Update time!

Okay...
This post is going to include some random updates about life. If you are one of those people who doesn't like to read semi-boring facts about another person, then this post probably isn't for you. Continue on at your own risk ;-)

For the rest of you:

Read on...

Summer has gone by so quickly this year! I can't believe I have just one short month before I go back to school.
School. That is a different matter entirely.
For one, I'm really excited that my roommate Amy is able to come back, but I'm pretty dang upset that one of my best friends isn't going to be able to come back, and that another one of my good friends won't be living on campus for the fall semester...although, that one could be useful...because I can always raid his house for Sunday dinner *innocent grin*
As far as academics go, it's going to be a pretty intense semester. I'm taking two four credit classes, and I'm also co president of the drama club, plus co head of the costume department.
I don't like to keep myself busy...no...not at all.
Of course, I need to make time in all of that to continue writing. I recently finished up a project which I'm pretty happy with, but it is now time to get back into my novel. I'm both excited and terrified about that hehe.

Okay, so about summer...because really, I don't want to think about school too much at this point.
I'm not sure who all reads this, but most of you probably know that I have trouble with migraines. They had gone away, but this summer they have returned with a vengeance. Now, I've done a couple of things to help them, such as cutting waaaaaaaaay back on chocolate, and barely drinking any caffeine, but...I need to start taking some vitamins...and honestly, I don't like doing that. Now you may be saying "but Alysha, it'll help you" and I would have to agree that yes they probably would...I just...I'm not good with keeping up with things...guess this is one of those "I need discipline" moments hehe. Yeah, prayer for discipline would be very much appreciated. :-)

Hmm...well, I'm off on a trip to Croatia this Friday! I'll be gone for nine days with no Internet or phone which will be interesting hehe.

A couple more things that I've learned this summer...God's sovereignty is astounding. I was reading over my "Letters to God" journal, and a couple months ago, I wrote about something that was weighing me down, and it was so cool to see how much He had been working in that short amount of time, even when I couldn't see it.
Another thing, how so very valuable the people around me are. I'm so thankful for the people God has brought into my life and the different roles they play. I've been supported and encouraged so much and I can't express the joy that has brought me.

So anyway, there you have it...a rather long update about life. Hope it wasn't too boring for you.

Alysha

The Pigeon

A friend of mine and I discovered this children's book series written by Mo Willems. The series features a rather precocious pigeon who finds himself continuously thwarted by the 'authority figure' in his life. It's one of the funniest things I've seen in a long time...but then again, I do have a rather wacky sense of humor. The above picture is my favorite in the series.

That's about all for now. Yeah it was short...there might be a longer one tomorrow. :-)

The Winding Road...

Two in two days...aren't you excited? ;-)
Okay so today's is two parts. First of all some verses that were on my mind today and second some of the lyrics to a song a friend of mine wrote.
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"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."
Psalm 37:4


"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11


"I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Joshua 1:5b

"But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Isaiah 40:31


"Be still and know that I am God."
Psalm 46:10a



"And the peace of God which trancends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Phillippians 4:7
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"My Jesus, I surrender all to you. My Savior, I'm living my life for you. And in my weakness I find you are Strong, and in my life Lord, you are, the only one, who is worthy of all love and honor, glory power and praise.
You are the light in the darkness, joy over sadness, love of my life. And Lord you are my life and I will lift my voice and say, Jesus you are..."

Be Thou My Vision

yeah, so I should be asleep right now, but I remembered that earlier in the day I wanted to post something, so here tis. In our weekly prayer time up at the church, we sang one of my favorite songs. The lyrics are simple but they, in my opinion reflect a giant amount of faith. :-)
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Blessed be your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in,
Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the LordBlessed be your glorious name

Blessed be your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in,
Lord
Still I will say...

(Repeat Chorus)

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord
Blessed be your name!

Time After Time

So...
I need a change. I know some of the steps that need to be taken...thing is, I'm not really sure I'm ready to commit to making the changes necessary. I know I need to, but I've let things slip for some time and I'm not sure how to go about getting stuff sorted out.

It's time to rediscover life. Pure, radient, abundant life.

:-)

Prince...Charming?

Disclaimer:
Please do not think I'm a man hater after reading this cause I'm not...I just need to get some stuff out and a blog seems like this is the perfect place to vent...so here we go.

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I am sick and tired of guys being lazy. Yes I said it...LAZY! I'm not talking about the whole guy sitting on the couch watching a football game, yelling for someone to bring him a drink lazy (although that gets under my skin too). I'm talking about guys not stepping it up when it comes to relationships.

Oh stop groaning. Recently, a very dear friend of mine went out on a limb and admitted having feelings for a guy, to his face...now without going into all the details surrounding her decision to confess that, just know that I believe she did the right thing. She wasn't doing it to ask him out or to 'take charge' in the situation, but to tell him how hard it was for her to be around him and his girlfriend. This guy was a good friend of hers. He took it in stride and things seemed okay. He agreed to not hang out with her and his girlfriend at the same time...
WELL...apparently his attention span lasted a total of eight hours because tonight he wanted to bring his girlfriend over to hang out with our group. BAD IDEA! I mean seriously, how insensitive can you be?
Now, I realize that this does not include all guys, and honestly I don't hate men and I don't think all of them are lazy, or whatnot, but this reaaaaaaaaaaaaalllly burned me. This is not the first time something like this has happened either.

Anyway, that combined with some other stuff has made me really not happy with the male population as of right now...
I mean seriously, I'm beginning to think that the world is populated with toads...and I'm sorry I'm not kissing my way through them to find Prince Charming.
He's gonna have to get off his tush, find his white horse and start galloping towards the castle.

Okay, I'm done now...back to your regularly scheduled programming.

Treasure

So...two songs for you today. Both by the same artist. The first is one that really helped me get through some personal stuff, the second...is, in my opinion one of the most awesome 'couple' songs...well...married couple...not dating...but anyway here we go:

Treasure Of You:
Excuse me, I couldn't help but notice
That heartsick look in your eyes
You hide it very well, but I've got the same disguise
I know from all you see around you
You feel worth a very small price
So plain and ordinary, but there's a pearl inside

And if you look in the mirror in the light of the truth
You'll see there's really nothing you could say or do
To make you worth more to the One who made you.

You are a treasure
Worth more than anything under the sun or the moon
God's greatest treasureIs the treasure of you

The rich man treasures gold and silver
The wise man, his knowledge of truth
Some will hold to memories and some will cling to youth
But the one who carved out the oceans

And painted the stars in the sky
You are His prized creation, the apple of His eye
There's no one else in the world
Who could take your place
Just the thought of you brings a smile to His face
God loves you with amazing grace

So take a look in the mirror in the light of the truth
Oh, yes it's true
See there's nothing more you can say or do
God loves the way He created you...
-- Steven Curtis Chapman

I Will Be Here
Tomorrow mornin' if you wake up
And the sun does not appear
I...I will be hereIf in the dark we lose sight of love
Hold my hand and have no fear'
Cause I...I will be here

I will be here...
When you feel like bein' quiet
When you need to speak your mind
I will listen
And I will be here
When the laughter turns to cryin'
Through the winnin' andlosin' and tryin'
We'll be together'
Cause I will be here

Tomorrow mornin' if you wake up
And the future is unclear
I...I'll be here
Just as sure as seasons
are made for change
Our lifetimes are made for years
I...I will be here

I will be here....
You can cry on my shoulder
When the mirror tells us we're older
I will hold youAnd I will be here
To watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all thethings you are to me
I will be here

I will be true
To the promise I have made
To you and to the
One who gave you to me
I...I will be here
And just as sure as seasons are made for change
Our lifetimes are made for years'
Cause I...I will be here....
We'll be together'
Cause I will be here

--Steven Curtis Chapman

Amazing Grace...

"How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now I'm found,
Was blind but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come.
'Twas grace that brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.

When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Then when we first begun."


I watched the movie Amazing Grace today for the first time, and while the caliber of the movie was in itself pretty high, and the acting amazing...the story was simply breathtaking.
The story struck me because...at the beginning the 'hero' was trying to decide whether he needed to work for Parliament or for God. He was encouraged that he could accomplish both. That hit me...because...you can be working for God and still make an impact on the world by means of government...or of art. Yes, you knew it would come back to art.
Sometimes I wonder if a career in the arts is really what I'm supposed to do. Is it really serving God in the right way...but seeing that movie really encouraged me. God has given me a passion for the arts and a passion for reaching people...and I know He will show me how to weld those two together.

"...my chains are gone...I've been set free!"
Amen.