A Time to Camp

This past week, I got to attend a youth camp. It was the first camp I have ever attended in my life. I along with 80 plus students and leaders packed our bags and headed to Discovery Church Monday morning. The leaders all began to finish up everything so that when the students arrived, we would be ready. We got the students signed in and loaded on the bus. 

A few hours later we arrived at our camp where we had to "hike" to our cabins. The one that most of the leaders stayed in was the very last one. It was also where everyone came to eat. I walked down the hall of my cabin between rooms that were only separated by a curtain. Put my stuff down and walked to the place where all of our sessions and worship would take place. 

When I said I would go, I had no clue what I was getting myself into. And to be quite frank, I did not even think God would show up the way that he did. I got to meet so many students who are just amazing. One girl that stands out is McKenzie. This girl is so amazing and has quite the wit! We got to share stories with one another and I honestly fell in love with her. At one point, Cheryl said that we could be brother and sister. I said I was okay with that and somehow that got turned into "I will be paying for her college"!  

Then on Wednesday during worship I began to pray. I opened my eyes and looked around the room and saw some students with their arms raised and just worshiping God. I felt Him speaking to me saying simple words,  "Can't leave." I began to argue and say that I could and again He said, "Can't leave." Every time I had something, He just said those words.

And now after this week, I can't leave. I can't leave these students. God has apparently something for me to do here and I believe it begins with those students I met and the ones I will be meeting at Discovery. I am not sure how things will work out, but I know that God has a plan for me and I am willing to listen and obey what He has to say.

Decisions for Tomorrow

There is this idea that in a couple of days I will have to make a very important decision. And the enemy has begun his ploy to mess with my head. Trying to get me worked up on the choice I will make. But it is not yet time for that, I must live in today and let God worry about the rest. If all of my trust and dependence is in Him, then why should I spend today worrying about tomorrow. He gave us today to live for Him, to love those around us, to spread His word. So, today that is what I will be doing. Spending this time, my last day in VA, with my friends and family. 

Man, it is hard to think that I have been here for almost three weeks. God has been so good to me. He has truly blessed me, with family, friends, and joy!  

Looking forward to being in Orlando tomorrow. Fun times are sure to follow!

Rocks Hurt but I Am Alive

Saturday I went with my friend Joey to Maryland. We went to a magical place called Rock State Park. Why is it called that, simply because there are lots of rocks. And when tubing down the river you are sure to hit plenty of them. My bum hurts, my shin hurts, my knee hurts, but it was worth it. Slipping on rocks and hitting ankles and falling on your tush, made the day worth wild. It also reminds you that you are still alive. 

Afterwards, we drove to DC to watch The Dark Knight. I enjoyed it. Not saying anything else... about the movie that is. See if for yourself. But the theater was amazing. It was called Uptown Theater. The theater only shows one movie at a time and is two stories. We sat on the second story and to the right of the screen (which would be stage left). I am glad I got to spend some time hanging out with old friends. 

But I will also be glad to see my friends back in Orlando. I will be there on the 24th. I am excited to share the things I have learned with my friends and even strangers if they will listen.

Phone Interview

Today, I had my phone interview for an internship with Tom's Shoes. If I get the job, I will be flying to CA for training and then traveling the states with three others. I am excited with the possibilities of life at the moment. I am not sure where God is leading me, but I know He is leading me somewhere. And because it is Him leading and not me, then it is going to be amazing! I am sure there will be bumps in the road, but I know that He will not forsake me. 

For that, I am thankful. Jeez, Jesus is so amazing. 

Meeting Friends Hundreds of Miles Away From Home

Yesterday was amazing! My friend Bryan Hamel was able to get me into Warped Tour for free, thanks to his buddies in Set Your Goals. I got to be on stage with The Bronx, who were just amazing. Frontman Matt Caughthran really knows how to get a crowd going. Some of the other bands I was able to see were...

Dillinger Escape Plan, Angels and Airwaves, The Color Fred, Jack's Mannequin, Four Year Strong, and my good friends Between the Trees.

It was full of random meetings with friends from FL and Atlanta. At first we just kind of stood there in confusion as to why we were seeing each other at Warped Tour in VA Beach. It was amazing. 

Looking forward to coming home to Orlando and to flying out to CA in August! 

God is moving! 

Jesus Wrecked My Life at a Hardcore Show

A couple hundred kids are standing around waiting for the last band to begin their set. The band huddles together and begins to pray. The singer steps out and faces the crowd. He speaks to the crowd and after a few minutes the first chord is struck. The crowd burst with excitement as some dance around while others are singing with Sleeping Giant's frontman Thom Green. After a few songs he announces he would like to pray over the crowd. He begins to pray for not only the people at the show, but for all the "sleeping giants" across the world. Towards the end of the prayer, the band breaks out into another song.

At one point frontman Thom says, "This is the end of the show. It is time to worship." He begins to sing and the kids who were just thrashing about in the pit are all up front chanting the lines to the song. I turn to my left and see a man with full sleeves of tattoos and piercings kneeling, crying, and worshiping our God. As soon as I saw him, my eyes filled with tears and great joy rushed into my heart. I realized my hands were lifted as high as they would go, giving God my praise. I thanked Him for bringing me to VA, for getting me to meet Jackie, and for getting me to a hardcore show where He would show up and completely wreck my life. 

I no longer want to be a sleeping giant, but a warrior who will scream at the top of his longs for his God.

I am finding out God is a lot of fun. He can take my punches and He will wreck your life anywhere He desires.

Thank you for your love and grace.

Thank you for taking me as I am.

Thank you for listening.

Thank you for putting people in my life to show your love.

Thank you for showing up at a hardcore show and completely wrecking my life.

You are beautiful. 

I love you.

Best worship service ever!

Oh and at one point I danced for the first time at a show in about 3 years. Haha, God is amazing. He rules life.

And thank you Jackie for bringing my keys 45 minutes away at 1 in the morning so I might be able to drive home.

Day 3

There is a group of 12, all in their twenties, sitting around a table in the middle of an Italian restaurant. I was among that 12 with an empty chair next to me. I felt a bit awkward not really knowing any of the kids that I was with and then having an empty chair next to me, made me seem a bit removed from the group. A few minutes after we are sitting there, a girl wearing jeans, t-shirt, and blue rimmed glasses walks up and sits in the empty chair. We have a short introduction of each other and go back to the conversations we were in. I am sitting there eating a piece of garlic bread when Gwen leans over and says, "If you want to talk about God with anyone, Jackie would be perfect. She loves Jesus." With that I uttered something like, "okay" or "cool." But then Jackie told me about some scripture she just read. It was in Genesis where Jacob is wrestling with God. I quickly got excited because the day before, I had read the same exact scripture! My eyes even began to tear up. For the rest of the time, Jackie and I shared our thoughts on God and what I was going through. I told her about why I was in VA and how I am trying to seek God's face. And with this conversation, I felt a bit of weight lifted off my shoulders. It was as if God was telling me, not to worry, He was still in control. 

I am not sure why I came to VA, but I do know that God has been with me during this trip. I tend to get down and stressed when I do not know what is coming or if I do not know what is going to happen. But I do know, God is leading me somewhere. And where ever that is, it is going to be amazing. As I was telling Jackie about my situation with Thailand and how frustrated I was, she simply replied, "That's exciting." How awesome is that? To be able to see a situation where all I see is defeat, she sees excitement. But it is exciting, right? I mean, I am in a place with unknowns. A place to discover new areas. A place to grow. A place to learn more of who my father really is.

Matthew 10:34 

"Do not think I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword."

I am excited...