Switcheroo.

I did it.

I made the switch.

I'm officially a WordPresser.

But I still like to blog!

You should jump over to my new home and check it out.

I bet you'll like it.

I do.

{www.courtneylynette.wordpress.com}

Miss Taylor

This is my best friend Taylor.

Not to be confused with this best friend Taylor...

See the difference?

Anyways.

Miss Taylor up there in the first picture made her way to Haiti on Monday night for a four month long missions trip.  How cool is that!?  She's interning at an orphanage run by Child Hope International right outside of Port-Au-Prince by running the guest house along with other duties at the actual orphanage.  I just can't get over what an amazing opportunity she is experiencing right now.  I have been with Tay through the whole process of examining the desire, praying for guidance, and now sending her off and she has been such an inspiration.  I wish that I had the capability of just taking off like that and following the desire to serve these people of Haiti for an extended period of time.  I cannot wait to talk to her and hear about everything!  I'm hoping she is going to be starting a blog in the next couple of days so I will be sure to post the link if you want to follow her journey.  

For now the biggest thing is prayer!  

If you have a minute I would love if you could pray for Taylor with me.  Obviously prayer for her health and safety would be great.  But also prayer that God would use her time there to grow and mold her into the woman He desires and that she would be the hands and feet of Jesus.  I am so excited to see how the Holy Spirit works in her heart and what she brings back in December!

Thanks everyone!

It's Monday.

Today was rough.  Moving away from home, even an hour, doesn't seem to get any easier.  Not to mention having to say goodbye to one of my dearest friends as she embarks on a four month mission trip to Haiti wasn't exactly rainbows and sunshine.  

But.  Being the dedicated blogger I am, I am still committed to the ever so popular {maybe just in my mind} Monday Melody.

I can't lie, Jenny & Tyler have been pretty much the standard these days but since I introduced them last week I figured I should branch out a little.  

James Morrison is the man, and if you don't know that, well, you should.  He is so talented and I just love his voice and I think you will too.  The song that I picked is one you will recognize because it's an MJ cover but your socks will be knocked off.  He just owns it, ya know?

Man in the Mirror

{The link above goes to a better version, just FYI.  Couldn't get the same video up though...}

Happy Labor Day!  Don't wear white anymore?  I think?

Material Goodness

Being an emotional person is hard work, let me tell you.

For the past couple of weeks I've been in total LA mode.  I couldn't wait to get back up there and finally feel like I am living in one place for a long period of time.  I drove back and forth this summer because my job was in LA while my rent-free home was in Orange County and it was completely different than I expected.  I thought it would be easy.  No biggie.  I was only driving up there twice a week after all and Baby Car gets unreal gas mileage.  I had no idea how tiring driving is.  And how inconvenient packing and unpacking an overnight suitcase can be.  And how much I hate sliding my card at the gas pump.  Needless to say, I am ready.  Ready to be in my apartment, with everything unpacked, and cooking my own food in my own kitchen.

That was until tonight.

Tonight is when I hit what I like to call the "reality wall".

And boy did I hit it hard.

I had to say goodbye to Katie, Brandon, and my sweet baby E and wasn't sure the next time I would see them.  While, yes, I will only be living an hour away, I will be a full time student with an internship and a part time job.  Extra time will be like an endangered species my life.  It's rough leaving an amazing family like mine.  I love my parents and siblings to death and while I am definitely in the right place up at school, it's always hard realizing that I have, yet again, taken my time with them this summer for granted.  Realizing I won't be able to meet up with Katie every day I have off just to hang out.  Or I won't get to see Ty start his senior year of high school as Senior Class President.  Or I can't come home from a long day and watch Law & Order with my mom or American Idol with my dad.  While these are all silly, little things, they feel huge in my life.  They are what make my family so special and uniquely mine.  

Gosh.  Told you I was a sap.

So to make it easier for me (or harder, I haven't really decided yet) I want to show you the top material things I will miss most about my OC home.

1. My boyfriend

2. My big bed (How am I supposed to starfish on a twin!?)

3. Closet space

4. Counter space

5.  A shower with water pressure

6.  A stocked refrigerator

7.  DVR

8.  Netflix on the Wii

9.  A washer and dryer I don't have to scrape up quarters for

Yeah I was wrong, I feel worse now.

Here's to moving out...again.  Our relationship is definitely on the rocks.

Faint Not.

You guys.

I may have literally just stumbled across this band but it was definitely no accident.

I think I may be in love.

Every other Monday Melody (that's never on a Monday) has been a song that I've been obsessing over for about a week but I'm not kidding when I say I just found this.  Like maybe five minutes ago.  But it's that good that I want to post it!

The band is called Jenny & Tyler and they had a song featured in a wedding video I was watching (shocker).  I still haven't found the actual song that was in the video but this is the first one that popped up when I searched them and I was definitely not disappointed.  The chorus is based on Paul's letter to the Galatians (6:9) and is just so beautiful.  And it probably doesn't hurt that I think they're adorbs.  And a couple which always makes it that much better.

Jenny wrote this on their website about the song: "Faint Not chronicles our journey of faith, from God's pursuit of us, to first believing, to the really high highs and the really low lows; it's an honest telling of our relationship with the Lord and with each other. As writers, songs allow us to communicate experiences and truths when we can't find the words to speak them. Our hope is that the songs will resonate with you. We don't know what the future holds, but we're thankful for where we are today. We're thankful for you and your support of our music."

So here it is...

Faint Not

the problem's not a gun, not a color, not a hundred dollar bill
we think the struggle can be won with simple thoughts like 'come together be good willed'
the gap between the rich and poor is spreading out all the more or so they say
we ignore the claims

o my soul, faint not, no
faint not | o my soul, keep up, up
in love

it's not that we don't know or we're not shown the proof of poverty
it's not that we don't have the tools to go to break this yoke of slavery
we quit because it's not an easy fix and then forget that they are even there
we forget to care

o my soul, faint not, no
faint not | o my soul, keep up, up
in love

where there is hatred, let me sow love
where there is injury, let me pardon
where there is darkness, let the Light come, come

o my soul, faint not, no
faint not | o my soul, keep up, up
in love

o my soul, faint not, no
faint not | o my soul, keep up, up
in love

faint not
faint not

Adulthood.

Yes, July 19th was a long time ago.  Some would say a very long time ago.  But that does not discredit the significance of the day.

July 19, 2011 I officially entered my twenties.

Great news right?!  Seriously, I cannot figure out how it's possible that I am twenty years old.  I am so excited for this new stage in my life.  So much will be happening in my twenties, the majority I cannot even wrap my mind around at the moment. 

{Some UCLA girls took me out for a fun dinner at C&O's in Venice}

{Traditional birthday table with some yummy cupcakes}

{Flowers at work from my fabulous boss}

{Family birthday breakfast at Bagels & Brew}

{Chunky Monkey wearing his UCLA pride onesie}

{Lake Forest friends took me out to a fun BJ's dinner}

{My bestest friend in the whole world was there too which just made it that much sweeter}

So yeah, I pretty much ate my way through July celebrating, but that's the way it's supposed to be right?!  Thank you so much to everyone who made my birthday special!  You all are so wonderful! 

Monday Melody...on Thursday.

Well it's Thursday night...I guess technically Friday morning...so obviously I'm posting a Monday Melody.

If that makes sense to anyone else then you are my true friend.

This week I've had The Sidewalk Prophet's album playing in my car pretty much non-stop.  Apparently I'm the type of person that when I like something I just can't get enough.  The entire album is so great, kind of like the Phil Wickham one I posted about last week, but this time my choice is...

{drum roll please}

Moving All The While

It's an amazing song that totally grabbed ahold of my heart as I was driving down Santa Monica Boulevard the other day.  It almost sounds like it could be an old Irish hymn (and maybe it is) with bagpipes and simple lyrics but it has just completely won me over.  It reminds me of what an amazing word hallelujah is and all that it encompasses.  The definition is literally "praise the Lord" and I love when the word wraps itself around my heart and I can truly exclaim it with joy and wonder.  I encourage you to listen to the song and really let the lyrics soak in.  My prayer is that each of you reading this post (all five of you...) will realize that no matter what, in the darkness and the light, God is moving all the while.  And I pray that with that realization you can wholeheartedly shout, "Hallelujah!".

In the morning as I wake
I pray my eyes do see
On this narrow road I walk
You have made a path for me

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
You were moving all the while

In sickness and in doubt
Or questions that may raise
You claimed victory on the cross
And You filled my lungs with praise

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
You were moving all the while

On a dark and silent night
Above Your beauty shines
And Your peace shall fill the earth
By Your love we are refined

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
You were moving all the while

Through all the bitter storms
Whatever comes our way
You will guide this vessel home
To live for all my days

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
You were moving all the while

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
You were moving all the while
You were moving all the while

Tahoe Part Dos

We were lucky enough to be invited back to the Hollingshead's beautiful Tahoe condo for vacation part two a couple of weekends ago and it was an absolute blast!

However, the whole weekend was so much more than a fun getaway.  I was humbled in so many ways and completely smitten with the great friends that I have been blessed with.  Waking up and being able to have my quiet time while sitting in the sand looking out at a gorgeous blue lake was not too shabby either, let me tell you!

This time our days were filled with boating, tubing, jet skiing, wakeboarding, playing sardines and cards, and just getting to nap or swim whenever we wanted to.  I would go back in a second if I could but for now I'll just have to look back on these fun pictures...

{Ryan and Kyle had a system to staying on the tube which involved jumping on top of each other...}

{A viking house in Emerald Bay}

{The bark of this giant tree smelled like vanilla!}

 

{Grill masters, naturally.  Ok, you too Weiner.}

{UPDATED: Per Kevin's request, I give you the "Kevin Hollingshead Shrine".  He was upset that he wasn't in any of the pictures I posted originally [because he broke his ankle] so I was forced to add these oh-so-attractive pictures of the legend himself.  Eat your heart out Little Bruin.}

Thank you so much to the Hollingshead family for opening up your home once again to us crazy kids.  

I promise we didn't break anything.  Except the Smashball ... sorry about that.

Melody Mondays

I've had this idea for a while about sharing songs that I'm loving at the moment.  I figured I'd have to limit myself to only one day of it however because I knew that I would get carried away and want to post a different song every day.  So I decided to start Melody Mondays!  What better way to start your week, right!?

The past couple of weeks the new Phil Wickham CD has been on repeat pretty much 24/7.  In my car, on my iPod, while I'm studying...it never gets old.  He has a presale happening right now which is how I got the album before it's official October 4th release date!  I really don't know how he keeps getting better and better...but he does.  I've been going back and forth between which song to feature because I have a few favorites but I think "All I Am" is the one.

Listen.  Enjoy.  Pass it along.

Take these hands

I know they're empty but with You they can 

Be used for beauty in Your perfect plan

All I am is Yours

Take these feet

I know they stumble but You use the weak

You use the humble, so please use me

All I am is Yours

I give You all my life

I'm letting it go

A living sacrifice, no longer my own

All I am is Yours, All I am is Yours

Take this heart

Set it on fire shining in the dark

I want to tell the world of who You are

All I am is Yours

I give You all my life
I'm letting it go
 A living sacrifice, no longer my own
All I am is Yours, All I am is Yours
I give You everything
To You I belong
Every beat of my heart, the breath in my lungs
All I am is Yours, All I am is Yours


I lift my hands up
God I surrender
All I am for Your glory, Your honor, Your fame
I lift my hands up
God I surrender to You


I give You all my life
I'm letting it go
 A living sacrifice, no longer my own
All I am is Yours, All I am is Yours
I give You everything
To You I belong
Every beat of my heart, the breath in my lungs
All I am is Yours, All I am is Yours

{Happy Monday!}

Viva Las Vegas

Earlier this month my mom and I took our free vacation to Las Vegas courtesy of Ellen DeGeneres.

Confused?

Let me explain.

In January, my mom, sister, and neighbor got a chance to go to the Ellen show taping in Burbank.  It just happened to be Ellen's birthday show so it was full of surprise guests and {even better} sweet gifts for the whole audience!  All four of us left with new Blackberry Torches, a fancy watch, and a trip to Vegas for two!  My mom used her trip earlier this year with my dad and {graciously} offered herself to accompany me when I could go.  So we had two nights at the MGM Grand, spa treatments, tickets to Cirque du Soleil, and lots of time to just relax and do whatever we wanted!  It was such a great vacation and so fun to live in luxury for a couple of days.  Here's some pictures from our adventures...

{View from our room}

{Pre-spa...I wouldn't mind having another 50 minute Swedish massage}

{The Cirque theater!  So amazing}

{After "Ka"}

{Riding the Coca Cola elevator on our way to dinner}

{Had to watch the Bellagio's water show}

{The inside of the Bellagio was decorated for 4th of July}

Would definitely not mind doing it all again...Ellen?