I ♥ Music

So on top of college exam week being over and making all A's, several new things musically have come up.

I really wanted to talk about this a few months ago but felt it better to wait. I'm glad I did. One of the main reasons I started going to the BCM was because of a series of emails I got from the BCM director. He was looking for a new worship leader. I was reluctant to step up because I figured there were much more talented kids (actually, I knew for certain there were much more talented kids there). But after the third email, I replied back and told him I'd be willing to play guitar, but that when it came to leading worship, I wasn't going to be able to do that. Mom and I discussed this, and in light of the fact that God has been calling me to really step out in faith lately and that that includes FULLY stepping into my calling, I emailed Damon back and said, "Hey, alright, I'll lead worship too if you still need it." So we got to talking about it. And while I'm not actually going to be leading worship here at the BCM for this semester, I will be on an outreach team that leads worship at different Baptist churches and events in the area. I can not tell you how excited I am about this... I love music, I love the idea of getting to lead worship, and I love that I get to spend my life working with music. I mean, how much better can it get? :] Needless to say, I've been playing guitar a lot more lately. My desk is quickly becoming a storage place for worship music. And I'm working on the singing and playing in front of people... but just keep praying that I relax about that. :]

There's still a bigger thing regarding music education/preparation that I'm still waiting for an answer on. I'm certain that there will be a day that I get to talk to you about it, but for now I have to wait. And this waiting sometimes discourages me... Earlier this week, I was talking with my mom and had decided that I was going to apply to a college that I had once told both my parents that I would NEVER attend because I didn't like it. I read up on it and had been praying that if God wanted me to go there that He'd make my heart soft and accepting towards the college... and as I looked at their website, I thought, "Hey, I could do this... it's a good college, full of friendly people, good academics, and I could also have fun here." So, I thought, "Okay, maybe I should just apply." I talked to Mom, and once again, she reminded me that God had asked me to step out in faith and that He had given me these dreams. So, right now, even though I get frustrated sometimes with this wait and all the uncertainty about my future and what will happen, I know I can be secure in the fact that God knows EXACTLY what He's doing, even when it doesn't make sense to me.

And to top all of this off, I found out that Tenth Avenue North is coming out with a new cd. In case you haven't listened to them, their biggest songs are "By Your Side", "Love Is Here", and "Hold My Heart". Another favorite of mine (probably my ABSOLUTE favorite from them) is "Beloved". Both the original and acoustic versions are so intricately beautiful. And the rest of their songs are fantastic worship songs... seriously amazing. I can not WAIT to get my hands on that cd. :]

So tell me, what's something in your life that you've had to wait for with a very rewarding result?

Until the next adventure,
Audra E.

The BCM

Well, hey there. I'm back, much sooner than normal! :]

Since I'm here at the BCM and have some time on my hands, I figured I'd clue you in on the BCM, which has pretty much become one of the top three places you can currently find me - 1 being home, 2 being college, and you can guess what number 3 is. :]

BCM stands for Baptist Collegiate Ministry. However, if you're like my mom, you'll probably call it the Baptist Student Union no matter how many times your 16 year old daughter tells you differently. :] I'm normally here four out of the five school days, and I'm thinking about just driving in on my off days just to hang out and have a different place to do schoolwork.

I'm going to be really sad to leave come May... I've only been here 3 or 4 weeks and already love being here. Of course, it hasn't all been smooth sailing... my first time here, I felt like a little fish in a very big pond. I knew nothing about the building, hardly anything about the BCM, and no one I knew was there. So... I became a little nerd and spent most of my time in the library for my first few visists, just listening and observing. I finally got up the nerve to wander around the building, because you know... everybody else did, so I figured I was welcome to as well. Now I feel like I have a grip on things here and feel comfortable enough with my surroundings to open up a little more. I'm excited to see what will happen here in the next few weeks.

Well, I think most of the guys are in the back playing Halo, and there are only two or three of us here in the front... so while it's quiet and there aren't kids running around, screaming, and playing ping-pong (which is QUITE HILARIOUS, I must say. I got SOO many laughs just watching my first few times here...), I'm going to go study some chemistry since I have class tonight and my first exam next Monday.

What's something new in your life that you're excited about?

Until the next adventure,
AE