So, I saw this on another blog (you know, because I stalk randomly!) and I thought it was a great idea! Here's to stealing other blogger's ideas.

I get about 99 hits on average per day. WOW. I really thought when I started this blog that only my mom, Jen, Joanna, and Sally would read it. Clearly, I was wrong. But, I am absolutely encouraged. It's nice to know other people out there read my blog. Especially because I read (or stalk!) so many!

But, here's the thing. I do know of only a handful of people that read it. When I check my site meter (which is so fun to do and if you don't have one you should get one!) I see many different states and city's on there. Alot of them area's that I know nobody in. That means I don't know you. But I would love to get to know you, or just know who you are! :)

The places where I do know people are:

Houston: I live here! (Although if we've never met and you read it, let me know!)
Huntsville: I go to school here
Gonzales, Louisiana: Jenn :)
Florida: Lauri Lou or The Birdsells (that's all I know there!)
North Carolina: Abby
Georgia: Shelly

So, if you're not any of these people, or if we have never met. Let's meet!! :) And, I am sorry if I missed anyone that I know of that reads the blog.

I love meeting new people, so just have fun with it!! :)

Lindsee Lou

That's right, Craig Biggio, got to his record of 3,000 hits tonight. He actually hit more than 3,000, but isn't that cool?

Houston is so proud.

But, I have to tell you. I am a little bitter right now. You see, my dad's office had tickets to the game tonight. Once a year his office takes all of the staff and their families to the game. Last year I missed it because I didn't get off work in time. This year, I was supposed to go and then realized that it was Raven's birthday. The choice was hard but I decided to celebrate Raven's birthday while my whole family, but me, attended the game.

I was just SURE he wouldn't hit 3,000 tonight. I decided he would hit is sometime this weekend and I wouldn't feel left out because no one I knew would be there to watch history take place.

Low and behold, Biggio did it. He hit 3,000 and I missed it. My family is glowing. Along with my little brothers best friend who took my place. He keeps telling me how glad he is that I didn't go. EW. Thank you, Daniel. And would you please stop rubbing it in my face?!

I have watched the video my brother took and lived vicariously through them. But, it may take a while to forgive myself. At least I had a good time with the girls! :)

June is seriously the month of birthdays....

This is another birthday shout-out for my special friend, Raven!

I am so glad I get to celebrate her birthday with her tonight, last year, on her 21st birthday, I was leaving town. Tonight I was to decide between the Astros game and dinner with the girl, I chose the latter. I couldn't stand the thought of missing her birthday 2 years in a row!

And, I get to see some of my sweet lambs. Phi Lambs that is! What could be better!

I love you, Raven. And hope your birthday has been special and delightful! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Okay, so, is that saying really true? You always hear that people are busy as bumblebee's, but are bee's busy? I just don't know. Someone should research that, and then get paid millions. (I say that because I here such random facts and would like to know who researched that and got paid to do so?)

Anyway, if it is true, then I have been as busy as a bumblebee. At least it's all fun.

Friday I was supposed to head to Huntsville to take one of my practice tests at 7:30 a.m. the next morning. After getting home at 6:00 from being at work all day, I was absolutely pooped and knew I just wouldn't make it. Thankfully, I can take the test at a later date in July. This makes me less stressed.

Another reason that hindered my going was because we had Joanna's bachelorette/lingerie shower on Saturday and it lasted till Sunday. When I signed up for the test, I didn't know about the shower yet, if I did, I wouldn't have signed up for it. It was an absolute blast. After much preparation, and some car complications the 3 of us (me, Jen and Sal) ran all of our errands and made it to Conroe in enough time to decorate the house and be late to La Madeline's in the Woodlands. Yes, we were late to dinner. But that's what happens when a monsoon and traffic are against you. It didn't take away from the night. It was so fun, and we laughed SO much!! I am sad it's over. I want to do it again. There's just something about being with all my girls. There is never a dull moment. And oh, the cake. The cake was amazing, a barbie wearing a wedding dress. It was also tasty.

After a fun night, and late one at that, we made it home in time to have lunch with our families, take a MUCH needed nap (2 hours) and I got to take Joanna to dinner for her birthday. That was special for me because who knows where she'll be next year on her birthday.

Then came Monday. The first day of my acting career. This week at church is VBS, unlike most churches, we don't buy "VBS in a box" if you will. We create our own. This year our theme is "Deal or No Deal" meets High School Musical. Now, you may be wondering how on earth this all makes sense or even comes together to create a message. Basically, we are doing High School Musical characters (but with different names) and each day one of the characters (mainly Danny) who is Troy from HSM and portraying Daniel from the bible has to make a decision. They are offered a deal of some sort and choose the deal or choose no deal. It is fun, and I think the kids are enjoying it and catching on. The catch is that the whole youth staff, myself included, is in the skits. I am Sharpay Evans from HSM, but my name is Desire. My boss, and the youth pastor, is Ryan, my brother, but his name is Corbin. It is so much fun. We are singing songs from HSM and acting like them, which was so hard at first for me, but I think I am catching on. Today I had to bust out Hannah Montana and sing a bit of her song. OH, boy. Talk about fun.

Needless to say, it is absolutely exhausting and keeps us extra busy. As you can imagine, I come home, memorize my lines for the next day, take a shower, and go to bed. I have to get my beauty sleep! ;)

So, that is my life right now. VBS, baby. I'm lovin' it. I mean come on...We're all in this together!

Enjoy some pictures from this weekend!!

The Bride to Be!

Our newlywed :)

I love Jamie!

The new mommy! :)

My girls....

I love them so.....

\

Our food arrangement...it looked better live!! :)

The amazing cake...mmmmm!

Isn't her lingerie just gorgeous! ;)

Happy 22nd Birthday to my precious Joanna!!!

I can't believe this day is here simply because a year ago today we were on our way to Chuy's and I said "Can you believe at this time next year it will be 2 WEEKS before your wedding!" We never thought this day would come...and here it is!!! :)

I love you more than you know and absolutey cherish our friendship!!

Enjoy your last birthday as a single lady. And I will enjoy taking you out to dinner on your last single birthday!!

Happy Birthday and I love you!!

Once again, I am astounded that it is Friday. Where has my week gone?

I mean, I know where it's gone, but it has FLOWN by. And this is only the beginning.

I had a wonderful week. One filled with work, acting, High School Musical, debriefing, fellowship, fun dinner's, fun lunches and some bible study.

But, can I tell you the most exciting thing. I AM DONE WITH SUMMER SCHOOL. I am serious when I say Praise the Lord. I turned in my last 3 annotations last night, and I have never felt more relief or free. Now, all I have to focus on is Joanna's wedding (in TWO weeks!) and work. Oh, how excited that makes me!

I am now able to enjoy the weekend without school work haunting me. I am so glad!

Speaking of this weekend, I am overflowing with excitement. Why, you ask? Because it is the weekend of Joanna's lingerie shower/bachelorette party!! HOLLA!!! :) It should be a wonderful time, I am sure filled with many memories and laughs. I will post pictures upon our (tired) return.

Anyway, I am off. First to go practice my lines for VBS and then to bed. This girl is pooped. And yes, I just said pooped.

Signing off,
Lindsee Lou

Here are some promised pictures from Florida, at least for those who want to look at them! ;)

Y'all, I really can't explain this trip to you. If I could, I would do it in some song lyrics we sang all week because it explains my heart.

Some that really got my heart are "I am loved by the Father, I am loved by the Son, It is love that has captured the heart of this wayward one!" And, oh, how grateful I am. Can you comprehend how completely and perfectly you are loved by our Jesus, I know I can't. But, I want and love to know that it is more than anybody else can love me. I am still thinking about that song. He LOVES ME SO.

"I will lift my eyes, to the maker of the mountains I can't climb. I will lift my eyes, to the calmer of the oceans raging wild. I will lift my eyes, to the healer of the hurt I hold inside. I will lift my eyes..." This was such a visual song. We were at the ocean, the one that is raging. Sometimes I am raging and the only thing that can calm me is Him. So, I will lift my eyes, even when it's hard.

The last one is "You've stolen my heart, yes you have...You've wiped away the stains and broke away the chains, yes you have!" Have you let him steal your heart? I sang this, raising my hands to the one who has stolen my heart, but my question the whole time was, have I really let Him steal my heart? I want him to steal it, I yearn for Him to steal it. I yearn to be absolutely loved and complete in him. Oh, how hard it is sometimes. But, it is all for Him!! HE IS the King of the World.

A year ago today it was pouring down rain, and I was headed out to the Woodlands Pavilion to attend the Rascal Flatts Concert. Rain or shine, I was there!

Today, it has poured...ALL DAY! What is it with this rain on father's day 2 years in a row?! We met a sweet couple at lunch today who's plans were crushed because of the rain...no Lake Conroe for them today.

Aside from the rain, it IS Father's Day. So, here is to my wonderful Dad, whom I absolutely love and adore more than he will ever know. I adore his heart for people. I adore his laugh. His hugs. His dancing. And how he leads our home in a Godly way.

As I once told him, and I will tell him again, I hope I marry someone 'sort of' like him. ;) J/K, I do hope I marry someone like him. Because then I will be twice blessed.

I love you, Dad.

Dancing at Jen's wedding :)

My Family....Brien missed out!

My Happy Family...all of us!

Hello, everyone!! I am back from Florida and rested up! Thank you to everyone who prayed for us, they were heard! The Lord is so good. He showed up in such a mighty way and I couldn't be more grateful. The kids hearts were open, as well as the leaders and adults. What more could we ask for?!

I could go on and on and make this the longest blog post ever, but I will refrain. I'll let you entertain your mind as to how you think the Lord showed up!! :)

I am now home, rested and tan. But, I will have you know that I did wear my SPF just for you blog ladies. ;) But, being out in the sun 4 days in a row and no rain equals a tan. I can't complain.

Anyway, I have PLENTY of pictures for you. But, as for right now I have to go watch High School Musical to get ready for VBS. Yes, I am in the skit this year, Sharpay Evans, that's who I'll be!!

No worries, there will be a whole post dedicated to just pictures.

As for now, I'll leave you with what I got to see every night. Our Lord is the ultimate artist. I'll leave it to him to keep painting the sky!

*Edit: We were on the 22nd floor. Out of 23. Did I ever mention to anyone that I hate heights?! At least it was beautiful!!

In approximately 13 hours I will be on my way to Panama City Beach, Florida.

Each year the Sr. High spends a week down there swimming, fellowshipping, worshipping, laughing and all others sorts of things. I am so excited.

This year Nathan and I are the MC's. We've got some pretty elaborate ideas and costumes, we'll see how that goes! ;)

I know that each of us would covet your prayers. We are expecting the Lord to work in a mighty way, and once again, that can only be done through prayer.

Please pray for safety, health, stamina (a week is a long time!), energy, patience and most of all ONENESS as that is the theme for the week. We've already had a few bumps (the trip hasn't even begun) but we know the Lord is sovereign and He will provide.

I will miss you all but I know I will have MUCH to read about when I get back!

Thank you so much for being such faithful prayer warriors.

"I pray that they will all be one..." John 17:21

After the first line of this post, you may think I am crazy, but hang with me.

As you all know, for the millionth time, I was at Student Life (yada yada yada) last week with my Jr. Highers. And, as you all know, Vicky Beeching led worship for us. Yes, I have already mentioned how amazing she is, but y'all, her songs have truly just spoken straight to my heart the past week. I am so grateful to her for following Jesus.

She has a song called Captivated. If you get a chance, listen. It "captivates" you. But, if you know me, you know that I love anything with "captivated" in it. I love that word, mainly because I want to be Captivated by the one who has my heart.

Last week while at camp, I was looking at her CD that one of the girls had bought and was pondering whether or not I should invest (I am SO glad I did!) and saw that she had a song called Captivated. I immediately stated that that song was probably amazing, and was half tempted to buy it just because of that.

Low and behold, the last night of camp, Vicky started sharing a little bit about her testimony. She came to know Christ at a young age, then when to Oxford to study theology, all while she was writing and singing for the Lord. Now, at the age of 27, she let us know that she has come to completely fall in love with Jesus. Oh, how sweet this was to my ears. She said that he had 'captivated' her heart. Still a virgin and waiting for God's best, encouraging us that he does have a plan, but he needs to captivate our heart. I knew it. I knew she was gonna sing that for us and I was so excited I could have peed!

My whole point to this story is that my prayer for myself is that I would fall absolutely head over heals in love with Jesus. But, I have to let him in and tend to my heart. I have to accept that HE is that absolute best and that NOTHING else will satisfy my soul. Oh, how I want HIM. That I would never look away from HIM. That I would stare into the eyes of my beholder.

"May my life be one unbroken gaze, fixed upon the beauty of your face." -Vicky Beeching

Shelly, my precious blogging sister just wrote a post about how much the Lord loves us. Read this and be encouraged to know and rely on the love God has for us. It encouraged me greatly.

Lord, I want to be Captivated by you. Let know one or thing steal my heart away from you. Amen.

Hey, folks!!

Well, I will have you know that I have had a wonderful day...off!!!! :) JJ, my boss, was sweet enough to give me Monday off also, and I definitely used that day to catch up on some MUCH needed rest, it was a non-eventful and stress free day. Thursdays are our normal day off at the office, so, I was lucky to have 2 days off this week. (If you hear any complaining from me, just slap me and remind me of my off days!)

Anyway, as some of you may know, we leave for Florida bright and shiny on Sunday morning. So, this week has been "Get everything ready you possibly can at the office and home ready for Florida" week. It has been so fun. The past 2 days have been spent at the office, at a restaurant pinning down the details of Florida, at Big Lots, The Dollar Tree, or Wal-Mart. And yes, these have been spent with my favorite co-workers. Since Nathan, the other intern, didn't get into town until last Saturday, all 5 of us haven't been in the office together. He got here, then David and I left for Student Life Camp with the Jr. Highers. So, needless to say, this has been our first week all working together and it is so fun. We have been running around like chickens with our heads cut off, but at least we can all laugh and joke about it while still having a good time. I couldn't be more pleased. I know Florida will be a blast, I can't wait.

Today was spent, also, getting ready for Florida. But, not with the whole staff, just myself. It has been productive and I am so ready to leave for a week. I got a lot of Iron Chef stuff done with some other girls, and we can't wait for our "meal!" You see, we do the Iron Chef contest on this trip, and it is a huge deal. Everyone gets so into it, and in the end, we have winners who win "Iron Chef" hats. So fun. My girls are so creative.

Anyway, I thought I would post for a second while I wait for my grandparents to get here. Gramps and Barb live in Boulder, Colorado and drove down today to spend some time with us for the next few days. It should be fun! Actually, my whole family lives in Colorado, except for my immediate family. My mom told my dad she would NEVER live in Texas, let alone Houston. Well, here we are 22 years later, livin' it up in the great state of Texas. I am a Texan, born and raised here. I couldn't be more proud. Some people just don't get it! ;)

Lately I have been hearing a lot about how God is unchanging. This is truth, but something so hard for me to grasp sometimes. I think the reason I can't grasp it is because I am ever changing.

I was just talking about how so often I want to worship the Lord fully, but I can't because I haven't spent time with him alone in months. Or, I messed up that day, or whatever other reason I can think of. Clearly, that is a lie and me being legalistic. Sad, yes. But oh so true.

I have to then remind myself that we do not worship him because of our circumstances, but because of WHO HE IS. And that is unchanging. Praise the Lord. It doesn't matter where I am or where I've been, he still deserves my whole heart and all my worship!

This past week, as I said earlier, Vicky Beeching led worship for us at Student Life Camp. She wrote a song that we started and ended the week with and I am absolutely in love with it. The chorus says "Yesterday, today and forever, you are the same, you never change. Yesterday, today and forever, you are faithful and we will trust in you!"

The song is based off of Hebrews 13:8 which says "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

Praise the Lord! He is the same when we are scattered and constantly changing. Let this be an encouragement to you this week. It surely has encouraged my heart greatly!

Jesus, thank you for being an unchanging and constant God in this ever changing world. You are an anchor for our souls and something we can hold onto when our lives are constantly changing! You want and deserve our whole heart, and our worship. No one else is worthy! Take my ever changing heart and do with it what you want!!

What a wonderful weekend I had! I love wonderful weekends, because it makes the following week so much sweeter.

I turned 22 on Saturday. Wow, I am OLD! Totally kidding, I know I am still such youngan and have MUCH to learn, but I can't believe I am already 22. It seems from there that your "adult" life becomes much more official, if you will.

Anyway, I had a wonderful day. After running many errands, and getting ready for the evening, I had a wonderful party. Many people came over, and we cooked out. My dad grilled some wonderful hamburgers and sausage. It was a good time. Not to mention the amazing cookie cake that never ceases to satisfy me immensely. I love Cookie Cakes! I mean, who doesn't?!

I got some wonderful and creative things, and I am so grateful. My parents got me and iPod, I know I may be a little late, but I was ubber excited because I now have something to listen to on my 12 hour ride to Florida in a week!

So, thank you to everybody for helped make my birthday amazing. I truly love you all more than you will ever know! I am so loved and blessed.

Well folks, if you are wondering if I have fallen off the face of the earth...I haven't! I have just been, as I said earlier, insanely busy.

I just got back from Student Life Camp with a bunch of the Jr. Highers at my church. I am absolutely exhausted, but so refreshed. I'm not gonna lie, I was not in the best mood about going on the trip because I have been so busy, and I knew it would be a busy and exhausting week. But, the Lord is good, and he knew I needed to be there. I think I learned more than the campers! :)

With Student life there is never a dull moment. They keep you busy, busy, busy, yet it is absolutely thrilling at the same time. Our church did Mission Camp, as opposed to just Rec Camp. It was a good experience for the our kids, as well as myself. We served at an assisted living home for 3 days, for people mainly dealing with Alzheimer's. They are too funny, y'all! We had such a great time serving them.

Wes Hamilton was our speaker, and y'all, he can bring the word. I don't think I have ever taken as many notes as I did these past 5 days. Things I have heard my whole life, were brought to me with a totally new message. I love that, the Bible is never dull.

Vicky Beeching was our worship leader. Amazing, is all can say. She brought such a sweetness to the worship times. She was genuinely in love with our Jesus, and I loved that. Not to mention that she could sing, amazingly, play the guitar, play the piano, play the harmonica, and even juggle. I was always sad when we were done worshipping. She was just that good and the Lord has amazing plans for her.

Anyway, I would love to tell you what I learned, but since I just go back I am still processing it all. Just know that I learned ALOT! I walked away more in love with Jesus. Amen to that!

Love you all, and I've missed you. But, I'm back, until I leave for Florida in a week for the Sr. High Camp! Oh, it must be the summer for Camps!

Jaclyn and I about to leave the Austin House!

Making cards for all the residents!

Playing "horseshoe" with some of the residents :)

My little brother, that all I'll say.

My "mini me!" You gotta love it!

Sweet Megan decorated my room for my birthday :)

Then, they got Hannah and I a cake. Her birthday is today (June 1st) and mine is tomorrow (June 2nd). They were too sweet!

David and Angie ;)

All of our wreaths for the residents! :)

Making the wreaths!

Playing more games...

"Pretty Nails" time!

The fun stage...and Vicky leading worship!

The group I fell in love with!