Merry Christmas and more evangelism thoughts

The last two days I haven't been able to get out there to evangelize and while I miss doing that, God has been teaching me in my quiet times and throughout my day about stuff I need to work on. Evangelism is so important and we need to be doing it no matter where we are. One goal that I shared with my team on the last day is for me to witness to three girls in one of my classes at school on the first day of school. While I'm scared of rejection, I know that God is and will be with me and is preparing me for that day, which is about 2 weeks away.

I'm not wishing you "Happy Holidays" but I do pray that ya'll will have a Merry CHRISTmas!! May you take this season of Christ's birth and tell everyone you meet of Him.

CEBC!!!! ~ Day 2, 3

More about CEBC... On the second day I ended up not being able to open-air preach again even though I wanted to, but God still used me. So, on day two, I mostly just handed out tracks while staying under cover (due to some stuff that happened on day one) but at the very end of the day, I had a really good one-on-one conversation. By this, I mean that I was able to talk to four teens who seemed very open, and I was able to share with them the message of not only God's law leading to repentance, but also of His grace. Most of the time, my teammates had been able to share only the law with someone before the person left or they had to leave but I was able to share both. Another thing is that although we passed out a lot of tracks, when my partner and I walked the trail, we only saw one track that someone had dropped.. Well, there was a second track, but as soon as we had seen it, some kid picked it up and commented to a friend to make sure that the friend hadn't dropped hers. Another thing is that the second day, my partner was one of my team's leaders and it was cool because when I mentioned my friend Shaney and how I had learned about CEBC, my team leader remarked that she had had Shaney on her team last year (By the way Shaney, Rhonda says hi!).

The third and last day was harder than the other days to stay under cover because while we were at the tree, the other teams were throughout the trail and those who were trying to shut us down were watching our teams. Durring this night, I was more afraid than I had been other nights and that fear pretty much shut me down. However, God still used me and got me through that fear by being able to witness to a Mormon girl who was there with her family as well as getting to see a friend who I'm not sure is a Christian. Although I was wanting to open-air again, apparently, God had a different plan because I never did get to. Another thing is I found out that apparently, I'm very good at blending in because although many of my teammates got caught, and were told to move to a certain area, I was never spoken to. Throughout these last two nights God really taught me how fear of man truly isn't logical and how important it is to be well-grounded in my faith.

CEBC!!!! ~ Day 1

The last two days I've been going down to the Austin Trail of Lights with a purpose. This purpose is to witness to people. It's been more fun than I expected although I've been waiting for this weekend for about a year. God has given me a great set of teammates including the same leader that one of my friends (Shaney) had last year. To sum it up, the first night I did open-air preaching as well as passing out tracks while the last night, I had an okay one-on-one conversation with a guy who grew up Christian but because of some of the things that God caused the Israelites to do, he didn't like this God and may become an atheist. My prayer for this night is that God reached into each person's life that received a track and He used me to plant or water a seed. Although I didn't get to reap any fruit, I know that God's word does not return void and am sure that He will use my attempts for His glory. About the open-air preaching... So, at the beginning of the night, I didn't think that I would end up doing any open-air, but apparently God had a different story in the making. That night, my partner had been wanting to do an open-air, but had realized that although she was pretty good at using the law to cause people to see their sin for what it is, she wasn't that good at telling the Good News. The news that although we have all sinned, and even if we break one law even once, we break them all, that God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son that whosoever (that means anyone) believes in Him, shall not parish, but have everlasting life. This good news does not make any sense without the knowledge of the law and of sin. Paul says that the law was the schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. In order for one to be pardoned and have Christ's words "It is finished." a phrase that was used when a debt had been paid to be applied to our lives, we must repent. This means to turn from one's sins and to forsake them. And then we need to follow Christ... anyway, that night my partner was wanting to open-air but wanted someone else to do grace (the part about us being freed from our debt through repentance and faith in Christ), I for some reason, the only reason to be is that it was all God, said that I would do grace. As I was listening to my partner, I was praying and noticed a police officer. We didn't know this at the time but another one of our groups and recently been talked to and had been told to stop. I pointed out the officer to one of my friends and then got up and did my part (although honestly, it was all God) after I got down, a few minutes later, the assistant parks director came over to my group, and told us that we couldn't do this anymore. After this we went to the fire to meet the other groups and because it was about to close, we left.
Day 2 and 3 coming soon!!

Quiz...

So, if you've been reading Shaney's post, you know that there's a bit of rearranging to be done with the quiz teams and for me this is having an impact in my studying. Because I studied, I've been doing well at practice and have a chance of being on our top team. Now this team would have five people, and one pair would have to sub out. Currently, I may be part of the pair rotating in that team. However, its not likely that I'll be on this team (in fact, it depends on if another girl goes to Summit or not). If I'm not on the top team, I'll be on the other team, which still has a chance at being really good and I won't be subbing in. This other team might get on my nerves a little, but only if they don't study. I'm going to do my best no matter which team I'm on.
Do I care which team I'm on? Not really. Although I would prefer being on the top team, I know that I don't have seniority and so it's not to likely. I know that I can still do my best, and people will see my ability in quiz if I'm on the second team more than if I'm on the top team. Overall, I know that whatever happens, I want to glorify God with my reaction and lead my team how ever much I can, even if it's just studying.

School's almost out! and this post is so random...

I can't believe that it's almost Christmas. Although this may have little to do with Summit (except that I'll have more time to be studying) I want to get out of school so badly. I don't want to complain, but public school isn't the best choice for everyone. On another note, I'll be getting my license as well as a passport soon. It may have seemed from my last post, that I don't care about games, but that isn't true. I enjoy games but I'm not very athletic and although I was planning on doing my best and wanted to be on the Summit games team, I wasn't counting on making it.

so today, I found out that what I already knew was true. I didn't make the games team. Instead of getting depressed (yeah I'm definitely dissapointed) I'm going to focus on what I'm strong in. Quiz and Fine Arts, as well as encourage those who are doing games.

try-outs...

Today before AWANA we had try-outs for games. For girls, this meant that we were competing for a spot on the Grace Covenant Games team, and so it was a big deal. But for guys it was different, they already all have spots. Anyway, so tonight, not only did I almost forget about them (and so missed half of it), but I was exhausted and although I think I gave it all I could, I wasn't thinking and didn't to good at all. I know that all I can do is trust that God will do what's best (as I know He will) and pray that the team leaders will make wise decisions. I know I really wanted a spot and probably didn't make the team.

I'm just going to trust God with the outcome and I hope to be able to encourage and cheer on everyone who is on the team (even if I'm not on the team).

It's been a while...

I know that I haven't posted anything in the last few weeks, but a lot has been going on (as you can probably tell by reading Shaney's blog). I've started really studying for quiz, and although I really want to be on our top team, I can understand why I might not be. I enjoy quiz a lot and I've heard of both Shaney's sophomore year, and I saw how good Rachel (a girl on our quiz team) was her sophomore year and I really want to be good. I've never actually studied much for quiz, but I'm ready to commit to it. I want the rest of my team to study so I won't have to be the only one leading our way. There's many hopes that I have for this year, and I know that they probably won't all be fulfilled (one includes being on the Grace Summit games team and doing really well). I didn't really have any goals when we started planing for summit, but now my goals are increasing. One big goal this year is for me to grow a lot in my relationship with God (especially trusting Him in everything) throughout this whole trip.

This past weekend, I went to a prayer retreat with Grace, and although I know I shouldn't have, I stayed up until about 2 AM talking to friends. Now I'm exhausted, and that is going to cause me to trust God to give me strength that goes beyond my own strength tomorrow when we have tryouts. I think my own physical weakness, will also allow me to see whatever energy I have coming from God. I want to do my best, and that means giving everything that I have and more during tryouts. We'll just have to wait and see what happens.

Happy (late) Thanksgiving!!

I guess the title really says it all, but Happy Thanksgiving!

ouch....

My first thought... "That medicine ball is so heavy"
Yesterday we had a conditioning practice, and so today every muscle I have is in pain. Although I'm in pain, I'm determined to get better because I have never had this much energy before. As far as the excersises that we had to do, I was suprised that I was able to keep pushing myself even though I was worn out after the first sprints. I also suprised myself how well I did on the first jog and pushing the car.

Back to choices...

So I had decided that I was going to do winter/color guard, at least that was until last night. Last night, our coach told us that practices would start going until 7:30, with AWANA being from 6:30 to 8:30, I knew that I had to make a choice. Also with games not being very important to me (although I still enjoy them, but less that discusion or handbook time) and knowing that if I did color guard, there would be a chance of me completely droping AWANA (games are last) I'm planing on quitting color guard. I know that everyone who's given me advice so far has basically either advised me to do color guard or left the choice completely up to me, now that I know that it's going to conflict with AWANA its-self, my choice is practically made. I'm going to drop color guard and start being at games practices. Please pray for me as I talk to the band directors (trying to get the practice night changed) and the color guard instructor. Pray that I'll make the right choice about this whole issue.

decisions

as I mentioned in my earlier post, I had some choices. I finally decided what I was going to do tonight, all the answer took was a quick call to the games captain, but I finnally called him tonight. I'm going to take that place on the Winter Guard team, and still hope to do games. It'll take a lot of work on my part, but if I make the games team, it'll be completely worth it.

Choices....

So the past two days I went to color guard auditions, did I make the team? YES!!!!! One problem though, I have Varsity/Journey Thursday nights and as far a Summit games practice goes, all of our practice is from 5:30 to 6:30, every week. So the problem is that since I'm on the color guard team, I'm required to go to all practices. When are their practices? Well, they're on Monday and Thursday afternoons. The time is from 4:30 - 6:30... Is there a problem? duh... I can't do both even though I really want to. So if you're reading this, start praying for me to make the right decision.

Last Year vs. This Year

Although for most people, their main competition at summit is either quiz or games, while I like quiz, God has gifted me in music and the Fine Arts competition is what I spend the most time preparing for. Last year, I barely studdied at all for quiz and while I knew I needed to study regularly, I didn't. (Sorry guys.) Compared to last year, I'm preparing for Summit much earlier. I've already memorized most of the verses for this year, word perfect and have them down, as far as fine arts, last year I learned both of my fine arts pieces in about a month and a half, not to mention I barely picked them out in time and hadn't finished memorizing/learning them until the week prior to summit. This year, I've already started looking at pieces. (I think I might know which dance piece I'm going to do! and I've started looking at options for flute) I think that last year was a good experience for me in that, while I didn't do as good as I hoped to do, I learned a lot and know better what to do this year. I know not to procrastinate and to prepare myself a lot more. Last year I had a bad case of nerves during my solo (I think due to not preparing enough) and I want to avoid that this year.

About the Title

One Day at a Time comes from something that Shaney told me last February. I was complaining to her about how I didn't want to go back to school after Grace Covenant's winter retreat and she told me to just take it one day at a time. This year, school is hard again and once when I complained, she reminded me to take it one day at a time. I've started taking that sugestion for school and applying it to other things as well. I can just take one day, give it everything that I have, and then at the end of the day, I know that I can do no better. We only get each day once, each moment once, we can't go back in time so we need to serve God every moment of every day and not just take life one day at a time, but one moment at a time.

I've never done this before

Hi!
Since I've never done this, I'm not sure what I'll write. But here's some stuff:
I'm a Sophomore, 16, and my birthday is October 26.
Favorites:
Christian Artist: Casting Crowns
Color: Blue or Green
Awana Games: Balloon, 3 - legged race (although I'm not very good at games)
Bible Verse: Phillippians 2:3-4 ~ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conciet, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others.
I like this verse because it challenges me to not focus on myself and to instead focus on others.
Favorite past summit event: Expressive Arts last year with Shaney. Although it was hard to perform what I had just learned (Shaney taught me part of our dance about 15 minutes before we competed and as I wrote in the coments, that makes it so that I'm more determined not to procrastinate this year) I love to dance and it was my first time to dance at a competition. My flute solo was another interesting experience, I was so nervous that I forgot part of my solo!!

Other stuff: I've been in AWANA since cubbies (I think that would mean 12 years?) and on top of being in Varsity (or Journey as it's called) I'm a Sparks leader and in marching band. God has given me a passion for music as well as a desire to serve others.