When Beebs Came to Town (no not Justin)

I used to spend a lot of time thinking about what makes a person a true die-hard music fan.  I would judge my dedication and loyalty to a certain band or artist by asking myself a few questions: Do you buy the new album the day it comes out?  Do you pre-order it?  How far will you travel to see a concert?  How many concerts have you been to?  I love music.  I've loved it for a long time.  I bet my old classmates (if they remember me at all) would remember me as the girl who wore a different band t-shirt every day of the week. It's true.  But if ever I was a fan of any band or artist....I'm a Bebo Norman fan.  I've been listening to his music for something like 12 years.  I own every CD and I've NEVER heard a song I didn't like.  One of his songs was the music to our picture slideshow at our wedding.  We're talking serious fan girl here.



Over the last several years Bebo has cut back on touring a lot.  I consider it a rare and special opportunity to get to see him live these days.  It just so happens he came to my little town and played a show last weekend.  It was just what I needed at the end of an extremely stressful week.  The concert was supposed to be The Ocean Tour for his latest CD that came out last fall.  Which I love by the way.  (Did you doubt it?).  The themes of oceans and sunrises are strung throughout the album and being married to a marine biologist, I can really relate to the line "Could you ever look at me the way you're looking at the ocean?".  I don't remember the set list exactly but I think he only played 2 songs from the new album.  The rest were classics - recognizable to most from the radio.  Some of the playlist I recall included: Hammer Holds, I Will Lift My Eyes, Great Light of the World, Nothing Without You, The Middle, God of My Everything.  The last being the best of the night by far.  It's such an amazing song and he told the story behind it - how he wrote it for his brother.  It brought tears to my eyes.

I really can't find the words to describe what a beautiful concert it was.  His conversation on stage made it comfortable and fun and the music was so uplifting and inspiring.  I was truly blessed.

So an interesting coincidence happened that night.  I saw Bebo in concert back in 2000 (ish) while I was attending a University in Portland, OR as freshmen.  My roommate and I went to see him play live at a church in town.  I don't remember much about the concert, but I do remember that was the night I sponsored my Compassion child, Gisella.  Well just this last year Gisella graduated from the Compassion program.  So it only seemed fitting that we would choose another child to sponsor at a Bebo concert 11 years later.  I grabbed a packet from the table that was marked "Priority".  It was for an 11 year old girl from Bolivia named Dayana who'd been waiting over 7 months for a sponsor.  And the day I picked up her packet - was her birthday! I think it's an amazing coincidence and I'm so excited to sponsor again.

I want to continue to write more about my love of music.  My crazy fan moments.  My borderline obsessions.  It's a big part of who I am.  I usually don't consider myself to have any interesting hobbies or extracurricular activities.  But in actuality I do - music - and I'm going to own it. :)

Feeling like a vagrant in my own town

I've been living in this small religious college town for 11 years now.  I still don't feel integrated - religiously or culturally.  I often wonder: what I would be like if I lived somewhere else?  How much does the place you live define who you are?  Perhaps I'll always be in search of home until the day I meet my Savior.  The good thing about Jesus is that ALL are welcome...even outsiders like me.

Total Fantard

Sorry, I just can't get enough.  I'm in love with this video.



I happened to catch the NEEDTOBREATHE show in Boston this last week while I was there for work.  It was such an epic experience for me, being in such a beautiful and historic city as Boston AND getting to see my band.  What more could a girl want?

They played some new songs from the new record that releases on Sept 20.  Never before has my favorite song at a live performance been a new song I'd never heard before, but this one took the cake.  I guess it means it's going to be a good album.  Can't wait!

I'm posting it here so I can listen to it over and over and.... over.

'Mothy


I miss this little guy.  We fostered Timothy - we called him Mothy (read: moe-thie) - for a short time.  This was taken right before he left to be with a new foster home.  He's adoptable and waiting for his forever home:  http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/18967995.

Dogwoods




But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander and obscene talk from your mouth. -Colossians 3:8  Put on ... compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience -Colossians 3:12

When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. -Ephesians 4:29

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interest, but also to the interests of others. -Philippians 2:3-4

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. -Proverbs 19:11

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. -Hebrews 13:16

Workin' it

I rocked it at work today.  I was so efficient and motivated. I plowed through work like it was nobody's business.  I had something on my mind.  A work something.  A decision I needed to make.  And for some reason it just spun me into overdrive.  I organized everything on my desk.  Dealt with things I've been putting off.  I even sorted through the random paper basket by the printer to make a more orderly stack of variety paper.  All the busybody-ness helped me finally make my work something decision.  I won't bore you with the details, but I will say, it felt so good finally be decisive.  While I was physically organizing and cleaning my work area, I was organizing thoughts in my head that eventually led to my decision.  Maybe I've discovered a cure for my decision making disability?

By the way, my new motto is "work smarter, not longer or harder".

Broo-sketta

I love that scene in the movie Julie and Julia where Julie decides to write her blog about food while she and her husband scarf down the most amazing looking Bruschetta.  That scene makes me hungry.  So I decided to make some.



Doesn't it look delish?  My husband loved it so much he asked to have it for dinner the next night too.  I don't think he noticed that it's not made of meat. :)

Here's how I whipped it up:

Cut up cherry tomatoes
Chopped fresh basil
Diced fresh mozzarella (I'm talking the real deal from the deli section, not the dairy section)
Drizzle of olive oil
Pinch of course sea salt
Fresh ground pepper

Mix all of this in a bowl...whatever proportions you like.  (Sorry if you like exact measurements, I'm more of a cook on the fly kind of girl)

Slice up a loaf of good bread - I like Artisan combo bread from the bakery at Safeway.  Something with good body and chewy crust like ciabatta, etc.

Heat up olive oil in a pan on medium high.  Cook the bread on both sides until golden brown.

Peel a clove of garlic and slice it in half.  Rub over the bread. Careful, it's hot.  Top with your tomato mixture.

Whoalah!  Dig in, it's amazing.  Try it tonight.  And then again tomorrow night.

I can't wait to make this with my own garden tomatoes and basil.

Yes, I'm that girl.

I quote song lyrics in my head...endlessly.  And I post them as my Facebook status and people don't have a clue what I mean.  But it's meaningful to me and I find inspiration in the lyrics of a thoughtful song.  So here's the latest:


Eden

Tonight at the end of light,
Tonight, I feel lonely
I thought I heard my heart stop beating
and I long for you to hold me

I guess I feel like Eden
The twilight tried it’s best
Tonight I feel good and evil
against my chest

Would I love you less or better
if I didn’t miss your face
Read your words like a love letter
would I have known your grace?

I guess I feel like Eden
aware of all I am
Tonight I feel good and evil
against my skin

We’re all homesick
is love the reason?
My hunger led me to your hope
Until the end of this colder season
keep us warm

Cause we are always Eden
the day after she fell
We see good and evil
and choose which one to tell

-Alli Rogers

Sunday stroll in the park






Blogger Templates by Blog Forum