So how many of you have ever intentionally created a bucket list? If you have, leave a comment telling me some of the things that are on it, I would love to read them! :)
Well, I have created one, mine is rather lengthy, so I will not post all of it here, but I will share how I was able to cross several things off of my list.
Note: I have a daily goal to try and do something I have never done before each day. This can be anything from trying a new tortilla chip (The corn Tostito's Cantina Chips are my newest favorite, and they are amazing!), to listening to a new song, to jumping off waterfalls, it can be anything! If I can do more than one new thing in a day it is a bonus!
Most of this week was pretty regular, attempting to stay focused and get all of my schoolwork done (I go to Toccoa Falls College as an online student) and try to adjust to my new role as an intern at Proskuneo, but I did get to do something else pretty exciting/cool Thursday and Friday. I got to go to Catalyst! For those of you who may not know what that is, it is a huge church leadership conference=. There are a lot of amazing speakers that come, like John Piper, Dave Ramsey, Andy Stanley, Priscilla Shirer, etc, and there is also many bands and musicians that come to lead worship, like Sons and Daughters, Johnny Swim, and Passion City Band. So that alone makes this an awesome experience.
In addition to all of that there are many unique surprises and fun things that they do for all of the leaders as well. For example, I showed up at 6AM and proceed to ride a camel around the parking lot, and then walked over and rode a hot air balloon. Both of these things were on my bucket list of things to do before I died, and boom both done in one day. (Look in the Fun Facts for the story on how I got free Toms sunglasses)
Catalyst was really good, I truly enjoyed it as always, it presented some challenges for me, and I will definitely have to work through a lot of what I heard over the next few days and weeks. One of the things I was challenged with in particular is I always say I want to learn more piano, guitar, and bass (I know at least a little of each of these), but I rarely sit down and just learn it. Another thing I was challenged with is to write a song that is solely about God, one that doesn't have any focus on me. A little explanation would be that almost all of the songs we sing on a regular basis, at church and other places, have at least a small amount of focus on us, what God does for us, who we are because of God, etc. I willingly admit that I need to remind myself of the things God does for me, and what He calls me to, and who He calls me to be, but I also have a strong desire to just sing about Him. So one of my upcoming goals is to write a song solely about God. I am asking that you all help keep me accountable in these two things, send me a text or facebook message asking how they are going, it would be much appreciated! :)
1. Also on my bucket list is eat Italian food in Italy, see the Grand Canyon, and go to Niagara Falls.
2. My Dad and I have attended Catalyst for 3 years together now.
3. I got 5 tshirts, 6 full length books, 2 cds, and a pair of Toms Sunglasses, all for free from Catalyst. Toms note: Toms sunglasses are normally $113, I walked up to the Tom's booth and signed up for a coupon and then asked if I could have one off the stickers on the table. The guy said "yes" and asked if I had any Toms. I told him that all I wore was Toms and I had 7 pairs, and showed him the ones I had on, which were my "World Traveler" Toms. They were toms i bought last summber but were largely white and so they got dirty and I still wanted to wear them but needed to redesign them so I did. I wrote them name of every country in the world on them and part of a globe. He said that I owned a lot of toms and was happy I was supporting their product and I told him how I am always looking for products that I need, like shoes, clothes, etc, that also help other people. I didn't want to hold the line up so I said thanks for the sticker and walked away. I got around the corner when he came up behind me and told me, "I think it is amazing how you try to do all that, and how you support our products because of that, it is inspiring, so I wanted to give you these." He handed me a brand new pair of sunglasses, something I have wanted to buy for a while but didn't have the $113 to buy them. It is cool knowing that even though I was given them, someone gets to see because of those sunglasses.