Guess what?
I'm going on a mission trip to Galveston, Texas tomorrow! I'm heading with my youth group to do ministry work by doing hurricane relief and a VBS-like program. I'm trying to get excited, but I don't really feel like I'm going on a mission trip. Hopefully when we get there, the excitement will kick in. If you're reading this, you could definitely pray for our group as we're working down there for the next week. Pray for our safety as we travel the 18 hours from SoDak to Texas and spend the week working on houses. Pray for unity within our team, that we would get to know each other better and each come back with a life-changing experience.

So far, on my summer to-do-list, I'm doing pretty decent. I've read a book, finished reading the New Testament, learned "the call" by Regina Spektor on piano, had a sleepover, knit a headband AND blogged once every 2 weeks (at least as of now). I feel pretty good. Maybe I'll have to write a bigger list next time.

Still on my list to do this summer is dance, write a song, learn more chords on the piano, and listen to one conversation without distractions. Blogging every 2 weeks is kind of a continuous one, so that's not completely off the list...

My sleepover with one of my best friends was awesome. I forgot how good it felt to laugh so hard that your sides ache and tears are running down your face. Very refreshing. It's such a wonderful feeling knowing that you can be completely ridiculous around someone because they're just as weird as you. :)

laughter is

contagious,

refreshing,

restoring,

enjoyable,

rejuvenating,

one of the best feelings in the world.

Hey God.
I miss you. Can we hang out? Like all the time? :) Sometimes I can totally feel you. But right now, I feel like I have to try so hard to remember what you're like. I'm not complaining. At least I'm not trying to. And I am so grateful for all the greatness you have shown me. I am a little scared, though. I know life won't always bee this good. Trials are a comin'. I know that. Please give me the strength to come out victorious. I suppose I wasn't given my name for nothing. double negative... :( I know you are faithful and always will be.

God, I don't really know what you want with my life. I place my future in your hands. What you ask I will do. I have all these dreams and big ideas of what I would like to do. I know you give dreams for a reason, but how big is too big to dream? Everything is in your timing, my life in your hands.

God, bring me back to a place of surrender, of a need for you. I try to get by without you. The really upsetting thing is that I don't even realize it. I want you to be a part of everything I do, of every action of my day.

Thank you for creative outlets that you've given me. songwriting, piano, dance, guitar, knitting, writing, and blogging. Please show me ways to use my talents for your glory. It's all about letting others come to know you and your love. I want to share that love but I don't always know how. Help me.
I need your help everyday.
Become real and personal again.
Speak to me through your holy word.
I love you.

Victoria Audrey

Summer 2010 To-Do-List

-make an altered book

(pages from an altered book I did this Spring)

-read a book (or more than 1)

-finish reading the New Testament

-learn more piano chords

-memorize how to play songs on guitar and piano

-dance

-write a song

-take pictures one whole day, wherever I go

-listen completely to at least 1 conversation, no distractions

-have a sleepover

-knit a headband

-blog at least once, every 2 weeks

So this seems like quite the list, especially with only a couple months of summer left. Maybe it will become a year-long list :) I would be happy even if I did just one of these on my list. I think making lists helps me get motivated to do something. It helps push me to try something new and fun and hopefully get something out of the process.

Yesterday was the 4th of July. We had some visiting family over for fireworks. Some of us cousins got an old blanket and laid out under the stars. It was so beautiful. The stars were so brilliant, they looked close enough to grasp. I don't remember the last time the stars shone so bright, or the last time I even took the time to enjoy their beauty and mystery. It's really strange how some stars that we see today don't even exist anymore, it's just their light that we see. how sad that not everybody can enjoy the stars like I can. One of those advantages to living in the country, I suppose.

I should go outside more often.

And get lost in the stars.