A great Offense...and confession

I recently offended my husband with a statement that I nonchalantly made the other night. After listening to the song "I am nothing" written by bebo Norman that The Jordan Howerton Band covered on their new album, Live Loud(coming out January 15th!) I just began to cry. Afterwards I told Michael that I think Bebo and I have connected souls (yes, this is the great offense). I am sure that thousands of people are fans of the song and feel very connected to the lyrics ( which was what I was actually trying to say).

My confession, my prayer....the lyrics of the this song.


Take these hands and lift them up
For I have not the strength to praise You near enough
For I have nothing, I have nothing without You

**Daily I am reminded that my meager attempts of worship to the one of only God of the universe is simply sad. My strength is weak...my attempt feeble...my heart is eager, my faith is strong, my mind is set but without HIM....what am I, simply put...nothing.

Take my voice and pour it out
Let it sing the songs of mercy I have found
For I have nothing, I have nothing without You

**My prayer, my absolute prayer is that somehow God can use my strong headed, awkward, untalented self to glorify His grace, power, beauty, spirit, presence, love, mercy, and compassion (just to name of few).


Chorus:
All my soul needs
Is all Your love to cover me
So all the world will see
That I have nothing without You

Take my body and build it up
May it be broken as an offering of love
For I have nothing, I have nothing without You

All my soul needs
Is all Your love to cover me
So all the world will see
That I have nothing
But I love You

With all my heart
With all my soul
With all my mind
With all the strength that I can find

Take my time here on this earth
And let it glorify all that You are worth
For I am nothing,
I am nothing without You


** Ecclesiastes 1:2 says,
"Meaningless! Meaningless!"
says the Teacher.
"Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless."

There is something amazing about a body of believers, family, friends, strangers singing that they are nothing without Christ. Verbally communicating it to each other, to themselves that without the Creator and Savior of the universe we would be absolutely nothing.

I am a worrier, through and through I worry about everything...but somehow I know that God has something planned for my life that He has not yet revealed to me because I am not yet ready. I don't know what it is but I know I will be rocked and I pray that He will take my time here on this earth and let it glorify all that He is worth...

I know that I am nothing, yet because of Him...

I am a creation of the creator, intricately made and woven....gently molded, often tested and a receiver of grace undeserved.

Tis the season

I thought I would share a picture of our tree for those of you who haven't seen it. My mom bought Michael and I's first tree and ornaments! (Thanks Mom!) Michael and I were so excited to put it up and even more pumped when we got to see the finished result!

Michael has always had a real tree and since we did go with a fake one I bought a pine candle in the house to try and make up for the "fakeness" of the tree. It worked.

A Fools Redemption

So, this entry will be about my largest fault (in my eyes). I have decided that being more aware of it will somehow help me overcome it. Here it is...I am horrible at making friends and probably even more horrible at keeping old friends. There, I said it...and it's true. Here goes my explanation...

I think I have always been bad at making friends, it is not a gift that comes naturally to me. Yes, I believe that I am a nice person but making friends just isn't in my gift set. I have been opinionated and stubborn since the day I was born and it only got worse when I learned how to talk. When starting new friendships I have the hardest time opening up in any sense of the word, 1) because I'm partly afraid that my oh so opinionated self will come out very strong, or 2) I have no idea what to talk about because I only like to talk about things that I know or care about. (selfish? Yes, I know and I'm working on it.)

Proverbs 18:2 says, Fools have no interest in understanding they only want to air their own opinions.
**Ugh**

I need a fools redemption.

My husband is a social butterfly. It's like people shake his hand (*BOOM* magic glitter and smoke inserted here) and their instantly friends. Where I might have to shake a person's hand about 100 times and then we are acquaintances and talk occasionally when we see each other. Michael's phone rings a lot and it's typically someone new each time. If my phone rings it's either Michael, my mom or my boss texting me that I need to do something. Sad? Well that depends because I kind of like it...it's bittersweet to me because if it was anybody else I probably wouldn't know what to talk about. I'm so awkward, it actually hurts. :)

**I like to blame the above paragraph on the fact that Michael plays guitar and most people like to talk about that where as I...do paper work, read and talk about stupid facts and numbers well?? Yeah, case in point.

I'm not a "let's plan to get together" kind of person, although I'm getting better. This (moving on to the next point) is why I suck at keeping old friends. I super stink at checking in with people and trust me it isn't because I don't care about them it's because I suck at actually taking action when it comes down to it.

I've lost every "close" friend I've ever had...for a number of various reasons but I blame my lack of action and complete awkwardness for most of it. I'm hoping to keep Michael by my side for the rest of my life...he helps keep me in check. :)

Proverbs 12:1 says, To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.

Well, I'm a learner....I'm disciplining myself to be better at being a friend.

Baby steps but I'll get there.

The Week, The Album, The Excitement!

Well, the time is here! Get Excited people! My husband along with the Jordan Howerton Band are going to Oklahoma City to record their first full length album next week!

Reasons why I'm excited you ask?

I'm excited to see my husband, Michael get so excited. He keeps talking about what he's going to wear, how anxious he is and how he never thought this would happen...and the time is near!

I'm excited to see what God has in store for this group of guys. They work so well together. They are friends on stage and off. God has obviously given this group of men the passion to sing His praises and guide others through musical worship!

I'm so excited to see how God will continue using JHB throughout the summer at CIY's, MOVE conferences and other various events!

I'm super duper excited about the album release party that will happen the first or second week of January (More details to come, I'm sure!)!

...a little bit of this and a pinch of that...

I thought I better post an update on the Miyahara family...not that anyone reads this blog but just for the sake of keeping it updated.

New happenings in the Miyahara Household:

1) We sold the Wii...and traded it in for a nice, gently used...Xbox. :) Hence, I am blogging at 9:30 on a Tuesday evening.

2) We really, desperately want a puppy...but with a busy tour schedule like believe we decided to wait until our travels are over so we could be good parents. However, we did pick out what we want. A PUGGLE!! Not to be confused with a baby platypus, a puggle is a half beagle, half pug mix. Yeah, look it up...you'll fall in love and if you don't...well, you don't have a heart.

3) I started making new recipes for supper lately with the help of a betty crocker cookbook, my mom and my grandma. :) Let's just say, we're eatin' good!

4) I have decided that I want to create a menu of pies and breads for people to order from. I want to start off slow as I learn more about the secrets of baking. However, I worked in a kitchen with my grandma for 5 years and her specialty was homemade bread and pies....so, I've already learned a ton but I'm sure practice will help, especially if I want to make some money with it. I have just come to find that I really enjoy cooking and baking and I love when people try what I've made and like it!

5) Yes, I have recently started a workout called Turbo Jam and Michael bought me a weighted jump rope...so I've been pretty busy! AND, I love Turbo Jam, it's fun, it's fast, it's creative and it seriously works your entire body out! I'll keep you updated on my progress. Michael says that he can see a difference but he has to say that!

6) No, I have no idea why I seem to write in list form. Easier to keep my scattered brained thoughts in order I suppose.

7) Michael has recently started a new endeavor as well, creating his own pedals. I'm pretty proud of him and he seems really excited about it. He even designed the outside of it! Maybe he'll start making and selling pedals! Neat!

8) Netflix is awesome. Their customer service is spectacular! I would recommend them to anyone who doesn't want to pay for cable OR for anyone that really loves watching TV series or Movies! Great selection and speaking of TV series, everyone definitely needs to check out Jericho! It's an amazing show, Michael and I loved it.

9) My mom has started going to a women's Bible study at the church and really loves it. She has become such an amazing friend to me, so beautiful and caring. I'm so proud of her.

10) Married life truly is fantastic. Michael and I are doing great. Learning more about each other every day and following after the Will and Heart of God.

Facts, observations and a thought or two...

1. Fact: Get out of debt your first year of marriage and you'll be ahead of the game...by a long shot!

2. Observation: Just because there's money in the bank doesn't mean you should spend it.

3. Thought: Just because your friends have it doesn't mean you need it. *See fact #1 and observation #2.

4. Fact: Live like no else now so you can live like no else later. Thanks Dave.

5. Observation: It's okay to be "That Wife".

6. Thought: How does an insurance company expect me to know whether me or my husband will get sick in the next year? Just askin', I mean really.

7. Fact: Since I've been married I have actually became better friends with my parents and I really love it.

8. Observation: I would like to be a professional college student and really want to take online classes. Weird? I don't know.

9. Thought: Reading is good as long as you are reading the right things.

10. Random: Even an extraordinary life can be thought of as mundane.

How Beautiful....

When I was a senior in high school I did a bible study that went through the book of Romans…I have recently started to reread Romans and came across a set of verses that were just as strong to me now as they were then, Roman 10:13-15. In the margins of my bible I had written, “Go and Tell, My Mission.”

I have been able to see a couple of weeks of Know Sweat this summer and am looking forward to my last week in Dallas 2. Throughout the entire summer I kept thinking about this verse…it was just sitting in the back of my mind but I couldn’t pin point why.

Again this morning I read Romans 10:13-15 and I know why it was so set in my mind …it’s because I had been seeing it in great action. This summer thousands of students across America decided to have “beautiful feet” because they put into Action the love of the King. They made a choice to go and tell through their actions and attitude. They made it their mission and the impact was more powerful then anyone could have predicted.

For everyone who calls in the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? and how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

–Romans 10:13-15

This wasn’t some big revelation where everything suddenly became clear nor was it a moment that brought me to be knees….it was a moment that challenged me, it was a moment that made me just sit in my chair and think…. that’s what it’s all about…Go and Tell because the King wants His people, His Glory and love shown to the World…it made me think….How beautiful.

Office Update: Messiah Tour 2010

I am so excited about the upcoming all spring believe 2010 Messiah Tour! No really, I am pumped it is going to be awesome.

Here are my top 5 reasons I am stoked about the Messiah Tour!

1. There is something special about getting into a van with a group people that are crazy enough to dedicate their lives to junior high ministry. It’s always a little crazy, a lot of fun and there is always an excitement in the air to get our feet on the ground and get the “elements” of believe set-up in anticipation for the coming students!

2. The 2010 Tour is going to be AWESOME! Returning artist Eric Timm is going to be doing some stellar artwork that will blow your minds while Hetti Marie and the Foundation Red Band will get you pumped up with their heart pounding, crazy awesome worship! But that’s not all, I am SO excited about the untitled skateboard crew that is going to be joining us this year! It’s gonna be edgy and awesome! I am so ready to laugh until my stomach hurts with the 321 comedy team too!

3. If that wasn’t enough to keep me up at night the new Manga art is so cool! We will even have manga books to you can buy at the believe bookstore…oh yeah, I’ve already read them and you don’t want to miss out!

4. Holy cow the speakers! Scott Rubin, Chad Monahan, Kurt Johnson, Nathan Head, Jason Raitz AND Heather Flies! I got to meet with this group a month ago and it was phenomenal! Not only were they great to just hang out with but they came up with some crazy stuff that will keep you in your seats craving more!

5. Come on, it’s believe….do I really need to say more! I gotta get my heart rate down….It’s going to rock!

Roofing = Mega Loads of Dirt

I had no idea that roofing a house was so...dirty. Now I know how girly that sounds and yes I have seen lots houses being re-roofed. But I had no idea the amount of work that actually went into the task until I went to Know Sweat and saw a team work their tails off, have fun and get mega dirty. Hopefully you will be able to see the picture I attached of the two teenagers that recently attended Know Sweat with their youth group. The entire team was cover in black dirt from head to toe in 100 degree heat! Now that's dedication! It was so encouraging to see this team come together. I'm sure from all different lifestyles and backgrounds, join together and complete something HUGE in just four days. All because they understand the importance of service. I will never forget how dirty they were covered from head to toe but their but spirits shone brightly for an entire neighbor ..all for the glory of God. It's a good day to serve the Lord. Wanna get dirty? Try Know Sweat.

I got to Know Sweat

Last week I got the pleasant adventure of going out with the Know Sweat team that did a week in Joplin, MO. It was an experience like no other...and HOT. 200 junior high and high school students came together from all over the nation to work on houses right in Joplin, MO and those students WORKED hard! Those students painted, racked, mowed, planted, scraped, nailed, cleaned, washed, roofed. 9 different places in the Joplin area were fixed up, worked on and loved on. Now, I won't lie I didn't actually work on any houses but I did get to do was something that definitely opened my eyes to the work and labor that goes into Know Sweat. I rode in one of the trucks from work site to site making sure each house or location had all the materials it needed to get the job done...and those know sweat don't use AC so it was hot ... but very fun. It was awesome to see the work that went into the program and the attention to details on every house. The interns did great and worked so hard. I think it's going to be an awesome summer for Know Sweat. If you want to know more about know sweat check it out at www.ciy.com/knowsweat

So much is happening...

KnowSweat just got on the road to start their summer tour! Check out their dates and locations and keep them in your prayers!

Joplin, MO
Cincinnati, OH
June 15-19

Omaha, NE
Cincinnati, OH
June 22-26

Omaha, NE
Kissimmee, FL
Beckley,WV
June 29-July 3

Milligan, TN
Rockford, IL
July 6-10

Denver, CO
Milligan, TN
St. Louis, MO
July 13-17

Portland, OR
Cincinnati, OH
July 20-24

Cincinnati, OH
Dallas, TX
July 27-31

Dallas, Tx
August 3-7

Also, this just in...believe 2010 tour dates are here!

Anaheim, CA
January 29-30
Hilton Anaheim
777 Convention Way
Anaheim, CA 92802

Tulsa, Ok
February 5-6
Tulsa Convention Center
100 Civic Center
Tulsa, OK 74103

Cincinnati, OH
February 12-13
Bank of Kentucky Center
500 Nunn Drive
Highland Heights, Kentucky 41099

Chicago, IL
February 19-20
N/A

St. Louis, MO
March 5-6
Family Arena
2002 Arena Parkway
St. Charles, MO 63303

Kissimmee, FL
March 12-13
Osceola Heritage Park
1875 Silver Spur Lane
Kissimmee, Florida 34744

Arlington, TX
March 19-20
Arlington Convention Center
1200 Ballpark Way
Arlington, TX 76011

Atlanta, GA
April 9-10
Gwinnett Center
6400 Sugarloaf Parkway
Duluth, Georgia 30097

Anderson, IN1
April 16-17
Anderson University, Reardon Auditorium
1100 East Fifth Street
Anderson, IN 46012

Anderson, IN2
April 17-18
Anderson University, Reardon Auditorium
1100 East Fifth Street
Anderson, IN 46012

Holland, MI
April 23-24
DeVos Fieldhouse
222 Fairbanks Avenue
Holland, MI 49422

Portland, OR
April 30- May 1
Oregon Convention Center
777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Portland, OR 97232

it's believe, check it out....

Well as always I haven't blogged in quite a while. So the faithful two people that do read my blog have probably stopped but I will go ahead and give another go at it.

First off, believe is going really well! The team just got home from Cincinnati, OH and we had almost 4,000 in attendance! How awesome is that?!

Learning how to put on a conference for that many churches, adults and junior high students is quite the experience. From working really long days to simply not even knowing what all needs to be done and covered it was overwhelming to say the least. I must say, I could not pick a better team to work with. I complain at times...I'm human. I get fussy and tired and irritated but I wake up every morning and know that I get to work with really incredibly awesome people.

So, let me just take a moment to tell you a little bit about some really awesome people that love the Lord, junior high students and the kingdom of God!

Nichole Palmateer is so rock solid in her faith. I don't think I have ever met a person that is so willing to give everything she has to the Lord without the slightest of hesitations. What I really love about her is that she is so honest! If she has no idea what you are talking about Nichole will never fake it and if she needs help she is able to ask. Her thoughtfulness, intelligence, humor and overall attitude are a shining light on the junior high team!


Chase Allcott is one of a kind. I mean the guy knows everybody and their mother and hardly ever forgets. He literally keeps ALL of us on track. One thing that really sticks out in my mind is that he always says, "I really want you to learn and grow and I will do whatever I need to help you do that." How awesome is that? It is encouraging to work with someone that wants the people around them to grow and is a willing servant of God to be a part of that! Chase pretty much keeps the believe team from going insane!

Josh walker is so sincere and an incredible worker. I mean I have seen his notebook and his "to-do" is longer then some books I had to read in college! It's INSANE. I appreciate him so much because he is always thinking of others before himself. God's word tells us to put the interest of others before our self and Josh is an awesome example of that. His encouragement and effort is an example to all that know him!

(The Tech guys) Seth Ulrich, Brad Rizer, Nathan Allcorn, Daniel Smyth,Tyler Olsen and Chris Russell are unbelievable. What they do and how hard they work is way beyond my thinking. From lighting, to audio, to cameras and big screens my mind goes in circles. I can hardly move a 30x30 with their equipment in it much less actually make it do anything awesome. Props to them on about a thousand different levels. Not only are these guys really good at what they do but they are fun and caring! They are a tremendous part of the believe team and a true blessing!

(Backstage Manager) Amy Girton has the most patience of anyone I have ever met! Working with almost all boys can be extremely exhausting, (sorry guys but it's true...25 guys to three guys is CRAZY!) Amy handles it like a pro. She knows a little something about every something! Her love for people is admirable and a true example. She is GREAT at what she does and works so hard! I am blessed to know her and even more so to work along side her.

Brent (the stunt guy) and his STELLAR wife, Amanda are an example of servant hood, respect, patience and love to everyone that knows them and meets them. They are truly incredible. They are two of the most inspirational people I have ever met. They work so hard at anything they are doing and are always willing to help at any moment. They are real, genuine, deep and true in every way. I can not possibly say enough good things about them. The believe team is blessed to have them be a part of this tour. I know that we will ALL miss them so much as they follow the Will of God on their lives and go to the Philippines to do mission work. I have no doubt that God will continue to use their molded hearts to further His kingdom.

Jared (the illusionist) is probably one of the funniest people I ever met. When he is on stage students and adults are glued to every word he says. His wit, cleverness and talent have taken him far and I know that God will continue to use Him! He stinkin' loves the students and it is so awesome to watch him interact with all the kids! I love it!

Eric Timm (the painter) is such an inspiration and role model for us all. His wisdom and confidence in the Lord is so encouraging. Everyone that is able to watch him work and "do his thing" walk away knowing that He is worshipping the Lord with every moment and giving the glory to God. His heart for this ministry is whole hearted and overflowing!

The Rubyz (co-worship leaders) are stinkin' energetic! They bring such a fun spirit to the stage. Junior high students get to see a real life example of someone their own age stepping out! These three girls love the Lord and their leadership and example to thousands of students is such a blessing. I have no doubt that God will continue to use them in incredible ways!

(The band) Jeremy Weldon, Chris Derstien, Isaac Schade, Doug Price and Michael Miyahara are some of the best guys out there. They get so excited and pumped up to lead worship for junior high students! They give everything they have and then some. Every once of talent and heart is given to the Lord and shines! It has been such a fun experience to get to know each one of these guys and see their hearts and where God is leading them. They work so hard and have such great attitudes. They rock it and give all the glory to God! Michael is also my fiancé! His heart to serve is an overwhelming inspiration to me! His love and devotion to God is an encouragement day in and day out. I am truly blessed beyond words.

Tom Nobis is our financial "care-taker" and such a hard worker. He is always so willing to step in and do whatever needs to be done in order for things to run smoothly. He has been able to travel to several believes and we have been blessed by his presence each time. He works hard and does it with the heart and mind set that God is being served by every movement.

Director (Johnny Scott) pushes me beyond what I think I can do. He expects the best from people and therefore people are pushed to serve the God with all they have. He LOVES junior high students, youth ministers and the kingdom of God with a solid heart, good humor and steady mind. He pushes his team day in and day out to be better, do better and serve God with everything we have. His leadership is God given and I am excited to be a part of it!

This day is not ours, nor will tomorrow be. It is the Lords and I get to be a part of a team that is driven by that very statement. Let nothing we do be for ourselves but so that the Kingdom of God will grow, overflow and shine.

From running lights, to ordering t-shirts, to answering hundreds of e-mails, voicemails and questions, to playing guitar, to singing, to making sure audio works, to making sure the team is healthy, to painting, to whatever job there is to do both seen and unseen let it be for the Glory of the Lord.