Today Was a Fairytale

Welcome to A Week of Married Life Day One. To start off this series, I thought it'd be sweet to tell you a little bit of our love story. 


Every girl dreams of her own fairytale. Though marriage really isn't a fairytale, I think I am pretty close and here's why. The basics of my favorite fairytales are as follows: prince, princess, some sort of traumatic distress, rescuing, wooing, loving, happily ever aftering; though not always in that order. 


In the last 670[ish] days I've been wooed by a prince, gone through traumatic distresses, been rescued, wooed, loved and lived happily every after. But thankfully, that's not where the story ends my dears. Oh no, it does that for the next 60+ years. :) We fight, we quarrel, we kiss and makeup. Repeat. Our marriage isn't perfect but it's a Morlet Real Life Fairytale.


Enjoy.
::I only put segments below. For each full story click on the "read more" links at the end of each segment::

On my golden birthday, the man of my dreams knelt down on one knee and asked me, Julianna Hallworth, to be his wife. Through a song of course. Music is the Morlet way. I don't remember if I even said yes, but the sobbing and the hugging and the kissing might have given him his answer. The rest of the evening was spent with bubbling friends and relatives, smiling and laughing, reminiscing and dreaming of everything wedding and marriage. I'm pretty sure grandbabies were a hit topic as well. It was truly the beginning of forever. Read more.

It was seriously perfect. Relaxing. Amazing. Beautiful. Christ-centered. Smooth. Fun. Perfect. These are the words that describe our wedding day. It is definitely one for history books. With 600 friends and family, 11 bridesmaids and 10 groomsmen, 4 flower girls, and 2 ring bearers surrounding us, I felt so much love, hope, and happiness from the hearts of people who have been praying for us, loving on us, and encouraging us through this journey. But the thing that I am most satisfied in my heart about is that not one single person could have walked away that day doubting they heard the message of Jesus Christ and the purpose of His Church. The ceremony was exquisite. Tyson and I could not stop talking about it our whole honeymoon. The way everything flowed and the words of wisdom all the pastors had for us (there were four of them) made our wedding the most memorial day in my life. The Lord was most definitely the focal point and for that we are grateful. It was our prayer that nothing would distracted from such. And I believe that prayer was answered. Read more.

Anyways, so now that we are coming up on our year anniversary, the marriage beautifully solidifying, God decided to bait and switch me. A couple months ago, Ty was presented with an amazing opportunity to study and lead under the ministry of our High School pastor (now exec. over Student Ministries), Steve Salomon. Amazing guy with an amazing passion for God. He has been Ty’s mentor and his friend. His faith in my husband makes me fall in love with Tyson all over again. Every one of the God given gifts, characteristics, and talents [my man can teach the Word!] that Steve has affirmed in Ty, I already knew, but to see another great man of faith encouraging him, bragging on him, and putting complete confidence in him makes my heart just want to jump out of my skin. Read more.

In one of our pre-marriage counseling sessions, our pastor warned us that, for us specifically, our first year was going to make us or break us. After we heard that encouraging news, we decided that breaking us was not an option. From then on, every time we got to that breaking point we asked ourselves the golden question: Are we choosing to make it through this one or are we choosing to let it break us apart? Read more.

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Now it's your turn.

What's your fairytale story?

How long have you been married?

Is the love you have for your spouse different now than your wedding day?

How has your life flipped and flopped since those days?

{Leave your answers in the comments below so everyone can enjoy your stories as well.}

Love,

Guess what tomorrow is???

We have some exciting segments! {By the way, thanks for your suggestions. They were wonderful.} This series is collaboration between Pittstop and myself. 

You can subscribe to the series in the top right corner of this blog.

Also, please pass the word on to your married friends :)

Facebook + Twitter

Happy Sunday. Smell a rose. 

Love,

Hello from the snow.

Remember last post???



Starbucks paninis for lunch on our drive up the mountain.









This is what greeted us in our room. So sweet. Found out later that they called Ty to ask him what my favorite things were!






Rubber ducky you're the one...



Every trip needs Nutella. (thanks Cara for getting me hooked!)



It's gonna be a fine weekend.

Last nights worship went just splendidly. I was horribly nervous but these Calvary ladies know how to sing! They made me feel right at home.

Gotta go. Session ii is about to start.

Happy saturday! Eat crepes.

Love,
Julianna + Joanna

My Top 10 Preparation Quirks

Occasionally I get invited to lead worship at women's retreats and conferences throughout the year. I love them because they give me an opportunity to actually sit down and have a quality visit with people and get to know their stories. I love hearing stories. I feel like they give me a sweet little glimpse into a giant storybook I will spend my life reading.


But they also stress me out just a little. From the moment I am booked I start to freak out. There are even times when I fight the feelings of inadequacy. Like I'm not good enough [musically and spiritually] to be leading people through an entire weekend devoted to growing and resting on the grace of God. However there is one thing that has proven to be a sure quencher of those feelings. It is preparation.

Often times the pressure or stress can paralyze me to do nothing and "wing" alot of things, but in my growth as a worship leader I am discovering the tools that battles that paralysis.

Preparing for worship in any form, but especially weekend retreats, ironically gives me the most freedom and courage to do what I know God has called me to do. Lead.


So here's the top then things I do to prepare.


Months Before:
1. Meet with organizer.
This allows me to get the theme of the weekend, the background of the church, and the type of event info. The background of the church is important to me because I like to know the intricacies of the group. [What do they respond to? What is the demographic? Do they like modern worship or hymns?] I want to know how to best serve them.


2. Read through theme verses and passages.
I try to do this every week leading up to the event. That way the truths that will be illuminated that weekend will be at the forefront of my mind and as a result, it will affect my song selection, song writing, and word usage. I want to be able to lead the group to a place [or through a place] I have already been. I want to be with them on their journey.


*Side note, everything is done with prayer. Alot of prayer.


Weeks Before:
3. Purposeful song selection.
I play through songs that have been powerful in my life and songs that I have witnessed the Church respond to. I think that it is counter productive to throw a bunch of songs together for a worship set. Not wrong, just not very efficient use of the time. I think taking people on a journey using lyrics and music that stir emotions can be powerful. [I'm not the first one to come up with this idea. A lot of other WL's do this.] Especially if worship is before any kind of message, coordinating the music and message together can be a powerful tool to ready people's hearts to respond to encounter God.


4. Put tentative sets together and play through transitions.
I usually put together two lists of potential sets. I play through both and see how they flow together. Sometimes I take songs out, add others in, change the keys or even some lyrics. I want it to be as distractionless as possible. Although it doesn't always go perfectly [aka. missed lyrics, wrong notes, wrong chords], but that's ok. It's life right?


Day Before:
5. Play through opening set and solidify transitions and themes.
Especially if I have a band. I don't like to have mid-week practices because my band is usually volunteer and I don't want to take up more of their time. So I play through everything on my own and then am able to bring a ready-to-go set of charts with transitions and everything already done for them. This makes practice less hectic and the weekend smoother. Again, it's all prep.


6. Pack everything up.
This is my worst area. I feel like I always forget something. Even if I make a list, I forget to put something on my list. Still workin' on that. But as much as I can, I pack everything up the day before. Alot of picks, my guitar tuner, any cords I am responsible for bringing, sheet music in folders for all the band, my microphone, guitar, extra strings, Bible, journal with entries specific to the retreat and a pen. Never forget a pen. You'll always need one.


Day Of:
7. Pray.
Bottom line: you can prepare all you want but it is God the ultimately turns the hearts of men and women and children. He can transform the beast of a worship set into an entirely different creature in the span of 5 songs. I pray that our preparation might be a channel in which His people might see Him and worship. But my most ernest prayer for retreats is that God would build relationships among the women and girls that will inevitably lead to deeper understanding of Him and the Church.


8. Stop @ Starbucks for my lucky Caramel Macchiato.
You might think I'm joking, but I'm dead serious. Of course it doesn't have to be Starbucks, any coffee shop will do. Most retreats are in the mountains or at least an hour away from home, so we gotta get something for our long ride.


9. Play a warm-up cd on drive.
It's not always my vocal exercise cd. Sometimes it's just a really good artist album. Like tomorrow, it will be Adele. When I'm playing guitar or piano and singing at the same time, the last thing I wanna do is worry about my voice when I have my instrument to worry about. So I do what I can to make my voice as comfy and warm as possible. And have fun doing it.


Right before walking on stage:
10. I can't tell you this one...
I think everyone needs something they do in the secret of their own heart. This is mine :)

Writer Resources

It took me a long while to find good solid resources for writers or prospective writers. A couple sites here and there but for the most part I've been in the dark. There are alot of published books available, but as far as blogs [and we all know I love blogs] there were very few. That were helpful at least. But here are some recent ones that have grabbed hold of my attention. 


I usually judge a blog based on how many times I return to it within a week. These ones I've gone back at least twice. I don't swear by them like I did this book, but they may grow on me. 


Confident Writing
Freelance Gigs
CopyWriter
Liz Strauss


Have you found any writing sources?? Please send them my way. 


Love,

It's Been 14 Years and Counting.

A Note to my parents from my brother & sister and I:

On this day, 14 years ago, God granted a yes to our deepest prayer. We wanted a daddy. Someone to love us, care for us, protect us, and raise us up into men and women who love Jesus and make a difference in the world. 

On this day, 14 years ago, we cried and laughed at your wedding. Our little elementary hearts overflowed with joy and tears as you were wed. You see, this marriage wasn't just about two people falling in love. It was about an entire family. We had our very own family. 

On this day, 14 years ago, we asked Mr. Don if we could now call him Daddy. We'd waited so long to call someone daddy. But not just anyone. Only the man God brought so perfectly and timely in our lives. 

On this day, 14 years ago, Dad, you and Ash enveloped us into your lives and we became the Hallworth Clan. Forever and always. 

We're not perfect. But we're perfect for each other. God knew what He was doing when He chose our two families to be knit together. So thank you Mom and Dad. Thank you for putting Christ first in your relationship and your marriage. Thank you for creating for us this rich heritage and lasting memories. 

We love you.

Happy Anniversary!

Love,

**If you don't know my parents, get to know them here.  

My Dad

The list is endlessly filled with things he taught me, grew in me, pushed in me, and showed to me, but here are just a few:
-He taught me how to play the guitar.
-He taught me how to ski.
-He taught me how to drive my first car [an '84 Volvo].
-He goes out of his way to make us laugh until all of us pee our pants.
-He made me breakup with my first boyfriend.
-He taught me that boys only cause girls to be more emotional...

Read more.

My Mom

Growing up, my momma instilled in my heart and mind, that I was going to be whomever God called me to be. Now as my mother began to see the gifts and desires that were being birthed inside of her little girl, she never pushed any of them because she knew God would flourish what He wanted and fade those He did not...

Read More.

Up & Coming: A Week of Married Life

I think I'm in a season of inspiration: aka, seeing things on other peoples blogs and thinking hey that's a good idea! I'm going to do that. I just found this adorable blog recently and she did something called Family Week. Every day of the week her post was focused specifically on all sorts of aspects and dynamics of families and they were very clever and insightful.


Well, since I don't have a family yet I am planning on doing this same idea but for married life. Oh-la-la. And since I literally just got this idea today, I am a little late to plan it for this coming week, so I am doing it in {2} weeks. Prepare yourselves. And tell all your married friends. And comment me any ideas you have for this series. What you'd like to see. 


Here are some ideas I'm brainstorming:
-A Day with the Morlet's {in photos}
-He Said, She Said {our funniest quotes}
-It's an Un-Date {our best & worst dates}
-Real Life {Q&A with some of our married friends}
-In 25 Years...


That's only 5 so I need your ideas! :)


Happy Sunday! Eat more chicken. 


Love,

March Roundup: My favorite blog posts!

I've gathered my top favorite posts for the month of March. I can't believe it's April already! This is gonna be a good month, I can feel it. So first things first: Happy April Fool's Day!

There Once Was a Girl 

MBSW: The Grand Finale  

10 Things I Learned Today

The Twouble with Twitter

Bangles and Braids

10 Things I Wish I Would Have Known When I Started Leading Worship

23 Before 24

A Trip, A Wedding, & Daylight Savings

*This post was inspired by this girl. 


Love,