once upon a saturday, i met my soul mate.

Once upon a time there was a girl named Anna who was in love with a voice.  Though she had heard it on the radio and had been sung to sleep by it on her iPod, she hadn't realized how amazing the guy behind the voice was.  Until Saturday.

Well, that 'amazing guy behind the voice' is Brandon Heath.  Now I could go on and on about how nice, cute, and talented he is.  But that's not why I love him.. not really.  No, I love Brandon because he seriously wants God's eyes.  He wants to see beyond the superficial stuff.  He wants to see the people inside.  He wants to share the grace that he was given.  That's why I love Brandon.

He sang all of his radio hits -- I'm Not Who I Was, Give Me Your Eyes, Wait and See, Love Never Fails, Your Love, and The Light In Me -- + more, all perfectly.

Ya know how concerts can be a total let down sometimes?  How the artist sounds one way on the CD you've obsessed over forever, and then you see them live and they...well...aren't so great?  Brandon wasn't anything like that -- he sounds exactly like he does on K-Love.  On my CDs.  I mean, a recording can't do this guy justice!

And like I said, he wants God's eyes.  I got to meet him afterward, and he was so... genuine.  There was an way-out-the-door-line of people waiting to meet him, and he was still trying to get to know everyone. When I had him sign my poster he was like, "Hey, nice to meet you.  What's your name?"  How awesome is that?  The poor guy has fans everywhere and at least two hours worth of signatures and photos, and he still took the time to write 'Anna' on my poster.  Not sure why, but that really stood out to me.

He likes country music and wears converse.  And He loves God.  So yeah.  We're soul mates.  The musical kind♥

day nineteen: i will sing forever, i am so in love with You.

1. Fashionizing
2. Drawing
3. Playing volleyball
4. Guitar playing
5. Geometry


Those are all the things I want to be good at.  But unfortunately, I have to work at all of those.  My fashion is horrible, my doodles are just, well...doodles, I still can't serve overhand, I REALLY wanna learn to play guitar, and geometry just doesn't come easy to me.

But there is one thing that I can do automatically, without even thinking about it.


Singing.


See, I was really nervous about this post, 'cause I hate bragging on myself.  It makes me feel like Regina from Mean Girls.  I'm definitely not the kind of girl that goes around saying, "Oh yeah, I can sing better than you."  So please don't take it that way.

But I'm actually kind of sort of really good at singing.  I always have been.  I don't know why, but it just comes naturally.  I've never had lessons, and I can only read a tid bit of music.  But when it comes to carrying a tune, I've got it like *snaps fingers* that.

And since I just realized you've never heard me sing, well...I recorded myself.  Sorry if it's bad quality -- I just used Garage Band on my Mac.  And on top of that, I have a sore throat.  Blahhh.  Anyway...here we go. *crosses fingers* *bites lip*

And I know I'm not celebrity material or anything, but I love to sing.  And I think God smiles whenever I do :)

of museums and ruckus.

Hey there!  It feels like I haven't talked to you in forever, due to this whole blog challenge thing.  Though I'm postponing it for this [awesome] post.

On Saturday, I went to see The Museum in concert for the second time.  I was totally pumped, seeing as they visited my church last year.  I'd forgotten to get my T-shirt signed, so I was hoping to get their signatures and drop a friendly "I LOVE your music!" sort of comment.

And if you don't know who The Museum is, this song might ring a bell...

Yup.  That's them :D  Anyway, they signed my shirt and I got my nice little "You guys rock!" in.  So it was pretty sweet.

But here's the ruckus -- I discovered a new band that's insanely awesome [for those who like hiphop anyway].  Their name is Rapture Ruckus, and they are suh-weet! They came all the way from New Zealand, and they all have adorable Aussie accents.  He called skinny jeans skinny pants and asked what tailgating was.  It was really cute to say the least.

During the concert, the lead singer was giving everyone high fives, and I was the last in the row.  Yes, I was in the front row. *eep* Anyway, instead of giving me a high five he shook my hand!  Nerdy as it may seem, I felt special :)

This song's on repeat right now...

Both bands are teaming up to help fight human trafficking, which is basically modern day slavery.  Over 27 million people are being forced into all sorts of labor across the globe -- even right here in America.  Check out more about it here.

So there you have it.  My splendid weekend of meeting The Museum and Rapture Ruckus.  And some eye-openers to what's really going on in our 'free' country.  Any abolitionists out there?

day sixteen: a song that makes you cry [or laugh...]

Let's start with the happy one, 'cause I like happy things :)

Then the sad one...but it's a bitter-sweet thing, ya know?

Sorry for such a short post today, girly-os!  Volleyball conditioning is starting up and I didn't get in till late.  Hope you're getting lots of sunshine like I am!  Can't wait to welcome spring with open arms :)

love-love-love,

anna :)

day one: a favorite song.

Don't get excited.  I'm not all the way back yet. :(  Bleah wanted me to do this thing so bad that she agreed to post the first seven days of it for me.  But yeah.  So yes, I wrote this post.  But *sigh* I didn't actually post it.

Anyway, Bleah and Ky are doing the 30-day blog challenge (I know May Amelia did it last month!) and I gave into peer pressure and agreed to do it, too.  Pushover?  No.  Peace-keeper?  YESSS.

So.  Back to my favorite song.  That's a toughie.  I love so many artists that write oh-so-many songs.  My favorite band is Stellar Kart (no surprise there!) and I love, love, LOVE their newest album "Everything is Different Now".  My lifesong is "Crazy Love" by *cheers* Hawk Nelson, but it's not the song that's on repeat for me right now.  No...that would be "Getting into You" by Relient K.  Why?  Well, it's like this: I want to love Jesus.  I want to read my Bible.  I want to be committed.  I want to be "Super-Christian".  But in all reality, I can't be all of that *snaps fingers* like that.   I have to gradually fall in love with Jesus - it doesn't happen over night.  And that's why I love this song right now.  I'm still learning, still growing.  I'm getting into Him.

And Matthew Thiessen's voice is rather captivating so...I'm going with "Getting into You". :)

Your Matty T. lovin' author,

anna :)

P.S.  I MISS YOU GUYS!

Hehehe... Bleah here. *wink*
I love y'all...
I love Anna too. *cheesy smile*

[...i wanna be innocent, Yours whole heartedly...]

The truth is, I don't feel like doing a full-fledged post right now.  So.  Here's whatcha get :)

Songs on replay:
-Letters to the President by Hawk Nelson
-Innocent by Stellar Kart
-There's A Place For Us by Carrie Underwood
-Identity by Lecrae
-Forward Motion by Relient K

Songs I'm dancing to:
-Haven't Met You Yet by Michael Buble
-How We Roll by Britt Nicole
-Centerfield by Stellar Kart
-The Change Inside of Me by Mercy Me
-Sadie Hawkins Dance by Relient K

Songs that sing me to sleep:
-Angels in Chorus by Stellar Kart
-Never Grow Up by Taylor Swift
-Somewhere in the Middle by Casting Crowns
-Vanilla Twilight by Owl City
-Background by Lecrae

P.S. - I would like to publicly apologize to Ky for saying his blog looked girly.  I feel horrible! His blog's really cool and I would totally encourage to check his blog out right ---------> HERE! :)

me and Jesus :)

So, I was tagged by Lily, Bleah, and Hope! You put your iTunes, iPod, or MP3 on shuffle and answer these questions. So yeah. Here goes...

IF SOMEONE SAYS ‘ARE YOU OKAY’ YOU SAY?

Fireflies - Owl City

Okay…

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?

Forgiven - Relient K

Yes, yes, yes!

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?

Nothing Without You - Relient K

Um, no. I’m not codependent.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?

Here I go Again - Casting Crowns

Gosh, the person in this song is DYING!

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?

Walk on the Water - Britt Nicole

Ohh yeah :D

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?

Never Alone - MercyMe

To let people know they’re not alone…?

WHAT’S YOUR MOTTO?

The Last, The Lost, The Least - Relient K

Well then…

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?

Safe - Britt Nicole

So. I’m safe. Like they can trust me and stuff. Okay, I’m stretching it.

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?

The Change Inside of Me - MercyMe

They want me to change?! :(

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?

World That Breaks - Britt Nicole

True…

WHAT IS 2+2?

Sunshine Girl - Britt Nicole

My iTunes is really stupid. Sorry.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?

I Just Want You to Know - Relient K

Okayyy.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?

Never Look Away - The Museum

Like, I stare at him a lot?! No I don’t! ...do I?!

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?

You - Britt Nicole

Yeah. I am always coming back to God.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

Oasis - Relient K

Bahahahaha :)

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?

Dear John - Taylor Swift.

But the guy I like’s name isn't John...

WHAT WILL YOU DO AT YOUR WEDDING?

What This World Needs - Casting Crowns

Um, that’s a little hardcore for a wedding...

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?

Gibberish - Relient K

Riiiiighttttt...

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?

Wishes and Dreams - Stellar Kart

Why, yes, I am a dreamer :D

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?

Crayons Can Melt On Us For All I Care - Relient K

Yup. I’m scared of crayons melting on me.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?

Voice of Truth - Casting Crowns

Well, I am sort of scared to step out of my comfort zone...

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?

Say It - Britt Nicole

Okay. I’ll say it. I LOVE JESUS!!! ;)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?

You’ll Always Be My Best Friend - Relient K

WAS THAT PERFECT OR WHAT?!!! :D

WHAT’S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?

Lose Control - Stellar Kart

Yeah, that would be pretty bad. I think my parents would disown me.

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?

Spending Time - Stellar Kart

Yeah, I do regret not spending enough time with God :(

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?

My Savior, My God - Aaron Shust

He does have a sense of humor, I’m telling you. Ironic things tend to happen to me.

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?

Break Open the Sky - tobyMac

Um, Jesus coming back would make me happy! Maybe they'll be tears of joy...

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?

The Saltwater Room - Owl City

Guess I’m getting married in the Saltwater Room, you guys.

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?

Back to December - Taylor Swift

I am not scared of a month! Sheesh...

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?

High of 75 - Relient K

...guess so :)

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?

Glow - Britt Nicole

Mkay. Sure.

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?

God Is Alive - Fee

iTunes, you are utterly stupid.

WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO SAY TO THE PERSON WHO TAGGED YOU?

Hold On - Stellar Kart

Okay - Hope, Lily, & Bleah you need to hold on. ;)

WHAT WILL YOU NAME THIS NOTE?

Me and Jesus - Stellar Kart

EEP! I LOVE THAT SONG! :D

And I tag anyone who wants to do it! :D

relient k = ahmazing :)

So. I have a new obsession. Their name's Relient K. Ya see, I'd heard about them, but I was really stuck on Stellar Kart. Which I still love them with all my ever loving heart, but I think I've 'wore them out', as Bleah put it. I know every single lyric to every single song, and well, they get old after a while. Sure, I'm still gonna listen to them. I think they're the BEST BAND EVER.

But I am turning over a new leaf. It's called the Relient K leaf :)

Matthew Thiessen is witty and clever, and his songs show that.

And this one's my favorite :)

...as of right now...

Anyway, enough with all the chit chat. Here's the song that's been blaring through my headphones for the past week :)

so-long self :)

Well, I'm sitting in Word Processing bored out of my ever-loving mind. Not the liveliest class of the day. Anyway...I have a new life-verse. And for those of you wondering, "What's a life-verse?", it's a verse that represents your life.

I used to use Jeremiah 29:11--"I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." Don't get me wrong; it's a totally inspiring verse and a great verse to live by.

But I've found a new one that describes me and my life better. It's Galations 2:20--My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Technically, I'm not alive anymore. It's Christ living in me. So everything I say and do should reflect Him. People know I'm a Christian. But my actions gotta back me up, or else they'll say, "You're just like everybody else, so why should I get saved?"

So I challenge you to say so-long self and hello Jesus :)

P.S. Here's the song "So-long Self" by Mercy Me

P.S.S. I'll be posting on Mondays and Fridays from now on!

P.S.S.S. Blessings && smiles!

we are the world.

I love the music video. Period. When something like this happens, we need to come together. We're all God's children, we all need love. And that's all that matters.