Monday, April 28, 2008

Thursday, April 24, 2008

The right song stuck in my head

So sometimes I get songs stuck in my head. Sometimes they get stuck there without me having even listened to it. Sometimes it's random, and sometimes I think it's just the song I need to hear. God is always at work in my life.

I remember hearing this song for the first time. There was supposed to be a concert at FCC. September 11, 2001. Yep. That day. I was supposed to go with my church. We weren't sure it was still gonna go on, but it did. It was Andrew Peterson. He had graduated from there and he was leaving the next day. I think he also felt God pushing him. We needed a relaxing, encouraging concert. I think I bought the CD for this song. It was a hidden track, but when he sang it (putting in FCC instead of Tennessee), it touched me. Deeeeeep down. This CD is old, but I still go back and listen to it. Often. Every word that comes out of this man's mouth is encouraging. And I only have this one CD. Andyways, to the lyrics...
He wrote this when he got back from a mission trip in South America.

Land of the Free - Andrew Peterson

Little Elba, how’s the sun in South America?
Does it shine upon the faces of the poor?
Do they see in it the brilliance of the place that’s been prepared
And dwell upon the hope that’s in store?

Or are they just like me?
Do they only see
An opportunity to complain about the heat?


Little Elba, how’s the rain in South America?
Does it fall upon the rooftops of the sick?
Do they thank the Lord for coming up with such a great idea?
And dream about a place beyond all this
Or are they just like us
Do they gripe and fuss
About the rain and mud when they’ve had too much?


Because I’m just a little jealous
Of the nothing that you have
You’re unfettered by the wealth of
Of a world we pretend is gonna last


Well I’m weary of the spoils of my ambition
And I’m shackled by the comfort of my couch
Oh, I wish I had the courage to deny these of my self
And start to store my treasure in the clouds
Because this is not my home
I do not belong
Where the antelope and the buffalo roam

And I’m just a little jealous
Of the nothing that you have
You’re unfettered by the wealth of
Of a world we pretend is gonna last

They say God blessed us with plenty
But I say you’re blessed with poverty
Cause you never stop to wonder whether earth is just a little better
Than the land of the free

So I hope you’re safe and dry in South America
Cause I’m feeling pretty good in Tennessee
But may you never be so happy
That you forget about your home
Your home in the land of the free


Seriously, if you haven't heard of this guy, you should check him out. Good encouraging Christian music. But also catchy for the non-Christians.

- Karlee

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

I am so ready to get out of here.

I want to be home.

I want to be done with school.

I want to be working.

I want to be with my family.

I want to be with Brandon (almost 6 months!!!).

I want to be happy again.

My life here, while its been good experience has been pretty miserable. I don't know how to tell certain people this. Without them, I wouldn't be here. Physically at this school and possibly living. Without them, I would have been a lot happier though. I try. I know I'm weird, but I try. I try so hard to be funny and nice and helpful. I'm always there to listen. And they come to me when they're mad at each other or when the other isn't around.

And I become the best friend.

And then as soon as the problem is solved or the other has returned, I feel like I'm thrown in the mud.

It never ends!

One day I say something funny. I make the same joke later and get a blank stare. Glare. Silence.

I'm just going to be happy to be home with family and friends who really love me. Unconditionally. You say you're my friends, but I really don't know if I believe it. It's only true half the time. And that's not true friendship. So I'll be glad to get back to those who are true.

Time to name drop.

Thank you to everyone at home who have helped me get through this tough year and years before (yeah this is lame...in no particular order):

Amber
Carly
Brandon
Amy
Kristen
Mommy and Daddy
Grandma
Jenn
Sarah
Katie

Thanks for just listening. Thanks for talking. Thanks for being there.


And thanks to the three people who have made an attempt to be friends with me up here even though they probably don't read this,

Sam, Tim and Grant. I always do get along better with guys don't I haha?

I loooove my friiiends!

Now, I need to write paper. Which probably isn't gonna happen.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Karlee Simpson

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Sunday, April 6, 2008