July 6, 2009
I don’t know what God is doing, but I am up for whatever. Today in service Pastor Nathan talked about the power we have in Jesus and read the verse from John 14 when Jesus told His disciples that they would do the same and even greater things than Him [because they would receive the Holy Spirit when He left]. We followed the sermon by singing the words “the same power that conquered the grave lives in me.” These are intense words that make me uncomfortable because it calls me to so much more in my life.
What is God wanting to do through me that I have been stifling because I simply don’t believe He can do great things through me? What would my life look like if I genuinely woke up everyday knowing that the Spirit’s power is working in me?
Today 2 people obeyed God and blessed me. At 2 seperate services, 2 women came to me in tears, telling me that they were scared but just felt they needed to listen to God and pray for me, both about getting pregnant. One woman, without even knowing my name asked, “Are you wanting to be pregnant?”
My response? “Um… lets have a seat.”
I don’t know what God is doing. I don’t know why he sent 2 strangers to me today to pray for me.
To these women, thank you for listening to God today. You were used and I was blessed.
July 4, 2009
I have 3 requirements for my 4th of July. Get in a pool at some point in the day and watch fireworks in the sky. The sparklers are cool but I need to see some real fireworks. I also need to hear “Proud to be an American” at least once. Preferably during the fireworks show.
Today Andrew and some friends rode their bikes down to the beach and the girls picked them up. Thought we would spend some time down there on the beach and eat but it was WAY too crowded. Instead, we found a nearby park (not crowded at all) and had a picnic. Good times, but as of 3:00pm I have not yet achieved any of my July 4th requirements. Hopefully by the end of the day.
What did you do for the 4th?
July 2, 2009
About 6 months ago I wrote a post that described my up and down internal struggle with the whole pregnancy thing. To recap: Andrew and I started trying to get pregnant last summer; didn’t happen. Put a pin in that plan when we decided to go to Africa due to the shots I had to take, then had to wait 3 months afterward to get it all out of my system, started trying again in March.
Since March I have been in a much better place. Genuinely putting our fate with having kids into God’s hands and trusting His timing for our marraige and our future family and I hadn’t really given too much of my emotions to it. But June was a different month.
For some reason, I secretly really believed that I was pregnant. And the wierd thing was, Andrew did too. Even though it would have been too early for me to know for sure, I started being careful about my caffeine, when we went on vacation, I didn’t have a drink, I didn’t take ibuprophrin when I had a headache, etc.
I never had any of the normal clues or signs that I was pregnant, but I did notice that I wasn’t sleeping normally, I didn’t feel like eating how I normally do. AND, I have had several people in the last few weeks say “I feel like you are pregnant. Are you pregnant?” Wierd, right? That doesn’t normally happen. I started to believe it.
But, the lunar cycle made a full circle and a new month has started. I woke up this morning with the tell-tale sign that I am infact, not pregnant.
Am I sad? Yeah. Did my eyes just well up when I wrote that? Yeah.
But, I told God “whatever” He wanted to do with me and I meant it.
He knows.
July 1, 2009
So the first few hours of being at the Rose Bowl was actually not that bad. But then the sun came out and there was no where to find shade. What can I say about the day?…..
When the American Idol staff finally got to our section, (the 3rd to last section, or so we thought) they decided to go out of the normal order they had been going all day. They let the final 2 groups go before us which put our section at the VERY END! Out of 11,000 people who auditioned yesterday, I would estimate that there were only 50 people behind me when I finally got to the “judges.” Yes, thats right. I was number 10,950 to audition. So you can imagine how bored the judges are of hearing singers all day long at this point.
4 of us from the worship team auditioned: Me, Eddie Culin, Savannah Pluim, and Melissa Barrett. None of us passed. But when the season starts, look for the girl in the gold spandex with the hool-a-hoop. She made it through.
Overall, even though it was a long day, we had a good time hanging out with eachother. I am glad I tried it one more time.
The only part that is sad to me is knowing that I am now too old to try out again. I am TOO OLD! Sad.
Thanks for your support and encouragement.
By the way, I ended up singing “You Oughtta Know” by Alanis Morisette
June 27, 2009
So one of the things you have to do before you audition for American Idol is sign a release form. Pretty standard, right? But when you actually read the entire thing, you get a bit more of an understanding as to why the first few episodes pan out the way they do.
Read this exerpt from the release form:
“I understand that I may reveal, and other parties may reveal, information about me that is of a personal, private,
embarrassing or unfavorable nature, which information may be factual and/or fictional. I further understand that my
appearance, depiction and/or portrayal in the Program may be disparaging, defamatory, embarrassing or of an otherwise unfavorable nature which may expose me to public ridicule, humiliation or condemnation. I acknowledge and agree that Producer shall have the right to (a) include any or all such information and appearances, depictions or portrayals in the Program as edited by Producer in its sole discretion, and (b) broadcast and otherwise exploit the Program containing any or all such information and appearances, depictions or portrayals in any manner whatsoever in any and all media now known or hereafter devised, or for any other purpose, throughout the universe in perpetuity.”
Nice, huh?
Bring it on.
June 27, 2009
So audtions are this Tuesday at the Rose Bowl. I am gonna try one more time. I have to check on the age limit but I think I am at the top of the age bracket to try out. That sounds sad to me.
Going with a few friends and have most everything everything figured out. Except for the song I am going sing. I get about 10-20 seconds to sing.
Any suggestions?
June 25, 2009
After I started writing this post, I realized how vulnerable this is. I am not getting down on myself, but this is the real stuff.
A few things that I would change about myself if I could would be:
- If I don’t know how to do something, I always procrastinate
- If I don’t have a deadline, or it is not urgent, I probably won’t do it
- My pit fat
- I always tune out when my husband talks about investing and where our money should go even though I try really hard to be interested
- I can never remember the Rh factor stuff (which blood type can be donated to which and so forth)
- I have forgotten most of what I learned in college
- I am only semi-motivated to work out
- My volleyball serves are very inconsistent
- I constantly battle with wanting to be recognized by people but know I should be content with being loved and admired by my Creator
- I envy other people
- I am horrible at remembering birthdays and special dates
So there it is. Please don’t comment to confirm this post. “Yeah, Becca. You really should change that.” I already know. This is just me being real.
What would you change? Here’s the rule: you can’t comment on this post unless you have commented on the previous one first.
June 25, 2009
A few months ago a friend asked me what I would change about myself if I could. I got to thinking about that again today but decided to change my thinking and list a few things that I wouldn’t change before I post the things I would change.
A few things I wouldn’t change about myself would be:
- My taste in men (I got a pretty good one)
- My strength as the communicator. I feel comfortable talking in front of people, which, incidentally is what many people would say is something they hate
- My ability to sing
- My feet
- My freckles
- My ability to manage a classroom full of 35 adolescent, hormonal teenagers
- My ability to relate almost any situation to a Friends quote
- My story-telling ability. (Most stories start with “one time when I was in the 4th grade.” It was a big year for me)
This was a bit hard because for almost everything I just wrote, I thought of a way I could improve it, but that wasn’t the point of this post.
If you read this, COMMENT!! Tell me 2 things you wouldn’t change about yourself.
June 24, 2009
I think I used about 5 tissues the whole time I was in Hawaii. Today I used 5 alone. My nose knows I am back in Riverside. Conflicting emotions. Glad to be home, but… sigh. When you see these, I think you will understand.
Just a small hike in Oahu with a mediocre view.
We found these pools in the rocks. Had to climb down a cliff to get there, but totally worth it.
This is Pali Lookout. The windiest place on the island. We could lean into the wind and not fall over.
This is one of my favs. Mike helping Andrew into his scuba gear while Neal looks on in approval and coaches. =)
Another hike. This time in Maui. Traveling with friends. Very fun.
June 16, 2009
Thats right. I am leaving for Hawaii.
I feel a little guilty that I just posted that I wanted one of my summer goals to be that I blog at least 3 times a week, well, at least I got 2 in. Definately not bringing my computer to Maui.
Post pics when I return.
Aloha!
