crazy planning.

I've been spending a ton of time every day making calls and planning out what I will be doing for my Hero Project at FTHS this year. I am so excited that progress is being made! So far this is what I have planned...

I would like to put together a Benefit Concert where the proceeds would go towards Invisible Children, a non-profit organization that helps to rescue northern Uganda’s night commuters and child soldiers.

About Invisible Children:

Here is a short description from the Invisible Children website of what Invisible Children works towards:

· “Invisible Children hopes to educate and inspire individuals in the Western world to use their unique voice for change. Through education and innovative economic opportunities, we partner with affected communities and strive to improve the quality of life for individuals living in conflict and post-conflict regions…All of our programming is a partnership between those of us at Invisible Children and those in the Ugandan community. We focus on long-term goals that enable children to take responsibility for their future and the future of their country. Our programs are carefully researched and developed initiatives that address the need for quality education, mentorships, the redevelopment of schools, resettlement from the camps, and financial stability.”

Hopes for My Project:

· Date of show: a Friday or Saturday night in February 2010 [Hopefully Friday, February 19, 2010]

· Venue: The Lodge (Zoey’s Café) located in Ventura, CA

· Bands: Thrice, Timmy Curran, Jon Foreman, Lee Koch, Aushua, (and maybe I Saw Black You Saw Stars and/or Rey Fresco)

Other Objectives for the Project:

I would love for other charity organizations to be involved in this benefit concert:

· Invisible Children (of course)

· I am a big fan of TOMS shoes and their cause, so I am working on getting some TOMS representatives down to Ventura to man a TOMS booth at the show where they can sell TOMS shoes to raise money.

· I also recently heard of an organization called Falling Whistles (they raise money to help save children in the Congo who are struggling to escape the war-region or who are forced to the frontlines of war armed with only a whistle. For every whistle purchased, 100% of the proceeds are used to restore the lives of war-affected kids through rehabilitation programs and stateside advocacy.

Progress So Far:

· I have contacted Invisible Children, and talked with Talitha Baker, a woman in charge of the Invisible Children representatives who are sent out at different times of the year to volunteer on street teams at different events.

· She loved my idea of hosting a benefit concert, and she said she would contact me before anyone else once she started creating the schedule for the Invisible Children spring street teams.

· I told her what bands I would like to be involved in the concert. She responded by saying that Invisible Children has worked a benefit concert with Thrice before, and that it could definitely be a possibility for the future.

· With regards to the date of the show, she said that, realistically, the first team that would be able to attend the event would be available around the third or fourth weekend in February (either the 19^th, 20^th, 26^th, 27^th). I am hoping to shoot for Friday the 19^th of February.

· I have contacted TOMS shoes to try to plan things with their cause, but they have yet to return my emails.

· I have also contacted Zoey’s Café and am awaiting a reply.

Many people have also volunteered to donate their time and efforts into making this vision a reality, and I hope that you have been encouraged to join in as well! Any help is appreciated!

More Info on non-profit organizations mentioned:

· Invisible Children: www.invisiblechildren.com

· Falling Whistles: www.fallingwhistles.com

· TOMS Shoes: www.tomsshoes.com

you and i are just pilgrims on our way home

Well, the last week has been one of the most challenging I've faced yet, but I've learned so much. God is so good. He brings beauty out of pain, and binds up the brokenhearted. I know the decisions were tough, but they were right. I don't expect everyone to understand, but I am so thankful that he has provided me assurance through so many verses, signs, and lessons. My close friends have provided me with such godly words and wisdom. Family has been here for me. The trip to San Diego provided some much needed careless fun. And God is filling the holes in my life that I've struggled to fill on my own. I'm learning to let go of everything, and surrender to the one who set the world into motion; and let him guide my motions.

Psalm 142: 3

"When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way."

Psalm 143:8, 10

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life...Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground."

Psalm 147:3-4

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name."

I have been listening to this song so much lately, I think I have to include it.

"Everything"

God in my living
There in my breathing
God in my waking
God in my sleeping
God in my resting
There in my working
God in my thinking
God in my speaking

God in my hoping
There in my dreaming
God in my wathcing
God in my waiting
God in my laughing
There in my weeping
God in my hurting
God in my healing

Christ in me the hope of glory
Be my everything

You are everything
Jesus, Everything

facing it.

How does God know so well what i need to be hearing..

"Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. By all this we are encouraged."

[2 Cor 7:8-13]

"I am greatly encouraged, in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds"

[2 Cor 7:4]

"Troubled"- Timmy Curran

Wake me when these hard times and troubles
have found their own bitter end, and give me something else than what you're givin'. 'Cause all I have to show is who I am.

Well I'll make it on the inside. When I try to hide, all I ever do is separate myself from you.
Yes I do.
Yes I do.

And shake me from these weeds of no good reason. For they have tied me up in my mind. And let me know that this is just a season, so I can leave my worries all behind. And show me something more than what you're showin'. 'Cause I will take all of you tonight.

Well I'll make it on the inside. When I try to hide, all I ever do is separate myself from you.
Yes I do.
Yes I do.

Wake me when these hard times and troubles have found their own bitter end, and give me something else than what you're givin'. 'Cause all I have to show is who I am

coming and going.

It's amazing how god can turn a day around. Today I went down to Aliso Viejo with Max, Dennis, Matt Mansi, Chav, and Vicki and Jim Johnson to celebrate Aaron's birthday. Aaron introduced us to some of his work friends, Brittany and Kate, and almost instantly these girls stole my heart. Their passion for youth ministry was such an inspiration. To see God's joy abounding in their lives, and seeing how they are letting him shape the goals for their future really excited me. We had so many things in common and they gave me such sincere advice and ideas. I'm so thankful that God allowed us to form such a good connection! I will definitely be staying in touch with and visiting these girls.

I've been presented many new options for life after college. Internships at a couple different churches, Biola, and Joshua have been on my heart a lot lately, and it's becoming easy to let myself get caught up in what I would like to do. I need to keep reminding myself to not let these thoughts control my decisions. I need to focus on seeking out God's desires for my life, and figure out how I can serve him best. If you could pray for this specifically, it would be great.

It's a comfort to see his presence and how he has been providing not only physically, but for my emotional needs as well. The last couple days have been pretty rough along the edges, but I'm so thankful that God's provided encouragement through meeting new friends, and having some great conversations with my family.

Thank you for your continued prayer and encouragement. I really appreciate it right now.

answers.

God has been so awesome in providing for me this last week. When I was so low on cash I thought I wouldn't be able to buy enough gas to drive my grandma to the doctor, God provided. When I was overwhelmed with stress and worry, he lifted it off my shoulders. When I asked for prayer for him to provide a steady friendship, he placed 3 different people in my life this week who have made such an impact on my life. I am so thankful specifically for those friendships! God knew what I needed most, and their love and passion to pursue Christ in their life is so encouraging. They felt as if they were in the same place as me (in regards to friendships and prioritizing aspects in life) and I cant get over the fact that god will always provide for my deepest needs. 'God is my shepherd, I wont be wanting.'