a little bit of a lot of things.

Headphones. (check)

Good tunes. (check)

Laptop. (check)

Cozy cloths - aka zip up long sleeve and favorite pair of ripped jeans. (check...and by the way, I don't care if ripped jeans aren't in style anymore. Wayyyyyyy too comfortable for that to matter right now.)

Sitting on cozy couch in downtown coffeeshop. (check)

Stirred up thoughts. (check)
  

Seems I'm ready to blog.
  

Except I'm not so sure what's going to come out today. Usually I have a destination in mind. A theme of sorts. A known direction.
   

Yeah...not today.
  

You're about to get a little bit of a lot of things. Just a heads up. So if you are looking for an introduction, 3 main points, and a solid conclusion, you won't find it here. But if you want to travel down a windy (as in twisty-turny) little path that leads...somewhere...then follow me...
  

Soooo...anyone else a bit unsure what to do with the fact that it's already August 9th? What just happened this summer?
  

There's a hint of fall in the air today here in Bemidji. I was actually chilly outside earlier today.
  

Maybe the holes in my jeans created a draft.
  

Anyway...
  

This summer wasn't what I thought it would be in some ways, yet I'm quite sure that it has been exactly what it was supposed to be. For that, I am thankful. God is good. He is faithful.
   

Here are a few significant elements of my summer:

1st year School of Transformation wrapped up early May. (Incredible year - worth every minute of time. Heading into year #2 next month.)

I changed up my work schedule. (Creating space for new adventures.)

I moved back downtown. (Love love love.)

Dreaming, strategizing, and getting anchored. (...yeah...this is worthy of it's own focused blog entry...)

Healing and growing. (Lies exposed and truth embraced. Bill Johnson is right when he says, "I cannot afford to have a thought in my head that is not in His about me.")
  

That's a good word right there. (I should probably credit that sentence to Kris Vallotton.)
  

Don't know who I'm referring to? Check out ibethel.tv and get to know these world changers. And become a world changer yourself.
  

Speaking of the word "change" - September is around the corner and it seems that it will mark another turn on this road of life. Transition to transition. Or is it glory to glory? I like the latter way of seeing it.
  

I don't really know what this change all is, I just feel it coming. School of Transformation will start up again. I'm sure this has at least something to do with it. But I sense it's much more than that.
  

I will also say "Adios!" to my 20's as I celebrate my 30th birthday in September. Thaaaaaaaat was a little weird to type just now...haha...but I am genuinely excited! 

  

There really is something about this new decade...
  

Well, what else?
  

I'm pretty stinkin' proud of my all my neices and nephews, but today two nieces are especially on my heart. One is already oversees and serving in the Army. So proud of her! Another is leaving the state Monday to start basic training. Also so proud...We have a skype date this weekend. Skype goes on my thankful list this weekend.
  

I was this close (imagine my thumb and index fingers mere millimeters apart right now) to making a surprise trip down today. But something in me said "stay."
  

Sooo...here I am with my headphones in, good tunes on, and laptop currently covering my ripped jeans while I sit on a cozy couch in a downtown coffeeshop releasing some of my stirred up thoughts for the world to see.
  

Well, that came back around to the beginning of this twisty-turny little path in a way I didn't expect an hour ago. Perfect.
  

So peace out, ya'll. I'm hungry.

likable frequencies.

It's that time again for the top 10+ list of songs that my ears enjoy tuning into lately. Maybe it will expand your own list of likable frequencies. 

1. Stories by Bellarive
2. God of the Redeemed by Jeremy Riddle/Bethel Church
3. Postcard From 1952 by Explosions in the Sky
4. San Solomon by Balmorhea
5. Rain (Live) by Noel Robinson
6. Light by The Album Leaf
7. I Won't Give Up by Jason Mraz
8. Sing by Bellarive
9. Settler by Balmorhea
10. Set A Fire by United Pursuit Band 
10+. You Know Me (feat. Steffany Frizzell) by Bethel Music - The Loft Sessions
10+. Embrace by Jake Hamilton

If you have any for me, let me know. I'm always up for new discoveries!

detail-atten-hut.

I did not wake up today thinking I'd blog about marching band. In fact, I did not wake up thinking I would blog at all.

But here I am...writing about...marching band. Yyyep.

My amazing friend since 3rd grade, Amy, posted on my Facebook wall yesterday. This is what stirred up this whole marching band thing today. My senior year show was called "Summon the Future Heroes" - with music from Back to the Future and the Olympic theme song, "Summon the Heroes". Given that the opening ceremonies for the 2012 Summer Olympics occurred today, I'm guessing the song got in her head and then reminder her of the 2000 field show...and then she reminded me.

Thanks to YouTube, I found one video from my senior year Indoor. Too fun...

When I started high school I had my foot in the door of two worlds. Sports and music. I decided to focus on just one as I started high school. Music it was.

I grew up in a town that makes me proud to say I was a band geek. I totally was, too. I'm not ashamed to say it. Haha

Seriously though, my four years as a Marching Jay were more influential than I could have imagined they would be when I started as a freshmen.

There are certain things still ingrained in me because of that season of life.

Example #1: Sometimes when I run, I run in step with the song I'm listening to because it keeps me going at a certain pace. Here's the geeky part - I have to make sure I'm stepping down on my left foot on beats 1 and 3.

I can't help it.

Example #2: Hearing the song, "You'll Never Walk Alone", played by a band or drum corp gives me chills. Here are the 1993 Jays - this is how the season always ends at the Indoor. 

  
Example #3: Push ups always remind me of band. Yes, we did A LOT of push ups in marching band. Yay for strong arms. 

Example #4: Poker chips don't remind me of poker. They remind me of marching band. If that makes zero sense to you, I'm going to leave you wondering.

While these examples are true, they are are just kinda fun. However, there are a number of transforming influences from this season of life.

I learned much about hard work and discipline. Countless hours preparing, learning music, drill, waking up at sunrise, building team...all so valuable. I learned more about unity, focus, and pressing through challenges and conflict. This season was a big part of me stepping out as a leader. This time also had a profound impact in my faith journey.

One of my best band buddies was Leah. We both played clarinet so we spent a lot of time together. Her and her family loved on me extravagantly. Funny thing, it turned out we used to play together when we were much younger at the lake. My uncle had a cabin next to her and her family when we were little kids. Leah was home schooled until freshmen year so we didn't reconnect until we started marching band in 9th grade. God is good.

God worked through Leah to introduce me to Jesus. I gave my life to Christ during high school. I am so thankful for a friend who loved God, loved me, and listened to His leading, took risks, and made invitations that led to me coming into relationship with God, too...her modeling this has since inspired me.  

So there ya go...it's been a day of remembering many things. Amy, thanks for the post of my wall that reminded me of the good ol' times as a Marching Jay.

Past and present directors, students, parents, and community members - Thank you for being a part of establishing and carrying forth this amazing program in Waseca. It's so much more than a bunch of kids marching around on a football field or a high school gym floor. This program helps build character in the lives of young students. I was one of hundreds shaped by the important qualities of this program. Thank you!

Annnnnnd just for fun, just in case you are into this, here are a few more videos I found today.

Top Velocity was one of my favorite parts of the Indoor. It hi-lites visual creativity in marching. It's pretty cool, in my opinion. Then again, I was a marching band geek so of course I'm going to find this awesome. ;)

Enjoy...

running. [part 3 - wind]

I shall begin with a few sentences to clarify which "wind" I'm talking about here.

  

Not this - "The road winds around the trees in the forest."

But this - "Forceful winds uprooted trees around the entire city."
  

Not this - "I'm running on the path that winds around the park."

But this - "I'm running against the wind."
  

I used to check the wind conditions before going on a run and would plan my route based on that. I would try to start against the wind and then turn around and have the wind against my back for the second half.
  

I certainly preferred it behind me.
  

It seems the majority of the time I run lately, it's not a calm day in the atmosphere. It's windy. And I press against it.
  

There's something about that...
  

I just read this on Beni Johnson's blog.
  

It makes sooo much sense to me.
  

I am one of those "feelers" that she refers to. And lately, I am picking up on restlessness and anxiety. (One thing I learned this last year, not all I feel is just me. Sometimes it is in me and I need to work through that with God and break partnership with things. Sometimes it's something I pick up, so to speak, that's going on around me or what others around me are feeling. Or lately, for me, I think it's been a bit of a mixture of both. He's doing a lot right now...a good stirring.)
  

In this anxiety or restlessness...or another word that I can't quite pinpoint yet, I do feel like I'm pushing against the wind in a spiritual sense. Just as when I am literally running against the wind it takes determined energy, strength, and focus to keep moving forward it has been that way in intercession, time with God, keeping peace, embracing Truth...all have been a very intentional, determined choice to live in.
  

A couple weeks ago I was running around Bemidji and it was...surprise...windy. I don't even bother to check weather conditions anymore. If I'm to run from point A to point B, I'm taking that route. I'm not going to avoid wind to get to my destination or make it easier.
  

Although I sure do want to...
  

I heard this as I was pressing in and moving forward with extra effort that day - "You keep running. Keep pressing against the wind until the winds shift and are behind your back. I am your strength. I am stronger...therefore, you are stronger."
  

I knew this was speaking into my journey with God, leadership, relationships, transitions...plus more I'm sure. And as this week has unfolded, it believe a word for the community of people who are following hard after Jesus right now.
  

I was praying with some amazing friends last night and those words came up again. And then I saw a whole line of people running in the same direction, pressing against the wind together. At first they didn't realize there were others running with them. But they began to look around and their eyes were opened to see that they were not alone on their run. A new strength came upon them.
  

There were people who were the forerunners taking the brunt of the resistance. But then there were tens, then hundreds, then thousands, then millions and beyond of people joining in on the run behind them. Those leaning in at the front of the pack paved a way for so many others to run with greater ease. And the forerunners were overjoyed in that reality.
  

Don't fix your focus on the wind. It's there. But fix your focus on the One who is stronger. Fix your focus on the direction you are going and the destination point. Fix your focus on the fact that you are not alone on your run. Fix your focus on the fact that your pressing in against the wind is making a way for millions of others to join in. Fix your focus on the fact that with so many people going in the same direction with such determination and mighty strength, it will shift the wind's direction.
  

You.Keep.Running.

this is what You do. [part 3]

You awaken Your Bride.
[radiance]

You call us to step out onto the water.
[faith]

You set a fire down in our souls.
[uncontainable]

You give authority and send us out.
[commission]

You crave partnership.
[destinies revealed]

You speak.
[tune in]

You hide secrets for us to find.
[thoroughly searching]

You provide.
[jehovah jireh]

You correct and readjust.
[thank you]

You create.
[breathtaking]

You make the way available.
[wrath satisfied]

You give Your presence.
[open heavens]

You breathe Your Spirit into us.
[supernatural lifestyle]

You calm the storm.
[peace]

You make us laugh.
[contagious joy]

You give rest.
[good night]

how could i not.

I see God's hand extended towards me.

"Do you trust me?"

(When I hear this familiar voice, how could I not?
When I look into His eyes that burn with fire, how could I not?
When I feel the power of His Spirit running through my veins, how could I not?)

"Yes, Papa, I trust you," as I reach out and take his hand.

give it away.

Henry Poole Is Here = one of my favorite movies.

It's not fast moving, doesn't have you hanging on the edge of your seat, nor is it even that well known.

But I am so captivated by it.

Here's a taste...

I love the artistic beauty. I love the colors and shots that the camera captures.

I love that it speaks of hope.

I love that it creates an appetite in the soul to crave something more to believe in than what the world offers.

I love that it compels me to dish out the Hope I have been given. Freely receive...freely give...

I love the uniqueness of the characters and how they transform individually and how they impact each other as the story unfolds.

I also love the soundtrack. Seriously good music.

My ringtone (and morning alarm) right now is the bridge from the song "All Roads Lead Home" by Golden State. 

I'm breaking through these walls of steel. Pushing that wall for something real. I'm falling far and faster still. Wake up, wake up, wake up...everyone and everything.

Have a listen.

A number of songs on the soundtrack aren't even played during the movie. I think that might be the case for this next one. It's called "Believe" by The Bravery.

This one stirs me up big time. I listened to it recently and I couldn't help but hear this as a song ringing out in the world from those looking for something to believe in. 

Can you hear anyone around you singing it?

(Chorus) So give me something to believe - Cuz I am living just to breathe - And I need something more to keep on breathing for - So give me something to believe

God spoke to me as a listened, "You have the answer. You have what people want. Give it away. Give people something to believe. Me."

Let's give our families something to believe.

Let's give our cities something to believe.

Let's give our neighbors something to believe.

Let's give our workplace something to believe.

Let's give the man behind the counter at the coffeeshop something to believe.

Let's give the little girl playing in the park something to believe.

Let's give the woman in the grocery store something to believe.

Beloved Bride of Christ - you have been fully empowered by the Spirit and *commanded to release what our world is singing out for. Love of God, move us...

"As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of God is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." Matthew 10:7-8

*Commanded does not equal suggested.