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DNOW Day 3

Day 3. Sunday. That means DNOW was almost over, right? No. You see, we made a pact, all of us, that we wouldn't just leave it at the door when we went home. We may go back to our own houses, and we may not see every person we were with everyday to just sit and talk, but we will still be accountable for each other. We'll still pray with and for each other, and we will be there for each other. We won't stand alone, and we won't be shaken. (I love that song, by the way.)

We woke up & took showers, and our Host made us eggs. (Because he's just that awesome.) We packed everything up into our vehicles, did a few thousand checks to make sure we had everything, made sure we left it nicer than when we came into it (which was very difficult). We hugged our host mom goodbye because she had to stay home (her little girl is sick), and then we left for church.

We started out in the Fellowship Hall where we just listened to each other speak about what had happened, asked for prayers and accountability. Then we went to the Sanctuary and we picked out a nice section so we could all sit together. YP led the worship, and it was amazing to see all these teenagers standing and worshiping the God they loved. After we all worshiped, YP basically told the adults that were there what we had learned. He shared with them what had been shared with us. Then we had invitation. He invited all the leaders down so anyone who needed to pray with one, could. There were so many tears, but so many lives that had been changed and to me that is just amazing.

He asked the adults there what they thought, and up in the balcony you could hear one of them shout, "Praise the Lord." and Amen to that.

After the service, I took a picture with YP, and then hugged him. (btw, he gives the best hugs.)

Anyway, it's like I said, DNOW may "technically" be over, but the things that happened to us inside... those are not going away. If anything, I pray they get stronger.

#dnow #disciple now #day three #sunday #worship #message #Jesus #NOTHING #Bring Your Nothing

DNOW Day 2 (Part 2)

Okay, after our second session, we watched Courageous. (Which made all of us cry.) About halfway through the movie, the lovely YP decided to scare us and he did not fail. Him, KL, and a couple others came in and watched Courageous with us. (YP usually comes with people to visit each home every year.) I know it sounds really weird, but that was honestly one of my favorite parts of DNOW. (My favorite is coming up!) But, we were all just with our best friends, watching a great Christian movie with an amazing message, with our youth pastor & another amazing role model in all our lives, just sitting with us. It probably sounds like a funny favorite moment, but I guess you had to be there. Anyway, they had to leave to go to another house about 45-50 minutes later :(

But, we finished watching the movie, then we all went and changed into nicer clothes because our amazing & loving hosts wanted to take us all out to dinner. During the ride there, one of my hosts just asked us about the future. Basic questions every high schooler is asked, "What do you plan on doing?" "Where do you want to go to school?" etc. He talked about how he saw such different personalities with us, but such a strong... friendship. He shared so many tidbits of advice with us, that really stuck with all of us. For instance, he said that, as a Christian, it's like we're a speck of pepper in a salt shaker. He told us that we needed to put God first, then we can attack the world. I think that's one of my favorite quotes from him this weekend because it's just true. We don't need to be afraid of standing out, who cares? If nineteen people think I'm weird, but I get to one person, that one person is worth it. As long as God is leading, anything is possible.

We came back home and then headed to church early. We got our NOTHING shirts, and found a seat very close to the front. (yay!) We started out with skits and songs (each house had their own). Then, we worshiped. I tweeted this earlier, but one thing I love that happens when we worship is when it's just our voices, no instruments. Of course, I also LOVE when it's a fast paced song, and everyone is jumping and clapping and just praising God. That's always awesome. There was a part in the middle of a song, and our whole group took hands as we sang, then eventually formed a huge group hug together. That was awesome.

After the worship service, we went back home and we had our last session. Our host Mom & cohost Mom came and joined us for this session. I'll warn you now, we were all crying at some point. We talked about how we say things like "I go to church, I pray, I sing the songs, I tell people about you, etc." and we expect that we're living perfect little Christian lives, and we aren't. If you don't do things in His name, it's worthless. We got into the topic of relationships. We just sat there and... something happened between session 2 and session 3. It may have happened at dinner or during worship or even right as we started the third session, but something changed. Something great occurred in all of us because we ended up pouring our hearts out to each other, and at one point we formed a prayer circle and just sat together and spoke to God about what was happening, not just in our lives, but in the lives of our best friends, our Sisters in Christ. THAT was my favorite moment all weekend.

#session 3 #session 2 #disciple now #dnow #2014 #yp #youth pastor #prayer #trust #sisters #Christ #best friends

DNOW Day 2 (Part One)

Day 2, aka Saturday!

Started this day off wonderfully because my awesome hosts made us crepes. (Like homemade, made the batter and everything.) We got dressed in the shirts and headbands we had made, and headed to church. We started today off with the "game". This year, it was this Trade-Up game. Basically, we go to places and people and try to barter our way to higher valued items for the church to auction off in its missions auction. Usually, we'd get something to barter with, something little to start out with. So, because of this year's theme, guess what we got to barter with? That's right... NOTHING. Very clever, right? So, instead of driving around town frantically searching for something, we started calling people up. YP came over & talked to us. (Since we were the only ones still in the church, he felt the need to inform us that the game had indeed started.) Anyway, we had 10 lbs of beef, then got a couch, and ended up with a diamond ring value somewhere between $900 & $1200. (Yay!)

When we got home, we ate lunch and started our second session. This session was about... Okay, we started off by talking about situations that made us feel worthless, almost like we questioned God for His actions or that we would question Him completely. We had a couple examples, like when something terrible and horrific occurs, like a school shooting, or when someone dies from cancer where it's like "what did they do to deserve this?". Sort of circling around the idea that we try to let the good outweigh the bad and we think that's going to put us in heaven, when Jesus is the only thing that can get you to heaven. We talked about the 10 Commandments and how we break so many of them without realizing it. For instance, keeping the Sabbath Day holy. Most of think, "Okay, I do that. I go to church every Sunday." If you aren't going with the right heartitude (that's heart attitude), then you are breaking this commandment.

It was crazy to think that... I think that, with this session, we sort all had a different connection to the word "Nothing". The meaning behind the theme is that Jesus did everything perfectly and He sacrificed himself so that we could have eternal life, and we literally bring NOTHING. As a group, we talked about what Nothing meant to us... And that's what we all sort of said. To us, we are nothing. God is everything. Quoting my host, "Your faith is what makes everything happen. Without faith there is... Nothing."

Okay, I really want... A LOT happened during our third session. So, I am going to make that one a separate post.

#dnow #Jesus #NOTHING #disciple now

DNow

337. I went to a worship event one night. 338. On that first night, I volunteered to help at a retreat for middle school and high school kids. 339. I went the next week. 340. I helped at the retreat. 341. I still haven't made it back to that worship event...

342. I was with 8th grade girls. 343. We had teh best host home ever!! (The wife wanted to be a part of the girls' weekend and life!!) 344. They unloaded a lot that first night. 345. They were pretty great girls, really, though. 346. None of them were plain--each was memorable. 347. We played the knot game. A lot. 348. The messages were great!! 349. I made an awesome college-aged friend, as well. 350. I feel as though this was a good clue that I can probably handle counseling in the future.

351. The food. All kinds of snackage--including homemade pigs in a blanket!!! 352. Breakfast consisted of grapes and strawberries--which we don't get at school--and blueberry muffin cake and egg, sausage,and cheese casserole!! Mmm-mmm! 353. I had BBQ for lunch =D 354. Really good pizza for dinner and snack. I love pizza. 355. Blueberry donuts!

356. All glory goes to God. 357. You ever look at your dog and wonder what he's thinking? I know what he's thinking: "GLORY!!!" 358. All the blades of grass are pointing up at God and yelling, "GLORY!!" 359. Fifty baptisms.

#disciple #disciple now #dnow #snacks #food #homemade #pizz #GLORY #God #grass #baptism #dog #think #counseling #drama #good #love #special #plain #amazing #weekend #retreat

This is our recap vidoe from Disciple Now 2013. The senior girls dressed up as old women and it was super funny so you should watch this cause we're the stars! watch to the end because we might make a special appearance ;) PS-I'm the old lady with the blue sweat pants, pink windbreaker, and white v neck. WATCH ITTT.

and yes, we did win best costume :)

#DNow #disciple now #youth group #seniors #senior citizens #old ladies #video #vimeo #funny #watch

My girls! Who btw won first place in the dance competition! Wuddup!

#disciple now #d now #2012

This past weekend, I was given the opportunity to be a leader at the Disciple Now 2012 conference. I had a group of 7 middle school girls. The theme of the weekend devotions was Distractions. I was instructed to give 4 sermons, all which went way better than expected. I know it wasn't any preparation I did though, it was by the power of God speaking through me that impacted these girls' lives the way it did. I was a nervous wreck up until the hour before I met my group. Me and the 7 other leaders came together to pray beforehand, and I got on my face and I surrendered it to God. After that, I was eager to meet them and kick start the weekend. My nerves fled. I adored each and every one of my girls. They were all so passionate, and so bold in their walk with Christ. What they don't know is that I was called to ministry at a young age, and I've been running from it ever since. This is the first time I've felt strong enough in my faith to step out and do what God has called me to do. This weekend was my first test, and I was afraid I would fail miserably. Instead I acted upon what I know, rather than what I feel, and through Him I passed with flying colors. This weekend affirmed everything I know God has called me to do. Ministry is where He has placed my heart. These girls impacted my life way more than I impacted theirs. I now feel equipped enough to continue to seek after His will for my life, and go wherever He leads me next. I'm trusting that doors are about to open for me, and more opportunities will present themselves. I don't feel worthy or deserving of all the many blessings He continues to pour into my life, but I will keep trying to pursue all He has called me to do because He deserves it. When I am weak, when I am strong, when I am thirsty, when I am hungry, when my cup is running over, when I am empty, when I am broken, when I am complete, it doesn't matter. He calls us to reach the lost through His name at all times, and if we aren't doing that, then we are failing Him. Thanks for all the prayers and support as I continue this journey. I love you guys!

#disciple now #d now #2012 #ministry #prayer request #testimony