Wow...

So yesterday I described as rough because work was kinda stressful and I was dealing with stuff concerning friends and family. I guess it wasn't a horrible day, but it was sort of draining for me.

And then today... I don't know. I mean, today was perfectly fine for me, but I keep hearing story after story... reading entry after entry on here... and it seems as if everyone else's worlds have drastically changed in the past few days. A lot of changes are happening, and I cannot help but wonder, What is going on???

Don't lose heart my friends...

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. -2 Corinthians 4:15-18

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the
glory that will be revealed in us. -Romans 8:18

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. -1 Peter 5:6

Whether you turn to the right or to the left , your ears will hear a voice
behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." -Isaiah 30:21

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understading no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they willl walk and not be faint. -Isaiah 40:28-31

Do not be afraid, for I am with you. -Isaiah 43:5a

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
-Jeremiah 29:13

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do noy know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. -Romans 8:26

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. -Ephesians 6:10

Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." -Exodus 14a, 15

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials for many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. -James 1:2-4

"If there is no strain, there will be no stength." -Oswald Chambers

"If God has given you a silence, then praise Him - He is bringing you into the mainstream of His purposes." -Oswald Chambers

"I belive in God even when He is silent." -Joseph Leftwich

I'm praying for you - all of you that may be going through something rough... know that I am praying that God will take that and turn into something beautiful for His glory, something that will make you grow stronger in Him, that you may be "mature and complete, not lacking anything". I love each one of you.

Rough. That's the best word for it. Today has been rough.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. -Isaiah 40:28

"His [Satan's] strategy to capture us is... to disconnect us from our heart and the heart of God toward us by any means possible. It is what he no doubt had to do to his own heart to bear the loss of heaven." -John Eldredge

Don't lose heart, friends, because that is where God places our deepest desires and greatest loves. Don't allow that to be taken away from you.

So, for those of you who have had to hear me complain lately about my low wages at work will be glad to know I got a 25 cent raise! It's been for like a week or so, but I just discovered it and, needless to say, was quite happy indeed. Work is getting crazier everyday as fall approaches.

The music video for the contest has been sent off today. Pray hard!

I wanted to share this C.S. Lewis quote: "We don't need more Christian books, we need more Christians writing good books." That really speaks to me. I actually am interested in writing books some day, and some of them probably would be Christian books, but this quote was encouragement that I can just write a really cool story or produce a really awesome film, and it doesn't have to preach in order for it to reflect God's glory. I can include elements of my faith without it being blantantly obvious and scaring people away. Sometimes I'll complain about how almost everything on TV is so corrupt, and to think... I can just make good shows one day and help change that. People may not fall on their knees and pray to God as a direct result of that, but maybe I can make people think about values and such. Anyhow, I just liked it and felt like sharing.

For those of you who don't know, I'm extremely opinionated. So, pretty much everything matters to me, and this inclides politics. Unfortunately, I just don't agree with a lot of politicians. So it's very frustrating for me. I mean honestly, the local government affects me more than the national government, so who's in office is really important. I didn't vote in the last local election, and that kills me inside. So I want to vote this time around. I was just looking at the local election guide on dnj.com and it was frustrating for me because most of these guys are pretty old and experienced in politics so I really have no clue what they're talking about.

I mean, I'm a pretty intelligent college student - I'm not a moron. So why am I not understanding what I'm reading? And how come the Republican guy running for county mayor has a commerical about low taxes yet according to the DNJ, he wants the property taxes to be raised? What sense does that make? I don't think there ought to be a raise in property taxes unless there is going to be a major decrease in housing costs. So do I go for him, or Shacklett? Because I sure don't know what Shacklett wants to do either. I just know he isn't a liberal (sorry Kelly and Clint and whoever else that may affect). And I am also mega frustrated because my two choices for county commissioner in my district (actually, I'll be voting for my old district, not my new district, which also frustrates the crud out of me!) is a liberal Independent and a Democrat. Well that's just great. So yes... I digress...

Read my entry from yesterday if you haven't already and you like a good story...

And lastly... if you want to see my music video, I have it up online, but I don't want to announce it to the whole world (I have it up to where only I can see it unless I give you a direct link to it) so leave me a comment if you're interested and I'll message you the link. I may put the link up on my Facebook as well... yeah I'll do that so you can check there. Unfortunately, the video doesn't look as good online as it does on CD and DVD, so yeah... keep that it mind if you watch it. Graham gave it two thumbs up though.

When I started reading Prince Caspian, which I just finished, I just couldn't imgaine it being as impactful as The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, but wow... oh wrong I was. It's an amazing story. Here are some of my favorite quotes and moments:

Edmund: That's the worst of girls. They never can carry a map in their heads.
Lucy: That's because our heads have something inside them.
(That made me laugh out loud!)

"Wouldn't it be dreadful if some day in our own world, at home, men started going wild inside, like the animals here, and still looked like men, so that you'd never know which were which?" -Lucy

Aslan: Welcome, child.
Lucy: Aslan, you're bigger.
Aslan: That is because you are older, little one.
Lucy: Not because you are?
Aslan: I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.

Aslan: We must not lie her for long. You have work in hand, and much time has been lost today.
Lucy: Yes, wasn't it a shame? I saw you all right. They wouldn't believe me. They're all so-
(Aslan growls)
Lucy: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to start slanging the others. But it wasn't my fault anyway, was it? ...you don't mean it was? How could I - I couldn't have left the others and come up to you alone, how could I? Don't look at me like that... oh well, I suppose I could. Yes, and it wouldn't have been alone, I know, not if I was with you. But what would have been the good? You mean, this it would have turned out all right - somehow? But how? Please Aslan! Am I not to know?
Aslan: To know what would have happpened, child? No. Nobody is ever told that... but anyone can find out what will happen.

Lucy: They won't believe me!
Aslan: It doesn't matter.

"...things never happen the same way twice." -Aslan

"Susan. You have listened to fears, child. Come, let me breathe on you. Forget them. Are you brave again?" -Aslan

Reepicheep: I can eat and sleep and die for my King without one [a tail]. But a tail is the honour and glory of a Mouse.
Aslan: I have sometimes wondered, friend, whether you do not think too much about your honour.

Caspian: I was wishing that I came of a more honourable lineage.
Aslan: You come of the Lord Adam and the Lady Eve. And that is both honour enough to erect the head of the poorest beggar, and shame enough to bow the shoulders of the greatest emperor in the earth. Be content.

And this is my favorite:
Aslan: Welcome, Prince. Do you feel sufficient to take up the Kingship of Narnia?
Caspian: I - I don't think I do, Sir. I'm only a kid.
Aslan: Good. If you had felt yourself sufficient, it would have been a proof that you were not.

I am very happy to announce that I have successfully made two copies of my video onto CDs, one which shall me mailed in for the contest, and another which I shall keep for my own use to keep (and show off of course)! Turns out the DVD burner was pointless so it looks like we'll be taking that baby back. Anyhow, it doesn't even seem real almost... that it's finally working for me! Please pray pray pray that I win... ok that sounds bad and selfish I suppose... ha ha... but it would just be really awesome! So yeah... if you want to see it... um... I suppose you'll have to come visit me sometime, or I you. I think it'll only play on computers, but at this point I don't care... as long as it plays somewhere! Although I'm also thinking about burning CD to DVD using my mom's co-worker's DVD burner. But yeah... I'm happy that it works now!   

God must be trying to teach me patience, but I sure don't remember asking for it!

Yesterday I edited my video (again) on my aunt's computer. Then today we go out and buy a DVD burner (which isn't exactly $20 or anything like that) to get the video from the computer to a DVD. Well, to make a long story short, that isn't working too well for me.

I think God's trying to help sort out some of those control issues that I have. So three things I have learned thus far:
1.) God is in control, and I am not.
2.) I shouldn't freak out about small stuff.
and 3.) Bill Gates is not my friend.

got married!!! I am NOT kidding! I'm not really one into celeb news and
all that, but I just stumbled upon this discovery, and felt the need to share...

Thanks for all the computer advice guys, I'll do something eventually. I think that I'm going over to my aunt's this Friday and use her computer to edit my video, and then worry about my own computer. And if WMM never works on there again, oh well. I'm trying to be a little less of a control freak and a lot more flexible these days. 

So since summer is a pretty slow time at work, I've been able to read a lot lately, and I've read three books in the past few days from a series I loved when I was a teen. And I can see why. I still enjoy them, and something I read in the third book today really made me think. Really, it made me think about all the silly things I worry about, like saving up my money to some large sum and not spending any of it out of fear disaster may strike or whatever.

Anyhow, I've been thinking a lot lately about what God wants to do with me and I'm praying about some different possibilities... I guess I'll see what happens! I've also been writing a lot more lately, which is really the first talent I discovered I suppose, way back in the first grade. It all started with a story about a girl and a deer...

I. hate. computers.
And how necessary they are! I mean, the job I want one day, the major I'm in - depends on computers! Yet mine's been a real stinker lately. Since I couldn't get the Windows Movie Maker to be friendly, I had to download a free trial of some other video editing software and upload almost all (but not all for a reason that will be explained in a minute) of the footage I have ever shot for my contest video (because I'm using all sorts of random stuff.) Capturing video was interrupted because all of a sudden, apparently I have like no room left on my C drive! AUGH! Anyhow, I just deleted like half of my picture in an effort to free up some space, but it didn't do much good (not to mention an extremely painful thing for me to do, but they're all backed up on at least two CDs if not more!). I think it's mostly the video stuff. Sigh. I could really use that Mac now...

I think if I don't win it one from the contest, I'm just going to break down and buy one for myself for my birthday. I can afford it, I would just rather not spend the money. But I do have it and I don't really have anything else to use it for right now. I am saving some money in case I study abroad but there are also scholarships avaliable for that and I'll be getting more money from MTSU between now and the time I actually go (if I go). I also wanted to have some financial backing for whenever I get married, but I guess I should just chill out and realize that God will take care of all that. He controls money, and He can supply it as I need it. I probably still have another two or three years to go before I get married, so I still have time to save up money for that. And since I'm stuck at home for the moment at least I don't have rent expenses.

I guess I overthink these things, but I just want to be prepared for anything the future throws at me. I grew up in a household where my parents were very discerning in how they spent their money and often times bought much less than they could have afforded. They chose to not buy every new and big and wonderful thing, and I think that's really helped us in the long haul. But I digress... all this started from a rant about computers. I suppose if I get nothing out of this contest, God is teaching me more about trusting Him.

So I have come to a point in my life where I really want to know the difference between discernment and judgement. If anyone has any thoughts or ideas about that, please share...

On a completely different note, I am so glad because I was able to change my English class out. I was signed up for Early American Literature, and I was never really feeling it... it just seemed boring... and all wrong too... I hated the time especially. But now I am registered for a new section of Intro to Literary Studies that they didn't originally have listed in the spring, so I'm glad I discovered it! It probably won't be too exciting of a class but it's the only required class I have for my English minor (everything else is just electives) so that's good. And from what I understand, I think my teacher's supposed to be pretty cool, so I'm glad about that!

Garrett and I are going to the Building 429 concert tomorrow. If anyone's interested in going let me know.

*EDIT* Let me rephrase the above statement. If anyone wants to meet Garrett and me at the concert tomorrow let me know. Since he has a truck he can only take the two of us, but we'd definitely like to meet up with anyone else who ends up going.

Windows Movie Maker is definitely evil. Graham and Jolene and helped me come to the conclusion that the whole program pretty much just disappeared by itself. I tried to reinstall it (thanks Shannon, if you read this, for the link) but it didn't work. I think I'm going to try system restore this afternoon. I'll update y'all on how that works. One thing is for sure, don't do video editing with Movie Maker. Just buy some software or even get something else free off the internet.

Aside from computer problems, I had a great night last night. Spider-man 2 is hillarious when you interject other movie quotes. For example:
Harry: Peter, you killed my father.
Graham (as Peter): I am your father!
Fun times, fun times. I love summer so much, and I wish it wouldn't end. Except I would like for my out-of-town MTSU friends to come back. And I also want to have my degree in EMC so I don't have to work at the business office for the rest of my life!

Oh yeah, and I'm sure most everyone has seen POTC 2 by now, but in case you haven't, don't get your hopes up. It's good, but a little disappointing at times. If you have low expectations you should really enjoy yourself. I'm sure I'll like it more the second time I see it.

Italy won! Go Italia!
That French guy who did the headbutt... yeah... he's a jerk...
And whoever did the production for the U2 "One" video with all the World Cup series footage, with the very end of the video containing footage from the game that just happened moments before, is my hero. That is hardcore TV production...
Now we should all go eat Italian food to celebrate...

THE GOOD NEWS: I am free from summer school! I am ready to have a life again! I only work 20 hours a week at a flexible job, so we should make plans! (I really want to go to the zoo, for starters...)

THE BAD NEWS: I would really love to make a movie, but I can't, seeing as PCs really are awful for video and my Windows Movie Maker is not working. And did I mention that my video contest entry that I still need to work on and is due in one month is only saved to Windows Movie Maker? AUGH! That's why I need a Mac, and other than simply laying down the money for it, my only hope is to win one, which goes back to the whole my contest video is stuck in a rut thanks to dumb Windows... yay for message boards though. I've signed on to some message boards to post my problem so people who know more about computers than I do can help me...

And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.

And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.

And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.

'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

Today, whether you're Democrat, Republican, Independent, something else, or even apathetic, just stop for a few moments and imagine where this country would be if brave soldiers had never fought to protect it. What if the colonists decided it was too high a cost to revolt? What would have been the consequence of that decision? What if we did not join other countries to battle against evil during WWI and WWII? What if we sat by and decided that we didn't care? What if we allowed anyone to come in and invade the freedom we take for granted? The freedom that we take for granted because the wars fought for it seemed so long ago. That freedom is still being fought for today. Not just in war, but even in our own country, as we see the hostility among neighbors and friends and family merely because their political views are different.

Today, be proud of where your country has been, and if you don't like where it's going, pray that God would lead us all. Happy Independence Day.

Yesterday, I went with Garrett and his family to Dover, TN, for the fifth annual Crazy Cousin Cookout. This has been the third time that I've gone and Chuck and I finally did better than Garrett and Rob on the water balloon toss (I'm sure some of you remember me talking about their infamous reigning dynasty in the event last year). We got into the finals and walked away with fourth, which wasn't as great as my first year when we got second, but better than last year. And we got a ribbon! Here we are:

A little wet, though I was mostly wet thanks to Garrett, not the game. He got my hair more than my shirt, whereas I got his shirt pretty good. Anyhow, I have a few more pics from the event in my photobox, including a few artsy pics I took around the place.

So I'm noticing that there are many "Christians" out there who do not seem to read the Bible. You have to do more than say that God is an interest of yours and that the Bible is your favorite book to convince me that you are really following God. Just my two cents for the day. 

I love you.

Don't knock Star Trek till you've tried it.

There's nothing exciting going on in my life right now.

And that is all.

I have now watched every episode of the original Star Trek series minus the original pilot episode, which is coming up next for me. And then there will be the movies...

I just wanted to say...

how it's funny that Satan can drag you down, God can lift you up, Satan drag you down again, and God lift you up again in such a short period of time. This being a Christian thing is definitely not a walk in the park.

I think what really got to me about Charles' message tonight at AO was when he said, "You were called to be different." I have to constantly rememeber that the reason that I feel out of place in this world is because I am out of place. I am different. God called me out to do His work in the world and that means I'm not always going to be popular. And I am coming to terms with that.

Well I had a pretty interesting weekend. Saturday night I got to see these guys

for the wonderful cost of absolutely free!

I have to say that Switchfoot may very well be my favorite band these days. They're amazing. We also thought they were going to follow their video guy into TGI Friday's while we were eating, but alas, they did not! Saddness!
And then last night I paid $8 and got "x"ed for the first time in my life to see these guys

and a couple of their friends at this place.

Ironic how that worked out, huh? Anyhow, it was a very smokey environment indeed, but it was a lot of fun. Or watching Damasus Road was fun. Watching this guy
and his band was not. I unaffectionately refer to this man as "The Sleazy Guy". Here in this picture he is serenading to Garrett's mom... no lie...

Garrett, Rachael Vance, and Justin Holt were all very successful in explaining my feelings for this band in phrases such as: "They were good, but I did not like them", "Pervert, go home!" and "They weren't classy". Anyhow, Damascus Road definitely had the crowd support but not judges' support. But I suppose the judges liked what those other guys had to offer.

Unfortunatley I have no pictures from the show since my camera decided to be dumb again (after the zoom had started to work again). I suppose I should just fork over the money and get a new one.

Quote of the weekend, Saturday night, while on Garrett's phone:
Justin: What's up brother?!
Me: This is Amy!
Justin: It doesn't matter! You can still be a brother!

P.S. Ever had a moment in your life when God was so silent you wondered if maybe you messed up and there's nothing happening in your life because you aren't listening to Him, but then suddenly, feel a small leading in your heart that maybe there is something, something He has given you the desire for, right around the corner?

I just thought everyone should know that the Gap is having an awesome sale today. I text messaged several of y'all already but I thought I would inform anyone else who might be interested. They're temporarily closing for the next week because they're moving to a bigger location! They're going to be where the Sound Shop was at. Don't worry Garrett, the Sound Shop is still around between Dillard's and Spencer's. So yay for the changes in the mall! 

For those of you who have heard me complain about the price of housing here, you can now understand why!

According to USA Today, houses in the Houston area are 15% undervalued. This same report also credits homes in the Nashville area to be valued correctly. So when you live in an area where houses are "undervalued" for eight years, it really does seem ridiculous when you move to an area where you have to pay $120,000 for a house that looks like a trailer park home stuck to the ground. Obviously, I still don't think that homes in this town are valued correctly, but like I said, the area I lived in previously was different. I also don't know how USA Today set the standard for what the value of a home should be.

By the way, in case you missed it the first time:
SWITCHFOOT
SATURDAY NIGHT @ 7
COOL SPRINGS
FREE!!!!!!!!

Speaking of the Astros and the Braves...
~The Astros beat the Braves in 3 out 4 of their last games together
~The Astros stomped the Braves yesterday 14 to 4
~Roger Clemens was on While You Were Out, a show on TLC

Speaking of TLC...
I've decided that I would enjoy producing shows like the ones they have on TLC like While You Were Out and What Not to Wear because you would get to include whatever you wanted pretty much instead of whatever is in the script...

Then there's these concerts... who wants to go?
~Switchfoot at Cool Springs Galleria this Saturday night at 7
~Building 429 at The People's Church in Franklin on July 12 at noon
Both are free!

And lastly Republicans rock because...
~"The significant difference between Republicans and Democrats is that Democrats think that the government knows what to do with their money, and Republicans think that they know what to do with their own money." -Garrett's dad
~"I believe the money I make belongs to me and my family, not some mid
level governmental functionary be it Democratic or Republican!" -Unknown, but from Cari's Phusebox entry
(These quotes have been posted because I began to think about politics today after listening to two protest songs in my Intro to Music class.) 

"I prefer my snuggle buddies dry." - Patrick Pope referring to Matt Fisher

I have decided that I love Atlanta. But I still don't like the Braves.