And I Will Follow

April 24, 2011

HAPPY EASTER!!!

I am so sad I don’t get to spend this significant day with my family!!! (Nightingales, Loney, Pryors, Bosloughs)

Yet, every cloud has a silver lining.

Today has been idyllic. I woke up simply grateful to be living. And grateful that somebody cool rose from the dead for me like a kajillion years ago. J

For breakfast, Debs, Noelle and I went down to Olympia bakery. I got a loaf of bread for breakfast and a chocolate croissant for the week.

Just kidding. Switch that. ;)

Then we went to Tribecca for some delectable beverages. Debs ended her water fast today! Congrats, my dear! Rooibos for Debs, mocha for me and chai tea latte for Noelle.

It was when we were staring out into the mist in the café themed to be New York City, and I was drinking my magical mocha that I realized… I am inexplicably, incandescently happy. (Girls. Name that movie J)

I also realized that I am SO excited for life. Here are some reasons why:

-I am in South Africa. Duh. But still. I am hit by this realization QUITE often. As it should be J

-I am constantly reminded of Christmas. It is officially California Christmas weather here. Debs and I have been watching Christmas movies. The spirit of Christmas is in the air!!!

-I made grilled cheese today. BAM. Oh yes. I am going to start my own restaurant selling foods with ONLY bread and cheese: pasta, quesadillas, grilled cheeses, toasted cheese, garlic bread with melted cheese… the possibilities are ENDLESS.

-Debs and I made Rice Crispy Treats in honor of Easter! They only and pink AND white marshmallows. So they’re totally festive.

-My lovely roomie and I watched Love Actually. SO GOOD!!!!

-I am getting positive internet today! Glorious. I am exceedingly thankful.

-I am going to New York the second I get back to the States!! I miss theatre SO much. I am so psyched to travel MORE!

I know it’s weird. But I’m even excited to travel back to America. Planes… airports… travelers… they all have stories… AH. I should be an author. J

-And THEN I’m excited for my life!!!

*ZIMBABWE AND ZAMBIA

*Turning LEGAL in AFRICA with dear friends!!!

*NYC

*Working at church

*Beach house for a week (WHAT?!)

*Singing for Angels and Dodgers

*Wyoming

*Bridges

*Alpha

*Rooming with my best friends!!!

*Back at APU!!!

*CHRISTMAS!!! (It’s ABOUT TIME.)

*Rome with my love, Katherine!!!

*And then another birthday!!

Dudes. I SWEAR I’m not trying to brag…. I’m just so dang EXCITED!!! Truly, truly blessed.

The rest of my day was spent chilling doing homework and catching up on my APU blog. Woot woot.

For dinner, all the girls in my house made chicken quesadillas. SO good! Then we watched 10 Thing I Hate About You.

Then I was blessed enough to be able to skype Francesca and Danielle! It was awesome, but made me miss them so much more. THANKS, GUYS.

THEN I battled it out with the internet and got to see Jenn for about 30 seconds, and Tommy, Mommy, and Nana for about 5!

I got to type Jenn for a bit! Looking forward to our date!!!

Then I got to type Mike, Tommy and Dad!!!

Tonight, God reminded me of something.

Truly, I am living the road less traveled by. And I need to choose to be ALL where wherever I am. Does that make sense? I feel like I’ve never fit in anywhere. And I’m sure a LOT of that is my fault and my own insecurity.

But still, I feel like I never really truly have found a place to belong.

But I’m realizing that I don’t really care.

God has given me people who are walking alongside me: Mom, Dad, Tommy, Nana, Mike, Jenn, Francesca, Danielle, Demaree, Debs, and SO many more wonderful individuals that have changed my life in FANTASTIC ways.

And if “fitting in” means giving up the life path God has planned for me… well, heck. I don’t want it anyway.

I don’t need to fit in anymore.

Because I’m not afraid of who I am, and who God is molding me into. I am His jar of clay.

So, my song of the day:

And I will Follow

Ask me something easier

A smile, a kiss

Look, I’ll give you anything

But don’t ask me this

Don’t ask for faith

When there’s no great supply

Don’t ask for love

When I’m just now beginning to feel it

And don’t know quite why

Here come the waves

Here comes the ocean

How to decide

What’s there to risk?

Why is the course unclear?

Practical fact

Foolish emotion

Terrible Pride

What’s there to fear?

Take me from here!

And I will follow

Anywhere

And I will follow

Anywhere

And You will lead me there

I should resist

I should refuse you

Ask me again

See how I’m strong

See how I keep my vow

Maybe I’ll trip

Maybe I’ll lose you

What happens then?

What happens now?

Just show me how

And I will follow

Anywhere

And I will follow

And you will lead me there

Oh all the voices that tell me to stand my ground

Oh all the voices that beg me to stay

All representing a life that I’d planned around

Do what’s expected

Do what’s accepted

Do what you’re told to

Until today

Til today!

And I will follow

Anywhere

And I will follow

And you will lead me there

You will lead me there.