"Good To Be Alive" - Skillet Saturday 3

"When all you got are broken dreams

Just need a second chance

And everything you want to be 

Gets taken from your hands"

Right after I graduated High School in 2011, my world was turned upside down.  My parents sat me and my younger brother down and told us what no kids want to hear from their parents. 

"We're getting divorced." 

"This life could almost kill ya

When you’re trying to survive"

So many tears were shed that night as my parents explained why.   All I kept thinking was this is a horrible dream. 

This Can't be happening. Not to me. Not my parents.  Other peoples parents get divorced.  Not mine.  My parents were gonna be together forever.  Forever.  Does anything last forever? Are any relationships forever? God, how could you let this happen?! 

I was so angry at God for allowing everything to happen.  I was mad at my parents for the choices they had made.  I still couldn't wrap my brain around the fact that this was actually happening. 

I called my best friend who was my boyfriend at the time and told him everything that had happened.  He couldn't believe it either.  He told me it was gonna be okay and that he loved me. 

"It’s good to be alive

I was lost and I was gone

I was almost dead inside

You and me against the world

It’s a beautiful night

It’s good to be alive"

Ironically, just days before my parents told me they were getting divorced, me and my best friend of over two years finally admitted to being in love with each other.  I was flying high on a cloud.  I was so happy. It felt so good to be alive and to be able to experience everything that I was feeling and thinking.  Not knowing that only days later I would be wishing I couldn't feel anything.

Late that fateful night my boyfriend came and got me and we just drove around in silence for a long time.  I thought if I could keep from talking about it out loud that maybe it wouldn't happen. 

Despite the happiness my boyfriend caused me in the months to come, I was still in extreme pain while my parents were working over details of the divorce.  I thought life was gonna keep going down hill from there. I questioned God on a daily basis. Asking him if true love existed. If two people could stay together even if the worst should happen. 

My family, close friends and boyfriend surrounded me, my brother and parents with open arms and shoulders to cry on. Offering up pillows as punching bags or ice-cream as a sweet treat. During that whole time, I was overwhelmed with love.  God showed me love is real and that it exists in all forms.  That life was good.  That there was a light at the end of the tunnel, if I just kept moving. 

"Driving down this highway

Soaking up the sun

Got miles to go before we get home

And the journey’s just begun

We hold onto each other

You are everything I need

You feel like forever

You’re a second chance for me"

 God showed up and was on my side the whole time.  I love that saying about walking with God in the sand, and when you ask God where he was when you look at the one set of footprints during the hardest moments of your life, God looks back at you and says that's where I carried you.  Looking back know, I see God placed so many people in my life during that time that just loved on me and my family. 

"It’s good to be alive

I was lost and I was gone

I was almost dead inside

You and me against the world

It’s a beautiful night

It’s good to be alive

It’s beautiful night

Yeah, it’s all right

It’s good to be alive"

I believe that God puts people in our lives when we need them the most. Or when they need us.  My grandmother told me, "Friends are like the ever changing seasons. In blooming one minute, gone the next winter due to frostbite. "   I always hated that.  I hated how so many of my friends of the last few years came and left for different reasons.  Sometimes to this day I still hate it.  But now that I'm somewhat older I'm glad its this way.  I'm a different person than I was a few years back. Hopefully I've changed for the better as I attempt to adjust to this so called life as an adult.

And the light at the end of the tunnel was that my parents stayed together. I Thank God that so many people were praying for my parents marriage that when they went to sign the papers there was a change in hearts.  

 As much as the whole situation sucked, I'm glad I went through it because now I can relate to so many others and give them the hope that was given to me when I was hopeless and forgetting how good it was to be alive. 

******

(Song video and lyrics listed below after the contest details)

******

Want to Win Skillet's new CD Rise? Enter my Instagram contest! 

How ya enter:

1. Snap a pic of what your sick of

Featured  Photo (above)  from Instagram contest:  User:  @memoriesnlockets / we have a shoe problem.   Sick of Dirty shoes everywhere lol  #skilletsaturday_sos84  #sos84_contest

2.  Tag me in it @Nxt_Left 

3. Hashtag it  --   #skilletsaturday_sos84 ,  #sos84_contest 

4. Share the contest and tell others to like your picture! (If your account is private the photos can't be viewed :(  )

*I'll be featuring some of my favorites every Saturday on my blog until the contest is over :) 

*This contest will end when I finish the Skillet Saturday Series.  The Winner will be picked randomly and if the contest goes well I'll pick more than one winner! So plenty of time to win! :D Spread the word, share it, like it,ect!  So excited to see your photos!!!! 


******

Skillet - "Good to be Alive" 2013  (With interlude to "Not Gonna Die" at the end. AHHHHHH!!!!! Can I just say next saturday is one of my favorite songs off the album! Love the interlude and the crazy rock n roll in "not gonna die".  focus lol.  Link Below)

http://youtu.be/xW2kWbuTb2E

"Good To Be Alive"  (Lyrics)

When all you got are broken dreams

Just need a second chance

And everything you want to be

Gets taken from your hands

We hold onto each other

All we have is all we need

Because one way or another

We always thank it’s you and me

This life could almost kill ya

When you’re trying to survive

It’s good to be here with ya

And it’s good to be alive

It’s good to be alive

I was lost and I was gone

I was almost dead inside

You and me against the world

It’s a beautiful night

It’s good to be alive

It’s good to be alive

It’s good to be alive

It’s good to be alive

It’s good to be alive

It’s good to be alive

Driving down this highway

Soaking up the sun

Got miles to go before we get home

And the journey’s just begun

We hold onto each other

You are everything I need

You feel like forever

You’re a second chance for me

This life could almost kill ya

When you’re trying to survive

It’s good to be here with ya

And it’s good to be alive

It’s good to be alive

I was lost and I was gone

I was almost dead inside

You and me against the world

It’s a beautiful night

It’s good to be alive

It’s beautiful night

Yeah, it’s all right

It’s good to be alive

This life could almost kill ya

When you’re trying to survive

It’s good to be here with ya

It’s good to be alive

It’s good to be alive

It’s good to be alive

It’s good to be alive

It’s good to be alive

It’s good to be alive

And it’s good to be alive

It’s good to be alive

I was lost and I was gone

I was almost dead inside

You and me against the world

It’s a beautiful night

It’s good to be alive

It’s beautiful night

Yeah, it’s all right

It’s good to be alive

******

Check out the first two posts in the Skillet Saturday Series! 

"Rise" - Skillet Saturday 1

http://kayleighryder.blogspot.com/2013/07/rise-skillet-saturday-1.html

"Sick Of It" - Skillet Saturday 2

http://kayleighryder.blogspot.com/2013/08/sick-of-it-skillet-saturday-2.html

See ya back here next Saturday with "Not Gonna Die" 

~KayLeigh

"Sick Of It" - Skillet Saturday 2

What are you sick of?

Human Trafficking

Depression

World Hunger

School Shootings

Suicide

Parents fighting all the time. Divorce

Feeling Unloved

Fear

Heartbreak

Hopelessness

Violence

Bullying. Peer Pressure

Abuse

Rumors. Lies. Gossip.

Hate

False Beauty. What the world leads us to believe is beautiful. 

Vanity

Loneliness  

This List goes on. Insert what your sick of here _________________

Skillet's #Sickofit pics from Instagram (Above)

"When everything you do

Don't seem to matter.

You try but it's no use

Your world is getting blacker.

I'm sick of all these beauty rags telling me I'd be beautiful if.... If I had this celebrity's body. This girls hair. That girls clothes. Wear this designer. Do your makeup like this.  If you do this_____ your beautiful. If you look like this______, then your beautiful.  

I'm sick of it!

No matter what I do, the world's idea of who they deem beautiful is constantly changing. 

"Every single day
I chase my own tail
Like a rat inside a maze
Gotta get, gotta get, get away

 I'm running out of time
For me to break this.
I'm tired of feeling like
I'm never gonna make it."

I'm so freaking sick of me and every other girl hating their body. Wishing constantly for a complete body/personality makeover.  I'm sick of when we feel that our world is so black that we starve ourselves or workout so much that we pass out with exhaustion.  

We are all beautiful! We are all individually beautiful, unique, and wonderfully made in God's image. 

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well"  ~Psalm 139:14 

This is one of my favorite bible verses.  Challenge to those struggling with their looks-- Write this verse and stick it everywhere you'll be.  In the car, on your nightstand, and especially on mirrors. Say it to yourself out loud in the mirror and pray for God to help you believe it.  It helps me on a daily basis.

 "When every time you fail
Has no answer.
Every empty promise made
Is a reminder.

 No one can make this better
Take control, it's now or never!"

 Empty promises made to us  from people, jobs, relationships, drugs, money, beauty rags, ect.  Their all reminders that no one or no thing can fill this void inside of each and every one of us.  We've all got a God shaped hole.  That's why none of the stuff in this world is making it better.  All this sick stuff going on in the world, all this stuff that pains our hearts and keeps us up at night; its telling us this is not how life is supposed to be. We don't belong here will all this pain and suffering. 

There are so many ways each individual can rise up and make a change for the better! Find what your passionate about and go from there!  For example:  I love makeup, and I found this amazing cosmetics company called Radiant Cosmetics that takes a good amount of the money from all the products they make and they use it to help end Human Trafficking. Fighting Human Trafficking one Lipstick at a time is their motto.      http://www.radiantcosmetics.org/

Helping out at food kitchens. Donating old clothes and shoes to someone in need. Raising awareness for hunger charities, or sponsoring a kid every month so they can eat and go to school. 

 The possibilities for us to raise our hands against everything we're sick of is endless!
 

"Sick of it!

Raise your hands,

Get rid of it!

While there's a fighting chance.

Are you over it?

Bored to death?

Have you had enough regret?

Take a stand, raise your hands..."

*******

Hey readers!  Thanks again for taking time out of your busy day to check out my blog and read my new post! I hope you enjoyed it.

I will admit I struggled quite a bit on which direction to take this week. With so many ways I could have written about this weeks song.  Its definitely not my favorite post.  I hope you feel like this weeks post wasn't a let down.  I just feel this is the way is should go, even if only one person who I'll never know about is affected by it in a good way. At least that's what I hope for :)  So bear with me guys.  Love you all and praying for you all! Can't wait to see your Sick of it Pictures for the contest!!!!!

See you all next Skillet Saturday! :D

*******

Skillet's Music Video for "Sick Of It"  (Link below)

http://youtu.be/AHzU-9iozmo

Skillet Sick of It Acoustic @ Road to Rise Nashville  (It was so amazing having Skillet sing acoustically  for us at the Road to Rise in Nashville!! <3  Link below -  Video filmed by @PeaceLoveSkillet ) 

 http://youtu.be/r6NLsKE7Q84

 "Sick Of It" (Lyrics)

If you're sick
If you're sick
If you're sick
If you're sick of it
If you're sick
If you're sick
If you're sick of it!

When everything you do
Don't seem to matter.
You try but it's no use
Your world is getting blacker.

When every time you fail
Has no answer.
Every empty promise made
Is a reminder.

No one can make this better
Take control, it's now or never!

Are you sick of it?
Raise your hands,
Get rid of it!
While there's a fighting chance.
Are you over it?
Bored to death?
Have you had enough regret?
Take a stand, raise your hands...

If you're sick of it!
If you're sick
If you're sick
If you're sick of it!
If you're sick of it!
If you're sick
If you're sick
If you're sick of it!

Every single day
I chase my own tail
Like a rat inside a maze
Gotta get, gotta get, get away

I'm running out of time
For me to break this.
I'm tired of feeling like
I'm never gonna make it.

No one can make this better
Take control, it's now or never!

Are you sick of it?
Raise your hands,
Get rid of it!
While there's a fighting chance.
Are you over it?
Bored to death?
Have you had enough regret?
Take a stand, raise your hands...

If you're sick of it!
If you're sick
If you're sick
If you're sick of it!
If you're sick of it!
If you're sick
If you're sick
If you're sick of it!

I'm tired of it
I'm over it
I'm bored of it

Gotta fix this
I'm sick of it!

Raise your hands
If you're sick
If you're sick of it
Raise your hands
If you're sick
If you're sick of it

Sick of it!
Raise your hands,
Get rid of it!
While there's a fighting chance.
Are you over it?
Bored to death?
Have you had enough regret?
Take a stand, raise your hands...

Are you sick of it?
If you're sick
If you're sick
If you're sick of it!

Get rid of it!
If you're sick
If you're sick
If you're sick of it!

Are you over it?
Bored to death?
Have you had enough regret?
Take a stand, raise your hands...

Are you sick of it?
If you're sick
If you're sick
If you're sick of it

Are you sick of it?
If you're sick
If you're sick
If you're sick of it

Are you sick of it?
If you're sick
If you're sick
If you're sick of it

If you're sick of it
If you're sick
If you're sick
If you're sick of it

******

Contest!

If your on Instagram, show me what you sick of for a chance to win Skillet's new CD Rise!! Win it for yourself or a friend who needs to listen to it!  I love this CD Rise so much that I want to give a copy of it away! Their "sick of it" fanmade video with all the instagram pics was amazing, inspiring my CD giveaway!

Lyric video for "Sick of It" off of Skillet's new album RISE created from #SickofIt fan photos submitted on Instagram. (Link Below-- Amazing video! and good for inspiring your photos for the contest! Or if you already have some #sickofit photos on instagram just enter them :) )
http://youtu.be/SIDHFNu54RI

How ya do it:

*Snap a pic of what your sick of  

 * Tag me in it @Nxt_Left 

*Hashtag it  --   #skilletsaturday_sos84 ,  #sos84_contest 

*Share the contest and tell others to like your picture! (If your account is private the photos can't be viewed :(  )

*I'll be featuring some of my favorites every Saturday on my blog until the contest is over :) 

 

*This contest will end when I finish the Skillet Saturday Series.  The Winner will be picked randomly and if the contest goes well I'll pick more than one winner! So plenty of time to win! :D Spread the word, share it, like it,ect!

~KayLeigh 

In case ya missed week one! 
1. Rise
http://kayleighryder.blogspot.com/2013/07/rise-skillet-saturday-1.html

"Rise" - Skillet Saturday 1

 I first listened to Skillet's latest CD "Rise" at their Road to Rise tour in Nashville. After previewing the album with the band,  I knew I had to do a series based off their new CD. 

 Birthing this new series, "Skillet Saturdays"

Skillet's Music first starting changing my life for the better when I heard them for the first time at Winter Jam when they had recently released their album "Comatose".  From that moment on,  I was hooked on their awesome rock in roll music.  Their music was crazy loud! Electric guitars, drums, John Cooper's voice, the works! The song lyrics were amazing! I loved how every song spoke to me in a different way. How I could relate what I was going through in my life with their music.  I've been a faithful panhead ever since :) 

*******

The world that we live in today is becoming so corrupt. It makes me sick.  All the school shootings. Bombings. Threats.  Parents afraid of sending their children to school, kids afraid of being at school. 

 People feeling like there is no hope in their lives driving them to the point of suicide. Or feeling so unloved that they are willing to self-harm or sell their bodies. 

With everything going on today, you don't feel safe anymore. 

"Everyday you need a bulletproof vest

To save yourself from what you could never guess!

Am I safe today?

When I step outside in the wars we wage!

 Our future's here and now,

Here comes the countdown!

Sound it off, this is the call!

Rise in revolution!

It's our time to change it all,

Rise in revolution!

Unite and fight, to make a better life!

Everybody one for all,

Sound off, this is the call, tonight we rise!"

 We need to Rise up and start a revolution!

We can so much for others if we allow God to use us.

It could be as simple as going up and introducing yourself to the kid in your school who sits by themselves.  It could be smiling at the person in the checkout line. It could be paying it forward and paying for some strangers meal. Random acts of kindness.  Its all the little things that add up and can change someones entire life.  

The darkness will fade because we will be the light!  We have to stand up for what we believe and fight for those who can't fight for themselves.  

 I love the part in the song "Rise" where is says, "Sometimes it's crazy, to fight for what you believe!"

   I find myself in a daily battle fighting to save my heart and body for my future spouse.  Especially these days when people believe its  the norm to go with your hormones.  I tell people I've never kissed anyone and that I'm saving my first kiss until I'm married and people call me all sort of names and give me crazy looks. Whispers that I'll be a nun forever, ect. 

 In my heart, this is what I feel called to do.  I love how the lyrics continue to tell me not to give up, to keep fighting for what I love and believe. 

 "In a world gone mad,

In a place so sad!

Sometimes it's crazy

To fight for what you believe!

But you can't give up,

If you wanna keep what you love!

(Keep what you love)

Keep what you love

(Keep what you love)

Keep what you love

Never give up, no!!!

Rise.

Rise in revolution

Rise.

Rise in revolution

Everybody one for all,

Sound off, this is the call!"

So will you accept this challenge and Rise up with me?

***********

Skillet "Rise" Lyric Video - (It says it has lryics but it only has a few. Lyrics posted below link)

http://youtu.be/b3jQ0tFqG_0

 Skillet Rise Acoustic @ Road to Rise Nashville  (Link below - From @PeaceLoveSkillet - It was amazing having them perform for us in Nashville!!)

http://youtu.be/e-1iV5WFcwE 

"Rise"

All I see is shattered pieces
I can't keep it hidden like a secret
I can't look away!
From all this pain in a world we made!

Everyday you need a bulletproof vest
To save yourself from what you could never guess!
Am I safe today?
When I step outside in the wars we wage!

Our future's here and now,
Here comes the countdown!

Sound it off, this is the call!
Rise in revolution!
It's our time to change it all,
Rise in revolution!
Unite and fight, to make a better life!
Everybody one for all,
Sound off, this is the call, tonight we rise!

Rise.
Tonight we rise
Rise.
Tonight we rise!

Like a hand grenade thrown in a hurricane,
Spinning in chaos, trying to escape the flame,
Yesterday is gone!
Faster than the blast of a car bomb!

And when the scars heal, the pain passes,
As hope burns, we rise from the ashes!
Darkness fades away!
And the light shines on a brave new day!

Our future's here and now,
Here comes the countdown!

Sound it off, this is the call!
Rise in revolution!
It's our time to change it all,
Rise in revolution!
Unite and fight to make a better life!
Everybody one for all,
Sound off, this is the call, tonight we rise!

Rise.
Tonight we rise
Rise.
Tonight we rise!

In a world gone mad,
In a place so sad!
Sometimes it's crazy
To fight for what you believe!
But you can't give up,
If you wanna keep what you love!
(Keep what you love)
Keep what you love
(Keep what you love)
Keep what you love
Never give up, no!!!

Rise.
Rise in revolution
Rise.
Rise in revolution

Everybody one for all,
Sound off, this is the call!

Rise
Like we're alive
Tonight we rise
Rise
Make a better life
Tonight we rise!

Rise, rise, rise in revolution
Rise, rise, rise in revolution
Rise.

[phone rings]

[Operator:] 911?
[Woman:] There's a guy here with a gun!
[Operator:] Ma'am? Ma'am?
[Woman:] Kids, get under the table! Kids get under the table!!!

[News reporter:] We are getting new reports from all around the globe, showing the highest unemployment rates since the end of World War II. Many are losing their jobs, their homes, and in many cases, their hope.

[Dispatch:] [static police call] Domestic Disturbance in progress [more static]

[Upset parent:] You are such a failure! What is wrong with you? You're worthless! You can't do anything right! I wish you had never been born! 

*****************

Check back next Skillet Saturday for  "Sick Of It"

Hashtag  #skilletsaturday_sos84   on instagram @nxt_left

Follow the facebook page to stay updated!  

https://www.facebook.com/KayleighsBlogSongOfSongs84

Music Monday - When the Right One Comes Along

Being single can be amazing at times, while other times you can feel really lonely.

  While I was solving all the worlds problems with my elderly neighbor Mrs.Wanda the other day I was inspired for this post. We were talking about life,love, and boys.   I was telling her that I'm so tired of playing games with guys.  I'm tired of being a jerk magnet (or at least feeling like it lol) and attracting guys that only wanna bring me down or play with my heart. 

 Don't you wish guys came with a label saying I'm not the one.

 I miss being in a relationship. Having someone to share my dreams with and talk to all the time.  I feel lonely.  I tell people I'm content being single, because I know God has someone made just for me. But since I'm being honest, I'm tired of being single.  I know God is my lover. And I know when I can be truly satisfied with just loving God, that's when He'll bring someone into my life.  I don't want a relationship just to say I'm in one. 

  

I told her I don't see a guy fitting into my life anytime soon. Boyfriends are too much work I told her. Time and work I need to spend on other things.   She then gives me some amazing advice-- and this is why I love her so much! 

"The right one will come into your life when you least expect it. And I'll be here to see it happen.  He'll sweep you off your feet and glue a smile permanently to your face. He'll have the same strong beliefs and values that I have. He'll support me and spoil me.  He'll encourage me with my dreams and goals.  Our life dreams won't clash, but will mesh together beautifully. He'll come along when I'm living my life to fullest and I'm ready and willing to share the ride with someone else."

 From the moment I heard the song "When the Right One Comes Along" on the tv show Nashville I instantly fell in love with it.  Sam and Clare's voices are amazing.  (Too bad we can't do the whole little mermaid thing where we steal their voices haha cus I would totally steal her voice. Moving on.)  

 

Everyone is always telling me that when the right one comes along, that I'll know it. That I'll get this feeling that I've never had before.  He'll  just show up out of the blue and I'll be saying to him,  "where have you been my whole life??"   He'll probably look at me, smile and say, "I got lost darling."  I'll look back at him and say, "It's about time ya got here. Kept me waiting long enough. " LOL :)  

  ~Every single broken heart will lead you to the truth
you think you know what you’re lookin for
til what you’re lookin for finds you

One day all those broken pieces of our heart will be healed. And this one special person will help us see why it never worked out with anyone before. We think we know what we want, but we really don't.  Then one day, when the timing is right and when we're ready, the right one comes along. And they turn out better than we ever imagined they could be. 

It's just the waiting on them that is hard.    I'm not saying I'll have the perfect relationship-- since nobody is perfect that can't happen.  But it will be amazing and everything God said it would be.  I'll be blowing confetti and crowds (my family and closest friends) will be cheering for me.  

~ All that changes is only everything
when the right one comes along

 ******

 Nashville – Lyrics: When The Right One Comes Along

When The Right One Comes Along
Written by: Justin Davis, Georgia Middleman, and Sarah Zimmerman
Sung by: Clare Bowen (Scarlett) and Sam Palladio (Gunnar)
______________________________________________________

There’s no music, no confetti
Crowds don’t cheer, and bells don’t ring
but you’ll know it, I can guarantee
when the right one comes along

What they’re thinkin’, what you’re feelin,
You no longer have to guess
All those questions are finally put to rest
When the right one comes along

Every single broken heart will lead you to the truth
you think you know what you’re lookin for
til what you’re lookin for finds you

In a cold world, it’s a warm place
where you know you’re supposed to be
A million moments full of sweet relief
when the right one comes along

Every single broken heart will lead you to the truth
you think you know what you’re lookin’ for
til what you’re lookin’ for finds you

It’s so easy, nothin’ to it
though you may not believe me now
But I promise that you’ll find out
When the right one comes along

All that changes is only everything
when the right one comes along

******

Couldn't decide who's version to share since I love both their voices.  So here's the link below with lyrics to both.   promises

When the Right One Comes Along - Sam Palladio

http://youtu.be/Y82R9CTaDa4

When the Right One Comes Along- Clare Bowen & Sam Palladio

http://youtu.be/SFpw0vFCvWk

Love, KayLeigh <3
Comment, share this post if you liked it. And like my page on facebook!  

The Loveliest/Most Awesome Things (New Inspired Series)

The Lipstick Gospel is one of my favorite blogs. Every Friday for the few months I've been reading her blog she had this series  called "the Loveliest things" where people share 5 lovely things. It helps remind us to see the beauty in the world. Lovely things can be anything.  So I want to start my own series! I'm still trying to decide another name for this lol so if you have any suggestions please let me know! (The most Awesome things?)  I'll go first-- would love to share your loveliest/most awesome things.

******

1. Starry Nights -  There is something so incredible when looking up into the dark sky to see billions of stars twinkling. And the occasional airplane (or could they be UFOs???) flying by.  You wonder what all is out there... you  dream of going and flying among the stars. I've always wanted to see a star up close.

2. Road Trips -  I love how we can remember more about what happened while we were traveling to a place than what actually happened while we were there.  All the amazing and super funny memories that are made with our traveling companions; whether they be family or friends.  You always find out more about people on road trips. Getting there is half the fun :)  "It's not about destination, its about the journey."

3. The Color Blue - Blue is my #1 favorite color. Blue has always been my color.  I even have blue streaks in my hair lol.  What can i say, I love blue. All shades, especial aqua blue or dark heart of the ocean blue. Blue is one of those shades that can scream anything from spring to winter, happy to sad, skies or oceans.

4. Smiles -  "Your never fully dressed without a smile!"   Can I just say this kitten is sooooo adorable!!! Ok lol. Smiles. They're a free facelift for your face as one of my beauty guru's say. Smiling is an amazing way to cheer up someone.  You never know who is loving your smile. I often get called smiley because of how often I smile :)

5.  Birthdays -  That wonderful day were we celebrate turning another year older (and hopefully another year wiser lol)  That special day where we celebrate someone's life.  And who doesn't love cake and ice-cream!! Including balloons and sometimes birthday spankings' hahaha.

Happy 18th Birthday (Yesterday) to my awesome friend Jacob!! He's truly a one-of-a-kind laid back dude that I'm so glad to call my friend.  Glad I got to celebrate with him! =D

******

 Thanks so much for reading this post-- Love, KayLeigh

 Check out the blog that I'm doing a spin-off series of!
http://thelipstickgospel.com/

Friday Five - My Top 5 Posts

 Friday Five! My Top 5 Blog post since I've started my blog! Enjoy!


5. Saturday Survey: Response to "What is your favorite Worship Song?"
http://kayleighryder.blogspot.com/2013/01/saturday-survey-response-to-what-is.html

4. Yellow Flowers on Valentine's Day2013
http://kayleighryder.blogspot.com/2013/02/yellow-flowers-on-valentines-day2013.html

3. Lift Me Up-The Afters/Worship Wednesday#1
http://kayleighryder.blogspot.com/2012/08/lift-me-up-aftersworship-wednesday1.html

2. Is Catwoman the Bride of Christ--By JR. Forasteros
http://kayleighryder.blogspot.com/2012/08/is-catwoman-bride-of-christ-by-jr.html

1. Most read post is:  A Tale of Three Brides
http://kayleighryder.blogspot.com/2012/07/tale-of-three-brides-i-did-not-write.html


Like me on Facebook!! http://www.facebook.com/KayleighsBlogSongOfSongs84

Strangely Dim - Francesa Battistelli

*Song of the moment*

 From the moment I heard this song on the radio it instantly spoke to me.

 We all go through times in our lives where we have a million things planned out for ourselves.  As time goes on, different events unfold which can sometimes keep our dreams on hold. For days, weeks, years. 

When I was 16 God gave me this beautiful dream about a book that I'm supposed to write.  Life happened. Was in a relationship, family issues, graduated high school, got a full time job, volunteering on Wednesday nights, online college classes, ect.

I've always worried way to much and I over analyze everything.  I'm a perfectionist. I'm my own worst critic. All that said, I want every post to be perfect for you guys! I've been a slacker not being as frequent with my posts as I should. I doubt that I'm a good enough writer.  That I can't explain myself right. That y'all will stop reading.

But when I fix my eyes on all that You are
Then every doubt I feel
Deep in my heart
Grows strangely dim
All my worries fade
And fall to the ground
Cause when I seek Your face
And don't look around
Any place I'm in
Grows strangely dim

 I love this song because it reminds me that I don't need to worry. He's got it all under control.  When I fix my eyes on Him, and let him have my posts, this blog, and my readers,  that's when all my worries and insecurities grow strangely dim.

" I don't know, I don't know
What tomorrow may hold
But I know, but I know
That You're holding it all
So no matter what may come"

I don't know what God has in store for me tomorrow.   Or even later this year. But I know I'm supposed to write for you guys (and leave the rest to Him).  So thank you all for being so awesome and understanding. I love you all and pray for you all the time.  Again thanks so much for reading and sharing my posts! 

FRANCESCA BATTISTELLI LYRICS  "Strangely Dim"

I've had all these plans piled up sky high
A thousand dreams on hold
And I don't know why,
I got a front row seat
To the longest wait
And I just can't see
Past the things I pray
Today

But when I fix my eyes on all that You are
Then every doubt I feel
Deep in my heart
Grows strangely dim
All my worries fade
And fall to the ground
Cause when I seek Your face
And don't look around
Any place I'm in
Grows strangely dim

Sometimes where I stand
On this narrow road
Is in a raging storm
Or a valley low
But oh

When I fix my eyes on all that You are
Then every doubt I feel
Deep in my heart
Grows strangely dim
All my worries fade
And fall to the ground
Cause when I seek Your face
And don't look around
Any place I'm in
Grows strangely dim

I don't know, I don't know
What tomorrow may hold
But I know, but I know
That You're holding it all
So no matter what may come

I'm gonna fix my eyes on all that You are
'Til every doubt I feel
Deep in my heart
Grows strangely dim
Let all my worries fade
And fall to the ground
I'm gonna seek Your face
And not look around
Til the place I'm in
Grows strangely, strangely, strangely dim. 

Like me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/KayleighsBlogSongOfSongs84
 Still trying to work out the details on how to do a giveaway through Facebook-- so stay tuned! (They have a bunch of stupid rules lol)

Check out my blog this Friday for a post "Friday Five- My top 5 posts since starting my blog"

Love, KayLeigh <3