Life has been insanely busy lately. Notebooks, photos, and volleyball. More later.

-E

A Quick Note...

I'm sure all your summer months have been quite busy, and mine is no different. The past weeks have been filled with car drives, radio sing-alongs, and various water activites. I just returned from three full weeks of camp at Lake Brownwood, and have hundreds, yes, literally hundreds, of pictures to crop, edit, and perfect. Hope this note finds you all happy and healthy!

Here's a pic of the sunrise over the Gulf of Mexico from our vacation in June!

Happy Fourth!

I hope everyone is enjoying grilled hot dogs, potato salad, fireworks, and their nation today. Go thank a serviceman or -woman.



Happy Fourth!

Beaches and Breezes

As I write this, I am lounging in our condo, yards away from the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico. South Padre Island has been full of waves, sand, and relaxation. Thursday morning, Nikki surprised Kaleigh and me with tickets to go parasailing!! We were so excited, not to mention impressed that Nikki had kept them a secret for weeks! So, after loading into the minivan (yes, the minivan), and trekking to the Southern coast of the Island, we were strapped in and "sailing" 600 feet behind the boat. It was so peaceful being up there; you really have no idea how high up you are. The entire excursion took about an hour, so we still had the rest of the day to spend on the beach!

We went horseback riding on the beach this afternoon, which was quite the experience! We had all ridden horses before, so we were that much ahead of everyone else. Kaleigh and her horse Domino got along like old friends, and Nikki was a pro on Reno, but Peanut and I had some rough patches. He was the meanie out of the group of about 25, and he let everyone know about it. It was a little stressful at times, but I think I would do it again. I'm always up for a challenge, after all! Tonight, we went out to Blackbeard's, which is one of the must-do eateries on the Island. We have been responsible little adults and saving money by making food at home, but we did have to splurge once, of course! The food was awesome; according to Nikki, the Blackened Shrimp is out of this world.

Tonight will be our last night on the Island, then we head for Corpus Christi in the morning. Overall, this has been such a relaxing time and it's been so good to spend time with friends. I'll put the pictures up once I finish editing them.

Have a great weekend!
-Liz

Catching Up....

Isn't it strange that so many days go by, and I think, "No, I don't think anything "blog-worthy" has happened today," and before you know it, a month has passed, you're on the verge of back to back happenings, and for some reason, you have to play catch up just to keep things more or less current. So, here's an overview of life around the Johnson abode the past few weeks:

+ The biggest news is that we got two Black Lab mix puppies back in April. My parents went to Brownwood one weekend on business and came back with two skinny, slobbery furballs. They had been abandoned at Lake Ivy, and Mom just "couldn't leave them there," in her words. Their names are Ivy and Elm and they are six months old. They are happy and healthy; each with such distinct personalities and, most importantly, they get along royally with Sam, our Min-Pin/Chihuahua of seven years. I've been waiting for pictures to post of them. Now, the pictures have been taken; editing will happen tomorrow. With any luck, I'll get a post out then all about them.

+ Rebekah's next musical opens this weekend, Beauty and the Beast! Our house has been an opera hall the past few weeks, filled with English verses and Italian sonatas. R plays Madame de la Bouche, the armoir.

+ Father's Day was yesterday, so we went out for lunch after church, and celebrated. A relatively low key start to a crazy week...

+ Mom left today for a workshop in San Antonio for TLC, where she will be working beginning in the fall. She will be back Wednesday, leaving me to play mom to two teenagers and three dogs. This should be interesting....

+ And finally, my summer trips begin on Wednesday. Kaleigh, Nikki, and I are going to South Padre Island for 3 days of R and R, then Kingsville to meet up with some new friends of Nikki's. It will be so good to get away for a few days and relax, especially with all the activities coming up so soon after. Plus, what could be better than waking up to sunrises on the beach, and having no commitments other than fun in the sun for several days.

+ After, I have three camps consecutively, along with various ministry events. Then, volleyball (yay!) at TLC begins somewhere around August 4th. And before I'll know it, school will be back in full swing.

I plan on enjoying every minute of my crazy July. Oddly enough, this is the way I prefer my days: fully scheduled and planned (or planned to be un-planned, in the case of the beach), so I stay busy. The stress forces me to get more things done, I think. Or at least that's my story! Here's to days full of life and loved ones.

With love,
Liz

Summer has Arrived!

The notebooks and pencils have been pushed away for a season, the warm air is electric with anticipation, and the flip-flops and shorts are resurfacing in my closet. Yes, summer decided to arrive, finally! Summer, for me, marks a time of rest and renewal but also a very busy time. Ministry events always pick up, visiting old friends, and of course tackling the ever present to-do list. And on my list this summer is a lot of reading; researching revival, making my way through the list of Classics I still have from high school, and anything Ted Dekker publishes over the next few months.

Also on "the list": relearn all the music theory I've forgotten along the way; including all the scales and such. The longer I play bass, the more I realize I never knew or can't remember.

As for reading, I have a substantial pile of books. I plan to post my tentative reading list on here, once it's finished. But right now, I'm reading: The Incredulity of Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton; George Washington Carver: His life and faith in his own words by William J. Federer; The Slumber of Christianity by Ted Dekker; Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen; and Sinner by Ted Dekker, quite the armload!!

I hope you all have a relaxing and fun summer! What are your plans for the coming months?

-Liz

"Uncomfortable Rest" from The Ramp

The Ramp is a ministry located in Hamilton, Alabama. I went with a group of dear friends to the Ramp's Winter Retreat at the end of 2007, and I stay up to date with them on Myspace- where else? Micah is one of the leaders there, and he wrote this insightful note. I haven't stopped thinking about his words and how very true they are.  I thought I'd share this with you all here, just in case you haven't seen it. Enjoy!


 Uncomfortable Rest

Not too long ago, I heard the Holy Spirit say to me, “The kingdom is not comfortable, but it is rest.” He said this to me in response to my own disobedience. I had felt a drawing to befriend someone and tell them about Jesus, but had resisted the drawing. It would have been inconvenient and uncomfortable to do what Holy Spirit was telling me to do. I disobeyed and experienced agony and unrest in my soul. There is not a more horrible feeling then knowing you said, “No,” to the Holy Ghost. During this period of agony is when He said to me, “The kingdom is not comfortable, but it is rest.” This simple phrase has forever changed the way I handle my life.

Too many times we recognize that our bodies and minds are fatigued and decide what we need is physical rest and some time of fleshing out. We take a couple extra naps or watch a questionable movie to feed our carnal nature, but never feel quite rested. Then, we decide we are waking up a little too early or staying up a little too late, and we start cutting back our prayer and Bible times for more sleep. We interpret our fatigue and weariness as something that can be solved by making our flesh more comfortable. I think our interpretation of the problem is a little off.

Though there are times physical rest is definitely needed, the overarching problem is not really that our flesh is not comfortable enough. The problem is that our spirits are not comfortable enough. True rest and peace are found when we are in the middle of the will of God, giving all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength to seeking and loving God. Any other place produces in us an unsettledness because we were created for something greater.

Hebrews 4:6 tells us that people do not enter into rest because of disobedience. If you would get very honest with yourself, the times where you feel the most rested and peaceful are not the times of great inactivity. They are the times of the greatest pursuit after God. That’s because rest is not available to the disobedient, but the those who obey and do not harden their hearts before God. Set yourself to believe that the kingdom will not be comfortable to your flesh. It will require less sleep for more prayer. It will require less eating for more fasting. It will require less TV and movies for more Bible. Submitting to spiritual authority is not fun when they tell you to break up a relationship, but in the uncomfortable place of obedience, there is rest. The kingdom is not comfortable, but it is rest.

-Micah


By the way, their myspace page is as follows: myspace.com/chosenontheroad.


Love,
Liz

Time Flies...

I looked for a quote about time, but I didn't find any particularly striking.  We'll just have to endure my unaccompanied ramblings, I suppose!  

The real reason I haven't posted anything in so long is that there simply has been nothing "blog-worthy."   Awaken has performed a couple of times since our weekend in Del Rio, but I have no pictures to show for them.  Most of the time I'm torn between being "on stage"  and behind the scenes just chronicling the whole event.  If only there were two of me!

My days of studying and counting down for the proverbial final bell of the semester are numbered.  School will be finished next Thursday, thankfully, so hopefully I can get out and take more pictures very soon.  It almost doesn't even feel like spring compared to last year.  I was down at the rose garden at least three nights a week this time last year, but geology is currently demanding too much time for those long hours with the beautiful flowers.  

I am compiling a list of books I want to read this summer;  I bought so many books at sales this year, and I haven't read any of them!  I really think reading is such a gift and pleasure; you are learning, using life skills, and embarking on a new adventure, all while sitting in your favorite chair!  It's one of life's simple pleasures, along with coffee!!   

I have been thinking a lot about Martin Luther King, Jr.  and the Jesus Movement, recently.  I think it is so refreshing and humbling to see how God uses youth to call nations out of apathy and complacency!  I pray He will do it again, even now, starting with my heart and attitudes.  

Sorry for being all over the place, hopefully I will be a little more coherent in my next post! 

-Liz

Happy Easter Weekend!

I hope everyone had a great Easter weekend!! 

Blessings,

Liz

Whirlwind of the Rio

I had been waiting for this weekend since November.  As I was packing my suitcase (at the last minute, of course), I couldn't help but anticipate the familiar faces, the moving of the Spirit, and the Food!  As my father turned the Suburban towards Del Rio, a familiar excitement washed over me.  My entire family came along for the trip during this time of ministry in Del Rio.  In my 17 months in Awaken, this was this first performance my father and brother would see. Having my physical family, plus my Awaken family, all in Del Rio promised to be a fulfilling and amazing time.  

Del Rio has become a second home for Awaken over the past few months.   It's an always present comfort to know that we're traveling hours to arrive to people who share the same passions and desires for God and His kingdom.  We are so humbled to be welcomed back with open arms, and everyone we've met with down there have been nothing short of supportive and so excited for what God is doing, not only in their city, but also within Awaken and Mexico, as well!  

This weekend proved to be a busy one, with four performances in two and one half days. 

(Pictures were taken by John, edited by me.)

Lots of love,

Liz

Crazy Love

Oh, goodness! What a whirlwind life has been over the past few weeks- but I wouldn't trade it! Days full of school, ministry, spending time with dear friends, and connecting with old ones.

I have decided to take the plunge and talk ..., er write, about the major lesson God has been teaching me lately, which is LOVE. I usually get the love memo every year, around summertime, it seems; time when I can really focus on God. But God has been asking those who love Him to step up the devotion and sacrifice even more this year. So, it is fitting that He started this year off with this neverending, beautiful lesson of unfailing love.

I just finished a book called Crazy Love, by Francis Chan. It is about the church realizing the awesome love God has for each one of us, and the response that realization should provoke. Chan talks about how the church has become ineffective because she is having an identity crisis- She has forgotten who She is. Once we realize how much Jesus gave up, all so we would have the choice to live for Him, the only fitting response is a life of love. Our love for Jesus overflows onto everyone we encounter; it's not an option, it is a chain reaction. But it is so easy to say these things. Even as I write these words, I can still feel the disconnect between what I believe and know to be true and how to simply live it out. Towards the end of the book, Chan lists several individuals and organizations who are living love out, everyday. They didn't wait for some worthy organization or group of people to call them to action. They heard Jesus asking them to treat each person they interact with as if he or she were Christ Himself. The least of these... The thing about living love is that it is so radical and unearthly, wherever and whomever you share it with is certain to notice. The world is not accustomed to pure love.

Chan ends with the simple notion that we are called to live holy, loving lives, not just talk about it. He offers the mindset of viewing each person we encounter as if he or she were Christ Himself. How would that change our words, tones, actions, and overall demeanor? This is a simple, yet absolutely revolutionary nugget of wisdom.

Earlier this week, I was listening to a speaker talking about modesty and what exactly that means. The she cited 1 Peter 3:3-4, and was speaking about what should our adornment be.

1 Peter 3:3-4 (New International Version)

3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

She concluded with a simple question: At the end of your conversations, have you been pointed towards Christ?

I think that question is incredibly fitting and a great nugget to hold on to: At the end of a conversation, have I pointed that person towards Christ?

Lots of love,
-L

Looking Forward

New year, new calendar, new goals, and a proverbial clean slate. 2009 has dawned and the key question is what will you do with it? What will I do this year to separate it from all the other years, past and future? Personally, 2009 promises to be a year of big decisions: internship or not, photography school or not, and so on. Doors will open and close, but the decision is a matter of what is His perfect, pleasing will for me this year. Where do I need to be and who do I need to be encountering? I can tell you that so far, I have sought for more godly counsel in the past few months than in years past; from my Word, from my spiritual parents, John and Misty, and in prayer. That is the mold I want the rest of the year to follow.

I am realizing more and more that nothing I can do will really change anything or anyone. I have nothing to offer anyone of myself. Just as Jesus said that of myself I can do nothing, I have to rely on the power and prompting of the Holy Spirit within me. He is my source of strength and in Him I can do all things.

On that note, what do I plan on doing this year?

1) Exercise 1 hour a day at least 3 days a week.

This one is already going very smoothly; right now I'm at 5 days a week. I always feel so much better after a run or lifting, I don't know why I stopped last semester.

2) Read 1 book a month.

I'm fairly convinced that my total of books read in 2008 could not have totaled more than 12. And I'm normally the girl with a book in her bag, always reading a chapter here and there! Hopefully 2009 will mark a return for me.

3) I really want to get all A's one of these semesters; so I will be increasing my study time and improving my skills this spring especially.

The physical, passing ones are so much easier to pinpoint. Spiritually- how do you say specifically where you want to be? I can say that God has continued to speak to me about delighting myself in Him, and dropping everything else. So I will continue working on being who He says I am and should be. I am learning that only His words matter, no one else's; not even who and what I think I should be is the way to follow.

4)Being myself, according to God.

5)Taking everything one day at a time. From schoolwork to decisions to my photography, my focus must remain on finishing what I need to today. Tomorrow will worry about tomorrow.

This year also promises to be one of shifting and rebuilding. God has a sense of urgency about the year upon us. There are priorities which must change, and what was tolerated in the past will be stomped out this year. I've heard instances of this both within the ministry and without
it. Something about this year is very special. I believe this year will be one of stretching and molding, one of intense seeking, but also one of great reward if we will hang in there and take God at His Word.

I'll leave you with this quote I came across.

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I think Emerson hit the nail on the head- the day at hand should be our focus and we should embrace it with whole-hearted joy. This quote echoes of Christ telling us not to worry about tomorrow, what we will eat, or wear. Christ is sufficient for all things, all days.


Blessings to you and yours,
Liz

In With the New...

With a new year, there is usually an accompaning joy and anticipation of what it will bring. But first here is a look back at 2008 and all the adventure it brought along.

+ I joined Awaken in November of 2007, but my first performance wasn't until spring of 2008.

+ I bought my Canon camera in April and haven't put it down since. God has been blessing my photography with contacts and opportunities galore.

+ Awaken performed for more churches and events than we ever have in years prior! Glory to God; His kingdom is advancing!

+ Awaken went to Washington, D.C. for the Call 2008. We witnessed history in the making while observing the historical relics of yester-year. Asking for God's intervention while standing on ground sacred to American history. It was absolutely amazing!

+ Unite and Conquer: San Angelo's annual Christian music festival effectively blew up this year. Performers included Kutless, Superchick, decemberadio, and... Awaken's drama team!! So humbling and exhilirating to perform in front of so many people and big names.

+ TLC Academy's volleyball team went to the state tournament! We finished with the 2nd place trophy; and although it wasn't the outcome we had hoped for, the girls played their hearts out and Coach and I couldn't be more proud.

+ Nameless Faceless recorded their first album in Del Rio. We were so blessed to be invited into a group of brothers and sisters so welcoming and devoted to the Lord's work two different times this year.

On another note, one of the main lessons God taught me this year was to not worry. While I'm not immune to my moments of trying to figure out money or school and such things, on the whole, I feel like I can give every decision to God. He has given me many opportunites to give it all to Him and just let go. He is so much bigger than anything I could be consumed with and He never fails. His timing is always perfect and what does worrying and obsessing improve anyway? Honestly, there has not been a single instance this year where I've said, "God, you let me down; I needed you to come through and you didn't." On the contrary, everything I've placed in His control He has taken care of beautifully.

I simply cannot convey to you the peace and joy that comes with knowing you are exactly where God wants you- in the middle of His perfect and pleasing will. It is the most content and joyful feeling knowing that you are accomplishing your specific purpose for that moment.