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!}