Upcoming Shows

I have a few shows coming up...check them out at www.myspace.com/seekimrock

I am still looking for places to play, though - so if you know of anywhere, let me know!

Next Gen Worship

I read an article today on the Worship Together site (great site, by the way - free membership too!). You can read it here at least for a little while longer (they change pretty regularly). The article is called, "Raising Up the Next Generation" and is about giving young people a chance to serve in worship ministry. I love the heart of this article. I believe it's our responsibility as lead worshippers to teach people what worship is and how to worship. This is not to say that we have it all figured out, though. Just that we are supposed to be focused on helping others learn about worship - and equipping them to someday teach others in the same way. I sincerely hope that God will use me to do just that. It is my heart's desire to help others to love Jesus more with their lives & talents. I have been given the gift of music & I pray that I will never stop being amazed at how incredible it is - and that I will be able to use that gift to bring glory to the One who gave it to me.

Women of Worth

It's not too late to RSVP!! My sister, Kristen Svajda, will be speaking & I will lead in a few songs for worship. We would love to have you there!!

What I'm reading...

I'm currently reading 2 books. I know that's crazy to those who know I really don't like to read. But I am - and I intend to finish them both - and soon. The first is "The Church of Irresistible Influence" by Robert Lewis & Rob Wilkins. The second is "The Next Generation Leader" by Andy Stanley. The next gen leader is pretty dead on - and pretty timely for me right now. But I think the church of irresistible influence, though, is pretty timely for all of us - for all of God's church. It asks some pretty hard and important questions about whether we are having an impact on the culture and community around us. Here are a few of the questions...

How does the community around you "know" your church? Do they feel a positive connection with it?

What kinds of "living proof" has the community around you experienced of your church's Christianity?

What kind of impact do you believe today's church is having on our culture?

The back cover of the book says this: "A city set on a hill, inescapably visible. A lit lamp brilliantly illuminating the darkest room."

This is my prayer today for my church, FBC Watauga. I pray that this will become our heart's cry. That everything we do will be for the purpose of building bridges to the lost in our community - and that lives will change as a result of our obedience to be that "city on a hill". I can envision the influence we (the church as a whole) can have on the community around us. We could be making such a visible difference that those around us would so easily and obviously see Jesus in us. I am overwhelmed today with that possibility. I cannot think of much else lately. I hope to stir your hearts at least a little to realize what could be - and should be. We should be that city on a hill - the salt and the light. We should be affecting the world around us. We should be affecting the people around us. I pray that we will each begin to understand more fully the responsibility we carry as followers of Christ, and that we would begin to make EVERY effort to live it out fully.

Family Photos

We took some family photos last night at the Botanic Gardens with our friends, the Hudsons. My bro-in-law, Anthony, was our photographer. You can view some of the pics on his website here - http://www.anthonyspics.com/

While you're there, you should check out the rest of his gallery. - I especially love the pics from his recent trip to Peru. Check them out!

Girls, Girls, Girls

Most mornings I wake up weary and stressed about the day ahead - with 3 girls, and one very stubborn dog. This morning I woke up feeling very blessed specifically because of all of the things that normally cause so much stress. Perhaps it is partially because my youngest slept for 5-6 hours straight last night (can't remember exactly when she went down) which is amazing! I only had to wake up to feed her once in the middle of the night. Maybe it's because my middle daughter, who normally is a bit of a handful, has been uncharacteristically sweet lately. Or maybe it's because my oldest daughter, who is normally at school during the day, has been staying home sick since Monday - and is abnormally quiet when she's sick. Maybe it's all of the above. I just know that this morning, while I was in my morning routine - changing diapers, picking up trash, starting a load of laundry, letting the dog out, feeding the kids, and the list goes on - I was overwhelmed with the fact that I am a very blessed woman. My kids, although difficult most of the time, are so incredibly special. They are beautiful and smart and sweet - and I love them desperately. My husband often forgets to take the trash out in the morning (we end up with multiple bags of trash daily), but this morning remembered - which made me feel loved and taken care of (silly, I know - but it is what it is).
I know I sound a little sappy this morning. I know it may seem silly. I just had to make note of this moment since they come so rarely. I hate that most of the time I am focused on the difficulties and annoyances instead of the wonderful and amazing things about being a wife and mom. I hope that I can hold on to this moment a little longer - and maybe remember it more often in the future. I would encourage you to take a minute today and realize how amazing your life is. What are you grateful for? What are the things you can't imagine your life without? Thank God for them. He didn't have to give me an amazing husband and 3 beautiful girls. He chose to - and for that I can't help but be a little emotional this morning.

Making a comeback

After a multi-month hiatus from playing guitar with the youth I finally returned to my post tonight. After some technical difficulties, we finally were able to quickly run-through the songs about 15 mins to start time. 2 of the 3 songs were pretty new to me (and everybody else) and so I was a weird mix of excited and nervous about it all. I love new songs - and couldn't wait for everyone else to experience them the way I have. One of the new songs was "Reign In Us" from Starfield's new album. Not my favorite on the album (that would be I Will Go), but def in my top 3. Anyway, I felt like I flubbed the guitar playing (I never claimed to be a guitarist), sped up what I should have slowed down, couldn't find the words to say what I wanted to say, and as a whole barely got through it all.
All this to say that I am not the most talented, the most prepared, the most confident, the most comfortable - but I am, amazingly, still allowed by God to do something that makes my soul so entirely happy. I am almost always nervous & I have no idea whether it makes any difference to anyone - but God still allows me to be a part of His big picture & I am completely humbled by it all.
I guess that's all I wanted to say. I'm feeling really grateful tonight and thought I should share.

Welcome Baby Maya - and other family updates.

This post is a little late in the posting, but I thought it still should be done.
We welcomed our third baby girl into the world at about 3pm on March 25th. She was 8 lbs and 1 oz - the biggest of my babies. Here are a couple pics...

Maybe I should also give an update

on the rest of the family... Elisa is 7 going on 13 and is smarter than ever, cuter than ever & definitely my pride and joy...

Syd is my crazy girl - she jumps off of anything without warning, eats dog treats despite my pleadings not to & is so much fun to have around...

And last & also least (since he's a dog), on Dec 1st - our puppy, Tux, was born. He was pretty small at first but has since grown into a pretty darn big dog - and pretty obnoxious too... The first was from February and the last one from March I think. He's quite a bit bigger now!

That's all I got - it's amazing how quickly we've become a family of 6 (including Tux). We were just 3 for so long - 6 years actually. Then came Syd and then Tux and then Maya. Crazy! We can't even all fit in the car. I guess a minivan is in our future. Golly.

Getting Serious

I read a post today by Heather Zempel, who is the Pastor of Discipleship at National Community Church in Washington DC. It is very timely for me and for my church (FBC Watauga). You should read it here. It's short and well worth the read.

She talks about what she calls a "holy desperation". I completely agree with everything she says. If we were to get really serious about the things of God - we'd be putting a whole lot more effort into seeing people as He sees people, into preparing ourselves to be a part of His work, and into being who He's called us to be.

I sincerely hope and pray that tomorrow I will be different than today - that I will be more serious about what God has called me to - and about the people around me who desperately need Jesus!