Epic Journey

Words cannot express how blessed I have been through Epic Church. God totally set me up there, and we are family. Seeing anyone and everyone from there seriously makes my week. I have never been a part of a church family such as Epic -- not only do we speak like we care about one another, but it's real. We live life together, and like it.

This past semester, especially, I have gotten connected and plugged in with the community there. I was able to be a part of their Launch Team before we even launched as a church. With that, I have really been able to hear the heart behind all the decisions that have been made, and so on.

I also remember over Christmas break this past year, I was in Kansas City at a conference through IHOP (International House of Prayer), and I was prophesied over that God was going to increase musical leadership in me. It was not even a week after that (I remember sitting in my Prob and Stats class), that I received an email about joining their worship team. God has a way of having people in the right place at the right time, and the details behind all of this are only explainable through Christ.

Now that summer has arrived (so excited), I am going to miss this family that I have here so much. I'll be in Texas in less than three weeks, and in about three months, I'll be back here. And if I've learned one thing from this year -- it's that time flies. I have so much to look forward to, and at the same time I want to be completely planted and present in each place that I find myself in through this transition.

I thought that last Sunday was going to be my final week playing with Epic (for now), but it was on Tuesday that I found out that I have one more time with them -- yayayaa! And we have such a great set :) :) Send Me Out, O Praise Him, Everlasting God, Relentless, Amazing Grace, and Hosanna.

The other day, the team went out for some bubble tea (the best), and were able to just chill with each other. 

 

We had some fun with Jenga and I dominated at Egyptian Ratscrew, haha. Fun times -- talk about living life together. And then last night at practice, we decided to make a list of things/events that would keep us from practicing -- scaffolding was added as #1. Guess you had to be there. We ended up devouring lots of pizza, drinking caffeine out of crazy mugs (I was "hot stuff -- Texas"), praying with and for each other, and sharing lots of crazy (some embarrassing) stories.

Thank you Lord for Your great plans. I love You.

Here are some other pics from my journey with Epic so far...

I love this girl so much.

Jeremy... typical, typical.

Karleen and I out at Culver's after Good Friday service.

This is what happens when you leave your camera unattended...

Crazy shenanigans :)

Final practice before the Launch.

Pre-Launch service 2

And again...

Improv stage... hey, it works!

Pre-Launch service 1

Lunch at the Greeney's -- always such a treat!

Grown-up table, haha.

It's Official

So I'm currently sitting on top of my bed -- our room is a disaster, and my one roomie is taking her little "name-tag" decoration thingy off of our door.

My freshman year here at Bethel College is officially over. It has been such a great run. One heck of a journey and an incredible adventure. Can't believe how fast it came and went -- now it's just a memory, but still, a good one at that. So, I rejoice. I've been encouraged to cherish the rest of my time here (good, bad and ugly -- the whole nine yards), as time seems to not slow down.

I've changed so much this year. As I sit and think about the things that have gone down, I am amazed. I look forward to the unknown, and sing praises through the change. Glory to God, Forever!

Counted The Cost

As I've been listening to David Platt's Radical series, I've been thinking a lot about what it means and looks like to be a true follower and disciple of Christ. My journey thus far has been breath-taking, heart-wretching, humbling, insightful -- the whole nine yards. I encourage you to take some time and explore Luke 14.

Counted The Cost -- (song by Cory Asbury)

I peel my hands away from earthly things
God, I turn my eyes away from all these worthless things
I lay down honor and fame I’m sick of building my own name
Lord, let everything I do be for Your glory and Your fame
Don’t wanna’ be building castles outta sand cuz’ I know they won’t stand
In the wake of the judgment set to come from Your hand
When all wood hay and stubble will be burned away
Cuz’ all flesh is fading fast, only Your word remains

I say goodbye to my father, my mother
I cling to You and You alone I’ll have no other
This one thing I do, I leave it all behind
Cuz’ You said if I searched then it’s You that I would find
I fight the fight of faith, I run the race
Just give me grace that I could seek Your face
So until the day that I die, I’ll be living my life
So in the end when You return I’ll obtain the prize

I’ve counted the cost; I count it all as loss, for the sake of knowing You
Until that day when I see You face to face, find me taking up my cross
I lay it all down, that I’d be found, a pleasing sacrifice
I’m living for another day, living for another age, Your kingdom come on earth

One day He’s gonna’ split the sky, One day He’s gonna’ come for His bride
I know it, I know it, I know it, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh

Joy Of The Lord

       Jeremiah 15:16

        When your words came, I ate them;
       they were my joy and my heart's delight,
       for I bear your name,
       O LORD God Almighty.

Check out this song: 
Psalm 100 - Matt Gilman & Cory Asbury.
Talk about the joy of the Lord.

Through The Change

I was soaking up some sun earlier this evening... just thinking over this past year.
Here is something I wrote --

My mind is spinning and my heart is full.
Tears are welling up, O Lord --
Let Your Spirit flow.

God, I am so incredibly thankful for everything you've given me and blessed me with this year so far at Bethel. For all the challenges and kill-me-now moments. For the tears and fits of laughter. All the memories and friendships that I can only pray will last a lifetime. God you are so huge, and I am so not. I don't even know what to think or where to start. This year is quickly coming to an end... and....

"I know You're always there
To hear my every prayer inside
I'm clinging to -
The promise of a lifetime.
I hear the words You say
To "never walk away from me
And leave behind
The promise of a lifetime."

Will You help me fall apart?
Pick me up -
Take me in Your arms.
I find my way back -
From the storm.
And You show me how to grow
Through the change...

I am holding on -
To the hope I have inside.
With You I will stay -
Through every day.
Pulling my understanding aside.

And I am comforted...."

You are my Lover and I am Yours.
Such a safe place -- You are constant.
You sing sweetly over me and cause my heart to rejoice from the depths of my soul.
Thank You for Your grace -- It falls down on me!
Let It Rain....

Falling asleep in an airport...

       How embarrassing -- just look at us :)

So Baby, Don't Give Up

There is a lot to talk about. I will apologize in advance for my novel here :)

First of all, THIS is incredible. I can hardly believe it.

There has been a common theme in my life the past couple of days.
God loves me. And He's got my back.
This might sound overly simple or not like it's that great of a deal (it's not like you've never heard it before, right?), but I've been thinking about it and IT'S SO TRUE!

Bullet points might be the best way of conveying my thoughts, so here goes nothing...

•  This past Friday, a group called Equality Ride came and spent the day on Bethel's campus. A letter sent out by Dennis Engbrecht, Bethel's senior vice president, explained that "Equality Ride is a function of SoulForce, a gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender advocacy organization founded by Mel White, formerly associated with Dr. Billy Graham’s ministry.  Equality Ride consists of 20-25 ‘Riders’ (a different group each year) who over the last five years have been visiting several college campuses, military academies, and seminaries that have policies prohibiting homosexual behavior.  A few of these institutions have refused to allow Equality Ride on their property resulting in the arrest of several ‘Riders’.  Equality Ride views this as an effective means of gaining national publicity and support.  However, most members of the Coalition of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) have adopted a response similar to that of Bethel College: we have agreed to meet with the ‘Riders’ for the sake of engaging them in a Scriptural understanding of the love and truth of Christ, particularly as it pertains to sexual purity.” 

During that day I was able to host a Rider named DJ. Personally, I am thankful for Equality Ride's presence here. It has caused Bethel's campus as a whole to unite in conversation over current topics; seeking "truth" from the Bible as "the divinely inspired Word of God." I am so proud of Bethel's administration, faculty and staff -- for their clear extensions of love and respect, even during the times when it was not returned. Christ is definitely alive on campus, and I am encouraged to be able to call this place my current home.

• After eight-ish hours of having one intense conversation to the next, and from moving around from one place to the next, I was exhausted and rather spent. I was then able to just chill out and have a spaghetti-date (with myself and the Big Guy) in Suffish. I listened to more of David Platt's Radical series -- refreshing, but SO challenging. Following that I headed on over to the ER for our Jazz Percussion Ensemble concert. One of my friends mentioned to me that after an exhausting day, that wouldn't be something that they would look forward to, but it actually really helped me. I was able to allow myself to unwind, plus listen to some tunes. Even later that night, a few of my friends prayed and worshiped together in Shiloh. I really love it there. God also gave a word to my one friend that He was anointing my time in Texas this summer. That really encouraged me, as I was feeling a little nervous that River City's youth pastor that I was going to be interning under this summer in Texas, is stepping down. God, You are so in control!
• Speaking of Texas, I finally have a date now that I am heading down. And on top of that, instead of flying, I will be riding with a friend here at Bethel. She is a senior and did the internship two summers ago, but is going back down again. That in-and-of-itself is an answer to prayer, as it is saving me some money -- not to mention we will REALLY get to know each other :) On a similar but different note, this past Sunday at Epic a friend told me they would give me some change (spare coins) for Texas, and then ended up handing over a wad of bills totaling $30. Amazing! I just found out that another family from Epic actually just sent in $50 on my behalf as well. Praise the Lord - and so I keep breathing and trusting.
• Saturday night Sodexo (Bethel's food service) partnered with Feed The Hungry for the second time this semester to bring the homeless people that we spend weekly time with at a bus stop in South Bend, onto Bethel grounds and provided an awesome meal for everyone. They put linens on the round tables and passed plates around that were literally overflowing, to give it a "family" feel. I think that is so special and it was a ton of fun! I seem to always have rather deep conversations with people that either are currently in or have been in the shoes of my dad. God is really working on and in my heart.
• The other day a girl came up to me and asked for forgiveness. She explained that she has a friend who doesn't like me and has openly talked poorly about me quite often. As a result of that, she said that she let that control her view of me without even knowing anything about me. Even though I am sad that there is someone who feels that way towards me, I rejoice knowing that the world hated Christ first, and I cling to my confidence found only through Him.
• Did I tell you that I will be an RA in Tuckey next year?! I'm definitely super pumped for it -- good, bad and ugly! Please pray for me when you think of it. 
• Sunday I was able to spend some time living life with the Spiritual Life team at Hacienda. Free food is always great... I mean, uhh.... I love them! :)

One more day left. Three classes. Two essays. One quiz. One research paper. Four exams. And so the countdown begins...

To The Only One

Love. 

Have you seen the one my heart loves... 

If you see Him tell him I am lovesick!

I'm Alive?

Today has been one of the more embarrassing days I've had in a while.

God, are you humbling me? 
Or are you just trying to stretch out Your sense of humor?

I would like to think that I'm often the one trying to make people around me blush. BUT when it gets turned on me and I can feel the adrenaline rushing throughout my veins -- it reminds me that I'm alive!

Indecisive Minds Or Undivided Hearts?

A friend of mine recently encouraged me to listen to a sermon series by David Platt- Radical.

I started on the first one a few days ago and it took me roughly an hour to get through 20 min of it.
I am not saying that to turn you off, but rather to impress upon you the intensity, honesty and incredible challenges (implied or not), that are held in this series.

Definitely... check it out!

Now... To Walk In It

Tuesday night, as part of the Deeper Life Series here at Bethel, we had a time of intercession, praise, prayer, confession, repentance, etc. I was sitting on a step that leads up to the stage, with one hand on my forehead and the other extended in the air. Sergio Scataglini came over and grabbed my hand, and then laid his other on my head.

"It is your destiny to be a fire-carrier," he prayed.

Wow. Instantly, I fell to my knees and began weeping-- INSTANTLY. That's so powerful. God's fire is so powerful. God's power inside me is so powerful. He wants to use it. He is using it.

You are so powerful, God! Your fire is so powerful, and it's Your desire to pour out Your incredible fire onto Your people, Your children, Your beloved. Thank you God, for the outpouring of Your Spirit, and Your all-consuming fire inside me. God, You delight so much in me. Wow. Thank you for using me.

Now... to walk in it.

Like A Moth To A Flame

"But we’re drawn once again
Like a moth to a flame
Yeah it’s like that.
 
It takes a little fire to keep things hot. Takes a little loss to know what you've got. I guess we get a little bit crazy. I'm Crazy For You." 

These are some of the lyrics to a song by JLS- a Brittish boy-band :) Haha. I love to take secular songs and turn their written perspective on to God. I would like to think it works here.