So, I talked to my brother, Paul, the other day and we came on to the subject of all these blogs. As you can see, for some time, I have pretty much neglected "my site". Not from a lack of having anything to write about, but probably just being lazy. Maybe one of the reasons I haven't written much lately, is that I am wondering what the point is of blogging. Anybody else get that? After I thought about it for a few minutes, I kinda realized...it's a way of venting ideas or emotions that we have trouble (or just not enough time) to speak about. So, we write it down. Easy easy! After reading my brothers blog, I saw how detailed and deep you can go. Even if no one reads it, at least you always have it for yourself. I know I sound kind of dumb, but it was worth thinking about.

Ok, so now that I know a good reason to write, I think I want to a lot more than I have. Maybe not about any certain chains of ideas, but just anything.

Here is the first one. Chris and I have finally booked our tickets home. I am seriously so excited. Every time I see my brothers (or any other family members) it fills a void that is in my heart. If you have never been away from family members for a long period of time, you might have trouble understanding. But, it is one of the hardest things to do..and I am not exaggerating at all. I find myself wishing I was with them all the time, and only seeing them part of the year is tough. But, with all that said, the Lord has blessed, even our short time together, with so much love and happiness.

God always seems to bless us with tickets home. For that, I am seriously grateful. It always seems to take a couple of days to catch up on all that has happened, but when we do, it's like we've never been apart. So, seriously, I am excited beyond belief. I just pray that the Lord would bless our time together.

This is a little darker message than the last one I wrote, but I thought I would anyway. I was listening to a song by Circa Survive which talks about friends and stuff. It has made me think of my brothers, cousins, and close friends that I am not with most of the year, and it's a song that is hard to listen to. My brother Joel said one time that he couldn't listen to it because it almost made him cry. So, just now as I listened to it again, I almost cried. It's so hard to be away from my friends. I have good days (most of the time), but sometimes it really gets to me. I know God has His hand on things, and that makes me feel better. I don't think He just ignores it, and I believe He'll allow time for us to be together again soon. But, it's still hard to wait.

Some of the lyrics go...

You'll keep it on the inside
'Cause that's the safest place
'Cause that's the safest place to hide

All of your friends are gone
And you were barely holding on
We were wrong and they fooled us once again
We are the loneliest of men, we're the loneliest

And all your friends are gone
Nobody hears you
And all your friends were wrong
Nobody cares
And all your friends are gone
Nobody is here with you
And all your friends were wrong
Nobody cares

Currently Listening On Letting Go By Circa Survive Living Together see related

Wow, God has been so good to me and my family. For one, Amy had a son, Garrett, and we are all in love with him. He was born perfect, and everyday he keeps getting more precious. My brothers, Nichole, and Sam arrived on Friday, and the blessing it has been to me, personally, has been unbelievable. This is the first time in about two years that my whole family has been under one roof, and I find myself in a constant state of thanking Jesus for what He has given me. I am so blessed. My brothers and I have been leading worship for some different things this week, and God has really showed up for those. Just to be with them, everyday, and to experience things and catch up on stuff that we have missed...it is awesome. We have laughed so much already! Dinners, days out, movie and game nights...it's amazing. The Lord really knew that we all needed to see each other, and His hand has really been on us...whether that has been just hanging out, or leading worship..God has been right there. I am so excited for this week, because we will be leading worship most everyday up at the WYAM base.

I just thought I would write a little bit and say whats been going on. I feel so lucky to have the family that I have and I wouldn't trade it for anything in this world. "Thank you Lord for my family and for what you have blessed me with. I don't deserve it at all, but you have provided it for me and I am at a loss for words. Thank you"

That is just a little bit of whats been going on so far. I'll write more later.

Daniel

Something amazing happened tonight. I had a conversation, but not just any. This one is hard to explain. Have you ever realized something that put the slightest tingle down your back? Yes, that happened to me tonight. I saw things differently than I ever have. I sat there in a half-lit room almost having an “out of the body experience” of overlooking the future.

         Could it be?....I see people closing their eyes. They are lying on the ground. Hundreds spread across a wide area. What is going on? I’ve never heard a thousand people sing like that! Everyone singing a new song. All in unison. Some are crying and they have no understanding why. It has been hours…the music is changing…constantly. It doesn’t even seem like the musicians realize what they are playing...but its beautiful. I hear voices, but I don't see them singing on stage, I don't see people that I am standing with singing, but it's all around me. A sound I have never heard. It almost seems like angels are singing with them.

 I see my brothers on flames. People can’t stop looking at them. As soon as the onlookers have an opportunity, they rush forward and are soon ignited into flames…just like us!

Further on, some people don't like how we are changing their way of doing things. Things they are so set on, the rules they will never openly break, the way things HAVE to be. We’re saying no. This, everything we are doing and trying to accomplish, is not for us.

Suddenly I am back in my living room. Everything quiet again. I am so exited that even my body is tense. Could it be? Or will it be something greater?

I believe God is ready for us. You, me,…all of us. Are we open to be His most used tool? One thing He showed me tonight is that He wants us to plan BIG! He will use us to change nations. Let’s really believe in Him!

Currently Listening On Letting Go By Circa Survive Your friends are gone see related

Dang, it sure has been a long time since I have updated my xanga. So, I figured today would be as good as any to write something!

Well, I have been gone back home to the States for the past two and a half months. It seriously was a blast! I got to see my brothers, which I had missed so terribly bad. It was THE blessing to see them again...something I won't ever forget. I also got to spend that time with my family. It was just amazing. So many cool stories. Steph is working on a video, and hopefully when she is done, I can put it up on here.

So, being back in Scotland, now, is definitely a switch. I won't lie...it's hard not to be down..especially when you think that you could be at the pool, lake, jamming, being with bros, etc...any given moment. But, I guess that's just what happens, right?

One thing I have been excited about getting back to was recording more Sing-Kill-Worth music. I mean, we had done plenty of recording with friends back home, but it seems like Chris and I really hit something while we are here and its quiet. We have some ideas and hopefully can get something soon! Now I am going to go! Have a great day

Daniel