Tuesday Tunes with Songs that Grace will Hate with an All Consuming Passion.

Hey peoples! Grace, you have been warned. Today's song is by Lecrae, an amazing christian rapper. (again, Grace, you have been warned) I really enjoy a lot of his music, and I'm going to post a few of my favorite songs. The lyrics are deep and thought provoking. Unfortunately, I can't get the music on here, so I suggest searching the following song titles on YouTube:

 1. Children of the Light.

2. Chase That.

3. Used to do it Too.

4. Free from it All.

5. Background.



Take a listen. ~Promise.

When You've Got to Surrender -- Grace

It's been one wild ride of a week.  I mean, this week could have been comparable to the world's tallest roller-coaster.

The latter half of this week found me questioning a lot of things.  You see, I like to know what to expect.  Even though I'm flexible in the minor things of life, I like to know the big things.  You know -- the super big stuff, like what grade I'm going to be in and what I want God wants me to do in my life.  (And yes, you're probably saying I'm crazy, but I like to know what my biggest calling is.  You know, some people are nurses, and some are teachers, and some are musicians.  For a long time, I've felt like I could be none of these...or all three...or something else, but I didn't know what).

I have questioned since Thursday a lot of things that I've already prayed about a ton.  Right now in my life I see two very distinct paths, a fork in the road.  And, as I can see it now, they both look straight and narrow.  Yet I know the Lord is very much interested in which one I shall take...and I am sure there is an answer that He would give to me.

The thing is...I've prayed about all of this before...and I'm pretty sure I know what He wants me to do.  The only problem?  I want to take the other road.

As a result of this desire and a retreat I've been attending this weekend, I wrote...this.

I stand before a parted road;

I see now two paths ahead.

And both are straight and narrow ways...

I cry to Christ Who bled,

"So bright the things I could achieve --

I'd be rich beyond compare!

Yet still I find I'm asking me,

'Would I find my Savior there?'

There's a widened road ahead of me;

I see it now so near...

Yet if I take that winding path,

I'd lose what I hold dear.

Though other callings tempt me still,

I'll walk the narrow way --

Though bright the things that call to me,

I'll go for You today."

:)

What is Beauty? Let's Chat...

Just a fair warning, this is going to be a very girl-centered post. ;)



So, this is me. Remnants of eyeliner still on my face, but other than that, no makeup.

As you know, I like doing my own, and other people's makeup. I'm a bit of an artist, so it sort of feels like an extension of painting. I love making people's features stand out. I believe that every person is beautiful, and they don't need to wear makeup if they don't want to. I also like to try makeup looks that aren't natural, just for fun. Today I did my makeup based on how social media sees beauty. Contour, filled in brows, full lips, perfect eye makeup (or as close to perfect as I could get it)

  Now I'm beautiful.

  Or...Am I?

   Why is this girl beautiful, and the other isn't? As I looked in the mirror, I was kind of shocked. I didn't really look like me anymore. I looked like a painted on mask.

   Now, I'm not at all slamming girls that want to do their makeup this way. It's fun to experiment and find new looks, what I am saying is this: Don't lose yourself in the process. Don't buy into the lie that you must look this way to have worth. Your worth doesn't come from tube of face paint. Your worth comes from the one who made you with worth. God. I know this sounds like the most cliche post ever, but people need to hear it. We all struggle with things that we don't like about our selves. I wish my nose was longer, I wish I didn't have acne, I wish I had fuller lips and defined cheekbones like Grace, perfect wavy hair and poise like my friend Kathryn, Kat's beautiful turquoise eye color and mischievous smile. But I'll bet there are things that they feel insecure about. Funny, huh? I guess my point is, embrace your God given beauty. Don't feel like you have to cover up your face. Let who God created shine through. Beauty is more that what you can see on the outside. Take my mom. She's pretty on the outside and all, but what really makes her beautiful is her deep love and loyalty to her friends and family, her caring nature and bubbly laughter. Most of all, her commitment to follow Christ and her trust in God. THAT is beauty.

   I have a challenge that I'd like to issue. Post one thing that you're insecure about into the comments. It could be a facial feature, a hobby, you name it. Maybe by admitting what holds us back will help us move past them.

And you, reading this post.

   I just want you to know, you are unconditionally loved and more beautiful, inside and out that you can imagine.

Love, Promise.

12 Things Homeschooling Seniors Think

One for every year of school.  ;)

12. "....COLLEGE??!?!?!?!"

11 "You mean like with a classroom?"

10 "And homework?"

9. "AND SCHEDULES??!?!?!?!!"

8. "I need a job...."

7. "I hope I get into that rad Chistian university...."

6.  "It's much too late to go public now..."

5. "I WILL NOT!"

4. "What am I supposed to do?"

3. "HELLO, GOD??  WHAT IS MY CALLING????"

2. "Oh my heavens, PLEASE let me pass the HiSET...."

1. "DONE!  I AM DONE!"

Tuesday Tunes with Mathew West.

Hey everyone! Another Tuesday, another Tuesday Tunes! Today we have a song called 'You are Everything' by Mathew West. I love the piano in this song, as well as the lyrics. He conveys such a passionate love for God through his music. I've long admired his position as a Singer/Songwriter. Check it out!
God bless! Keep your chin up. ~Promise.

Tuesday Tunes with Feel Better Music

Hey. Today kinda stinks, so I'm doing a list of songs that make me feel better. These songs tend to help me see the more positive side of life, and help me when I'm down. They start out as how I feel, and gradually turn into how I want to feel. Enjoy. ~Promise.

Things People Say to Thyroid Patients (And Their Responses) -- Grace

1. "Why don't you go outside? It might make you feel better."
What I say: "Oh, maybe I'll go for a walk tomorrow..."
What I think: "I can't even open my eyes outside.  How will that make me feel better??"

2. "Are you sure you're sick?  You don't look like it."
What I say: "Yeah, I went to the doctor for it."
What I think: "I'm in chronic pain, with chronic insomnia and exhaustion, cold intolerance, brain fog, anxiety, depression, slow metabolism, GI issues, and an enlarged thyroid....yeah, you're right.  All in my head."

3. "You're a teenager.  It's normal to be tired."
What I say: "I'm going to bed."
What I think: "....For seven months???"

4. "All you need to do is exercise and eat more healthy.  You'll lose that weight in no time!"
What I say: "Yeah!......"
What I think: ".............................."

5. "I fight hypothyroidism too.  I know how hard that is; I've walked that road myself for many years. Why don't you go take a nap?"
What I say: "Great idea!"
What I think: "YOU ARE THE KINDEST AND MOST WONDERFUL AND UNDERSTANDING AND AMAZING PERSON EVERRRRRRR!!!!!!"

:) I decided to turn a hard day into one which I could laugh at.  :) Zzzzzzzz, Grace

Tuesday Tunes with Jonny Diaz

Hello and welcome to the double h blog! Today on Tuesday Tunes we have Breathe by Jonny Diaz. This is a great message, especially for a 'super stresser' like me. I love how this song has a fast beat at the beginning, like a fast heartbeat, then it stops when you hit the chorus. I think the song gets the point across while being incredibly entertaining and creative. Enjoy!
~Promise.

(thank you random commenter for reminding me of this song!)

Sixteen Things Piano Players Say or Think

So, for my eighth anniversary of being married to my piano, I thought I'd post this.  :) Enjoy!

16.  “What level are you in?” 

“Um…..I’ve been playing for eight years and I just finished Chopin’s Prelude in E Minor?”

15.  “What’s the name of that song by Bach?  You know, the one that goes, duh-duh-duh-duh-duh?”

14.  “Would you mind turning pages for me this weekend when I play for the quartet?”

13.  “Sorry, I can’t hang out.  I’m practicing.”

12.  “You thought I was kidding when I said I practice all day??”

11. *Person asks question while I’m playing the piano* “……….nnnnoooo……..”

10.  “Five…..SHARPS???!???!!!?!?!”

9.  “I swear I played that key.  For some reason the sound didn’t come out.”

8.  “Ahh, yes, this measure.  I’ve played it ten times every day for the past two weeks.  It sounds great now.”

7.  “Hold on, let me take my shoes off.”

6.  “The house is empty?  I hope the neighbors like Anton Dvorak’s Largo from the New World Symphony!”

5.  “….my brain forgot how to do this….but my fingers didn’t…”

4.  “Dang key changes.”

3.  “Dear vocalist: please come in on time – NOT TOO EARLY!!!!!”

2.  *Thinks back on life’s story* “….I just played that song perfectly….”

1.  “Music is my life.  There is nothing else I love quite as much as sitting down on a piano bench and playing my sorrows away.”

~ Grace

Tuesday Tunes ON TUESDAY!

I did it! I actually have Tuesday Tunes going on Tuesday! Hurray! Today I'm doing two songs (I'm limiting myself to ONE Relient K...) The first one is Getting into You by Relient K. I love this song because it's sweet and thoughtful. I love the line that says 'I'm getting into you, because you got to me...' It's great how God seems to get to people, right? Enjoy.







The second one is by Hollyn. This girl has a wonderful, powerful voice that gives me goosebumps. I love this song, All I Need is You. It's a cover of Lecrae's song. (and I do love Lecrae) I love the way she adds her own personal flair to the song, while keeping the same over all feel of the music.




Hope your day is blessed! ~Promise.