New Column?! Leading Ladies: Women In Worship

Hey Ladies!

I've wanted to do this for a while, and I feel that now is the perfect time. Its no mystery that I have a passion for Music, and worship leadership in the church. The only thing is, sometimes when you are a leader, it's hard to meet other awesome ladies who lead, and hear their hearts and ideas. So, I feel that now is the right time to turn a new leaf for Parrish The Thought, and start including other ladies. My first column, of what I hope will be a few, will be Women in Worship. I'm sure i'm not the only girl who wants to know the hearts of the women who lead our congergations in to the presence of the Lord. I'm really excited about meeting and hearing those of you who share this passion with me! If you know a leading lady, or if you ARE a worship leader/pastor at your church, please shoot me an email at ParrishTheThoughtBlog@gmail.com! I wanna know you! I can't wait to hear from you.


Photo by Abby Castrillo (She also does all the Parrish and Kingdom Band photography)

Previous Lives and The End of Summer

Hello there, everyone! 

I realize that I haven't been very present on the blog. Blogging has taken a back seat to just enjoying summer vacation. However!! I'm going to fill you in, in one fell swoop of all the exciting things that have been going on in casa de Parrish. We don't actually call it that, sorry for that moment.

Anyways, this summer has been nothing short of awesome. Really! Here's the very fast recap:

We released our very first recorded project!! When I say project, I mean it. Being married and writing original music... not always easy! In fact that leads me to my next fun announcement, Nate and I have been invited to become regular contributors to an online worship resource called The Church Collective! Our first article is the practicals of writing music with a spouse. You think what all those cute married worship power couples is easy? It is not! Either way, that article is on it's way, and you will hear about that when it comes.

You can find our self-titled EP, PARRISH, on iTunes or NoiseTrade!!

Nate and I have done a few radio interviews for the EP, which has been really fun. We even did an interview for a station in Ireland! The DJ's accent was so think I really had to concentrate! Also... it was at 7am. Thanks a lot, time zones! 

Nate has been a part of this alternate music dimension before (more about that later), and so I really just let him take the lead. The key is to be short and sweet and right to the point, while also throwing in a bit of your sense of humor.  

We took a little road trip to the Alameda county faire! It was hotter than the surface of the sun, (remember I live in a constant of 68-75 degrees, I'm a total weather wimp), but it was so fun! This picture kind of looks like an endorsement for BudLight...but trust me, it's not. In fact it's the opposite! I'd like to take this time and tell you how gross I think it is :) Either way the fair was really fun, and there were animals everywhere, and music, and crafts... I felt just like Leslie Knope, my dream girl.

Also, this happened! I got my hair did! I live within walking distance from LeMelange in Napa... the beauty college, and my dear friend, Amy, is a whiz at the salon chair. She really is... I decided, oh a whim, to go full white/platinum 20 minutes before my appointment. I've wanted to for years, but it was always too expensive. Finally! My Elsa dreams have come true! I feel like this is how I was supposed to look. I don't know how you feel about it, but to be honest, I don't care. I love it.

And now, for my final and probably the most life altering announcement. I'm not having a baby. Let's get that out of the way right away. If that were the case, it would be it's own announcement, and it would be me screaming. 

Years ago, before Napa, Roseville, or Citrus Heights, There was Stockton/Modesto. Before there was Parrish or Kingdom, there was Worth Dying For. While Nate was in WDF he had the great opportunity of meeting tons of people in the industry and make actual, real, relationships. Well, the season of our lives, and lifestyle, with WDF has been over for a long time now. The Lord, for lack of better terms had kind of taken that away and forced us to really seek Him (read our story here). It was, and has been an incredible Journey, but Nate has never lost the desire to be a full-time musician. Well, about six weeks ago Nate got a phone call from his friend James, asking if he still did music, and if he did, if he'd like to go on the road with his band, Kutless. 

Long story short, starting in August, Nate will be playing guitar for Kutless and joining them on the road. We have really prayed about it, and the Lord confirmed in our hearts that this is a good thing. For those of you who know about Kutless, or Christian music, or even Nate, it seems like a no-brainer that he would go. The Lord has given full-time, traveling music back to Nate. This is a big deal for us, and a huge answer to prayer. We see it as a blessing for being faithful to the Lord, and giving 100% wherever we are, and being thankful for it. Sometimes that means giving 100% leading worship at your small church. Sometimes that means giving 100% to being a music teacher. Well now for Nate it means touring with Kutless. We are so very thankful for the opportunity, and would appreciate your prayers as we walk into this next chapter.

Good Friday-Death Was Buried In It's Grave

 

Hello There! Happy Good Friday to you. Today is the first day of my spring break, and seriously, I couldn't imagine a better way to spend the first day of my time off, thinking about what Jesus did for me, for all of us, on the cross. Nathan and I are very passionate about making sure people know that Jesus is Lord, and that they know that their guilt from sin and shame can be lifted. This is the song we wrote to express that day when Jesus took our sin on His shoulders and rescued us from what we actually deserve. Thank you Lord, for your salvation.

 

The lion became the lamb, so that you could be with Him in glory one day. Amen and Amen.

 

Spring Break Bucket List (Budget Edition)

Spring Break is upon VCS! Yay! You can image if this is how the teachers feel, what my kids must be feeling. I feel sorry for both parties. We want break, but I still have stuff to teach! Please! Please stay engaged, students, whom I love and adore! Just a day and a half to go! And while this time is only 6 school days long, I am soooo tempted to just turn on Friends, New Girl, Parks and Rec, you name it, and veg. But no! I will not veg! I'll sleep in for sure, but I wanna be creative and productive, and grow as well. Here's how I plan on spending my spring break, while spending as little money as possible.

1) Write a full song.
2) Finish The Autobiography of Elanor Roosevelt (I do it all for you, Leslie Knope)
3) Post 3 Blog Posts (over the course of the week)
4) Read My Bible Everyday by the river-walk downtown
5) Go to the beach (duh)
6) finish my taxes (so not fun)
7) Coffee with friends. Lots and Lots of coffee.


Also, Easter is upon us, there shall be a separate post on that for sure as well. See you soon!

Santa Cruz, Not Beach Day: Battling Busyness

Hi Everyone! I know what you're thinking: ANOTHER beach trip?! The Answer is a loud and resounding and unapologetic, YES YES YES. Living in Napa, Santa Cruz is way more accessible than it used to be (and it still didn't stop us).  

The fact is, during the week, as a teacher there is no real down time. This sounds like maybe I'm not making an effort, but I can't leave work at work. I think and talk and live about my students. When I get home, I think and talk about school. So, weekend day-trips really do make all the difference for us. It allows us to get away and be a couple and talk about music, and Jesus, and life, and laugh and not wear work clothes or sweats. We get to catch up. If we're not very intentional about this kinda stuff, it's easy to slip away from each other and not even know it. Busyness gets the better of the both of us, and it really gets the better of me. This is how we battle it.

We did, however, venture out of our comfort zone! We went to this little cafe that I don't remember being at the end of Pac-Ave last time we were there. It's Called LuLu Carpenter. Nate isn't a coffee shop person (I know, very sad), so I knew I was taking a risk. It was so worth it. I had one of the best mochas I think I have ever had. The in-house whip cream is the perfect amount of sweetness (which for me isn't very sweet). And Nathan liked it too! It was so wonderful. 

Nate and I are also Boba or Bubble Tea fans. Some people don't like the texture, but I say, if Boba is wrong, then I don't want to be right! Also, How cute is this little cat, and the picture in the back! The shop is so bright and colorful! I just love it!

Northern California people! Do you have a place you love? I want to know! Do you have a coffee shop that you can't live without? Where's "your place"? Where do you go to get away for the day? I would love to hear about your favorite date places :)

See you soon!

Friday Night

Hello Everyone! I may have shared with you before that Nate and I serve as the heads of our college/young adult ministry at our church in Napa. Nate and I have been at our church for about 9 months. When we first got to Hillside, there was a college ministry, but no Pastor. There was fellowship, but no leader. We were burdened for this group that wanted to grow and come together, and also serve the young adult community, but really didn't have anyone to steer the ship. Nate had a meeting with our lead pastor, and in October of 2014, We began to the lead the group/

Since then we've seen serious growth! Not only number wise, but in worship, in enthusiasm, in responsibility and vision, its been so very excitign! We're seeing people excited about their walk in Christ, and excited to see other people come to know Him, and start growing themselves!  

It's been a wonderful and challenging season for us. Running a ministry is such a fun and hard thing to do. God has been taking care of us this whole way! He has blessed us with new friends, who also have a passion and desire to see the young adults come to Christ! He has blessed us with His Word. He has blessed us with confirmation after confirmation that we were really hearing from the Lord and moved out of comfort and safety into unknown territory.

These are a few pictures of the Friday afternoon routine: 

Coffee (recipe coming soon), Worship practice, Prayer, Message. 

 I actually ended up being exact twins last week with my friend Marissa. I only have a polaroid of it to document it, but we were really feeling the denim on denim.

If you do find yourself as a young adult, having nothing to do, and you live near or in the Napa Valley, you should come out! We would love to meet you and be your friend!  See you soon!

And I Thought To Myself, "I Can Do That!"

When I was in high school, I was told by a Choir Director in passing conversation that he never gave solos to anyone who asked for one, because it meant their heart wasn't in the right place. He also said if you were good enough, you would just get asked to be in leadership/get a solo/get to lead worship. At the time I agreed, and acted in accordance with what I thought was a really righteous way of selecting leaders. This eventually formed me into a person so scared of looking prideful, I never ever put myself out there musically. This lead to me to being overlooked (not in a mean-spirited, or poor-leadership kind of way), wondering why I wasn't moving forward, then ultimately wondering if I was good enough.  I was at the point where I was thinking that maybe I had been fooling myself my entire life. My senior year of college was a time of questioning, and a lot of soul searching. 

The point of that weird anecdote is this: I was holding on to a lie, and it grew in my heart into debilitating fear. It wasn't until very recently that I began to pray in earnest for the Lord to change my heart and my thinking on this. 

Music comes very naturally to me. My piano is an extension of my arms. I can't not sing a song I know while riding in the car. God doesn't give us gifts and talents, so we can hide it away. I had a little light and I was hiding it (under a bushel...no!).

It was being at Desperation conference in CO where God really broke the chains in my heart. I had honestly thought that song "Break every chain" was silly emotional crap until then. It was watching people doing what they were obviously called to do, and doing it confidently and unapologetically. 

My stream of thought went a little like this, "Oh my gosh, Lord please forgive me, I have been so wrong. I have been so resistant, and so falsely humble.... I can do that, Lord, I'm gonna do it....(tons of crying)." 

So, here I am now. I'm not doing it on a huge stage with thousands of people. I'm not writing instant hits with viral Youtube videos. But I'm doing it. Nathan and I are writing for real for the first time. We are leading together for real for the first time. We are as poor as we were in the beginning and there is fear in stepping out...but there is provision. I guess the ultimate point of this blog is this:

There is peace in obedience, and no money can buy that.

We Are Young So Let's Set The World On Fire

Hello everyone! It's Thursday! That means, it's almost the weekend, and that means rest! Hooray! Oh man, after such a crazy week, I'll looking forward to that for sure. I'm kind of, no wait, I'm desperately in need of a little retail therapy. We'll see.

Anyways, I've been basically entrenched, thus leaving me with very little energy to give any kind of thought to looking cute. However, today was the day that I just couldn't take it anymore! Legging, Yoga pants, Hoodies, NIKES!!!!... not that those thing don't have a place, but for me, that place is in my apartment on cleaning days! Today, I had to put something together

So here it is. This is what I decided to wear today. Doesn't this scarf pull it all together? I got this sweater as a gift from a blogging pal in the blogger gift swap (feature tomorrow)! Isn't just gorgeous? It's not actually an eternity scarf, I just hand-sewed the ends together. It was super easy. Anyways, without this scarf this outfit would just be plain ol' stripes with boots!

 It really couldn't have been a more beautiful day. I clearly remember seeing the thermometer in my car reading at 70 degrees! In February!! Crazy I tell ya!

 Literally not a single clound in the whole sky. These pictures were taken out behind the back parking lot at Jessup. Our campus sits on lots of open feilds, so there are a lot of great places to take pictures.

Also: don't forget to stop by the shop, as I have added a few things! i'll be adding stuff tomorrow too, so keep your eyes peeled!! Just click on the picture to take you there!

Well everyone! thats about it for me today! I have worship practice in like... one second, then, I'm gonna get some coffee with my dearest of dears, Rachel, then recording! Oh life you never take a break! See you soon.

Recording Survival Guide

Hello everyone! So as you may or may not have read, the University Choir and Orchestra is recording their full-length CD this week. It's a long and tedious process, and to be honest, I was dreading it. Last year I spent every single day that week on campus from 7:45 AM to 11PM sometimes later, with no car, and no way to get off campus.  Let me tell you this: 16 hours of being on campus, being awake from 5:30 AM until Midnight for 5 days in a row, is probably the worst thing in the world. But that was last year.

This year it could not be different! My spring schedule is really laid back as far as class schedule, so I have time to unwind be quiet before being with 90 people...90 musicians at that! THEN once I get to recording, I'm all ready to go, and I'm with super talented people I truly love and respect, who are all focused on one goal, and that goal is to produce a really great CD. Choir, while I do sometimes complain about it, has been the underlying joy of my college experience at William Jessup Univeristy, besides the awesome provision and love of the Lord of course!

Anyways, so how does once survive such... how do I say...fun laborious intensity? Comfy clothes, Comfy shoes, Minimal make-up, Coffee, and Snacks.

Monday Night:

 I can't not wear my danskos! They are literally made for walking! Also standing for long periods of time. May you be singing or waiting for something!

the sustenance. I didn't purposely match my coffee mug to my sweater...but I dont mind that it does.

This is what I decided to wear today. Don't be fooled. I'm not actually looking at these books. This is the closest thing anyone will ever see of me wearing sweats or work out wear in public. I know I look slightly ridiculous, but I didn't feel like bringing another bag to school to change!

Minimal make-up calls for the glasses yet again.

Sadly, I've had these for months, and today is the first time I have ever worn them.

AND last but not least, the number one way to survive the craziness that is recording is: singing with people you absolutely adore. Rachel Jackson: please don't kill me. You are a babe in all circumstances.

Thanks about it for me today everyone. Not your typical post, but sometimes those are fun. I hope your week is going well, and that you are getting more rest than I am! Also, before I forget, I'm beginning my venture into sponsorship, so if you are a new shop or blog, and you're interested in Partnering with Parrish The Thought, then just find your way over to the Partner with PTT page at the top of this blog, and shoot me an email!!  See you soon.

Ice Cream For Breakfast

Hello Everyone!! I hope you're having a great week thus far. It's been pretty uneventful for us thus far. To be honest, thats exactly how I like it. However, I did magage to create a to-do list for my senior recital, and it did kind of spark a mini anxiety explosion, there's so much to do! I Just resolved to worrying about it when the time actually comes. No use in excessive worry! Also, to comfort myself in these last few days of winter break I had a nice huge bowl of ice cream for breakfast. Don't judge! Have you ever had the chocolate fudge and peanut butter ice cream from Target? It tastes exactly like the kind from B&R, which is my very favorite kind! Trust me, in tough times, you would do the same! Wow. I'm hilarious.

Anyways! this is what I decided to wear today! This little dress was screaming my name in the dressing room while I was trying it on. It's so cute! It's actually a racer back tank style, which really makes it sweater friendly. I hate when the 3/4 length sleeves of my dresses get all mushed up in the sleeves of my sweater. Nothing to be concered about with this little beauty. The only thing I'm kicking myself over now is, I now have to find something else to wear for Valentine's day! Wow.... bad planning. Guess I'm just gonna have to find something else :)

 This outfit is a 90's extravaganza with this cardigan and dress combo. I don't mind! I happen to love 90's extravaganzas! Any excuse to use the word extravaganza is also not so bad!

 Ummmm how fun are these crazy little booties! I found these at Buffalo on Haight during my San Francisco trip! There's no way I could wear these bad boys to work today, so I actually do have to change my shoes later today. They also kind of make me feel like I have horse hooves (hoofs?) when I walk.

Okay, and before I go, I have to share these pictures of our dear friend's little girl, June.  Her dad is always telling me to feature her on this blog, and I honestly don't know why she hasn't shown up on here. I mean... she's a million times more cute than me. She was bringing the metal after youth group on Sunday night. Her dad is the guy with glasses...on the left. Jordan and the guy on the far right, Sean, are also in Kingdom.

 Okay. Seriously?! Nathan said he just picked up the book and she just sat right down on his foot! Have you ever seen anything more cute in your whole freaking life? I definitely haven't. This was a very heart-melting moment for me. June and Nathan are best friends. Look at her little hand! ugh! so cute!

Well now that your hearts are all in puddles on the floor, thats about it for me today. I really need to get working on those things on my to-do list. Keep your eyes on the store, there are things added all the time! I hope you all have a great rest of your day! I'll see you soon!

I'll Meet You In the Air.

We're talking about the end times in my theology class, now, let me make it perfectly clear that we are talking about this, NOT because Bin Laden has been killed, but because it's in our syllabus to discuss this at the end of the semester, so don't get weird. I'm not a weird "end of the world" crazy-person, I rarely think about it actually, but since we're talking about it in class, I want to share the lyrics of this song with you, it's from my favoritist woman of all time, Sara Groves. It's called Going Home. The Song was released in 2001, but it brings to tears to my eyes even now

I've been feeling kind of restless.
I've been feeling out of place.
I can hear a distant singing,
a song that I can't write,
but it echoes in what I'm always trying to say.

There's a feeling I can't capture.
It's always just a prayer away.
I want to know the ending,
things hoped for but not seen,
but I guess that's the point in hoping anyway. .

Chorus:
Going home, I'll meet you at the table.
Going home, I'll meet you in the air.
You are never too young to think about it.
Oh, I cannot wait to be home .

I'm confined by my senses to really know what you are like.
You are more than I can fathom,
more than I can guess,
and more than I can see with human sight. .

But I have felt you with my spirit.
I have felt you fill this room.
This is just an invitation,
a sample of the whole,
and I cannot wait to be going home.

Face to face how can it be?
Face to face how can it be?
Face to face how can it be?

So thats actually not it for me today, I still have an outfit post to share, i just dont have the pictures ready to go. Anyways, maybe in the midst of alllll this crazy news, this might lift you up a little.