RUN!! Young Christians Weekend Update

I'm not really sure how long it's going to take my to do this post (it's taken 3 days, it's a long one but a good one) because I have so much going on in my head about this past weekend with 12 amazing teens, and 3 amazing adults!

This past weekend we took our 3rd trip to Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. We took 12 teens with us and the 3 other adults not including myself. So a total of 16 people. Silver Dollar City does a weekend every year for Young Christians, you can go listen to amazing bands, and hear amazing people speak in many workshops. The first year we went and took some kids we only went on Sat, then the next year we went on Sat, and Sunday and then this year we were able to go on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and I'm so glad we were able to do that! Michael and I met the youth Friday early evening for dinner, and then headed towards Branson. It takes us about 2 hours to get their. When we got to Silver Dollar City we got to listen to an amazing band Rhett Walker. He shared his testimony with us about living life for himself to ready about his testimony go here. After the concert was over we went back to the hotel room and surprised the kids with tshirts we had made. One of our leaders came up with the design and the verse on it was Galatians 5:13 that says "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." So we should show God's love by serving others.

We woke up bright and early Saturday morning and headed back to Silver Dollar City. Saturday was filled with workshops and another concert. During the day we took the girls to a girl only workshop where Ashley Robbins spoke on how God loves us so much and how we can't have an amazing relationship with our boyfriend/husband unless both parties have a relationship with Christ. That is so true! I'm so thankful that Michael loves Christ more then he loves me. He shows me his love my loving Christ, and then we are about to love Whitnee and raise Whit to have an amazing relationship with God as well. Later the leaders went to a leader workshop done by Joe White. He spoke on how we need to disciple our youth so they can then turn and disciple. Then it got me thinking, am I doing everything I can to make sure the kids in our youth ministry are going to be able to party with me in heaven? It just struck something inside of me and broke my heart to think I may be doing something wrong. Crazy enough our next workshop was about making sure we are doing everything we need to do to live our life at full throttle for Christ and reach as many people as we can. After that Ms. Kimberly and I went to wait in line for the evening concert while they rest of the group went and rode some more rides. That night we got to hear Caleb Rowdin, he is really good, and we have heard him before, the David Crowder came out to sing. I will be honest I wasn't really excited to here him sing because I'm not the biggest fan of him, however God used him to make he realize how much He loves me! David Crowder was AMAZING live! We were singing a song called "How He Loves" if you haven't head that song yet, here is a link to the words and the story behind the music. We then got the chance to listen to Shay Robbins (Ashley Robbins husband) speak, he is a runner and was talking about how we like to pace ourselves in life. We shouldn't be pacing ourselves but doing a double split, what's a double split you ask it's basically when you are running say 4 laps and each lap you run just a little bit faster so your 4th lap ends up being your fastest. We need to be running in our life not pacing ourselves. We should want to live all out all the time for Christ! He died a horrid painful death for me and everyone else even knowing what we would do and that we are sinners. After the concert/workshop was over we went back to the hotel and did another mini devo with the kids on love. I think the hardest part about love is having to love even when that person doesn't deserve your love. I knew that I needed to prepare a devo thing to do for when we got back to church Sunday night because we take over the evening service when we get back so the kids can talk about what they got from the trip. So I started doing some study on God's love for us.

Sunday was more riding rides and one more service before we headed home. We heard from Joe White again, and he talked about living our life for Christ and making the right choices, he used the example of the The Voice, you have 4 chairs with there backs turned to you, you have God, Jesus, Your future mate, and your future Children. While you are living your life they are watching and when you make the right choices they hit there button and turn around saying I want you. He then used visual of the crucifixion you had 2 thieves hanging next to Christ, one who didn't want any thing to do with him, who thought that he (the thieve) shouldn't be dying he didn't do the crime. Then you have the other thieve who was repenting and Christ told him that he would be in paradise with Him. Then he asked what side do you want to be on? What thieve do you want to be like? The one that repents or the one who doesn't think they are doing anything wrong.

After the service we headed home. When we got back Michael challenged the teens to speak of what they learned this weekend and what they were going to take home. Most of the stated that they realized how they were living and were ready to live for Christ full throttle no more pacing our selves but to RUN. Once the Teens got done with what they had to say Mr. Stephen also got up and challenged not only the teens but they church to RUN to move! Then it was my turn! I will just type out my notes because I don't want to forget anything.

      What is love?
         Webster has the definition here
          God's love is all about action
           John 3:16 - "For God so loves the world that He gave his only begotten Son that who so ever believe in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life"  and Roman 5:8 - "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." show us the greatest love God gives us, by sending his only Son to dye for us. If you are a parent I challenge you to imagine giving up your child to some one you love, that would be hard right? Now imagine giving up that same child to someone who has wronged you some one who has done everything imaginable wrong, could you do it? Probably not, but guess what God did that for us! Knowing that we were sinners He sent His Son because He loves us that much! His son died one of the most horrific deaths known! If you don't know what happens when someone is crucified I challenge you to look it up. Once we accept that love we will be changed, we will strive to live our life like Christ and how did He live? Well He served others, we should show our love by serving others. We may feel like we have to earn His love, but we don't! It's not what I've done but what He did! He would have sent Jesus even if I was the only person on the planet!
     Mrs. Kimberly ended up getting up and challenging the church to move! She has been going to our church her whole life and remembers when our church was on fire for God and is challenging the people to get back to that place.
           
       We ended up having 2 kids accept Christ that night! We couldn't be more excited!     

     The thought of not seeing every one of my youth in Heaven is scary! What's even more scary is even though this blog has take me 3 days to type up, me not typing it up and someone not making it to heaven because I didn't take the time. If you have any questions please feel free to comment on this blog, or if you are friends with me on FB please private message me any questions. I hope I didn't loose you all to much. I know it was a long post, however I didn't want to miss anything, even though this doesn't compare to the experience we had! I ask that you pray for our teens and our church, God is ready to do mighty things! All we have to do is be ready to RUN!

Busy October!

We have been so busy! We havn't had one weekend this month where we didn't do anything. Let me catch you all up via pictures :D

I was invited to go to a Razorback game, well Michael was busy so I took one of my fav people. My brother. I wasn't sure if he would be able to go with since him and his wife just had a baby, but he has an amazing wife and she let him go. :D OMG this was one of the best games I have ever been to, we played Auburn and KILLED them! I was so thankful that we got to go and was so happy to celebrate with the people I was there with.

We took our youth group to a corn maze this past weekend. It was a great group to go with. This is a great place to take a family, it is Christian based. It's very family friendly the theme for the maze thanks to our military.

On the 24th I turned 25. So we got a group of great friends and family togeather to go bowling. We had so much fun! I'm so thankful for all the people in my life! God really has blessed me!

My sister and I.. I think as we are getting older we are starting to look more and more a like.. if only I was a skinny as her. :D

One of the most important people in my life. I have no clue what I would do with out her! She is one of the people I can always trust and know she will always be there. She is more like a sister then a friend. So thankful for her and her hubby!!



One of my sister in laws, this is Michael's brothers wife. Recently our relationship has grown so much! I have learned to appreciate her more and I am so thankful for her! Her and I are more a like then what I thought we would be. Sad that has taken what it has to bring us closer but God does crazy things!

This is Laurie, me, and my Mommy. Oh how I love her so much! She has brought so much happiness and love into my life! I couldn't ask for a better mom! I am the luckiest girl ever! I pray every night that Whitnee and I have the relationship that my mom and I have when she gets older.

Last but not least my hubby and my Whitnee. I'm so thankful for them both! God has given me the best support system with Michael, then He has given me the best bleassing with Whitnee. She really is a joy and I'm thankful God has blessed us with her!

I hope everyone else has enjoyed there October. Crazy it's already over, we are hoping to get pumpkins carved this weekend. If we do look out for pictures and a blog about it 'cause Michael and I have never carved pumpkins. :D


 

3 Weeks

Week One

July 24th - 30th

VBS

We just got done with an amazing week of Vacation Bible School. I helped teach the kids the music and I absolutely loved it! Whitnee and I have been listening to the music every where we went so I could learn it, and Whitnee LOVES it! Every time we got in the car it was Bi Bi Bi mommy. I needed to make a copy of the cd before I turned it in. Oh well hopefully she will be ok with listening to Veggie Tales. We had such a great turn out this week, and even had our biggest group during parents night. I love seeing how excited the kids get during VBS and pray that they learned something and one day will be thankful for the time the spent learning about God. I also had Hailey during the day time, her and Whitnee love each other but they do tend to drive each other crazy. :D Whitnee didnt' get much sleep this last week so I'm hoping we can get her back on a real schedule. I don't really see that happening 'cause as you can tell  from the title of this post it's going to be busy for the next to weeks.. so that leads me to this week

Week 2

Aug 1 - Aug 7

Youth Trip

On Thursday we are taking our youth on the annual youth trip. We are headed to Kansas City, and we couldn't be more excited! Whitnee is going to be staying with my sister at our house so that means, I must start cleaning the house that away Brittany doesn't have to worry about sleeping in a disaster. :D thankfully my mother in law has Whitnee today so I've been able to be very productive. When Whtinee is working she will be at our Nan's house Whitnee's gonna have fun. I on the other had will be worried sick that she is being a turd. :D LOL praying she is good. If you think about it pray that not only the kids but the leaders will be blessed beyond measure this weekend. I'm excited to spend the weekend with a great group of teens

Week 3

Aug 8 - Aug 13

Wedding

My sister is getting married in a little over 2 weeks. My dad, his wife Tiffany, and her daughter Desi will e here the Thursday before Brit gets married. I'm sooo beyond excited to see them! With them coming in town it's not just cleaning time it's deap cleaning time they said it doesn't matter but oh it matters to me. :D I love when my dad comes in town but am soo sad when they leave, when he leaves I realize how much I miss him and how much I wish he was around. Then how much he is missing with not seeing Whitnee grow.

Well there is why I won't have much down time... busy busy busy.. hope everyone else is having a less busy life then us. Enjoy the weather but stay cool.. till next time





Where To Start?

We have been soo busy that last month! I guess I start like I start when I think back in my head.. just random. :D So here goes

Well we are taking Whitnee to Branson for the first time this weekend! YAY! Missouri is having there tax fee weekend so Michael and I have set aside some money to try and get Whitnee her fall wordrobe. I'm excited! Then we are going to Silver Dollar City. There are actually a couple of rides that she will be able to ride! Woo Hoo I soo hope she is like her dad and loves to ride rides, and not a chicken like her mommy. I'm so excited! We are going with a family from our church so it should be a ton of fun!

Michael has been on vaca this weekend and it's been soo nice to have him home all day! Come Monday it'll be back to reality and I'm gonna miss him so much. It'll be weird to not have him here. While he was off we had planned a trip to the zoo... well that didn't get to happen. :( I some how messed my foot up agian. GRRR but it is feeling soo much better!

Well last weekend we had our youth trip. It was soo much fun! We have such a great group of young adults. I always look forward to haning out with them.

We also had our VBS a couple of weeks back. It was sooo much fun! This was the first year that I did music by myself and I will say I think I did really good! I was very proud of myself! I really enjoyed teaching the kids!

Whitnee has been so silly that last couple of weeks! OOO and she has a TON of teeth that have come in! One of her new things is drinking her bath water LOL why? I dunno but she really doesn't drink it she will lean over and take a "drink" and then say "aaahh" oh I love that child! Oh she will also say no no when I ask her for kisses.. :( so sad! She has also been doing really good with going to bed with out being rocked! She still has her bottle but we are working on breaking one habit at a time. She such a big girl, I'm so proud of her! She is also not really wanting a bottle during the day. Michael and I have starting making a big deal out of having a big girl Whitnee cup! I love being her mommy!

Well I think that's all of the info I have for now.. here are some good pics of Whitnee for your entertainment

The hubby and I on the youth trip

Whitnee enjoying some YUMMY sour cream!!

First time brushing Whitnee's teeth

Testing Couple of Days

Hmm.. I dont really know where to start. The past couple of days have been not really stressfull, just trying I guess you could say. Michael and I have just been tested as youth pastors. We have had to deal with some "drama". I'm praying that it will all be resolved very shortly. It has just all been a misunderstanding. I forget what it was like being a teen, granted I havn't been out of my teens for very long. I just pray that after this they will learn to come to Michael and I as soon as something happens or they hear that something happened that away they dont sit and stir on it for weeks, I also hope that they will learn that you just have to roll stuff of your shoulders and pick your battles. I also pray that God will help Michael and I through this time, not let us get discouraged, and help us understand he is trying to teach us something here.

Well on a better note, life at home has been really good! Michael and I got our season passes for White Water and Silver Dollar City this week. I'm soo looking forward to going this summer and then taking Whitnee to see the lights in the winter time. I look forward to making those memories with her! This summer is going to be great!

Thankfully the weather is starting to get nicer! I'm loving it! Whitnee and I went to the mall yesterday and hung out! It was very nice, she LOVES being outside and i'm sooo glad she does! I pray that she stays that away!