Wow Today was amazing!! Let me just give you a synopsis of the day as you may have already read the blogs that the kids wrote. I’d love to get everyone to blog but we’re running around so much I’m not sure it’ll happen, but know that we tried!
First off, let me tell you about the offering that took place. Yesterday Jason Ostrander, one of the conference pastors, Shared about how in the CMA offerings used to be taken in burlap sacks when it first started and how people would put in items such as watches, and prized possession. At the end of yesterdays session each group go their own burlap sack to think and pray over how God would have them give to Project 132 (C&MA missions work in West Africa). The kids were challenged to give sacrificially and this morning each group turned in their bag...
This morning as the bags were brought on stage it was such a visual to see the heaps of sacks that we all contributed to.
Then there was the missionary entrance (photo shown above). There were over 100 missionaries and 100 MK’s (missionary kids) at the conference this week, they all entered with their flags and banners. This was not even 1/4 of the missionaries sent out by the Alliance. I personally couldn’t keep the tears in as God reminded me of his work all over the world. The kids were impacted greatly by this eye opening experience. There was a challenging speaker, a missionary, who challenged the kids to examine Christ’s call on their life, and the sacrifice that it would entail, but if there ever was to be sacrifice wouldn’t we want it to be for our Savior? Several of the students with us really felt God strongly calling them to serve him, possibly even vocationally. It was awesome.
Tonight’s final session was equally as powerful, especially hearing about the offering. The offering sacks contained items including several necklaces, rings, watches, bracelets, digital cameras and video cameras, iPods, shoes, and the list goes on. These are items that are HARD for teenagers to sacrifice!! And not only that, on top of the material possessions sacrificed the offering totaled over $114,500. Yes you read that number correctly!! Amazing! and All of that is going to work in West Africa.
The speaker tonight challenged us on our “mission” and the purpose that God has already planted within us. And how what we go through now, and whatever pains we’ve had are preparations for what God has for us. Betsy’s blog sums it up perfectly.
It has been awesome so see the students challenged and stretched here. And for them to see how God can use them to further his kingdom. It has been great!
LIFE 2007 is over. Tomorrow we head to disney world. It was unanimous that we would go to the MGM Studios portion of Disney World. I can’t promise a blog tomorrow as it will be a long day and we must catch our shuttle to the airport the next morning at 3 am florida time.
Thank you parents and church family for keeping us in your prayers! Please don’t stop. Pray for the continual work in the hearts that were formed here, and parents take your kid out (maybe a day or so later so they can recoup) and ask them to prepare what they’ve learned and what they feel God has called them to do as a result of their heart change, and share that with you! We will always need continual prayer and support!
If i don’t get to blogging tomorrow we’ll post pictures of disney world and such when we get back. So you can check back for some new changes on the page!
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Blog By Betsy
Have you ever thought about an acorn? I know... it’s a weird thing to think about, but every little acorn has the potential to grow into a giant tree (given the right environment) This was a short story I just heard about 30 min. ago. Every acorn that grows into a tree makes more acorns which makes more trees. Therefore we now have an awesome forest that has formed.
Every person already has the potential to make their own “forest” all we have to do is be put in the right environment. The day we are born God already has an amazing plan laid out for us. We just need to sit back and wait for our “missions” in life to start.
Being here has returned my sight to God. I do believe that I am slowly starting to understand my calling in life. LIFE 2007 WAS GREAT! See you all soon.
<3 Betsy
Every person already has the potential to make their own “forest” all we have to do is be put in the right environment. The day we are born God already has an amazing plan laid out for us. We just need to sit back and wait for our “missions” in life to start.
Being here has returned my sight to God. I do believe that I am slowly starting to understand my calling in life. LIFE 2007 WAS GREAT! See you all soon.
<3 Betsy
Blog By Melissa
Yeah, so pretty much Francis Chan is AMAZING!!!! But he’s not who I’m gonna talk about right now. I wanna tell you about the awesome experience this morning. Today Todd, a missionary from Indonesia, was sharing stories about his experiences working there. “It will cost much, but I am willing to pay the price.” was a quote that really hit me. It really made me think about the risks that come while serving God, but that anything is worth it when you’re serving God. He had all the students that felt a calling from God to go on missions, and they would pray and be prayed over. I really felt a strong calling. Ever since I was in 4th grade I’ve wanted to go to Africa and do missions. Right now I feel like I’m ready to pack my bags and go to Africa or Asia. I wanted to become an orthodontist for my profession, but after thinking about it, and talking with Cassie, I decided that I can become a missionary dentist and help serve that way. Well, anyway, I better go, we’re getting ready to go to our last session, so I better go. Yay, Disney tomorrow!!!!! Thanx for reading!
Much love,
Melissa
Much love,
Melissa
Blog By Brittany
When I first arrived in Florida I had some hard feelings on my shoulders. I was bitter and wasn’t really enjoying myself. I really had a hard time letting go. I felt like I was carrying around a rock that I couldn’t let go of. I finally came to a point were I couldn’t take it anymore....i just blew! Last night was a breaking point for me. I finally let go of everything. Tears were running down my face and I began to feel lighter. Every burden or misunderstanding ended to be silly and ridiculous!
When I was in 7th grade I knew for sure that I wanted to be in ministry. I was told by God. I don’t even know how to explain it, but I knew for sure that it was God telling me exactly were he wanted me to be. I’m not exactly sure were I want to be, but if God says go...I will go.
This trip I realized that God is everywhere....even in The Church of God!
When I was in 7th grade I knew for sure that I wanted to be in ministry. I was told by God. I don’t even know how to explain it, but I knew for sure that it was God telling me exactly were he wanted me to be. I’m not exactly sure were I want to be, but if God says go...I will go.
This trip I realized that God is everywhere....even in The Church of God!
Blog By Levi
Hello everyone, (mom - dad)
I have been having a blast in orlando this week so far ! Not only have I been having bunches and bunches of fun, I have learned a lot about myself and my relationship with God.
Today I went to a really sweet prayer labrinyth and really connected to God. It took about an hour and had 12 different stations.
The meals are o.k. I guess, but its much easier when we get to eat on our own.
p.s. - I had ribs last night!!!!!!!!
.......and they were goooooooood!!
The main sessions have been really cool. We have all had a blast laughing, watching, and learning more about our heavenly father.
Anyway, I can’t wait to see you all!
And, to go to Disney World tomorrow! NICE!
O.K.
bye bye for now!
I have been having a blast in orlando this week so far ! Not only have I been having bunches and bunches of fun, I have learned a lot about myself and my relationship with God.
Today I went to a really sweet prayer labrinyth and really connected to God. It took about an hour and had 12 different stations.
The meals are o.k. I guess, but its much easier when we get to eat on our own.
p.s. - I had ribs last night!!!!!!!!
.......and they were goooooooood!!
The main sessions have been really cool. We have all had a blast laughing, watching, and learning more about our heavenly father.
Anyway, I can’t wait to see you all!
And, to go to Disney World tomorrow! NICE!
O.K.
bye bye for now!
Friday, July 6, 2007
Today
Another Great day! We had two great sessions and then this evening was filled with lots of fun activities to choose from. Some of us watched this performing poet, others watched Trace Bundy (an amazing guitarist), other played on the big inflatable toys and such. It was a ton of fun! We all are wearing out fast, but have managed to sneak in naps here and there.
Sorry this is a shorter blog, we’re all pooped and ready for bed. i just wanted to post and let you know everything is going great!
Sorry this is a shorter blog, we’re all pooped and ready for bed. i just wanted to post and let you know everything is going great!
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Neon
We’re in our rooms and it’s 9:30 (our time) which is a miracle. We had really late nights and/or early mornings for the past few days.
The photo you see is a shot of part of the arena with tons of lit glow sticks. We took communion together today and talked about how we need to be broken before our light can shine to it’s fullest potential. As and ending to the great message everyone was handed a glow stick and all together we snapped them to show the great NEON light coming from within! It was wonderful.
We also had a great evening session called Project 132 - 1 nation, three hours, two ways to engage. It was a focus on West Africa and what the Alliance is doing in effort to educate people about Aids, Love orphans, and most importantly share Christ. It was a really touching evening.
During our free time we made another trolly ride to the same mall for dinner and gave everyone a little more time to browse around since we were crunched for time yesterday. More pouring rain this afternoon, I’ll post some new pictures on the photo portion of our website. All in all we’re having a great time and learning a lot.
We’re spending the rest of the night journaling so we can have our church huddle time in the morning instead of right now because everyone is so tired, and I personally am feeling some sort if sickness coming on.
The photo you see is a shot of part of the arena with tons of lit glow sticks. We took communion together today and talked about how we need to be broken before our light can shine to it’s fullest potential. As and ending to the great message everyone was handed a glow stick and all together we snapped them to show the great NEON light coming from within! It was wonderful.
We also had a great evening session called Project 132 - 1 nation, three hours, two ways to engage. It was a focus on West Africa and what the Alliance is doing in effort to educate people about Aids, Love orphans, and most importantly share Christ. It was a really touching evening.
During our free time we made another trolly ride to the same mall for dinner and gave everyone a little more time to browse around since we were crunched for time yesterday. More pouring rain this afternoon, I’ll post some new pictures on the photo portion of our website. All in all we’re having a great time and learning a lot.
We’re spending the rest of the night journaling so we can have our church huddle time in the morning instead of right now because everyone is so tired, and I personally am feeling some sort if sickness coming on.
Wednesday Update
Sorry I didn’t get to blogging last night, we have an eventful day! God has been really meeting us here. We had a great time of sharing after yesterday mornings seminar. The first one was on God as Creator, and how BIG God really is, and how holy and magnificent he is and how we sometimes lose sight of that. We should consider it a privilege every time we come to God because of His holiness. It was a great message and many of the kids were impacted by the speaker and videos shown.
Often times when you spend such a huge chunk of money on a trip like this you evaluate, was it worth it? And I would say that just in the first few days it has proven itself to be worth it!
We had a fun day with a chance to ride the Iride trolley to dinner. The trolly runs all along the main areas of the city and is $7 for a 5 day unlimited ride pass. We went to a mall and food court. We had quite the adventure on the way home on the trolly and Jonathan Coats got yelled at as he tried to get on the trolly with some food, (which we had no idea you couldn’t have food) and the man was so cranky he kicked him off the trolly, which was ridiculous cause Jon was so compliant and ready to throw it away. So he had to wait for the next one which came an hour later, in the pouring rain.
It’s still rainy and overcast, but it’s still so warm. So warm that one of the students had some dehydration issues. He is fine now though.
Some ways you can pray for us include:
Often times when you spend such a huge chunk of money on a trip like this you evaluate, was it worth it? And I would say that just in the first few days it has proven itself to be worth it!
We had a fun day with a chance to ride the Iride trolley to dinner. The trolly runs all along the main areas of the city and is $7 for a 5 day unlimited ride pass. We went to a mall and food court. We had quite the adventure on the way home on the trolly and Jonathan Coats got yelled at as he tried to get on the trolly with some food, (which we had no idea you couldn’t have food) and the man was so cranky he kicked him off the trolly, which was ridiculous cause Jon was so compliant and ready to throw it away. So he had to wait for the next one which came an hour later, in the pouring rain.
It’s still rainy and overcast, but it’s still so warm. So warm that one of the students had some dehydration issues. He is fine now though.
Some ways you can pray for us include:
- That God would continue to speak to us clearly and break us where we need to be broken.
- That we would all stay hydrated and healthy.
- That this trip would bring us all closer together and help us see how God wants us to live in community!
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Made It!
So we have all landed safely in Orlando! And no sunshine here! It was raining and cloudy when we landed, and is still quite overcast. However it’s VERY warm and humid. It was 90 degrees as a high and is currently 74 degrees (it’s 10:20pm)!
We did have one casualty traveling... Jon Stormes has a missing bag, hopefully it will show up in the next couple of days. Luckily it was only some shoes and a towel.
We got in got registered and had our first main session. We were challenged to evaluate our thoughts on who Jesus is because a lot of people have a mistaken view of Jesus. We will be exploring that throughout the week.
The theme is Vintage “get back to the original-get restored”
We just ordered pizza and it should be here soon, and tomorrow is a jam packed day of fun! There are about 7,500 people at this conference.... lots of fun!
We did have one casualty traveling... Jon Stormes has a missing bag, hopefully it will show up in the next couple of days. Luckily it was only some shoes and a towel.
We got in got registered and had our first main session. We were challenged to evaluate our thoughts on who Jesus is because a lot of people have a mistaken view of Jesus. We will be exploring that throughout the week.
The theme is Vintage “get back to the original-get restored”
We just ordered pizza and it should be here soon, and tomorrow is a jam packed day of fun! There are about 7,500 people at this conference.... lots of fun!
Monday, July 2, 2007
Fun Times in Spokane
So we made it to Spokane! We had an introduction time sharing expectations and fears for the trip. We also went over rules of course... that is always a must for the first day!
Our fun adventure of the evening has been shaving Jonathan’s head. Yep, you read that right... The poor youth pastor got his head shaved. It was totally an impulse, so we’ll see what regrets he has in the morning. We all have had the opportunity of taking a swipe or cut, so it really has been a team building experience. Check out the photos in the “photo” area.
We’re here safe, and planning to be in bed by 10:30 since we plan on leaving the hotel at 3:45 am.... good night!
Our fun adventure of the evening has been shaving Jonathan’s head. Yep, you read that right... The poor youth pastor got his head shaved. It was totally an impulse, so we’ll see what regrets he has in the morning. We all have had the opportunity of taking a swipe or cut, so it really has been a team building experience. Check out the photos in the “photo” area.
We’re here safe, and planning to be in bed by 10:30 since we plan on leaving the hotel at 3:45 am.... good night!
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