"I get to be the one"

I love music that has meaning. I listen to the lyrics in every song and try to figure out what the songwriter is trying to say. What does it mean? How can it be implied? Is it literal or figurative? I spend a lot of time really thinking about the words in a song and it's usually why I like a particular song. I downloaded JJ Heller's newest CD, Deeper, 2 weeks ago when it was released and I have been slightly obsessed with the first song called "I get to be the one." Look it up. Listen to it. If you have children or ever plan on having children it will touch you immensely. Here are the lyrics:


Well hello.
Little baby.
Your eyes have never seen the sun.
You should know,
Little baby,
That I am the lucky one.

I get to be the one to hold your hand,
I get to be the one.
Through birthdays and broken bones,
I'll be there to watch you grow.
I get to be the one.

Don't feel alone now.
Little baby.
Do you hear me singing you a song?
I can't wait to show you,
Little baby,
How to crawl, how to walk, how to run.

I get to be the one to hold your hand,
I get to be the one.
Through birthdays and broken bones,
I'll be there to watch you grow.
I get to be the one.

How does someone so small
Hold my heart so tightly?
I don't even know you,
I love you completely.

I get to be the one to hold your hand,
I get to be the one.
Through birthdays and broken bones,
I'll be there to watch you grow.
I get to be the one.

JJ Heller and her baby Nora born in September

Last night I was holding a 5 month old little girl, listening to this song, just thinking how truly amazing raising a child is. As a parent you are there from the beginning. You have every memory. You know every smile, every laugh, every cry. I can't wait to have that. Someday :)



Blessed.

I feel like I haven't blogged in forever! And there are so many things I want to say, but it all boils down to one statement: I am blessed. There are so many things in my life that are blessing me right now I don't even know where to begin.
I am blessed by my church and all the people there. I truly am part of a family and I absolutely love that feeling. I love knowing I will be at church at least twice a week, maybe more, and get to see so many awesome people in my life.

I am blessed by my roommates. All of us have come from different past roommate situations and we have all had different struggles, but this year just feels so right. We are all totally on the same page in so many different areas, it makes living together such a blessing. We were even talking about it last night and how we love coming home and doing things together. I love them all.

I am blessed by school. Even though getting up at 8am is not exactly my favorite thing in the whole world, I am so glad to go to class once I am awake. In my "Gender in the Global Context" class I am learning things about women all over the world who struggle and overcome all odds to gain freedom from so many different areas. It is inspiring to know what is going on outside of my little bubble here at SPU and in the United States. I am thankful for my Theology Capstone class where we spend 2 hours each week talking about our gifts, struggles, goals, trials, and everything else in between. It has become something I always look forward to.

I am blessed by the Falconettes (a women's service group on campus). We had our retreat this past weekend and it was so great getting to know more ladies who have a heart for serving their community. I am blessed by the times we spend together each week and the friendships I already see developing.

I am blessed by my family at home who supports me no matter what. I am blessed by the relationships that have started developing with family members I have never really known before. And I am so excited to go home for Thanksgiving to a house full of people.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows." James 1:17

Hosanna

Praise is rising, eyes are turning to You, we turn to You
Hope is stirring, hearts are yearning for You, we long for You
'Cause when we see You, we find strength to face the day
In Your Presence all our fears are washed away, washed away

Hosanna, hosanna
You are the God who saves us, worthy of all our praises
Hosanna, hosanna
Come have Your way among us
We welcome You here, Lord Jesus

Hear the sound of hearts returning to You, we turn to You
In Your Kingdom broken lives are made new, You make us new
'Cause when we see You, we find strength to face the day
In Your Presence all our fears are washed away, washed away

Hosanna, hosanna
You are the God who saves us, worthy of all our praises
Hosanna, hosanna
Come have Your way among us
We welcome You here, Lord Jesus

'Cause when we see You, we find strength to face the day
In Your Presence all our fears are washed away
'Cause when we see You, we find strength to face the day
In Your Presence all our fears are washed away, washed away

Hosanna, hosanna
You are the God who saves us, worthy of all our praises
Hosanna, hosanna
Come have Your way among us
We welcome You here, Lord Jesus

Hosanna, hosanna
Hosanna, hosanna

Grad School?

How come it's only the first week of the school year and I can't get the idea of grad school out of my head?! I have to get through this year first!!! But seriously, the past month or so I have been thinking SO much about going to grad school- where to go, what to study, when to go, etc. I am really leaning towards getting a master's in Christian Education and would love to have some sort of emphasis in Children's Ministry, because I feel God calling me that direction. It is so amazing how I can see the path God has lead me on to get to this point in my life.

I so love being in Seattle now and the life that I have with church and work and friendships, it's hard to imagine leaving. I know that God has the whole thing planned out, but it would be great if I could get a hint on the next few steps I'm supposed to take...Do I go straight to grad school after graduation? Do I take a year off? Do I go to school in southern California and move "home"? Do I go somewhere I've never been before?

Everyone around me (okay not everyone, but it feels like it!) is talking about engagements, planning weddings, getting married, and anything else along those lines. And while I am soooo happy for them, I feel a little lost in the mix. I know in my heart I'm not ready for marriage yet, but the idea of starting in a new place at a new school (getting a master's?!)...its a little scary. It would be great to say I know exactly what the next few years holds, but I cannot.

"You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely. God will go before me." Psalm 59:9-10