Acquiring some fire

Last Wednesday I was asked to help chaperon a youth event called "Acquire the Fire". This event is basically the same as Passion, but for 6-12th graders.  I honestly really didn't want to go. I had a mound of assignments and quizzes due that weekend.  I also was very intimidated with the idea of making sure that nothing bad happened to the kids under my watch.

But I gave in to peer-pressure, and ended up going.... and had a great time!

 I think starting a new collection of Christan event bands.

 And spend time we shall...

 Getting amped up to go.

 They had a pretty awesome worship band called "School of Worship".

 After the first session we made a trip to the magical land of doughnuts also known as Krispy Kreme.

 Look at all those sugary smiles.

The event had breaks in between sessions, I have never watched such an intense game of corn hole before this one.

This year they had a theme called "Normal is not enough", inspiring the youth...and even the adults that simply going to church doesn't do much for a believer.  The world today has so many pit falls which can easily entrap you.  As Christian believers, we must realize that in order to avoid being ensnared by the clutches of darkness, we must seek out Christ's light, and also shine His light on those around who could be living in darkness.

This typically more than likely would probably go over the heads of a majority of youth, but they incorporated video clips, and a drama that really made this massage come to life.

The message to me was encouraging, but what really moved me was God's clear confirmation that as of right now, His plan for me right now God is to be involved with these kids at my church. 

For the past 2 weeks I have been leading these kids in discussions about the importance of prayer and worshiping God.  I doubted myself hardcore if this was what He wanted me to do. Then this weekend, I heard the same bible stories I shared with them, singing a song I talked about, and then getting into the music and the prayer time.

What a beautiful sight.

 So if I had to sum up this whole experience I would say...

Step out of your comfort zone, and step in to the uneasy.

"The Hunger Games Have Begun..."

For the last couple of weeks my friends have been gushing over this book called, "The Hunger Games". Now I really am not a fan of reading, and that's mostly because in order to understand and focus on what I'm reading I have to do aloud. at This can be kind of awkward at times so like I said....I'm not much of a reader.

But...I also don't like feeling left out of conversations...so I decided to set my insecurities aside and jump on this bandwagon.

Now I had already heard of this book, because the trailer for the movie previewed at the "Breaking Dawn" premiere (which that series was the last time I had read anything).

When I saw the trailer I thought,"that actually looks like it could be a descent movie". Then never really gave it another thought until now.

I just got the book Friday afternoon, and I'm already on Ch.11 , and so far what I have read has been really good!


Out of shear curiosity I decided to go back and watch the trailer again, and to my surprise to found that what I read was well represented in what little snip-it I watched.

My favorite of all scenes was Effie Trinket at "The Reaping Ceremonies".

Now without giving anything away,I'm not sure if she is a good/bad character but I could really careless because she has pink hair! I know I'm a sucker for anything pink.

Anyway I decided to look up pictures and videos of Effie and found this tutorial on her nails she sported while calling out names. They were pink and gold and look soo sweet!

 I found a tutorial for them, and gave it a try....

Needs a little more work but I like the idea!

If I were you, I wouldn't wait for the movie...seriously go track down the book!

A [Passion]ate Recap

This January 2-5, I was giving the rare opportunity to go to Passion 2012 conference a few of my fellow Eighteen22'ers were given a chance to attend this event thanks to a generous family.

I had never been to anything like this before so I although I was unsure as to what was going to happen, I was sure I wanted to go! Since the conference was taking place in Atlanta(ATL) GA, that was not going to be a quick trip. Around 7am the group of loaded into two 15 passenger vans and began our journey.

 
many of us were wide awake despite the fact it was 7am

Others despite fact were excited about the trip, 7am is too early

I fell asleep during parts of the journey so I wasn't sure where I was...apparently I forgot GA was the Peach state...not the pumpkin state...I was quickly corrected

 

As soon as we got to Atlanta we headed to our hotel...the 'W'

 
It basically was like sleeping on a cloud, if clouds were a solid

Outside of the hotel is this fountain...Hotlanta was NOT hot at all this trip

I learned how to subway surf while traveling to and from the GA dome, the subways were packed and i was too short to reach the ceiling bars which were the only ones available. I gained incredible balance! I was even able to take this pic!

It took about 8 hours to get there, but we made it right on time for registration!

 
This was basically close to the end of the line...well sorta..

 
We received two forms of admittance, a lanyard (yes it does in fact look like the Pokemon symbol)

and a wristband (people got random colored ones though)

The time I was there I got to experience some interesting things like:

 Over 40,000 believers praising together is such an incredible experience

Had a front and center spot at the Hillsong United worship



The event blew my mind! I got to worship with Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, and Hillsong United
and hear messages from a few of my favorite speakers:

Beth Moore

                                                                    Francis Chan

I have taken away 2 very important newly gained knowledge from this:

1.Ignorance is NOT bliss!

I had no idea that slavery was still a major problem in today’s society. Over 27 million people around the world (the United States is just as guilty of this as the rest of the other countries). I seriously had a one of those palm to face kind of moment while talking with my friends Landon and Leney.   I typically am not one to be moved when approached with for a lack of better words a “sob story”, but this really captured my attention because I didn’t realize it was a huge problem. So after reading up I decided I would do what I can to help out, mainly just praying that the A21 (campaign that Passion is behind)  continues to be funded in their efforts to help free more slaves and also help the freed ease back into normalcy. I  pray that others who have no idea like myself discover this injustice as well.