Day Made

Today I gave my first real speech – information in proper format, PowerPoint, note cards, visual aid, all under 7 minutes, which for me is a challenge. I was pretty nervous, but I went up in front of my class and did my thing. My speech was on swing dancing and I demonstrated a bit in my 1940’s attire. I got all the points and sat down happily and listened to everyone else’s speech. After everyone had gone, and we were all packing up to leave, a guy in my class gave me this. I didn’t even know what to say. It’s just so perfect. It even kind of looks like anime. I think I’m more excited about it than the good grade I got on my speech.

Swing Sketch

 

Because I’m Swamped

I’ve done about as much work in the past eight weeks as I did all of last semester. Just one credit more, and it’s killing me. Well, there are other factors — such as tougher teachers, more projects, etc. — but the fact remains I’m swamped. I have no weekends. For a while I wasn’t sleeping, either. Bad, bad combination.

It’s times like these, when I feel weak, powerless, and pointless, that it’s most important to remain strong, powerful, and productive. “One day at time” is a cliche, but nonetheless a true statement. Even more importantly, however, is to keep prioritizing what really matters. It won’t matter if I get a B instead of an A in the long run, but my relationship with God will. Right now He needs to be my focus. I actually got up 15 minutes earlier one day to have devotions before school. I was sure I wouldn’t have enough time to get my morning routine done, but I was left with 30 minutes to spare somehow even with the addition of Bible reading and prayer. Amazing how God works…

Also, I’ve learned asking for help isn’t a bad thing. We were made for community after all. We come together to strengthen, encourage, and share experiences with each other. I can’t do this alone, and that’s okay. That doesn’t make me less of a person. In fact, it almost makes me more of a person. At the least, I’m a happier one. Being independent is over-emphasized in culture. Of course, have opinions, stay true to your beliefs, don’t overly depend on other people, but doing things alone is actually pretty dumb.

Through all the piles of schoolwork, I have had a very little time to get away and be social… or at least study with people.

 

Back to The Union

About two years ago, my best friends and I traveled to The Union in Naperville, IL for a Vespers concert. A few weeks ago, The Vespers came back. *woot woot* My friend and I were able to make the trek to see them, and it was amazing. Since their new album just came out, they played a new set. If you haven’t ever heard of them, check them out now. They’re kind of the best. And Kally rapped. boom!

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Lovely gal

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Fall Concert

Here’s a throwback to one of the most beautiful events I’ve ever hosted. We had planned on having a bonfire, but the winds and cold temperature prevented us from doing so. I had thought that the whole shed was going to act as the stage for the concert, but since it was so cold, I moved the whole event inside. I’m so glad I did!

There was something so satisfying about taking a dirty, cluttered shed and turning it into a charming, cozy venue for my band Jacquelyn. It took a whole day to clean out the shed, move the tools, beehives and odds and ends it held and decorate it.  Joey’s neighbors grow pumpkins, and they let us borrow as many as we wanted. Joey and I both had Christmas lights that we used to light the place up. I brought mason jars that I had painted and lit candles in them to make the place glow. The rustic touches of the shed just added to the charm of the night. It was a bitter 35 degrees outside, but the shed had a furnace inside and we had a pile of blankets for people to cuddle with. The chill just brought everyone closer together as they held cups of hot tea and hot chocolate.

The outside of the shed

The outside of the shed

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Mason jars and the white Christmas lights for our makeshift stage

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Originally, I was going to move the hanging chairs out of the shed, but then I put a pumpkin on one of them and decided otherwise.

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The blankets and pillows

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Utilizing the tool rack

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Telling stories in between songs

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Our guest artist: Ashley Bjork

What We Do

I would like to thank Louis Armstrong for his continuing inspiration and beautiful voice. I would like to thank ukuleles for the happiness they bring the world. Tea for keeping my soul warm on the coldest days. Fuzzy blankets for the constant support. Breakfast food for always being such a comfort. And this bloke for putting a smile on my face.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Rfl3pavxzk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYK1b3htJQg