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I love that, even when I'm not completely faithful, God blesses the attempts I make and give me joy beyond description. I've made it more of a priority to get into the Word on a daily basis and praying whenever I recall something that needs prayer (even if I pray several times a day about the same thing), and though it seems like my efforts are minuscule right now, God's been so amazing in helping keep my focus on Him and not on the crap (because that's what it is right now) around me. So much is not going my way right now, but I've got complete joy and peace in Him because my focus is on the eternal.

It's funny to see how Satan keeps trying to trip me up (see below), and several times the past few days, I've realized an attack coming from him and (hopefully) laughed in his face. Things are SO much easier to deal with when I recognize the source!

So funny story -
On Friday, I got home from work and turned off my car, pulled my keys from the ignition, and started to get out of my car. And my car starts on it's own. Well, tries to, really. The starter just wouldn't turn off! I was so completely baffled and thrown off. I mean, there's NO reason why a car should start on it's own, right?! I'm calling my dad, my mom, my house, my dad again, trying to get ahold of SOMEONE who might be able to tell me what to do. Then I grow up and go to the car place on my own. On the way there, I realize my anxiety, anger, frustration, and literally laugh at loud at how easily I can be distracted from God's hand on my life. He's got it all under control, why am I freaking out so much?! The old guy fixed it for me (took off my positive battery terminal) and all better. Fingers crossed, it won't happen again (and I saved $175+). But regardless, another attack from Satan thwarted. Nice!

Aaaand my laptop is 'fixed' thanks to the amazing Drew! The issue with slowness can be resolved by adding more RAM ($20). As much as I hate my computer, I think the reason I hate it is because of it's slowness. The RAM would apparently fix that and would probably be worth the money. So it's worth of a shot!!!

Time to go do my cousin's dishes for $5. :)

To any of you who argue that country music is good... I do believe you are lairs.

Today, I had the "pleasure" of listening to a country music station for 7 hours. I heard all the sure-to-be classics, including...

"God is Great, Beer is Good, and People Are Crazy" (profound),
"Beer Gut" (after the hit "Honky Tonk Badonka Donk", why not complete the mental image of the girl and throw on a protruding, beer induced belly? Classy.), and
"Big Green Tractor" (who's lyrics included something along the lines of "Ride with me on my big green tractor, I don't care where we go, as long as I'm with you". Mmm....I'd rather walk. And seeing as you're riding a big green tractor, probably without you.)

I didn't catch the title, but I'm PRETTY confident I heard the lyric "we'll mosey out the door and make love". Um...

Needless to say, after hearing "Beer Gut" for the third time, I begged the women I was working with to change the station because I didn't know whether to laugh (because of the ABSURD lyrics) or cry (because I felt myself getting stupider by the second).

I'm not exaggerating about any of that.

My friends, I am not a country girl at heart. Blah. Ya'll can keep your twang and banjo.

Paige, promise me you won't live and breath country music when you move south and develop your southern belle accent complete with a porch, rocking chair, sweet iced tea, fried chicken (recipe from Paula Dean's cookbook), and the dozen other things we discussed but can't recall at the moment.

Gah, I hate it when I have so much I want to blog about but when I sit down, I never remember what it is. Completely frustrating. I'm thinking bullets for this post, yes?

• "The roommate" is moving out on August 8th, we think. Yess!!!
• I love it when I am approached repeatedly to play frisbee! At the park, when one friend left (while we were playing), another would come. I played frisbee all freaking night!!!
• I also love the band Reilly. They're kind of incredible, and may be the soundtrack to my life currently.
• I am so unfaithful and undeserving. But God blesses me and allows me to bless, and I'm so completely grateful for that! I need to do better. I need to make this relationship top priority, and honestly, this is something that's hard for me-I'm distracted easily. Way way too easily...
• I adore clean apartments. I have SUCH an appreciate for them now!!!
• Blue Like Jazz (check) Captivating (check) Love and Respect (in progress and if you EVER plan on being married, this book should be a prerequisite. Incredible. Thanks, Paige, for the recommend) Living Life On Purpose (finally found it yesterday, will be finishing soon) Irresistable Revolution (I'll start it when I receive it from my cousin)
• It's really hard to see someone disappointed and there's nothing you can do to comfort them. I want to reach out and say something, but there's little I can say or do to remove the feeling of failure. :(

On another note, I feel I have the gift of discernment. I feel like I am able to see when Satan is attacking and see through his lies (for the most part). The really irritating thing is when he uses truth and twists it into lies. Unfortunately for me, Satan feeds me those lies, and when I recognize him working in my friends' lives, I want desperately to grab them and show them what's going on, but I'm afraid I'll either come across as a crazy person (paranoid by demons) or I'll be given the look that says, "Duh! It's kind of obvious, isn't it? Thanks for the 'help'." Either way, the general message is "Don't share!" And, because he always makes things so believable, it's hard not to listen. So, at the risk of sounding crazy or obvious, I'll share.
(PS, I think stress is the same way - Satan distracting us from what really matters. I'm not preaching from a pulpit though - I'm just as guilty and continually fall prey to Satan's traps)

I really suck at Spider Solitaire.

So, now that I've gone home and shown my parents, I feel I can share my news (not that it's big or anything): I got my tragus pierced. I fully expected them to not like it (they've always been against 'rebellious' things, and I assumed that included any piercings you couldn't get at Claire's). Reactions?

-Jenny thought I was pointing to my ear because she thought I was talking on the phone.
-Lauren thinks I'm turning into a hard core punk girl and I'll never be the same. (as if piercings change your personality)
-Mom immediately thought of how it's going to appear to potential employers (assuming my two-toned hair doesn't turn them off first...) and forbid me to get another. (I want another.)
-Dad was just grateful I didn't get my tongue pierced (guess the lip ring is out...)
-Amber says only lesbians have their tragus pierced. But after thinking a bit, decided maybe she'll get her's done too (after she does some internet research to reassure herself - she'll get back to me)
-Kimberly noticed and was excited for me - she suggested getting another (the one I want to get)
-A handful of people thought it was cool
-Other than that, no one else really cares (didn't think they would)

Kinda hurts like crap sometimes. No pain, no gain though. And my piercer (Church) was really nice - I think I'll go back to her again.

The family went for another bike ride again today - 20 miles this time. About 4 miles in, I fell down. It's kinda a long story, so I'll just say I slowed to a stop but didn't put my feet down on the ground and the bike tipped over onto a nice cushiony pile of rocks and gravel. Tractors and ice cold cokes may have been involved.

I have yet to play frisbee. (Maybe I can get my dad to?)

I'm still not fully back yet

I am:
*utterly
*completely
*totally
*100%
exhausted.

But I had an AMAZING week last week.

The sad thing is no one cares to hear.

So you, lucky reader, get to hear all. Or a lot. Or maybe just a few pieces. I am quite sleepy...
(I considered not writing until I was fully awake. But that wouldn't be nearly as entertaining, now would it?)

Cornerstone Festival is frickin' amazing. I have no idea how the crap I have not gone until this year. And yes, you can say, "The people you go with can make the festival fun or not," but you'd be false. In my opinion, the festival rocks regardless of who you're with. I'd go back next year even if no one else did.

Awesome:
*fighting demons and weeping at the love of God while walking in the rain after a hard day of feeling rejected
*hearing Deas Vail and then getting a Deas Vail frisbee!!! (yeeeessssss!!)
*walking through the mud with bare feet
*hearing some incredible bands who have not made it big yet, but I'm sure they will
*hanging out in the mosh pit for Underoath (barefoot, mind you. my feet have a purplish hue now. it's not a punch to the back of the head (nearly happened) but I'll take what I can get)
*working at the coffee house and serving people (I loved chatting with complete strangers)
*the incredible weather. one warm day, one rainy day, the rest was perfect!!!!
***hanging out with friends and getting to know everyone better!!

Hilarious:
*nearly getting peed on by a little kid at midnight
*whoopee cushions
*leaking tents (no one but me found this amusing at the time, so I managed to keep my amusement to myself. but really? the chances of 3 tents leaking? funny stuff.)
*Walt drop kicking the sweet iced tea
*Rich!! (pronounced Rick)
*Bawls (it's so fun to be immature...)

Seriously, good time.

In other news, I read through some of my old blogs on myspace (I'm using it now for keeping track of bands) and...um....I was crazy. Very random, quite funny sometimes, and I found myself asking (...) me why I was with him so long? (there were a couple rant blogs that I'm REALLY hoping were privatized before I deleted them) It's interesting, nonetheless, to see exactly how far I've come, how much I've grown. I'm continually shocked that I'm not the same person I was 2 years ago.

So here's to another 2 years of changing for the better! (I've certainly got a good running at it!)