Summer

Lounging by the pool and reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan. He is such a powerful speaker/author. I am envious of his unconditional love for others.

All real musicians have music shaped silly bandz...

I really love my new camera. End of story. I've been trying to get the hang of it and I simply love it.

I saw inception last night and it really made you think. It amazed me how every little detail fit into its place and worked out by the movie's end. It made me feel hopeful and grateful for having the ability to control my own dreams (to an extent.) Also, it made me think that my subconscious would probably be rude and unbearable even without others trying to disrupt my "architecture." Heck, my conscious is usually bad enough. Also, the people who I saw it with reminded me that I am loved and that even though this year will be weird with half of them going to college, breaks will be that much better. (Sky, Mike, Jon, Bekk and Chris even though you couldn't be there!)

Things I am excited about:

-Senior Year! Although my work load seems a bit much, I am increasingly optimistic as the school year approaches. I simply cannot wait for some of my classes to start and to get back into the swing of things.

-Leadership summit which is next week. Just getting to listen to some of these speakers will be amazing and I am so excited to learn from their examples.

-College hunting and applications. It scares me to death ,but at the same time it reaffirms the fact that I will be able to study what I want to, embark on my future career path, and become as independent as any college kid ever really is.

"So hip we need a replacement"

Heading to the beach with the family for a few days tomorrow. It's Liz's last few days home so some family bonding is in order. Should be fun. (Photo from Bekkah).

Elevator music anyone?

Arcade Fire is wonderful. I am a fan.

In other news, I did P90x today. ha Let's see how long this lasts. The main guy on the video is hilarious. If there ever existed a tool, he would be it. But he is ridiculously strong so I really can't say a thing.

Also, I'm hopefully getting a new camera soon and will thus have many pictures to post.

Until then,

love, blessings, and lacking sleep,

Rachel

it's late and my thoughts are all in a muddle...

We love each other, I promise! Bad picture quality, but I do love my doggy. It's late. I know that. I can't seem to sleep. I fell asleep watching the Fourth Kind and now I've caught my 2nd wind. Something about crazy alien movies that just get my brain wired. Also, the Galucki's came to visit and I'm so grateful for this family and all of those in NH who continue to stay connected with us. It means the world to me!

But THAT is not the topic of my post. I'm not much

into other life on other planets and I never really enjoyed E.T. as a child.

Things I learned today that I should have known a while ago:

>> Bambi is apparently male. I don't know about you, but it does not exactly scream "leader of the pack" and would not be the name for my son. Just saying.

>>Avoiding going in the pool by remaining fully clothed and hanging out on the deck just doesn't seem to cut it like it used to. Thanks boys.

Alright so those are not exactly earth shattering realizations. But it's summer, at least I am learning something.

Something with a little more meat than my 3:00 A.M. ramblings

"When I worship, I would rather my heart be without words than my words be without
heart." -Lamar Boschman

I believe that those of us who claim to be Christians get so caught up in the "right" words to say in worship, at church, and especially praying, that we forget to put actual meaning into these words. I can't TELL you how many awkward silences I have heard following the words by many a youth leader, "So who would like to pray?" Myself included, I think we get hesitant when others are listening or watching. Especially if our own prayers tend to be of a vernacular of our own. We get so caught up in wanting to do the right thing and say the right words that we who have grown up in the church are so used to, that we lose out on the bigger picture. Instead of focusing on what we are praying for, we focus on the words. Prayer is NOT always poetry. I love that David in the Psalms made his prayers flow, but sometimes prayers are meant to be disjointed, discombobulated, and straight up messy. Let's not only pray with the intent to use the correct churched lexicon, if you will, but instead with the intent that when we go before the Almighty God that He will hear us and answer requests in ways that we don't even know how to pray for. Prayer is such a powerful way of growing in the faith as well as seeing changes that are only possible through Christ. It is honestly one of the things that I struggle with most, trying to maintain a sequential string of thoughts that seem "worthy" or "good" enough to bring before my Creator. Sometimes, it's just nice to have a little chat with God and THANK him for what He's doing and will do in my life. Ergo, the messy prayers that I simply try to work through WHAT I am being called to do and WHO in my life is in need of prayer. I need to not get so focused on what I say, but what I believe and what will come from my prayers. Because,

"Before a word is on my tongue

you know it completely, O LORD."

Psalm 139:4

And now I leave you with one final thought,

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

Love, blessings, and with a desire for a heart of worship,

Rach

Fireworks on the 4th of July, nobody cares if there's no girl by your side...

Today...

was lovely.

This morning I woke up bright and early and did some yoga by the pool. I love early mornings when you can simply be in nature and love every second of it. I proceeded to swim some laps and then headed to the gym with poppy.

I had a job interview today at Michael's Arts and Crafts. It went pretty well but I'm not going to hold my breath as I was up against people twice my age with experience in retail. I smiled a lot and the manager seemed to like me. I guess I can pray for the best and let everything work out for the best. Patrick Woodman and I joked about them not getting the position because they were simply overqualified; they were trying too hard.

I then had lunch with the lovely and wonderful Ashley Stevenson. She is fantastic. Times with her always make me smile and I am so thankful for the wonderful leadership at youth group. I love you all dearly.

After that, I had a piano lesson with my gracious and ever-patient teacher Mrs. Hasty. She is always a joy to talk to and play for along with being encouraging and so willing to answer any and all questions.

I'm glad I'm writing again. It helps me compartmentalize my life.

>> This made me laugh today.

love, blessings, and all that jazz,

Rach