When I Felt Jesus' Presence

"You said I know that this will hurt.  But if I don't break your heart, then things will just get worse.  If the burden seems to much to bear, remember the end will justify the pain it took to get us there."   -Let it All Out by Relient K

When I was 8 years old, I got saved.  My testimony is simple; I was a child who accepted Jesus into her heart.  I grew up with parents who love the Lord and always showed me a great example of how to live and love.  This didn't mean my life was perfect, it just meant when problems arose, I had a higher power to rely on.

I struggled with depression as a teenager, but my faith was always consistent.  At the age of 19, I met a guy.  We dated for about a week, he told me he loved me, and then I didn't hear from him anymore.  I had given him my first kiss and when I realized he was no longer going to be in my life, it destroyed me.

You have to understand, this was my first experience with a mutual attraction to someone.  In the past, there was always a lack of chemistry with the few guys I dated.  In the grand scheme of things I acknowledge this may seem like a weak reason to feel "destroyed".  But I was young and naive.  This was the most significant dating experience I'd had up to this point and I was devastated it didn't work out.

I'll never forget how it felt, sitting in the car after a failed attempt to figure out what was going on.  He wasn't responding to my calls and texts.  I was crying, trying to figure out what I did wrong.  My heart felt broken, I couldn't catch my breath, and I had a pit in my stomach.  I verbally cried out to Jesus to take this pain away.  I told Him I couldn't bear it.  In that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace wash over my mind and body.  I felt Him telling me to let this go because He would take care of me.

This was the first time I had ever really felt God's presence.  I know in my heart this was Jesus reassuring me He's with me always.  I got more confirmation when I attended church with my parents that week.  A lady went up to sing and said "This song is for someone who is struggling to let a friend go.  God is with you and He wants you to know you'll be okay."  It was exactly what I needed to hear at that time and eventually I was able to move on and forgive.

After the heartbreak my aunt told me sometimes God will bring the wrong person into your life right before the right person, and that's exactly what He did.  It was almost a year later that I met the man who is my husband today.  Words cannot express the joy I feel for the way God's plan for me has unfolded.

I'm extremely thankful for this entire experience because it revealed to me true love.  If I'd never had my heart broken, I don't think I'd appreciate my husband as much as I do.  God made us for each other and our love will never die.  More importantly, I know my savior will never fail me.

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

Melvin and the Crapped Diaper

Warning: If you are easily grossed out, please do not look below.  

It's time for another funny story here on the blog.  Sometimes I like to take a break from the serious stuff and just share something hilarious that happened in my past.  This story is about me and my sister's friend who we'll call "Melvin".

Melvin and his sister, Marsha, were our best friends.  One summer day in 2009, my mom drove us to Marshall's to go shopping.  We had all piled in the van and wanted to get inside quickly to escape the dreaded heat.  Melvin was faster than all of us and didn't even look where he was walking.  All the sudden I hear my sister and Marsha roaring in laughter while Melvin is running into the store in disgust.  I finally got to where they were standing and made a horrific discovery.

Before us laid a crapped adult sized diaper.  Apparently Melvin was a little hasty in his journey across the parking lot and stepped right into this awful mushy mess.  We followed him into the store as he went to the men's room to clean his poor shoe.  Yes, we laughed at him, but I also felt really bad too.

I bet he was more observant from then on.  And seriously, who leaves that in a parking lot?  I happened to snap a picture of the diaper, so here it is below.  Sorry...not sorry...?

Prank Gone Wrong!

I've talked about some of my pranks before in the blog The Red Fox Strikes Again, which explains the title of this page.  Today I thought I'd share a hilarious story that really happened to me when I was about 10 years old.  

It was summer time in the year 2000 and I was bored at home.  My little sister was at a friend's house and I was trying to think of something fun to do.  I came up with the idea to booby trap her room.  

The first step was to put toilet paper on top of her fan so it would fly all over the room the next time she turned it on.  Next, I put hair curlers in her bed.  

Then, I got a plastic cup and filled it with water before taping a piece of thread to it and placing it on top of her open door.  The other end was taped to the wall so when she opened the door, the water would dump on her head.  And finally, I used more thread and taped it across the door below her eye level, so she wouldn't notice before running into it.

  
My plan was set so I decided to find something else to do.  I had lunch with my mom and then played with Barbies for a few hours.  The phone rang and I jumped up, excited to see who it was.  This was another opportunity for a prank, depending on who was calling.  I quickly ran to the nearest phone, which happened to be in my sister's room...but I was unable to answer it.  I ran right into the thread as the water spilled on me and the cup clonked me on the head.  I had fallen into my own trap.  I was so embarrassed I didn't tell anyone what happened.  

But later that night, my sister got a big surprise when she got into bed and turned on the fan! 

5 Practical Tips For Getting an Amazing Night's Sleep

I'm excited to discuss this topic because I believe sleep should be highly valued and prioritized.  Unfortunately, sleep is underrated and often neglected in our society today.  This can be extremely dangerous to our health.  Lack of sleep can cause many health problems such as weight gain, premature aging, decrease in sex drive,  and memory impairment.  In fact, according to sleep expert Dr. Kirk Parsley, "It's very similar to being intoxicated when you're sleep deprived."

Sleep is something I personally feel very passionate about because if I go without it, I'm basically a zombie the next day.  I have to maintain a sleep routine because if I don't, I feel sick, weak, foggy, and sometimes it takes several days and nights before I feel normal again.  I even had to quit a job because I was being asked to go on business trips and stay out late after meetings.  My body could not keep up and I had to make the difficult decision to leave that company.  My health was more important than that job, and in the end it was the best choice for me.

  Below is a list I've compiled that will help prepare for an amazing night's sleep.  These are things I've found helpful in my own attempts at falling asleep if I'm struggling.

1. Limit Lights
Having lights on at night tricks our bodies into thinking it's still time to be awake.  After the sun goes down, I try to limit my use of lights.  I'll use a desk lamp for reading, but overhead lights are rarely on in the hours before bedtime.  Plus, this is a great way to save money!  It's also a good idea to put your phone on the new "Night Shift" setting.  If you have an iPhone, go to your settings and select "Display & Brightness", then click on "Night Shift".  You'll see a description that says "Night Shift automatically shifts the colors of your display to the warmer end of the color spectrum after dark.  This may help you get a better night's sleep."  My phone is automatically set to this mode every night.  Darkness is ideal for sleeping deeply, so make sure to eliminate all lights in your bedroom.

2. Take a Break From Distractions
Bedtime should be peaceful and relaxing.  Try to create a calm atmosphere, starting when the sun goes down.  Set this time aside to be with family and wind down.  Take a break from studying or thinking about work, and do something that helps you feel serene.

3. Avoid Late Night Snacking
I used to love having late night snacks before bed.  But this is not the best habit to get into.  You should eat enough at dinner so you're not ready for another meal at bedtime.  That way, your body isn't having to digest when you're trying to fall asleep.

4. Comfort is Key
This is one of the most important things you can do because there are so many factors that can cause you to be uncomfortable when falling asleep.  Make sure the temperature in the room is how you like it.  Eliminate anything that could potentially cause you to be uncomfortable when falling asleep, such as clipping hangnails, going to the bathroom, or applying lip balm to chapped lips.  I also keep water on my nightstand, but I don't guzzle it right before bed because then I'll have to get up to pee soon after.  Just drink enough so your mouth isn't dry.  If you're sensitive to noises, a great option is to wear earplugs.  They have been a lifesaver to me in many situations, especially if you have a spouse who snores.  Lastly, get some soft, comfy bedding you'll look forward to snuggling into.

5. Go Inward
This tip has specifically helped me in times of stress.  I struggle to fall asleep if there is something major, good or bad, going on in my life.  But thinking and worrying about outward things and the future can lead you to lay awake with an active mind all night, and that's what we're trying to avoid.  In these instances, I have caught myself clenching my teeth and fists, and my whole body is tense.  Once you recognize this, you can release tension and allow your muscles to relax.  This is the first step because it's easier to relax your body than your mind.  Take deep breaths if you need to.  Then, focus on controlling your thoughts.  I'll often pray to God as I fall asleep, which is very calming.  I simply talk to Him about my worries and thank Him for all of my blessings.  Other times, I'll fantasize about things that make me happy, like being with my husband, what kind of mother will I be, or what would happen if I accomplished all my dreams and goals.  Let your mind take you to the best possible places, and you'll drift off to sleep in no time.

I hope these tips help.  I'm not qualified to give medical advice and if you think you have a serious sleep problem, you should see a doctor.  Everyone deserves to feel rejuvenated in the morning and I wrote this for people who may not have thought about the tips I've shared.  Our goal is eight hours a night and I hope this helps you get there!

Sources:

Beauty Inside Out Podcast With Kimberly Snyder Episode 31: Better Sleep With Dr. Parsley and How To Fight Fatigue Naturally!

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/10-results-sleep-loss#3

5 Advantages of Vegan Cooking

I've discussed my recent decision to eat vegan 98% of the time on here before.  I have experienced many health benefits from altering my diet this way, but I want to expand on that.  Below are the advantages I've discovered by cooking vegan the majority of the time.

1. Decreased Risk of Getting Sick
I'm starting off with my favorite benefit because I feel it's so important.  When you're cooking with all vegan ingredients, you decrease your risk of getting sick from tainted meat or spoiled dairy.  I have been the victim of food poisoning before and it is absolutely miserable.  It feels good to no longer have to be concerned with this.

2. Easier Food Prep
I no longer have to wait for meat to thaw.  Now, I plan my meals around fresh veggies and other sources of protein, such as tempeh.  It's so much easier to slice it and fry it up within minutes, rather than having to touch slimy chicken and wait for it to be fully cooked.  I've found that in general, it's much faster to throw together a vegan meal.

3. Discover New Foods and Culinary Creativity
Ever since I started making vegan recipes, I've discovered many new delicious foods I would have never thought to try before.  I just tried tofu for the first time, and it's not bad.  I also get to play around with my cooking skills.  I'm amazed at the delectable creations I can make with alternative ingredients.  I've been living this way for about a year and I don't feel I'm missing out on anything because of all the amazing options out there.

4. Improve Your Health
Eliminating animal protein and dairy from your diet will significantly improve your health.  I've felt the benefits in my own body.  Dairy is extremely acidic, is difficult to digest, and causes our bodies to create excess mucus.  High amounts of animal protein are also hard to digest and our bodies can't even use most of the protein.  Not to mention that when combined with starches, as in typical meals such as spaghetti and meatballs, a large burden is put on our digestive system.  This results in all our energy going to our bellies and we feel heavy and sluggish.  The bottom line is, reducing consumption of meat and dairy can have significant improvements to many aspects of your health, including reducing aging, improved skin health, weight loss, increased energy, and so much more!

5. Spend Money on Life
When you go vegan, you're no longer keeping slaughter houses in business.  The less meat you consume, the better it is for animals and where your money goes.  I'd rather spend my grocery money on fruits and vegetables than putting it towards contributing to greenhouse gas.

My goal is not to make anyone feel guilty about what they eat.  I used to believe I needed meat and dairy to survive.  That ended up not being true, as I'm thriving on a plant-based diet today.  My hope is that you will think about these advantages and maybe try a vegan meal to see how you feel afterwards.  You may be surprised by how light and energetic your body feels and I'd encourage everyone to try it, at least once!

I have all the recipes pictured here, so if you're interested I'd be happy to share.  Just leave me a comment!

Star-Crossed Review

 Warning: Spoilers below!

My husband and I just finished watching Star-Crossed (2014) on Netflix.  It was such an intriguing and thought provoking show, I decided I had to review it.  The plot is pretty simple, but the execution is extremely well done and dare I say, unique.

It's about a human girl and alien boy who fall in love, but unlike most stories that begin this way, the aliens are out in the open.  It's similar to the show Roswell, which I also love, but in this world, everyone knows the aliens crashed.  They came in 2014 and the show goes forward 10 years into the future.  Now, in 2024, the aliens, called Atrians, are all living in a "sector" because the humans are trying to determine if they are a threat.

My first thought about these aliens was "How convenient they look just like us, with the exception of their markings."  But the more I thought about it, I realized it would actually make more sense that other intelligent life in the galaxy would resemble humans, rather than look like the strange creatures we're used to seeing in science fiction.

Star-Crossed is loosely connected to Romeo and Juliet as every episode title, and even the show title, is based on lines from the play.  It also has a lot to say about racism, particularly showing similarities between the real life integration that occurred in the 1950's and the alien integration program portrayed in the suburban high school, which is one of our main backdrops.

This is a CW show, so of course, all the actors are physically attractive.  I think they did an excellent job with casting, and the main characters are all very likable.  Emery and Roman are the leads and their chemistry is captivating.  There is always an undertone of longing when they're together.  I also like the fact that there are many characters, like Drake, Teri, Grayson, and Eric, who go through changes that cause them to be on the side we're rooting for.  They are more complex as the story progresses, which keeps things interesting.

The driving force of this show is of course, the enthralling romances we get to explore.  It's mainly focused on the slow burn between Emery and Roman, but I have to mention Drake, an Atrian, and a human girl named Taylor.  They have several intense trysts throughout the season, which results in a hybrid pregnancy.  It's clear the show intended their love scenes to be rough and fast compared to Emery and Roman whose scenes are much more gentle and romantic.  This is a true representation of each couple and their stories.

The alien mythology is also quite fascinating.  Atrians have two hearts and can breathe through their skin, even in water.  A plant called cyper grows from Atrian corpses and when combined with their blood, can cure and heal both humans and Atrians.  Atrians are born with markings that look like tattoos, individual to each one.  I thought they did a great job making the marks look natural and badass at the same time.

Since our setting is the year 2024, we get some great predictions about the future.  I appreciated the subtlety compared to what we've seen in other futuristic portrayals.  They seemed to really look at what we have currently and tried to treat it with a realistic progression.  Cell phones are similar to what we have now, but the touch screens are clear and glow bright blue.  The only thing is, this didn't seem very private.  There are screens all over the school and in the tables at restaurants.   The fashion is sleek, but not too far from what we have now.

This is a show targeted for a young audience and it did have a few cliche moments, but overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it.  We are left with many unresolved issues and a big cliffhanger in the season finale.  Unfortunately, they were not able to continue with a second season.  Even so, I still say it's worth watching.  I'm hoping some day it will get the Gilmore Girls treatment and come back!

The Woes of Being Nearsighted

I have struggled with myopia most of my life.  It sounds more serious than it is; it just means I'm nearsighted.  I'm not sure if it's because I played Game Boy too much as a kid or simply genetics.  All I know is that for the majority of my adolescent years, I saw the world in a blur.  I was unaware of how severe my vision problems were, so I just adapted.  I went to the eye doctor to get glasses when I was about 13 and tried contacts.  I was unable to get them in after trying for over an hour.  I gave up and only wore my glasses at school when I needed to see the board.  I was embarrassed to wear them regularly and as the years went on, my vision gradually got worse. 

School was harder than it should have been simply because my distance vision was so strained.  I even struggled to see people's faces and one of my friends thought I was being rude by not acknowledging him, when in reality, I couldn't see that it was him.  

It got even harder when I started driving.  Since I wasn't used to my glasses and was required to wear them for my driving test, I failed the first time.  There were definitely other factors at play to cause that failure, but my vision played a major role.  Once I got my license, I knew I was supposed to wear my glasses whenever I drove, but I rarely did.  This led to a few close calls with accidents and I was unable to learn street names.  People would talk about directions and I'd have no idea what they meant because I couldn't see street signs.  I'd have to rely on landmarks to learn how to get places.

As time went on, I was living with my disability, but I wasn't experiencing life to the fullest.  Any time I went to the movies I had to sit very close to the front, and even then the screen was still blurry.  

At the age of 19, I was doing okay at my community college, but not my best.  I was about to graduate and get my AA degree and I knew something had to change before I went a larger University in the fall.  I finally decided I needed to go to the eye doctor, face my fears, and try contacts again.  I was extremely nervous because I was afraid there would be something really wrong with eyes.  It turns out, my vision went from 20/200 to 20/400, which made sense considering all the trouble I was having.  The old glasses I was using were pretty much worthless.  I was dreading trying contacts again because I had such a difficult time before.  But finally, after several tries, I got them in.

I didn't know what to expect, but when I could finally see clearly, I was amazed.  I couldn't believe how much I was missing out on.  On the drive home I told my mom I could actually read the street signs.  It was like a whole new world for me.  That night,  I looked up at the sky, and for the first time in years, I could see the stars.

Getting them out was something I struggled with the first week, but after finding a video on YouTube that taught an easier technique, I quickly learned to removed them with ease.

I remember how much easier my first semester at the University was since I no longer struggled to see the board.  My grades improved and I even made new friends because I was so much more confident in my social skills.  I could actually see the expressions on people's faces when they talked to me.

The whole point to this story is, if you need to do something simple to improve your quality of life, but you're afraid, you should always try.  I'm so thankful for my contacts every day.  I wear the Dailies, so I put a new pair in every morning, and I absolutely love them.  They are the healthiest lenses and rarely bother my eyes.  My life was improved tremendously and I want everyone who shares this condition to understand what I went through so they can experience life clearly as well.

5 Reasons to Begin an At Home Yoga Practice

When I was growing up, things like yoga and meditation were thought to be foreign and possibly even dangerous.  I grew up in a Christian home and because the origins of this form of exercise were from an unfamiliar part of the world, it was something we never even considered trying.  I was surprised when my mom started attending yoga classes in 2012, because it was so uncharacteristic of her to try something so different.  She had good things to say about it and I was curious, but not enough to try it myself.  I was focused on cardio work outs and saw yoga as boring because it wasn't fast paced.  Then, in 2014 my sister introduced my mom to a YouTube channel called Yoga With Adriene.  My mom started doing the videos at home instead of going to classes because of the convenience and ability to save money.  Once I saw what it was all about, I decided to give it a try last year in 2015, and I'm so glad I did.  Once I stopped being skeptical and let go of my unwarranted preconceptions of this practice, I began to feel the benefits myself.  Below are the results I have felt in my own body, as well as things my mom and my husband have said about their experiences with yoga.

#1: Yoga is Healing to Everyday Aches and Pains

I'm very thankful I found yoga at a young age.  I was 25 when I started my practice.  My mom started because she was experiencing miscellaneous soreness and yoga was suggested to help alleviate the pain.  Now she says if she does yoga everyday, her body doesn't ache, but if she's unable to practice, the aches come back.  She specifically used the word therapeutic to describe her experience with yoga.  Since I've experienced such positive results, I encouraged my husband to try it with me, and now we practice together.  He does a lot of manual labor for his job so he enjoys doing yoga to relieve soreness.

#2: Yoga Builds Strength Without Strain

One of my favorite benefits of yoga is how it builds strength by using your own body weight.  It's also vastly different from the straining I felt when doing other activities, such as running.  Before my mom started doing yoga, she was unable to lift a pack of water bottles.  Since starting her practice, she says she has no problem lifting them into her trunk.  This is a small example of the big things that can happen in your body when you start doing yoga.  It's also a great way to improve flexibility, as there are many stretches involved that feel amazing.

#3: Yoga on Your Terms

One of the main things I love about my at home yoga practice is the privacy.  I'm able to learn the poses at my own pace and focus on improving without distractions.  I've even surprised myself with how much I'm able to do already and there are easy modifications you can apply if you're not quite ready for the full pose yet.  It's so convenient for me to go to YouTube and pull up any video I want for how I feel that day.  There are videos for beginners, morning routines, bedtime routines, long videos, short videos, and practices for certain health issues or goals.  I recently completed a 30 day series called Yoga Camp, which I highly recommend. 

#4: Yoga Helps You Start Your Day Right

I can always tell a difference between how my day goes depending on whether I started with yoga or not.  The days I get up early and start with a yoga practice I feel energized, motivated, and focused.  I'm able to make healthier decisions because I've set a healthy tone for my whole day.  I feel balanced and my mind feels clearer.  There is definitely a correlation between a calm mind and strong body when practicing yoga.

#5 Yoga Is Unique

I believe yoga is unique compared to other forms of exercise because of the focus on breathing.  When I'm in the middle of a tough flow, my mind starts to wander and I feel like giving up.  But then I'm instantly reminded to focus on inhaling and exhaling.  The simple act of focusing on the breath allows me to get through the pose, therefore building strength.  Breathing is key and distracts me from the discomfort I might be feeling in my muscles.  I believe yoga is one of the most healthy forms of exercise because it focuses on the mind and the body at the same time.

I would recommend that everyone try yoga at least once.  You may fall in love with it like I have.  In this world, we are always on the go and yoga gives us the opportunity to slow down and take care of ourselves.

If you've been hesitant to try it because you're worried it's dangerous, I can assure you there is nothing to fear.  You can customize the mantras and thoughts for your own beliefs.  During the moments when I'm going inward and focusing on something positive, I always give thanks to God.  

Here is a link to the Yoga With Adriene YouTube Channel.  Check it out and find what feels good!

Concert Adventures

For someone who rarely stays up past 10 PM, I've been to quite a few concerts.  Even though I have very sensitive ears and sometimes the flashing lights make me feel like I might pass out, the music is worth it.  I don't want to forget all the awesome, often crazy times I've had in the past 16 years going to shows, so I thought I'd share them here.

My first show was pretty tame since I attended with my parents and little sister when I was about 11.  I don't remember much about it except we saw the Newsboys and my ears really hurt.  That's when I learned to always wear earplugs to shows in order to protect my hearing.  It was a lot of fun since this was the first time I'd ever seen a live band.

I didn't go to another concert until I was 16.  It was a Christian festival in 2006 with Hawk Nelson, Toby Mac, and Krystal Meyers.  My mom and aunt took me, my little sister, and our two friends to this show at Wild Adventures.  It was my first outdoor festival.

I also went to Murray Hill Theater, a Christian venue in downtown Jacksonville several times.  I saw Hawk Nelson and Showbread there.  My sister got some killer shots of Josh Dies and Showbread.

In 2007, when I was 17, I had the privilege of attending Cornerstone Florida in Orlando with my sister and our best friend.  It was dusty and blazing hot but it blew my mind.  We spent two days watching sets, meeting bands, buying merch, and taking pictures.

The most memorable bands we saw were The Almost, As Cities Burn, Chasing Victory, Family Force 5, Showbread, Stellar Kart, and Underoath.

 While browsing around, we met a guy from a band called Woodale.  We hung out with him and even went to a backstage area where all the bands sat to eat.

Cornerstone was set up really nice for being outdoors in the summer.  Each band had their own merch booth and huge tents blocked the harsh sun.  We walked around in between sets and got to meet a lot of bands and get their autographs including Showbread, Family Force 5, and Chasing Victory.

The best part of the festival came at the end of the second night.  We stood at the main stage waiting for Underoath to play.  We were in the middle front as more kids started to crowd around us.  I'll never forget how hot and humid it was.  There was a large guy directly in front of me with sweat dripping from his neck and hair.  Finally, the band started walking out and the crowd went crazy.  Everybody pressed against each other screaming as fog filled the air.  Lights flashed, the music started, and that's when we realized we were right in the middle of the mosh pit.  Looking back it's hilarious how ignorant we were.  I learned right then I'm way too fragile to be in the pit, but at that point it was too late.  I remember panicking as my sister was pulled up even closer to the stage.  She said someone grabbed her and tried to make her crown surf.  I got separated from our friend too as I shoved my way to the back of the crowd.

Once I broke free, I took a deep breath.  Thankfully, I didn't have to wait long before I found our friend.  We grabbed each other and started nervously laughing about making it out alive.  It was then we noticed her flip flops were missing and she gave up trying to find them pretty quickly.  We walked to the side of the crowd searching for my sister and finally found her.  We ended up sitting on a side fence at a safe distance from the insanity of the crowd.  It was actually a great view and I remember thinking my life was complete after seeing them live.

The next show I went to was in 2009 with my sister to see Drop Dead Gorgeous and blessthefall at a small bar downtown.  I wasn't great with directions and this was before I had GPS so we ended up getting lost.  Finding the venue was an adventure on it's own, but we finally made it.  I was thrilled to see blessthefall for the first time.  This was when they were promoting Witness and Mike Frisby was still in the band.

In 2010 I went to Stetson University to see We the Kings with a friend from college.  This show was nice because it was outside and the weather was pleasant because it was in the fall.

I saw We Are The In Crowd, You Me At Six, and Mayday Parade next with my husband at Freebird Live in 2011.  This was our first show together so it was pretty special.  The venue was awesome because there was a second story where you could have a higher view, but we ended up downstairs for most of the show.  And yes, we got matching shirts...

We went back to Freebird Live in 2014 to see Silverstein and blessthefall.  I think this was probably my favorite show ever.  Blessthefall was touring for Hollow Bodies which was my favorite album of theirs at the time.  We got really close to the stage without being in the pit and they sounded amazing live.  I saw a huge improvement in their stage presence compared to when I saw them in 2009.

Click here to watch a playlist I made from this show!

In 2015, I was able to attend two shows with my husband.  We saw A Skylit Drive, Wolves at the Gate, and The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus at Aqua/Beach Blvd Concert Hall.  This was another instance where we got lost on the way to the show.  The GPS kept telling us we had arrived, but we were at a Goodwill.  We realized the address on the tickets was wrong and thankfully didn't miss anything.

We ended up meeting Wolves at the Gate after the show and they were really nice.  The first vinyl we ever bought was VxV and we got them to sign it.  It was super nostalgic seeing Red Jumpsuit because I had listened to them since I was 16 when Don't You Fake It came out.

Click here for another playlist I made for this concert!

My husband surprised me and got us tickets to Emery's The Question 10 year anniversary show at 1904 Music Hall.  The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Hearts Like Lions, and Forevermore were some of the best supporting bands I've seen.  Emery played most of the songs from The Question and a few from their other albums.  This was another moment of nostalgia for me because I've been an Emery fan since 2006, so I grew up with these songs.  The crowd knew all the words so it was like we were reliving a part of our past together, even without knowing each other, and that was really special.  We got one of the last The Question vinyls they had.  We also were able to speak to Matt Carter for a minute right after the show and tell him how much we love his band and The BadChristian Podcast.

Click here to watch another playlist I made from this show!

The most recent show we went to was in April 2016.  We went to Orlando to see Underoath on their Rebirth 10 year anniversary tour for Define the Great Line at Hard Rock Live.  We had to buy the tickets months in advance because they sold out so quickly.  This could have been a once in a lifetime event since they reunited  for this tour so I wanted to make sure we got seats.  We decided to make a weekend out of it and stayed at a hotel near Universal for two nights.  I was so happy when we decided to go because Underoath is another band I grew up with.  The nostalgia for this show was off the charts.  This was by far the nicest concert venue I had ever been to.  We waited in line for quite a while and there was even security outside checking everyone before we got in.

The first thing we did was hit the merch table in search of the double vinyl, but unfortunately, they were sold out.  We did get a couple shirts and a hat that were pretty expensive, but I'm okay with paying good money for something that valuable.  We had seats on the balcony, pretty close to the front.  They played every song from They're Only Chasing Safety and Define the Great Line, and sounded amazing live.  The only downside to this venue for me was the fancy lights.  Don't get me wrong, the show looked amazing and all the visual parts were great.  But part of the time I had to keep my eyes closed because the lights were so bright and flashy.

Nevertheless, the show was awesome.  I had seen them 9 years ago at Cornerstone when I was 17 and there I was at 26, hearing the same songs, and still getting chills.  Underoath was almost like a friend to me growing up because I went through a depression in my teens and they helped me get through it.  That place was electric with nostalgia and it was amazing to be among all those fans remembering together.  The show got out pretty early and we were starving so we ate at Bubba Gump's on the boardwalk.

So that wraps it up.  Leave me a comment of your concert adventures if you have any crazy stories.  I can't wait to see what shows I'll be going to in the future.  My dream would be to make it to Warped Tour, so hopefully that will be next on my list!