board games aren't just for kids....

everyone, meet amanda. 

amanda, meet everyone.

(and by everyone I mean Kate, Kat and mom)

amanda is an awesome friend.

she is in nyc right now for work.

she came to visit us for the weekend.

this is amanda playing a little game called hoopla.

she had to act out what was on her card.

what you're about to see, is why life will always be ok.

no matter how bad of a day.

God puts these random situations in your life.

things you can't plan.

and you end up crying from laughing.

amanda.

the queen of hoopla.

say cheese!

i'm lucky...here are just a few examples.

boat 18. redneck? maybe. fun? absolutely.

never need to question if my friends will be there when I need them. ever.

a guardian angel given to me when my hands were shaking.

janelle shining. 

i don't know if there is anything more natural than a camera in that girls hand.

Ruthie taking a leap of faith. truly awesome.

no more being scared.

Dyl bean. haha ohhhh hil and stu have their hands full.

loves.

blessed doesn't even begin to describe it.

i can't sleep.

i don't want to sleep.

i want to soak it all in.

i don't even know where to begin.

this is all so overwhelming.

i wish you all were back in the dressing room. 

because it would have made the on stage part that much more shocking.

i was crying.

i couldn't control it.

they just came. 

part nerves and part "oh crap, what are we doing?"

the no turning back thing, kind of scary.

the amazing friends that came back and prayed with me.

and told me "it's ok to cry, your mascara is waterproof!"

even though it wasn't.

the second, the very moment i got out there.

God took over.

he took my nerves, the words, the chords, he took over.

i felt as comfortable on that stage as i do in my own car.

it was odd.

the people that make up my life.

i don't deserve the love that i get.

but i'll take it. 

the ones that came and cheered and laughed and cried with me.

the ones who were there in spirit, praying.

thank you God for all of you.

no one can do life alone.

you believed for me when i was scared.

and i'm blessed to be surrounded by the best.

truly.

i wish for all of you to do this. 

do something that you've talked about.

something you think is just for other people.

something that seems out of your reach.

just try.

sept 12th, all of you. 

be there.

get there somehow.

lots of love.

these appeared right after the show.

we all start somewhere.

have you ever had a moment.

you saw something.

that just stirred you.

made you want to do something.

that you loved.

this video.

i saw this performance two years ago.

it made me realize that if you have a passion for something go with it.

trials. struggles. hard times. problems. 

don't worry. those will always come around. haha

but loving something DEEPLY. caring for someone. having passion.

rare.

if you get it. don't let it go. run with it.

it might not work out how you want. but at least see why it's there.

one more weekend.

jumping...

here are some wise words of eleanor roosevelt 

we all need these.

"A stumbling block to the pessimist is a stepping-stone to the optimist." 

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." 

"Do not stop thinking of life as an adventure. You have no security unless you can live bravely, excitingly, imaginatively; unless you can choose a challenge instead of competence." 

"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do." 

"Do one thing every day that scares you." 

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."

no turning back now......

less than one week...oh my.

i have the best friends in the world.

i'm nervous.

and excited.

it's been a long time since i've scared myself.

i don't think i've ever been this nervous.

let's do this.

thankful.

what miracles look like...

driving to wartrace.

stopping for swimsuits.

stopping to house shop.

no complaining.

only enjoying each others company.

giving up your choice of raft so your friend could have it.

not judging a friend for eating fried biscuits and oatmeal cake.

telling ghost stories.

laughing so hard about nothing at all.

that's love.

making tea at 11 at night.

talking about life and God.

laughing about the silly things.

being thankful for missing them

because you know that the 1 hour a month together

is worth it.

that's a blessing.

driving around a parking garage.

singing "knock you down." 

going to eat. 

for just a chance.

and a step.

you've never taken before.

not letting you give up hope.

and helping you believe in your gut.

true friendship.

thousands of miles apart.

countries apart.

and still pushing

still supporting.

still being a fan of

your friends dreams.

believing more than i believe sometimes.

emailing.

iming.

texting.

supporting crazy dreams.

even in blind faith.

having no idea why .

no idea what this music is about

what the documentary is about

and still believing

no judging.

just support.

pushing me.

keep me going.

when I want to quit.

that's enough to make anyone feel loved.

undeserving love.

day 17.

a few weeks till i sing.

and i feel ready.

because no matter what.

my friends will be there.

to remind me it's about faith.

my leap of faith.

feeding catfish that you can't see. staring at an alligator skull. laughing because you're alive.