Thursday, May 22, 2008

What is your life? You are a mist...

Well it's the end of May and I've been home for a little over a week. I made it through the most difficult semester of my life and I just discovered that I didn't fail any classes (YAY...although I came close in piano). Most of the stuff from my dorm room is still sitting in the foyer of my house. I think I feel weird only because I haven't gotten into a routine yet. I've done a little unpacking and a lot of sitting around. My passion for reading has fizzled since I've been home, which I kind of expected. That needs to be remedied before I say I'll put up devos more frequently.

So here are my plans for the summer (God willing):

1. Read A LOT!
On my list for the summer are Shane Claiborne's new book "Jesus for President" and A. J. Jacob's "The Year of Living Biblically." I have some ABR (Amazing Bible Race) reading to catch up on. I've read from Genesis to Nehemiah, but I need to go back to pick up 2 Kings and 1 & 2 Chronicles. I'm also still in the midst of Barbara Hughes' "Disciplines of a Godly Woman" and Marianne Williamson's "A Return to Love." I'm sure a few more will make the list as the months roll by.
2. Voice Lessons
I'm travelling back to Spartanburg, SC 3 times before the school year starts in late August to take voice lessons for a few days at a time. My junior recital is on Sept. 12 so I need to be as prepared as I can. I love all of my music and I can't wait to perform it for everyone! So therefore this summer I will be doing a lot of...
3. Practicing!
My music is sweet but it's difficult. We've completely 180'd my technique over the last few months so I'm working a lot harder at being consistent with my breath support. It's so much better, but it's a lot of work! I'm hoping to be in a practice room at least every other day for a few hours.
4. Help out at FCEC.
My youth group is so broken up here. With our Rector leaving at the end of June, consistent budget cuts, low attendance, and the whole national church crisis, it's no wonder the youth feel left out. I'm getting a girls group together to do a book study and just hang out together since the boys have taken over the youth group. Any suggestions for a book? This is a great group of kids and I just pray that God will continue to work in them and make them stronger through this storm.
5. Get a job.
I think I'll be working at the Hartwood Restaurant, doing anything from front of the house to laundry. It'll give me something to do and make my dad happy.

Other than that things are pretty up in the air. Again, I try not to plan out too far ahead because as I have been shown time and time again God thinks my plans are funny. He likes to change them. I'll see at the end of the summer how this list turns out. I just want to grow in character and continue to be passionate about following the Lord. Anything else that comes along is just bonus!


"Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
James 4:13-15 NIV