READ

Today I pretty much only listened to rap and I Love It and also Tim McGraw (the song, duh) and All Too Well. All Too Well is a great song when you're bored because a) it tells a story b) has an irregular song structure and c) gives way for a lot of opportunity to be overly dramatic in your singing. I also sort of did a dramatic reading of that song and that was pretty funny. Maybe I will make a video later and post it for ya. I also attempted to sing some more recent Taylor Swift songs with her old country voice. That got weird. I'm feelin' 22 y'all 

Next, 

Listen to this song

Now, tell me you're not impressed with the fact that after today, I know EVERY WORD

EVERY WORD 

Don't ask me how many times I listened to it (I also listened to Fallin' Down an embarrassing number of times. And still don't know all the words. But as long as you say "Holla mayday!" really enthusiastically at the right point in the song, you're good with that one)

They reference over 40 books and authors! 

I admit that this song is probably only cool if you read a lot of Christian books, but since I do, I think it is basically one of the cleverest raps EVER! 

This is my favorite verse, and also the first one I successfully figured out. 

I'm going to show you where the references to books are in this verse because I know not everyone on my blog roll regularly reads three books a week...

If you start with the inspired text then you'll find
A message divine that'll shape you when it enters your mind
In fact the pleasures of God get better with time
Put amazing back into grace with the letters of John
Newton - whoa - I ain't trying to be all highfalutin
But you'll find prudence reading lectures to my students
Ephesians 4:11 gifts from our Lord and Master
Preaching and preachers will help reform(ed) pastor(s)
Baxter, Richard, I demand Scripture
Cats be like what, son? Godly man's picture
Time is now to think about these topics that'll suit ya
The mystery of providence, the Bible and the future
I'm chosen by God just to put a little Sproul in this
And JC got me riled up about holiness *
The cross of Christ paid the price this tot was owing
And The Glory of Christ is why I'm flowing
Read

*This is the best because the author's name is JC Ryle and he wrote a book called Holiness. Get it?! Ryle/riled

West west west

Today I ate breakfast in Fort Collins with Lauren. We ate a place that's a hundred years old and it was awesome. We also walked around town. I love it! 

That's a breakfast quesadilla with eggs, cheese, onion, spinach, tomato, pepper, and avocado. 

Anyway then I had to leave which was sad but the drive was sooo beautiful. But it was also real windy. There were signs letting me know that it was 40mph! Aka hard to drive a car in. There were also no Starbucks so in protest I got a dr. Pepper with vanilla in it and sour cherry bites and gummy worms. So much for the healthy snacks I packed...

I had wonderful times of worship today. Because I know Who made all of this: 

These pictures do not come close to capturing the beauty of northern Colorado, southern Wyoming, and Utah. I teared up at how stunning it was at some points. Mountains, foothills, blue skies, red rock, and rolling hills. Seriously awesome. 

Utah beer list. Mormon country. 

I am tired and sunburnt and excited that I get to just chill awhile. I'm glad I'm doing this trip, even alone, although I seriously could have used a photographer today. 

Fort Collins and Changes

I love Fort Collins! It is a really cool place to be. I also love seeing Lauren showing me some of her favorite things here. We had a great dinner last night and went to a cool brewery. Lauren said there's just enough of the Beloit feel to make her feel welcome. 

It was fun reconnecting and reflecting. Our friendship had some ups and downs but it's nice right now. We both agreed that everyone should take a big solo trip at some point in their lives. You just figure a lot of things out. 

And since I love it so much, I'm staying for part of the morning. I'd originally planned on driving to Boise this morning but that's just not going to happen. So instead, I'm going to enjoy myself and stay the night in Salt Lake (I LOVE Utah) and the night after in Boise and then arrive to Seattle on June 2nd, which is what I somewhat mistakenly told my future roommates. 

Here's a picture of Lauren and I at dinner. 

Seriously, though, if you get the chance to go to Fort Collins, DO IT! 

But if you can avoid Nebraska, that would be a bonus. Things got a little weird while I was listening to some of my mix CDs. Examples: Why is Boys Like Girls so good? Have they put out any albums lately? I wonder if I could see them. Why aren't they more popular? Do people still listen to them? What happened to Dashboard Confessional? This is basically Summerfest 2008 in my head right now. Wait listen to Taylor Swift's drawl on this song (Tim McGraw). Why doesn't she sing like that anymore? Singing with a country accent is so fun. 

I DON'T CARE! I LOVE IT! 

morning worship

Shekinah

When you get grace

Kate and Gabby

Mixed Company 

Kate's mix

Guilty Pleasures

Rap

I'll be taking orders for the above assembled CDs ;)

Miscalculations

Accidentally arrived too wary to Fort Collins. I am making great time because I only stop about every 3.5 hours for no more than 15 minutes. Today I drove 11 hours, which more than doubles my personal record of hours driven in a day. 

Iowa should get some more Starbucks closer to the interstate. I had to wait until noon. There was a teenage girl ordering a double chocolate frappaccunio and she thought we were the same age I think. Then I ordered an iced coffee with 2 shots of espresso, no sweetener, no room for cream and I think she thought I was an alien. Or old. 

I am so excited to see Lauren. If I knew where she worked, I'd meet her there. But I don't so I'm eating chips and guac at chipotle in the fresh air. Fort Collins is a pretty nice place so far if you ask me. 

And now here are some pictures my imaginary friend took while I was driving. 

That was the first sign I saw for Fort Collins. It was thrilling! 

See the mountains?! That's the best part of driving to the CO. You really appreciate them after a day of Nebraska. 

Road Trip Day 1

Today I packed up this car 

Logan got to ride shotgun 

But she has to share with my backpack and snacks. 

The traveling part was easy. iPhone read me the Bible while also telling me which way to go. I also have 8 CDs of varying genres and mixes. I only had to drive 5 hours before arriving in Grinnell. 

This is Abigail and her dog Shelby. I have also listened to her talk about Dairy Barn for the last 4 years and I finally got to go! 

It was pretty exciting. Tomorrow will be a much longer day. I don't know if I'll blog either because I haven't seen Lauren in over a year. But you never know. 

Packing Choices

I'm staring at my closet and the drawers are waiting for me. It's time. It's time to make those big choices because I'm not just moving halfway across the state; I'm going across the country. 

The really pretty dress I got for a wedding that I just knew I'd wear again hasn't moved in 3 years. 

The pagne is bulky and impractical and fits nowhere within 3500 miles from here. 

The t-shirt signed by Paul and Morgan Hamm, where is that supposed to go? 

And the jeans that are still hanging on after 7 years of being favorites. 

I don't know how long you're allowed to keep stuff with your parents. My mom says if I get famous, she'll start selling it on eBay. 

Hide and Seek

Today was my graduation party. And also going away party because this is the last time I'm going to see most of these people for a long time.

This is my favorite card, from my aunt. It perfectly expresses my lack of goodbyes. Alissa and I said something like, I'll see you - technology is great. Betsy looked at me with the it's goodbye but we're pretending it's not look. Liztowne and I definitely never said goodbye. My mom keeps saying Seattle will be a nice place to visit. That was a common theme. I like that much better than any alternative. Plus, after doing the whole abroad for a year, graduated friends thing, I know that I stay in excellent touch with people who mean the absolute most to me. And I'm also good at blogging. 

All that being said, today I felt a little bit of eye mist. I looked at my photo board with friends and family and saw the places I've been and the people I've met and the person I've become and it was a little bit emotional. 

But I've had a lot of opportunities to learn a lot about myself. I know I adapt well. I know that wherever I am, I am all there. I know God will make my paths straight, and I've learned to be happy just about anywhere. 

And I've learned a lot from great writers. As a reader, I thought I'd highlight a few: 

Job shows me that the Lord's name is always blessed. 

Paul presses on that God is making all things work together for my good. 

Ann Voskamp whispers to me to give thanks for all things at all times, especially the ugly beautiful. 

Lucy Maude Montgomery taught me to keep dreaming and that the world is full of happiness if we look for it. 

Walt Whitman urges me that no matter how much I learn, I need to remember to look up in perfect silence at the stars and lay down in leaves of grass. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson encourages me to live deeply and suck the marrow out of life. 

CS Lewis reminds me not to lose the wonder in the Christian walk. 

John Piper pleads for memory of the pleasures of God. 

Dave Gibbons and Andrew Marin challenge me to love those who are unlike me. 

David Platt dares me to be radical. 

Laura Wilder brings me back to home, if only in my heart. 

Lois Lowry inspires me not to fear the unknown and to be brave in pursuing my gifts. 

The Bronte sisters show me that one day, it might just be ok to be swept up in romance. 

Isabelle Allende demonstrates that life may not turn out how you expect, but that the journey will be wonderful, and better than if you'd planned it yourself. 

Tolstoy teaches about marriage and the gospel and the fallen world. 

Sartre tells me I'm not an existentialist and it's really not worth it to live half empty. 

Dickens gives hope in hard times. 

And David echoes deep in my soul, 

The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed I have a beautiful inheritance. 

  

Ps. If anyone can name every book I just referenced, I don't know what you'll win, but it will be awesome.