You Raise me Up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3pF6YPxGEw&feature=related

Here we go again...

I wrote most of this yesterday night but didn't have time to put it up until now.

I'm sorry I haven't written. It is now the night before the first day of CHESS. Tomorrow will be my fifth first day. Where did all of that time go?

I know... I know. I know where it went.

It first went to prisons and long bus rides with long hours with the Shining Light people. That consisted of going to many state facilities all over New England, eating cafeteria food, and trying lobster for the first time. I also got to go for the ER for the first time in my life after I smooshed my hand in between a cart and a door frame (really stupid of me). But most importantly, I saw God's beauty and work in many people's lives (including my own.).

Then it went to sitting in a cold chapel at Lancaster Bible Collage. There I learned a lot about many things including wisdom, worldviews, and the arts. IT also included skittles, M&M's, friends and creaming my voice out encouraging the red team to try to win the wonder of all wonders...

THE SPAMLEY CUP

The majority of the remaining time was doing random things with random people. Things like these:

. going to see Jen in "The Wiz"

. reading several books, but not as many as I had wished to

. hanging out with friends

. and the thing that I did most of all- hanging out with my family.

The last two weeks of the summer were the saddest. I said good-bye. First, it was Dana. She left for collage earlier than she had expected. Then came Hannah. I miss both of them. Even though I like having a get away, I still would much rather have them home.

Now, I have said good-bye to summer and the lazy days that came with it. School has come back from vacation. Who know what's going to happen this time around.

Good luck!

Time, oh how it flew

My, how time flies. Last night was Youth group at Graybill's again. As I was riding in the car with Hannah, I remembered last year's Grabills. I remembered Hannah saying how it was her last Graybills as apart of youth group. It was very depressing.

But so much happened within the two Graybill's. Hannah and I joined Shining Light (and met some of the best people in the world), Dana got a boyfriend (who is coming today!!!!!), Elizabeth moved, and somehow I managed with God's strength when I didn't have any.

So much learning and epiphanies one can have in just one year. So many new experiences and people for one to enjoy. All of that can happen in such short of time. What could happen next... that is up to God. But we can be excited because his plans "are to prosper you and not to harm you." (Jeremiah 29:11)

Anticipation

I love being able to look forward to fun things. These next couple of weeks for example. On Sunday I looked forward to a day with Penelope at Hershey Park. It was a blast. We rode rides (What else is there to do? [No, I did not go on the Great Bear]), ate subway and funnel fries (sooo good!!!) and snuck "Bob" onto the roller coasters.

Today, I can look forward to seeing Elizabeth in her new house. I shall be with her until Thursday afternoon. (Sigh) I can't wait. Seeing her will great. We both have a lot of talking to do because we will solve all the world's problems whilst there.

Then after that. Dana and Daniel come!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited to have them here again. Watching Daniel pick on Dana is so much fun.

Daniel will be here for a week and then will leave. Dana, three days after he leaves will leave for school. Then, Hannah will leave for school too. Soon after, or even before Hannah leaves, I will be starting school too. Eww. Don't want to think about it. So, I will just enjoy looking forward to the rest of my summer.

Oh, the Little Things in Life

I am realizing how many small things I loved as a little kid and still love now. Or things that I hated as a kid and love now. Here are some of them:

Applesauce. Who knew how much I loved applesauce. I was reawakened to this passions only the other day at lunch. The stuff is so good, sweet, cool and refreshing. Try some of it.

Rain. When Jen and I used to sleep upstairs, I loved listening to the sound of the rain on the roof. Now that our room is now downstairs, I can't hear it as well. So, whenever it rains, I will become so happy just because I know that it is making one of my favorite sounds.

Pillows. Oh how wonderful it was to wake up the day after coming home from Worldview engulfed in my five pillows plus body pillow. I had been all week with only one pillow and it wasn't nearly as comfortable. Almost every morning since then I have woken up just reveling in the warmth of my pillows!

Naps. I don't nearly have enough now. It is funny because little kids hate taking naps (myself included) But now that I'm older, I don't get nearly enough sleep. Today I had one and it was wonderful (until Jen woke me up by trying to steal a book that we were reading together).

Books. Oh how I hated to read. How silly and stupid I was. And when I found out that I actually liked to read, I just pretended that I didn't. Now, you rarely find me without a book that I'm reading.

Blankets. I get cold a lot. Blankets are warm. Perfect combo. And lots of the ones in our house hold so many memories. The orange one has gone through picnics, children being sick and lots of movies. My pink one, well... it is basically dead but I love it anyway.

There is just a few. I'm sure I will remember more before the day is done.

"You don't have to... YOU GET TO!"

Oh, I have been just lazy. Just downright lazy. I have no excuse for not putting up a blog about Worldview, or just about anything. "We have to be responsible for our actions. It isn't anyone elses fault, but mine."- Jeff Baldwin in the lecture What Kind of Monster Are You? I'm sorry for not updating.

Worldview was amazing. I had a great time. The lectures were good, and I learned a ton.

Dana also was there for the last days, which made me soooo happy. Everyday I grew in anticipation of when she would be here. I loved seeing her with the people she loves so much and I had heard so much about. It made my day when I got to see her doing stuff with the amazing staff (mosh pitting, dancing in the aisle and being in the Spamley Cup) (sigh) Oh how I missed her.

This year at worldview has challenged me more than last year, I think. God put me in situations that I was entirely comfortable with, but it helped me to grow in some way. Example: Witnessing. I never liked the idea of going up to some stranger and talking about my faith. But this year, God put me in a group with a first year boy, and a shy second year girl. Even though they both helped starting the conversations, I probably started most of them (the part that I hated to do) But through that, I had to rely on God for the strength to go up to that person. I'm not sure how much of an impact we made, and I will probably never know. But I think God did something out there on the street of downtown Lancaster.

Also, I have been trying to find worldviews in the music that I listen to. Music... what a great way to slip worldviews into unsuspecting minds. I have fallen victim to it many times. But, there is hope for keeping bad stuff out. I loved how Mark Bertrand took the story of the fall of Constantinople and brought out 5 lessons that will help us defend our minds. It can be hard though. Some of the music is just so much fun to listen to that one forgets to check for bad ideas and influences.

Looking back over my notes from camp, I realize how much I have learned. And how much I still have to put into practice. How much I need to continue looking for wisdom, and how much I need to look to God with all of my problems.

And that I can't make it up to God for any sin that I do. Why is that last one so hard? You do something wrong, and you can rest assured that God forgives you if you ask. That's it? It seems like that just isn't enough. Well, it is enough. It is more than enough because God sent Jesus to die for us sinners and the sins we commit. Our lives and freedom of sin cost a life. It should be enough. Yet, I find myself still trying to make it up to God somehow. (man, how rude is that?)

"We were called to freedom. Live like it! Don't try to make it up to him." -Brandon Booth in the lecture "Lawbreakers"

It is nice being reminded that I don't have to do anything for my salvation. I get to have it through Jesus.

Last year, THIS YEAR

Last year at this time, I was getting back from Worldview Academy.

This year at this time, I am going back to Worldview Academy.

I'M SOOOO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last year was totally awesome. I learned a whole lot, got scared by Bill Jack, and had an amazing small group. I'm so looking forward to being there in 6 hours.

For this year, I'm praying it will be somewhat the same. That I will have an awesome small group and that I will learn a TON. Also, that witnessing on Wednesday would go well. (I have to agree with Dana when she said that she was always nervous when she went witnessing)

And for a special treat... DANA IS COMING ON THE LAST TWO DAYS!!!!! AHHHH! I get to see her finally!!!! It's looking like it will be a really awesome time.

Even though I can't get e-mail where I am, Worldview Academy does. So e-mail me at

studentmaileast@worldview.org with my name as the subject

or

write to me at:

Event & Conf. Management

901 Eden Rd.

Lancaster, PA 17608