New Years Eve

*~Christmas Wishes!~*

It's that time of year again. The shoppers are flying back and forth between the mall and home just about as fast as the snow flies to the ground. But in the midst of all the seasonal excitement, don't forget to remember the reason for the season.
This year, the "Christmas Chaos" as I fondly call it, has taken a bit of a different direction. I have been given so much.... it is hard to describe. This Christmas, God has given me a new guitar, a new amp, a new case, AND a new cable to boot. How do you humanly respond to something like this??? The gift is so... incredible. And you sincerely know you can't repay in any way. My response is a prayer. When I come across something so incredible, so... deep that you cannot give an equal payment, all I can say is this: "God you gave this to me.... take it once again, and through this may your name be lifted higher. Take this guitar, may every song ever played, written or thought up on it be for YOUR GLORY."
Another blessing is that we have finally gotten a video clip up on facebook! You can actually hear one of our originals!!! Please comment, tell us what you think!
Some amazing things are happening.

I pray that this season finds you so moved by the majesty. :)

Stay strong, ROCK on!

Beth xoxoxoxox

Alright, so you've already heard about Youth Night by Beth. Guess I can't report that, now, can I?

:P

I will report, however, that yesterday and the day before Zoe and I were given a chance to work on my new song entitled "One Day"...it's more of a Chris Tomlin-style piece but I, for one, love it! It's coming along well, and we were able to do a rough recording on her computer (yes, we're working on getting cables and all the fun stuff we need to be able to actually have a decent recording to work with)... This song is complete with violin (yes!) and Zoe has some sweet piano stuff going on that she's been itching to have for a while now. So...now I'm just thinking that we need guitar! (Yes, I'm thinking of having acoustic...gosh Beth's gonna kill me..)

Aside from this song, I've started writing another song that's the totally opposite style. I know, I know...bi-genre much? I figure, what with this new, uncharted territory of song-writing, I'd better please everyone.

Just figuring out the song with Zoe yesterday and the night before, I could really feel like we were doing something right, like it was actually going to all work out and everything. I love it when that happens. I could feel God at work in that song. The day before, when I was writing the lyrics, when I needed a phrase, it took me all of two seconds to figure something out, like someone was whispering into my ear that those were the words I was supposed to use, as if it was clear that that was the only way it was supposed to be.

God certainly has blessed us all. If I look at our band a while ago, we were just a few kids with a far-off dream. But now it seems as if that dream isn't really all that far off. The only way we have been able to accomplish all that we have is indeed through our one and only savior, and we know that. We cannot be so prideful as to claim God's works as our own. My violin was a miracle. Zoe's ability to be able to take drum lessons was a wonderful opportunity. Beth's new guitar and amp is a wonderful thing as well. Though all these things are wonderful, we cannot forget that it was God who made it all possible. Pride is never a good thing, no matter what form.

"But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense." -2 Chronicles 26:16

We are very grateful to God and his blessings, and through this Christmas season, we remember all he has done.

God bless <><
~Christa B

My Heart's Marked Classified

So. long. time. no. see. After the last month has past, I've had some time to reflect and think, pray and praise, watch and see God's hand at work. I have to say, as time goes on, I am more and more determined to follow God where ever he leads. He is slowly taking away my pride until all that is left is my stripped down spirit, crying out for the love only he can give. So. We've been given the opportunity to play at Youth Night CBC again. Another cooool song is in the making. Kinda.... Paramorish. Definitely rockstar material. *wink* *wink*
So very awesome, stay tuned and tell your friends! Destination: Paradise is always ready to share our story and music with you guys!

Stay strong, ROCK on!

Beth

Our First Podcast Nov. 9

Who's in Charge Anyways?

Two posts in the period of like.... two days! Record!!! Give me a prize... haha.
So WHO IS IN CHARGE? And in charge of what you may be asking? Well... everything that has been happening. From our first song to our first show, who should be given credit? Don't give it to us. Fact is, there is little we could take credit for anyways. Who else besides God could have so perfectly orchestrated every tiny detail of this undertaking for the last 2 or so years? He knew of our impatience before it would come, he knew of the struggles, the tears and the successes. He also knew of the failures we would face, the way some would receive us, the way we would so often stumble away from his plans. We know that because we aren't highly experienced musicians, we will be made fun of. We have been already. We've been disrespected and gotten such strange looks. Like, HELLO? YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING!!! That's the typical response, right? But we have also been blessed with such great friends along the way, trusting in us and teaching us. But we aren't even certain what he will do through us. What excitement and joy would we have if our life's greatest moments were alll known ahead of time??? All we know is HE IS IN CHARGE. He is planning the most incredible things for us, we only need to surrender our lives to him completely, and he will work through us. I have no doubts. The same God who has been credited with the amazing and impossible.... this is the God I serve. And yes, I am glad he is in charge.

30 followers! Keep it up! :D

Stay strong, rock on.

Beth

Have you ever come across an old song that you just looked past one time and then a while later you are like "This is the BEST song in the world!!" yes, well I just had one of those moments. The song Jesus Paid It All is my favorite song at the moment (ps: my favorite song changes fromd day to day, sometimes from hour to hour, and other times from week to week; very unpredictable.) Anyways, the new contempory version is so amazing and I love the way Kristian Stanfill does it, SOoo amazing.

I know you have heard the news already about the bass player (Sean) and the drumming lessons which is awesome, but I really feel this band is pulling together and is starting to go somewhere. I am excited but leaving things in God's hands.

peace

Zoe

Are You Crazy?!? (Well Yes, Yes I Am....)

Strange.... usually I'm the one posting all the time.... haha. But anyways, thanks to Christa, our tech/artist, we are now on facebook! Check it out! Pretty sweet. And, we are proud to say we are planning to start having regular practices, probably at Zoe's.....
But you know alll that. Well, as things are coming together, I am seeing with new eyes. Just from my bedroom to the stage at CBC seems such a long journey.... and I know we aren't done yet. We're out in a cruel and judgmental world, but we are strongly relying on God to show us what to do. We've only come this far because of him. I take no credit. Our sound is still coming, but we have made a demo of our single.... though crudely made, it is about as precious to us as anything! The way this has all happened, the smallest things leave us begging for more, just a little more insight into God's plans. But I feel we are doing the right thing.
There is a saying, "you can't walk on water if you don't get out of the boat". Well, we've decided to step on the waves. Yes, our hearts are pounding, the possibliity of being dragged under the waves has never been far from our thoughts. The pressure of what others will think. .The pressure to compete. But God is slowly showing me we are doing this for him.... and no one else matters. No record label, no competing band can take away the way we feel about Him, the way He is leading us to the perfect place. And I now know that even when the fear of slipping under is so real it hurts, God is more in control. I've tried driving down this road by myself, but now, I've handed him the wheel. And I know He's a better driver than me.

Thanks to everyone supporting us! 23 followers in less than 24 hours! Whoo-hoo!!!

Stay strong, rock on.

Beth

More and more exciting news!

Hello all! Christa here!
I come with some really great news! Zoë has decided that it is high time for her to start taking up....(drum roll, please) none other than....DRUM LESSONS! Yes, that's right! Our non-drumming drummer might live up to her title once and for all! ;) I was excited when she gave me a ring last night and told me this amazing news! She's going to be taking it once a week, I believe with CBC's drummer, Kristin. So, here's hoping for the best!

Annnnnnnd, to add to this excited news, here's another tid-bit of awesome information Zoë dropped off to me last night... (another drum roll, please).... we might actually have a bass player!!! Yes, yes! Someone who actually knows HOW to play it, and who has one! Exciting, no? This young man that she's talked about goes to her old school, is a Christian, and is not currently in a band. AND, going by Zo's opinion, he's very excited about playing with us.. (he was like asking what time our practices were, etc., so therefore Zoë decided it would be a good idea to actually MAKE a scheduled practice time once a week. Right now we're thinking Sundays after church, possibly) I practically screamed her eardrums off when I heard the news!

AND to add to all this excitement going around, I have started a design for a CD cover. Are we ready to see it? Alright, here it is!


^Click on the thumbnail to see the full-sized image^

I hope that you like it! Of course, it's a ways from being done. That long blue rectangle floating around up there is going to be where the album title rests. Obviously, we do not have an album title as of yet.

Hmm. What else...oh, right! I do not believe I have recorded my most recent musical news on here..I have decided not to go after the bass guitar, and rather pick up the violin! A few months back, a guy at our church told my dad that he had an old violin body just collecting dust up in his attic, and asked if I wanted it (because my dad had told him that I had been wanting to play one for a while). So that afternoon we drove over and picked her up. She's an unusual color, what's called a "blond" violin. She is not the common deep brown, but rather a lighter tan-ish color. Her name is Ivy, by the way. So me and my father went out on the endeavor of attempting to build everything else she needed. We glued the fingerboard on her (which ended up sliding too far up), we have the bridge whittled and resting on it, chin rest, tailpiece, pegs, bow, and strings. The only problem we've encountered is the bass string breaking. So that's what we have to fix next! But, yes, Ivy is almost finished! Needless to say, I so cannot wait until she's done!

Here's some scripture that I came upon today, and thought you might want me to share it with you:
"Extortion turns a wise man into a fool,
and a bribe corrupts the heart.

The end of a matter is better than its beginning,
and patience is better than pride.

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit,
for anger resides in the lap of fools."

(Ecclesiastes 7:7-9)

I think we all tend to be prideful in one situation or another; it's only human. We also tend to be quick to react and anger in different instances. But if we take our Father's example, and be slow to anger, and slow to react, we would be much better off.

God bless your day!

-Christa B. <><

Worship Team and Conference

What's up everyone, sorry I haven't written in a while. I have recently joined the worship team at EBC (Evangelical Baptist Church) and it has been pretty awesome so far. I have had struggles and all but that's expected. For the most part it has been a really awesome experience and I have really grown in my ability to play with others a lot.

Although I love playing with the band there are some struggles that come along with that, that I had to adjust to. The other members of the band have been playing together for a long time and for me to come in and start playing with them was rather difficult because I had to get used to the worship leader's technique and everything and also get used to making a lot of changes within the songs which I was not really used to, but other than those things it has been going well.

The purpose of this band is to worship God and that is the only purpose we strive for. Worshiping God doesn't just deal with music though. Worship is a lifestyle, a way of living as we strive for an intimate relationship with God. Through that relationship and his passion and love and glory shining through us we are able to express that to others. I was once told that when a you bow a violin string, strings on violins near by resonate. If we let him, God with be the musician and bow our strings and then we will make the other people resonate.

Peace,

Zoe

Rockin' the House

Hey.... just cuz Christa came back doesn't mean you'd get rid of me!!!! LOL, somebody, please laugh.... :P
Annnnnyway. It's Beth. *tee hee* In case you haven't figured that out by now. So I want to send a BIG THANK YOU to the 3 guys who helped us last night.... you are all amazing and talented. (Don't know what 3 guys I am talking about? Please direct your attention to Christa's most recent post, then continue from here.... lol) And honestly, to hear what I plan out in my head come to life like that is soooo awesome. Plus I love having drums. Yes, drums are so wonderful to have. And another guitarist, one you can just take off on a solo like that, so we can still get the nice fat sound of the chords continuing, but have a face melting lead guitar in there.... gotta have that. :) And last but not least, a bass.... cuz what's a band without a bass may I ask??? You have to have that rhythm pounding away back there. Gotta gotta. :)
Josh (our sound guy...... another person that Destination: Paradise is absolutely depending on) recorded the song Freefall for us.... and it sounds awesome but for the vocals. Why?

1) Due to our extreme rocking of the house, it was basically impossible to turn up the mics without getting a lot of feedback. A lot. So the mics were very very very quiet. This will change though.... we just have to rock quietly. Sheesh. :P

2) Because the mics were quiet and the guitars and bass and drums were so loud, Christa and I couldn't hear ourselves. Nope. Nada. So we winged it. And poor Christa did pretty well. Well.... let's just say we can't wait to hear ourselves next time we play :)

But besides that..... GOD IS INCREDIBLE. No kidding. He is moving in ways I don't understand, just when I feel like throwing in the towel, cuz someone makes me feel like I'm not good enough, cuz someone makes me feel like I'm chasing dreams, for any reason, it is like I can hear him whispering, "Hold on a little bit longer.... I have such a beautiful and perfect plan for you if you can trust me. So what if you can't hear yourself, and it may sound terrible, it may sound repetitive or 'not cool'..... but if you are playing for me and living for me, I will make your lives into such beautiful things." And now this!!! Playing an original in front of (who knows?) 70 to 80 people..... God will always be the source of great things. And I'm only beginning to see that.

Beth

Stay strong, rock on!!!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Destination: Paradise is coming to Meredith!

Hey!! It's me, Christa!! (I know, finally.. I thought you guys might have gotten a little sick of Beth after forever. Haha I kid..)

So anyways, yesterday Beth and I got the amazing opportunity to sing with 3 awesome guys - Jack Cornwell on the drums, Ethan Goddard on the lead guitar, and Kevin Ashley on the bass. (practicing for CBC's youth night) But it was so awesome and loud and the guys are just totally awesome and made our song like 50 times better.. I had never sung on stage with everything blaring like that, and let me tell you it was the coolest thing ever. But it also made me realize that we really need more people in our band and we can't really pull it off with just us 3.. not that we're not good enough or anything, it's just that we don't really know how to work the instruments and everything yet. Speaking of which, I'm hopefully going to the used fret shop in Meredith soon to get me a bass!! Woot!!! Because, as everyone knows, a band isn't a band without a bass. It's just boring. So I totally can't wait to get one and start learning! Sometimes I wish that I could just pick something up and already be an expert at it. But that's not how it works. Sadly. (Patience, patience...)

Lately I've had an urge to really get into this whole music thing. It's just so hard, though, because I want to know if it's ever going to go anywhere. But that's not how God works, as we all have been learning! So we will just have to "wait upon the LORD" no matter how hard it might be!!

But something that made me excited (and I'm sure made Beth excited, too) was that Josh Brown (the sound guy) made us a CD of the song we did yesterday (which, by the way, was Freefall) and so we now have our first demo!! Yayyy!! :D And I sent it off to Zoe (she couldn't be here, sadly, because she's in Colorado - so jealous) and she listened to it and now wishes she could be here for Thursday. But, you know, a person can't do everything!

So anyways, I was able to go to Soulfest 2009 (my first time going) and it was totally amazing. The scenery and everything was beautiful and knowing that our Creator is the one who made it all is just an awe-inspiring thought. How could someone not praise Him for who He continues to be? He is truly an awesome God. "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." (Ecclesiates 3:11) We can rest assured knowing that God has a plan for us, and that He will take care of our future, that we need not worry about what tomorrow will bring.

God Bless!
<><

Oh the Joy of Being Humbled....

Hey Hey Hey!!! It's Beth. Again. :P
Sooooo.... Soulfest starts today, and where else would a guitar/music/rock minded almost 16 year old girl be? Ok, ok, so I'm playing field hockey tonight.... :P
But for the rest of the week.... I'm gonna be jammin'.... sadly, my faves won't be there, like BarlowGirl and Bethany Dillon :( But Fireflight WILL be there on Saturday, so I'm in excitement mod :D
Besides the point. So we had our youth Sunday last Sunday.... I played guitar and sang, Zoe sang and did piano.... it was cool. And our music director even let me start a song!!! I must be growing in the fine art of guitar playing. Makes me even more happy. :)
But you gotta love when God humbles you... so I've joked about dropping my guitar pick during a song (cuz I sweat like a guy..... even my hands in a small and hot church) annnnnnnnd.......
Yep. I dropped it. So the first thing I thought was, "OH MY GOSH!!!!! I'm ruining the song.... slowly grab it... make it look natural..... slooooooowly....."
Surprisingly, when I asked everyone afterwards if they noticed anything go wrong, they all didn't notice. God thing!!!!! :P
And I'm hoping to get2gether with Kristin Brown on Sunday... for either a partial Destination: Paradise gathering for Youth Night, or just me..... we will see... (no rhyming intended)
Annnd, my mom is home! Cool. (sorry.... random....)
See some of you at Soulfest for a INCREDIBLE TIME!!!!!

Love,

Beth

Stay strong, rock on!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

A New Direction

Hi! It's Beth again..... :)
The title of today's post is also the title of Zoe's song. We have been working very hard on it and it sounds.... INCREDIBLE (not that I am biased, lol) Our style is starting to become noticeable.... harmonizing, with an pop/rock/acoustic sound..... it's cool! :D As Zoe mentioned in the previous post, our voices are really blending nicely, and we are having so much fun picking up harmonies and different voice parts.
But anyways.... we had our voice and piano recital yesterday evening.... Zoe played and sang a song she wrote and it sounded great. I sang last in the program but God kept me from having any jitters (thank you!) :D
And I got to talk to Kristen Brown.... who mentioned a youth night at Calvary Bible Church... and having the opportunity to play some songs, original and others. It would be more than just piano and acoustic guitar! And we would have drums! Yahooo! This is very exciting to me... but everything is exciting to me :P
And back @ Zoe's and my church, things are going great. (In terms of youth sunday prep, I mean) I still have these moments when I question how far I can go.... when I want to say, "What if I look silly? I've only been playing for 1 1/2, maybe 2 years... what if I dissapoint people because they think I'm something amazing...."
But I'm going to let God do whatever He is planning on. He'll do it anyway :P
So it is very possible that soon the world will hear a small sample of Destination: Paradise!
God willing. :)

stay strong, rock on!

bethie

xoxoxoxxoxox

New News

Hey everyone guess what? Someone other than Beth is writing something on our blog. lol
anyways I just had an awesome week at camp and was totally on a spiritual high if you know
what I mean; it was amazing. Anyways I think that I have definitely gotten better and more improved in my piano playing since the last time I wrote on the blog. Beth and I have written some knew songs and Christa is helping. We had a band get together today and totally rocked out and
I think that our voices are really meshing together really well. Well we are actually about to eat some pizza so;

love God, live life, and have fun

peace out

How Did I Get Here One More Time?

Hey cool people reading this blog..... *winks, because you ARE cool if you are reading this blog*
It is Beth, the offical Destination: Paradise spokesperson. (hold the applause...... or laughter...)
So here I come again, talking about something from the Bible, or something awesome that has happened..... nope. Not this time. Because the truth is.... not everything is going to be awesome. I figured that one out 3 years ago, when Destination: Paradise was nothing more than my scribbling in a History notebook. (I wonder what my mom thiks those scribbles are... :P) Anyways.
It feels like I'm climbing up out of a pit, and just when I've climbed so far and things look great....
I slide back twice as far as I've climbed. Anyone know the feeling??? Yeeeaaah..... isn't it fun? *sarcasm here folks*
So I've been thinking. I had a little conversation with God about this subject. Here's how it went:

Me: God, this is my dream!!! I want to be in a band for you.... but we don't have any real equipment, and because of that, we can't practice, and I feel like there is nothing left to write about, and I've got college scouts talking about field hockey, and-

God: Trust me.

Me: Yeah, but everyone's telling me I can't be so sure, that I should think about other stuff, how do you practice to be in a band when your bandmates live 25min. on either side of you, and you've got high school and PSATs-

God: Trust Me.

Me: But I don't-

God: Trust me. I have the perfect future for you. It doesn't matter what anyone says, or what you do. If you live in me, you will live the perfect life.

Me: Okay. How do I know I'm..... oooh. Okay. So I don't have to worry about not being able to practice?

God: Nope.

Me: Or field hockey, or gas prices?

God: Nope. Nothing will stop the plan I have for you coming true.

Me: How do I know I'm following the right path?

God: Trust me.

Sooooo...... as you can see, this issue is still on my mind. What, I go up to people and say, "I'm in a band!!!" (But we don't practice, have no equipment.... and etc, etc....)
Then they say, "What are you talking about girl??"
HELLO???? ANYONE HEAR OF A MIRACLE??!?!?

I don't know God's perfect plan for me, or our little group. But whatever it is, I know it is a good one.

Stay strong, rock on!

Beth

xoxoxoxoxox

Pray 4 Us: Psalm 55:22

Heyy ya'll (no, I'm not Southern...)
Wanted to give a little update for everyone. We have felt the calling of God to be in His ministry of music, but we cannot say when exactly our music will be ready for listening. That's because we don't know. So, long story cut short, pray for us. We only want to seek out God's guidance and have his will be done in our lives, because any life lived in Jesus, is the only life we want to live. We have had requests to play at some places, but right now.... just pray. it is the most powerful weapon God has given us. Psalm 55:22 says, "Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall." Because as far as we've come, HE can take us farther. HE is in complete control and all that we are today we would never be had HE not lifted us onto HIS shoulders. I thank God for each of you reading this, that you took notice of just some normal and flawed girls, trying to live for the Most Holy One. That you care enough to pray for us, that GOD'S WILL BE DONE.
Anyways, I was in a ranting mood, so there you have it. *smiles and blushes*
Oooooh! By the way, we have a possible drummer! I say possible, because I want Zoe to our drummer, but if she sticks with keyboard cause she is SO talented at that..... this kiddo would be my next choice. But we'll see. (Hint: everyone reading this knows her..... mhwahahah!!) *giggles*

Luv the guitar girl,

Beth

rock on!!!

xoxoxoxoxox

I lost my voice.....*squeaks*

Hey, it's Beth.... and if only you could hear me.... (or maybe, you don't want to...)
Because I am sooooo hoarse right now!!! (ugh!!!!)
Anyways, a not so funny story, Donna Lynn (Moynihan) called our house today about rescheduling my voice lessons, and no one was home but me. Soooo, I picked up the phone, and meekly tried to squeak out a "hello" but instead, I ended up sounding very much like this.....
Here's how the conversation went:

Me: Heee... *silence* heeelllo? *very squeaky mind you, hardly audible*
DLM: Beth!?!?! Is that you?!? ( How she knew it was me..... idk....)
Me: I lost my voice. I can't talk. You're gonna have to call back.
DLM: Okay, feel better. *hangs up*

I felt terrible about having to leave her hanging like that, but hey, what else could I do? I'm sure she will understand.... she's nice like that.... :D
Anyways (man do I use that word a lot.... and do I ever use these brackets too much) Zoe and I did worship team at our church for youth sunday yesterday... man was that FUN!!! I only regret Christa wasn't there.... bummer. But I played the guitar and sang, I was LOVING every second, Zoe sang and did piano..... what an incredible time of worship. Buuuut, as mentioned... I lost my voice. On sunday. Yep, just in time for the singing and all. But Dona Lynn's voice lessons came to my aid, and I struggled through all the songs, singing alto..... and now, this is what I get. Total. silence. WHATEVER!!!!! It was worth it!
Hope God is really speaking to all you out there.... no matter what way.....
Hear His voice and be amazed!

Love the guitar girl,

Squeaky Beth

rock on!!!! (even if it is silently) :p

xoxoxoxoxox

Ladies and Gentlemen.... Keira!

Annnnnnd yes! Once again it is me, Beth. ( I think I should be the band's offical newsperson...hmmm...) As the title of this entry implies, I have named my dear little friend (That's DLF for you narnia nuts like me) that Zoe gave me: Keira! Yes, and I'm taking my newest guitar to greenlaws to get fixed up sooooon! Anyways, I'm happy to tell you a new song is on the way! I regret to inform you however, it is missing the chorus (Which I haven't writen yet) but the verses and the bridge are set, apart from some editing (Oh yay....). You want to see it, right? Okay, fine... *big smile* alright...

Can't see with you're eyes, gotta read between the lines
How many times do I have to tell you?
Gotta concentrate, it's a matter of faith
You can escape believe in miracles

All that I've seen is nothing compared to you
All that I need is falling into place

Feeling frustrated, don't know what you've created
Or maybe you don't want to know
You've played it safe, you're dreams locked in a cage
But you can erase the past today

Yes, and sadly, I have no chorus, but.... you get the idea. I'm thinking something along the lines of... D A Em G.... maybe....
Everybody says I write depressing music, so I'm really trying to write happy stuff!!!! Hee hee... :D
But now that Zoe is writing stuff too, she admits writing happy isn't as easy as depressing. Well. I say the reason for that is because songwriting can be a very good for letting your emotions out in a beautiful way. Of course, it always tends to be, er, well, depressing. Well, most of the time for me.
Ok, I'm going for my first driving lesson today! Yessssssssss! Sorry. Off topic. Anyways, have a great day everyone!

Love the guitar girl,

Beth

rock on!!!!
xoxoxoxoxoxox

It's a Matter of Faith

Hello again everybody! I've again witnessed a true miracle from God. As you may know (or if not, keep reading) Zoe's friend Ethan had offered to give me his old electric guitar. That seemed like the answer to all my prayers. I had prayed and prayed so hard that He would help me find an electric guitar (something we deemed necessary for the type of music we want to play) and Ethan's guitar seemed to be the answer at last. I told everyone I knew, how God had given me a guitar. But as soon as He gave it to me... He took it away. Ethan called me about a week later reporting that the guitar wouldn't be traveling to my house in Laconia, due to the fact that is was, truth to be told, no longer in prime playing condition. I have to admit I was a bit crushed. I had prayed, and God had seemingly answered. But suddenly, *poof* He took it right back. Boom. No more. I kept praying. I prayed that if He didn't want me to have Ethan's old guitar, He would show me what He wanted. He gives and takes away. But all I wanted was to be in the place He wanted me in. Last week, at my guitar class, my teacher told me that a store in Meredith called Music and the Arts was having a big sale on guitars. I considered this. Maybe God wanted me to go there? I prayed some more. I was praying every night, asking God to show us where He wanted this all to go. Then last Sunday, I was in for the surprise of my life.
Zoe, had been telling me about a surprise she was planning to give me for a couple weeks now and I really was quite curious. And, this may sound silly, but I prayed about this too! I prayed that whatever the surprise was, that is would be something He could use. After church, my heart nearly stopped when Zoe presented me with.... yes..... AN ELECTRIC GUITAR!!!
I really just about started crying. There is a long story behind how the guitar came into Zoe's hands ( I don't have time to explain, but to those involved, THANK YOU!) but at that moment... that old electric guitar, with dust under its strings... to me, the guitar could have been made of gold. It was an answer to prayer.
Yes, the 5 strings it still had are old (and detune, rapidly!!) and it doesn't have an amp, but I don't care. I lovingly cleaned it up and I will get some new accessories for it soon. Now I only need a name...
It's amazing how fast God is moving, always looking out for us. Just because He may take something away, doesn't mean it is for the worse. Sometimes, you can't see Him with your eyes. Maybe, sometimes, you have to just believe. And sometimes, believing is all it takes.

Love the guitar girl,

Beth

rock on!!!!
xoxoxoxoxoxox