Sam I Am: My Crescendo Story (The Musical)

So, a few weeks ago, I was having a conversation with a friend of mine about musicals. And I made the comment that I wish my life was a musical, but when he asked what my theme song would be, I had no clue how to answer that. So I’ve been spending some time thinking about it, you know, just in case someone else asks me what my theme song would be (or if by some chance, music starts playing from the sky and I can randomly break out into song and dance as I walk to class, all the while gathering others to join me in a musical number :) )

I’ve also been going to the gym often during my summer break from classes, and when I do cardio I’m usually listening to worship music (it distracts me from the fact that I’m actually working out, and also gives me some time to spend with Jesus). I’m sure I look a tad bit strange because I sometimes get the desire to lift my hands or actually sing out loud.

Those half hours at the gym have been instrumental in finding my theme song to my musical. I decided that in my musical, my main theme would be You Are My Passion from Jesus Culture.

I’m alive to bring glory to You, King
God of victory, You are my passion
It’s in the way You are, You don’t change at all
Great and humble God, You are my passion

Pre-chorus:

My strength in life is I am Yours
My soul delights because I am Yours

Your will on earth is all I’m living for

Chorus:

Jesus, I glorify; Jesus, my love is Yours
You are my heart’s desire; I live to know You more

Verse 2:

Light that breaks the darkness, showing what true love is
Always full of goodness, You are my passion
You never do me wrong, the meekest Man, but strong
The most perfect song, You are my passion

I belong to Jesus, I belong to Jesus

You Are My Passion: Jesus Culture

So there you have it: I think those words pretty much sum up the theme song of my life. And that brings me to an exciting new adventure that has really been in the works since before grad school started (August 2010) I was at a Small Group Training some time that summer and I remember telling a few of my fellow class mates that I was starting school soon and they had a few words of encouragement about being a light on campus and gathering people together. Fast forward to last October at a Vineyard Leadership Team meeting where I got another word of encouragement about starting a young women’s small group. Fast forward one more time to the beginning of Crescendo-A Season of Growth in all areas for myself and for the church at large (March-April of this year). We’ve been encouraged to share our “Crescendo Stories” the stories of when we say Yes to God and to what he’s doing. 

So here’s mine: I’m finally going forward with all of the encouraging words. I’m super nervous, but I think the excitement is trumping that right now. I’ll be leading a college young women’s small group on Tuesday nights this Fall. Tim Brasic, the new College Pastor at the Vineyard, has some awesome ideas for the campus, and his excitement is contagious. I have three more semesters on campus and I’m excited to see what God is going to do there!

Come visit us on Quad Day, and then come to our special Holy Spirit Night at the McKinley Foundation on August 26^th, 6-8 pm!

And if you’re a female college student (or if you know any) in the area, come join me on Tuesday nights!

The last of the 30 Days of Photos

So apparently, it's really annoying that I didn't finish what I started with my 30 Days of Photos, so by the request of my wonderful sister (http://thismomhastattoos.blogspot.com/) I'll just finish them right now.

Day 28: A picture of something you're afraid of.
Yeah, not a huge fain of spiders, especially spiders the size of Shelob from Lord of the Rings. Gives me the heebie jeebies every time I watch those scenes!



Day 29: A picture of something that can always make you smile.


Those kids and the third one can always make me smile. Especially when they run up to me and give me a huge hug and call me Aunt Sam! It also really makes me miss my nieces, which leads to Day 30...drumroll please

Day 30: A picture of someone you miss.
So I just went home for Thanksgiving, but I was working on a project and didn't get much time to just hang out, so I'm looking forward for Christmas and actually seeing my family!

30 Days of Photos: Day Twenty-Seven

Day 27: A picture of yourself with a family member.

A picture of my parents and I after Easter Service at the Vineyard!

30 Days of Photos: Day Twenty Six

I really need to finish this. School consumed me for the past couple of weeks with final projects and final exams, then trips home and getting ready for summer trips. But here is the rest of my 30 days of photos

Day 26: A picture of something that means a lot to you.

This was the first thing that I could think of, probably because I just made it. I'm sure I could find something else that means more to me, but I also wanted to show it off (even though it's not done)

So I finally made a quilt with the t-shirts that I had at Lincoln. It means a lot to me because I can look at all of these and remember times at Lincoln. I wouldn't trade my undergrad for anything, and I made a lot of good memories and fantastic life long friends.

30 Days of Photos: Days 24 and 25

Day 24: A picture of something you wish you could change.

This is from an organization called Free The Children. One of their missions is to build schools with the Brick by Brick Campaign. It costs about $8,500 to build a new school. I would love to be involved in this organization in an architectural capacity some day.

Day 25: A picture of your day.

Yeah, it's Monday, so I'm in the Architecture building. It's also one week until my final reviews, so I'm in the architecture building working on my Algae Roof Distribution Center.

30 Days of Photos: Day Twenty Three

Day 23: A picture of your favorite book.

Another easy one. That would be Lord of the Rings. Although it is quite lengthy, and at some places hard to get through, I still enjoy it. I've read it through twice now. Maybe I'll read through it again this summer, or make it a summer habit.

Great book, great author. I'm actually reading the Silmarillion right now (or I will actually be as soon as studio stuff is over!)

30 Days of Photos: Day Twenty One and Twenty Two

Day 21: A picture of something you wish you could forget.

So I didn't have time to do a picture for this, and I don't want to post a picture because I don't want it to be in everyone else's head. But I wish I could forget the watching of Lady Gaga's Born This Way video.

Take it from me, don't watch it if you haven't

Day 22: A picture of something you wish you were better at.

This is easy. I wish I was better at all these programs that I need to know. Which is also what I will be doing this summer.