Yup. You read that right. This is a message from my pastor, Pete Wilson, at Cross Point that I thought was phenomenal. Not only some great facts, but some great truths that I believe apply to everyone in some way or form. Enjoy & be challenged. ALOHA.
What a whirlwind I’ve been in for the last two months. Busing out on Wednesday nights at midnight, living on a bus, going to a different city every night, arriving back in Nashville on Mondays with just enough time to pay bills, wash clothes and do it all over again! But I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
In between the chaos of my calling & current commitment, God has orchestrated some amazing events to happen in some unexpected ways…
A few weeks ago we got to visit Johnson Space Center (aka NASA) and get a private, behind-the-scenes tour. The crazy part was how we got that opportunity. A few weeks prior, a bunch of us on tour were enjoying dinner together and it got mentioned that I had attended Space Camp as a kid, TWICE! Natalie and the guys thought that was humorous so they teased me and Natalie went as far as to post it on her twitter page. Well, it just so happened that someone from NASA had seen that post and then tracked me down and invited myself and the entire tour to a behind-the-scenes tour of Johnson Space Center. I couldn’t believe it!!! On that day…everyone’s INNER-ASTRONAUT came out!!! It was AWESOME to see that I wasn’t the ONLY GEEK! Haha. We got to meet two astronauts, Mike Good and Rex Walheim, and they took us into the Mock-up Space Shuttles that they use for training. Todd Hellner was the hero that day being the man that set everything up for us. We were very grateful! And he told us that U2 had taken that exact same tour a week earlier than us! WHAT??!! Anyway it was a day I’ll never forget.
Behind-the-Scenes at NASA
And then today…
I got to ride on a hot air balloon in New Mexico! We got as high up as 1500 feet in the air and it was like God just swept us up. The feeling was subtle and you didn’t feel scared…but very safe and at ease. I think that’s exactly like the Father’s touch. It’s peace driven and you can’t think of anywhere else you’d rather be!!!
Hot Air Balloon Ride in New Mexico
In the picture, I’m in the lower balloon with a pilot and 5 other passengers from our tour!
All that to say…God has SURPASSED some of my wildest dreams and I have been “blown away” by it all!!! Don’t stop believing…and remember, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has IMAGINED what God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)
Grateful and still pitching myself…tiff
Fall Tour has started and typically when you are on tour, YOU GAIN WEIGHT!!! Or at least that’s been the norm for me. (hee-hee.) So our bus (Natalie Grant Inc.) has decided to join the other bus (Jeremy Camp) in doing P90x every day on tour until it is over!!! We started this week for the first time…and just for your information, most of us have not worked out in YEARS!!!
We are documenting this on www.nataliegrant.com …but I had to share the first video blog with you all! It cracks me up. Enjoy.
A week ago I helped a friend out with a Kids Camp that she started this summer in Nashville! My bud, Evan Milby and I went for two of the mornings to lead worship for them! It was an AWESOME time. As we sang songs like I Am Free, Never Let Go, and Hosanna…I couldn’t help but notice how I got chicken-skin (aka “goose bumps”) by hearing the voices of children sing about the Truth! Such innocence to simply sing-a-long to whatever we played. It reminded me of the responsibility I have to sing about Truth and nothing less.
This summer I had a little more time on my hands in between the festivals that Natalie sang at…so I began to start writing again! In Nashville, there are a lot of great songwriters…and I’ve been blessed to have had the opportunity to write with a few. Currently, I am attempting not only to write great songs…but songs that sing Truth. In a world that’s ever-changing, ever-hurting, and ever-searching…it is the ONLY ANSWER. (By that, I mean Jesus Christ!)
But I hope all is well with you and I hope you have been running to that as well! And if you think of it…please pray for me as I feel challenged to carve out my conscience and compose something with it!
MUCH LOVE and ALOHA…tiff
I just started reading this book called “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan and it is ROCKING MY WORLD!!! I sort of stumbled upon it by accident! I was in Borders, browsing, when I happened to spot one of my pastors books (Wayne Cordeiro from New Hope Christian Fellowship)! Right next to it THIS BOOK popped out at me and I bought it not knowing anything that it would bring. Thank God I got it…because it’s been speaking volumes to me and my current walk with Christ. But just thought I’d share and give you a lead on a book that challenges. Great read, but takes time to digest.
Hope all is well and that you are taking each day for what it’s worth!
Growing together…tiff
So this past season of the Revolve Tour is a WRAP! But I had to share some footage of the last city we played! Here you’ll see a good friend, Tyler Johnson (Revolve Drama Team), rockin’ out to Hawk Nelson during their last set of the season! All I can say is: CLASSIC…and if you are a fan of funny…PLEASE WATCH!!!
Enjoy…tiff
In ‘Lilo & Stitch’ they said ‘Ohana means “no one gets left behind.” But in Hawaii, ‘Ohana actually means “family.” With that said…I have an ‘OHANA EMAIL BLAST which you can join for FREE…and with it you’ll get personal letters from me, updates, and special offers! All you have to do is email: ohana@tiffanythurston.com and write ADD ME and that’s it! I’d love to keep in touch with you more personally…and this is one way that I can do that!
Here’s the last email I sent out to the ‘Ohana…
Aloha ‘Ohana…How have you been? Can you believe it’s almost March??? Where has the time flown?
Well, I just wanted to touch base with you and keep you posted!!! Currently, I am on a bus headed for Vermont to do a show with Natalie Grant! (First time to Vermont so I’m excited to check that state off my list! …just 10 more to go before hitting all 50!!! Whoohoo!) Also…this coming weekend is our LAST REVOLVE of the season, which makes number 16 in Rochester, New York! We’re sad to say good-bye but excited for what’s to come in the future! Then in mid-March I’ll will go back on tour with Natalie Grant for her Spring“Make It Matter” Tour which will include artists Chris Slign (from American Idol), Meredith Andrews, and introducing Evan Milby! I will be singing with Natalie for that tour as well as leading worship for the show! I’m really excited and expectant! Other than that…praying about what’s next and trying to use my time wisely.
I’m still amazed that God has kept me working this long! It’s been a year and a half already of non-stop touring! That’s amazing in this day and age…and only reminds me of His Promise to use in Revelations 3:7…What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open! With that, I pray that He is opening LIFE-CHANGING doors for you in ways that only He can!
Much Aloha from the road…tiff
Howdy.
I’ve been back in action on tour for two weeks now which means I am back in Nashville where the weather has been quite a contrast from Hawaii! Currently it is 17 degrees in Nashville and 71 degrees in Hawaii…I’m not complaining just comparing. However, for the first time in my life I am beginning to despise the coats and layers and wishing it didn’t look like I was in a black and white movie all the time. The trees are leaf-less, the sky is gloomy, and my positive perspective is flickering.
Almost there. Spring that is.
But in the mean time that means I’ve been spending more time in doors at home, cleaning, re-organizing, and contemplating. Questions like what’s next? Lord, how else do You want to use me? Where do I go from here? All great questions as you start a new year. But then again, it’s February already. All that to say, I’ve been learning that when faced with decisions as to where to go, God is not so much interested in the destination as much as the journey along the way. The main thing, my relationship with Him. Therefore, choose the path that develops that relationship more than any other.
This is where I am today. Where are you?
