When A Writer Goes To A Taylor Swift Concert

I have many respectable and ambitious things on my bucket list.

And then there's the thing I got to cross off last Friday night.

breathe the same air as taylor - check. ✔️ THIS WAS SO FUN even though I'm a horrible scream-singer (no seriously), and yeah, @taylorswift is sort of really cool. she can put on a pretty good show. ;) thanks mom&dad for an amazing grad gift!!

A photo posted by alyssa (@_godsgal4ever) on Oct 2, 2015 at 10:51pm PDT

Yeah, I went to see Taylor.

And guys, it was a lot of fun. 

I write about a lot of heavy stuff around here, but what you might not know from a random peruse of my blog is that I know pretty much every TSwift lyric there is to know. Just keeping it real.

But of course the writer in me almost always sees a blog post or at least some sort of analogy coming together before my eyes, even at the 1989 World Tour.

You see, every concert-goer had a wristband taped to their seat and waiting for them upon arrival. And these wristbands were, by some technological innovation, somehow connected to Taylor's every move. Coordinated with every beat and lyric, these wristbands turned the entire stadium and each individual concert-goer into a twinkling and colourful part of the ambience and lighting of the show.

It was pretty cool.

And you know, if you just looked down on your own individual wristband, you would find it just randomly turning on and off and changing colours. Not making much sense at all.

You might think it was broken, or be curious as to why it wasn't shining for longer than it did.

But then, you look up and realize this little wristband of yours is part of this bigger picture, blinking and shining at seemingly random times along with fifty thousand others to create a sparkling show of wonder.

And so this is my cheesy little analogy from going to my first Taylor Swift concert...

You might not be sure why life is the way it is right now. You wonder why the light is shut off and why it has been for what seems like forever.

But the reality and hope is this: We are part of this bigger picture called the Body of Christ.

And our story is just one part of God's story of redemption for this world.

So if you're in the dark, wondering what's next, take heart and know and trust that He has got this covered.

And yeah, when it comes time to shine?

Shine, and shine brightly.

Just A Little Worship Sesh For Your Monday Morning. :)

The best way to start your week? With Him. 

{The best way to live you week? Yeah, with Him. :)}

Love love love these worship songs lately.

Listen to the words - sometimes songs express everything you feel but couldn't put into words. That's why I love music.

Enjoy and happy Monday! :)

What's In My Headphones Lately...

Just a fun, light little post because I love these songs and you should definitely listen to them. :)

Middle of Your Heart - for KING & COUNTRY
Basically their whole album has been on repeat, but this is most definitely up there for my favourite song on the album.



Starlight - Taylor Swift
My dad says Taylor Swift has too many boyfriends. I most definitely agree. But, her music is so fun. [And again, basically her whole album is playing during art class - but this is up there for fave song on Red.] :)



Busted Heart (Hold On To Me) - for KING & COUNTRY
Because a band this good definitely deserves two spots on this list.



Holy (Wedding Day) - The City Harmonic
If you only listen to one song on this list, please make it this one. Just. So. Beautiful. ❤ [PS I have decided that this song is being played at my wedding... No other plans yet. ;)]



How He Loves - David Crowder*Band
Always.




What have you been listening to lately? :)


PS Happy March! :D

A Whole Bunch of Stuff

Well... I have a whole lotta stuff to share/ask/write about and not nearly enough time, so let's get down to it! :)

1. One of my dear bloggy friends Hannah launched her new blog today! It's brand spanking new so me thinks you should go over and help her get all settled in by saying hello! Check it out: www.anewfoundvision.com. :)

2. Remember when I told y'all about Eucharisteo: A Celebration of Joy? It's one month and nine days away! Can I ask you guys a few favours as September 29 creeps up on us? 

First off, consider this your official invitation to attend the concert! You can buy tickets here for $20 plus a itty bitty processing fee and 100% of your $20 goes to build a Compassion Child Development Centre in Masbate, Philippines. And you get to hear some pretty awesome music. And oh yeah, Ann Voskamp is speaking {no big deal, right? ;)}! It's a pretty sweet deal if you ask me! :)

Now, I know most of you don't live anywhere near Toronto, so there's no way you can attend. You can still help! 

We have this blog button you can grab to help spread the word. Maybe you consider including on your blog or in a post? We'd so appreciate that! :) You can grab it here:

 

<left><a href="http://www.eucharisteo.ca/"><img border="0" src="http://www.magma.ca/~fesparaz/EUCHARISTEO/blogbutton125x125.jpg"/></a></left>

Or perhaps you don't have a blog... But you MUST have Facebook, right? ;) Invite all your Torontonian friends to come using the event page!

And lastly, if you feel so led, do you think you might wanna donate to the project? If you do, go to the bottom of this page for instructions on how you can do so. :) Also, rumour has it that sometime in the next week a online giving system could appear... Stay tuned! ;)

If you decide to do any of the above, from the bottom of my heart: thank you. I know Florianlyn and all the other kids at PH973 appreciate it. You're bringing us one step closer to $30,000. :)

3. Um, oh yeah, school.

I'm gonna be totally honest here, I'm going to enjoy my last 15 days of summer, but I'm actually really excited for the school year to start. I'm a girl that likes things to do and people to see. And when I have nothing to do... Things go crazy. Like I come up with blog posts like this, this and this. ;)

In all seriousness, I'm stoked for everything happening in the fall, the concert being only one of those things. I'm sure once I'm in the middle of all that stuff though, I'll totally be like, "Why. Was I. Excited. For this." ;)

4. I'm in love with this song lately, along with the song on the end of my last blog post:



Isn't it awesome? :)

Well, that's all for now! Have an awesome week and do something world-changing! :)

Just A Minute!

"Dinner time!" "Just a minute!"

"I'll just close my eyes... for... one... minute..."

"Hold on a minute, I just gotta go grab something."

"Can you...?" "Yeah, just a minute."


How many times have we said that? You know, "Just a minute, mom!"

And can you imagine, how many minutes that is once it adds up? Minutes you could've been using for something way better.

Like say, changing somebody's life?

Do you believe you can change a someones life in 60 seconds? Cuz Wess Stafford does:



If you live to 80 years old, you'd have spent 42 048 000 minutes on earth. Seems like a lot, but if you really think about it, I've already used almost 7 884 000 of those minutes!

Every single minute you have is a precious one.

So come on, just a minute, that's all it takes.

Change the world. :)

---

01-27-2012 Edit/Addition:

Saw this video today, and I couldn't help but think of Dr. Stafford's book.



Made me think of Just A Minute for two reasons:

1. Every minute is a precious one, people.

2. The book's about how you can change the life of a child in a minute... But has a child ever changed YOUR life in "just a minute"? I think the girl in the video changed that man's life... with just a wave. And all it took was... Yep, just a minute. :)

The Little Drummer Boy

I love the story of the Little Drummer Boy... Don't you?

I mean, I have so little to offer Jesus, but he takes it anyways.

He takes it and turns it into something beautiful.

Similar to the boy with the 5 loaves and 2 fish. He gave Jesus all he had, and the little that it was, it was enough for Jesus to do something amazing.

I mean, I'm sure Jesus could've just gone "abracadabra" and bread and fish would've showed up anyways... But he wants to see my faith, he wants to involve me, to give my all. He wants to use me, and he WILL use me, the little that I am.

So, I will play my drum, and I will play my best, knowing that He's smiling at me.




The Story of the Video :)

Seventeen Days...

Thanks for reading! :)

Media Matters

Like I said yesterday, just have a listen. This song is amazingly moving. Really, really good.

I LOVE it.

You're not allowed to embed the official music video, but you can see it here.

Such a powerful, beautiful song.

Thanks for reading! <3

Media Matters

Wow... haven't done one of these in awhile.

Anyways, I got another two songs up for you guys today and tomorrow. [Perhaps more, but those are the ones planned. :P]

Tomorrow's is a very beautiful song. You can just listen to it.

Today, allow me to explain myself.

Yup, it's a Beiber song. It made my Facebook and Twitter two days ago. 

For those of you who know me, I'm a sold-out NON-"belieber." 

But who can resist this song?

Let's make my stand on Beibs clear: I used to not like him at all. But then I found he's a Christian and prays before concerts and stuff. Then I found this song. And, dude, he's Canadian! So, I like him. Just not his music. 

Well, except this song [Make sure you watch the vid, it makes the song more powerful]:

Sweet, isn't it? Love the quote at the end.

Thanks for reading! <3

T-47 hours and 43 minutes...

...Until I'm on my Compassion Trip.

The other countdown that's going on: Philippines. 13 days, 1 hour and 43 minutes until I'm on the plane! :) EXCITEMENT!!! :D

So this is why it's been quiet on my blog for the past few days: packing, laundry, shopping and compiling pictures for Ankong [that's chinese for grandpa! ;)], Florianlyn, and a presentation I'm doing for a youth group in the Philippines! It's been a busy few days for my fam!

So this is gonna be one of those random blog posts:

1. You might be wondering about the title of the post. Well, the "T-" part. [That's "minus" not "dash" BTW. :P] This morning I watched shuttle Atlantis take off for the last time. I wouldn't have watched it if my brother hadn't been so excited and determined to watch it, or I would've totally forgot about it... Actually, not known about it at all! :P I have to admit, it was pretty cool. But let me tell you, it takes patience. They'd be like, "T-9 minutes to launch!" and I'm like, "Can't you just press the gas pedal and go NOW...?" :P

2. I never really did a sports post about NHL free-agency or the draft, but let's just say my Leafs kinda underachieved in July 1st. No Brad Richards. No Max Talbot... No one, really. We signed ZERO people on July 1st. But it gets better[ish]. We got Tim Connolly and Matt Lombardi in terms of centres, resigned Bozak [he's a centre too, but he won't be our #1 centre this year with Connolly here.], resigned Clarke MacArthur, which was good, Riems got resigned [YEAHHH!], but that was a long time ago. Anyways, we have a shot at the 7th or 8th seed this year. [Okay, I say that every year, but still. I mean it this year.] Go Leafs Go! :D

3. Saw Lady Antebellum's music video for "Just a Kiss," and I thought it was SO good and way cute, so here it is:

Isn't it sweet? ;)

4. My parents found out this week that the plane we're were supposed to take to go see Florianlyn got cancelled... So now we're taking this bush plane thing... :S Maybe I'll just sleep the whole way there to avoid throwing up...! :P LOL... Maybe I'll be okay, I usually do okay with planes. As long as we don't have to take a boat, I'm good. :P

So, this is goodbye for at least a week, because I have a basketball tournament all weekend, and there is no iPods on my Compassion trip! :( So I will tell you guys all about it when I'm back on Saturday! So until then, au revoir and please keep me and the team in your prayers! It means a lot, thanks everyone! :) <3

Media Matters - Carrie Underwood

So, I can't even say enough about Carrie Underwood. I haven't been a fan very long (only since she married a hockey player, LOL!) but you only have to listen to her once to figure out she's amazing. I was watching some YouTube vids of her performing live tonight, and she is amazing. She can make her live performances sound just like the CD (proving she's not using some computer voice changing thingy to make her albums sound better), she make it a beautiful rendition, she could be SICK, and still sound ah-maze-ing. You could just listen to an audio of her live performances and know they're awesome. Unlike other artists, Carrie doesn't need to put on a show, dance and act and put on flashy costumes during her live performances, she stands there with a mic on a mic stand, and she gets standing Os. Can't say enough about her. And that's just me talking about her live performances. Her albums are even better, and so are her music vids!!! :) Check out this video of her performing one of my fave songs "Change":

I'm so glad she's sending out that message. The exact same message I have.

Oh, yeah, did I mention she's a Christian and not ashamed of it? She makes sure to that God after every award she wins, adds Christianity to her lyrics without being afraid that she'll be less popular, she's awesome! :) She gives all the glory where it belongs.

Thanks for reading! :)

Media Matters

As promised, the second song. Set the World on Fire by Britt Nicole. Just like last time, not much writing, just the song and lyrics. Pay attention to the lyrics, think about them, let them move you...

I wanna set the world on fire
Until it's burning bright for You
It's everything that I desire
Can I be the one You use?

I, I am small but
You, You are big enough
I, I am weak but
You, You are strong enough to

Take my dreams, come and give them wings
Lord with You, theres nothing I cannot do
Nothing I cannot do

I wanna feed the hungry children
And reach across the farthest land
And tell the broken there is healing
And mercy in the Father's hands

I, I am small but
You, You are big enough
I, I am weak but
You, You are strong enough to

Take my dreams, come and give them wings
Lord with You, theres nothing I cannot do
Nothing I cannot do
Take my dreams, come and give them wings
Lord with You, theres nothing I cannot do

My hands my feet
My everything
My life, my love
Lord, use me

I wanna set the world on fire
I wanna set the world on fire, yeah

Take my dreams, come and give them wings
Lord with You, theres nothing I cannot do
Take my dreams, come and give them wings
Lord with You, theres nothing I cannot do
Nothing I can't do

I'm gonna set the world on fire
Set the world on fire

I'll end the same way as I did last time:

May these lyrics be your prayer as it is mine.

Thanks for reading!

[P.S. Look for this song in the credits of Soul Surfer!]

Media Matters

Today is a song! Just a single song, not an album or artist, just a song that has really moved me recently. Well, there's two. Look for the second later on. :) Hungry, by Kutless. I LOVE this song. I'm not gonna write much. Here's a vid of the song, the lyrics underneath. Sit and really listen and read the lyrics. I hope that they will have the same impact on you as me. Enjoy!

Living for You
Living for You
Living for You

Hungry I come to You
For I know You satisfy
I am empty but I know
Your love does not run dry

So I wait for You
So I wait for You

I'm falling on my knees
Offering all of me
Jesus You're all
This heart is living for

Broken I run to You
For Your arms are open wide
I am weary but I know Your touch
Restores my life

So I wait for You
So I wait for You

I’m falling
I’m falling for You
Jesus You’re all
This heart is living for

I’m living for you

May this song be your prayer as it is mine.

Thanks for reading!

No-name, at the Moment...

This post, or rather "series" has no name yet, so I need your help to help my name it. Ever so often (once a week? once every two weeks? :P) I'll be writing a post about a random piece of media (book, movie, song, TV show, maybe even iPod apps, whatever. You get the picture. :P). Yeah, so it doesn't have a name yet. "Media"? (Can you say booorring!?) LOL, so as you can see, my creative vibes aren't going right now, so help me name this series! ;)

Today, I'm gonna talk about a little-know artist named Sarah Walker. She has one album out right now, entitled "Overflow." Let me tell you: Ah-maze-ing!!! :) She's a Christian artist. A portion of all the profits from her sales go to fight poverty in Africa. How sweet is that?! :) Anyways, back to the actual music. Her songs are absolutely moving, encouraging and make you want to worship God even more!

Here's a sample of my fave lyrics by her:

i want to live out of the overflow/cuz deep in my heart i know/Your love is all i need/and i want to shine with radiance deep inside/reflecting compassion and Your grace for all to see/His love in me.

Love it!! :D Check out more of her stuff here.

Thanks for reading, and don't forget: this post needs a name! :P