Things that Make Me Smile

Picture notes:

*my friend Ro sent this to me one day.*

Singing, making music and worshiping my Creator:

*Andy Melvin Band*

The loveliness of a flower in my margarita:

*Vivo's TexMex has AMAZING margaritas. Cool Vibe.*

Dance Parties:

*My sweet love, Lily Margaret is taking a dance class and she calls them her "dance party"*

Purple Flowers:

*my walk to the post office for work*

The smell of old books:

*my 1970's version of Valley of Vision*

Rug Rats:

*My nephew Max & my sister Jill. CLASSIC*

Fullness

'Fullness' from Valley of Vision:

Heavenly Father,
Thou hast revealed to me myself as a mass of sin,
and Thyself as the fullness of goodness,
with strength enough to succour me,
wisdom enough to guide me,
mercy enough to quicken me,
love enough to satisfy me.
Thou hast shown me that because thou art mine
I can live by thy life,
be strong in thy strength,
be guided by thy wisdom;
and so i can pitch my thoughts and heart in thee.
This is the exchange of wonderful love -
for me to have thee for myself,
and for thee to have me, and to give me thyself.
There is in thee all fullness of the good I need,
and the fullness of all grace to draw me to thyself,
who else could never have come.
But having come, I must cleave to thee,
be knit to thee,
always seek thee.
There is none all good as thou art:
With thee I can live without other things,
for thou art God all-sufficient,
and the glory, peace, rest, joy of the world
is a creaturely, perishing thing in comparison to thee.
Help me to know that he who hopes for nothing but thee,
and for all things only for thee, hopes truly,
and that I must place all my happiness in holiness,
if I hope to be filled with all grace.
Convince me that I can have no peace at death,
nor hope that I should go to Christ,
unless I intend to do his will
and have his fullness while I live.

Things that Make Me Smile

Freckles:

**My nephew Noah**

Jimmy Johns for lunch:

**My friend Whitney brought me lunch today**

Messy Cheetos lips:

**My nephew Max**

Listening to live music:

**with my sweet Ani**

African Dancing:

**precious Ugandan children that I want to keep forever**

Picnics on the trampoline:

**with my sweet Staci**

Rockstars in training:

**Deacon Ivey...the son of Rockstar Aaron Ivey**

Amy's Ice Cream & Jesus Convos:

**with my sweet Faith**

A Good Kick in the Pants.

So I have this friend. She is amazing.
She gets me.
We break out into a crazy dance when we see each other & get weird looks from people, but it doesn't matter.
She has great fashion. She is absolutely adorable. She loves Jesus with a strong passion. She loves people well. She loves to snuggle. She has a great TX accent. She loves discipleship. She loves food and beer.
She asks me how my heart is and sometimes I don't want to answer. But I do. Then she speaks amazing truth into my life.
Over the last several months we have gotten close. Like, talk everyday...hold each other accountable, ask tough questions kind of close. Like...this is how to live life close.
I'm not quite sure how it happened. I feel humbled and blessed.
Today's convo had something to do with me spilling to her about how I was struggling with my insecurity last night. (this isn't an uncommon thing with me)
I found myself comparing myself to other musicians, wishing that I had songs like that...or sounded like that... feeling prideful, jealous and feeling like I wanted to give up, that I wasn't good enough, that I could never do what I see other people doing.
LIES! insecurity, pride, sin and LIES.
It was ugly people.
This was Ani's response:

"it's hard to not compare. but you can't let yourself go there. for one, you do what you do because god gave you your voice and writing abilities, and two, you sing and write for him and his glory. ems. (she calls me ems and I love it) you are unbelievably talented. but what makes you special is your heart for the lord behind that "raspy" voice of yours. every time you start to think that she is better, or they like her better, or i wish that i had written that, or that my words were like his/hers...you have to stop your thoughts and choose to believe that all that you have is for him and when we try to make it ours we diminish the glory that he could be getting out of it.
pray that the Lord will show you how to see yourself the way HE sees you.
pray that you won't be moved by the praise or rejection of man.
pray that your heart will be content in him alone.
pray that you will rejoice in other's talents, and not compare.
pray that you will be inspired by other artists and musicians, but not made insecure by them.
pray that your security will be found in the fact that your identity is soley in christ. you are not validated by your voice, your talent, your platform, your guitar, your anything.
you are validated because you are a child of the most high god."

uh. who is this?
miss annie hanks being used by my sweet faithful God. Words of truth spoken.
SO thankful. God knew what I need to hear. He is good.
I'm also reading this today
1 Peter 2:9 "But you are the ones chosen by God chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work & speak out for Him to tell others of the night & day difference he made for you, from nothing to something from rejected to accepted."
So good.
Thankful for friends who remind me of truth and who love me to ask hard questions and not be afraid to speak out.
You know I love a little sass too...she's got some sassiness...Love you sweet Ani!

"the Pipes & Pints Brotherhood"

So I have these friends. They are some of the most Godly men I know. They have taught me so much about true character and living out the gospel. I'm SO thankful for them.
They have this thing they like to do called "The Brotherhood" or "Pipes & Pints". It's basically an open ended invitation to any guy who wants to come hang out with a bunch of guys, talk life, talk theology, have some brewskis and smoke pipes. Not gonna lie...I'm a little jealous & sad that girls aren't allowed. I would be right there alongside them with my pipe. (ok...I don't actually have a pipe...but I really want one!)
I may just start my own "Sisterhood".
Anyway...the point of this post.
I came across this OLD picture of my dad and I'm pretty sure he would fit right in with these guys.Love it. Can you imagine?
My dad went to be with Jesus in 1997.
I miss him.
I daydream about him still being here...coming to visit...smoking pipes with my friends, talking photography, art, Jesus.
I miss him.

I Don't Want My Children To Be Happy

I read this amazing post this morning.
READ IT!
A parent writes a letter to their kids explaining why they won't be paying for their college...they are adopting. so good.

I Found My New Best Friend

What in the world is happening?!?!
My friend Angie popped up on facebook chat and said "you will appreciate this" and posted the link to this video.
I almost peed my pants. I appreciate this on so many levels. When he started hittin the high note I about lost all business.
Just sayin'...he would win at the laughing game and I sometimes sing like this for fun. I'm pretty sure he and I would be good friends.

It's Raining Men

Just thought I would share this little gem that my sister just posted on my facebook wall:

"quick story: Noah threw a coat at me and I said, "It's raining coats." Which of course led us to sing the song "It's Raining Men (Hallelujah!)." Which led to Jackson commenting that that was a ridiculous song. Which led to Jill saying, "It needs to rain men in Austin." Which led to Noah saying, "It sure would make it easier for Emily to pick one out."

Thank you.

Noah - my 8 year old nephew
Jackson - my 13 year old nephew
Jill - my 35 year old sister

Verge

Verge Conference. unbelievable. I still think about that weekend and am in awe of what went down. God and His power. God and His glory. SO amazing. I'm still humbled that God allowed me to be a part of leading these people in worship. It was an unbelievable time. To look out and see thousands of people with their hands in the air worshiping the same God. The one and only God.
The session that sticks out in my heart was Francis Chan's message on suffering. Oh my word. Powerful. We got up after the message and sang It Is Well...then How Great thou Art....everyone was done. The room was full of the Spirit and it was so strong. Matt came up and basically said, "I have no idea what to do now...I don't want to just dismiss you to your workshops...if you want to stay...stay." He said that he had never gotten up on stage having absolutely no idea what to do! God knew. He wasn't done yet. All of a sudden people started shouting out names of God, verses, characteristics of God...people from all over the room shouting out at different times. I was in tears. Jimmy was on his face. The choir was clapping and crying. People were worshiping in a way that was unbelievable. God is SO good! For a good 10 minutes this went on...then a guy started reading scripture about God and His name that is above all other names and how His glory goes out we started cheering and clapping...Aaron then sat down and we led The Name...it.was.amazing. I couldn't even sing cause I couldn't stop crying!!
I've never felt the Spirit that strong and the overwhelming feeling of God's love and His power. After that session we went down to the green room and it was completely silent. We all just looked at each other with this look of..."what in the world just happened?" Matt came down and was like "What in the world was that!?" GOD! There was a comment made that was so right "Most conferences go long because the speakers can't stop speaking...but @ Verge it goes long cause the worshipers can't stop worshiping!" YEAH!!!
GOD!
So amazing.
Another powerful time during the conference was when Aaron and the guys got to talk about adoption and Haiti. They have a house tour that they do where they go into homes and put on a concert where they tell stories of adoption and raise awareness and talk about Haiti. It is SO powerful! These guys are amazing and I'm so thankful that they are in my life...along with their wives. My life is seriously blessed. You can watch this segment here. Check it out and be moved.
At some point the video/audio will be available to check out. I seriously would encourage you to check out these messages. Life changing.
If you want to see some fun photos check it out here.
Here are a few of my favorites:
ALL glory and FAME be unto the ONE who REIGNS!!!

One Mission: The Pioneer Woman

So...awhile back, before Christmas, one of my good friends, Joanna, asked me if I would do her a huge favor. The Pioneer Woman had a new cookbook out and she was signing books in Austin, and apparently she is kind of a big deal. Joanna needed me to get a couple of books for her and our friend Kelli. The thing is...I had no idea who the Pioneer Woman was. But I had that night free so I agreed. Then my sisters started making comments on facebook about how the Pioneer Woman was going to be in Austin and how I needed to get her autograph and....to take it to the next level....videotape it all. (they had no idea that Joanna had already asked me about going...and that I had already agreed.) So I played it off with my sisters that I was busy and why would I got stand in line for hours for someone I didn't even know...and so on. My sisters were kidding. (kind of) But I decided to go for it, and I made my friend Wendy do it with me.
So what is funny about this:
I had no idea who the Pioneer Woman was...
I am not a fan of getting autographs.
There were lots of crazy women and hours of standing in line.
BUT...totally worth it.
So I made this little movie for my mom, my sisters and Joanna and Kelli to go along with the cookbooks. I gave my mom & my sisters their video at Christmas. I didn't really have any intentions of putting it out here for all to see. No sleep...no makeup...and my black hair comin' out. I look SO scrappy. sorry.

I would like to just say that I did not tell my fam at all about this until I put in the DVD and pushed play. It started playing and both of my sisters started giggling, breathing funny and making weird noises. THEN as soon as Marlboro Man came on there were screams...blood curdling screams. It was like we were back in the New Kids on the Block days. Then they both moved to the floor right in front of the TV. It was ridiculous. But hilarious.
AND for the record I do have to say that I am now a huge fan of this Pioneer Woman. She is lovely and I think you should all follow her blog.

Verge Live Streaming

Found out tonight that the live streaming of the Verge Conference is also showing the worship! So come and check it out!!!

www.verge2010.org

You don't want to miss this. God is already doing HUGE things!!

VERGE

SO excited!
Tomorrow night is the start of the Verge Conference!! My church is hosting this conference and it's gonna be HUGE! God is stirring and He is preparing His people for something BIG! Most of all I have no doubt that God's glory will be over all of this. In worship, in the speakers, in the breakout sessions, the the time spent alone processing.
Some of the speakers that will be at this conference are Francis Chan, Alan Hirsch, Ed Stetzer, Austin Stone pastor Matt Carter...and a whole bunch of others. I'm so excited to sit under these guys and learn!
I'm humbled to get the opportunity to lead worship with Aaron and the guys for this conference. The setlists are off the chart! It's gonna be sweet!
If you are not coming to the conference but want to check it out, there will be a live feed of the main sessions you can sign up for. It's real easy, just go to the website www.verge2010.org
I'm praying big things over this conference.
AND...some sweet friends from Iowa are coming to the conference! So excited to see them!!

Amos Is Home!

Last weekend AMOS came home!!!! YAY for Team Ivey! Finally together.
So thankful for this family and what they are teaching me about God's love for His children. Thankful for them in my life.
Follow their blogs and get more info and more amazing stories.
Jamie
Aaron
Here is a recent news story:

Here is another one:

God's love is HUGE. I'm seeing that more and more.

My Job Tonight...Pray

i forced myself to stay home tonight, instead of going to the benefit concert. I had my first full day back at work and i feel like I could pass out. Every part of me wanted to say "screw it...I'm going" but I knew that if I were to push myself...I would not get better.
So instead...I sent my roomie with my money and I sit back and read everyone's tweets about how amazing it is and how many people there are. My heart is overjoyed that in just 29 minutes into the benefit over $5,000 was raised and all of it is going to Real Hope for Haiti! YES!
Awesome!
I'm sad at the same time that I can't be a part of it...then I get mad at myself for being so selfish. Why do I really want to be there? To hear good music? To be around a lot of cool people? To say that I was part of something that is changing the world? So that I can tweet about it and say "look how cool it is?" or is it to see God be glorified through His people? To see a need and see it be fulfilled? To see the work of God's people coming together for an amazing cause? To know that thousands of lives will be blessed and even saved because of what is taking place tonight?

Oh that my heart would beat with Yours, God. Thank You that you are turning it to You and breaking it for what breaks Yours.

So i turned off the bachelor and I'm gonna pray. (yeah...you heard that right...the bachelor... I can't STAND that show...but somehow I get sucked in...) I'm gonna pray for tonight. Pray for Haiti and pray for God's NAME to be lifted up and glorified, pray for my brothers and sisters tonight who are speaking a good word.
It's gonna be a good good night!

Amos Story: Music Video

Aaron just released a music video to his song "Amos Story". If you've been on my blog before you probably know their story. I lead worship with Aaron at my church and I have grown to love this family so much! Aaron and Jamie have adopted two kids from Haiti, Story came home a few months ago and Amos is still there. They are fighting hard to get him home. Pray with me that he gets to come home soon. Pray for Haiti as they pick up pieces and try and make sense of what happened w/ the earthquake. Lots of people are hurting and broken right now.
Check out this video and spread the word:

A Little Perspective

As I was getting frustrated tonight thinking about this pressure in my head and how my ears are SO plugged up...I can't hear anything...I went to this blog.
I learned about Varney. He is a little boy who has Hydrocephalus. Which is a disease where you have an abnormal amount of fluid in your brain, causing pressure and your skull to expand. My heart broke. I can't imagine what this little guy is feeling. I can't imagine the pain that he is in. They say that it is the worst case they have ever seen.This puts things into perspective. wow.
God continue to humble me and break down self.

Strep Throat, Haiti and Being Fussy

I get fussy when I'm sick. Especially when I don't get better when I'm supposed to be feeling better.
I went to the Doc. on Tuesday and found out I had strep throat and he put me on Amoxcillian and he gave me some vicadin for the pain. YEAH! oh. sorry. I kinda like that stuff. Yes. I'm in recovery...
Anyway, he said that if I wasn't feeling any better in a few days to let him know...so with 2 full doses of the antibiotic I figured that I should be feeling better...but was not.
Now having 101 temperatures and still incredibly painful to swallow I go back to the doc on Thursday...same guy. He looks in my throat and says it doesn't look any better has the nurse give me an antibiotic shot in the booty...and changes my antibiotic...and gives me more vicadin (which I didn't ask for...I thought he was going to give me a cough syrup...but didn't).
Friday comes along and I'm forcing myself into thinking that I'm feeling better.
Friday night comes and I'm in tears. I'm not feeling better...my ears are now in pain and completely plugged up and I can hear nothing.
My roommate is back, THANKFULLY! She rubbed my back...got me water and hot packs. She's so sweet.
I slept horribly last night, woke up this morning and went to the doc. (3rd time has got to work)
I see a different doctor who wants the low down of the week, I tried re-telling everything I could and here was his response.
"Well, I don't want to bad mouth any of the other doctors...but he should never have switched your antibiotics and he doesn't know what he's doing, the antibiotic you are taking now isn't doing anything."
My throat still looked bad, I now have ear infections and my head is about to explode. ugh.
He put me on a whole new regimen of stuff...I don't even know what it all is...at this point my mind is not working clearly and I'm like, 'whatever'.I do have to say that it's pretty.
He said, in his own words, "You should absa-freaking-lutely be feeling better in 7-10 days."
7-10 days.
great.
I was hoping to feel better tomorrow. So I can sing. But that's not gonna happen. :(

It has not been a fun week.
Everything happening in Haiti has got my heart all a mess.
Everything happening in my body has got my whole self all a mess.
I sometimes think that it's not happening...that in my fever induced weird state of mind...the videos and pictures I'm seeing are just part of a hallucination or a dream.
I wrestle in bed under hot covers but my body is freezing and I turn away from the computer not wanting to think about it. But I realize the reality. There are thousands and thousands of people who can't turn away from this and forget about it. That there are thousands and thousands of people who don't have a bed and covers.
My heart aches. I feel completely helpless. I get even more fussy.
But I do realize that I can stop feeling sorry for myself. There is no reason. I cannot even begin to imagine what those beautiful people are feeling over there.
Keep the people of Haiti in your prayers and don't forget about them. God is doing HUGE things and you don't want to miss it.

Benefit Concert for Haiti

Austin musicians/artists are coming together Monday night to put on a benefit concert for Haiti.
Monday January 18 7pm
Parish downtown Austin
All proceeds will go to Real Hope for Haiti
For more information check out Music For the City

Haiti News Story Featuring the Ivey Family

My heart is breaking for what is happening in Haiti right now.
If you have watched the news you know. 7.0 earthquake hit and thousands and thousands of people are affected.
My good friends the Ivey's were featured on the news tonight talking about their adoption of Story and Amos.
Check it out.

The Hawkeyes Win!!!

I'm so proud of my Hawkeyes! If you didn't know already, they won the Orange Bowl on Tuesday night. YEAH! It was a great game!

Who am I kidding? I didn't watch the game...and because of that I am shunned from my family.
I mentioned something on facebook and got responses from my family that said things like:
"I feel like I don't even know you anymore"
"I thought I raised you better than that"
"You are shunned".
Can you feel the love?!?!
I'm ok with it. I know nothing about sports. I do enjoy watching them, but I am not overly excited about it...like some people I know.

A text conversation from my bro-in-law Joe:
Joe: Shun on.
Me: Oh Whatever!
Joe: Shun off. I mean it. Shun on.
Me: DORK! You can't shun me...it's impossible.
Joe: **silence**
Me: (this morning) Good morning sunshine! You can't stay mad at me forever!
Joe: **silence**

We'll see how long this lasts.

So here is a video that my sister put on her blog of my 2 year old nephew and my other bro-in-law, Damon. SO funny!! This just shows you a small glimpse into the intensity that is my family and sports. Apparently it starts young.

I would like to make a note that Jill DID NOT watch the game, but instead watched the Bachelor on her laptop with her earbuds in...hmmm...I don't see her getting shunned from the family thank you very much. I'm not bitter. Really.
I would also like to say that I really am proud to be an Iowan and a Hawkeye. I even have a hawkeye sticker on my car. Gotta represent down here!