You know those moments when your heart is so full that you don't have the capacity to express it in writing (much less the time to do so)? Well, I'm having one of those moments. Of course, it's wonderful to have God doing so much in my life! But I shall spare you the plethora of deep, lengthy posts, and give you a few snippets into the life of yours truly. =) And as always, I'd love to hear about all the goings-on in your lives as well!
So then, I am....
...constantly being amazed by an amazing God...
...processing all that I learned at TeenPact National Convention 2012...
...learning more of what it means to treasure Christ...
...freaking out/getting excited that I will be in college in, like, 11 weeks! Cra-zy...
...loving all the travelling I've been doing...
...writing lots of graduation thank you notes...
...trying to find time to read the mountain of books I optimistically started...
...preparing for an INCREDIBLE week at Worldview Academy (coming up SOON)....
Imagine the entire ocean. It's vast. It's huge. It's got a lot of water. Now imagine that the entire ocean represents all the attainable, knowable knowledge there is. How much of that knowledge do you know? After considering all the history, statistics, facts, equations, trivia, lives, names, laws and other knowledge that's available, I've come to the conclusion that my knowledge would amount to about a drop.
These past few weeks I've learned a lot. A ton. But the more I learn, the more I realize exactly how little I know. Still, these past weeks have been life-changing for me. I can't even begin to describe how incredible this past month has been... but I'm gonna try.
Three words: TeenPact National Convention 2011. (Or is that four words?) First of all, let me just say that if you've never been to a TeenPact state class, you are missing out on one of the greatest experiences of your life. Check it out. National Convention is a whole week spent on focusing on God with teens from around the nation. Imagine worshipping God with 500 other people, having a quiet time in the middle of His creation, participating in a national ultimate Frisbee tournament, watching TeenPact's election campaigns... not to mention hearing amazing speakers like John Stonestreet and Brett Harris!!! At National Convention, I was encouraged, strengthened, and challenged in the Lord. I'm already looking forward to next year!
Next on my life-altering list is Worldview Academy. Again, if you haven't been to or heard of Worldview, you must check it out! I can sincerely say that it was one of the best weeks of my life. Worldview Academy is not your average camp. For most of each day there I was being lectured on subjects concerning worldview, apologetics, evangelism, and leadership. Of course there was still ultimate Frisbee, small group games, team competitions and worship. And it all adds up to equal the ultimate camp experience. But it was more than an experience; Worldview Academy was a launching pad.
So you see, I've learned a lot, but this new knowledge has given me the desire to continue to learn and to press on in my search for Truth.
God is so good. There is no better way to start summer. I can't wait to learn.
What kind of blogger am I? I haven't posted since the beginning of the year! *tsk, tsk, tsk* If you can pretend that this post was posted two weeks ago, then I shall consider you the most wonderful blog followers ever! =)
So, I figured, as I am seventeen years of age, that it might be about time for me to go through the process of obtaining an automobilist's certificate of authorization to operate a potentially hazardous vehicle. In other words, I decided to get my driver's license.
This is what I looked like before I took the drivers test. I wasn't really nervous, just... uncertain.
After waiting for nearly two hours past the time I was given, this is almost what I looked like (but I didn't fall asleep).
Finally, my moment of destiny came.
A very rigid and intimidating-looking man introduced himself as my evaluator. At least he smiled. Still, he looked strict; but my hope rested upon the fact (other than my mad driving skills) that since it was the end of the day, he would be tired and pass me just to get done.
A nugget of advice: If you are about to take your driving test, pray that you don't get an instructor that mumbles, because it is quite hard to hear exactly what you're supposed to do.
I finished my drive without an major mishaps. When I stopped, my instructor informed me that, to pass my drive test, I had to score at least a 75. Then he told me that I scored a 1. As I could not perceive how that was possible, seeing that I did not crash, I assumed he was kidding. (My assumption was fortunately correct.)
End of story: I passed.
This is what I looked like after I passes. It was a great day.
Hey everyone! Tomorrow morning (Saturday) I'm off with my church youth group to Broken Arrow Bible Ranch, a camp in New Mexico that reaches many Native American tribes in that area. While we're there, we will lead the chapel times, help with cleaning and any repairs the camp needs, and also counsel the kids. I'll be working at BABR from June 7-11, but I won't be back until the 13th (my youth group is taking a tiny side trip to go white water rafting).
I would love your prayers for the week!!!! Please pray that the children's hearts will be ready to receive the gospel and that many will come to know Him.
Hi. My name is Chloe. You might remember me from a blog I used to write on called Blooming in Christ. You might even remember me commenting on one or more of your posts. But I don't know. That was a long time ago. I used to have a lot of awesome posts, but they have become a little infrequent now. However, I have returned, for now, with an important clarification:
Contrary to popular belief, Chloe has not abandoned you, but rather has become otherwise preoccupied.
Thank you for understanding. Now for the good stuff....
I have returned from Chicago and am now back into the full swing of things! This is going to be brief, but here is a recap of what I did in "the Windy City."
For those of you who are familiar with the AWANA Bible memory program, Summit is a national competition of Bible quizzing from material in the AWANA handbooks. But while you're at Summit, you also get a chance to participate in AWANA Games and Volleyball competitions. (I didn't play volleyball, but I want to congratulate two of my church's teams who got 1st and 2nd overall! Way to go you guys!!!)
In Bible Quiz my team made it to the "gold" round, the round before the final round. Only ten to twelve teams make it to the final round, so getting there is quite an accomplishment! I think there were about 100 teams total this year. It was so much fun!
And while we were there, my church took a double-Decker bus tour of Chicago. There is so much I could tell you, but I'll save you the bore. =) (Actually, it wasn't boring.)
Now for the sad news: my camera broke while I was there, and I unfortunately was not able to take any pictures of Chicago. If I get any from someone else I'll try to post them. In the meantime, I'll be looking for a new camera!
So...that's about it!
In closing, please bear with me, dearest friends, as I finish up this semester of school and ignore you for a while...but not on purpose! Trust me!!! =P
I know I haven't mentioned this on my blog before, but my dad has been out of work for over 6 months. Yes, that's a long time! It's been hard on our family (mostly my parents), but I knew God was going to use our situation for His glory.
I was praying for my dad from the start. And I kept praying, and praying, and praying (or so it seemed). It soon got to the point where I was tired of praying for the same exact thing every day...for months! I knew that God knows our every need, and I had prayed so much before - I was beginning to feel like I had done all I could do and that prayer wasn't needed anymore.
Around this time I began reading Set-Apart Femininity by Leslie Ludy. Chapter 6 changed my view of prayer.
In that chapter Leslie talks about how she had learned to worship and let God speak to her through His word, "But the idea of wrestling, importunate, persistent prayer was completely foreign to me." (152) I knew exactly what she meant when she said that sometimes we pray, "God, if it's your will, please do this," or, "Please do that, if it's your will." Then, if God doesn't answer after a few times of praying, we assume that it's not His will. But maybe, just maybe, God doesn't answer right away to teach usfaith and perseverance.
Our praying needs to be pressed and pursued with an energy that never tires, a persistency which will not be denied, and a courage that never fails.
-- E.M. Bounds
James 4:2 says, "...you do not have because you do not ask." Christ teaches that He wants us to be "relentlessly persistent" in our prayer: Luke 11:5-9, Luke 18:1-8, John 6:23-24, and so many more!
Here's what Leslie Ludy says, "God asks us to have the kind of faith that asks boldly for specific things. Instead of vague, general prayers that don't demand faith, we must begin 'putting it all on the line' and take the risk of laying our precise needs before the King." (160)
After reading that, I was convicted about the way I had been praying - especially for my dad's job. I began to change that. It's probably one of the boldest prayers I've ever prayed, but I prayed that God would give my dad a job in one month. One month. I struggled with myself at first, thinking, What if Dad doesn't get a job in one month? What would happen if God doesn't answer this prayer? I don't want to become like the "name-it, claim-it" people who think that they'll get whatever they pray for!!!!
But I prayed that God would give me faith in Him, that He is more than able - and He delights in giving us good gifts! I began praying with fervency everyday: Okay God...give me faith. One month.
Now, since this is all written in the past tense, I'm sure you all know what I'm about to say! =D
My dad got a job!!!!
I'm sooo amazed at how God has answered this prayer! On January 10, 2010, I prayed Dad would get a job in a month, and on January 28, 2010 he did! Praise the Lord! All glory to God! He used a trying situation to teach me an important lesson about prayer! Bless the Lord!
Hey guys! I wanted to tell you all about a neat organization that needs your help to get it off the ground!
Kade started a blog called the looser (see his blog button above). He based his blog name off the verse Matthew 16:25, "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." It all started because he wanted this year, 2010, to be a year of doing big things for God. Well, he's already started!
He has created Teens 4 Orphans International. His goal is to raise enough money to build an orphanage in Myanmar this year! How cool is that?!
So how can we help? Well, you can visit the site to get all the details...but the word needs to get out! You can follow his blog to get all the updates on what's going on, and then you can post about it on your blog! And of course, you can donate some of your money to help if you feel God is leading you to do so. If not, please spread the word and pray that God will take this ministry to something that no one ever dreamed could happen!
I know God is going to use this for His glory! Will you join me as a "fighter for 2010"?
It's here! Well, the announcement, at least! Sherwood productions has announced what their next movie will be about. Have you all seen Flywheel, Facing the Giants, or Fireproof? (Call me crazy, but I actually haven't seen Fireproof yet - but I desperately want to!!!!) I can't wait until it actually comes out! To find out what it's called and to sign up for further announcements visit the website:
Hey guys! I'm so excited to have a blog now!!!! Well, actually I created my blog of videos first, but that doesn't really count (it's not a personal blog). :) Anyway, I'm looking forward to sharing things going on in my life and things that God is teaching me!
