Cornerstone, Opry Pics and stuff...

HHHHEEEEEEYYYYY!

I'm just chillin' here at the Opry. I had a show tonight and since I don't have the internet at my new hizzouse, I'm taking advantage of theirs! I was very blessed to get to go up to Cornerstone this year after work everyday. I didn't get to take Zach around by myself this year...a friend, John, did! But I'm very thankful that he got to go again...and I got to help out when needed. My schedule also worked out that we don't have summer school on Fridays, so I got to go to the closing assembly as well. (Thank you Father, for that!) I don't exactly blog as much as I'd like because of schedule and what not...but after Chris bringing it up the other night...I thought I might post something. But, before I do that...here are some pics from Cornerstone... Okay...I can't figure out how to get this to work the way I want to, so the above photos are all from camp (of some of my fav. people), except for the pic of me at the computer. That's me here at the Opry tonight!

I've been studying the gospel of Luke this month...in depth. To preface what I'm about to write about, I should say that most of you know that I"m single, and during the summer, I tend to struggle with that fact more than other times of the year. I think it's because I'm around so many amazing married couples in ministry at church camp and youth activities, etc.

Anyway, I was reading the other day Luke 2: 36-38 (NIV) "36There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[a] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem."

I'd been praying for God to show me his purpose or reassure me of His purpose for this time of singleness...this time of intimacy with God! The words that jumped from the page to my heart were the verses that explain how she was married for seven years, then a widow for 84. But, even as a widow, a single woman again, she remained in the presence of God continually fasting and praying. And eventually got to see our Savior face to face.

I believe in that moment, God new as a woman, what my heart needed to hear at that moment.

As I read those words, the wheels of my imagination started turning 90 to nothing. Do you ever imagine/wonder what is between the lines...the unspoken details in scripture...the things that were left out? I want to know more about Anna!!! Because I don't, my imaginaiton and wonder takes over. I imagine Anna, a daughter...a servant of our King...when she was a young woman. I imagine her praying for a Godly husband (just as I do), and I imagine her pure joy and gratitude when God answered that prayer through her husband. I believe she was married to a faithful man. I mean think about it... The Bible does tell us that Anna was a faithful servant of his. It tells us of her example of always fasting and praying. I think of all the amazing women of God that I know and they are all married to faithful men of God. So, I think that if Anna herself was amazing, her husband must have been too! Can you imagine how great those seven years of marriage must have been? She was a prophetess,... how great their ministry must have been. I believe that even though she was only married for 7 years, her husband was God sent...and that is a comfort to me. While my heart rejoices with her as she is loved by a Godly man, my heart breaks as she loses him. The Bible doesn't say how she felt, but as a widow, I know she must have felt greif, sorrow and pain. Yet, she remained by God's side...always praying and fasting...staying faithful to him. And he showed her the purpose in her pain. He allowed her to use her gifts even as a single woman. AS she remained faithful to him, even though she was old, God kept her around and allowed her to look into the eyes of Jesus......JESUS! How amazing is that? As a woman...as a single woman, that speaks so strongly to my heart. I believe that there is a reason I am single right now. God is using me as only a single woman can be used. I just needed to be reassured of that...and that he did! I needed to read that this week, and I'm so thankful for the word of God...our sword. I'm thankful and I pray that God continues to reveal his purpose and plan for this time in my life. I am willing Lord!

Not only did it encourage me this week, it encouraged another single friend of mine. I'm so thankful for the word of God.

Ya'll...I do love you so much! I'm thankful for the friends I get to keep in touch with through this site. I'm thankful for the friends I have through camp. I'm thankful that I got the opportunity to go to camp (both camps). And, I'm thankful that I got to see Zachariah again this camp. There is nothing more beautiful to hear than him praising God in song...BEAUTIFUL!!!

I don't know if this post made much since...I typed it during the show between my stage calls!!!

Blessings and love to you all...

~Natalie

His plan is always greater!

Well...camp was last week and though it didn't go as I had planned, it was still wonderful! God definitely taught me alot... I tore the ligaments in and broke my ankle (the second doctor I went to found the fracture). Let me take this opportunity to thank everyone ya'll that helped me. I really do appreciate it! Alot of my youth minister friends tried to help me come up with a story that involved ninjas and sky diving...however my favorite is the one where I found the man of my dreams and as I was leaping into his arms, I missed and fell. That one sounds a little more like me :)

It always amazes me who God ends up putting me in a group with. I constantly pray for the kids, my co-counselor and all those involved in camp throughout the year. It's always nice to put a face to an answered prayer. Each year, the personality of the group is different, of course. And, each year I have something to learn from my group. This year, my group was full of very confident girls and shy young boys. I've had the dramatic/emotional groups in the past, but this year our kids were much more light hearted. I was blessed with a wonderful co-counselor, Ryan. He is 25, in the US Navy, fluent in sign language, and it was his first church camp ever. His story of how he came to know Christ is so neat. He was actually stationed in Japan where he was preached the gospel (3 1/2 years ago). He was baptized and came back to the states eager to preach the gospel. He is now a student at Sunset School of Preaching in Lubbock, TX. His story is just so exciting to me. I love that he doesn't want to waist any time. He is in love with Jesus and wants the world to know the hope that comes from our savior. The hope of Christ is just thrilling to me. Isn't it to you? I think about how complacent I was and am so thankful that God has reminded me how exciting it is to have a relationship with Him. Can you remember what it was like when you first fell in love with Jesus? Can you remember the feeling of wanting the world to know? I know that everything isn't about emotion, but think of it...if you love something and are excited about it...what is the first thing you do? You go out and tell everyone that you know. (Or as least us girls do!) So, it's refreshing to see someone my age who can't get enough or share enough. My prayer is that we are all filled with that eagerness.

This was my 11th year to be a part of Zenith...6th year to counsel. My perspective changes a bit every year...I enjoy being older and being able to bring more life experiences (though few in comparison to some) and more (what I call...) "God experiences" to ministry. I've enjoyed the studies God has helped me dive into this year and I think it's helped when referring to scriptures while ministering to these wonderful kids.

No, camp didn't go as I planned this year...but, then again, I think: when has it ever really? God continually blows my mind through these kids I love so much and that fact didn't change this year. I think that through cutting my week short, and me going through what I did, also helped me learn a little more about myself and my heart. It's helped me realize the things I need to work on to better myself as a servant and a daughter of the King. My daily prayer is to have the attitude of Christ as mentioned in Philipians 2. My hourly prayer is for God to make me aware when I fall short and help me grow in humility and love.

If you don't know the wonderful hope that comes from Jesus Christ...ask me! I'd love to let you in on the amazing and fulfilling relationship you can have with Him. Love you all...

Natalie

So... I'm moving tomorrow...

Good changes in my life... More info to come...

I'm very blessed to have had a good 5 days in a row. I feel like singing that song by Acappella "I CAN WALK"! Thank you for the prayers and encouragement. It makes a world of difference.

Love you!

I AM WHY...

Sent to this earth and ridiculed
I AM WHY
Mocked, scorned, spat upon
I AM WHY
Betrayed with a soft kiss on his cheek
I AM WHY
Beaten, tortured almost to death
I AM WHY
Forced to carry the burden, the cross
I AM WHY
Nails driven in his hands, his feet
I AM WHY
With pleasure, they yelled “crucify him”
I AM WHY
With a spear in his side, his blood poured down
I AM WHY
With a love so pure, in the midst of a pain so raw, he gave his last breath
And…

I AM WHY

Precious Jesus,
Though you suffered such pain,
It was a heartache that made you cry.
I was not yet brought into this world,
And yet my sin is what made you die.
So whenever the question arises
For the reason you gave your life,
With tears in my eyes
And a sorrowful heart
The answer remains…

I AM WHY

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

I'm completely humbled each time I read this verse. God's grace is amazing.

Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired

I'm not gonna lie...I'm not exactly my cheerful self. Infact, I've been very grumpy and irritated the past couple of days. So why am I posting my pitty party? Well, I know that Addison's is something that can be lived with, but I'm tired of being sick. I've been so sick for the past year almost and then this past month has been really bad. I could really use your prayers.

~Nat

Nashvegas here I come!

If you didn't know all of me...well...now you do. My last post slightly revealed how my mind works...sometimes :)

So, as I'm listening to a CD of Hanson in concert, I have great news.......................

First of all...it's a great week. Interestingly enough, I've been more sick than I have been in a long time, but through all of it, God has made me smile. I just found out I'm wanted to be on a team next summer to go to Africa (all summer!) and train teachers in one of their schools. Right now it looks like we'll be bringing over supplies and curriculum for pre-k through 5th and I will probably get to show them how to teach to kids with different disabilities (from MR, LD, Autistic, Down Syndrome to Severe-Profound). I've always dreamed of going to Africa (to teach or work with the schools), I've just been waiting for God to open the door of oppurtunity, and I think He has. I didn't expect someone to approach me, needles to say I was thouroughly suprised and excited. I pray that everything will work out.

Second, my album of originals is almost done. I've been working on it all year, and I'm so excited that it's almost complete. About one more month...what-what! I'm very blessed to have been able to work with some very talented Nashville musicians, and of course my favorite local producers, musicians, and co-writers. Dude...I'm so pumped! It's going to be ready for me to take out to Nashville in June. YAY!!!

I'm trying to create a myspace account for ya'll to hear my music, but honestly am not that technologically advanced! Feel free to give me a call if you can help a girl out.

Love you all so much...truly do! I was thinking today that no matter what happens with my music, God has given me the courage to use the talent He has given me. He's brought me from having no confidence in my voice, the talents He's given me and the woman He made...to a place where He's taken my burdens of insecurity and worry away. He's brought me to a point where I can daily live to impress Him and only Him. No one else will determine my destiny. Who's to say I'm not already living it? The journey is all a part of it. It's in His hands, and I'm not worried. I'm thankful to have our God to lean on and His plan to follow. Music is just another aspect of the ministry God wants me to use for Him. I have faith that it will reach the right people.

All I need to do is get married now so my "stage name" can be different than my real name :)
Any takers? :) j/k...

Have a good one...
~Nat

"Deeeeeeeeeeep Thooooooooooughts"

So I was thinking today as I was putting my carton of SimplyOrange Juice in the fridge...




(The following is a replay of my inner monologue:)

"It's not gonna fit...it's too tall...it's not gonna fit...huh?...it does...just right......huh?!"

(long pause as I stare at the bottom shelf)

"I wonder if there is a standard height for all juice/milk cartons...huh...I'm just gonna look that little tid-bit of information up..."

(after way too long at the computer and no results)

"huh?.........well........I'll just see for myself"

(results after measuring:)

"Well look at that...the shelf is 9.5 inches high, all the soy milk and other cartons are about 8.75 inches high...now let's see what the juice carton is...huh?!...would you look at that...9.25 inches high...that little sucker just barely fits...huh?!...looks like that lid makes it a wee bit taller...huh?!...so it's like the cool guy of the milk/juice aisle...with it's fancy lid and stylish carton...no wonder it's more expensive...I wonder how tall the grocery store shelf is????...huh?!..."
______________________________

If you happen to know the standard height for a juice/milk carton and/or grocery store/refridgerator shelf, let me know!

Yes I did just type that for a post!

Okay, here are the two options for the "moral of the story":
A) There's no room for a big ego.

B)Don't box God in.

And the winner is:
Don't put God in a box with size regulations...let his son shine through your heart, let his spirit pour out in all you do...let his love flood your soul! God can do more than you ever imagine if you don't box him in! (Thank you Mitch Wilburn)

Have a beautiful and blessed day. Enjoy God's amazing love!

Love you all...

~N