#5: the screaming girls

No, I don't really like screaming girls...but it is what the reasoning for the screaming girls...well I don't really love that...but I love the spontaneity of the the screaming girls and my day yesterday.

So as I was sitting in Entertainment Publicity class, I was doodling and checking twitter (and listening to my professor of course!). Well one of my friends tweeted that Justin Bieber was in downtown Franklin (for those of you not around here, Franklin is right outside of Nashville and a fun/cute little town). Immediately I gasped and my class turned to me in wonder and I responded with "justin bieber is in Franklin!". They all either laughed, said "I heard!", freaked out with me, or rolled their eyes because this crazy college girl got excited about the Biebs. Apparently Selena Gomez was with him too, just shopping around. And they were to start filming for his christmas music video... Now to my though process. Well part of me was like umm I am just gonna drive down there and see if I get a glimpse, but then I knew it would be insaaaaane and I didn't want to go alone or miss church... I texted one of my small group girls that JB was in Franklin and she flippppped and said "let's go let's go!!!" I told her I didn't want to skip church, but at the same time this would be good bonding time for us. So drove from class, picked her up, and waited for a few hours until we saw him step off of that bus.


Here is downtown Franklin last night -->


The process of watching JB fans/waiting for him was pretty adventurous... I have never seen so many 'in love' girls with a celebrity. it is crazy, and sad in a way. One girl told me she would dieeeee if she didn't see him. I really just wanted to tell her about Jesus...while I think that JB is a good role model, I don't think he should be worshiped as he is...and that makes me sad. The security guard touched the bus and then touched the girls blocked off and they flipppped saying, "I touched Justin's bus!". I just laughed. And the screams..oh the shrill screams, kind of haunting. All in all, it was quite the experience. I am glad I went to watch some production, see Justin Bieber, and mostly observe all the crazy fans. Another reason why I liked yesterday is because it broke routine for me. Sometimes you just need that randomness to a day to make it that much better :)

So yes, check it off the bucket list. I have seen Justin Bieber live. He is as small as people say, and he seemed nice from a far - I mean he smiled at us! haha. I wonder what goes on in his head...

P.S - back in February I took a few of my girls to go see the movie...that is when I approved of him. Here's a pic from that :)

#4: coffee shops

I have to have a post to just the coffee shops in Nashville. I love them. And don't go to them nearly enough...but nonetheless love em!

Not only do they have fabulous coffee that could be locally roasted at some places, but the atmosphere at these coffee shops are so fun and inviting! My favorite is Edgehille Cafe - this summer I would go and sit and read. This cafe is decorated with urban-y decor that i would love to have in my house. I just love going and sitting/relaxing while sipping some coffee, listening to music...people watching...journaling. so wonderful!

Another favorite is Frothy Monkey off of 12th south. Or Fido on 21st, Ugly Mugs, Crema (which I still have yet to go to!). Who needs Starbucks when you have these places?!

While I love going to coffee shops, I honestly haven't been in a while. Life has gotten pretty crazy with work and school...I think my goal for this week is to go to one of them for at least an hour...yep, that's my goal for the week!

#3: the people!

So these first few posts are going to be pretty generic about Nashville and my love for it...I thought I would get the big obvious ones out of the way, then move into random reasons/more specifics of why I love this city!

So the people. Seriously, love them! This is a city with a small town feel...so basically you get the southern hospitality mixed in the city. Being a city girl myself, I grew up in the hustle and bustle known as metropolitan D.C. Love the city, but man the people are on a mission and on the go alllll the time! Going back to visit, I just feel stressed...

here in Nashville, it's different. I will have 20 minute conversations with people randomly at the grocery store, coffee shops, and even at work. People are so genuine and down to earth and want to know how you are doing, what's going on in your life, even what the Lord is doing! I love that. I love going out and almost always running into someone I know. I love being real and hearing the hearts of people I either know or have just met. That's another thing, you meet someone and typically get an instant connection/conversation.

Now this isn't true for everyone, I am sure, but this has just been my experience. I have sparked conversations with random strangers about football (especially when I see something Steelers), music, Pine Cove or Kanakuk, running, and whatever random things I can think of sometimes. It's great :) So people of Nashville - thank you!

Why I love Nashville #2: FSM

What is FSM you ask? Why it is Fellowship Student Ministries. I volunteer at my church (Fellowship Bible Church) as a 242 (small group) leader and LOVE it! I started last fall with 9th grade girls and surprised them with a little photo shoot. -->

I have more girls this year (around 15) and I just love them! I love walking alongside them as they go through life and high school, all the drama, struggles, and growth. I'm not gonna lie, they wear me outtt! But I love it :)

In addition to my 242 girls, I have been able to be the 'adult' (ha I still laugh at that one) on a student led mini mission trip to Birmingham. We redid two rooms at a halfway home for women as well as fed the homeless. It was such a great trip just to see these highschool kids take leadership and serve their hearts out!

We also have weekend retreats, like Camp No Boys Allowed (um sooo fun!), that I go on. I love FSM because I am my crazy self. I love the kids that are there as well as the other leaders who have the same passion as me: to love and speak truth into the lives of highschoolers.

Through volunteering with FSM, I have noticed my passions and desires after I graduate have changed a bit...even though I am majoring in Recording Industry, I actually want to go back to school eventually to get a masters in counseling. Crazy, huh? The Lord has just placed a passion in my heart to love women who struggle, whether it be abuse, or eating disorders, or even relationships. I love the feeling I have when I leave youth group every Wednesday night, spent because I gave all the love I had to give, through the power and grace of Christ.

God has blessed me with the opportunity to serve and love on high school girls and I couldn't be happier.

Why I Love Nashville #1

So my blog is going to be dedicated now to reasons why I love the great city of Nashville...where I live. There are just a lot of things I love about this city, and a lot of blessings that I just want to share!

Reason #1: the music scene

Nashville isn't known for being the music city for nothing! There is constantly concerts going on, and a lot of times free ones! Being a once-upon-a-time musician/songwriter, I just love the atmosphere that music brings a city. You can always find musicians hanging out in the 'cool' coffee shops and the vibe that creates is pretty fun to be around.

Since being in Nashville I have seen the following: Dave Barnes (multiple times), Steve Moakler (also multiple times), Matt Wertz, Amy Stroup, Trent Dabbs, Ben Rector, Needtobreathe, Amos Lee, Hanson, Jars of Clay, Derek Webb, Love & Theft, Taylor Swift (no, I did not pay for this concert), Natalie Grant, Montgomery Gentry, Gretchen Wilson, Brandon Heath, Andrew Belle, Darius Rucker, an

d whoever played at the Dove awards!

<---pic of me and Dave!

Now if this list doesn't make you wanna come to Nashville, then I dunno what will! Keep in mind that I probably haven't spent more than $100 on all of these concerts! Yeah...how awesome!

So come visit me, and I'm sure you'll be here around a time when we can go listen to some good music :)

Remember when

So it has been 10 years.

10 years since our country was turned upside down.

10 years since that day when life as we know it would change.

forever.

I remember that day

the fear, the chaos, the unknown

I remember giving my dad the BIGGEST hug after he made it out safely from the Pentagon

I remember watching the news, hearing stories of friends and families

I remember our country joining together as one

I will forever remember where I was when I heard the news (7th grade lunch room)

I will always remember the pictures, the signs, the flag that was flown.

I will remember seeing the smoke.

I remember those who have given and lost their lives. Their sacrifice.

Most importantly, I will always remember that God is Sovereign.

And how blessed we are to live in a country filled with FREEDOM and men and women who fight daily for that.

I can't believe it has been 10 years...