Originally Unoriginal

I shot a real gun for the first time in my life yesterday afternoon. I didn't like it at all. I hate guns now just as much as I did before. I didn't get any cool rush of adrenaline. I got a shaky feeling inside from the kick and loud noise. I felt like a scared, little girl. DS , I do appreciate your concern for my safety, but really...guns aren't for me. I guess there IS a girl in my somewhere! Our Remix Youth Band had our first paying gig yesterday morning! A new local church that we have fellowshipped with several times invited us over to do the worship set for their youth service. We were definitely not looking for money, but it kinda made us feel like a real band. We just had a great time worshiping with them; it was a really good experience for us.

Today marks the 1st Birthday of REMIX, our Wednesday night youth services. Not only have the youth changed, but my life has changed dramatically since its inception. Today was a prime example. I got home and received a phone call from one of my girls. She was having a special dress up and needed a ride to the store to get a shirt. What seemed like a short trip to the store ended up being a 2 hour shopping spree. We went to just about every store in town. I had just gotten home, eaten supper, and settled down to watch Grey's Anatomy when I got a text on my phone. One of the other girls got in a fight with her mom and shoved her mom. The girl was really upset, so I spent an hour texting her to calm her down. There are nights like tonight where I feel exhausted. However, overall, I know that this is the ministry God has for me. I love these kids as if they were my own. I cry with them when they are in pain, and I glory with them in their achievements. I feel like a mom even though I...

Last night at REMIX, our Wednesday night youth services, one of the other youth leaders was giving a devotion. He was refreshing us on the importance of quiet time with God. He really broke it down for everyone, including ways to become more disciplined and overcome time robbers. I really took what he said to heart, as I have slacked majorly on my quiet time. I know there is no good excuse, but with school starting, I just haven't made the time available to sit and commune with God like I should. Thankfully, God is patient and more understanding than myself. So as I was driving to school today, I was reviewing the aforementioned lesson in my head. I decided to turn on the radio and do a little praying on my way to work. I ended up having an awesome time of praise and worship while driving. Barlow Girls version of " Enough " was playing, and I just worshiped God and sang along. The lyrics to the song had great meaning this morning as I realized that God is enough for me. M...

It's the third day of school, and surprisingly, I haven't had a single problem! My days have run so smoothly, that I'm a bit scared of the bomb waiting to drop next week. For now, I'm praying that God let's it continue in the same vein! Tonight is our first REMIX service since we started our new church. We're not completely ready to start over; we don't even have our sound all set up yet, but we wanted to go ahead and get back in the groove of things. We're praying for an influx of youth, so this will be a good starting practice without too many kids there. For all of my fellow sports fans, Did anyone see Barry Bonds hit homerun #756? I had the game on but fell asleep. I woke up with Bonds was giving his speech, so I woke up my parents and watched the replay about 10 times. I'm a bit sad this week. Youth Congress starts today, but I can't go because it's the first week of school. It's such a bad time for me, and there was no way I could ...

The following are a few scriptures that the Lord gave me for our Youth prayer tonight. They really spoke to my heart and to our present situation... We've been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we're not demoralized; we're not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we've been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn't left our side; we've been thrown down, but we haven't broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us -- trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us -- he lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus' sake, which makes Jesus' life all the more evident in us. While we're going through the worst, you're getting in on the best! 2 Corinthians 4: 8-12 (The Message: REMIX) God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil t...

I could focus on the lies. I could concentrate on the negative. I could worry and try to figure out the next step. Instead, I'm trusting God. I know that this is all coming to an end. So instead, I'll focus on the positive. Being a youth leader is one of the hardest tasks I've ever took on. Some days it stresses me out, and the kids worry me to no end. Then there are days like today. Times that I am so proud that I remember what I'm fighting for. One of the members of our youth group called a meeting. Me and three other youth members. He poured out his heart to those other three kids. He cried as he told of the burden God had placed upon him. He urged the others that it was now or never for them to step out. He stated that if those 4 didn't step out and make revival happen, it never would. I could feel his sincerity as he spoke. As a youth leader, I live for those moments. My desire is that a burden falls on every young person like it has on this special child. I kn...

I do apologize for the lack of communication. I took the girls in the youth group to stay at the lake house in Hot Springs, AR. We had a great time swimming, jet skiing, and riding around on the party barge. I got some sun and worked on my tan a little! We had a good time, but I'm glad to be home. Girls are girls, so of course we had our run-ins, but I think overall it was a success. I am glad to be home and in my own room again though! Not too much is happening right now. I turned a previous blog post "Music-less Revival" into an article for 90&9. If you want to check it out, do so here . My friend's mother is doing much better. The doctors say she has a good possibility of fully recovering from her stroke. I'm so glad God answers prayers. Every day I'm amazed at His greatness!

Finally the Italy Article is up! Ninetyandnine has been having some technical difficulties, so you have to visit the old site in order to view the article. Do that here ! Last week was a blur for me! Not only was I preparing for Easter, I was also preparing for Prom. Because of Easter holidays, we had Prom on Thursday night instead of Friday. That meant we had to one less day to decorate the gym, but it came out just perfect. I had a blast watching the kids dance and enjoy themselves. I even got in a couple of dances too, some with the students, one with a coach (which I can say was actually kinda nice :-) ) Friday I took the girls from my Sunday school class to Jackson for some shopping. Our pastor's wife felt a burden to take the girls shopping and buy them a complete Easter outfit. Many of them have low self esteems, and we wanted them to feel extra pretty this year. So we went last weekend to Little Rock and did most of the shopping. I finished it up with them on Friday. We had...