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.