this weekend...

"A Kind of Magic" print by Fine Art Nature Photography

Happy Friday! I hope your week was a lovely one. We played an outdoor concert at Cedarville University last night (where I attended for a time) and it was such a lovely night to be outside. Some of the students are friends we've made on the road over the last few years and it was so great to see them. Lorelei had a blast touring the campus and playing with them while we set up and performed! This weekend we're headed back home to Nashville, and it will be our first weekend off since May I think. We're looking forward to a little stretch at home and to be with our church family. Especially because they are just finishing a major renovation project at the building, which will give the church much more room to grow! What are your weekend plans? A few fun links after the jump...

good things

I can't believe it's already Wednesday! We got in Monday night, and I still have a suitcase full of stuff to unpack/wash/repack for a quick overnight trip tomorrow. At least packing for one night is a lot less time consuming than packing for several weeks! In the mean time, here are this week's good things...

tour diary

We've spent the last two weeks on the road, and it's been super busy and fun. Thankfully we were near family some of the time and had a place to camp out between concerts (and some eager babysitters!). On the road, the familiar things keep life feeling normal, so getting to catch up with family and friends is always refreshing and encouraging. A few highlights after the jump...

music monday: citizens

As part of the Christian music industry, I am always encouraged to discover artists who are putting out Christ-centric music that is both full of theological truth and encouragement, and also has a musical style that draws my attention and inspires me to think creatively. One of our pastors alerted my husband Jordan to the band Citizens out of Mars Hill Seattle, and we've been hooked on their four song EP "Already / Not Yet". I'm a huge fan of their indie-rock style and original songs, as well as their take on some old favorites.

this weekend...

Photo taken by Char Beck (www.charbeck.net)

Hello again friends! The last few weeks have been crazy and I was a bit under the weather, so my poor little blog has been a bit neglected. Even though it's already Friday, I thought I'd try to get back in the swing of things! Jordan and I had a lovely anniversary last week and we're looking forward to a busy upcoming weekend/week full of concerts, driving, appointments, and more concerts! Here's hoping this recent stretch of beautiful weather continues to carry us into Fall. I cannot wait for Fall, but I'm trying to be patient and enjoy the last of the summer spirit! Here are a few fun links from around the web...

seven

Our 3 year anniversary in Chicago, 2008

Today marks seven (!) years of marriage with Jordan, and it's seriously hard to believe that much time has already gone by. This time in 2005 we were in Michigan getting photos at the church with our family and bridal party, and I still remember how giddy and excited we were to be getting married. We've had many different ways of celebrating our anniversary over the last 6 years, including the above photo taken in the "bean" sculpture in Chicago back in 2008. Not only did we have very different hairstyles, but my first album had just released and we were just weeks into our new lifestyle as full-time musicians. It's amazing to look back and think about all God has done in our life since the day we said, "I do", and it makes me so very excited for all the anniversaries to come.

Today we're in Des Moines, resting up after a very busy weekend. We opened for Matthew West at Summerwood in Rockford, IL on Sunday and it was quite possibly the most fun I've had on tour yet. The whole event was so well done and Matthew and his crew really blew it out of the water! So our anniversary is starting off with naps for all of us, and tonight we'll hit the town here in Des Moines for a little anniversary date. Oh the joys of being in town where family can babysit. :)

If there's anything I've learned in 7 years, it's that God is abundantly and graciously faithful. Life is messy and rarely what you expect, but when you're on the same team and fighting for the same thing, marriage can yield the most beautiful and transformative rewards. Being Jordan's wife has made me a far better person, and I feel so very blessed to call him mine. Every single day he makes me laugh, and I feel so grateful to spend my life with him and Lorelei doing what we love. Happy Anniversary to the love of my life and my very best friend!

this weekend...

Photo taken by Char Beck (www.charbeck.net)

What does everyone have planned for the weekend? Other than watching the last of the Olympics, of course! It's been so fun to stay up a little late and cheer for the USA. My favorite is gymnastics, and Jordan gets so into the swimming! I'm always shocked by how young some of the athletes are. It's so amazing that they are so talented, and so disciplined to make it so far! This weekend we're headed back on the road for a few weeks, and we'll see both of our families while we're out, which is always fun! Here are some fun links to take you into the weekend...

a time out

Photo taken by Char Beck (www.charbeck.net)

Sometimes life gets so crammed full of errands and events and celebrations that it's hard to truly incorporate Sabbath into it. Rest is so good for our minds, bodies, and souls and I do my best to take moments of rest whenever they are available. Yesterday I snuck in a little nap, and spent time just playing with Lorelei and enjoying her. Our new mattress was delivered last night and we were beyond thrilled to use it for the first of many well-rested nights! Today I'm planning on taking it easy and getting a head start on packing for a few weeks on the road. Here's hoping you have a chance to take some time out today for a little R&R!

good things

I'm a little late with the good things today so I'll get right down to it! We've had many blessings lately celebrating Lorelei turning two and God's goodness in our lives, so I'm feeling celebratory!

prayer

Last night I had the chance to attend our churches' 7Fourteen Prayer Gathering, and I am so thankful I took the time to go. I didn't get a lot of sleep the night before, and we spent most of the day traveling and settling back in at home, so I'll admit I was planning to stay home with Lorelei and offer to let Jordan go. He offered first, and I knew despite being tired, I wouldn't regret spending an hour in prayer. While prayer is a daily, ongoing part of my life as a follower of Christ, it can also feel hurried or restricted when set between the busyness of each day's activities. The prayer gathering was a unique time to freely and openly speak and listen to God that encouraged and strengthened my heart.

music monday: pop perfection

Maybe it's a result of growing up in the era of boy bands, or attending all those junior high dances (before I switched to a private Christian school where dancing was not school sanctioned and generally frowned upon), but to this day there is something about great pop music that instantly gets my attention and makes me happy. Now, the definition of great is probably an ambiguous one, but simple, catchy, fun pop songs tend to get in your head whether you initially welcome them or not! It all started for me when TRL was in it's glory days, prompting teens around the nation to rush home from school in time to watch the music video countdown. The names and faces of pop stars were as familiar as those of friends and classmates. Behold: *NSYNC (with bonus Britney)...

this weekend...

Happy Birthday to my sweet, joyful, energetic, silly, creative, hilarious little Lorelei Jade! I can't believe my baby turns two today. In some ways it seems like the last two years have been full of a lifetime's worth of traveling and experiences, but so often it feels like she was just born moments ago. She is teaching me so much, and I am so thankful for the blessing of being her mama. We're having a little celebration with friends this afternoon, visiting with an out-of-town friend, and playing in Ohio this weekend. What will you be up to? Here are some fun links from around the web...

parenthood

Today has me thinking a lot about parenthood. No, not the TV show (although it's one of our favorites!)... Lorelei turns two tomorrow, and while it sometimes breaks my heart a teensy bit how fast time is flying by, I am so grateful for every moment with her. Being a parent has taught me more than I ever thought possible, and I continue to learn and grow with each new day and experience!

Seeing the absolute helplessness and need in your newborn gives you a quick picture of how we stand apart from God. Created in His image, yet, unable to become who we might someday be. Pouring myself out for my little girl, raising her, teaching her to do even the most basic things all helps me realize how much we must be loved by our Heavenly Father. I simply can't put into words the love I have for Lorelei, and knowing that God loves his children with a perfect love, far more intense and extravagant than my own sense of love, is mind boggling!

Being a parent not only helps me understand God better, but it helps me to understand my relationship with him as his child. I see my own desperate need, and the rescue provided by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. I see Lorelei's wonder and amazement at the world, and it propels me to look at the story of the gospel with a new and profound sense of wonder and awe. There is much more to learn through parenthood about faith, trust, and obedience in my future, but as I contemplate the last two years, I am eternally grateful for the lessons God has already been teaching me.

It's crazy to think we just keep discovering more and more about God and who He is as we age and grow. I'm so thankful for a living and active God, molding me and making me more like Him by his awesome power!

good things

How is your week going? Ours has already included a lot of driving, but we got to see family this past weekend and Lorelei had a blast staying with her grandparents for a few days. She got a few early birthday presents (she turns 2 on Friday, I can't believe it!) and she's been excitedly playing with them since we got home last night. She's getting so creative and imaginative, it's really fun to see. Here are this week's good things...