Isn't she pretty?

A little bit about her: Taylor 810 - CE - LTD made of Madagascar rosewood back and sides, curly maple backstripe, maple bindings, fancy fingerboard inlays, factory installed electronics, 2006 Fall Limited Edition model, HC, MSLP $3848......$2500

BIG discount!!!!

I'm gonna go look at her tomorrow and then be really sad when I dont have the money to fork over. haha

I'm Frozen... or atleast I should be.

I would just like everyone is nice, warm California to know that while you are enjoying your so-called "chilly 70 degree night, I am freezing my butt of at 0. Yeah thats right 0 DEGREES.


This is just crazy... but its kinda fun :)


Today I went out and looked at some guitars, as well as talked to an INCREDIBLY talented man by the name of George McIntyre (He was a guitar professor at USC and now he produces, records, and is a studio musician). He told me all that I could do to get a better sound out of my guitar and what I should be looking for in a new one. He also showed me his studio and the countless guitars that he has changed around. It was really cool.
Then I went to a guitar boutique called Artisan Guitars. They were very knowledgeable and showed me tons of really cool guitars made by small independent builders. One of the coolest types are made by Composite Acoustic. They actually make the guitars out of composite wood instead of solid types and they have a really unique sounds. Anyways, I am blabbering....


After the guitar shop, my grandma and I stopped by this small subsection of "The Factory" (which is a small mall-like shopping center where the guitar boutique was located) that was full of handmade jewelry and art made by native american in the area. My grandma bought me these BEAUTIFUL earrings that each have a small yellow Mcaw feather and they are held together by a small metal cone. She told me that she chose to use the cones because they had a really cool back story. The native americans have a special dance called the "jingle dress dance." It is done by women in the tribe and they wear dresses that are covered with these small cones:


Each one of the cones represent a prayer of healing and when the women dance, it is seen as a giant prayer for each of the individual needs as they move. I thought it was such a beautiful thing.

Since then, I have been to starbucks, a small birthday party, and now I am just trying to stay warm, which was what this post was originally supposed to be about. haha. Anyways, I will be back this Sunday. Until then, be happy you're warm!

oh and some pictures

I decided to post some pictures of a few things so far...

Puckett's in Downtown Franklin

My cousin's dogs (whom i love if you cant tell)

My grandma's dog, Charlie


Outside of the Station Inn
If you EVER go to Nashville, check this place out on a Monday night. You will love it.

Ranger Doug of the Riders in the Sky at the Station Inn

All of these musician are extremely talented. And they all just come together ever Monday night to play. They are called the Time Jumpers and they have been nominated for countless awards. The band consists of Dawn Sears(vocals), Carolyn Martin(vocals), Aubrey Haynie (Fiddle), Paul Franklin (steel guitar), Kenny Sears(vocals and fiddle), Andy Reiss (electric guitar), Joe Spivey (fiddle), Ranger Doug (acoustic guitar and vocals), Rick Vanaugh (drums), Dennis Crouch (stand up bass), and Jeff Taylor (vocals and accordian).

Larry Gatlin of the Gatlin Brothers happened to be there, so he came up and sang.

Heather and I after the night was over.


So theres a little piece of what has happened so far. MORE TO COME!

4 days in.

So, I am not avidly posting mostly because I have been so busy. I dont want to go into depth on what I have experienced so far (because its a lot. but a lot of goooood) so I will just let you all know that God is really working me while I am here. I am really seeing Him move amongst his people and in me. It gets me excited for coming back home. I know that God has a lot in store for me and I just want all of Him.

Here are the lyrics for 2 different songs that we sang in church today. They describe it perfectly:


All of Me

All of me, You deserve all of me
I will give all of me to You Lord
Nothing back, I will hold nothing back
Help me hold nothing back from you Lord

I was wandering lost in darkness
I was wounded and wrapped in pain
Then You called me like the sunrise
Out of the dark into the light of day

I was fighting the same old battles
I was struggling down the same old road
Then you wispered, "My yoke is easy
It's time to rest and let me bear that load"



More

You have healed my broken heart
Your perfect love defeats my dear
You have freed me from all shame
Now I rejoice as You draw near

And I want more, more of Your goodness
More, more of Your presence
More, more of Your glory Lord
I want more, more of Your fullness
More, more of Your nearness
More, more than I've known before
I want more

To see the beauty of Your face
As you restore the stolen years
This has become my great desire
So I rejoice as You draw near

I want more, I want more
I want more, I want more

And I want more, more of Your goodness
More, more of Your presence
More, more of Your glory Lord
I want more, more of Your fullness
More, more of Your nearness
More, more than I've known before
And I want more, more of Your goodness
More, more of Your presence
More, more of Your glory Lord
I want more, more of Your freedom
More, more of Your kingdom
More, more than I've known before

I want more.

In just about 12 hours, I will be sitting on a plane headed toward Nashville, Tennessee and it is for that reason that I am not sleeping and really don't feel like sleeping anytime soon. My living room floor is covered with suitcases (for me to choose from), all of my clothes, electronics, and other travels needs. I've watched a little Friends, and now Jay Leno is interviewing "the snake man." So, because I will be gone, one of two things will happen to my blog. Either 1) I will post just about every day, or 2) There will be another 2 week gap of not writing. I am hoping the first one happens.

Reading today:

"But exhort one another daily, while it is called 'Today' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 3:13

When we sin, it begins a hardening process in our hearts. The longer we allow the sin, the harder our hearts become toward any type of change. It is our responsibility as Christians to exhort and encourage one another when we see sin or hardening of hearts occurring. It is a daily process. We can not wait. Today is the day to exhort and encourage one another. What are you waiting for? What am I waiting for?

More to come on Tennessee, music, travels, and Jesus. In the meantime, here are some pictures from my last trip!



Outside of my cousins house
and
2 of my favorite dogs:

Samson

Charlie