[Warning- 70+ pictures behind the cut]
battlecry documentary
This past weekend I attended Acquire the Fire- Battlecry in Bristow, VA with a group of teenagers from the Edge Teen Center. I came along as a leader to help Donna Jo and Al, but I ended up absorbing a lot besides that.
So we started out the trip Friday morning around 6:30AM. We packed up our 2 vans to nearly overflowing, prayed for a safe trip, and were on our way. We quickly discovered that some of the girls didn't have the strongest of bladders, so we stopped at a few rest stops along the way...
Shannon and Aaron pose in front of the unisex bathroom.
Women, men, handicapped- they ain't discriminating.
Me and Shannon, lookin hawt, doodz.
56% Processed feces comes out of those, you know.
Shannon and her beau, Aaron. So adorable.
Matthew and Aaron. Just being themselves.
Kayla and Hannah. These girls are amazing and beautiful.
Okay, so I was in a van with David Shaffer for... 9 hours or so?
After about 3 hours or so, we stopped again to use the facilities and frolic about.
Hannah fixes her pretty blond hair...
Shannon and Donna Jo. Two of my favorite women in the entire world.
Also, I like taking pictures in bathrooms.
Loading up again... this was a very long trip.
"Breaker breaker, road pizza in the granny lane. 10-4 good buddy." or something like that...
AND, the highlight of the roadtrip down? Sitting in traffic for HOURS UPON HOURS.
In a van that got up to 95 degrees with no air conditioning!
I did my best to stay positive which really just annoyed everyone. :) Haha.
So then, Aaron got naked.
Finally, the torturous car ride was over, we got to our hotel and checked in,
then headed over to the stadium where the event was!
This place was enormous.
They did an amazing drama presentation about what goes on inside of ourselves
when we are presented with the gospel of Jesus.
We fight our logic, pride, reason, and emotions- and ultimately have to take a leap of faith
and listen to our heart and take a chance on something that our brains can't fully comprehend.
I watched the kids listen to this message. They were tired, but they were listening.
God started something this night.
Then Ron Luce, the speaker, did something that I thought was fantastic.
See, I've been to a lot of these large Christian youth events. The experience is spectacular... you are surrounded by thousands of like-minded people, with loud music, light shows, emotional messages, and the feeling is just undeniable. When the speakers ask people to come forward to publicly come to Jesus, it's not so hard because everyone else is doing it, there's music playing.. it's an emotional experience.
But this time, Ron Luce said basically.. think about what you are doing. Don't just make this commitment because you are here and everyone else is doing it. Count the costs. Everyone is looking at you, and everyone is going to know what you do. If you REALLY want Jesus, stand to your feet and yell as loud as you can
"I WANT THE CROSS."
There were a few seconds of silent hesitation, but then one by one all over the stadium shouts went up as people stood to their feet and took a step for Christ.
And, best of all for me, a teen from our group that I've known almost his whole life,
took that stand. He desperately needed this to happen...
It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.
Casting Crowns took the stage and we celebrated and worshiped with them.
It was so nice to be able to just set everything else aside,
forget about all the things in my head and just offer myself up wholly to Jesus.
This is the time, that point of surrender, when He can change our hearts and minds
and make us more like Him.
After that, we made our way back to the hotel.
In my room, we had Shannon, Morgan, Ashley and Winona.
We decided that we wanted to go swimming in the pool's hotel.
As the girls got dressed into their swimsuits,
I listened to them all, including me, complain about their bodies.
Now, I know that being in a swimsuit is not the most comfortable situation,
but I had a revelation that God created us as we are for a reason.
And he finds us each so beautiful.
So I sat with the girls before we went swimming and told them that they were beautiful.
They were fearfully and wonderfully made.
We made a deal not to say anything negative about ourselves the rest of the weekend,
and we all went around the room and said one good thing about ourselves.
It really encouraged me.
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
-Psalm 139:14
After a good night's sleep that was far too short,
we got up and made our way back over to the stadium.
We started out the morning with worship.
The beginning of the day was a bit of a slower feed then the night before,
as it was more of a precursor to the evening events.
But God continually made himself known through every song,
every speaker, every smile, and every moment.
We put Echo's hair into a ponytail and Matt found it attractive.
Shannon shows us the importance of observing safety precautions
and looks cute while doing so.
I love them.
So after hearing some speakers,
we headed back to the van for lunch.
Which of course, required jumping those poles.
I got my shorts all dirty sitting on the van,
so Shannon wiped my butt with a baby wipe.
True love.
This is why we're best friends.
Back to the stadium,
more pole jumping.
Half our group went to look at merchandise,
so we stopped to take a beautiful picture. :)
And use the bathroom.
Or just hang out and be creepy around the bathroom.
Oh what.. like you don't wash your feet in the bathroom sink??
Cool kids hanging out before the events started back up..
Jake, Shannon, and Matt.
The cutest siblings ever.
I thought that this was awesome:
Winona sponsored a Compassion International kid.
Now we got everyone back to their seats and got ready for P.O.D.
Woot.
P.O.D. was fun to watch, although to be honest.. this was the worst I've ever heard them sound.
I heard them a few years ago, and they were great.
This time, not so much.
But these guys had fun, so it was all worth it..
Donna Jo high fives strangers. :)
I really enjoyed hanging out with Donna Jo and Al.
They have amazing strength and patience from God.
They just love teenagers and none of this would have happened if they
hadn't listened to God's voice and worked their butts off to make it happen.
I know I wouldn't be who I am today without them.
They are like my second parents, and I love them a lot.
I love being in a big crowd.
Okay, now a subplot.
After P.O.D. we took a break for dinner.
We decided on pizza and drove over to a Dominoes.
As we waited for our order, we went to the grocery store that was next door.
The kids went over and were getting things from the gum ball machines,
and Jake came over and fake-proposed to me with a fake ring.
Just joking around, you know.
I laughed and said "Oh, I've done that already.." and held up my hand to show my sparkly engagement ring.
And then looked down only to realize with sheer and utter panic,
that it was NOT THERE.
"Where's my engagement ring guys? No.. seriously. Where is my engagement ring?"
Everyone got really quiet.
Now, I occasionally forget to put my ring back on in the morning,
but I always know where it is.
This time.. I didn't remember taking it off.
(I later remembered that I must have taken it off to put on some lotion and left it in my lap and forgot about it.)
I really started freaking out inside... but I knew in my heart that God would be watching out for me.
So Shannon calmed me down, prayed with me.
We finished dinner and went back over to the stadium.
I was trying really hard to not cry.. but it was hard.
I didn't lose hope, but I just didn't know what to do.
That ring means the world to me.
If you know me, you know that.
So as soon as we get there, we go back to our seats and scour the ground.
I looked everywhere.
It was not there.
I went to the lost and found.
It wasn't there.
I begin hyperventilating at that point.
Haha.
We go back to our seats, and a worship band is playing.
I try my to best to just push it the back of my mind, and trust God.
I can't stop crying.
Donna Jo comes over and tells me to just worship God.
Fully surrender to Him in my mind and my heart, and He will do a miracle.
So I did.
With all my might, I told God, This is just a ring.
You created the universe, you know how many hairs are on my head,
you are capable of doing anything.
I leave it in your hands.
And I lifted my hands in surrender to Him, and sang my heart out.
It wasn't even 2 minutes later, and I see this ATF staff guy walking down my aisle.
This is odd, because normally they just walk between the rows.
When he gets close to me, for some reason.. I just felt the urge to grab his arm.
He looks back and I ask him.. "Do you have something in your hand?"
(It still sounds weird to me, because it happened in like slow motion. I didn't really have control, it was like I saw myself doing this, outside of my body..)
I must have seemed insane.
But he held out his hand and extended his fingers,
and there it was.
My ring.
"Is this yours?", he asked.
I just started sobbing hysterically, he took it for a yes.
Half my group started crying, the others clapping and cheering.
He then went on to tell me..
"You see... I am just so anal retentive, I saw this one pile of magazines on the floor that I felt the need to pick up. Which is kind of pointless because there are magazines all over the entire stadium floor. But anyways, I walked over to them and bent down and saw this ring. I was going to take it to the lost and found but I didn't think the girl would ever even have a chance of getting it back. It's like a needle in a haystack."
I cried and laughed even harder when he slipped it back onto my finger.
Then I hugged that man like I've never hugged someone before.
But it wasn't anything special that the man did.
It was entirely and completely God.
He chose to do that miracle to show his love for us,
to increase the faith and open the eyes of everyone involved.
He cares about us so much,
when we hurt, he hurts.
Even the smallest thing..
he cares.
It moved me and changed me,
and I know it effected everyone in my group.
Wow. Thankyou so much, Jesus. I love you.
[photo credit: Winona Lambert]
So I left my camera in the car for the last & best half of the night after the ring ordeal,
so I'll just write about what happened.
We had an amazing time of worship with the band Unhindered.
I recommend checking them out:
www.myspace.com/unhinderedworship
(I didn't take either of these photos)
I saw the teens in my group change right before my eyes this weekend.
A lot of them left home cold, stiff, and well, hindered.
God broke through, and these kids were really changed.
After worship, a thunderstorm began rumbling the ground
and separating the sky with flashes of lightning.
It was as if the atmosphere was absorbing our intensity
and competing against us.
Ron Luce came back out and spoke to us about having a voice.
He told us about how the media studies young people and markets to them.
How people buy into these trends that are screwing up our culture.
He encouraged us to turn the tables and impact our culture for Jesus,
instead of just being another number.
It was refreshing to be reminded of that.
I think I might go on a "culture fast", as I call them, again
where you basically just starve yourself of TV, movies, secular music, etc.
It really clears your head and lets you hear God clearly, no distractions.
By the end of his message,
there were thousands of teenagers on their feet screaming
I HAVE A VOICE.
A generation standing up against immorality and justice.
Going against the grain, and not looking back.
It was intense.
They ended out the night with a bang- fireworks and pyrotechnics,
Loud music and fun.
Everyone was jumping and dancing and praising God.
I didn't see one face without a smile.
It was a party.
After the dust settled, we held hands through the crowds and the rain
all the way back to our van.
I was so energized.
As I laughed and smiled at strangers, holding hands with friends, stomping through puddles,
I felt infinite.
Back to the hotel again.
We spent some time as a group sharing about what God did in our lives that weekend.
It was beautiful.
I always look forward to that time.
It's so cool how each person can be seeing the same thing,
yet experience something completely unique from one another.
I really got to know these people better,
and in my heart, God formed a bond and a love for them that I'll always remember.
We weren't able to swim that night, so everyone took the party to my room.
I stayed for a little while,
then slipped out into the hallway to talk to Josiah on the phone.
I missed him a lot on this trip.
I miss him a lot in general.
He was on my mind a lot, especially while one man spoke at ATF.
Phil Joel from the Newsboys.
He shared a testimony about how him and his wife committed to read their Bibles everyday,
in the morning before their baby daughter was awake.
And it impacted and changed their lives, their marriage, and their relationship with God.
Before they did they felt like they didn't really KNOW God.
And I want to know God.
I want Josiah to know God.
It really inspired me to be a better friend and follower of God,
and also a better person and a better (soon-to-be) wife to Josiah.
I went back to my room after everyone left, and took a long, hot shower.
I tried to absorb all the events of that weekend, and talked to God.
I asked him to help me maintain the state I was in when I returned home.
I really felt changed. And even as I write this, I still do.
I went to bed with a full and satisfied heart, completely exhausted but elated.
And of course, the last morning.
Everyone is tired but still excited!
I straightened Aaron's hair every morning. Haha
Is that hawt lookin or what?
Thank God for continental breakfasts.
They had amazing coffee that I don't think I could have lived without that weekend.
Echo was ready for the day.
Or to conquer Russia or something.
I think he could do anything in that hat.
We took some pictures and stuff then piled back into the vans and began the trip home.
I prayed that there wouldn't be hours of traffic jams and disgustingly unbearable heat this time.
Also, I really got to know Aaron better this weekend.
Him and Shannon have been together for a bit over a month now,
and when she told me that she met him and started falling in love...
I was shocked.
I've known this kid since grade school, and in high school we hung out with very different people.
It was so unexpected.
But I watched them together, me knowing Shannon almost as much as she knows herself.. and Aaron barely at all.. I was astounded.
As much it didn't make sense in the beginning, it made 100x more by the end of the trip.
I really believe that he is the one for her.
I can't wait to see where God takes these guys.
Anyways,
My prayers were answered.
The ride home was much nicer.
We stopped a few times,
and the kids felt the need to frolic about, which is always entertaining to me.
And if that wasn't enough,
we stopped for lunch at McDonalds a little while later,
which of course means playplace fun.
(They look really good together, don't you think?)
(Almost as good as Aaron and Ronald...)
Could they be cuter?
Aaron smiles like he means it..
There is a lot of love in this group..
Sisters :)
Grand theft botanical...
Jake picked uprooted a flower for his mom for mother's day..
And to help the trip go by faster,
we decided to quiz David on his girlfriend preferences..
It started out with questions like:
Athletic or artistic? Short hair or long hair?
And ended up with questions like:
Facial hair or no facial hair? Carnival worker or no carnival worker?
I peed my pants laughing.
And then, just to really bring the point home, Aaron.. (or Leigh Nash...?)
went on a date with David.
He really got into it, I think he was a little embarrassed though..
Too bad for Dave though, because Matt kinda moved in on his girl..
We then finally made it back to the teen center..
and helped unpack the vans and said goodbye..
It was mother's day,
so Donna Jo got to wear the hat...
Some of my favorite people.
As fun as the trip was, I think everyone was happy to be home.
So overall, this was one of the most memorable weekends of my life.
It was so much fun to hang out with these guys,
but most importantly, to hang out with God.
If you read this whole documentary, congratulations, it's really long.
I hope that you see how beautiful YOU are, and how much God loves you.
You don't have to go to some huge event with thousands of people to understand that.
It is invigorating, but God can change your life as you are sitting there at your computer.
If you haven't talked to him in a while, say hi.
If you've never met him, ask Him to make himself real in your life.
Pick up a bible or go to www.biblegateway.com and read His word.
He wants to know you!
xoxoxo,
Constance
"For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
--Romans 8: 38-39
This past weekend I attended Acquire the Fire- Battlecry in Bristow, VA with a group of teenagers from the Edge Teen Center. I came along as a leader to help Donna Jo and Al, but I ended up absorbing a lot besides that.
So we started out the trip Friday morning around 6:30AM. We packed up our 2 vans to nearly overflowing, prayed for a safe trip, and were on our way. We quickly discovered that some of the girls didn't have the strongest of bladders, so we stopped at a few rest stops along the way...
Shannon and Aaron pose in front of the unisex bathroom.
Women, men, handicapped- they ain't discriminating.
Me and Shannon, lookin hawt, doodz.
56% Processed feces comes out of those, you know.
Shannon and her beau, Aaron. So adorable.
Matthew and Aaron. Just being themselves.
Kayla and Hannah. These girls are amazing and beautiful.
Okay, so I was in a van with David Shaffer for... 9 hours or so?
After about 3 hours or so, we stopped again to use the facilities and frolic about.
Hannah fixes her pretty blond hair...
Shannon and Donna Jo. Two of my favorite women in the entire world.
Also, I like taking pictures in bathrooms.
Loading up again... this was a very long trip.
"Breaker breaker, road pizza in the granny lane. 10-4 good buddy." or something like that...
AND, the highlight of the roadtrip down? Sitting in traffic for HOURS UPON HOURS.
In a van that got up to 95 degrees with no air conditioning!
I did my best to stay positive which really just annoyed everyone. :) Haha.
So then, Aaron got naked.
Finally, the torturous car ride was over, we got to our hotel and checked in,
then headed over to the stadium where the event was!
This place was enormous.
They did an amazing drama presentation about what goes on inside of ourselves
when we are presented with the gospel of Jesus.
We fight our logic, pride, reason, and emotions- and ultimately have to take a leap of faith
and listen to our heart and take a chance on something that our brains can't fully comprehend.
I watched the kids listen to this message. They were tired, but they were listening.
God started something this night.
Then Ron Luce, the speaker, did something that I thought was fantastic.
See, I've been to a lot of these large Christian youth events. The experience is spectacular... you are surrounded by thousands of like-minded people, with loud music, light shows, emotional messages, and the feeling is just undeniable. When the speakers ask people to come forward to publicly come to Jesus, it's not so hard because everyone else is doing it, there's music playing.. it's an emotional experience.
But this time, Ron Luce said basically.. think about what you are doing. Don't just make this commitment because you are here and everyone else is doing it. Count the costs. Everyone is looking at you, and everyone is going to know what you do. If you REALLY want Jesus, stand to your feet and yell as loud as you can
"I WANT THE CROSS."
There were a few seconds of silent hesitation, but then one by one all over the stadium shouts went up as people stood to their feet and took a step for Christ.
And, best of all for me, a teen from our group that I've known almost his whole life,
took that stand. He desperately needed this to happen...
It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.
Casting Crowns took the stage and we celebrated and worshiped with them.
It was so nice to be able to just set everything else aside,
forget about all the things in my head and just offer myself up wholly to Jesus.
This is the time, that point of surrender, when He can change our hearts and minds
and make us more like Him.
After that, we made our way back to the hotel.
In my room, we had Shannon, Morgan, Ashley and Winona.
We decided that we wanted to go swimming in the pool's hotel.
As the girls got dressed into their swimsuits,
I listened to them all, including me, complain about their bodies.
Now, I know that being in a swimsuit is not the most comfortable situation,
but I had a revelation that God created us as we are for a reason.
And he finds us each so beautiful.
So I sat with the girls before we went swimming and told them that they were beautiful.
They were fearfully and wonderfully made.
We made a deal not to say anything negative about ourselves the rest of the weekend,
and we all went around the room and said one good thing about ourselves.
It really encouraged me.
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
-Psalm 139:14
After a good night's sleep that was far too short,
we got up and made our way back over to the stadium.
We started out the morning with worship.
The beginning of the day was a bit of a slower feed then the night before,
as it was more of a precursor to the evening events.
But God continually made himself known through every song,
every speaker, every smile, and every moment.
We put Echo's hair into a ponytail and Matt found it attractive.
Shannon shows us the importance of observing safety precautions
and looks cute while doing so.
I love them.
So after hearing some speakers,
we headed back to the van for lunch.
Which of course, required jumping those poles.
I got my shorts all dirty sitting on the van,
so Shannon wiped my butt with a baby wipe.
True love.
This is why we're best friends.
Back to the stadium,
more pole jumping.
Half our group went to look at merchandise,
so we stopped to take a beautiful picture. :)
And use the bathroom.
Or just hang out and be creepy around the bathroom.
Oh what.. like you don't wash your feet in the bathroom sink??
Cool kids hanging out before the events started back up..
Jake, Shannon, and Matt.
The cutest siblings ever.
I thought that this was awesome:
Winona sponsored a Compassion International kid.
Now we got everyone back to their seats and got ready for P.O.D.
Woot.
P.O.D. was fun to watch, although to be honest.. this was the worst I've ever heard them sound.
I heard them a few years ago, and they were great.
This time, not so much.
But these guys had fun, so it was all worth it..
Donna Jo high fives strangers. :)
I really enjoyed hanging out with Donna Jo and Al.
They have amazing strength and patience from God.
They just love teenagers and none of this would have happened if they
hadn't listened to God's voice and worked their butts off to make it happen.
I know I wouldn't be who I am today without them.
They are like my second parents, and I love them a lot.
I love being in a big crowd.
Okay, now a subplot.
After P.O.D. we took a break for dinner.
We decided on pizza and drove over to a Dominoes.
As we waited for our order, we went to the grocery store that was next door.
The kids went over and were getting things from the gum ball machines,
and Jake came over and fake-proposed to me with a fake ring.
Just joking around, you know.
I laughed and said "Oh, I've done that already.." and held up my hand to show my sparkly engagement ring.
And then looked down only to realize with sheer and utter panic,
that it was NOT THERE.
"Where's my engagement ring guys? No.. seriously. Where is my engagement ring?"
Everyone got really quiet.
Now, I occasionally forget to put my ring back on in the morning,
but I always know where it is.
This time.. I didn't remember taking it off.
(I later remembered that I must have taken it off to put on some lotion and left it in my lap and forgot about it.)
I really started freaking out inside... but I knew in my heart that God would be watching out for me.
So Shannon calmed me down, prayed with me.
We finished dinner and went back over to the stadium.
I was trying really hard to not cry.. but it was hard.
I didn't lose hope, but I just didn't know what to do.
That ring means the world to me.
If you know me, you know that.
So as soon as we get there, we go back to our seats and scour the ground.
I looked everywhere.
It was not there.
I went to the lost and found.
It wasn't there.
I begin hyperventilating at that point.
Haha.
We go back to our seats, and a worship band is playing.
I try my to best to just push it the back of my mind, and trust God.
I can't stop crying.
Donna Jo comes over and tells me to just worship God.
Fully surrender to Him in my mind and my heart, and He will do a miracle.
So I did.
With all my might, I told God, This is just a ring.
You created the universe, you know how many hairs are on my head,
you are capable of doing anything.
I leave it in your hands.
And I lifted my hands in surrender to Him, and sang my heart out.
It wasn't even 2 minutes later, and I see this ATF staff guy walking down my aisle.
This is odd, because normally they just walk between the rows.
When he gets close to me, for some reason.. I just felt the urge to grab his arm.
He looks back and I ask him.. "Do you have something in your hand?"
(It still sounds weird to me, because it happened in like slow motion. I didn't really have control, it was like I saw myself doing this, outside of my body..)
I must have seemed insane.
But he held out his hand and extended his fingers,
and there it was.
My ring.
"Is this yours?", he asked.
I just started sobbing hysterically, he took it for a yes.
Half my group started crying, the others clapping and cheering.
He then went on to tell me..
"You see... I am just so anal retentive, I saw this one pile of magazines on the floor that I felt the need to pick up. Which is kind of pointless because there are magazines all over the entire stadium floor. But anyways, I walked over to them and bent down and saw this ring. I was going to take it to the lost and found but I didn't think the girl would ever even have a chance of getting it back. It's like a needle in a haystack."
I cried and laughed even harder when he slipped it back onto my finger.
Then I hugged that man like I've never hugged someone before.
But it wasn't anything special that the man did.
It was entirely and completely God.
He chose to do that miracle to show his love for us,
to increase the faith and open the eyes of everyone involved.
He cares about us so much,
when we hurt, he hurts.
Even the smallest thing..
he cares.
It moved me and changed me,
and I know it effected everyone in my group.
Wow. Thankyou so much, Jesus. I love you.
[photo credit: Winona Lambert]
So I left my camera in the car for the last & best half of the night after the ring ordeal,
so I'll just write about what happened.
We had an amazing time of worship with the band Unhindered.
I recommend checking them out:
www.myspace.com/unhinderedworship
(I didn't take either of these photos)
I saw the teens in my group change right before my eyes this weekend.
A lot of them left home cold, stiff, and well, hindered.
God broke through, and these kids were really changed.
After worship, a thunderstorm began rumbling the ground
and separating the sky with flashes of lightning.
It was as if the atmosphere was absorbing our intensity
and competing against us.
Ron Luce came back out and spoke to us about having a voice.
He told us about how the media studies young people and markets to them.
How people buy into these trends that are screwing up our culture.
He encouraged us to turn the tables and impact our culture for Jesus,
instead of just being another number.
It was refreshing to be reminded of that.
I think I might go on a "culture fast", as I call them, again
where you basically just starve yourself of TV, movies, secular music, etc.
It really clears your head and lets you hear God clearly, no distractions.
By the end of his message,
there were thousands of teenagers on their feet screaming
I HAVE A VOICE.
A generation standing up against immorality and justice.
Going against the grain, and not looking back.
It was intense.
They ended out the night with a bang- fireworks and pyrotechnics,
Loud music and fun.
Everyone was jumping and dancing and praising God.
I didn't see one face without a smile.
It was a party.
After the dust settled, we held hands through the crowds and the rain
all the way back to our van.
I was so energized.
As I laughed and smiled at strangers, holding hands with friends, stomping through puddles,
I felt infinite.
Back to the hotel again.
We spent some time as a group sharing about what God did in our lives that weekend.
It was beautiful.
I always look forward to that time.
It's so cool how each person can be seeing the same thing,
yet experience something completely unique from one another.
I really got to know these people better,
and in my heart, God formed a bond and a love for them that I'll always remember.
We weren't able to swim that night, so everyone took the party to my room.
I stayed for a little while,
then slipped out into the hallway to talk to Josiah on the phone.
I missed him a lot on this trip.
I miss him a lot in general.
He was on my mind a lot, especially while one man spoke at ATF.
Phil Joel from the Newsboys.
He shared a testimony about how him and his wife committed to read their Bibles everyday,
in the morning before their baby daughter was awake.
And it impacted and changed their lives, their marriage, and their relationship with God.
Before they did they felt like they didn't really KNOW God.
And I want to know God.
I want Josiah to know God.
It really inspired me to be a better friend and follower of God,
and also a better person and a better (soon-to-be) wife to Josiah.
I went back to my room after everyone left, and took a long, hot shower.
I tried to absorb all the events of that weekend, and talked to God.
I asked him to help me maintain the state I was in when I returned home.
I really felt changed. And even as I write this, I still do.
I went to bed with a full and satisfied heart, completely exhausted but elated.
And of course, the last morning.
Everyone is tired but still excited!
I straightened Aaron's hair every morning. Haha
Is that hawt lookin or what?
Thank God for continental breakfasts.
They had amazing coffee that I don't think I could have lived without that weekend.
Echo was ready for the day.
Or to conquer Russia or something.
I think he could do anything in that hat.
We took some pictures and stuff then piled back into the vans and began the trip home.
I prayed that there wouldn't be hours of traffic jams and disgustingly unbearable heat this time.
Also, I really got to know Aaron better this weekend.
Him and Shannon have been together for a bit over a month now,
and when she told me that she met him and started falling in love...
I was shocked.
I've known this kid since grade school, and in high school we hung out with very different people.
It was so unexpected.
But I watched them together, me knowing Shannon almost as much as she knows herself.. and Aaron barely at all.. I was astounded.
As much it didn't make sense in the beginning, it made 100x more by the end of the trip.
I really believe that he is the one for her.
I can't wait to see where God takes these guys.
Anyways,
My prayers were answered.
The ride home was much nicer.
We stopped a few times,
and the kids felt the need to frolic about, which is always entertaining to me.
And if that wasn't enough,
we stopped for lunch at McDonalds a little while later,
which of course means playplace fun.
(They look really good together, don't you think?)
(Almost as good as Aaron and Ronald...)
Could they be cuter?
Aaron smiles like he means it..
There is a lot of love in this group..
Sisters :)
Grand theft botanical...
Jake picked uprooted a flower for his mom for mother's day..
And to help the trip go by faster,
we decided to quiz David on his girlfriend preferences..
It started out with questions like:
Athletic or artistic? Short hair or long hair?
And ended up with questions like:
Facial hair or no facial hair? Carnival worker or no carnival worker?
I peed my pants laughing.
And then, just to really bring the point home, Aaron.. (or Leigh Nash...?)
went on a date with David.
He really got into it, I think he was a little embarrassed though..
Too bad for Dave though, because Matt kinda moved in on his girl..
We then finally made it back to the teen center..
and helped unpack the vans and said goodbye..
It was mother's day,
so Donna Jo got to wear the hat...
Some of my favorite people.
As fun as the trip was, I think everyone was happy to be home.
So overall, this was one of the most memorable weekends of my life.
It was so much fun to hang out with these guys,
but most importantly, to hang out with God.
If you read this whole documentary, congratulations, it's really long.
I hope that you see how beautiful YOU are, and how much God loves you.
You don't have to go to some huge event with thousands of people to understand that.
It is invigorating, but God can change your life as you are sitting there at your computer.
If you haven't talked to him in a while, say hi.
If you've never met him, ask Him to make himself real in your life.
Pick up a bible or go to www.biblegateway.com and read His word.
He wants to know you!
xoxoxo,
Constance
"For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
--Romans 8: 38-39