42 degrees

I woke up shivering this morning and LOVED it. I pulled my covers up over my head and stayed in bed an extra 30 minutes before getting up to pour some Dunkin Donuts pumpkin spice coffee. Yum x 100!

I wanted to share my Top 10 Fall Favorites. Some are traditional and some are new for 2012 for me.

1. Football. Philadelphia Eagles (what the heck happened yesterday?)

2. Fall Fashion Color - Maroon.

3. Fall Show I can't WAIT for - Revenge - Season 2. 9/30/12. Missed season 1? Get a recap from the main character, Emily Thorne, below. 

4. Fall beverage - Dunkin Donuts Pumpkin Spice Coffee. I'm drinking and blogging right meow. 

5. Knitting! Last year, I made an infinity scarf like the one below. I LOVE it and can't wait to wear it this season.

6. Fall Scenery. Especially in Lancaster, PA. I love visiting my hometown in the fall. Its beautiful. Truly God's masterpiece.

7. Fall boots. I can't afford these purty thangs, but they rock. Givenchy boots 2012.

8. BAKING. I'm excited to try these sweet potato cupcakes that I found on Pinterest!

9. Cozy nights in with my love, family and pets. Watching a movie. Being COVERED in blankets. Warm tea. Ah, love it. 

10. My Birthday! I get to dress up and don't have to feel like a weirdo since its the day before Halloween ;)

Wednesday Walk: Our Life Is To Be Discovered

I haven't posted in way too long. My goal was to AT LEAST continue to write my Wednesday Walk's since they are most important for me to share. After tonight's bible study, I felt the urge.

I LOVE my bible study. Miss Diane Woerner leads us each week chapter by chapter from a series she has written herself. Tonight's chapter was called, "Why Does God Let Us Suffer?"

Here are some bullet point notes I took tonight. I'll go into detail on the one that REALLY hit home for me (although everything Diane says enlightens me to be honest).

- We reach for God's love and grace MOST when we are desperately seeking relief from pain. How else do we find this unless we are suffering?
- God brings suffering not to hurt us, but to keep us from what is NOT us (like letting go of what we shouldn't be doing/holding on to/sin).
- We need to come face to face with our own weakness to fully receive the strength for the plan God has created for us.
- Embrace your pain and see if you can find God in the middle of it. Its God's problem, not ours.
- Many relate what is evil to suffering when they are actually opposite of the other. Diane's definition of evil is, "Evil is that which contradicts the nature of God." Suffering can be the consequence of something evil but not a direct connection.
- Don't worry about what is to come, for it has already been decided for us. We get to live our lives by discovering it, not creating it. God has already created it for us. 

I have never looked at life that way before. I know God is the one who has made a plan for me, but I always felt that He would give me the tools I needed and I then would go and create it. Knowing that my life here on earth is meant to be a discovery of God's plan takes A LOT of pressure off. This hit me hard. In a good way!

I'm looking forward to going to sleep tonight knowing I get to wake up to a new adventure tomorrow. Its a JOURNEY. I need not worry about the destination. I know my fate already. How about you?

What I've Been Up To...

How does one start a blog just four months ago and already start to slip and let a month and a half go by without writing? Simple... DIY projects.

I started a web series with my friend, Ashlyne Huff, called The Attempters DIY. To learn more, click here theattemptersdiy.blogspot.com and read our first blog entry.

Why this is important to me...

I have a lot of interests that I want to test out. Music is my life, but I do not let it consume all of me. The music industry has led me down a bumpy road and I'm ready to coast a bit (for a little while). The idea for this new project (The Attempters) is FUN and REFRESHING! It lets me explore my creative energy in a new and enlightening way. I feel revived. I would love for all of you to support and pray for Ashlyne and me as we pursue this new project. Thank you. =)

In other news...

I am happy to announce that you will FINALLY get to purchase music by yours truly later this year! I wrote a song with songwriter/producer, Simon Illa, called Right Now that is going to be featured on his new compilation album for his charity, Mind for Music. SOON you will be able to purchase a song of mine for a wonderful cause! I will update everyone with a release date soon!

Promising to post more...

Lindsey

Kristina Cornell

I was recently asked a favor of my dear friend, Kristina Cornell. A simple one for her growing ministry. After all of the things she's done for me, I am honored, but I can't just write a quick little testimonial for her... I'm sorry, Kristina, but I'm going to have to embarrass you by writing a whole blog.

I met Kristina in the middle of NOWHERE Georgia after a show I performed with a country artist. She was the most beautiful, smiley, giggly person I think I have ever met and I INSTANTLY loved her and was drawn to her. She was full of praise for my performance and insisted that we write together. We got together the following week and clicked right away! We wrote a song in less than an hour and spent the rest of the time getting to know each other and having "girl talk". It was wonderful. I wanted to spend every second with this lovely lady. Not just because she was so awesome, but she has an AMAZING voice and killer piano skills!!!!

We continued to write many GREAT songs together and she is still to this day my favorite person to write songs with. She is also the first person I wrote a gospel song with. I don't think she even knows this, but that was the most emotional cowrite of my life. I felt so full of God's love that day and felt so incredibly blessed to have been given this wonderful friend to share it and create it with. The song is called, "You Were There". Now I'm thinking I want to make a youtube video for it. Maybe when I visit her next or when Kristina makes her way down to Nashville again, we can make that happen! =)

Kristina is not only one of the coolest ladies I have met but she has the most refreshing spirit. She will "shoot it to ya straight" about any situation you might be going through and at the end of the conversation, it goes back to God's plan. God truly shines through her eyes. She is the most uplifting and loving friend, mother, daughter, aunt, teacher, writer, and singer I know! 


It has made me so happy to see God work in her life and give her the opportunities to share her love of Christ with others. I KNOW God has SO much more in store for her and even though we don't live close as of now, she's never too far away. 


I LOVE YOU KRISTINA! Thank you with all of my heart for being my friend and always helping and loving me. 


Do yourself a favor and google her! Haha! Or you can go to
www.kristinacornell.com

What Have You Got To Lose?

I've been asking myself that question a lot lately.

For most of my life I've been a very cautious person. I've kept my mouth shut so I refrain from saying the wrong thing... I've avoided opportunities because I was scared and nervous that if I failed, it could jeopardize my career... Well, I'm done with all of that nonsense. ;)

I'm ready to approach life in such a way that if I lost everything, at least I would know I truly LIVED. I didn't hold back. I couldn't regret NOT trying something. I now have a very "just go for it" kind of attitude. It suits me well. I'm enjoying this freedom!

It also helps me avoid building up so much anxious and nervous energy over a long period of time. EVERY time I let my emotions build up without releasing them and confronting a problem, I end up BLOWING up at someone or something. Whew! That's a lot of "ups" that have been bringing me down. I'm ready to look UP and be lifted UP by a promising future.

Hello, World. Its me, Lindsey. Been awhile since I took you on. Get ready.

25 Things You Probably Don't Know About Me

1. If I was forced to eat just one thing for the rest of my life it would be avocado.

2. My recent favorite animal is a duck.

3. My celeb crush is Zac Efron.

4. I dislike playing the guitar.

5. I wish I didn't dislike playing the guitar.

6. I really need a teleportation device.

7. My dream car is the 1989 batmobile.

8. I know what it feels like to realize you have found "the one".

9. I was obsessed with Shirley Temple as a child.

10. I took ballet, tap and jazz from age 3-15 even though I realized by the age of 6 that I really just liked the shoes.

11. You know I'm reeeeeally happy and in a good place in most aspects of my life when I either look super thin and fit or when I'm a few pounds too heavy. The in between is when you should worry. Haha! Just kiddin. Kinda.

12. My first "dream" was to be a broadway star and live in New York City.

13. My longest relationship was almost 7 years.

14. I have now lived in Nashville, TN for almost 7 years.

15. I now feel old after writing #13 and #14.

16. I finished high school a semester early to be able to perform productions at The Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre and to further learn and get serious about songwriting and develop myself as a recording artist.

17. My first car was a 1996 Chevy Cavalier Z24. I cried when I traded it in for a new car. I still miss it.

18. My favorite feature is my booty.

19. My least favorite are my arms.

20. I learned what good music sounds like from my Dad.

21. I learned what unconditional love feels like from my Mom.

22. My favorite person in the whole wide world is Andrew Charles Hager.

23. My 2 main goals for 2012 are to read the bible all the way through and to present myself in such a way that when others are around me, they see that Christ is my life.

24. There are days I forget and don't think about #23.

25. No matter what life throws at me, I have always always ALWAYS been given enough and I know that I know that I KNOW I am never forgotten.

Sweet Home Pennsylvania

Gosh, I miss home. Thank God I can always go back. I miss the simplicity of life in Lancaster, PA. I miss my family. I miss MOST things about PA (except Amish horse poop on the side of the road). Needless to say, I had an AMAZING visit this past week!

Visiting my cousins Brady and Brandon in Bel Air, MD first 

AND... My lovely Aunt Cindy!

Aunt C, me and David in Bel Air, MD

Its a bird! ... Its a plane! ... Oh, wait... Its just David climbing trees.

Night out with our friends Holly and Derrick. What a great couple =)

Holly and I have been friends since we were 13!

Spring House Beer at Taproom in downtown Lancaster at The Hager Arcade Mall

David. The cow whisperer. (at Pine View Dairy in Conestoga)

You. Can. NOT. Beat. Capt Gus. 

My cousin Katie's first time at Capt Gus and she's lived there ALL HER LIFE!!! I was shocked. 

For the Record (no pun intended)

As a little girl, I went over the details of tomorrow over and over and over in my head.

--- Wow. What will it be like when I actually release a REAL album?!

Unfortunately, its not playing out exactly the way I had hoped it would. Life has a funny way of changing course and it can be difficult when you have no clue why. I know, eventually, the Lord will show me just why He decided for His plan for me to take a turn, but it doesn't make for a smooth ride right now.

I debated writing this blog. I thought tomorrow could just come and pass, but I've received so many messages asking questions about my record release and/or messages expressing intense excitement for me and praying for many blessings. I am so thankful for the incredible amount of support I've had over the years. You guys have lived through this journey with me and I think you deserve to know as much as I can possibly say right now.

I'm sure you can guess... My record is not being released tomorrow. I wish I could fill you in with more information but at this time, I can't. No future date has been set.

I'm sorry for the bad news. I greatly appreciate your understanding in advance... Please pause asking any further questions for the time being. I truly do not have the answers and am trying to figure things out myself. With that said, I will admit that most decisions as of late have been made by me. I need to make the changes I feel I'm led to make in order to live the life I was intended to.

For now, these are helping:

=)

Wednesday Walk: Something Greater

Nuff said.

Big Heart Breaking

Are you the kind of person who practices patience maybe a little too much? The type of person who has a hard time saying No? Do you feel people take advantage of you because they know you'll always be there? Do you feel walked all over? Do you feel like you're never given a break? You must be tired. I'm sure you have a warm and genuine smile on your face, but you really must be tired of constantly doing for others and waiting for "your turn". Your BIG heart that you constantly give to others might be slowly breaking.

I have felt that way many times in my life... I went through a tough and awkward rebellion period because of it. What I know now is that God will always fight for me. I don't need to become hard and cold in order for people to make me a priority and make me feel important.

                 -- BUT!

You can break down and become angry... It's OK.

You can speak up for yourself... You're WORTH IT.

You can still be the person people love, adore and can rely on... That's who YOU ARE.

You can set boundaries... You deserve RESPECT.

If you set comfortable boundaries and rely on God to do the rest, people will start to treat you exactly the way you deserve to be treated. I'm still learning every day. I still have a hard time saying no and asking for things I deserve, but I'm getting better. God is showing me more and more that He's got the rest covered. He has my back. He's making my life wonderful because I'm giving it TO HIM. I promise if you slowly start to do the same, you'll see the amazing changes I am seeing in my own life.

For My Mom

The impossible love. That is what a mother should have for her children. My Mom is no different. Actually, yes she is. She's a lioness. No one messes with my brother and me.

As we get older it gets harder and harder to figure out what to do for our Mom for Mother's Day. What do you do for the greatest woman you know? What do you do for the person that has been your constant rock for 20+ years??

Here's one of my gifts to my Mother...

---
 If - a Mother's Day poem for my Mom, Kim - 5/12/12

If my Mother never was mine
My stars would surely refuse to shine
For all my days and all of my nights
I'd never know a true woman's design

If my Mother never had her heart
Surely we all would have fallen apart
But her love grows more when times get hard
She's taught us its never too late to start

If my Mother would have given up
When teenage years got a little tough
Who knows who my brother and I would be
Instead of warriors who always have enough

If my Mother could be one thing more
I'd ask her only to please explore
A way to teach give me the answers for
The key to being like the Mom I adore

                            - Lindsey Hager

My New Playlist

Sharing good music is what makes MY world go 'round. Please feel free to share with me what you are listening to these days and why.

My late spring/pre summer mix 2012:

1. Fine By Me - Andy Grammer - I'm a little obsessed with this tune.
2. Haven't Had Enough - Marianas Trench - Catchy, catchy, catchy.
3. Wild Ones - Flo Rida ft Sia - Can't stop singing it. In the car, the shower, at work, in mid conversation.
4. Ours - Taylor Swift - You can love her or try to hate her, but she's good. She pulls at my heart strings.
5. Every Song I Sing - Chase Rice - Just... please... listen to this one. My goodness. Great writing.
6. Starry Eyed - Ellie Goulding - Loving her NOW, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I used to not be a huge fan. Her unique voice threw me off. Now I LOVE her. Love her originality. She's brilliant.
7. Big Bang - Charity Daw - This girl should be a super star. Just do me a favor and google her or look her up on facebook. She's a doll. This song makes me want to get up and move.
8. Who I Am With You - Lauren Briant - Another beauty on my list. This song is simply so romantic and real.
9. She Rides Away - David Nail - I've always loved his voice. Pretty much anything he sings I will listen to and thoroughly enjoy. This one just sticks with me.
10. A** Back Home - Gym Class Heroes ft Neon Hitch - Another one I just can't stop singing. Ever. In every kind of silly voice imaginable.
11. This Little Girl - Cady Groves - I have the short/little girl complex, but I'm tough (or I think I am anyway). This song is for me.
12. Good Morning - Norah Jones - I love listening to this song when I first get in my car to run errands in the morning. Keeps me calm and gets me ready for the day.

Wednesday Walk: Ok Fine... Here's Your "Sign"

God is pretty humorous. He has been to me lately anyway. I think it's because He knows I need it and I've been trying to pay close attention to Him. Almost trying to catch His signals and wisdom before He even intends to give them to me.

I've been having crazy dreams at night. In each dream I have a different career. I'm playing different roles in my life. And what's funny is although I'll still have to work my booty off to make any of them happen, they are all realistic. Nothing crazy like I'm a super hero or anything. I'm writing a book... I'm designing a clothing line (I swear He told me what the fall colors are going to be this season)... I'm co-owning Jane's Daughters with my Mom and we are having to hire staff... I'm writing hit songs.

I wake up. I write it all down. I breathe in. I breathe out. I'm trying to take it all as a compliment that God is trying to tell me that he gave me many gifts and I can utilize them all. Maybe I NEED to utilize them all. His humble humor comes into play because I've been begging Him for this. I said the other week, "Lord, I know I'm not dumb, but if you could... PLEASE just tell me what you want me to do and make it clear. Show me in some way I can understand and I will follow through." He knows I'm a visual learner. He knows I'll believe in my actual dreams before a clear sign in the daytime here on earth. It just makes me giggle.

I love that we're growing closer and closer. I can feel it. I can feel a REAL relationship with God. He's not just a higher power that I believe in anymore, He's my Father. He's my friend. He's my confidant. My companion. To the point that I almost forget He has it all and I want to ask him, "God, is there anything I can do for you? Are you in need of anything? I want to return the favor."

Birthday Boy Project - An Act of Love

I knew I wanted to make something personal for David for his birthday. Something unique. I searched all over pinterest for ideas, but I ultimately came up with this one on my own. I was pretty proud of myself =)

The pictures below will further tell the tale of how I made this amateur-piece.

I started off with a canvas I found at a yard sale for $2 and the easel for $15 (still had tags on it and was originally $100!!!) That purchase alone saved me about $130!!!

 I painted the canvas using white acrylic craft paint (about $1). Two coats did the trick.


I then printed out eight (8) of our favorite pictures of us in different sizes that I wanted to incorporate into the project. I used scrapbook paper from Jo Ann Fabrics (on sale- 5 sheets for $1!) for a background for the photos. Supplies needed at this point: scrapbook paper sheets (I used 4 total), printer, regular printer paper (8 sheets), scissors, and a pencil.

 

I laid two of the scrapbook sheets on to one side of the canvas. Using the pencil, I did a freehand drawing of a half heart right onto the scrapbook sheets (sorry I don't have a pic of this) and cut. It was a little difficult because I was making one complete half of a heart with two scrapbook pieces (top and bottom) but once you mod podge later, it all comes together. I repeated the same process on the other side of the canvas but upside down. 

Next I cut the the photos and scattered them onto the half hearts to figure out where I wanted to place them.

Once I cut all of my scrap pieces and photos, I put them to the side. The center for my project is a chorus to a silly but cute love song I wrote for David awhile back when he was having a rough day at work. This little act of love made his day, so I knew I wanted to incorporate it. With a pencil first, I wrote out the lyrics for placement. Then with a tiny brush and black acrylic craft paint (about $1), I wrote over the pencil.

I let that COMPLETELY dry for about 30-40 minutes. Next I needed to mod podge my half hearts of scrapbook paper. I took a medium sized sponge brush and generously added a layer of mod podge (the matte finish - $5-$6 at most craft stores) onto the canvas. Immediately, I laid the scrapbook half heart pieces onto the mod podged side of the canvas. With an old paperback book, I smoothed out any little bubbles the mod podge might have created (not pictured, sorry). I probably smoothed out the entire half heart for 1 minute. I repeated the process on the other side of the canvas, upside down.

I then added another layer of mod podge right onto the half hearts and carefully placed the pictures where I wanted them. I did one side, smoothed the photos for a minute and then repeated on the other side with the other set of 4 pictures.

Once everything was placed and smoothed, I added one more layer of mod podge to the ENTIRE painting. Smoothed out everything with the book for about 2 minutes and let it dry.
....................

The photo below shows the final product. Still looks a little weird because the mod podge wasn't completely dry when I took the picture. It WILL DRY CLEAR. That's important to know. Its going to look funky at first.

If any of you are thinking about creating a project like this, I hope this blog post was helpful! I'm not very good at step by step instructions. HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK!

Wednesday Walk: Pray for Wisdom

In I Kings 3, Solomon asks God for the wisdom to govern His people the way God wants him to. He asks for wisdom to be the best king God needs him to be. He doesn't ask for riches. He doesn't ask for a long life. He just wants to serve God the best way possible. In return, God gives him not only the wisdom he needs, but riches, fame, and a long and prosperous life.

Let me know if you feel the same as I do... I've always been told to ask God for wisdom but never truly understood what that meant until recently. I ask God for "signs". I ask God for specifics. I ask Him for direction, but not the wisdom to be able to live the life He intended for me. The wisdom to go out into this world and find my way. I ask for action. I ask for things I can SEE with my own eyes. I try to be patient, but patience frustrates me.

I'm going to practice this "praying for wisdom" thing. Grow a stronger relationship and understanding for God's true intention and direction. Not only with what He wants for me, but for all His children. I want the wisdom to know not only what I can do for myself but for my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Tuesday Talk: Out of Control

Look at the title of this post. Are you noticing a pattern? Ha. If it hasn't hit you yet, I write/think a lot about having control or who's IN control or having no control in our lives. Mostly because in my profession, I always feel everything is slightly out of my hands. I wonder what in fact I CAN alter. What are MY choices. What does God want me to do?

I learned a valuable lesson over the weekend. The best way to get a good grip on what life is all about starts with who you are.

I was in Dallas, TX for David's birthday. I wanted the whole weekend to be about him. I wanted out of my own head, out of my own life, but the one I have with him. His wonderful family and a friend helped throw a party for him and we had many other family/friend get-togethers throughout the 72 hour getaway. I'll admit, even though it was HIS birthday weekend, sometimes it was difficult for BOTH of us to let him have full rein. ;) If felt exhilarating to start focusing less on me and more on others and what I can do to make them happy. I've always felt that after I get my own life the way I want it, after I "fix" me, I can make everyone else happy in return. I can provide for them. I can REALLY be there for them. But waiting until tomorrow might be too late.

I need to be the woman God made me to be right NOW. I need to be the woman my family, friends, church and community need me to be. Even if I'm not everything I thought I'd be by this time in my life, I can have the kind of attitude and outlook that says, "I have it all and I want to share it all with you."

Wednesday Walk: Our Time

About once a week I take my Bible in hand, close my eyes, and flip the pages until I feel I should stop. Then I skim my fingers along the columns of scripture until it feels right. I read the verse that my finger is covering. This was what I landed on today:

The length of our days is seventy years- or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. - Psalm 90:10

Forgive me, for I know many people have written about the simple truth of life being too short and how we should treasure every moment we have here on this earth. We should kiss our loved ones and tell them we love them daily. Forgive a friend or say you're sorry to someone who you've been needing to reach out to. The list goes on... So do we ever listen? Maybe for a day. Maybe for a week if something has really touched us deeply. What makes us change for good? What makes us really LIVE our lives? Do we not want our 70 or 80 year old selves to look back and say, "Ah, what a life. I really lived it to the fullest." Do we not owe that to ourselves?

I've learned that not all of us are going to understand when we might encounter an EXTREME life changing experience, but there are little daily things we can do to slowly change our lives. Change the atmosphere for ourselves and for others around us. Take a moment to help an elderly person carry their groceries to their car (and don't take a tip if they happen to be generous enough to offer). Tip your server at a restaurant 25% even if he/she seems to be having a rough day (it will make a difference and most likely change their mood or make them think, trust me). Call up an old friend you've been meaning to get back to for quite some time (and don't make excuses for why you haven't called, just apologize). Bring flowers home to your mother, grandmother, significant other, assistant, mail carrier, whoever you may want to brighten their day because they do so much for you. Put an hour worth of quarters in the meter beside yours so the person who parks there has a pleasant surprise (it could make their day).

Its simple and we all can do our part. Why don't we? In helping someone else each and every day, we grow to find it makes our lives complete. Makes our lives worth living. All of a sudden, it won't matter that your car ran out of gas this morning, maybe your "someone" will come along with a full gas can. If not, don't worry. Maybe God was saving you from something you were supposed to miss. There's a reason for everything. Time quickly passes and then we fly away to Heaven. How do you want to spend it? Its your move.

Shop Jane's Daughters - Burlap and Chalk Paint

My mother has been doing nothing but creating, creating, creating her whole life. She has such a beautiful gift. She always wants my opinion on her new handmade inventory and I just stand there in awe of everything she makes. Here are a few more pieces from her new Jane's Daughters Collection.

For purchasing information and inquiries, email janesdaughters@gmail.com