what they brought day three...

I figured I would continue this theme of following the Voices of Lee on their journey on The Sing-Off. I really am just so proud of them! I think they are doing a phenomenal job!

Now it's down to the top three (and they happen to be my three favorites), so we will see how America votes on Monday at the live finale. Go to NBC 's website if you want to vote.

second day of sing-off...

I'll tell you what, they just keep getting better and better...

Keep it up, Voices of Lee!

(my other favorites are Nota and the Beelzeebubs.)

Have you been watching?

Do you have a favorite?

Let me know what you think!

p.s. - anyone else SHOCKED that Maxx Factor is still on the show?!

check 'em out...

Check out the Voices of Lee from my hometown of Cleveland, Tennessee, on The Sing-Off on NBC!

I went to high school with one of the performers (Chad - he's the blonde guy), and my dad is their mailman! (Well, them and all of Lee University.) Needless to say, I was pretty excited when I saw them on the show last night!

these dreams...

I have dreams.

A lot of dreams.

And at this time I'm not really talking about dreams that you have while you are sleeping.

(Though I have a lot of those too.)

And I'm not really talking about daydreams either...

(Though the things of these dreams often appear in my daydreams...)

These are more like things I yearn for. Aspirations. Objectives. Goals.

Some are a little silly.

For instance, I love to sing. I wish I had been brave and tried out for some musicals... what if I had been really good...

And I wish I knew how to dance. I'd like to take a dance class. Maybe I will.

But most of these dreams are really meaningful.

One day, I want to be the kind of mother that my mom is.

I want to marry someone that will be the husband & father that my dad is.

I want to remain close to my amazing sisters. I want our families to be close.

I want to be like some of the woman that I have admired & learned from over the years.

Role models from my childhood like Andy Skidmore and Sheila Jones.

Women that have been there for me throughout some of my most spiritually developmental years: Trish Nason in my senior year of high school, Ann Ledet in my senior year of college, and Christy Johnson & Marcie Miller in these recent years.

Some of my closest friends that are continued inspiration: Sarah Beth, Carie, Laurel, Brittany, Amelia, Annie, Beth, Abbey, Ashley, Marci... I have been blessed with some of the most incredible friends...

God has used each and every one of these individuals to shape me in some specific way. And there are so many more. SO many more. And I am so grateful for the role that each one has played in my life...

I want to live my life in a way that inspires people.

But not because of anything I am...

I want it to all be about He who is in me.

I want God to have full access to me.

I want to passionately seek Him.

And love Him.

And live like Him.

I want Him to be able to touch people,

And love people,

And extend grace

Through me.

I want to be bold.

And listen to this.

I want to be meek.

And for these things to be true of me.

I want to be faithful, as He is faithful.

And I want this to describe my ministry.

I want to abide in Him.

And I want Him in me.

God, this is my prayer. Now I will do as You say. I lay myself down so that You will make me walk as one who is no longer lame. Your Kingdom come, Lord. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. You are alive in me. You are alive in us. Show the world who You are.

christmas countdown...

The Christmas Countdown is on, and I have hardly begun my Christmas shopping!! My schedule is too crazy for Christmas to be right around the corner!

I sure am glad that I have Friday off...

maybe I'll be able to get some things done!

a million miles in a thousand years...

A little over a week ago, I had the opportunity to hear Donald Miller and Susan Isaacs speak in Nashville. Now in case you don't remember, back in May I posted about Susan's book, Angry Conversations with God. (see posts here & here) Her book really resonated with me, and I was thrilled to hear her talk about it in person and even have an opportunity to meet her. (Why did I not get my picture taken with her?! I did get my book signed at least..)

As excited as I was to hear Susan speak, I was definitely just as excited to hear Don. (And maybe I had a little crush on him by the end... maybe...) I had just started reading A Million Miles in a Thousand Years earlier that week and was only on the third chapter (it had been a busy week), so I was hearing everything with fresh ears. I took 6 pages of notes.

He spoke of the narrative. Our narrative. That is, the story that our life tells. And narrative has incredible power.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am fascinated with stories. Perhaps that is why I chose to pursue my bachelor's degree in English. I love hearing a person's story... what has led them to where they are... what is happening now... where they are headed. I love sharing my own story. I especially love sharing the parts of my story when I have seen, with great clarity, God at work. Those are some of my favorites.

I love true stories.

I love fiction.

I love movies and TV shows.

I get attached to characters. I relate to them.

I want their stories to end well. I want it to be good. To have meaning. To be powerful.

Because that is what I want for my own story.

I want meaning. I want to grow through conflict. I want to step out of comfortable ruts and begin to really live. I want to push through fear with great courage. I want to inspire as I have been inspired.

Don talks about all of these things and more, and I could go on and on about this book, about the things Don said, about my thoughts in response to his words.... But honestly, I'd rather have an actual conversation about these things than just throw my thoughts out there and get no response. So how about this: Get this book. Read it. Let me know when you finish, and let's get together and discuss it over coffee or something. I know I would love that, so please, somebody take me up on this offer!

(image found here)

And by the way, Don, if you are ever in the Huntsville area, coffee & discussion with you would be lovely.