One Day at a Time

Games and my reflections

2008-08-18T11:14:00.000-07:00

It's months after Summit and I've just realized that I haven't wrote about the rest of my experiences yet...
Games was really cool to watch, but I still wished that I had made the team and had been able to compete. I've always known that sports haven't been a strong point in my life and so didn't expect to make the team but it was still a disappointment. Some of my memories include the crazy pass-off where another team passed to my team and when our team won in tug, and being surprised that we didn't set any records.

This past year, while there were some disappointments for me, this year was really cool in how God worked and allowed me to get closer to some of my team. Looking back on this team, I wish that I had reached out and tried to get to know all of them, I wish that I had studied diligently, had met some of the other teams. But this year was amazing in the worship sessions and I really enjoyed every moment. As I look back, I'm thankful that I still have two more years and that next year can be different. As an upperclassman, I've recently been challenged in my youth group to become a leader and want to take whatever leadership roles I can to lead my team this next year towards God and in closer relationships with each other. Even though there have been disappointments, I'm going to take those and move forward. The journey to Summit can set some things in place even before the actual competition and as I reflect over the past year, I think that in a lasting way, the journey is as important if not more important than the event.

Fine Arts

2008-06-16T19:10:00.000-07:00

Saturday we had fine arts, in which I was performing a flue piece and a dance. I had forgotten the flute music at home and had been writing it out, but yet the morning of fine arts came and I didn't have three copies of it. So during Rebecca's piano piece, I had to go down to the lobby where I saw the Snodgrasses and made copies. With the exception of beginning my piece wrong, my flute piece went well and after watching Ben play his violin piece (which was awesome!!) and listening to Shaney's and Brian's speeches it was time to get ready for my dance. When I was in the elevator with Rachel Wohl, I was about to fall apart and confided in her that I didn't think I could do my dance. When I got up to the room, I had to find my CD and outline... this ended up being a problem because I couldn't find my outline and my CD ended up being blank. When I found out that my CD was blank, I ran downstairs trying to figure out what to do. I LOVE MY TEAM!!! I tried to call home to get my family to e-mail the track, but that didn't work because the internet was down. Anyway, I still would have need a computer, which, thankfully Brian had one and we were able to connect to the internet. Than Marcello had an iTunes card which we were able to use and we were able to burn a copy of the song onto my blank CD and I was able to do my dance. If it hadn't been for my team, I would have never been able to even compete with my dance!!! I love them so much and I'm so glad that they were there.
In my dance, I ended up having to improve and almost lost a shoe. Also the CD kept skipping. None the less, I was able to make it through my song. After this performance, I was expecting to get participation or very low bronze. After my dance, Rachel performed her dance which was amazing and I completely expected to get a very high gold score if not first. But the expressive arts judges are so bad!!!! The gave Rachel a participation and me a bronze!!!! Something is wrong with that!!!
enough ranting...

Friday night... after quiz and citation

2008-06-16T18:59:00.000-07:00

After gold round was done, I was disappointed but I knew that we shouldn't have made it out of participation and so felt blessed that we got so far. Following quiz, we took team pictures (including one of Brian's angles... lol) and those who were getting their citations had to get ready. In citation they had some seniors receiving citations perform their fine arts pieces. The cellist and violinist were amazing!!! (of course they were asian, but still...) The night went well but one eventful thing was that Shaney kissed Art and Jack Edgar. Then we had dinner after taking Citation pictures and the night was pretty much over..
Dinner was expensive, but it was really good. But after dinner we had a team meeting which did NOT go well. One thing that I do remember is that at this point in time, our team was not unified at all and one person commented on that and said that there was no way that we could unify in a mere to days, to which Daniel replied, "Don't underestimate God."

Gold Round

2008-06-16T18:34:00.000-07:00

In gold round, my team was second on the sample question (which the first team got wrong). This question was "Stand up and sing the AWANA theme song as a team." That was so much fun!! (even though both Rachel and Rose were slightly embarassed). When we stood up, I was wondering which key to sing in, and so when Shaney started us off it was a blessing. In this round, each question missed or right was very important, especially with only the top 5 teams being able to go on. One question that could have easily allowed us to go on if we had gotten it right was a list about something concerning believers, which Shaney stood up to answer, but couldn't figure it out. Even though we didn't get this question right, we did get a few right.
Multiple choice was really fun though... We got 100% right and we had an awesome quiz master who, when giving the answer for multiple choice questions, says "The correct answer is B! The correct answer is B!" or whatever the answer is. I had heard him last year, but Rose hadn't heard him yet and so when he started talking, she was so excited! In the round, she fell in love with him (not literally) and exclaimed "He's adorable!" One question in this round that could have also saved us was thrown out even though it was completely legit. Anyway, at the end of this round, we ended up in 6th by five points.. therefore missing platinum by 5 points.
This was the second time in my quizzing career where my team missed something by 5 points and so it was disappointing (the other time was in 8th grade where my team finished 2nd by 5 points).

lunch and silver round

2008-05-20T19:22:00.000-07:00

After we had finished bronze round and found out that we were going on, in the halls I met Ricki, a girl from the AWANA Forums and was able to introduce her to Shaney who was finding out how the other team did. We found out that not only were both teams going to the Silver round, we were in the same room, which meant that if we were to both go on, it was going to be harder because we would have to be in the same top 5 teams. After eating a very quick lunch at the nearby food court, we headed back to the hotel for Silver round. Despite the fact that we were in the same room, it didn't end up mattering because both teams went on!

In Silver round, the other team answered a few questions including one that Adriane answered!! For the longest thing, Adriane had only known 1 Timothy 4:12 and the fact that she was in speed when a question on this verse was asked was truly a blessing to her team. When she answered this question, my team was SOO excited!!! There is very little that I remember distinctly from this round but I think that this round was where a question was asked about Paul's message and Shaney almost messed up by instead of saying "1 Thessalonians 4:14-17" she at first only said "1 Thessalonians 4:14". Anyway, at the end of this round, my team ended up in first? and the other team ended up in fifth. BOTH TEAMS WENT ON!!!!!

Quizzing!!! - bronze round

2008-05-16T06:35:00.000-07:00

After having a nerveracking participation round experience, I never wanted to have to be in a tiebraker again. Three is just a few to many...
We went on to bronze round where we did okay. We had a bunch of questions that we got right (including one that Rachel made the answer up on the spot) but got some wrong. One of the questions we got wrong was a Bible Summary, that I had everything right on, except the date. When I buzzed into this question, I was thinking, I have to say this really fast, because while I was sure I could get it in the time by having it perfect and speaking quickly, I knew that if I hesitiated, I might not be able to finish. So I stood up and said the answer (the author, theme, date, and summary of Nehimiah). While I was still answering, the timekeeper called time, but appearantly, it had been decided that if someone was answering a Bible Summary, as long as they were still going, time was extended. I think that if I had known this, I might have changed the date, but at the time I was still freeking out. Another question that was in this round was from Rose's lesson and asked what the purpose of, what's God's view of, and what's our response to the government. I don't blame her at all for messing up on this question, because it was so freaking long! The last question that I remember that we got wrong was a list of Shaney's. She thought, our team thought, and even our coach thought that she said everything correctly, but appearantly, instead of saying the five ways God judges, she said one of the twice. In this round we missed a few paddle questions because of lack of studying, but we still managed to go on... in last place...
Why we had to move on through the first two rounds as the last team to move on, I don't know... but for me, it made me happy with however we would do.

Quizing!!! - participation round

2008-05-15T20:58:00.001-07:00

On Friday we quizzed. After waking up, with more than enough time to get ready, Andy came by our room. Shaney then sent him out to get breakfast and Altobelli came by. Altobelli told us (Shaney, Rachel, and myself, though mostly Shaney) that Brian was still asleep. When we went downstairs Brian was waiting for us and Andy handed us our food. Shaney made sure that everyone on our team ate or drank chocolate milk before we quizzed and after having just enough time to get something into our systems, the teams were announced. We were in the room with another Texas team from Bayshore Bible which is in Corpus Christi.

Participation Round Quizing...
As in every round, before quiz actually began, there was a sample question. For participation, this question was "How much is the moon worth?" I have a tendency to be able to remember random quotes (such as this one) just by looking at it. Right before I had left for Summit I had signed off the section with this joke in it for a T&T cluber. So... back to quiz. The first team buzzed in, and it wasn't us. They tried to think of something that sounded reasonable and answered 1 million dollars, which was incorrect. My team was the second team to buzz in and I told my team that I know this one and proceded to stand up and answer with the answer of $1.00, because it has 4 quarters, which was correct. Then the round actually began...
We started the round by buzzing in on Romans! and then we did it again! The first time, the question was "Recite Romans Thir..." I knew that the verse was either one of the Romans 3 verses or Romans 13:8, and looking back on it, I should have known that it was Romans 13. The second time, we buzzed in right after Romans which gave us no hope of figuring out which verse it was and so Rose stood up and said Romans 6:4 perfectly. We buzzed in a few more times, including on a question about the Saved/Unsaved list, which I answered second. For this question, while the first person was trying to list the entire list, which they didn't have time to do, Shaney told me to remember to only say both Saved and Unsaved characteristics if they ask for both. In this question I only had to say 6 characteristics of the saved person.(I ended up saying 7 because midway through I stoped keeping track of how many I had said.) After speed, we "knew" we were done. We were the last place team in the room(?). Then multiple choice began. We got most of the questions right, but not all of them. Still we thought we had no chance of going on...
But there was a tiebraker! and we were anounced as one of the two teams! My thought at that moment was, did they announce the wrong team?? (Last year in a tiebraker in Silver round, we were anounced with a few other teams, but it ended up being that they had read of the wrong list and we were out.) The other team was Bayshore Bible and while we didn't want to eliminate them, we really wanted to get to bronze (and then ultimately to platinum). After the first tiebraker, they announced that we were still in a tie... and after another three minutes, we were still tied! Then they started a sudden death round... one minute of tiebraker... which gives enough time for 1 or 2 questions. The other team buzzed in first to the question... would they get it right? They ended up not getting it right, which meant that whether we answered the question correctly or not, we were going on! Our team then got the question and Shaney proceded to stand up and practically recite an entire page about Abraham and David, which was correct! WE WERE GOING ON!!!!

Summit '08 - Quizing!!!!

2008-05-10T20:11:00.000-07:00

One of my big reasons in coming to Summit this year was to do quiz. I had always just "done Quiz" but this year I actually studied, which paid off. Throughout the year there had been a lot of work with whose going to be on which quiz team, but in the end, both teams made it to gold. Marissa, her sister, Ben, Jonathan, and Adriane were one team... Shaney, Rachel, Rose and myself were the other...

The events of quiz day, soon to come!!

Summit '08 - Opening Ceramonies

2008-05-10T19:40:00.000-07:00

After we got to Summit, we checked in and while some people went to the coaches meeting, most of the girls went swimming and played with a little pink ball. Afterwards, Alltobelli, Ben, Rachel and I explored the area by the hotel and we went to opening ceremonies. The worship was amazing and the speaker was ok, but the announcement video was REALLY annoying. For some reason (and I don't know what I was doing) I missed the team meeting that day where the rest of the team found out about rule changes. I also found out that the brown dress that I was supposed wear for quiz wasn't with Shaney (which is where I thought it was) but thankfully Rachel had an extra that I could wear.

Summit '08 - Getting There

2008-05-05T18:50:00.001-07:00

So, last Wednesday, we left for Summit. The previous week I had been trying to make up all of my school work before I left, finish memorizing my flute solo, write my outline for my dance, and choreograph my dance. (What was that about me not procrastinating???) Yes, I ended up procrastinating... But I had been trying to get everything done. It's just that our printer wouldn't work, my teachers didn't have the assignments to give me yet, and I hadn't been able to think of anything good to do for my dance. Anyway, the day we left, I got to school an hour and a half early to do make up work and then right before I drove home, I took a quiz. Another thing is that I had been planning on not missing any of the day Wednesday, but I found out Monday night what time we were leaving.

I get home from school and have 15 minutes to pack before Shaney arrives to take me to Grace... oh, I also have to eat something for lunch in this 15 minute time period. I get most of my stuff packed and was going to check to make sure I had the right CD, but Shaney arrives and I have to leave. We get up to Grace and leave for our 21-hour bus ride to Jacksonville. I had already had a long day, but it wasn't over yet. On the way to Jacksonville, on Wednesday afternoon, I watch Phantom of the Opera for the first time (and it was really good), and went to bed at an earlier time. I also had a really good conversation about God's will with Shaney, one of my best friends, which was awesome!! When we were trying to get some sleep, at first we (Shaney and I) tried to sleep on the seats, but after a few attempts, I realize that I wasn't going to get the sleep I needed if I kept on trying to sleep in an single seat and tried to sleep on the floor. I scrunched up between two seats and was able to get some much needed rest. At one of the stops, Altobelli was trying to count us to make sure that everyone was on the bus and he kept on forgetting to count me, even though I was laying right at his feet.

On Thursday, I was able to write out one copy of my solo and do some studying (finally finish memorizing Bible Summaries!!) for Summit. I had really needed to get both of these done and was glad when I finished with them.

I'm sure there are more things I could write about that happened, but that's all I remember for right now... at least of the trip there...

Summit '08!!

2008-05-05T18:44:00.000-07:00

So we're back (and we have been for a week) :( and I miss my team...

Unlike last year, I wasn't sick this year during Summit and I almost had enough sleep this year... at least that was better than last year. However, this year I ended up forgetting my paperwork for my dance as well as my music for the dance. I also forgot the music to give the judges for my flute piece as well as my dress, but I got past those things with the help of my team. I LOVE MY TEAM!!!

I don't want to repeat last year!!!

2008-04-20T18:25:00.000-07:00

Last year, on the way to Summit, I as well as two of my teammates got food poisoning on the way to Summit and while it hit one of my teammates really hard, it also really hit me. Opening ceremonies was hard because I didn't feel good at all. This morning, at the beginning of Church, I felt the same way I did that night and with Summit in 3 days, I really want to get better quickly. Thankfully, I'm feeling better right now, but I still don't feel completely well.

Another thing I don't want to repeat is my performance in Fine Arts. Last year, I was extremely nervous during my solo and everyone could tell nerves were getting to me. This year, I feel slightly more confident right now, but I'm still nervous and I'm really hoping that I'll do better this year.

Lastly, I really want to do better in quiz this year than I did last year. Last year, I didn't study at all, and my team made it to silver. This year, I'm actually studying and know most of what I'm supposed to know and I would really like to go farther.

Despite my desires to have this year's Summit go better for me than last year did, I know that God is the one who is in control and so above anything and everything else that I want, I want His will to be done and for Him to be glorified by not only me, but by my whole team.

Less than a week 'til Summit!!!

2008-04-16T18:57:00.001-07:00

So we leave next Wednesday and despite the fact that I'm not ready at all, ok, maybe I'm exaggerating, but anyway I'm really looking forward to Summit. I'm getting things done faster this week than I thought I would (For instance, I finished memorizing my solo in 3 days and was able to run through it with accompaniment tonight.), but I still have so much to do. I haven't memorized any more Bible Summaries because I've been memorizing my solo, and I haven't finished choreography for my dance either. This next week is going to go by so quickly!!! I can't wait for summit to get here!!

Summit's 10 days away!!!!

2008-04-13T14:01:00.000-07:00

So, Summit is 10 days away and I finally finished memorizing the Old Testament Bible Summaries. Now I have to attack the New Testament Summaries as well as my fine arts. I have to memorize my solo and finish choreographing my dance. The dance I probably won't get to until next weekend because unlike the others, if worse comes to worse, I'll just have to improv.

2008-03-29T20:29:00.001-07:00

So, Summit's in less than a month! Yikes! I still need to memorize fine art stuff as well as study a lot for quiz!

Today we had quiz practice, and even though I hadn't studied as much as I should have (I've studied about 2 hours since locals), I was still very surprised how well I could recall everything. I knew most of the verses as well as most of the definitions, although sadly I couldn't recite the single list I'm supposed to know and I'm really glad Rachel didn't quiz me on any Bible Summary information.

AWANA band

2008-03-25T11:39:00.000-07:00

At my church, at the begining of AWANA we have a group that plays a few songs at the begining of the night and I'm part of it. Right now there's a lot of stuff that is flying around and I'm really wanting to quit. I'm the oldest out of the group and because of that, the majority of the leadership has fallen on me. After many weeks of not playing very well, I finally said something about it and everything feels like it's exploded in my face. Honestly, it feels like a lot of people are mad at me now for saying something, but I had to.

A note

2008-03-18T20:12:00.000-07:00

I just created myself a new blog because I want to keep this one purely summit from here on out. I've just been having a single blog and throwing all of my thoughts on it, but because I know of the dream that God has given me for Mexico and for missions, I've decided that it would be best if I went ahead and just created a blog dedicated to it. Anyway, my other blog is: www.mydreamsofmexico.blogspot.com.

lessons from MEXICO!!!!! - before the trip and while I was there

2008-03-14T13:09:00.000-07:00

I got back from Mexico today and I've had an amazing trip. There were moments that were definitely harder than others (including the trip back), but I wouldn't give the experience that I've had up for anything in this world. I'm hoping to be able to return sometime this summer (God willing), and some cool people that I met.

Anyway, God taught me a lot of stuff over the trip, like the need of prayer. This learning experience started before the actual trip and I'm still learning stuff as a result of my trip. This started through the training. Before the trip, we had to write a prayer letter and send it out as well as write out out testimony. I wrote my prayer letter and turned it in when due, but it was a long process before I was actually able to send it out. I felt like before I could actually send it, I had to get to the point where I meant everything I said in it. It took prayer, and God working in my heart, but I got there. And the testimony? well, it got written in the bus, while we were driving from Quretaro to Celaya.
While we were in Celaya, I learned some more about the Mexican culture... (going to the catholic church was so hard!!!!)... and was burdened for the people there. On Sunday, we visited a Catholic church, in Celaya, and really saw how lost most Mexicans are. Mexico is largely a Catholic country, but that doesn't imply that many are Christians. Mexican Catholics worship Mary, not Christ! They believe that they get to heaven by good works and that protestant Christians are wrong and are the ones truly lost. (I wish I still had the pictures I took of the church, so you could see how they exalt Mary.) The first thing that we noticed when we walked into the church, wasn't a cross or Christ. It was a statue of Mary. Sure, she was special, but why? BECAUSE OF CHRIST!!!! She was a humble girl, who was used by God to cary His son. She was the Lord's servant (Luke 1:38) and even though she found favor with God, she was humble. She was a human who is dead, and doesn't deserve to be worshiped! CHRIST IS ALIVE!!!
This experience rocked the plan I had for where I was to be a missionary (I had never imagined going to Mexico), but God showed me that these people need Him. God has given me a desire to be a missionary in the future, and I believe that He is leading me to go to Mexico.
I'm sure that there are more things I learned in Mexico, but as I think about it right now, this is the biggest thing that I learned while I was there.

Mexico!!!!!!

2008-03-07T13:48:00.000-08:00

Tonight I leave for a mission trip to central Mexico with my church and wanted to post something about this trip before I left. This is my prayer letter that I sent out recently and I would like it if you would be willing to pray for me. Please post a comment if you are willing to make this commitment.

Hi! I hope that each of you had a great Christmas and New Years and are getting back into the swing of life whether it be school or work (or even both).

This past summer, I worked at a camp for inter-city kids and witnessed two of my campers come to know the Lord!! Another thing that I witnessed that week was, although this camp doesn't usually have a baptism service, God moved and we had one. This was an awesome opportunity for me to be able to participate in. My fall was pretty good, although my grades weren't as high as I would have liked them, and we didn't do our best in our marching competitions. I have truly enjoyed doing marching band this past fall, and plan on taking band again next year along with many other fine arts classes (including choir and color guard). Although I have enjoyed marching band these last few years, I have decided to set my marching flute down, and while still playing flute, and participate in color guard. I still enjoy dancing and love serving others and worshiping God through playing flute. This past Christmas, I participated in Christmas Evangelism Boot Camp which was a lot of fun and allowed me to see God working in lives, and opposition to the gospel. I believe that this opportunity has strengthened me for the future. Lastly, as always, I still enjoy AWANA and I'm looking forward to the national competition, Summit. This year, the local quiz team I was on placed first and I was allowed to help coach Bible Quiz for some of Grace Covenant's third through sixth graders.

This coming Spring Break, March 7-14th, many of the youth at Grace Covenant Church will be taking a trip to the cities of Queretaro, Celaya, and Salamanca, which are in central Mexico. We will be working with local missionaries and churches in these cities through running VBS, mimes, sharing testimonies, and working in some of the Mexican orphanages throughout the week. Some will also be working to construct an new church in Celaya as well. I will be involved in the mimes, possibly doing something with music as well as construction. I must admit, I am a little nervous about performing the mimes, but I know that the Lord will be preparing me throughout the training sessions and even the 20-something hour bus ride. Many of the other students in my group, I don't really know yet, and so I am a little afraid of coming out of my comfort zone and really getting to know these other students but I know that I will get to know my peers even better and make many great friends as a result of this trip. One last prayer request is for the family I will be staying with throughout the week.

I know that prayer is an essential part of ministry, whether in Mexico, Asia, or Austin and know that God can do great things. It is for this reason that I am raising up a prayer team that will be praying for me both in preparation to the trip and while I am in Mexico, as well as for my specific ministry of doing mimes. I would like you to consider taking a part in this opportunity by creating that foundation of prayer for this trip. I am confident that prayer is very powerful, as I have seen it in my own life and that God will move when we pray. One specific prayer request I have at this point is that God would cause some crisis in my team during the trip, because when we're stretched the most we must rely on God all the more.

I anticipate that this trip will be a big step as I prepare for what will come in the next few years and would like to thank you for participating and investing in this mission trip through prayer. I am truly grateful for friends God has placed in my life such as you.

In Him,

Amanda
Romans 10:14 ~ "how then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?"

WE WON!!!!!!

2008-02-23T18:44:00.000-08:00

So today was Locals and we did better than I was expecting us to. First came quiz. During quiz we completely took control and got perfect paddles as well as we buzzed in to a bunch of questions and we only missed two. It was so much fun!!!!! I'm so glad that I studied because I knew most of my stuff and was able to buzz in, which is better than I have ever done.

Even though I'm going to Summit, I'm not on our Summit games team (and they won first), but I ended up on the worst team. Even though I was on a bad team (especially with not knowing which events we were doing until THURSDAY!!!!!!!!!!) I'm happy with how I did, personally. Yeah, we did have some people who at times I thought could be doing better, but I felt I did my personal best today. (Even now, my fingers are still sore from tug....)

In today's games competition, I learned that I actually enjoy running, even though I'm not the best or the fastest, as well as that I really enjoy tug. It's hard in club to put everything on the floor in every game like I did today, but I'm thinking that it may actually be good to just put it all out there every week. After pushing myself today, I feel satisfied with how I did, although I know I still have room to improve, and who knows, maybe next year, I'll actually be able to do games at Summit.

Lastly, today I found out that I may get to go to something like CCI next year, instead of having to go back to public school.

2008-02-11T19:31:00.001-08:00

Tonight I had to miss out on our quiz and games practice. I love quiz (even enough to skip solo-ensemble, a band contest) to do quiz. Anyway, tonight I had a band concert and how our band works, is that the concerts are graded and are a huge part of your grade. The whole time I was there, or a least after I had played, my mind was thinking, "I wish I was at quiz practice!" I haven't really studied this week and I think that the fact that I knew I wouldn't go to practice may have helped.

Prayer Request!!!!! Please Pray!!!

2008-02-06T19:04:00.000-08:00

My cousin is really going through a lot right now, she's 15 years old and her mom is very sick. She also has a younger brother. She isn't a believer and her family isn't either. Her mom has had early Alzhmers (?I think?) for a couple of years and it's getting worse. Right now, my heart is weeping for her as we are somewhat close and she's going through a lot. I BEG YOU TO PRAY FOR HER!!!

MEXICO!!!!!

2008-02-06T18:50:00.000-08:00

I know this has nothing to pertain to summit, but one thing about me is that I love going on mission trips. Especially to Mexico! (or at least in the past I have) Today, I found out that I made the team that my youth group, The Attic, is sending down to central Mexico during Spring Break. The only other time I've been to Mexico, it was for a family mission trip over the Thanksgiving Break in ninth grade. On this trip, I came out of my comfort zone, stepped out and became a leader. I found that whenever others were given leadership, I would still strive to lead. This wasn't who I was before I went. I think that this cross-cultural experience was really cool, because it put me out of my comfort zone and gave me a love for another country. I think that how much Mexico effected me may have had to do with the fact that I believe that God has called me to be a missionary, possibly in the future and I've always had my heart set on Central and South America. I'm still not sure, but I know I can't wait for this next experience and expect to learn a lot and not I have a reason for studying my Spanish more.

Today's Games Practice

2008-01-21T19:08:00.000-08:00

Tonight we had games practice and honestly, it didn't go to well. I don't want to go into details, but I feel that some people were blamed that shouldn't have been blamed and some things were said that shouldn't have been said. It wasn't a good night as far as skill goes, but I feel that tonight will be one of those nights that will either help the team come together really well or will lead to more problems. I think that it will help us set our sights on what's most important and come together to lift each other up in prayer, especially. As far as myself, I learned how much I truly need to be praying for our team. This whole competition should be about glorifying God, but when we loose sight of that we can truly slip far and hurt each other. Tempers will run high, we'll all make mistakes, but it's when we overcome those that we'll grow. I really should be praying for my team more as well as whoever reads this blog. Anyway, if you have a prayer request, please post it! :)

Quiz teams!!

2008-01-18T18:39:00.000-08:00

I finally found out which quiz team I am on for sure. After the teams got rearranged because people dropped out, it wasn't certain which team I would be on because of my ability. Then, recently, another girl decided that she was going to do quiz and so we had ten people which wouldn't fill out three teams but we could even the teams and put five on each. So, I had wanted to be on the top team, and had shown myself to be studying and so I was pretty much automatically moved up. Which means that I'm on the team that I had originally wanted to be on. This change was sort of hard though, because it meant that I would end up subbing and not have the same sort of leadership role. Also, that left my old team with no one doing Bible Summaries and had to do something with my lessons. It was also hard because we had just decided how to split up the book, but overall, I'm glad I'm now on the A-Team!!

Everything is wrong?

2008-01-06T14:55:00.000-08:00

In one of my earlier posts, I complained about how bad my life seemed to be, but thanks to my Dad not wanting to make me quit what I enjoy, a lot is better. I still get to do quiz and be an LIT (both were iffy earlier). True, I don't get to leave public school, but I know my mission, which is to witness to others. I also definitely get to go to Summit (and I can't wait!!) Yeah, I don't get to go to India, but maybe this is God's way of causing me to focus on Central and South America (hopefully I'll be able to go to Mexico). Which quiz team I'm on is not certain at this point, but I like the lessons I've been assigned and I know that my team can do good. Please keep on praying for me to take life one day at a time and to grow closer to Christ through this period. Please also pray for me because I may be partly leading my discussion group one night.

New Years Resolutions

2008-01-04T13:09:00.000-08:00

Each year I make resolutions, not only on New Years, but I also think about resolutions around my birthday. This year, the foundation of my resolutions can be found in Romans 6. In Romans 6, Paul talks about being dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. That we shouldn't present our bodies as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but to God so that sin shouldn't have dominion over us for we are no longer under the law but under grace. Anyway, a few of my resolutions include reading the Word everyday as no longer presenting my bodies as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but to present myself to God as being alive from the dead, and my members as instruments of righteousness to God. Each day, my goal is to serve God rather than myself and to seek Him in everything. I also hope to witness to more people this year than I have previously.

Everything seems to be wrong!!!

2008-01-03T11:54:00.000-08:00

Right now it seems like nothing's going right in my life. I'm not sure if I'll be allowed to go to Summit this year, I'm not on the quiz team I wanted to be on, I didn't make the cut to go to India on a mission trip, I just found out that I failed a class this semester, I'm not getting out of public school this semester.... what else should I say. Oh, I didn't make the games team. I know that I should be focusing on Christ and when I do I can focus on other things better, but in the meantime it seems like nothing is good. Oh another thing, I may not be allowed to be an LIT next semester. Please pray for me and that I would be able to focus on Christ through this all and become more like Him.

Merry Christmas and more evangelism thoughts

2007-12-25T20:23:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-24T13:10:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-23T08:22:00.003-08:00

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...

2007-12-14T18:03:00.000-08:00

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...

2007-12-14T17:56:00.000-08:00

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.

2007-12-07T15:12:00.001-08:00

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...

2007-12-06T19:59:00.000-08:00

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...

2007-12-05T18:50:00.000-08:00

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!!

2007-11-23T08:52:00.000-08:00

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

ouch....

2007-11-20T18:05:00.000-08:00

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...

2007-11-16T05:31:00.001-08:00

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

2007-11-11T20:33:00.000-08:00

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....

2007-11-08T19:51:00.001-08:00

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

2007-11-06T15:06:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-03T18:02:00.000-07:00

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

2007-11-03T12:52:00.000-07:00

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.