Class?

This is my plan. Well, really, my ultimate plan. I like having plans.

Susan (The Prayer Furnace' worship director) is, well, pretty much leaving for the summer. Well, since there isn't that many other worship leaders, (per se) She's going to do a class for the people that are interested in becoming just that...

She sent out this E-mail to four people, and all four of us are interested, and all have the same times available. So, yay for us, we are starting a class...I think the class is going to be sort of intense though, this is the email she sent to all of us:

Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2009, 11:29 AM

Hey guys,guess what!

All four of you are interested and available to go through worship leader training this summer! The time that seems to work for everyone is Thursday 2-4pm. If it doesn't quite we can still make this work - it will be easier for me if I have as many of you together as possible. Again, the first Thursday I would be able to start would be the 18th of June. Before you commit to this, you should know that this is going to be very intense. It will require at least 3 hours of practice a week for each person on their own. I am going to expect you to master some basics and if we're only doing the summer we don't have the time to wait for you to learn them. Only if you put in the required amount of practice will progress be made.We will work on: Learning songs (including fast ones)

Leading and directing songs

Simple chord progressions for harp and bowl

Chorus leading

Bible study (necessary to be an effective singer)

Communication with the worship team and the prayer leader

You will be required to learn over the summer:15 worship songs, 9 of them fast. All the chords in 5 keys (memorized): CDEFGAB C#m Dm Em F#m G#m Am Bm4 very simple chord progressions in 5 keys (total of 20 progressions)I am hoping to take voice lessons over the summer and expect myself to put in 6 hours a week of practice. If you're serious about becoming a worship leader and have the time I would hope you could do the same with what I give you. Also, I highly recommend taking private lessons from me during this time if you can afford it. I charge $60 a month for weekly, 30 minute lessons. I'm excited to see what God will do over the summer! I think you guys are all called to lead God's people into His presence with worship and I think this is an excellent opportunity to be trained to do so. Please confirm your interest in this by replying to this email.

Susan Croox Worship Director

The Prayer Furnace of Chicago

So, my plan is to not have any more sets by myself, until I understand more about this whole "worship leader thing" The truth is, I really need voice lessons. I'm planning on somehow getting the money together, and really working on it. I really want to embrace harp and bowl/prophetic singing, I feel like I could do way better with that, if I wasn't so nervous about singing something that isn't biblical. (the reason I posted that video was because I bet some of my diligent followers, probably don't know what harp and bowl is, I'll explain that later)

Every time I try to do a set by myself, (or with anyone) I pick out about 5 songs, for an hour...yeah, well, about 10 minutes in, i 'm done with my songs, and then I'm just sitting there on the piano like a retard, with nothing else to sing.

So, it would be extremely helpful to take this class, since I adore singing, and I love playing piano...but I really just need to practice...

I hate questions that get answered by a question.

Well, I've been surfing the Internet a little bit...and, I'll just say this.

I'm not in the best mood.

Today, was a pretty good day. Until about 1 hour ago, where it turned into a bad day. I guess I can't really go into too many details. But, I think I personally have changed.

So, I'm sure it's just about happened to everybody in the world..but ever feel like in just a short little time, you notice right then, that your whole entire view point, is DIFFERENT? Just because of that ONE thing you thought, or that one thing you read, or that one movie you watched?

It's something that I've been praying about today, and, well, since, Gee, I don't know, like since I was five. Something I was asking God, for a specific thing in my life. I think I got my answer.

Fine, it's not the one I wanted...that is true. Fine, I was hoping for that one thing, and it didn't happen. And, as God always does, he answers my freaking question, with a question.

I'm right where I'm supposed to be.

Oh-my-golly.

Okay, so, it's been awhile.
I wish it wasn't awhile, but sadly, it has been.
Ahem.

*climbs on soapbox*

Well, my Dad is leaving the country today, which means I'm a loner with my Mother for two weeks.

These days usually consist of frolics in the park, getting manicures and pedicures, eating out every night, our laundry room exploding with forgotten dirty garments of clothing, oh, and don't forget, shopping with our millions of diamond credit cards.

Well, reality is our days usually consist of; a Mother and Daughter who eat our own food/crap (we don't even cook for each other, how selfish are we?) by ourselves, at home, while hogging each laptop to oneself, on the couch, in sweats. It's true our laundry room is exploding with forgotten dirty clothes, but usually the daughter gets fed up and decides to spend the day doing laundry. We DO go shopping; at the thrift store. But we usually pay with quarters we find in random couch cushions...

It's actually kind of fun. Except at nights. I think my Mom has been married way too long, and now can't sleep by herself without having absolutely horrific nightmares, and keeps on thinking that someone is breaking into our home. The first couple of times my Dad left the country, my Mom would sleep in my bed. (Hated that) But now after some complaining, I got her to sleep in her own bed. I have to keep my door open, and she keeps hers open, and the hall light has to stay on. It's very annoying, but, at least I have my bed to myself.

Oh, side-note, on June 2nd, I'm leaving to TEXAS! I get to visit my best-friend in Texas. Can't wait!

Dream Interpretation Class...201

I'm leaving soon to go take the dream 201 class in the suburbs. I'll be gone for 3 days, so I might now write a blog for awhile. I honestly don't think I'm up to go through the 24 hours of class time.

I really hope I can. My brains might fall out, but I think it will work. I'll just have to scoop them back in a bowl on my way out...


Lately I haven't been sleeping so well, and when I finally fall asleep, I have the craziest dreams. Example: One dream consisted of me losing a black dress I really wanted, and the people at the store said that it somehow got into a protein powder shake jar, in Walgreen's, but they didn't know which chain of Walgreens it actually was in.
It resulted in me running frantically to every Walgreen's, and trying to persuade the employees at Walgreen's to let me open up all these jars, without paying for them.

I'm sorry, but what the crap can THAT possibly mean?

I guess that's why I'll go take the dream interpretation class. Maybe I can actually sort out my dreams...

They're finally married....wow.

I am utterly, completely, smack-happy, that Matt and Jessica are finally married. I feel really bad for them in their relationship, because so many people gave them a hard time. Especially my parents.
I'm so happy that they are married, and get to start a new life in Nashville, (I'll miss them though)

The wedding was beautiful...She was beautiful, and everything. I was the maid-of-honor, and so I was standing up in the wedding.

The church: The Church was the church in Home Alone, which was gorgeous. You can see it in the video :)

First of all, I thought we were all walking down the aisle at 5, instead of 4. I wasn't quite done getting all prettied-up, and I pretty much stumbled down the aisle half-ready.
It was just about the longest ceremony, and sucked especially when we all had to stand there for an hour.., Me and Sarah were half-whispering to each other for most of the time, until she started making terribly rude comments about Matt.

I told her that she had to get over herself, buy some cake, and to shut up because this is the wedding day and that she couldn't do anything about it. I'm not usually like that. I won't stop you if you're talking smack about someone, but if it's on the freaking wedding day? C'mon.

The reception was at Morton Arboretum, where I came terribly late because I had no idea what was happening with Jesse and Cami. And I couldn't take pictures. And then, after I got there so late Sarah and my Mother came up to me, made rude remarks, making me feel even MORE terrible about the crap, and I couldn't help it, I started crying. I hate when people are disappointed in me, in which I couldn't have done anything about.

Alfred (my escort/groomsmen) came, and then Matt's sister came and walked me around outside which I was able to take one picture with Matt and Jessica... (Thanks guys, I don't know what I would have done without you)

Overall I had a great time. We got home around 3 in the morning... and that was it.

Hot stuff

Well.
Yesterday was fun. I have to say, I had I think about the best customer service day, EVER. Everyone was super nice whatever store I went to.
Lol, except the thrift store.

I go to thrift stores a lot, my Mom has been going since I don't know when, her Mom even owned one in the Chicago suburbs about 10 years ago.

But, well anyhoo, I was with my Mom, and we were shopping at the Unique, and I'm going through the aisles as usual, and this black Guy comes up to me...

I am usually way too oblivious to even know anything that's going around me...but here he is, shopping through the ladies shirts, right next to me, singing on the top of his lungs, Hot Stuff. After a few lines, he would look at me, saying "That's for you", Over, and Over again.

Okay, I'm not that oblivious...So I shop a little longer, where he keeps on "bumping into me" in random aisles.

We leave, where he says "Aw man, it's your time to go, you have a great day, lovely miss" I mumbled back a "You too"

When we were walking back to our car, my Mom asked, "So Evie, how many times on a daily basis do guys sing love songs to you?" ...


That's my day. Just to all my friends who know how oblivious I am with this.. That's what happened, and I actually got the memo! I actually did!! Hahaha

Crabster-eck-ah-toe.

Today was a pretty crappy day.
I slept amazingly...But I was really just not in a good mood, which is weird for me.

You know those days, where you just get super annoyed with anything anybody says?

...You feel like the 5 year old throwing a temper-tantrum in the middle of aisle 17, at the grocery store...
You know, the one who can't explain?

**********************

My Mom and me went to 15 stores looking for those "perfect shoes" for her mother-of-the-bride dress.

That was miserable.

I hate shopping with my Mom...I actually hate shopping with anybody if we're looking for something that can't essentially be bought in less then 10 minutes.

My personal rule; If you want to shop for pleasure, please shop by yourself.

Shopping for nothing in particular is the only time you actually have fun...

Torture Itch.

Okay.

Well, I have been tanning for the last the couple of days. I got, a slight, SLIGHT, sunburn on all over my back, and on my stomach.



I have never had such a terrible ITCH. I don't care how embarrassing this post is going to be...(It's not) It's just that, I had such a BIG problem with this today.



I have sympathy/compassion/whatever-you-want-to-call-it, for ANYBODY with any sort of itchy-scratchiness on them, as of this moment.



Okay, well last night, I literally had about two hours of sleep...I was up with me just in a weird backwards position, scratching the top of my back.



Today, I couldn't go without 5 seconds of not, well, scratching my lower-back.

I figured out this great remedy though -completely on accident- I was a little more desperate then I thought, and decided to put vicks vapor rub, (you know that crap you put on your chest to help you breath better?) It has completely, stopped the itch.

I feel spectacular.
I should tell the "New Modern Remedy's" People...If they had anything like that...Haha.

Alterations to the JOYS

Ahh. It's a beautiful day outside (the one time I like the heat.) I feel like walking for miles upon miles. I went outside for a couple hours with Jessica today so we could do the alterations for her wedding dress, at Joe's Cleaners.
It was a nice Russian lady there who kept on saying "You look like a QUEEN!" to Jess in a thick accent. She was nice.

I found out two days ago Aidan isn't coming to the wedding. :( Which sucks...I haven't seen him since Justin and Ashley's wedding. I was looking forward to seeing him again.


I think I want to see the movie The Soloist...I was going to go with some friends, but he and she both got grounded. So now i'm screwed.

The joys of being a teenager.

I hate being late... :/

We picked our music, and found this AMAZING person... Peggy Lee. :) Super 50's. I love it. I think if I ever get married, I would like to have this cute kind of music at my wedding for the reception too....

I think Jess is going to play this for the cutting of the cake. I'm excited for her wedding :)

The day was mostly spent sitting in terrible traffic. I was late almost everywhere I went, and I hated that...I did a rushed piano lesson with Liz, and then I tried doing a worship set. Liz wanted to join me, but I really hate doing sets with other people, if I'm playing the piano... I wish I could just burst out in perfect music, with no mistakes, and then when you have another beginner with you, they do they're own thing while you do your own thing... super difficult.

I'm getting really sick of my voice. I wish I could ultimately just get where I'm-looking-to-go instead of what I am right now. But, tons of people suck for the first couple of years. Just...eh.

Oh. Tanning.

I have sunburn on my back.

And It BURRRNS. (don't laugh)

I do.

PrOs & CoNs

Well, I got back from the tanning salon a long time ago, but I just wanted to write my thoughts on the first time of me actually getting a tan.

Cons:
1.I had no idea I was claustrophobic. That thing, well, yeah, it's a coffin, a big, blue, light bulb coffin.

2. The glasses. There is freaking warnings EVERYWHERE that if you take off your tanning glasses... you will pretty much be blinded, pretty- lickens-quickly. I'm laying there, and I felt like my glasses kept falling off. Scary momentos.

3. Cancer! lol, i'm only doing this for 9 days (until the wedding) but I have Wayhayy too much skin cancer in my family. Scary thought.

Pros:
1. I got pretty amazing freckles already for 5 minutes of this. If I do this, every single day for 9 days, I'll be covered. (By-the-way, sunburn wise, I didn't get any! I only got some mild redness on my face, which went away in about a hour.)

2. The ability to make you look thinner! Chubby/blubbery cheeks+Tan/freckles=High cheek-bones/Thinness!


So. There we go. Tanning galore!

Tanning Salon?

My sister Sarah has convinced me and my other sister Jessica, to go tanning.
Sarah, is the ultimate tanner, and she takes from my Dad's side, who, well, they just tan amazing. But, me and Jessica, are, the whitest of the whites. We're both redheads, and we sunburn like out of the wazoo.
With Jessica's wedding coming up on May 2nd, We do need to get a little more tan. Jess doesn't have as many bad tan lines as I do from my trip to Florida, (It's really funny actually, I have "freckle lines" from my bathing suit that is completely white, right next to a completely-covered-in-freckles on my back)

This is my first real "tanning salon experience" and frankly, I'm freaked out. I'm scared i'm going to come out like a shriveled up tomato.

I sunburn too easily. I feel like the worry-wart of a mother who wrings her hands, exclaiming: "Oh dear, oh dear, that's not good, not good at all"

So yes. I'm leaving in 15 minutes to L.A Tan. How excited art me? So, if you're coming to the wedding, don't laugh at the red-and-orange-teal-parachute walking down the aisle.
Haha.

"Oh you sons, oh you daughters, of the living God, you have a purpose, you have a place, you belong, you belong."

Eh.

So I have discovered, that I, am, turning into! DUN DUN DUNNN, bible GIRL!

lol. Remember how before, when I said that I was getting terribly bored with God? Well, hasn't happened lately! I have been super into proverbs lately. I could probably sit with two pages of proverbs, (or proverbabobs, as I call it) for a couple of hours.

My bible is getting a little bit screwed up with all the notes, underlining that I have done with online bible studies. I can't believe I'm turning into this.
Ultimately it's not a bad thing, it's just different from how I've been. I was getting SO dry, so shriveled up with God.

It could of been a little more disastrous then I thought of at the time.

But yet, I don't think I'm going to turn into that hiper bible girl who only wears Jesus is my Husband T-shirts, and wearing bibles-and-roses sterling silver necklaces.

I don't have the energy for that.

So, I'm getting a little bit closer. Just a little...and it's good.

The Ideal time to be born...

I wish I was born in the mid 30's.
The Great Depression started in October, of 1929. It officially ended with Pearl Harbor, (December, 1941) The beginning of of WWII.

Which, ultimately, would mean that, (saying I was born in 1935) I would be 6 years old.

I would grow up, without much technology (which would be nice) and in the 50's go to college, in the 60's start a family, (or not) and, well, haha probably be dead right now.

I don't want to go through this crap with the economy, or people saying it's the "End of the world" I don't want to hear different people here, and that they are the anti-Christ. Or, for that matter, WHATEVER.

Frankly, I'm freaking out about that. I don't want to hear about all this CRAP I have to go through, I know however wrong it sounds, I like my world in safety. In God's crook of his arm... Why can't that happen?

IF I was born in the 30's, life would be pretty good. It was a WONDERFUL time for you to be living. (if you lived in America) I mean, there was no wars that actually hurt US personally. The invincible USA.

Our Country (our WORLD) is in a downturn. It's freakin' scary. Obviously, I was born in the time for a reason. I know that. But, boy, does it SUCK.

Pretty much everything is just going wrong. We're too smart/too dumb for our own little heads. All at the same time. We all think we're right. It's all pushing and shoving. The immaturity of this all!
I like to pretend that I'm living in this perfect world, and that everything is handy-dandy, and that everyone is just making up all this different crap about the economy.

Ah. It's a lovely thought. :)

But alas, I'm a dork. And it all comes towards me like wind-from-the chimney. And I'm back in the world. And it still sucks.

We're all screwed anyways. We're all still going to die. Just look around, everyone in about 70 years, is going to be D-E-D. Dead.

I hate that thought....

Titus. (You sicko) THE BIBLE.

Those pictures are of my favorite bird of Jessica's batch of parakeets (there is about eight of them, from laying all those eggs) I love him. He's really quiet, and just likes sleeping in a scarf all day long. His name is Titus... haha.