"For everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven....a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance....He has made everything beautiful in its time." Ecclesiastes 3: 1,4,11
August 2-7 I spent in Detroit for National Fine Arts with Emily, Erica, Rikki, Casey, Eden, Lydia, Jess, Miss Connie, Mrs. Marshall and Pastor Katie. (whew! Hope I didn't forget anyone! That's a lot of people...hrm...didn't seem like it when we were together...) The week itself was amazing, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. i learned so much through that week and God met me in amazing ways!
Having just lost my Nana as she passed away on Saturday afternoon, I questioned if I could even take the trip. By Sunday t was debating on whether or not I SHOULD go. I really felt that I needed to be with my family and also that I should be helping with arrangements. All in all I needed time. But after praying about it, I felt a peace to go. As much as I wanted to stay, I decided to go for three main reasons.
3) I didn't want to let my team down.
2) One of my last conversations i had with Nana was after she watched my dance, and she was so proud that i was going to Detroit for it! She would have wanted me to go. So I decided to go and give God my best in honor of Nana.
1) Ultimately God brought me there for a purpose. And even looking back on the week, I'm not sure that I even see that purpose in it's entirety. God maybe will reveal it to me in the future. But a few things I learned there were definitely reasons God brought me there.
~I have the most amazing friends and church family EVER! No comparison! They can't be beat!
~ There is a time for everything.
~When life is crumbling around you, you got to keep living.
~God orchestrates everything most beautifully! Even if you don't think so at the time, looking back, and seeing how God was in the situation is the most amazing thing!
"He makes everything beautiful in its time..." Ecclesiastes 3:11
A breakdown of the week looks something like this:
Monday, August 2
We drove up to Detroit and had first service. PressPlay led worship followed by an inspiriting message from Robert Madu! This guy was amazing!!! he spoke on Spiritual gifts and using them as well as how to find what your spiritual gifts are. He went even deeper to the dirt of it all! (literally!) His theme being "Jesus <3 my dirt!"
Quote of the night I think had to be "The next time you start thinking that you're all that and a can of pringles...remind yourself...YOU'RE DIRT!"
There was so much more to His message! It was so awesome!
Tuesday, August 3
For the first time, we had ALL events (minus the large vocal ensemble) in one day! It rocked! So we spent the day at the COBO center running from one event to another! I loved seeing everyone using their gifts! I never cease to be blown away by how great they are!
Rikki's short sermon was a knock-out! This girl was born to preach! i see her teaching to thousands! She was just amazing! (And she got SUPERIOR for her short sermon!)
Emily's sermon rocked! She was amazing! I've heard her sermon many times, but it never hit me so hard as this time! Especially on her points with seizing our divine moments and having a willing spirit! (She received excellent on her sermon!)
Em and Jess's duet I missed the first time, but I know they were awesome because 1) They always are and 2) They got a call back and are in the top 16 in the nation!!!! I did get to see their call back, and the anointing of God was just so clear over them! (They also had Superior)
My Worship Dance Solo to "East to West" was...interesting. Really It just felt so great to dance again and share my gift. Just making it there was amazing enough! I'm so blessed to have been there!
Send Judah First - was the most fun I had in my events all week! We weren't perfect, and we had a few mishaps (whoops) but I think that's where we all really got it together...we had fun and were worshiping in dance. I'm so blessed we had the opportunity to dance there! It was amazing! (LOVE YOU GIRLS!) We got Excellent in Worship dance troupe! :)
Emily's Solo brought half of us to tears! her voice is amazing! I loved the song and the message in it! And even more listening to her sing and watching how she connected with the song. This girl got a gift, and she knows how to use it! Emily received a "Superior" ranking in this category.
Jess's solo was awesome! That song is still going through my head! It was pure worship and just...wow! She blows me away every time! I love listening to her sing and play guitar and just watching her worship! She got "excellent" with her solo!
Tuesday night we had a rockin' speaker! She was really good! Julie gave her testimony and taught quite a bit! Loved her! PressPlay led worship again and just all in all - awesome service!
Wednesday, August 4
Hearts Ablaze sang "Still My God". Wow! you should have heard! it was perfection! I love listening to them! They got "excellent!"
After, we took the monorail to Greektown and ate dinner there before heading back to the Joe Louis Arena for The After's Concert! I LOVED them! (but of course before that we had to put up with the trauma of Troma...that was musical torture!) Oh but we also had Michael Jr. That night too! Loved him!
Thursday, August 5
Jess and Em's call back rocked! After, we went back to Greektown for some Mexican!!! And then we went to the GM building to see out the glass elevators to see the city...but that didn't happen...so we just rode th elevator to the 70th floor for the fun of it! :D Waiting for the monorail and in the COBO lobby we were all jamming. Skipped Troma and service and went back to the hotel where the girls were jammin' with the Sherman Mtn Boys! They were awesome! They won nationals last year, and won in 2 categories this year! That's amazing!
Friday, August 6
We had the whole day to chill! Most of it was spent poolside with the Sherman Mountain Boys! Then pizza before the Fine Arts Celebration service! And back to the hotel to jam some more. All in all, amazing week with the girls! (and guys)
Saturday, August 7
Sad to leave Detroit. mostly because this was it! Final year of Fine Arts for me! But it was amazing all the same! In spite of my circumstances, I had a blast with my friends and they really helped me through a lot.
The last four years in Fine Arts have been an amazing time for me and a time of growing. I'm so blessed to have been part of this and involved with my most amazing friends!
This week i also saw something I didn't see as clearly before I guess because I didn't look. But what I saw was how much Miss Connie, Pastor Katie and Mrs. Marshall just pour into us all. And it really got me thinking watching that. All the time and effort that they put into us...just...wow....There is no doubt how much they care and the love of God just comes through! Seeing that really hit me. So, thank you for all the time and effort that you pour into us all. It's not wasted and you are all such a blessing! Praying for you all as you continue to minister!
As for you girls, it's been awesome! I'm really going to miss you! but you've made these last few years just awesome! I love you all! keep using your gifts for the Lord. it brings me such joy to watch you use them for His glory. You all hold a special place in my heart, and I can't wait to see where God will take you in the future. Love you so much! Thanks for all the memories! I will never forget any of this! You have all been awesome!!
To Emily - Keep it up with that voice! Song or sermon, your heart is seen so clearly in it all! you got power girl! I can't wait to see how God will use you!
To Rikki - You have such an anointing on you for speaking! And you really rock it! I know God is going to use you in awesome ways to further His Kingdom! Rock on girl!
To Erica H - Keep dreaming, cause your dreams will take you somewhere. God has gifted you in so many ways! I love watching you use those gifts! God will do great things with you! never stop runnning! He has the best plans!
To Jess - I've been so blessed by your song and musical gifts as well as your dance and your heart. i love your passion and joy! Keep on moving in the Lord and using your gifts. I know it will lift many eyes to heaven and many hearts to Jesus!
To Eden - I don't know what to say, but....KABOOM!! (of course you're the only one that will get that....) You never cease to surprise me! You're always unpredictable! I love the quiet strength that you have about you, and I love it when you sing! You got a voice! (When you have a voice that is....lol) Don't ever think otherwise! I know that God has gifted you in amazing ways! And you're awesome with communication! Keep pressing on! I'm so proud of who you are and who you are becoming!
To Casey - Wow, where has the time gone? I love your ability to make everyone laugh! All around you're great to be with, and I love your heart and seeing how you care for people. God has awesome plans to use you, and I know he has very special gifts placed in you. (more than just the gift of looking good! :D ) Keep going after Him! :)
To Lydia - It seems you've gotten so old! I can't wait to see how God uses you! You write amazing songs and have an awesome voice! And are so musically gifted! Never give up on your music and keep serving God with these awesome gifts He has given you! You rock!
To Miss Connie - Thanks for the last four years! They have been amazing! And thank you for willingly and whole heartedly pouring into us! I hope we make you proud and I pray that God blesses you in all that you do! You've been awesome!
To Pastor Katie - Thank you for all the time and effort that you have invested into us all. I can promise that your investment is not in vain, but will produce much fruit. You're awesome! Praying for you as you continue in God's perfect will! Love ya!
To Mrs. Marshall - Thank you for the support over the years and for all you do and the ways that your pour into u. Praying that God continues to bless you in all that you do!
I love you all!
Thanks for making the last few years so awesome! Prayers and Blessings to you! <3 You're the greatest!
