Casting Crowns = Amazing

This weekend was so unbelievably wonderful. My sister and I headed out of town to watch Casting Crowns. I am telling you: THEY WERE PHENOMENAL!!!!!! Like, almost Celine Dion good. If you know me at all, that is a HUGE compliment! It's really hard to compare the two because they are really different types of music.

We had some trouble finding the venue (stupid yahoo directions, ugh!)... but after we found it, the fun started. It was amazing!

The band is just wonderful.


They sang a bunch of their older songs (Who Am I, Voice of Truth, Praise You In This Storm) and also sang some from their brand new album. They also incorporated a few Christmas songs. Amazing. If you haven't figured it out already, they are my new playlist so turn up your volume and get a taste of their greatness. You're welcome.

One of my favorite things about the concert was how real they seemed. I know that to most of the people who own their CDs and such, they are "superstars". At that concert, they were normal people who use their God-given pipes to the glory of His name. They were uplifting, funny, real, and most of all, there's no denying the passion they have for the church. It was inspiring to see and be a part of.

Throughout the night, Mark Hall (the lead singer--in the black shirt in the pic above, second from the left) shared bits and pieces about faith and how to live your life and how it related to their songs. I'm really not one to raise my hands and dance around and I very rarely cry when I'm lost in worship; usually I am in my own little world. However, last night, I had tears in my eyes and it was so tempting to raise my hands up high and jump around.

I've been listening to their new CD, Until the Whole World Hears since it came out last Tuesday. I say it a lot... but I seriously LOVE some of these songs. I'm planning on a post sometime soon about the songs and the lyrics and just why they spoke to me, but wanted to keep this one shorter (and not as deep), so stay tuned for that if you care. It is very likely this post will be up tomorrow night after I kick the butt of my Phonetics test.

God uses people in different ways to bring us closer to Him. Saturday night was a perfect example. What a great message and blessing.

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And now, for some humor. You just can't make this stuff up.

At this point, I find it necessary to admit that not everyone will find these pictures as funny as my sister and I did. Nevertheless, here are some interesting weird funny pictures!

On the way home, we passed a sign for a lake, Lake Kickapoo.

Here is the proof:


We came to the conclusion that right up the road had to be Thumpapee Lake. Hopefully you get it.

We laughed until we cried and kept on driving.

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Shortly up the road, we saw some camels. Of course, we stopped for some photos and even named one.

Meet Habib *clap clap* (pronounced like the "ha" in happy and "beep" with a b instead of a p on the end).


Apparently Habib *clap clap* was a bit camera shy. He clearly wanted to have nothing to do with us me.


I realize that God made all creatures, so obviously there is a reason that these particular animals are so ridiculously hideous looking. If you ever figure it out, please let me know.


Have you seen an uglier knee? I haven't. Once again, if you find one, please snap a pic and send it my way.


Nope, Habib *clap clap* is not any prettier from the back.


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All in all, it was a fantastic weekend. I thank God every day that He blessed me with the sister I have. We have the best time doing literally anything. I don't mean to point out the obvious, but we laughed until we cried over a CAMEL.


I'm such a lucky girl.