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The snow here is melting. The sun is shining. The grass is green!!

...What a tease. :P

Have a happy new year everyone! :D

Beauty Will Rise

This CD, Beauty Will Rise, from Steven Curtis Chapman, is the most incredible collection of music I have ever heard. Words can't even describe the beauty of this album... From first song to last, it's like listening to a story play out.

When his little girl, Maria Sue, died in a tragic accident, Steven Curtis Chapman channeled his pain, his thoughts, his hope, into his music. Thus, this album was born.

I remember the first time I listened to it the whole way through; it was such an intense emotional experience. I was laying on my bed, in the dark with my headphones in, just listening to the words. Each song is so impactful, with so much emotion poured into it. There were moments while listening where I just couldn't help but sob; other moments simply required silence, and recognition. And then there were the truly beautiful moments, the glimpses of joy and hope that provoked smiles and even a tiny laugh here and there.

The layout of this album is so...real. Yeah, I know, that sounds funny. But what I mean is, it starts out with so much hurt, so much pain that you can't help but to feel it with Steven as he sings. But by the very last song, you realize that the hope, and the promise of seeing his Maria Sue again outweighs the pain. By the end, you've heard the faith that Steven has, that leads him to sing out "You are faithful", "I will trust You", to our Savior. The very last song, "Spring is Coming" is just the most perfect ending to this album; it's uplifting, and tells of how spring is coming! The darkness and dreariness cannot last forever...and we have the promise that spring is coming.

This CD is like a book of psalms...and the words are wonderful. There have been so many times where I've been feeling down, or negative, or whatever, and like a Bible verse would pop into your head, so do Steven's words.

Give this album a try; you won't regret it. ;)

"I mean, that's all any of us wants: to find a nice person to hang out with till we drop dead. That's not a lot to ask!"

-Lorelai Gilmore

Amen, sista friend.

I looove Gilmore Girls. It's pretty much the only good thing on TV ;)

"Over the mysteries of female life there is drawn a veil best left undisturbed."

I absolutely adore this movie. And the fact that right after John Brooks says that quote ^^^ the scene goes to the girls dressed up and play-acting, being completely silly!

This has been one of, if not, my favorite movie for as long as I can remember. I find it fascinating...and I'm always envious of the relationship the sisters have: they're the very best of friends, who share their "most appalling secrets", and are constantly playing, despite their mature ages. I just love getting pulled into their story, and laughing with them, crying with them.

"Doesn't he have a noble brow? If I were a boy, I'd want to look just like that."

Embrace Life

So I saw this a while ago, and found it to be so incredibly "Wow!". I love love love it.
Seriously, watch it. It's so impactful.
Oh, and make sure your sound is on ;)

An Idea...

I like the idea of sharing little things I find inspiring, or touching, or whatever...So I think I just might change the focus of this blog to things more like that. I mean, I'll still share little moments that are all ME every now and then...but I'm going to make a point of posting at least once a day something I find snazzy. A video, a song, a quote...This is also a good way for me to actually have a little bit of dedication when it comes to blogging!

I'm also working on tweeking my blog layout...fun fun!

So yeah! Enjoy, my very few followers ;D

-Lauren

"I finally understood what true love meant...love meant that you care for another person's happiness more than your own, no matter how painful the choices you face might be."

-Nicholas Sparks, Dear John