10 Days

10 Days to graduation.

Today: I worked my last chapel. I attended my last Repetoire (praise the Lord!).
Tonight was supposed to be my last night with my church. My last time leading worship with the youth. My goodbye night. Due to terrible weather conditions, church was cancelled. I'm so bummed about this.

I have been in the praise band since my Sophomore year. And my Junior year I became the praise band leader. We've been through some rough times, keeping the band going hasn't always been easy. I'm not going to lie, there were times I wanted to quit. One night I actually went to church with the intention of quitting because of my busy schedule. But PowerHouse has been my haven the past three years. I go in discouraged and tired, stressed and overwhelmed; I leave refreshed.

God has really blessed me through this ministry. Working with this group is how I discovered my love for teaching musicians how to work together. I was learning right along side of them, but I loved stepping back, listening and then helping the band work its way into a better sound. So basically, because of what I learned about myself through working with this band, I came to realize what I want to do with my life and decided to go to seminary. The Lord taught me a lot by working with them

Preston playing ping-pong in the youth suite.

Preston is probably one of my favorite guys in the youth group. He has such a heart for the Lord and people. He's the bands beat boxer. Yes, that's right. We lost our drummer a few months ago and Preston stepped right in, beat boxing for us. It sounds awesome. I love it because we have a unique band, he loves it because he always wanted to be in the band but thought he couldn't. God can use anyone's talents!

Danielle and I at Nerf War this past summer. We beasted it!

Danielle is our guitar player and singer. She is budding musician. she writes songs as well. God is going to really use her one day. When I look at Danielle, I'm reminded of myself at her age. She has such a love for music, it's great. I have really enjoyed working with her and being a part of her growing as a musician.

Hannah, Madeline and Me at Winter Xtreme 10-11

These two girls I've grown close to the past 10 months. Hannah and Madeline are 2 of our 7th graders. When we have an activity, they are there for sure. Its great to have kids you know you can depend on to be involved. Yes, they are typical 7th graders, they have a lot of growing up to do. But I love them. I'm going to miss not watching them grow up through their teen years. I hope to come back one day to see great women of God.

My girls who had the ghetto room with me at Winter Xtreme 10-11. Crazy times!

Yee Won!! At Winter Xtreme 10-11

Yee Won is a so great! She is funny, loveable, encouraging and such a Godly girl! She sings with us in the praiseband. I respect her so much. I can't wait to see how many ways God will use her in her life. I'm going to miss her encouraging spirit and optimistic attitude. She always lifts my spirits when I need it.

The girls at Ignite 2010. This is right before we went on our TPing adventure!

Not pictured is my dear friend, Courtney. She was the first person to befriend me from the youth group. It's been great to have her as a friend the past 2 1/2 years. This summer when I stayed in Dayton, it was great to have a friend that I could just call and meet at Ayalas, or invite over to just chill at my house.

Jason and Kammy at Winter Xtreme 10-11. Our fearless leaders!

Jason and Kammy came to our youth group January 2010. It's been awesome to get to know them the past year and a half. Jason is a great youth pastor and perfect for our changing youth group. We've undergone a lot of craziness in the past, and Jason is helping to bring the whole youth group back in focus.

Kammy has become one of my dearest friends. We try to go out for coffee or lunch once a week to just catch up and get away from life. She's a full-time mom of three and I really respect her for how well she handles her kids and being a youth pastors wife. I thank the Lord that he sent her into my life to have a godly friend and example to follow.

And now... Farewell! It is going to be hard to adjust to not being a part of this awesome group. I've cherished having such strong connections with people off the hill. I'll miss you all!

School left:

2 lessons for my online class

1 class (yep, not going to Lit)

A 10 page paper

2 Finals