Suggested Road Trip Playlist

Sometimes you just need a new music suggestion. So here's a post to get you out of your musical rut. Perhaps. Or maybe you already own all these songs. They're mostly old, but we think they're a great soundtrack for roadtripping. In any case, give them a listen in honor of the recently-concluded Railroad Revival Tour.

It's a long list, but can you really have too much good music?

The Cave--Mumford and Sons
Repo Man--Ray LaMontagne
Everlasting Light--The Black Keys
Shark in the Water--V.V. Brown
Murder in the City--Avett Brothers
The Way You Make Me Feel--Michael Jackson
Science & Faith--The Script
Closer--Kings of Leon
On Fire--Bruce Springsteen
Orange Sky--Alexi Murdoch
The Book of Love--Peter Gabriel
Cosmic Love--Florence + The Machine
Hard Sun--Eddie Vedder
Electric Feel--MGMT
Sigh No More--Mumford and Sons
Sweet Disposition--The Temper Trap
Fresh Feeling--Eels
Big Jumps--Emiliana Torrini
Lemonworld--The National
Equally Skilled--Jon Foreman
Home--Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Facing Fears: Being Spontaneous

Is it silly to be afraid of spontaneity? Perhaps it is. And perhaps we would't admit it or care to bring it up. But when it comes down to it, both of us are chronic planners and ponderers, carefully considering all possibilities before acting. 

We plan because jumping into things scares us. I guess we are either control freaks or very, very timid about the unknown. It seems like a silly thing to be afraid of, but hey, don't judge! Is it really any sillier than being afraid of, say, spiders? Well... yes, it is. Anyway. Reasonable or not, it's a fear. So we must conquer it.

Our Easter weekend road trip was the first truly spontaneous thing we've done together. We had kicked around the idea of visiting the Grand Canyon... "someday"... but when Brandie found that the previously-sold-out tickets to the Railroad Revival Tour had become available because of a venue change, Arizona beckoned. Brandie bravely answered the call and snapped up two tickets before I could even look at my calendar. What?

--

Brandie was determined, but a little concerned. "What if this doesn't work out?" was a question that ran repeatedly though her mind. We were committed to be in Tempe, Arizona on April 23rd with no plans how to get there or where to stay. *deep breath, deep breath, deep breath*

As scary as this leap of faith was for us chronic-planners, it ended up a wonderful success! Things fell into place that we could not have possibly orchestrated through the most careful planning.

Sure, we drove an obscene number of hours in a ridiculously short amount of time, and we didn't have a clear plan. But you know what? Nothing bad happened for our lack of planning. In fact, we were rewarded with one of the most unique concert experiences of our generation, a day at the marvelous Grand Canyon, a visit with a friend in Mesa, a stop at Joshua Tree, and plenty of road trip singalongs and bonding time.

So...as we've consistently discovered about the things that freak us out (big or small), stepping out of your comfort zone can be rewarding and memorable. Opportunities tend to present themselves to those who take risks (again, big or small), so giving up some control can be a beautiful thing.

We enjoyed this so much and can't help but think about what we would have missed if we hadn't just gone for it. We're planning to be more spontaneous in the future... ;)

How are you embracing spontaneity?

I don’t know about you, but I like to be certain.  Certainty is comfortable. I search for it and cling to it when I think I find it.

And yet I find myself in a perpetual state of upheaval and lack of knowledge, particularly as it pertains to my future, my purpose, my life. I often feel like I’m descending into a maze I have to navigate without a map. How little in this world I actually know!

So when I came across this little devotional by Oswald Chambers, it floored me. I have now determined to pray for an attitude of “breathless expectancy” instead of the sighs that usually accompany my uncertain state. Because I know that my Father is certainly good.

Peace,

Chelsea

It doth not yet appear what we shall be. - 1 John 3:2 

Naturally, we are inclined to be so mathematical and calculating that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing. We imagine that we have to reach some end, but that is not the nature of spiritual life. The nature of spiritual life is that we are certain in our uncertainty, consequently we do not make our nests anywhere. Common sense says - “Well, supposing I were in that condition …” We cannot suppose ourselves in any condition we have never been in. Certainty is the mark of the common-sense life: gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, we do not know what a day may bring forth. This is generally said with a sigh of sadness, it should be rather an expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God. Immediately we abandon to God, and do the duty that lies nearest, He packs our life with surprises all the time. When we become advocates of a creed, something dies; we do not believe God, we only believe our belief about Him. Jesus said, “Except ye become as little children.” Spiritual life is the life of a child. We are not uncertain of God, but uncertain of what He is going to do next. If we are only certain in our beliefs, we get dignified and severe and have the ban of finality about our views; but when we are rightly related to God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy. “Believe also in Me,” said Jesus, not - “Believe certain things about Me.” Leave the whole thing to Him, it is gloriously uncertain how He will come in, but He will come. Remain loyal to Him. -Oswald Chambers

photo by Andre Arment 

Road Trip!

We are road tripping through the Southwest right now, with plans to see Mumford and Sons perform live tonight. We are having a lovely time! More to come on our travel adventures, but for now we leave you with a gorgeous thought-provoker from the Grand Canyon. Happy Easter!

"Her Morning Elegance"

This stop-motion animation is so cool! In a creepy, quirky kind of happy way. 

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Facing Fears

(photo credit)

We've talked a bit about fear on Words and Whimsy before, but the subject keeps rearing its ugly head in our lives; and now we're prepared to take a (more) serious tone. 

Seriously, guys, this is important.

Fear can't dictate our lives if we want to live them fully, with love and abandon.

And yet I find that I've allowed fear to hold me in a death grip much too often. I avoid making decisions that will put me in a position to be vulnerable or face something scary. I desperately evade disappointing people because I'm afraid of being wrong or of being accused of being wrong. Sometimes this leads to actual wrongdoing. Other times it simply takes me down the safe path, where I don't have to grow spiritually, emotionally, mentally. 

Giving in to fear keeps us from intimacy with other people. 

Giving in to fear keeps our growth stunted.

Giving in to fear causes us to miss out. 

Fear happens to even the bravest soul. It's natural and human to be afraid. But what we do with it determines where we go, who we know and how we grow.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." -2 Timothy 1:7

Brandie and I have decided to face our fears deliberately, to ask Why am I afraid of this? If the root cause is not something mindlessly dangerous, we will put ourselves in a position to encounter that fear and defeat it. 

(photo credit)

This means doing more of the things that scare us. Branching out, trying new things, being assertive, taking chances. Saying prayers and taking leaps into the dark.

What will this look like for us? Maybe it means taking a solo road trip, being open to a new relationship, going somewhere new, or pursuing what we love instead of what's safe and expected. Or maybe it's something seemingly-insignificant, like trying a food that's always sounded disgusting, striking up a conversation with a stranger or registering for a full-length triathlon.

Whatever it means to you, try facing up to your fears alongside us. I'm willing to bet that we'll find that there's no truth behind the terror, and we may just be stronger and more godly as a result. Bring on the growth, knowledge, newness and (maybe even) fun!

Cheers,

Chelsea

P.S. --Mom, I know you don't want us skydiving or base jumping. But as part of this anti-fear project, we just may have to face the terror of jumping out of a plane at 13,000 feet. ;) More to come on that...