Bye Bye August

So... tomorrow is September.

That's crazy talk!

I have seriously been neglecting the blog this month.

Okay, maybe not seriously, but I feel as though I haven't been posting much. This is for two reasons.

1) I simply don't have a whole lot to blog about. Now that summer is over and school has started up again, my life is pretty boring. I go to work, play practice, come home, sleep. Repeat. Eating, researching steampunk, and watching Netflix is thrown in there as well. (Anyone else completely addicted to Vampire Diaries? Cause I totally am.) I could write random stupid stuff, but you lovely readers deserve better than that.

2) I've been busy doing VEDA (Vlog Every Day August). If you haven't seen my videos, check out my YouTube channel here. Even though the videos are short, it takes a lot of time to make them. I'm getting the hang of it and it's been pretty fun. Although I'll be glad to not do this every single day. While I've been enjoying VEDA - it's a lot of work and I don't have time to make every single video awesome. BUT, if anyone has tips or knows how to do certain effects (like showing recaps of your previous video...), let me know! I want to learn more.

That's been my August.

Which means it's time to share with you the songs I've been listening to all month!

Also, in September I am taking a break from sponsors. I feel like I haven't been the best sponsor host and need to rethink some things. Maybe in October I'll it up again and it will be even better! In the meantime, check out my sponsor from August and September - Angie! She's outrageously awesome and I think you will love love love her! Her blog is: http://www.lariatsandlavender.com/ She's one of the sweetest people you will find on the internet. I promise.

One of my favorite pictures of Angie!

I will still continue monthly themes for anyone who wants to guest blog. September's theme is "All God's Creatures." Which means... ANIMALS!!!!

Anyways. Back to the music I've been listening to.

First World Problems

This weekend I got a new phone.

It was long past due. When I first got my Samsung Smiley - I loved it. It was exactly what I needed. Then as time went on... it was time for a new one. Especially when your co-workers who are in their 60s are making fun of you because your phone is lame and you'll be missing the taco party - you know it's time for a new phone.

Also, since I am currently roommate-less - I need to cut back on my expenses. So when my contract was up I decided to switch over to my family's family plan. That way I would only have to pay my part of the plan and not be all on my own. Which means... NEW CELL PHONE!

A Still Small Voice

There is so much noise in this world.

Between pop up ads on the internet, commercials, promotional emails, Facebook statuses, blog posts, You Tube videos, and everything else - sometimes all of the noise can get overwhelming.

There are times I don't blame hermits for living in a hole. At least you don't have to deal with all of the noise.

I know sometimes I contribute to the noise - we all do. We all have voices and we want them to be heard.

This past Thursday and Friday I went to a local church that was hosting the Willow Creek Association Global Leadership Summit. The church Willow Creek in the Chicago area had a two day summit for leaders (church and business) with talks and interviews from leaders around the world. Politians, enterpenuers, pastors, authors, etc. Then other churches and locations around the globe act as hosts and have it live-casted over the web. So it's almost like you really are there at the summit. You get the same name badges, registration, room decorations, and even snacks as the live location. Only... you're watching a screen and not people on a stage.

You Like Me! You Really Like Me!

"The Liebster award is given to upcoming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. The meaning: Libster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome." 

I was nominated by Alexandra of This Journey of Journeys! Thank you, sweetie! I feel so loved. <3 p="p">

I have been nominated for this award before. (You can check it out, here.) As these float around the internet pretty often, I'm taking a break from nominating other people and naming 11 facts about myself. After awhile you start to run out! However, here are the answers to the questions Alexandra asked me:

What is your favorite thing about summer?

I love how busy I am over the summer. It gets pretty crazy, and by the end I'm completely exhausted. But it's a great change of pace from the day-to-day sitting in the office work that I normally do. 

If you could be a superhero, what would your superpower be?

I want to fly! That way I can go visit my friends and family who live far away more often. 

What is your favorite home decor item?

In my bedroom I have these awesome wall decals around the windows. They are pink, teal, black, and white flowers, butterflies, and twirly swirly things. Since the walls of my apartment are white, they really give the room that extra "pop" it needs to make it happy and cheerful.

Favorite music?

As lame as it seems - showtunes. I just love musical soundtracks! You always have the most talented singers, and it tells a story. 

Ice cream: vanilla or chocolate?

Mmmmm. Vanilla with chocolate syrup all over it. 

If you could only take one book with you (for the rest of your life) on a desert island, what would it be?

Just ONE?????? Ugh that's so sad. What if all seven Harry Potter books were in one volume. Would that count? ;)

Now I'm asking YOU! How would you answer these questions?

Also- I've decided to join in on VEDA (Vlog Every Day in August)! Check out my YouTube page and don't forget to subscribe so you can see all of my video blogs this month! 

Apparently There's This Thing Called "VEDA" Going On...

Well, I'm totally late to the party.

The last few days I've seen  A LOT more video blogs popping up than usual. Apparently it's because there is this thing called VEDA happening right now. (Vlog Every Day in August)

I'm seven days late... but late is better than never, right? Right.

I won't post every video that I make this month - but here is my first one.

If you want to see all of them - check out my YouTube channel!

The Woes of a Writing Nerd

Summer is now over and I am in the mood for fall.

You would think that fall began in late September - but it doesn't. 

In my world, fall begins the moment all of my summer activities are done. (Now if only the weather agreed with me..) VBS is long over, we've taken the annual trip to 6 Flags, we've been to Camp SonRise, Camp Noah is finished, and we had a great mission trip with the youth. All that's left is one more wedding and that's this weekend. 

My schedule has been cleaned out (except for play practice) and all of the teenagers are getting ready to get back to school which starts up again next week. (I know, they start school crazy early around here.) 

My mind is now focused on our back to school kick-off, school sports games being put into my planner, and brainstorming themes for the next few months.

I am in fall mode. 

Fridays Letters

Dear Teenagers- How is it that after spending 24/7 with you all last week that I'm still not tired of you? Seriously. You were the best group I've ever taken on a trip and I'm loving seeing how your friendships have grown with each other and how they are lasting even beyond Chicago. God did amazing things through you last week!

Share the Love

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When I see things like this, they make me feel uneasy. Read it closely. Do you notice something?

It's all about you.

Be with the one that makes YOU happy.
The one that makes YOU smile.
That one that makes YOU laugh.

...

As long as YOU are happy
That is what you should do.

All of these things are great. You should be with someone who makes you happy, and smile, and laugh, etc. But is that all there is to love?