Reaching For Stars

I am so weary ;^(  Unhindered isn't playing at pittsburgh ATF this year!!  I loved last year because a lot of special things happened and numberous ones were with Pat, Ben, and all the guys.  I'M SO GONNA MISS THEM ;^(  Especially because i just found a few songs on their myspace that weren't on their CD that we rocked out to at ATF.  my favs!  and my heart is simply swelled with the holy spirit and it's such an amazing feeling.  Like i want to scream it to the world from out of the darkness and have all step into the light    I know ATF is gonna be a blast with or without them, but it's going to be a total bummer cause I'm going to miss them the whole time.

A second time, neglegence... | Nov 7 2007 4:50 PM

I am so sorry!  I totally forgot about this for a while.  I've been so busy lately.  I am a leader in my school's FCA.  I've had a lot of fun with that.  One of my friends has a battlecry, but she never used it much.  She worked a little on her blog yesterday and was telling me about it this morning.  I was like, "OMG!!  I totally need to get back into mine!!" I'm happy now!!

On the upside, I AM TOTALLY PSYCHED FOR ATF '08!!!!!!

It's totally going to be a good time.  I'm morphing from my old group of friends (who basically ignore my, except for a girl or two) to a new group.  I'm hoping my new group can come.  They're much more supportive of me.  They're there for me.  We'll all hang out together and get out spirits to new levels.

I basically work with one church, but another of my friends are methodist.  We walk our faith journey together.  Their church got a new pastor, whose son is one of my good childhood friends.  Their church has this big drama program, and my friend invited me to join.  I'm totally going!  Turns out, quite a few people I know arte in it.  Also, turns out, wuite a few of them are close friends.

 I've found a few good songs to reccomend to you.  "Voice of Truth" and "Give Me Words to Speak"  And let's not forget the legendary UNHINDERED!!  Pat Barrett <3!

Once again, neglegence... | Sep 23 2007 6:05 PM

Sorry again. I've just been so busy with all that's going on for me. I have girl scouts (don't laugh- it's so much fun with one of my friend's mom as the leader), youth (which it way different now with our new pastor and all), school, my family coming in to clean my grandparents' house, soccer, friends, and all that other stuff. I guess I just get so busy, I sometimes forget what comes first. I have been selected as an FCA leader this year. My sister was the main leader last year, and I seem to be filling her shoes quite nicely. I've made a lot of younger friends, too. I enjoy being friends with younger kids because they tend to scrutinize and judge you less and respect you and who you are more. We played "Wanna to buy a duck?" last week. It's so much fun! The first person turns to the person on their left and says "You wanna buy a duck?" And they reply with "A what?" "A duck!" "I don't know... does it quack?" (or another yes or no question about a duck) "Of course it quacks; it's a duck!" "I don't know... let me ask my neighbor." Then the second person turns around to the person on their left and asks if they want to buy an animal (a dog, for instance). "Wanna buy a dog?" "A what?" Then the second person turns around to the first and asks "A what?" First: "A duck!" Second (to third): "A dog?" Third: "I don't know... does it bark?" Second (to first): "Does it quack?" First: "Of course it quacks! It's a duck!" Second (to third): "Of course it barks! it's a dog!" And play continues from there. Anyone who messes up is out. The rules are: no laughing at anyone who messes up or sneering or teasing them. Our lesson was the golden rule. You put it together. I'm going to post all our meetings from her on, so feel free to use them, just send me mail!!

DRAMA CAMP!! | Aug 5 2007 10:02 PM

OMJ! So sorry I have been neglecting this, but I have been uber busy lately! I just came back from an amazing week of drama camp at Camp Allegheny (which I reccomend to all!)!! We did the musical GODSPELL. Chandra and Allie were our directors, and they are the best!! We arrived sunday afternoon, had dinner, and had auditions Sunday night. I got a callback and ended up with TWO parts!! It was an edited version of the original movie- instead of clowning around, we had a Hollywood theme and instead of, like, ten characters, there were twenty- one, if you include Jebus (inside joke). FOR ALL MY CASTMATES, THIS WAS THE BEST WEEK OF MY LIFE!! It as such a good time! We went off-book on Wednesday- music books included. At our full performance at the camp, we got a standing ovation. On our tour, we got a standing ovation at the full performance. We were also asked to do the prelude at the church the next morning before we left for our next stop, which was another church. We did a cut version, and we got thunderous applause because you don't really get a standing ovation while you're doing the sermon for the church. The recieving lines were the best!! I just have to mention this. At our first stop on the tour, we had just finished and gotten into the recieving lines when this little boy comes up to us. He was the cutest thing- he had white-blonde hair in a buz cut, a blue shirt, bluejean shorts, and the cutest smile! He also had a very clear voice for such a young child. You'll never believe what he said. he just stood there, in the middle of the two lines, and stated emotionally, "You guys, I have always wanted to say this all my life. That was the best performance I have ever seen!! You were spectacular!" THIS IS FOR THAT LITTLE BOY WHO WAS THE BEST AUDIENCE EVER- I THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! YOU TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY MADE MY DAY!! It was an amazing week that I'll never forget. FOR MY WHOLE CAST OUT THERE- Whether we're drama camp, inappropriate camp, the camp that can't clap on beat, or the best singers of Wild Thing in the world, we're always family of each other and of GOD. I'd just like to thank all of you for making this the best week and being the best cast. My heart just goes out to all of you and just know you're always in my prayers!

Lord of the Dance | Jun 10 2007 4:58 PM

Today in church, our pastor (I'm a Methodist) wasn't there. She was getting ordained. So, today, we had a hymn sing. That's where we just have a short message, prayer concerns and prayer, greetings, and a whole lot of songs. We sang "No Other Name" by Unhindered because our FCA leader who went on the ATF trip with us and I suggested it and worked it out with our pianist, Ann. I wanted to sing "Here I am Lord." It's so pretty. "I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people's pain. I have wept for love of them. They turn away. I will brake their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone. I will speak my word to them. Whom shall I send?" Beautiful, isn't it? But that isn't the favorite of the church. We love "Lord of the Dance." It's rather long and goes up high, but I'll give you the lyrics. It's to the tune of "Simple Gifts." "I danced in the morning when the world was begun; and I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun; and I came down from Heaven and I danced on the earth; at Bethlehem I had my birth. Dance, then, wherever you may be; I am the Lord of the Dance, said he; and I'll lead you all wherever you may be and I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he. I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee; but they would not dance and they would not follow me; I danced for the fishermen, for James and John; they came to me and the Dance went on. Dance, then, wherever you may be; I am the Lord of the Dance, said he; and I'll lead you all, wherever you may be and I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he. I danced on the sabbath when I cured the lame; the holy people said it was a shame; they whipped and they stripped and they hung me high; and they left me there on the cross to die. Dance, then, wherever you may be; I am the lord of the Dance, said he; and I'll lead you all, wherever you may be and I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he. [We do this next verse slowly...] I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black; it's hard to dance with the devil on your back; they buried my body and they thought I'd gone-- [and here we go normal pace] But I am the Dance and I still go on. Dance, then, wherever you may be; I am the Lord of the Dance , said he; and I'll lead you all; wherever you may be; and I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he. They cut me down and I lept up high; I am the life that'll never never die; I'll live in you if you'll live in me; I am the lord of the dance said he. Dance, then, wherever you may be; I am the lord of the Dance, said he; and I'll lead you all; wherever you may be; and I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he."

Strength | May 25 2007 12:57 PM

I am glad to say I'm in school right now and I am allowed to write this. TThis is one less thing to ruoin our generation. I was looking up verses on http://www.biblegateway.com. I looked up verses for strength. Since the end of the school year is very, very, very soon (yea!!), I was looking for encouragement to keep going, even through the summer when it's easy to get out of a spiritual habit. I came aloing Exodus 15. It is, as you could probably guess, about Moses and the Isrealites. Here is the basic text. Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD : 'I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider, he has hurled into the sea. 2 The LORD is my strength and my song, he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father is God, and I will exalt him. 3 The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name. 4 Pharaoh's chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea. The best of Pharaoh's officers are drowned in the Red Sea. 5 The deep waters have covered them, they sank to the depths like a stone. 6 'Your right hand, O LORD, was majestic in power. Your right hand, O LORD, shattered the enemy. 7 In the greatness of your majesty you threw down those who opposed you. You unleashed your burning anger; it consumed them like stubble. 8 By the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up. The surging waters stood firm like a wall; the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea. 9 The enemy boasted, I will pursue, I will overtake them. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them. 10 But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters. 11 Who among the gods is like you, O LORD ? Who is like you; majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? 12 You stretched out your right hand and the earth swallowed them. 13 'In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. 14 The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the people of Philistia. 15 The chiefs of Edom will be terrified, the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling, the people of Canaan will melt away. 16 terror and dread will fall upon them. By the power of your arm they will be as still as a stone; until your people pass by, O LORD, until the people you bought pass by. 17 You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance, the place, O LORD, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, your hands established. 18 The LORD will reign for ever and ever." So there's your scripture lesson for today. I especially like verse 11. "Who among the gods is like you, O LORD ? Who is like you; majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?" So true, so true.

Friend Choices | May 21 2007 5:59 PM

I find it funny how terrible I am at picking out friends (no offense to any friends who are reading this). I was at a birthday party for my ex-absolute best friend, and she wasn't very kind. Another of my friends has stepped into her spot. She has been there, as long as she has been my friend. My first best friend was practically my sister. But it turns out that she is now the most popular girl in my grade. She doesn't even talk to me anymore. I find this one hilarious, because I am not nearly what is "popular" at our school. My next best friend moved away two years after we became best friends. My next best friend is still one of my friends now, but my group isn't incredibly thrilled with her because she'd rather blow us off for her boyfriend than hang with both of us. The next best friend was the one I mentioned very first, who I just had a fight with. My best friend now was having the same problem with her, and we were talking about it. One of my friends is the one I mention in previous entries, and one of my guy friends is almost an atheist! Another friend in my group, Tina, and I were taking about ATF in science one day when he spoke up. "I don't really believe in all of that stuff," he snickered. "Bull!" I said, "it's real. Are you an atheist?" "I don't know." "No offense," Tina said, "But atheists are usually the ones that try so hard to prove that something they don't believe in isn't real. And they are few and far apart. They try really hard to prove something millions of people believe is real isn't. If it isn't real, then why not waste your energy on something else? And, for Pete's sake, why bother if it is real? Cause it is." Good point, Tina, I thought. It's an ironic truth. "Well," he started again, "They almost found a way to prove the seven plagues wrong." "Seven??" I laughed. "First of all, there were 10. Second, how?" "Well, they think that the flood is the aftermath of the earthquake, they think." "Bull!" I said. I thought, well, how could it just open in one spot? And how could the land be perfectly dry? And how could it close as soon as all the Egyptians were in and all the Israelites were out? "Well, then, who do you explain it?" I thought for a moment. "God told Moses it was gonna happen, Moses told Pharaoh it was going to happen, then it happened." I think he got the point.

Friends | May 7 2007 5:01 PM

All my frineds were talking about the event today. My one friend, though, was really disappointing. We were all talking about how awesome it was and how we are all coming next year. She said "Well, I don't really like these 'Acquire the Fire' [said with Dr. Evil finger quotes] things." I had to confront her. She said, "Do people need to remind you of common sense things? Do they say 'Don't kill people' 'Don't hurt yourself' 'Don't sin'? No!" I said, "It's not just that! If you're not a Christian, then you obviously have no common sense. Do you want to go to heaven? If you're not a Christian, then you won't be." I have a feeling she's mad with me. But if people are going to persecute, they're gonna have to go through me. I was listening to Unhindered whenever I could today. Pat Barrett is an idol! He not only is a cool perosn, but he's a great musician and an amazing Christian. I've played the sax for four years, the piano for seven years, and I've been singing since I could talk. I guess I'm a nice person, and i'm working on my relationship with God. Pat and Ben started out as high schoolers in FCA. I'm in FCA, and I'm close to high school. I can only hope to live up to what he is.

ATF | May 6 2007 12:15 PM

Our two buses of kids left for ATF (at the Peterson Center in Pittsburgh) 3 days ago. That night at the event was emotional, as we were led in a beautiful prayer on our knees on the floor. My friends and I were crying. We didn't get much sleep that night. The next day was my big surprise. Last year, many kids went for just the social aspect. Much less did this year. Saturday morning was exciting, and so was the afternoon. After supper is what I'm mainly focusing on. There was one boy there who I had seen around, but I had never gotten to know him. He was friends with my sister from marching band, and I figured I'd really meet him this summer when I'm finally allowed to join. My sister had sat in front of me at the event and he sat to her right. Like many others, he was wearing his hat. We were praying to open on Saturday evening, and he, unlike many others, took his off and told the younger boys behind him to take theirs off, too. It struck me that he was a really in-tune Christian. Then later, we were led in an amazing prayer. Some things were said that hit home for me. One of them was that we'll pray for the Lord to help us be strong, when the world is praising us and when the world is mocking us. My sister, who is one grade above me, treats me like a nuisance, like Zack did to his little brother in the drama (Summon the Kracken!). She tries to make me do what she doesn't want to. She spreads horrible rumors about me. She teases me whenever possible. She ridicules me and laughs at me. She tells her friends that embarrassing and stupid things she says and does at home are things I do. She teases my friends. She's very violent, too. She lies, she laughs, and she doesn't care about personal hygiene. She smells bad because she doesn't bathe, her breath is rancid and her teeth are caked with plaque because she doesn't brush them, and she is often sick because she doesn't wash her hands a lot. Amazingly, she can keep an image. She's the only one im my family like this. She creates a horrible image of me where ever she goes. I'm not sure if it was Patrick Barrett of Unhindered or Ron Luce led the prayer (I was too busy crying to notice), but when it was said it hurt. It feels like wherever I go, I don’t fit, and I never will. It's like I haven’t even started running, and I've already lost the race. She'll say things in high school and in marching band, so I already believe that I won't be able to be friends with the other older teens. She's locked the gates of the Garden of Eden to me before God had the chance to let me visit. It's horrible, and she shares her hatred with her friends so they can bully me too. I was shaking with tears by the time I had conjured all this up. I felt the hand of my best friend in the world reassuringly on my shoulder. I looked up, and saw the boy I mentioned earlier crying. He felt the same kinds of things I did. He was tormented by jerks, too. The youth pastor and FCA advisor of the high school was comforting him, his best friend was, and my sister had her hand on his shoulder. The advisor said to him, "It can be very hard to go through all this." Then, the boy's best friend said the thing that helped me the most. "Just think," he said, "these people here in this arena are the people who love you the most on the Earth." I thought, "Yeah! My friends are here, my mom's here, all these Christians are here, and God's here. No one in the world loves me more." That's when my sister heard my heavy sobs. She reached back and held my hand. So did her friend, who was beside her. We were all crying and singing "Give Thanks" (Give thanks with a grateful heart. Give thanks to the Holy One. Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son. Give thanks with a grateful heart. Give thanks unto the Holy One. Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son. And now let the weak say I am strong. Let the poor say I am rich. Because of what the Lord has done for us. And now let the weak say I am strong. Let the poor say I am rich. Because of what the Lord has done for us. Give thanks with a grateful heart. Give thanks to the Holy One. Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son. Give thanks with a grateful heart. Give thanks unto the Holy One. Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son). I was overwhelmed. I am committed. Like I said before, some kids were in it for the social aspect. A boy who did last year decided to pay attention and tune in while we were praying, just this once. He was so moved that he was in tears! We were all better and singing in not too long. Then Ron Luce came and as always, gave an amazing speech. He used ironic real life instances. He was done and we were all pumped and shouting "TELL US WHAT TO DO!" when Unhindered came onstage again. We were screaming at the top of our lungs "WE ARE THE REDEEMED! WE ARE THE ONES WHO ARE FREE! And we belong to Jesus!" Then the song ended and the stadium was filled with more noise than you can imagine. Then the scremaing died down, and the boy next to me (the previously mentioned boy's best friend's little brother) started chanting "THEME SONG! THEME SONG!" and the whole stadium joined in. Then we had the time of our lives singing "Father Abraham," the Unhindered Theme Song. It was an inspiring, awesome, amazing experience. Also, I'm really into Unhindered. I love their music. It's music that's contemporary, but it's not head-banging, guitar-slamming rock. It's right there with what I’m into. It's really amazing, too, how if someone mentions music, you automatically think “rock” or “country” or “pop”. Here's a few links for them: http://battlecry.com/pages/atf_bands.php http://www.unhinderedworship.com/ http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2990885 http://www.studentlifeatthebeach.com/Unhindered_57_ldr.htm http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=30432685 http://www.gostudents.net/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=ejINI5PNKpG&b=881933&ct=369965

Joel 3 | Apr 15 2007 11:30 AM

I came across these verses during an FCA meeting. I thought they were inspiring. "At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, 'Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.' Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare for war! Animate the warriors! Let all the fighting men draw near and attack. Let the weakling say, 'I am strong!' Come quickly, all you nations from every side, and assemble there. Bring down your warriors, O Lord! Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine. The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the Earth and the sky will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel. 'Then you will know that I, the LORD your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill.'" Judgement day is truly coming!

96% | Apr 13 2007 5:40 PM

One of my friends is not excatly a Christian. She's been to church 3 times- one wiich was a week of VBS with me. One day in school, an announcement came on the PA system. "There will be a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting in room 205 today. There will be a guest speaker. All members are allowed to bring a friend." I am a member of FCA, so I looked at my previously mentioned friend (who will remane annonymous) and mouthed, "You should go." "Talk to me after class," she replied. She's in my homeroom, so right after class I went over to her. "You know I've only been to church a couple of times," she explained. "Well," I started, "chruch isn't all of Christianity. It's one meeting, and you'd be a guest. Just see if you like it." "Okay then," she replied. We left for the meeting. The guest speaker was one from my small town of Hastings. I had heard him speak before. He had gotten into drugs and messed up his whole life. He had been to jail two times before, and (in that spot in the story) was going to be sentenced to his third. "I pleaded, 'Please, Judge,'" he said, " 'there has to be another way.'" He was sentenced to a 13 month Christian rehab, which changed his whole life. He now goes around and talks to teens and youth groups about this. I think it changed my friend's views a little. After every FCA meeting, I talk a little bit about our lesson to her. I've been trying to get at least one more percent of teens to be loyal followers of Christ. I've been doing my best. This generation won't be the last.