Hey, everyone. Sorry it's been so long. Things have been absolutely crazy around here and at the IC Office. We've spent the last couple weeks booking our tour. And on Thursday we're packing up again and leaving our new home (a home i've grown to love and am going to miss, as crazy as that is...) once again and heading out on the road to tour the entire US AND Canada. So needless to say, life has been hectic and exhausting, but beautiful.
Everyone here finds my southern accent charming. and me cute. how hilarious. I'll quote Matt Wood (one of the Regional Managers), it was during public speaking critiques.. "I don't mean this in a creepy or weird way, but you're totally cute."... It's the accent. or maybe just my irresistable charm and wit? ha ha. probably not ;-)
We had intense training yesterday. Yes, on a Saturday. From 8am to 7pm. It was pretty gnarly, but I'm glad we got to practice our speaking for screenings. I adore my team. I mean ADORE them. I can't wait to get on the road with them.. and for you all to meet them in October!! We're all so different, but somehow it just works. I'm sure we'll have our fights and annoyances on the road, but I'm glad we truly love each other when it comes down to it. Their names are Jenni, Nick, and Corey. Just for your future reference :-)
Last night a few of us went down to Historic Old Town San Diego. It was gorgeous. It is so rich with Mexican culture. We ate at a fabulous restaurant. Adam and Eugene bought Mexican fighting masks (ya know, like the ones on Nacho Libre).. we ended up telling the guy who was selling them about IC and he was super interested. So that was a cool part of the night! I'll post pictures later.
God and I had beautiful time together at the beginning of the week. Like I've been saying, it's hard to find private time to have that, I'm so glad I did this week. My soul was so dry. He filled me to the max. He yelled out so clear Hebrews 2:1 to me. You just have to go read it... you'll understand immediately what I'm talking about...k, go read it.................................................alright, good. Isn't it wild how our hearts can not only drift away so quickly, but also deceive us SO much. I'm glad I went through that because it drew me closer to Him. I'm sure I'll go through that a lot more times while I'm out here...and for the rest of my life. But it's such a beautiful growing process. He is amazing and faithful, for sure.
Sorry the update wasn't astounding, but I'm really tired and at a loss for words. And as for the Hebrews 2:1 thing, I'd love to tell you all about it. It's just way better over the phone or in person.. and I'm too physically and mentally spent right now to type it all out, which is saying a lot because we all know I love to write. So call me and we'll chat. I'd love that more than anything. :-)
Alright, I'm off to bed. Early start tomorrow! I'm praying about the hurricane. Be safe. God is in control. I miss you guys so much. Have a good night. I love you!!!
peace and love,
Nat
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
laa dee dah
with a side of hoorah.
hmm.. anyway..
today is good. really chill and boring. i like it. because it's been non-stop all week.i woke up at noon. then went grocery shopping at Henry's Farmer's Market.it's all organic food. no such thing in Mississippi. -p.s. i love it here.
tomorrow we leave at 12pm for our IC Staff retreat in the mountains.
i have to pack tonight. blah.
my cell phone is fixed (btw). but i lost all of my contacts. so please text me your number. or send it through a myspace message or facebook message.. or if you know my email. take your pick.;)
i'm fighting some gnarly allergies today. but i'm determined to win.
i met Joel P. West the other night. He is a singer-songwriter from San Diego. He is amazing. and he gave us roadies his CD. and he designs shirts for Switchfoot. and he is a photographer. and he is a History teacher.and he's still really young. so i think you get the point.. he is an epic artist... in all forms.
i've met some other really cool people through IC since i've been out here. I'll tell you about them later.
sorry it wasn't much of an update. but next time i'll try to give you more :-P
peace,
Nat
p.s.don't go to the sketchiest part of San Diego at 3am, on accident.as funny as it may be after when you look back on it.just some words of wisdom.
hmm.. anyway..
today is good. really chill and boring. i like it. because it's been non-stop all week.i woke up at noon. then went grocery shopping at Henry's Farmer's Market.it's all organic food. no such thing in Mississippi. -p.s. i love it here.
tomorrow we leave at 12pm for our IC Staff retreat in the mountains.
i have to pack tonight. blah.
my cell phone is fixed (btw). but i lost all of my contacts. so please text me your number. or send it through a myspace message or facebook message.. or if you know my email. take your pick.;)
i'm fighting some gnarly allergies today. but i'm determined to win.
i met Joel P. West the other night. He is a singer-songwriter from San Diego. He is amazing. and he gave us roadies his CD. and he designs shirts for Switchfoot. and he is a photographer. and he is a History teacher.and he's still really young. so i think you get the point.. he is an epic artist... in all forms.
i've met some other really cool people through IC since i've been out here. I'll tell you about them later.
sorry it wasn't much of an update. but next time i'll try to give you more :-P
peace,
Nat
p.s.don't go to the sketchiest part of San Diego at 3am, on accident.as funny as it may be after when you look back on it.just some words of wisdom.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
crazzzzy busy with a side of adventure.
let's see... it's super late and I worked a 14 hour day. so i'm going to try and keep it brief :)
Friday, August 8 - while exiting the van to walk into the office, my phone fell out of my pocket, onto the step of the van, was kicked onto the ground, landed on the pavement, and the screen is now white with black lines. so i can't read text messages, send texts, or see my phone book. I can still make and receive calls. only problem, in order to make calls i need numbers, i don't have most people's number memorized. I'm working on getting a new phone activated. hopefully tomorrow it will happen!
AND Jason (one of the IC filmakers/founders) took the roadies to see his play "Alice" at a theatre in San Diego. it was WONDERFUL. beautiful experience :)
Saturday, August 9 - a few of us went to dowtown San Diego at night. it was a really great time. on our way home, we accidentally got onto the wrong trolly... the trolly that takes you to Tiajuana, Mexico... yep. So, we start heading back the right direction... only problem--the trollies stop running. SO... we get stranded in "Sketchville, San Diego".. aka Tent City.. where all the homeless people line up on the sidewalks and sleep. It was pretty gnarly. but hilarious looking back on it. what a great night!
Sunday, August 10 - it was a really chill day. woke up late, chilled around the house, went to the mall with a few of the girls, went grocery shopping, cooked dinner. very good day. i needed the rest.
Monday, August 11 - Justin Wheeler, a friend of the IC Family, came and talked to us. He shared about the new non-profit he started up called The Option. it's about helping out the people of North Korea. He and his wife are amazing people and so is their non-profit!! check out the website... http://www.theoption.org/
Tuesday, August 12 - We started making phone calls to our contacts and book screenings. worked from 9am till 8pm. We had a staff meeting. a portion of the meeting is people getting to stand up and share anything about the last 2 weeks that has happened in their life.. it's an awesome community here!.. Coleen, one of my fellow roadies, stood up and announced that she is in awe of the people she lives with, and mentioned my name and how if anyone hasn't had the chance to hear my songs and me sing that they need to. i was humbled to no end. So on the way back from lunch, Jason stopped me and said "I need to hear it".. so confused i said, "Need to hear what? ha ha".. he was referring to my songs. lol. and he's coming over to the roadie house to hear me play/sing. he's crazy :)... oh and all of the roadies decided they want me to do open mic night at Cosmo's -- a big coffee shop downtown.
Also, ALL of the IC Family (roadies, interns, staff) went downtown to see the Indie Film, "American Teen"... awesome documentary. I'd seen previews for it. but movies like that don't get shown in Gulfport... so I can't believe I got to see it! I'd been wanting to so bad, so that was way rad!
I love the people here. I've known them for 1 1/2 weeks and they feel like family. Some nights its hard when i miss everyone back home. I mean miss them so much my heart physically hurts. but then i think of why I'm here, who put me here, and where i want to go... and God provides. in big ways.. even if they seem small to us.
i've met some of the most wonderful people on the planet while being here.. and it's only been a week and a half. SO much more to come, I'm sure of it. :)
till next time,
Nat
Friday, August 8 - while exiting the van to walk into the office, my phone fell out of my pocket, onto the step of the van, was kicked onto the ground, landed on the pavement, and the screen is now white with black lines. so i can't read text messages, send texts, or see my phone book. I can still make and receive calls. only problem, in order to make calls i need numbers, i don't have most people's number memorized. I'm working on getting a new phone activated. hopefully tomorrow it will happen!
AND Jason (one of the IC filmakers/founders) took the roadies to see his play "Alice" at a theatre in San Diego. it was WONDERFUL. beautiful experience :)
Saturday, August 9 - a few of us went to dowtown San Diego at night. it was a really great time. on our way home, we accidentally got onto the wrong trolly... the trolly that takes you to Tiajuana, Mexico... yep. So, we start heading back the right direction... only problem--the trollies stop running. SO... we get stranded in "Sketchville, San Diego".. aka Tent City.. where all the homeless people line up on the sidewalks and sleep. It was pretty gnarly. but hilarious looking back on it. what a great night!
Sunday, August 10 - it was a really chill day. woke up late, chilled around the house, went to the mall with a few of the girls, went grocery shopping, cooked dinner. very good day. i needed the rest.
Monday, August 11 - Justin Wheeler, a friend of the IC Family, came and talked to us. He shared about the new non-profit he started up called The Option. it's about helping out the people of North Korea. He and his wife are amazing people and so is their non-profit!! check out the website... http://www.theoption.org/
Tuesday, August 12 - We started making phone calls to our contacts and book screenings. worked from 9am till 8pm. We had a staff meeting. a portion of the meeting is people getting to stand up and share anything about the last 2 weeks that has happened in their life.. it's an awesome community here!.. Coleen, one of my fellow roadies, stood up and announced that she is in awe of the people she lives with, and mentioned my name and how if anyone hasn't had the chance to hear my songs and me sing that they need to. i was humbled to no end. So on the way back from lunch, Jason stopped me and said "I need to hear it".. so confused i said, "Need to hear what? ha ha".. he was referring to my songs. lol. and he's coming over to the roadie house to hear me play/sing. he's crazy :)... oh and all of the roadies decided they want me to do open mic night at Cosmo's -- a big coffee shop downtown.
Also, ALL of the IC Family (roadies, interns, staff) went downtown to see the Indie Film, "American Teen"... awesome documentary. I'd seen previews for it. but movies like that don't get shown in Gulfport... so I can't believe I got to see it! I'd been wanting to so bad, so that was way rad!
I love the people here. I've known them for 1 1/2 weeks and they feel like family. Some nights its hard when i miss everyone back home. I mean miss them so much my heart physically hurts. but then i think of why I'm here, who put me here, and where i want to go... and God provides. in big ways.. even if they seem small to us.
i've met some of the most wonderful people on the planet while being here.. and it's only been a week and a half. SO much more to come, I'm sure of it. :)
till next time,
Nat
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
phrase of the day: "jiggy-rig it" :-)
wonderful day today! did TONS of training of course. more practical training on the computer system and how to book screenings, work the database, all of that great office work stuff.
random things you don't need to know, but should :)..
- Chris looks exactly like Matthew Theissen of Relient K.
- Sarah looks exactly like Jodi Foster (her younger days, ha ha)
- Ben Keesey (the CEO) made up the phrase "jiggy-rig" on accident in a meeting, but we roadies loved it. and will make it famous.
- my guitar still has yet to be strung.
- two of the girls I room with are musicians also... one even sings in her praise band back home.
- Timmy is from New Zealand... his family knows Brooke Fraser. And he is just a great person in general.
- Jay is from Australia. and she's never heard of Hillsong. I told her we need to talk more. ha ha!
- So many Canadians here this tour. I love it.
- I've had such beautiful, powerful conversations with my fellow roadies already. they are all so amazing. it's great to finally have SO many people around me that are into the same things and wanna sacrifice their lives for the same reasons.
- Margie (our Movement manager) is so intense. she scares us. in a good way. ha! :-)
- A bunch of us went wandering around La Mesa tonight. got frozen yogurt. stopped in on an open-mic night at a coffee shop. one word about that - interesting. lol!
- A huge mirror broke in one of the rooms. not good. but Willie and Cameron are super-heroes. so they got it out of there.
- Nick (one of my team-mates) is my hero because he always has gum at the best times.
- the Gulf Coast roadies re-named themselves to the "Dirty South". oh and... we love team bonding. <3... ha ha!
I could literally go on forever.. but I'm SO tired. another 12 hour work day.
talk soon. leave me some love.
i love you guys.
p.s.
same prayer request as before. but i got to steal away like 3 minutes on the balcony tonight to kinda gather my thoughts and pray. that was so refreshing.
peace,
Nat
-
random things you don't need to know, but should :)..
- Chris looks exactly like Matthew Theissen of Relient K.
- Sarah looks exactly like Jodi Foster (her younger days, ha ha)
- Ben Keesey (the CEO) made up the phrase "jiggy-rig" on accident in a meeting, but we roadies loved it. and will make it famous.
- my guitar still has yet to be strung.
- two of the girls I room with are musicians also... one even sings in her praise band back home.
- Timmy is from New Zealand... his family knows Brooke Fraser. And he is just a great person in general.
- Jay is from Australia. and she's never heard of Hillsong. I told her we need to talk more. ha ha!
- So many Canadians here this tour. I love it.
- I've had such beautiful, powerful conversations with my fellow roadies already. they are all so amazing. it's great to finally have SO many people around me that are into the same things and wanna sacrifice their lives for the same reasons.
- Margie (our Movement manager) is so intense. she scares us. in a good way. ha! :-)
- A bunch of us went wandering around La Mesa tonight. got frozen yogurt. stopped in on an open-mic night at a coffee shop. one word about that - interesting. lol!
- A huge mirror broke in one of the rooms. not good. but Willie and Cameron are super-heroes. so they got it out of there.
- Nick (one of my team-mates) is my hero because he always has gum at the best times.
- the Gulf Coast roadies re-named themselves to the "Dirty South". oh and... we love team bonding. <3... ha ha!
I could literally go on forever.. but I'm SO tired. another 12 hour work day.
talk soon. leave me some love.
i love you guys.
p.s.
same prayer request as before. but i got to steal away like 3 minutes on the balcony tonight to kinda gather my thoughts and pray. that was so refreshing.
peace,
Nat
-
Monday, August 4, 2008
the first couple days in Sandy-Eggo. :-)
hey, guys. just a TINY update. thanks for all the prayers, text messages, facebook/myspace, emails... i feel overwhelmed and blessed with such great love. We worked a 12 hour day today... and it was just the first day of introductory stuff... so you can imagine how crazy it's gonna get really soon. so in saying that, I want to talk to you guys SO BADLY, but I don't know how much it will happen. but please still call and leave voicemails, texts, emails, comments, whatevs. It means so much, even if I can't respond right away.
Aug. 3, 2008
the first night here was really crazy and overwhelming. over 50 peoplein this one house. but everyone is SO great. we all become instant friends so it's easy to be myself. BUT I do feel awkward and shy at times, but it's only the first day. I have a feeling this is going to be really amazing. My team-mates for the road are so awesome! I miss youguys already. i'm praying for y'all. I'll keep you up to date as often as I can. they have a pretty intense schedule for us so i'll be super busy. it's really lonely sometimes when i look around and realize i don't know anyone,but I know God is with me. and I know y'all are there for me back home.
Aug. 4, 2008
this morning was really tough. i felt so awkward wandering around the house during breakfast, not knowing anyone. I called my mom crying. yeah... lolbut today was our first day of training and going to the Invisible Children Office. IT WAS INCREDIBLE!!! My day completely turned around. we were there from 9am till 8:30pm.. and they provided us lunch and dinner (so nice). and i learned so so so much. the founders/filmakers talked to us. and then the last session they gave us the History of the War... then.. get this... JOELLY FROM UGANDA (the IC rep. in Uganda) came to visit us!!!! She was great, and it was a complete suprise to all of us. Then afterwards a bunch of us roadies went grocery shopping. Which was super overwhelming, but I think i did well in the end! ha ha! I hate that it is two hours later back home. Cause say I get off at 8:30, it's already 10:30 for you guys.
Please tell all of our family and friends who know I'm gone about how I am and what's going on with me whenever you can. It's super hard for me to get time to contact every single person... So just let everyone who i can't talk to know what's going on and that I love them and miss them, even though I can't talk to them as much as I REALLY want to!
I don't know the next time I'll be able to update but just know that this is the most incredible thing I've ever done... and it was only the first full day. so that says a lot... this is so insane. :-) I LOVE YOU GUYS!!
prayer request: it's so crazy here in the house. it's REALLY difficult to find time to steal away to spend with the Lord, let alone with myself. So please be in prayer that the Word He has already planted in my heart with rise up in my thoughts, even on the days I'm exhausted and haven't eaten in 10 hours. ha ha :)
peace,
Nat
Thursday, July 31, 2008
let's be honest...
saying goodbye to the people you love most in this world stinks. i mean REALLY. Impakt (a church group deal) was Tuesday night. What a beautiful night it was. I took tons of pictures and tried to capture and hold onto each memory. I'm still clutching tightly.
Wednesday night at church wasn't as emotional as I thought it would be. Well... the whole thing of Tony calling me to sit on the stage and presenting me with the journal everyone wrote to me in and then praying over me, THAT was emotional. and probably the most incredible thing any one has ever done for me. When I got home that night, I read each one of the notes that was written to me. I cried my eyes out. Not out of sadness, but out of joy, and LOVE I have for the beautiful people I call my second family. I'll carry them with me wherever I go.
I had lunch with my friend Lindsey today, she is such an encouragement to me. What an awesome friend she is. And tonight I went to dinner and movie with Ms. Candi and Jessie. It was such a simple, but GREAT time. I cherish every second I spend with those two. They have impacted my life so much.
On the way home, while driving, I thought to myself, "I could so call up Invisible Children and back out... ha yeah right. But really, I could. I mean, it's my decision. But let's get serious, this is all God. He gave me these dreams, now I'm about to live them out. It's what I was made for. It's time to rise to the occasion, let Him put on my wings, jump off the cliff, and soar."
Yep, I could not go. I could choose the easy way. It's tempting. But at the same time SO unrealistic. It's like... the hard way is actually more realistic. Not going is the option that seems ridiculous and crazy. I know it's ONLY Him who is giving me that peace and assurance.
So, I leave in 2 days. I'm not ready, yet I am... I'm ready, yet I'm not. I was made for this. I'm banking on Jesus to come through, even though I don't know what it will look like. And I KNOW Jesus NEVER fails.
*to everyone who wrote to me in that notebook... you have no IDEA what that means to me. I'll carry it with me throughout this whole "adventure", and pray for y'all and think of you always. Thank you for being my support system. I need you. Cause I'm messy and scared just like you. we're all in this together. and that's the truth :]
-Nat
Wednesday night at church wasn't as emotional as I thought it would be. Well... the whole thing of Tony calling me to sit on the stage and presenting me with the journal everyone wrote to me in and then praying over me, THAT was emotional. and probably the most incredible thing any one has ever done for me. When I got home that night, I read each one of the notes that was written to me. I cried my eyes out. Not out of sadness, but out of joy, and LOVE I have for the beautiful people I call my second family. I'll carry them with me wherever I go.
I had lunch with my friend Lindsey today, she is such an encouragement to me. What an awesome friend she is. And tonight I went to dinner and movie with Ms. Candi and Jessie. It was such a simple, but GREAT time. I cherish every second I spend with those two. They have impacted my life so much.
On the way home, while driving, I thought to myself, "I could so call up Invisible Children and back out... ha yeah right. But really, I could. I mean, it's my decision. But let's get serious, this is all God. He gave me these dreams, now I'm about to live them out. It's what I was made for. It's time to rise to the occasion, let Him put on my wings, jump off the cliff, and soar."
Yep, I could not go. I could choose the easy way. It's tempting. But at the same time SO unrealistic. It's like... the hard way is actually more realistic. Not going is the option that seems ridiculous and crazy. I know it's ONLY Him who is giving me that peace and assurance.
So, I leave in 2 days. I'm not ready, yet I am... I'm ready, yet I'm not. I was made for this. I'm banking on Jesus to come through, even though I don't know what it will look like. And I KNOW Jesus NEVER fails.
*to everyone who wrote to me in that notebook... you have no IDEA what that means to me. I'll carry it with me throughout this whole "adventure", and pray for y'all and think of you always. Thank you for being my support system. I need you. Cause I'm messy and scared just like you. we're all in this together. and that's the truth :]
-Nat
Monday, July 28, 2008
anticipation, excitement, nervousness, oh my! :)
Hey, everyone! The countdown to my Internship (aka: Roadieship) with Invisible Children begins now... 5 days until I board a plane to San Diego!! I'm SO excited... and scared to death! I know everyone doesn't have a MySpace (where I usually do my blogging) and that includes a lot of my family and friends who I want to keep updated while I'm away. So I thought I would make this blog, that way everyone can access it! I'll be using it to give updates on what's going with me over in San Diego and also while I'm out touring on the road... so I can share some of my experiences with you all... and HOPEFULLY get to hear back from you!! (hint, hint! ha ha)
talk soon,
Natalie
talk soon,
Natalie
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