Matt Papa: This Changes Everything

If you're familiar with the Summit, you've probably heard of Matt Papa. In fact, you may have even had the opportunity to have him lead you in worship. One of my favorite things about the Summit is showing up to an event to find out Matt Papa is leading worship. If you're unfamiliar with him, Matt Papa is a short, squirrely looking man, with crazy red hair, and a big heart for the God of the Gospel. He also has the coolest jacket in the world. 

Matt Papa's new CD, This Changes Everything, is drenched in the Gospel. Every song is theologically sound and spiritually challenging.  I have listened to This Changes Everything almost every day since I got the CD this summer. It's a poignant reminder of the Gospel, which I have to immerse myself with daily. Plus, its just good music.

With songs like "Stay Away from Jesus" and "The Lord is a Warrior" you know you want to buy it.

(And if you're a college student, come to Summit College United this Friday night at 7:00 p.m. at Brier Creek South to worship with Matt Papa and fellowship with college students from around the triangle!) 

(Kinda) Wordless Wednesday: T.I.A.

I just realized that I haven't posted pictures from Kenya. Probably because I love them all, all 647 of them. Here's a super quick snapshot of my two weeks there!

Giraffe Manor in Nairobi!

At a children's home near Limuru

She would've exceeded the 50 pound bag limit, otherwise I would've taken her home with me.

Our beast of a host mother & Sarah in the IDP camp, Jikaze, that we worked in

Nat Geo, anyone?

The most awe-inspiring, worshipful, romantic thing I've ever seen

One of the many breathtaking scenes on our safari

After we hiked Mt. Logonot, a dormant volcano. Hands down the most physically exhausting, yet rewarding, thing I've ever done.

Recipe Review: Pull-Apart Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Bread

This past weekend I went home. It was wonderful, just not long enough (per ush). One of my favorite parts of going home is being able to bake ridiculous things due to a fully-stocked pantry and ample counter space. I wanted to make something fallish so I went with this pull-apart cinnamon sugar pumpkin bread. Good Lord. It was delicious. 

The icing was to die for. In fact, I'm changing my cinnamon roll icing to be more like the icing in this recipe. I think next time I make it I'll add more pumpkin and/or pumpkin pie spice to the dough to really make the pumpkin flavor stand out. And I'll for sure double the recipe because one loaf didn't last longer than 24 hours. 

You can find the recipe here.

Welcome to Welcome: A Friendly Place

I'm from Welcome, North Carolina. Yes, like "welcome home." And yes, our sign does say "Welcome to Welcome: A Friendly Place." Welcome is home to Richard Childress Racing and has a legit museum complete with Dale Earnhardt paraphernalia. It's also right next to the barbeque capital of the world, Lexington. I love Welcome, North Carolina.  

In honor of the fact that I'm going home this weekend and out of my reverence for Dale and all things NASCAR, I'm sharing this gem of a song with you. It's about Welcome. It's about Dale Earnhardt. It's fabulous. You can thank me later.

Why I Love 5th & 6th Graders (Part II)

6 reasons I love 5th and 6th graders: 

1) They think I'm cool even though I'm super nerdy.

2) They let me take bathroom pictures. Sans judgment.

3) They love hugs and pats on the back, just like me.

4) They can be talked into doing just about anything, like eating a doughnut off a string or consuming baby food and guessing what flavor it is.

 

5) They wake up at 6 a.m., alive, awake, alert, and enthusiastic.

6) They genuinely care about and for other people (even if they don't know how to express it). And they laugh at my jokes.