Some Day, My Prince Will Come...

I just wanted to tell you guys about last night because it was great!

So Randy had to see a symphony for his music class. He chose the Disney one, and asked me to come. The tickets were expensive but he got them for us because he really wanted to see it.

The concert was in Los Angeles, meaning I'd have to drive myself because I didn't want him to go so far south twice and all that.

I bought a GPS this weekend because I'd really been stressing about driving to L.A. I got a TomTom brand and I must say I LOVE it. I recommend it for anyone who wants a GPS. I named her Mandy since it's a woman's voice.

Thanks everyone for your prayers, by the way. I was really psyched up about getting there.

I got all dressed up :) Pearls and all.

The drive there was fine. I missed one of my exits but Mandy got me back on track. It was really cool seeing the L.A. skyline out in the distance as I drove closer and closer.

I arrived at a Chipotle in L.A. and Randy met me there. He was dressed up too. We ate dinner, left my car there at the meter, and took his car up to the Disney Concert Hall.

We got there and got to our seats--which were amazing seats. They weren't the closest section but one section back from the closest and right in the center.

The symphony played Disney songs the first half like from Sleeping Beauty, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Lion King. So beautifully done.

The the second half of the show they did the entire soundtrack of Snow White. They had singers/actors as well, and they stood in front of the symphony. There was Snow White, The Prince, the Queen, and the 7 Dwarfs.

It was truly epic. Magical. So much different than any musical/theatrical thing I've seen before.

Randy really enjoyed it too. I kept thanking him for deciding to do this and inviting me. He said he likes doing stuff like that with me (getting dressed up, going somewhere nice, etc) because it helps me remember what to expect from guys.

Very true. Randy's wife and little girls are going to get the star treatment, I can already tell.

I'm not ashamed to say that the best dates I've been on have been with my brother. He just GETS it when it comes to putting a girl on a pedestal. He likes to dress up often and go out, and I don't, but when I'm with him I feel like my attitude changes and I like feeling Princessy for a while.

As Snow White sang "Some day my prince will come" last night, I almost cried. One, because it was so beautiful musically, but also because the message of that song is a great reminder to girls. Some day, he WILL come. Being around Randy reminds me that there are is still chivalry and respect and the hope of a fairy tale.

After the concert Randy took me back to my car and we said our goodbyes and I love yous. I like having a brother in California.

The drive back home was very smooth and calm. Barely anyone was on the 405 so I wasn't stressed or scared, I just drove at my own pace, no radio, just my thoughts and Mandy's occasional instructions.

Very cool experience, all in all.

Peace and Blessings

First off, THANK YOU SO MUCH to Holly, who designed my new blog! Isn't it awesome?! I guess this means I am a legit writer now. One step closer to being famous, right?

Secondly, just wanted to throw some prayer requests out there:

-That I get my schoolwork done on time and don't procrastinate

-That I find a way to volunteer somewhere and get involved with a small group at a church

-That this weekend when my mom and sisters come see me we have an amazing time

-That God gives me new ideas for stories, as I feel like I always need to be working on something, you know? I have to keep writing so I don't lose any talent or slack too much

-That I stay healthy in body and mind as I change so rapidly

-Discernment in who I spend time with (guys and girls)

-That I get more comfortable and confident with driving in California. Also for safety when I do.

-More amazing experiences

Sorry, I didn't plan on sounding too demanding. I guess there was just a lot.

Some updates:

-One of my roommates is Puerto Rican, the other is Mexican, so I am basically a Spanish whiz now. The three of us speak in spanish to each other in our room about 75% of the time. It's fun.

-I've gotten A's on all of my tests so far (pray it stays that way!)

-I have decided to minor in Women's Studies! Yay!

-I am working on my people-pleasing problem. One of my professors, who is a therapist, suggested Harriet Braiker's book The Disease to Please. I am reading it now. Hopefully I will stop apologizing all the time. Ha.

-I wear my hair curly all the time now. I'm sure you're all happy about that. Yes, I finally caved.

-I have gotten involved in the Live 2 Free club at school, which is an anti-human trafficking/anti-domestic violence/women's rights club. It's really awesome so far.

-I am thinking about doing a summer internship with XXX Church. If you haven't heard of them, check out their website. It's an amazing ministry. The internship would mean that I would get to go into strip clubs and brothels and do ministry and just love the women there. But it would also mean that I would have to spend all summer in Las Vegas (hot!) and I'd miss everyone.

So pray for me as I try and decide where God wants me this summer. Check out this site and watch the video for a preview of what I'd be doing: stripchurch.com

-And finally, I have a new obsession. There's a guy on youtube who calls himself ShayCarl. He is making a video of every day of his 29th year. He is really funny and his wife and kids are so cute. He's pretty obnoxious but he doesn't cuss or anything and it's all just cute, family fun. So if you ever need a "reality show" to watch/get addicted to, go here: youtube.com/user/SHAYTARDS

My personal favorite vlog so far is the one titled "broken nose." Check it out.

I love you all and miss you! If you ever want to call me or video chat me or whatever, please do!

Sooner than later...I need a Saviour

"I just want to run to you

And break off the chains, and throw them away

I just want to be so much

And shake off the dust that turned me to rust

Sooner than later, I'll need a savior, I'll need a saviour." -LIGHTS

Last night I went to Rock Harbor Church for the nighttime college service they have every Sunday. It's a mega church in Orange County and it seems to be the hop around campus so I went.

There were SO many hot guys. It was a little ridiculous.

I really enjoyed the worship, but they only played like 3 songs. I wanted to worship longer!

They talked all about the church planting they're doing around California and it sounds so awesome. They just opened a Church in a club in the heart of Hollywood. Talk about awesome!

I really want to be a part of something great like that.

The more I think about Vision 139, the more I wonder WHERE God wants me to plant the shelter. Obviously, I need to find a city that has a large population of strippers/dancers/prostitutes/porn stars.

God has an idea somewhere out there, and I am just waiting for him to reveal it to me. I'm stubbornly resisting his whisper of "Los Angeles? Hollywood?...." He's going to have to carry me kicking and screaming to those places. UGHH.

I also am working really hard on being a braver person. But I also must remember that the flesh is useless without the power of the Holy Spirit.

So I need to let God make me a braver person.

Here is something I wrote the other day at Starbucks:

There's something gripping about this place.

Everyone said Orange County is a hard place to leave.

I guess I just never expected I'd get sucked into its charm.

In some ways, it's nothing like the place you see in the movies.

In other ways, it's exactly like everything you see in the movies.

People drive by in their convertibles, the latest hip hop song thumping from their speakers.

And if it's a song you like, or even a song you don't like but find catchy, you can't help but smile.

People speed by on beach cruisers. Some of them have a basket on the front, some have a baby seat on the back. Either way, they remind us that responsibility is not immobile, that our work can go with us.

A lot of the men here wear tank tops with baggy dress pants, backwards hats, and have tattoos all over their arms and chests. They remind us that some people embrace every defiance they can once they turn eighteen, but they never truly grow up.

Women here are of two extremes. Both are skinny. There are the skinny women who go out in the latest, most expensive fashions, and then there are the skinny women who go out in their workout clothes. Either type can, and probably does, change to the other. They remind us that our bodies are temples. Nurtured, and yet put on display. But they also remind me that something is missing underneath their bleach blonde locks and Gucci purses.

The children here grip me the most. The little girls jump and twirl at the beach in their Little Mermaid two-pieces. They know they're beautiful and they don't make efforts to keep it that way yet.

The little boys here have long hair. They carry little boogie boards and give strangers the hang-loose sign.

People here use their car horns a lot. They're in a hurry. They strive for excellence. For an image. They know how to chill. They don't know good music. They know how to light up cities at night. They know how to really drive. They love their sports teams. They love Mexican food. They love culture. And some of them even love God. A lot.

Is California good enough for me, compared to Colorado? Not for a second. Do I like the crowds, the smog, the stress when driving, and the inconsiderate population? No.

But every time I meet a guy wearing a beanie, in a beach muscle shirt, wearing thick glasses, and he tells me he likes The Almost and that he knows how to snowboard, I think to myself-- why leave?