared us for, the burden feels light. It feels easy. We’re in the zone. We could run a million miles or feed a thousand mouths or sing a 100 songs depending on what we’ve been called to do. We’ve got the entire universe of God pushing with us and there’s a sense of freedom and momentum there that is difficult to describe.

To other people, what we are doing will look difficult. They will not always understand. I felt that way writing the Stuff Christians Like book. Another blogger quit his job and stopped writing his blog while he wrote his book. He didn’t have any kids either. I on the other hand, kept my full time job at AutoTrader.com, kept writing the Stuff Christians Like blog, kept playing with my two kids, kept freelance writing for Chick-fil-A, kept writing for North Point Community Church, stayed plugged into my men’s Bible study and kept filling my wife’s bucket with attention and time. How?

The yoke was easy. The burden was light. I was doing the thing uniquely created for me. I wasn’t flailing against a park bench I was never designed for. I was serving the God “who satisfies your desires with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:5)

Life gets twisted when you try to build someone else’s bench. Life gets painful when you disrespect your gift or talent or calling because it “doesn’t count.” The devil is desperate for you to discount the thing God has called you to. The devil wants you to take on some other burden that isn’t light or easy.

I don’t know what God has in store for you. It won’t necessarily be easy. That Boy Scout was sweating as he dug those Disc Golf signs. Stuff Christians Like whips my butt some mornings. But that Boy Scout was smiling as he sweated and so am I because we’re not building benches.

Long live the God who doesn’t need our benches.

And Then I Argued With NeNe From Atlanta About Whose Hair Was Real

2010-08-10T09:51:00.005-05:00

Last night I dreamed that Jacqueline from the Real Housewives of New Jersey and her husband were building a house next to the house I used to live in in South Jackson. Basically, we had an extra acre or a hundred to spare in our backyard so the Laurita's took us up on our offer and started building their latest version of Buckingham Palace.

Caroline then suggested to her that she hire me as her nanny, and then her son Albie proposed to me. To which I replied, "I'll have to think about it."

Then I accepted a position with The Bachelor Pad to be the bachelors' "voice of reason". Basically, they would tell me who they were thinking about voting off and I'd tell them they were all idiots for being on this show anyway. Get a REAL job!

Then Rachel Zoe walked in and started spouting phrases like "This is bananas" and "I'd die." And Heidi Klum told her she was "Aut".

Hmmm. Maybe I've been watching too much reality television.

Maybe.

5,000 Question Survey (Part 10)

2010-08-06T15:46:00.002-05:00

901. Would you rather have a candle scented like blueberries and creme or butterscotch pecan pie?
Blueberries and crème. Please and thank you.

902. Which ones are fruits and which are vegetables:
Banana – fruit
Cucumber – vegetable
Tomato – fruit
Apple – fruit
Carrot – vegetable
Eggplant – vegetable
Cherry – fruit
Pumpkin - vegetable

903. Does it annoy you when people talk loudly on their cell phones in public?
Although, I know I might do it occasionally…yes. Put there is absolutely no reason to talk on the phone in a public bathroom. Save it for the hizzle, my dizzle.

904. Is love a commitment to one person, or can you love more than one person at the same time?
There are many different kinds of love that a person can have. However, the romantic love that is a relationship between a man and a woman, I think that you can only truly LOVE one person at a time.

905. Cover or original:
Smooth Criminal: Michael Jackson or Alien Ant Farm? That’s a toss-up. I’ll go with MJ.
Blue Monday: Orgy or New Order? Never heard it.
I Want Candy: Aaron Carter or Bow Wow Wow? I don’t know this one either.
Love Song: 311 or The Cure? The Cure
It's My Life: No Doubt or The Talking Heads? No Doubt

906. What is the most uncomfortable feeling?
I would think pooping your pants.

907. Do you like Maroon 5?
Yes.

908. Would you ever go on a blind date TV show?
Absolutely not.

909. How much of your wardrobe is dry clean only?
Very little.

910. Who's arms would you like to crawl into?
I’m kinda in love with Jacob Black from Twilight right now.

911. What the hell is your problem?
You don’t want to know.

912. Look around you. What is the most beautiful thing you can see?
A picture of my nephew.

913. What is the most beautiful thing you can't see?
Probably sunshine outside.

914. Take a deep breath. Yawn deeply. Do you appreciate the things most people take for granted, like breathing?
Yes.

915. Do you appreciate breathing more when you have a cold and you're all congested and can't breathe right?
Yes.

916. Is congestion a positive thing because it helps you to appreciate breathing?
No. It’s still gross.

917. How is your life like a work of art?
Ask God.

918. Do you feel that your life influences and is influenced by many other lives?
I think every life has an influence on another life whether you believe it does or not.

919. Has a smile ever made all the difference in the world to you?
Most definitely.

920. Have you ever looked at a tree and considered how the roots could be miles long, trailing and entwining with other roots underground, all of them holding the soil together?
Actually, yes.

921. Do you notice the little things in life?
More now than ever.

922. Do you feel, as Jung did, that deep down, underneath our individual personalities we are all the same?
Kind of.

923. Do you feel a great oneness with the universe?
Not right now.

924. When was the last time you decided to really enjoy yourself?
On my birthday.

925. When was the last time you set yourself free and acted without caring at all what someone else thought?
On my birthday.

926. Have you ever held someone and appreciated how delicate and fragile all life is and felt that they were even more precious and beautiful because one day they would die…and so will you?
Not so much the dying part, but I think about that every time I hold my nephew or hug my daddy.

927. In ten years someone else might own your house and the room you are sitting in now. Someone else might be standing right next to where you are sitting now. So that means you could be standing right next to someone but you can't see him or her because they are ten years away. Ever look at life like that?
Not really.

928. When was the last time you:
Soaked in a bubble bath – it’s been years
Read a good book outside – last week
Held someone's hand – this weekend
Felt truly joyful – this weekend

929. What do you bring to this world that no one else can?
Me

930. Do you feel that you are part of every living thing in this world and that all those things are part of you?
No.

931. Are you more afraid of death or not completely living?
Not completely living.

932. What was the last thing you wanted to do but didn't or couldn't do?
Fly to NYC on a whim.

933. Why don't you try and do that thing now?
Because I. Is. Po.

934. What is the most wonderful thing happening right now in the world?
I don’t know about in the world but right here in my heart…God’s work.

935. Name 7 things going on around you that you normally wouldn't notice:
1. Michael is talking on the phone.
2. Michael is printing tickets and the machine is uber annoying.
3. Don’s phone is ringing now.
4. Zac is typing like a fiend.
5. Someone is watching Fox News.
6. I can here Michelle all the way down here in my office. (Which isn’t all that unusual.)
7. There goes Michael on the phone again.

936. Name three things you hate:
1. Smoking
2. Dipping
3. Negativity

937. Name one GOOD thing about each of those 3 things you hate.
There is nothing good.

938. What do you tend to see in black and white, rather than in shades of gray?
I tend to see a lot of things in black and white. I can see both sides of the coin though.

939. Admit three things you do that you are ashamed of but shouldn't be.
1. I’m not really ashamed of a lot.
2.
3.

940. What qualities make a person “good” in your eyes?
Trust, compassion, conviction

941. Do you have any of these qualities?
I believe I do.

942. Are you willing to do what it takes to achieve what you want to?
I think you have to be.

943. Name one bad quality about someone you love.
prejudice

944. Name one good quality about someone you hate.
humorous

945. Are you pro life or pro choice and why?
Pro-life.

946. If you are pro life write a reason someone might be pro choice. If you are pro choice write a reason someone might be pro life.
I think most people say they are pro-choice because there are extenuating circumstances that may cause someone to think about aborting a pregnancy.

947. Can you see the beauty in?
A bumble bee: yes
A man skating: yes
A woman combing her hair: yes
A box of tissues: yes
Yourself naked: yes
Light: yes

948. What are you most afraid of?
Losing the people I love most and not succeeding in life.

949. Whose life would you REALLY NOT want to ever have? Why?
Kate Gosselin

950. Can you come up with a reason why you might want their life?
Those kids.

951. Name one thing that is beautiful about your body.
I have pretty awesome legs I think.

952. Name one thing that is ugly about your body.
The innertube around my waist.

953. Name one thing that is beautiful about your mind.
My imagination

954. Name one thing that is ugly about your mind.
Some thoughts

955. Who was the last person you were rude to?
Hollie

956. Are your elbows soft?
Not today

957. Are you ticklish?
Very

958. Are you awkward or graceful?
Depends on what I’m doing.

959. Do you wear glasses/contacts?
Yes

960. If you wear contacts what's the longest you have ever left them in your eyes?
Overnight

961. What's going on where you are right now?
Craziness over people buying tickets to our season opener and the ticket machine is messing up.

962. What is your favorite thing to touch?
My dog, Randi.

963. What is your favorite kind of incense?
I don’t do incense.

964. What relaxes you?
Music and painting.

965. How much time have you wasted?A lot.

966. How do you afford your rock and roll lifestyle?
I don’t.

967. What does teen spirit smell like?
Teen spirit.

968. Do you mostly listen or hear?
Listen.

969. Look or see?
see

970. Do you comprehend all the things you read?
No. I re-read a lot.

971. Is it necessary to be repetitive in order to be creative?
Sometimes.

972. Do you control your attitude or does it control you?I mostly control my attitude. Occasionally it gets away from me.

973. Are your relationships mostly passion or conversation?
Depends.

974. Do you do what needs to be done regardless of the consequences?
Most of the time.

975. Is money how you keep score?
No.

976. Who can you do everything or nothing with and still have the best time?
Bethany

977. Just because you're angry does that give you the right to be cruel?
No.

978. What is maturity and where does it come from?
The ability to accept life as it comes to you and reacting appropriately.

979. Who is the maturest person you know?
My sister

980. Who is the most immature person you know?
There’s a coworker that comes to mind

981. If there was a fire and you could only rescue one thing from your room (all people and pets have escaped on their own, even goldfish) what would it be?
My computer along with my external hard drive

982. If you could, what 3 albums would you force everyone to remove from his or her CD collections?
1. I don’t really know.
2.
3.

983. Does Marilyn Manson scare you or bore you?
Both

984. What do you think of the Insane Clown Posse?
Weirdo

985. What's the best movie about high school?
10 Things I Hate About You

986. Do you like Michael Jackson better in the 80's 90's or today?
80’s

987. Is choosing a different store to shop in from most people really making a statement?
No

988. What's the riskiest thing you've ever done?
Going 100 mph.

989. Have you ever ridden in a car while the driver had been drinking?
No.

990. Who needs to get a life?
Perez Hilton

991. Do you write on yourself with milky pens?
Uh, no.

992. What should be different about high school curriculum?
More reading.

993. Right now are you exactly the way you want to be?
Not yet.

994. Who can save you from yourself?
Jesus

995. Are you a responsible person?
I think so.

996. "It is absurd to divide people into good and bad. People are either charming or tedious."— Oscar Wilde
Do you agree?
No.

997. How many greatest hits albums do you own?
Maybe five.

998. Are you at risk for A.I.D.S.?
Nope.

999. Do you want to have it all?
No way.

1000. Do you collect green pictures of dead presidents?
Money? I wish it was that easy.

Someone Call The Authorities

2010-08-05T15:39:00.003-05:00

...'cause this blog neglect is out. of. control.

I know there's only about four of you that actually read this baby, but that's four folks that care what I have to say (or are just really bored), so I apologize for the blog neglect lately and for the upcoming neglect as well.

It seems these days that my mind is going much faster than my fingers are willing to type, so therefore, by the time I sit down to write about the things that I've been thinking about, my mind tells my fingers, "Dude, you should've kept up with the train."

I did have a few things I wanted to share today though.

As always, for easy reading and aesthetic pleasure, a list:

1. If you love The Bachelorette (like me) and you are slightly obsessed with Aly and Roberto (like me), you'll either love or hate this joint-post by Bryan Allain and Tyler Stanton. These guys present, "15 Life Lessons From The Bachelorette". You can thank me later. My favorites? 1, 2, 3, 5, 12, 14...well all of them really.

2. I posted on Twitter earlier today that if I could be half the writer that Donald Miller is, I would consider that a blessing. Y'all, the man has some serious skillz. Emphasis on the "Z" meaning I'm serious about the serious part. If you've heard of him, you'll know he wrote Blue Like Jazz, Searching For God Knows What, A Million Miles In A Thousand Years, Through Painted Deserts. All good stuff. They always leave you wanting more.

He's an expert on story, and has some great insight on God. So, it's no suprise that Don's (see, it's so good that I feel like we could be on a first-name basis and comfortable to shorten his name to Don) blog is a bright spot in my day.

I have my Google Reader tuned in to bring me the latest and greatest from his blog every day. I've really been enjoying his stuff lately. Especially his Lucy series, blog posts "written" by his lab Lucy and this one and this one.

3. I know this might be a little cheese-tastic to some of you, but for those of you who read this little space of the internet and know what's going on in my brain right now, I think you'll understand it. This scene from Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit is really resonating with me right now.

4. This guy just sang what America was thinking.

5. And finally...

Never give up.

Remember people. You can do anything you set your mind to. All you have to do is:

1. Believe in yourself. No, really believe. See that time you didn't believe hard enough because it didn't work...there you go. 30th time is the charm.

2. Formulate a plan of action. Like believing that no matter how many times it takes, you WILL crack that board over your head. Come concussion or forehead-to-spine stitches. Just believe.

3. Follow through. Follow through...all the way to the ER.

They Say It's Your Birthday...

2010-07-26T15:35:00.004-05:00

So Happy Birthday to me!

I really can't believe that I turned 27 today. Last week I read a piece that Annie wrote about her birthday. She said that turning was such a scary and daunting word, so she was choosing to twirl into the next year of life this time. I like that. And today, I've been twirling. Really.

Today really has been one of the best days I've had in a long time. And that's saying something for a work day. People have come out of the wordworks to wish me a Happy Birthday (even ESPN!) and I have felt so very loved. I even got flowers at work which, if you are a single girl, you know is a gift from heaven.

I'm not so much of an attention person (secretly, I am) but today, I've chosen to sit back and let God rain down his love and mercy over me through his people.

It really makes me laugh, and brings me to my knees, to see how far God has brought me in the last 20 years.

Twenty years ago, I gave my life to Christ. He came into my heart and took away my sin.

Ten years ago, I found myself on my way to college and falling quickly in love with a boy I'd never thought I'd see in a "romantical" way. Somewhere along the way, I lost sight of who the most important person in my life was supposed to be. First it became the boy, then it became me. I had forgotten that God, while loving and merciful, was a jealous God. And he frankly wasn't going to take it anymore.

Five years ago, God moved me out of my comfort zone and started working in the deep down yucky parts of my heart. He started by proving his faithfulness to me through provision and then he got down and dirty. He's shattered me like a clay pot and has been meticulously (there's a five million dollar word for you) been putting me back together. Slowly but surely.

He placed people in my life that weren't only teaching me from His Word but challenging me to put those teachings into practice. And that group of people ranges from pastors to close friends.

I read somewhere, and I think it might have been Jon Acuff's twitter, the following question and I may have shared this before. Does God have the right to crack the vessel if breaking it is the fastest way to share with the world what he poured into it?

My answer is a resounding yes.

I think along the way, I've been giving God a little piece of my life here and a little piece there. Recently, I just dumped it all into his big hands because that's where it should have been in the first place. For what I believe is the first time in my life, I'm stepping out on faith and leaving the rest up to Him. He knows better than I anyway.

I'd say 26 was an okay year, not without it's trials and hurts but I learned a lot from it. I'd say it was my growing pain year. (Emphasis on the pain.) Do you remember when you were little and your bones and your muscles would ache? You complained to your parents and they would diagnose it as growing pains. It hurt, but you came out on the other end of it stronger and maybe (not me) taller than you were before.

I know that I've still got my fair share of pains to endure. We all do. And they won't stop until we have reached the end of this life. And if they do stop, that means we've stopped growing in our relationships with each other and Jesus Christ.

However, if today is any indication of what 27 is going to look like, I'm quite pumped, to put it plainly. I see a lot of big things coming my way. One huge change, but one that will put me right where I need to be -- in the center of God's will.

I plan to take a lot of risks. Live life a little louder. And hope to make a difference for the glory of God the Father, in one way or another, everyday.

I listened to Francis Chan's last sermon yesterday and he said this: "There will be no cowards in Heaven."

I hope that when I reach the place of judgment, God looks down at me and can say, "Well done", because I dared to live radically for His namesake.

You Want Me To Put Bananas Where?!?!

2010-07-23T09:55:00.000-05:00

There was a lady on Live! With Regis and Kelly the other day who was demonstrating home hair remedies with fruits/foods and other organic things. My thoughts? I spend all day working hard enough to get the food in my mouth rather than on my clothes and in my hair. Why would you think that I would voluntarily mash up bananas and smear them in my hair for a softer feel. My Aussie shampoo and conditioner work just fine, thanks.

P.S. Sorry for the complete lack of blogging. I spent all of last week (like Saturday to Saturday which hasn't happened in a while) at the beach and I'm still trying to crawl out from under my vacation hangover. But give me a few days and I'll give you a little peek at my cutie pie roommate, the thing I checked off of my bucket list and our kite-flying extraveganza.

Until then...

Hello, Wake Up Call? How Are You Today?

2010-07-20T10:47:00.004-05:00

Thanks to Annieblogs for sharing this. With everything that I've been mulling over in my brain for the last month (post about that will come one of these days), this video is a huge wake up call for me, albeit funny as well. It doesn't matter how big of a show you put on if the sincere TRUTH is not coming out of your mouth in the name of Jesus.

Go, Go, Jonah

2010-07-08T15:19:00.004-05:00

For some reason (God's timing), I've just started to grasp what God has been doing in my heart over the last year and a half. What that is will entail a completely different blog post but for today, I wanted to share the message from my church last Sunday. I'm sad I wasn't there to hear it in person, but that is why God made the internet, right? God. Not Al Gore.

Anyway, the message was about Jonah. A familiar story to everyone, yet I don't know that a lot of us really understand the story past Jonah getting swallowed up by a big fish. I know I didn't.

I feel like God has been calling me to make some grand and specific changes in my life for the good of His people all over the world and for the glory of His name. Yet, I've been running away and hiding because I really didn't understand why He wanted me to be involved. I didn't realize that it's not that he needs me, but that He wants me to see His glory just as much as those who don't know Him. Needless to say, God has completely burdened my heart, given me a sense of urgency and the confidence that I need to depend solely on Him for what my next step should be.

If you have about 107 minutes to spare, please watch this video, or even go download the FREE podcast from iTunes. You won't regret it. If you don't want to spend 107 watching the video, at least watch the part from the 8:43 mark to 15:40 (the song was written by the people on the stage). It's great. Hilarious. Entertaining. And educational.

5,000 Question Survey (Part 9)

2010-07-07T14:08:00.001-05:00

801. How often do you change you mood in a day?
I'm a girl. Answer that question for yourself.

802. When you ask people how they are doing, do you actually care about their answer or is it just being polite?
I think it depends on who the person is and in what context I'm asking. I've thought a lot about this recently, though.

803. Would you consider yourself to be very polite?
I would. Mama didn't raise no fool.

804. Do you like movies and books that involve nuclear holocaust?
Um. I don't know.

805. Have you ever had a lucid dream (a dream in which you knew you were dreaming and had complete control over what happened in the dream)?
Probably.

806. Have you ever had a flying dream?
Yes.

807. Have you ever had a lucid flying dream?
No.

808. What's the oddest law you ever heard of?
You can't chew gum in Singapore.

809. What is the ultimate way to connect with another person?
humility and honesty

810. Can you be intimate with someone without touching him or her?
Sure.

811. Can men and women ever really be 'just friends' with no interest in anything more?
I'm going to tell you that this is a limbo questions for me. I have two guys friends who I consider best friends. One married, one single. One who has professed his love for me and been rejected. And I am still very close with them, despite the wife and the rejection. I think if you can be a grown-up about it and if his girlfriend/wife can be grown-up about it and confident in her relationship with that guy, then yes, it is possible.

813. Are you addicted to this survey like drugs?
No.

814. If your signifigant other wanted to wait for marriage could you hold out or would you leave them (or would you cheat)?
Wait.

815. What's the longest sentence you can make using only words that start with the same letter as your first name?
My brain capacity right now could not even attempt what you ask.

816. If you had a theme song what would it be?
"Somewhere Over The Rainbow" or "Jesus Will Still Be There"

817. Are you cranky?
See answer to question 801.

818. Which group generally annoys you more, people older than you, or people younger than you?
I'd say neither. It's not an issue of age. It's an issue of knowing how to act.

819. Do you refer to older people as old farts?
No.

820. Do you refer to younger people as the kids?

Yes.

821. Which is better: Poems that everyone can relate to or poems that are intensely personal to the author?
I think poems that are intensely personal to the author can relate to everyone. We all feel the same feelings at one point or the other.

822. Is it worse to be too hot or too cold?
I had this discussion in college once. You can freeze to death probably easier than you can die from the heat. At least if you stay still. However, you can always put more clothes on. You can never take enough off.

823. Are you so flexible that you can put your feet behind your head?
Back in the day I was. Not so much anymore.

824. Would you enjoy reading fairy tales written about robots?
Not really. I'm more of a prince saves damsel in distress kind of girl.

825. Is smoking a turn on or gross?
So gross.

826. What is the one way you wouldn't want to die?
Drowning or burning up. I'm not a fan of the struggle.

827. Which would look sillier on you: A cowboy hat or a Rasta hat?
Ironically, a rasta hat. I say ironically because I'm not a big fan of the cowboy hat.

828. Would you rather have a job doing something indoors or outdoors?
If I could get paid what i get paid right now and be a lifeguard (outside) for the rest of my life, I would do it in a heartbeat.

829. Would you rather learn more about human nutrition or meteorology?
meterology

830. Have you ever taken honors courses?
Yes. Honors and AP classes all through middle and high school.

831. What do you think of crop circles?
They are neat to look at.

832. Where do they come from?
The aliens. Right?

833. When was the last time you screwed up big time?
Oh wow. I screw up big time on a weekly basis. I think the one that sticks in my mind though happend about five years ago.

834. You have a choice. What do you eat: A veggie burger, A turkey dog, A cheese sandwich
Veggie burger. They aren't so bad.

835. Do you get a lot of random instant messages?
Back in college I did. I don't instant message much anymore.

836. Do you have a paper journal also?
I have a lot of random notebooks that I jot things down in. No certain journal though.

837. VHS or DVD?
Well, I guess since we are in the 21st century now, I'd say DVD.

838. Vinyl, cassette tape, or CD?
iTunes. Ha. I guess CD although, vinyl is still so cool and classic to me.

839. Have you ever seen the video/heard the song Days Go By, performed by Dirty Vegas?
No.

840. MTV: should it play more videos or more shows?
More videos. The crap on there now is ridiculous.

841. Name a band:Do fans of that band tend to share any characteristics with each other?
Dave Matthews Band. Yes. I'd say the majority (and I include myself in that majority) are preppy/coolish college kids who like a cool sound.

842. What does the expression 'touch and go' mean?
Up and down. Good one minute, no good the next.

843. Caffeine or alcohol?
Caffeine

844. Betty or Veronica? Archie or Reggie or Jughead?
Since I don't know much about the comic, I will say no comment.

845. What book are you reading right now?
The DaVinci Code. Right now, the movie is better.

846. Is the news too depressing?
I wouldn't say depressing. It's more angering to me because I see so much stuff that could be fixed and politics is getting in the way. I can't even watch anything about the oil spill anymore.

847. Would you rather have a stuffed lion, elephant, pig or duck?
Lion.

848. Are you late for a very important date?
Truthfully, I'm late in life. But I think the whole thing about timing in life is that whether you are early or late by the world's standards, you are right on time by God's standards.

849. Ever use star 69?
I think I did once in eighth grade.

850. Is everyone as smart as you?
No. A lot of people are smarter and I'm sure there are a few people not as smart.

851. Have you ever seen the musical Annie?
Yes. Would you like me to quote it for you?

852. Sheets: silk or satin?
Neither. I'm a cotton girl.

853. Bath: soap or bubbles?
Bubbles

854. Your best color: blue or red?
Red

855. What's your favorite candy?
Sour gummy worms

856. Can you sing?
Yes.

857. It's the end of the world, as we know it. How do you feel?
Fine.

858. You take your little sister (she's 12) shopping for school clothes. Mom gave you the money to hold. She picks out a skimpy top emblazoned "Hottie" and hip-hugging pants that leave at least two inches of skin north and south of her navel exposed to the wind. She insists: If she doesn't have these clothes, she'll look awful, the other kids will tease her, and she’ll feel like a nerd.Do you think she should or should not wear these clothes?Do you buy them for her?
No, she shouldn't wear them. And no, I won't buy them.

859. What do you think is the most annoying cliché?
"That's like comparing apples and oranges."

860. What band is underground right now but will one day get really popular?
I wholeheartedly believe that Dave Barnes is about to take over the music world.

861. Of the following which word best describes you: versatile (flexible), wonderful, extra-special, your own best friend, zany:
Wonderful

862. What does BYOB stand for?
Bring your own bible. Duh.

863. Who is sexiest: Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Elvis, Jim Morrison, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper?

James Dean

864. Do you always do what's expected of you?
No. Not always. But most of the time.

865. Do you believe everything you hear on the news?
No.

866. Would you prefer a $100.00 gift certificate to Hot Topic or Abercrombie & Fitch (assuming neither store gives change, so you'll have to spend the whole thing)?
Abercombie & Fitch, I guess. I'd have to become an anorexic though.

867. Have you ever won a competition?
I was the hula hoop champ of my youth group one time.

868. Who looks sloppier when they are over weight, guys or girls?
It has nothing to do with gender and everything to do with how you present yourself.

869. At what age do you become all grown up?
Again, age has nothing to do with it. But legally, 21.

870. Have you ever written graffiti on anything?
Yes, I painted my name on the street when I was a senior in high school. It's a tradition.

871. Can you remember what you wrote?
Katie. In blue paint outlined in red.

872. Are you a force of nature?
Possibly.

873. What do you think of blue eye shadow? How about gold eye shadow?
I think they are both fine in moderation.

874. Would you ever wear any of the following Halloween costumes: Flapper? Hippie? Disco dancer?
Yes. Yes. And Yes.

875. Should birth control be taught in high school? How about in jr. high or elementary school?
At a different degree at each level? Sure. But it's really something a child should learn at home.

876. Would you consider yourself a genius?
Some days I do.

877. What did you think of the movie Solaris?
Never saw it.

878. Which is usually better movies or books?
Books.

879. Do you think The Hobbit will be made into a movie?
Probably

880. Do you research which brands use sweatshops to make their clothing before you shop?
No.

881. What gives you a magical feeling?
Love.

882. Have you ever pulled apart a Christmas cracker?
I don't even know what that is.

883. Would you rather watch basketball or play basketball?
I think the world would rather me watch basketball than play basketball.

884. Do you think that everyone makes his or her own problems?
No. I think a lot of people have problems through no fault of their own.

885. Do you often consider how your actions will affect other people?
More now than ever.

886. Are J-Lo and Ben Afleck interesting to you at all?
Not really. And this must be an old survey. Bennifer broke up a long time ago.

887. Do you use bad grammar or hate bad grammar?
I LOATHE bad grammar.

888. Make up a tabloid headline:
England hires chimp as new national (futbol) team coach

889. Do you like to learn new things?
Surprisingly, I love learning new things.

890. What's more important, fame or personal accomplishment?
Personal accomplishment

891. Sweet dreams are made of this....What are they made of?
candy

892. Two trailer park girls go round the outside...Round the outside of what?
That's for Eminem to know and you to find out.

893. Are you wearing a piece of jewelry that means a lot to you right now?
Not today.

894. If someone was going to inscribe a message on a ring and give it to you what would you want it to say?
I would want it to say what they want it to say.

895. Guys who are losing their hair: Should they shave their heads? Get implants? Or let it go?
If they are young, shave it. Older, let it go.

896. Do rock stars work hard or lead the easy life?
Work hard.

897. How much water do you drink every day?
Not as much as I should.

898. Are you driven or kinda apathetic?
I've been kinda apathetic. I'm driven now.

899. Who do you turn to when you are down?
God, my parents, my sister.

900. Would you ever wear seran-wrap?
No.

This Week In Sports

2010-06-24T10:28:00.009-05:00

There have been a few things this week that have happened in the sports world that I just can't resist talking about here on the old bloggeroo. If you know me, you know I am an opinionated person and it's only a matter of time before I have to put my two cents in.

1. The U.S. of A in the World Cup. Can we just talk about, for a second, how amazing yesterday's match between the USA and Algeria was? I mean, wow. What you saw there was a team who was not going to give up, come disallowed goals or cheap shots to the mouth.

(And can I just take a second to ask what does it take to get a proper call in soccer? After the last two months in professional sports (MLB and World Cup soccer), I hope someone in authority sees how much instant replay is needed. It's sad when a deserving team gets robbed of one win and almost another because the referee was 58 percent sure that there was an offsides call.)

Although I know that most people, especially in the South (ahem...Rick and Bubba), don't get soccer (futbol), don't understand what the big deal is, and think it's a communist sport, I particularly love world wide sporting events like the World Cup and the Olympics. As a world, even when we are competing against each other, there is a unifying thread of love for sport and country that is just undeniable. As a country, it's nice to see that even with all the issues that our nation is dealing with right now that we can get behind our fellow Americans and show them how much we believe in their success. It's sad that it can't be that way politically.

2. The marathon match at Wimbledon. I've always wanted to go to Winbledon ever since I took a trip to London after my senior year in high school and saw it on the list of Metro stops. The place has such a neat history of sport, royalty and culture. It's on my bucket list for sure.

If you've been living under a rock for the last three days, American tennis player John Isner (see picture: and is it just me or does he favor Dave Barnes in that pic?) has been trying to win a match over Frenchman Nicolas Mahut for three days, an 11-plus hour match suspended twice for darkness. And just minutes ago, Isner put the final nail in the coffin, winning 70-68. Which, by the way, is...INSANITY!

After having covered tennis my first two years here at Samford, I really came to have an appreciation for the sport and for what these players go through. Having watched one of my own players fight through insane body cramps and a horrible hip injury in mid-90 degree weather against one of his most heated rivals to win a conference championship that rested solely on his shoulders, I can appreciate the pressure that a tennis match might apply on one young man. However, had I been playing in that match, I think I might have offered to buy the guy an ice cream topped with gummie bears and rainbow sprinkles to maybe intice him to stop the madness. But then again, I'm a sore loser so I probably would've fought to the death.

It made history. Longest match in history. Longest five-set match. Eight hours and 11 minutes. 98 minutes more than the longest match in history. It took 65 minutes for him to win today. 2:54 on Tuesday. 7:06 on Wednesday. Seven hours.

I know it might be a little cheesy and it may just be the writer in me looking for something, but I think a day after the U.S. soccer team shocked the world, it's cool to see another young American (and SEC kid -- he played at Georgia) representing his country in such a way. It's sort of a message to the world about how no matter what this country faces, it's people are going to fight to the death to overcome it.

3. Lady Gaga's antics around NYC. First, it was her showing up at a Mets game wearing just a leather jacket over a bikini, causing a rukus and flipping off fans. Then she made an appearance at a Yankees game wearing fishnets, a black bra and a pinstriped Yankees jerseys. She was reportedly banned from the team's clubhouse after being clearly plastered and repeatedly groping herself.

I won't talk about how she's just another attention-hungry pop star who is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. That's clearly the case.

What I do want to address is the fact that someone in the Yankees and Mets front office let someone into their gates dressed like she was. I know when you work for a spors organization on the professional level, it's not about what you know, it's who you know. It's not about what you have at your events, it's who you have at your events. However, I don't know that I could honestly say that I wouldn't have refused to Ms. Gaga admittance into my park with her dressed like that.

Just sayin'...

A slice of advice to Gaga. If you don't want people to pay attention to you, try a t-shirt and jeans.

4. Italy, the reigning World Cup champions, just got knocked out of this year's World Cup. By Slovakia. Wow.

5. This is just a bonus. I heart this commercial so much.

Sing, Sing A Song

2010-06-23T11:44:00.001-05:00

I've been formulating this list for about, oh...the last 18 years of my life. That would mean that I started the list of "Katie's Top 10 Favorite Songs Ever In Life" when I was eight. These were the thoughts of eight-year-old Katie. Do you know my mother?

You'll be surprised, or at least my dad will be surprised, to know that only two showtunes ended up on the list. That's a great feat for this list, considering my life revolved around musicals for the first third of my life. It's basically all I watched, along with "Follow That Bird", "Muppets Take Manhattan" and "The Care Bear Movie".

So here it is, people. It all its deeply thought out glory.

I give you...

Katie's Top 10 Favorite Songs Ever In Life (so far)"

1. "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz -- The Judy Garland version of the Katherine McPhee version. It doesn't matter. This is my favorite movie in the whole world so it's only fitting that it's my favorite song. Since I was a little I wanted to be Dorothy Gale and stage on a stage and since this song. In high school, my dream became reality.

2. "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond -- One day I will sing this with a throng of Boston Red Sox faithful at Fenway Park after the top of the eighth inning. For now, I'll settle on begging Hollie to play it at every baseball game and leading the fans in the crucial crowd participation parts.

3. "Piano Man" by Billy Joel -- Seriously, who didn't/doesn't want to be a piano (wo)man. I did. I started playing piano by ear when I was six before my mom put me in lessons for the next five years. Although, I hated practicing and would have rather played whatever I wanted to, I wish I'd applied myself a little more so that I could've been really, really good. I still have to fight the urge to sit down and play whenever I'm in the vacinity of a piano that isn't my own. I miss it terribly and wish I had one in my apartment. Billy Joel was just one of the amazing artists on rotation in the cassette decks of my parents' cars when I was a wee one. I remember watching one of his concerts on television when I was about four or five, probably Live From Leningrad USSR since that aired on HBO in 1987. Although he's been shrowded by controversy for a while now, I still think Billy Joel is a musical genius no matter what kind of person he his.

4. "Saturday In The Park" by Chicago -- Chicago was and will always be one of my top four favorite bands. Chicago was the other artist on mega rotation in the Walden cassette players when I was a kid. And I used to associate any Chicago song as "beach music" because it always conjures up memories of family vacations at the beach, I guess because we listened to it a lot there. This song is my particular favorite because you can't just listen to it and not be happy. Of course, now it reminds me of my Tuesday afternoon in Central Park last summer with my family and our tour guide Kumar.

5. "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" by Stevie Wonder -- You just can't deny Stevie a place on the list. Seriously. I could've put any of his songs on here but this one just gets into my soul and makes me believe that I really could make it as a back-up singer. I've got that harmony down to a science.

6. "Ants Marching" or "Two Step" by Dave Matthews -- Well, it's Dave Matthews. Nothing more to say.

7. "Jesus Will Still Be There" by Point of Grace -- This is one of the first songs I ever sang in church and it became my theme song, I guess you could say. I sang it several times when I was in youth group. It spoke to my heart then and it speaks to my heart now.

8. "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen (the Hope for Haiti version by Justin Timberlake and Charlie Sexton) -- I really don't know what to say about this song but that there is just something that pulls me to it. Maybe it's the beautiful melody. I don't know.

9. "Defying Gravitiy" from Wicked -- I really don't think that this needs explaining.

10. "Children Go Where I Send Thee" -- This song will forever and always scream Stone Family Christmas for me. It's my favorite staple in the Christmas Eve sing-along and it just conjures up warm memories for me.

Almost making the list:
"Grace's Amazing Hands" by Dave Barnes
"Get It Like You Like It" by Ben Harper
"Tears of the Saints" by Leeland
"Hosanna" by Hillsong United
"Midnight Train To Georgia" by Gladys Knight and the Pips
"Winter Snow" by Audrey Assad

Because Tattoos Just Scream Sincerity

2010-06-15T10:09:00.007-05:00

I don't usually post about The Bachelor/Bachelorette. Heck, I didn't even watch the show until someone roped me into watching Jason's season, then I was intrigued by Jillian which led to Jake which led to Ally and four seasons later, here I am. In a deep, deep hole of over-dramatized reality television and I can quite seem to get out because the Real Housewives of New York are too busy trying to figure out why Kelly is so crazy to give a little boost.

Anyway, last night's episode of The Bachelorette was too chock full of a good times and ridiculousness not to comment on.

First, I'd like to say that The Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise achieved my perfect date last season when Jake and Ally danced to Chicago in the park. I couldn't imagine anything greater.

Until last night.

The guys had set out on a literal whirlwind tour to win Ally heart. They were going to "woo" her across the world, all the while being knocked off like flies. Nothing like a little ruthless heart-breaking to balance out the overwhelming cheesy-ness of the romanticality of it all.

First stop -- New York City. (Go ahead, say it like the do in the Pace Picante sauce commercial. You know you want to.)

Chicago in the park was officially topped as Best Date Ever by last night's group date. Several of the guys vied for the chance to perform with Ally in the Broadway musical, "The Lion King." I think someone on the Bachelor(ette) production staff must have a vendetta against me because they continue to produce every dream date imaginable and dangle it in front of my face like a carrot. Except I don't eat carrots so that wouldn't be very enticing. So we'll say, they dangle it in front of my face like a large cookie cake.

It was a small part as the chorus but seriously? Just to stand on Broadway stage with someone that I even halfway liked for a third date would make me pee my pants with delight. Messy? Yes. Awkward? Definitely. Boring and devoid of romance? Not. At. All.

Check it. (I doesn't show you the actually performance, but if you've seen the show, you'll know what part they are doing. It's during "Can You Feel The Love Tonight".)

So now that I've touched on the high point of the show, I'll tackle the low point.

I have to say, Kasey has surpassed Craig M. for creepiest bachelor on the show. I know deep down he has good intentions but well, at some point in life as a man, you really have to figure out that what some guys do to woo women, doesn't really work for you.

This kid already has a strike against him. He's got a weird voice. I know that's trivial but it plays a big part in the rest of the story.

This season has more singing boys that I've ever seen on any show. Girls all over the world have made it clear that there is just something about a singing boy and a guitar. Well, these guys have taken that literally and are pulling out all the stops. First, it was Hunter on the first night with his ukelele and satirical ditty. Then, it was Ty (the Mississippi boy and aspiring country artist) on the beach at the photo shoot.

Kasey just couldn't be left out so he decided that come hell or highwater, singing ability or not, he's going to sing to Ally. And he did just that. At the first awkward pause, Kasey starts in on a song that can only be summed up as diarreha of the mouth set to music. Ally's stunned look is priceless and when he finishes his song, she just bows her head in embarrassment. Not for herself, but for the poor sap sitting in front of her.

One time is forgivable, but he commenses to do the same thing two more times on the date and at this point I am screaming at the television to stop the madness.

This is where my suspicisions of the show being producer-driven are confirmed. Ally is literally cringing every time this kid opens his mouth because she's afraid of what musical nightmare might be unleashed. And instead of denying him the rose and sending him home, like the rules state, she questions his sincerity and decides to deny him the rose but lets him stay because she wants to give him a chance to prove himself.

And so, he sets out to "prove himself". The guy disappears the next day to take of and get a tattoo to prove that he means serious business when it comes to "protecting and guarding Ally's heart."

I don't know about you, but nothing screams sincerity and commitment than a heinous tattoo on your wrist of a heart covered by a shield intertwine with a rose. No. Doubt.

Long story short. Kasey's gets called out by the guys, says he will confess to Ally but chickens out and then Ally proceeds to give him a rose after an immensely awkward conversation at the cocktail party.

More proof that the producers made her keep him another week. She was awkward giving him the rose and the entire tease at the end of the show as about him.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go work on my songwriting skillz because after watching last night's episode, I've become incredibly aware of my serious lack of musical talent.

And so it begins...

2010-06-11T16:19:00.004-05:00

If you need me, I'll be watching a month-long marathon of soccer. It could possibly be my happy place.

Blog-Linkity Goodness 9.10.10

2010-06-10T10:34:00.007-05:00

So really, the blog neglect is out of control. But considering that I'm a little overwhelmed with life right now to be able to form complete sentences that might entertain the four people that read this, I'm going to go ahead and tell myself that it's okay.

However, I'm back today with another edition of Blog-Linkity Goodness. And trust me, there's some mega goodness today.

- Bryan Allain lives in Amish country and often times documents his sighting on his blog. This time he got video of them enjoying a little volleyball. I know it shouldn't be funny, but it just is.

- It was the bad call heard around the world. MLB umpire Jim Joyce's blown call last week that erased Detroit Tiger Armando Galarraga's perfect game sent sports fans, and non-sports fans, into an upheaval over whether the call should be reversed. Both Joyce and Galarraga handled it amazingly. And instead of putting my own thoughts here, I thought I'd let a professional do it. Here's Donald Miller's take. And it's a good one.

- If you didn't see America's Got Talent the other night, this is about the only thing you missed. And it was amazing.

Thoughts:
1. Nick Cannon lied. EVERY light didn't go off.
2. I'd like to visit that fraternity house.
3. Um, wow.

- Improv Everywhere does it again. Their latest mission.

- I've said it before and I'll say it again, these kids are amazing. And that voice is coming out of a 10-year-old.

- This post of Jon Acuff's from Stuff Christians Like spoke straight to me heart yesterday. Sometimes we're okay with letting God take over the steering but we still want to control the speed.

- And finally, Dave Barnes made his soap opera debut on All My Children yesterday and he'll be on again today with a real speaking part. If you missed it, full episodes are on ABC.com or catch the replays on SOAPnet. This is huge and I hope it's just the jumping off point for him. Here's a little behind the scenes look from Dave.

Y'all have a great Thursday.

The Weekend That Was - Part 3

2010-05-30T23:25:00.004-05:00

The final installment of "The Weekend That Was" features fantastic music, football players and fun friends.

At Kelly and Raymond's wedding, a friend from my church small group mentioned that she had a couple of free tickets to see Needtobreathe at Sloss Furnace on Sunday night. I had wanted to go to this concert all along when the concert was scheduled for Saturday but my friend Nicole and I had decided not to because it would almost be pushing it to get back from the wedding and then to the concert.

But the monsoon rains on Saturday forced the Sloss folks to postpone the

concert until Sunday night so Emily offered up some free tickets and Nicole and I gladly accepted. This made the third time that Nicole and I had seen Needtobreathe together. Tradition, anyone?

(L to R: Emily, Dana, Heather, Me and Nicole)

Needtobreathe has quickly become one of my favorite bands and they really do put on a great show. Matthew Mayfield (Birmingham native) opened for them (for the second show in a row that I've seen) and the kid is mega talented. So that was a plus.

The guy standing in front of me looked kind of familiar but I was with all of the people that I knew that liked Needtobreathe so I didn't think that it would be anyone I actually knew. Then, he turned to ask a question and it was none other than my assistant volleyball coach, Reggie. So it was fun to add another two people to our group and to introduce someone else to some great music. Reggie had never heard of Needtobreathe.

After Matthew Mayfield finished, there was a small break. I turned around to see how the crowd looked and I saw another familiar face. It took me a little longer to figure out who this guy was but once I figured it out, I was giddy like a school girl. Who was it?

This guy. Tyson Lee. And people, he is just a precious as he looks. I didn't get a picture with him because I thought that might be pushing it a little but I did talk to him for about 10 minutes and he was so very nice and interesting. He was more interested in learning about me than talking about himself and soaking up compliments, and that really impressed me.

So all in all, it was a good night. It was good times with good friends and good music with a little extra fun. And it was a great ending to a great weekend. I couldn't even remember when I had a weekend that I really enjoyed as much as I did that one.

Stay tuned for a pictures and recap of my trip to Charleston, S.C., for the SoCon Baseball Tournament. I may have it up by Christmas...if you're lucky.

American Idol - Simon's Last Word

2010-05-25T19:59:00.002-05:00

Well, it's here. The last hurrah. The final two. And the last show where Simon will be able to make people fell like crap...at least until his new show airs.

I have to say that when I saw both of these people audition, I had a feeling that they would go very far. And they did. All the way to the final two. Whoever wins, these two are going to make some serious buck. They are both incredibly talented and extremely humble and they both deserve all of the blessings that they will receive.

So, without further ado...

THIS. Is American Idol.

Lee DeWyze

Lee's Pick: "The Boxer" - So glad he picked to do this one again because it really was my favorite from the season. And tonight was no different. I actually think it was better than the first time he did it and the first time was great. How funny that Ellen just said that too.

Simon Fuller's Pick: "Everybody Hurts" - Is this the first time that anyone has every done R.E.M. on this show? This is perfect song for his voice and you gotta love a good gospel choir behind you. That was really good. He has really gotten to where he can really show his passion through his performance.

P.S. Nice pep talk by Simon. I was vigorously nodding my head and now I'm ready to go score the winning TD.

Potential First Single: "Beautiful Day" - Okay, I was not expecting a cover song but I guess the written song last year didn't really do so well for Kris Allen because it was overflowing with cheese (Sorry, Kara!). And I just stop and say that I love his red Chucks. So. I loved this. And I will buy it. So he needs to win.

Crystal Bowersox

Crystal's Pick: "Me and Bobby McGee" - I feel the same about this one that I felt about Lee's. It was great the first time and even better this time. I agree with Simon that the past few weeks, Crystal has been a little bit off her game. Tonight, she was back on the horse.

Simon Fuller's Pick: "Black Velvet" - I haven't even heard the first note and I know this is a perfect song for her. Okay, it was the perfect song for her and overall I think it was good. I think there were a few parts were she really got excited and maybe over-sang it a little bit and it didn't really sound good. But that was a rockin' performance and the crowd was eating it up.

Potential First Single: "Up To The Mountain" - Well, that was delightful.

Here's the deal, I wish both could win. Crystal is incredibly talented but I think America loves Lee more. This is going to be a tight vote.

I don't know what else to say except...

Walden. Out.

Who do you want to win?

Blog-Linkity Goodness 5.19.10

2010-05-19T16:03:00.007-05:00

It's time for more linkage. The internet kind. Not the hot dog kind.

- While my daddy was taking a little doctor ordered rest time last month, he decided to go fishing on day and take my furry little brother, Randy, along. Randy always makes things interesting. This outing was nothing different. Check out his story here.

- Also get his take on cowbells here too. It's always good to hear a players' perspective on the subject.

- This post of Jon's at Stuff Christians Like is hilarious. It includes Justin Beiber, Ludacris and the Black Eyed Peas.

- I'm not a big Paul Finebaum fan but the day I read this I was. He wrote a great article on Dan Mullen and the future he has in college football. If you bleed Maroon and White and haven't read it yet, click here.

- Did you see American Idol last night? Did you see Lee Dewyze, who might have to fight Tim Tebow, for my hand in marriage? No? Watch this.

- Last but not least, I hate that I've waited this long to share this with you bloggites, but it's only because I've waited this long to watch it. This is a link to my church's Easter service. (And just for fun, I've embedded the video player below.) David focused on the Love Story that is presented in the book of Ruth. If you don't know the story, please go read it. It's only four chapters and it will change your life. I think I've studied this story about three times in the last three years and it gets better every time. It's such a beautiful, TRUE, realization of our need for the redemption that can only come from Jesus Christ and the immense love of a God that actively pursues us day after day. I love it even more because Mandi Mapes was able to display the amazing gifts that God has placed in her life through her testimony and her talents. Mandi is the girl singing those songs and she wrote them all as well. If you like, you can get them on iTunes.

American Idol - Top 3

2010-05-18T20:02:00.003-05:00

THIS. Is the Top 3.

Top 3? Seriously?

I feel like we just started. And now it's almost over. At this point, I don't really care who wins. They are all good, so I'll end up buying all of their albums. But let's face it, it's going to end up being Lee and Crystal standing up there next weekend unless half the population forgets how to dial a telephone.

Casey James

Casey's Pick: "OK, It's Alright With Me" - Love this song and it's perfect for him. I thought that was really good. Let's face it, Casey James isn't always going to hit every note on pitch but that's okay (and alright with me) because he's got such charisma. However, it still sounded good and he looked comfortable and had fun.

Kara and Randy's Pick: "Daughters" - I really, really hate that I'm about to say this but I was tempted to fast-forward through this performance after the first 20 seconds. I didn't like it at all and I felt like every note dragged and was flat as a result. I give him props for trying to put his own spin on it and I like the whole vibe on him, but I felt like Casey James had checked out of the competition.

Crystal Bowersox

Crystal's Pick: "Come To My Window" - I LOATHE this song. But I'm also not a big Melissa Ethridge fan either. With that being said, I did like the spin she put on it tonight though. There was a little hint of a bluegrassy/country feel, and I (not a country fan) surprisingly liked it. However, I don't think it was her best performance. I still don't think she's had a great performance since she did "People Get Ready" several weeks ago. However, I think that's still the kind of artist that she wants to be and I like that feel. And she was straight-up artist tonight on stage.

Ellen's Pick: "Maybe I'm Amazed" - Besides the part that said, "Maybe I'm a man but maybe you're the only woman who could help me understand," this song was a perfect fit for her and a redeeming moment for me from the last round. It was fantastic. And it was good to see her move around.

Lee Dewyze

Lee's Pick: "Simple Man" - Lee Dewyze, you are a simple man. And I simply love you. Will you simply marry me?

Ok, now that I got that off my chest. This is what I love about Lee Dewyze. Like his fellow contestants, Lee goes out on that stage and puts all of his heart and soul into his performance. But there is just something about him that lifts him above the other two in the that category. I don't know if it's his humility or if he's just naturally more talented, or maybe it's the gigantor crush I have. Who knows? But this kid is a winner.

Simon's Pick: "Hallelujah" - Oh. My. Wow. One of my top 10 favorite songs ever in life. Excuse me while I weep. My dear friends, that is what you call a moment. Lee Dewyze just had a moment. And if he has three more of those next week, he. will. win. this. competition. Amazing. And Simon smiles.

Best of the night: Lee Dewyze on "Hallelujah"

Worst of the night: Casey James on "Daughters"

Should go: Casey

Will go: Casey

Walden. Out.

The Weekend That Was - Part 2

2010-05-14T15:14:00.010-05:00

Alternate title for this post: Four Warnings and A Wedding

I know it's been about three weeks since I talked about The Weekend That Was, but now it's time to get back to the story-telling.

Saturday (April 24) was Kelly and Raymond's wedding. Every kind of severe weather warning you could think of what covering the state of Alabama. And did I mention it was an outside wedding? Yeah.

Nicole and I packed up and headed south to the 4H Center where the wedding was being held. The sky seemed to get better and better the further south we went, and an hour later, we ended up in the middle of nowhere at the site of the wedding.

At one point, driving through Small Town USA and passing deserted pastures, we kept our eyes on the sky for stray flying bovine.

All was well as we got to the wedding. The rain had subsided, if only for a few minutes, and we made our way under the chapel pavillion to take our seats. Meanwhile, we passed Kelly who was fully prepared with her yellow galoshes.

It was a small ceremony of her closest family and friends. Everything was so personal. All of her friends pitched in. Every decoration, invitation, snack, finishing touch, etc., was done by a family member of friend.

Here's what I contributed:

Instead of printing programs, she had me just do one big program and had it framed. Kelly's is a lover of all things rustic wood so this was perfect for her. Her colors were baby blue and chocolate and her flowers were daisies so I added that into the design.

Besides the funfetti wedding cake and the groom's cake made of Betty Crocker brownies made by small group members, the ceremony really was my favorite part of the day. Although it starting pouring halfway through the ceremony, it really was a testament to God's faithfulness to us and his persistence in his pursuit of an intimate relationship with him.

The moms walked to the great praise and worship song, "In Christ Alone" and when they were in place, the congregation stood and we sang the remainder of the song. Then the bridesmaids processed in to Third Day's "Offering" followed by Kelly who was escorted by her sweet daddy. The song is one that Kelly has always said that she wanted to walk down the aisle to and it was such a sweet moment to see that finally happen for her.

Kelly and Raymond's love story is such an earthly representation of God's pursuit of his people. The couple met at Lakeshore Foundation where Kelly works and were Raymond became a member after his motorcycle accident. They became great friends and have remained friend for a number of years.

Probably since he's known her, Raymond has pursue a romantic relationship with Kelly, but Kelly, being a Christian, stuck to her guns and wouldn't date a nonbeliever. Kelly had always been very open about her faith with Raymond, as she is with everyone she meets. She invited him to church and small group and about two years ago, he finally caved and started coming to small group with her.

For the first little while, he was just going to spend time with her. But after a while, Raymond really started to respond to what he was learning and going even when Kelly couldn't go.

Through a series of events last spring, Raymond decided that he was tired of running from the God that was actively pursuing him. He stopped and turned and allowed God to take control of his life.

Shortly after, Raymond confessed his feelings for Kelly again and Kelly finally knew that God's timing had finally worked itself out. About three months later, in January, he Kelly's dad for her hand in marriage on a trip home to Miami to visit her family. A week later, he proposed and four months later, they are husband and wife.

It's really been amazing to see God's plan for both Raymond and Kelly unfold. It's a true testament to his faithfulness in two respects. One - his faithfulness to Kelly (over 30) to provide a mate after wondering if she would ever meet him. And two - his faithful pursuit of Raymond's heart, year after year after year.

God's awesome, isn't he?!

Small Group Photo Op

So, that's the story of Saturday.

Maybe in a month, I'll be back with the story of Part 3.

One Single Struggle

2010-05-14T13:59:00.005-05:00

I started this post as another edition of Blog-Linkity Goodness but this one link I have to share kind of calls for a whole post of its own.

Let me preface...

Lately, I've been burdened a bit (read: a lot) by the direction my life is headed. I've prayed for many years Psalm 37:4.

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

I think for a long time I've just been praying the second half of that verse.

Recently, I've really been confronted with frustration about my singleness. If you would have asked me four years ago if I would still be single at the age of 26, I would have laughed in your face and told you my whole wedding plan.

Nowadays, I'll tell you my whole wedding plan, but I just am not laughing as hard anymore.

So many thoughts run through my head. My parents were married at my age. My sister was four years younger than me when she got married. All but two of my best friends are married. I see college friends who have now been married for four or five years and are now having their first or second child. Girls who were freshmen when I was a senior in college are married and having kids. I'm watching people live the life that I thought I would be knee deep in by now.

And it is a little bit disheartening. And I guess it is okay because that is the way God made me. He gave me these desires and these emotions for a reason.

However, over the last two or three years, I really started concentrated on the first part of that verse.

"Delight in the Lord."

For a large part of my life, I didn't really understand what that whole "delight" word was about. Except that is was half of the title of the best Stone family dessert - Chocolate Delight.

But God has recentlyshown up in my life in a way that I've never seen before. He has shown me things about myself and Himself that I had failed to notice before. And I think that I wasn't noticing those things because I wasn't looking for them and I had been distracted.

I'm a believer in the notion that nothing is coincidence. God has a purpose and plan for everything that happens in our life because it all fits in to His will to bring glory to His name.

I think the mixture of maturity and singleness, along with the grace of God and the love of family and friends, have made me who I am today. I think that at the end of high school and throughout my college career, I was distracted by the feeling of falling in love and finding a husband when I should have been actively pursuing my One True Love.

I had replaced desire to be loved and fulfilled by God, the one who loved me first and will never stop loving me, with the desire to fall in love to a guy and be married and start a family.

It's what every girl dreams of, right? The guy, the proposal, the ring, the dress, the church, the house, the picket fence.

What I have just become to grasp is that I've been going about it all wrong.

God has commanded us to love him with all our heart and soul and mind and strength and to love each other as we would love ourselves. THEN everything else flows from that.

I have realized that what I need to focus on is being in the center of God's will. After that, everything will fall in place. And if I'm not pursuing a relationship with God day after day, what the heck am I doing? Why would I not want to spend my time getting to know the person who created me, who knows my ins and outs and still loves me anyway. Isn't that really what all of us girls are looking for in a guy anyway?

You know, Psalm 37:4 is written the way it is written for a reason. In elementary school, we are taught cause and effect right? One thing leads to the other. If push the gas pedal on my car (cause), it goes (effect).

When we delight in God, when we actively pursue him and long to fall deeply in love with him, his desires become our desires.

I know there were times when I dated a guy and became interested in something that he was passionate about because he shared that passion with me. And vice versa. That's what happens in our relationship with God.

After "the break-up" my junior year of college, I really (surprising myself and taking a lot of advice from my sister) dove deep into God's word and tried to figure out where my fulfillment was coming from. Was it coming from God or was it coming from this boy? Before I could really figure that out, I became entangled in that relationship and again and never really learned that lesson. It took God transplanting me into a completely new life for me to figure out that was tapping into the wrong source of fulfillment.

So...I say all that to say this. This morning I stumbled upon, or shall I say, God led me to Jimmy Needham's website for a reason. Not only is this guy and talented musician who loves the Lord and writes about it from his heart, he's given his wife, Kelly - a girl who struggled with the same burden I am currently struggling with - an outlet to share her story and to encourage girls like me. The wisdom and humility in what she writes is overwhelming and I found myself feeling like I was reading the inside of my own heart.

I know that I'm not the only girl struggling with this burden because I know that I'm not the only girl out there who feels like the desires of her heart aren't being satisfied on the timeline that she thinks they should. So I wanted to share Kelly's Page with all of you fellow singles out there.

Kelly gives some amazing insight in how she walked through this struggle before meeting Jimmy and backs it up with some incredible scripture. As all things should be.

One of my favorite quotes (because I have a lot) from what she writes is this: "Instead of finding fulfillment in Jimmy, I found in him an incredible gift from God that daily turns my attentions back toward Jesus. I love that our God is a jealous God. he longs so much for our affection, that he won't give us anything that will threaten his place in our hearts."

I don't want my husband to be a distraction from my affection towards God. I want our relationship to be a gift that we praise him and give him glory for everyday of our lives. Because that kind of love only comes from God and only He alone is worthy of the glory.