CAPTIVATE US by Watermark
Your face is beautiful
And Your eyes are like the stars
Your gentle hands have healing
There inside the scars
Your loving arms they draw me near
And Your smile it brings me peace
Draw me closer oh my Lord
Draw me closer Lord to Thee

(chorus)
Captivate us, Lord Jesus
Set our eyes on You
Devastate us with Your presence
Falling down
And rushing river, draw us nearer
Holy fountain consume us with You
Captivate us Lord Jesus, with You

Your voice is powerful
And Your words are radiant bright
In Your breath and shadow
I will come close and abide
You whisper love and life divine
And Your fellowship is free
Draw me closer O my Lord
Draw me closer Lord to Thee

(chorus)

Let everything be lost in the shadows
Of the light of Your face
Let every chain be broken from me
As I’m bound in Your grace
For Your yoke is easy, Your burden is light
You’re full of wisdom, power and might
And every eye will see You

God of This City: Chris Tomlin


You're the God of this City 
You're the King of these people 
You're the Lord of this nation 
You are 

You're the Light in this darkness 
You're the Hope to the hopeless 
You're the Peace to the restless 
You are 

There is no one like our God 
There is no one like our God 

[Chorus]
For greater things have yet to come 
And greater things are still to be done in this City 
Greater thing have yet to come 
And greater things are still to be done in this City 

"Just tell me what to do and I will do it Lord. As long as I live I'll whole heartedly obey." - Psalm 119:33

This Marvelous City I Call home

It has now been over three months since I first landed in NYC... Wow, SO much has happened since that first day its unbelievable... Although in the mist of all that has occurred, one thing I know is I have fallen madly in love with this amazing city and the wonderful new people that have been placed in my life. New York City is truly a magnificent place. From the sounds, smells, sights, cultures, and experiences, the city echos with an overwhelmingly enthusiastic energy. If you stand on a the street corner for even two minutes you will quickly sense it and feel yourself being invited and pulled into an exciting experience and it will be very difficult to decline the invitation.  This city is bold and can be overwhelming at times yet I find myself so at home in the mist of the hustle and bustle and right now there is no place I would rather be... Since I arrived the Lord has showered me with one blessing after another, from a roof over my head in a great neighborhood, new wonderful friendships, a challenging yet incredible school to attend each day, a great church that just happens to be only eight blocks away from my house, food in my stomach, a growing passion for Broadway and most of all the Lords amazing presence, grace and love. We serve a BIG God and I praise his name for his hand of provision in my life, for it is only by his grace that I am here... Each day is filled with an overwhelmingly full schedule of classes from jazz, modern, ballet, tap, yoga, musical theater history, music theory, vocal technique, acting, private voice lessons, voice and speech, scrip analysis, and rehearsal... Even though all our classes are extremely difficult and challenging I am loving each and every one of them . I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to be living in this marvelous city and attending such a wonderful school.. I look forward to seeing all that we will continue to learn. God is good and I am bursting with excitement to watch his beautiful plans unfold!!

"You Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you." - Isaiah 26:3

Exodus 15:2
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my God, and I will exalt him.

Hello There NYC!!!!

Wow this is crazy.. It was only four years ago that I first went to NYC where I quickly feel in love and began my journey to make it my new home someday. The years have gone by so quickly and now here I sit in my seat, buckled in and taking off to my soon to be home... Its surreal, its crazy to see how long I have been pursuing this dream and now here I am about to arrive in the city of dreams.. I don't even know what to say, think or feel, except it is ONLY by God's might and sovereignty that I am here right now. I am overwhelmed with thanks and praise for the Lord has blessed me So richly, I am busting with songs of praise. This morning I woke up after two hours of sleep with butterflies flooding my stomach. Today was the day... Wow... After preparing myself for the day I gathered my things and said my goodbyes to my family. I then got in the car with my wonderful friends who so graciously got up at the wee hour of the morning, sacrificed their sleep and happily agreeing to drive me to LAX. Thank you Lord for blessing me with such amazing friends. The time flew by as we drove our way to the airport, as I sat there listening to them chat and joke with one another I tried to soak in every moment I could with these special people. As I sat there I peered up in to the night sky, the moon shining brightly lightly up the sky with its beautiful light, riding the darkness of its power and filling the night with grace and beauty. Lord you are so magnificent. At that moment all my cares and worries about the travel and fear for what was to come fell swiftly off my back leaving me weightless. Who was I to worry?? Had I forgotten ALL that God had done?? Had I lost sight of how BIG God is?? Had I forgotten who is in control?.. oh God, you are GOOD...

When I arrive at the airport we unloaded ourselves from the car and began walking to the entrance, each one of us with a bag in hand.. Oh man Amaya you and your inability to pack light. haha.. When we got to the large sliding glass doors and entered in, I was quickly taken off guard and brought to tears when I was greeted with a familiar smiling face. It was my dear friend Isaiah, what the heck was he doing here?! Before I had the time to sort out what was going on he tells me he is coming to NYC with me!!!  Ahhhh!! Really?? Was this really happening?? Yes it really was. What a Spectacular surprise!!  God is SO good its overwhelming... Having my dear brother with me is such an answer to prayer, I was filled with a fresh excitement for I knew the travel would be that much more enjoyable! Thank you Lord!!

Time quickly passed and within minutes it was time to say goodbye to my very dear friends and start off on this journey. As I looked around at each one of my friend's faces I was filled with an overwhelming sadness, but along side it a deep sense of peace for I knew it was time. I gave each one of them a hug and tried to hold back tears.. As I looked around one last time at my sweet group of friends, I thanked the Lord for each one of them; Mike, Isaiah, Joe, Maddy, and Timmy.. Thank you Lord. May you continue to bless and keep them, may your face shine upon them and give them peace.. I then grabbed my stuff, gave them one last smile and wave and begin up the escalator with my travel buddy, Isaiah...

Through security, down the halls and finally arriving to our terminal. Since we were flying standby, there was no guaranty of actually getting on the flight. I prayed there would be space and there would miraculously be two seats available next to each other. And praise the Lord for he did just that!! Soon there after the time finally came to lift off, as the airplane began to ascend into the air I said a last goodbye to the beautiful home I had always known and prepared myself to welcome and embrace the new one, NYC, the city of dreams! Lord prepare me, strengthen me, mold me, grow me, and use me, I am yours. This new journey I'm about to embark on is not mine but yours alone. May your will be done. I love you Lord and I pray that I would deepen in my understanding, grow in my faith and fall more in love with you each day. Let me not waste a breath, for each one is a gift from you, may I use every one to bring your glory.  Amen.


"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage. Do not be terrified; Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
 -- Joshua 1:9