My Music

www.myspace.com/torriegan

That is the link to my music site. I finally recorded all of my decent songs and put them on a website. Check it out :)

Lent

So... I have recenlty been missing my time in Massachusetts wich has made me think about the people, traditions, and other things that make it unique. One of the big parts of Massachusetts culture is Catholic culture. While I don't exactly agree with Catholics I think that pretty much all of the ceremonies in the catholic church can be taken as great things. So this year, in order to get into the correct spirit for the Easter season, I will be celebrating Lent.

When researching about Lent I discovered that it is basically 40 days where you give up something. It starts on Ash Wednesday (tomorrow) and ends on Maunday Thursday. They do this in rememberance of Jesus' temptation in the desert. While I don't quite get the whole Catholic thing behind it, I know that there are a couple of things that God has been trying to teach me lately and I think that practicing Lent might just help.

1. Self Control
I have no idea why but I have NEVER really grasped the idea of self control. I never realized that I can make choices and control my actions. But God has been teaching me that I can have my own standards and not just go with the flow because it's fun. While it might be dumb to practice it with something like giving up sugar... I know that the skills I learn during these next 40 days will transfer over into important areas of my life.

2. Taking time to seek God
I have a tendency to be VERY gung ho for ministry. If I hear an oppurtunity I take it. I don't think about finances, resources, or anything else, I just want to serve. This has left me signed up for 3 missions trips, 2 camp ministries, and a summer in Ephriam which I don't think I will be able to have the money for ANY of these options. But God is teaching me that His timing is right and His plans are right. Just because I can go to Africa doesn't mean I should. Having to trust God for my rock in not having sugar I am hoping will teach me patience and how to sit back and understand his plan.

So yes. If you see me eating sugar before easter PLEASE slap it out of my hands. Because I am opening my life and letting God in and somthing is going to happen.

Sometimes I just miss Massachusetts

While watching an episode of 30 Rock that was set in Boston I realized.... I miss it.

The Irish Catholic population
The accent
The people who say what they think no matter how offensive
The tendency for slight violence

It's just part of who I am. I miss it

I love... because God made

I love loud music because the idea that God could bring all those sounds together blows my mind.

I love looking out at the stars on a clear night because it reminds me of how small I am compared to God.

I love dancing around my apartment because it's a great expression of joy.

I love blowing the tops off of dandelions because I knowthat I am spreading the seeds of more beautiful flowers somewhere else.

I love getting flowers because knowing that someone sees beauty and thinks of me.

I love giving flowers because I know I made someone happy.

I love a good cup of coffee because it tastes wonderful

I love driving nowhere because I get too see so many wonderful things I would have never thought to see.

I love penguins because.... God made them SO CUTE!!! :D

I love just sitting around and talking about life with no agenda because then you can be silly and real.

I love laughing at the dumbest stuff because it reminds me of the simple things.

I love when it takes me a long time to get a joke because i get to enjoy the joke longer than everyone else.

I love the pictures covering my walls becaus they remind me of amazing times with friends

I love when people smile big goofy smiles because I know that for a minute they are truly happy.

I love when a child sees you and runs up to hug your legs because no one is ever that excited to see someone.

I love building blanket forts because it reminds me that you never have to grow up.

I love veggie tales because well... who doesn't.

I love the feeling of holding a guitar because it still amazes me that such beautiful sounds can come out of a box with strings.

I love wearing dresses because they make me feel pretty.

I love listening to audio books with people because then I can enjoy the book with someone else.

I love stopping and praying for the little things no matter who is around because I think that having an open access to God with the people you are with is the most amazing thing ever.

I love smelling good because I love smelling the yummy things God made.

I love when the sun is shining because it's warm and brings light to God's creation.

I love sitting on the green grass in the sunshine even though I am allergic because I feel like I am really a part of creation.

I love sharing silly memories because life is not all serious.

I love when people text me for no reason at all because I know they were thinking of me.

I love wearing things people got me just to make them smile because I love knowing I made someone's day.

I love swinging at the park because feeling the wind rush through your hair and feeling like you are on top of the world is a priceless feeling.

I love walking through a park with a friend because I can just enjoy two of God's best creations.

I love walking barefoot on the beach at night because feelign the cool sand on my feet and seeing the lights of the boarwalk is amazing.

I love the views you see when you walk through a canyon because knowing that God created them for me is such an amazing demonstration of love.

I love driving through Fairview Canyon just to see the beauty because it looks like the place they drive in the movie "Cars".

I love going for a sunday drive because it reminds me of a time when gas money wasn't the most important thing.

I love singing because God has blessed me with a voice that people actually like :)

I love making music with people I love because seeing everyone so enthralled in God's glorious symphony is amazing.

I love seeing someone grasp God's love for the first time because I can see them emerging from darkness to light.

I love when people try to hug me even when I pull away because they care enough to keep trying.

I love when the sun comes through my blinds because it lights up everything around it.

I love the blocks of wood that two little kids colored for me for my birthday because they cared enough to try thier hardest to make me a gift that they put effort and love into.

I love doing something I woudn't normally do (like a puzzle) with friends because I get to put aside myself to have fun with others.

I love when friends ask me to do something because I know they were thinking of me.

I love fireworks because whoever thought of packaging bombs just to be pretty was brilliant.

I love sheilding children's ears when fireworks go off because knowing that I am protecting someone is amazing.

I love pretend swing dancing with my brother because no matter how old we both get we'll always have that.

I love silly youtube videos because people aren't afraid to make fools of themselves.

I love concerts full of people praising God because it is the most amazing thing.

I love buying yummy ice cream for no reason because my roomate and I just want some.

And I love sitting on my bed, eating chocolate covered coffee beans, dancing to Stellar Kart's "Activate" thinking about how much God must have loved me to put all these things and people I love in my life.

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Music and Lyrics

Hello Friends :)
While I know that only two people read this I thought that this would be a good place for me to expound on my current status. I have been writing songs ever since I was little. When I was little they were super cheesy (ask my mom about me coming downstairs super exicted about a song I had written), when I was a young teenager they were dark and depressed, and as I got older they have matured with me. When I became a christian I stopped writing songs for awhile. Four years or so actually. I didn't have a need anymore. But God has brought me back to them. It's a way for me to express what God is doing in my life. So I have five finished songs that I want to complile together into an album of sorts.

But here is my problem, just because God is prompting me to write them and share them doesn't mean they are any good. I need a chance to play them for people. I need a chance for you to hear and give me honest feedback. Because God may just be having me write them for Him. So if any of you know of an oppurtunity to play, record, or even just want to listen to any (or all) of my five song set, I would really appreciate it.

But I hope that... just maybe... God has a plan for this

Haven

Today was so productive it felt like two days

7am - wake up
8am - Bible Study
9am - Get key from Deanna
9:30am - Make copies of keys
10am - Clean Church
11:30am- Shower
12:00pm- Lunch with Deanna
2:00pm - Work Cafe, make valenitnes, and come up with valentine drinks
8:00pm - Clean cafe
9:00pm - Watch movie.