GoG 71: The Thousands in Worship

Last Saturday, I was with my youth at Acquire the Fire ... like I mentioned in my last post.

There is nothing like worshiping with thousands of believers. While we were at the event, I heard the number "6,000" thrown around. That's a lot of people!!! And we worshiped God together. It is amazing. At one point during that day, the worship band, Unhindered, led us in "How Great Thou Art." It was the best worship all weekend! I was lifting my hands and really worshiping for the first time in a while ... I'm sad to say. And it was perfect to hear everyone singing together ... singing to the God of the Universe TOGETHER.

It was my glimpse of grace for the day. :)

GoG 70: The "Kaycee is an Amazing Girl"

Will I ever be faithful to this thing called blogging????

Ha! If you think about it, to blog every single day is a lofty goal. I sure know how to set 'em, don't I? Ha ha! Well ... since I don't live to blog, these don't come every single day ... but weekly/biweekly isn't bad, right? Ha! Riiigghhtt ....

Anyways ...

Last Friday night, a couple of great adults from my church and I took the SoZo-ers to Acquire the Fire - a weekend event of encountering God. ... Everyone arrived in more than plenty of time to get to the event on time. But (the first of the "buts") we ended up driving back to one of kids' houses to put an extra seat in her van so that we could all right in one vehicle. But #2 - Someone forgot something at the church, so we had to stop back by there before we could head to Ball State University for the event. But #3 - There was a crash on I-69, so we had to take a longer route to get there. But #4 - There was traffic because Mical didn't think about rush hour ... and more traffic because of the crash. But #5 - It was really rainy and hard to see signs and buildings once we got to Ball State. But #6 - The directions didn't lead us to the building we were looking for, so we searched in the dark, rainy night for "Worthern Arena" ... 45 minutes of searching, which put us 30 minutes late to the event. Whew! It was an excursion to get to this place!

And in the midst of it all, I was "freaking out" a little, as I often do when things don't go as I expect them to. I made a comment like, "By the time we get there, the event will be over." To this, one of my amazing youth group girls responds with ... "Awe. Have a little faith, Mical." To which I shut up right quick! Ha! I was humbled - incredibly - by one of my youngest SoZo-ers.

Kaycee is an amazing girl. She has actually taught me a lot in the time that I've known her. I met her a few years back when she was a little 3rd grader. She was in my VBS class that summer. Now, Kaycee is in a wheelchair ... her legs don't work. She was simply born that way. And I share that fact for no other reason than to praise her all the more! Kaycee is an amazing girl, like I've already said. .... I remember being terrified when she came to my VBS class that summer. This is probably petty of me ... but I'm just being honest here ... I thought to myself, "Oh no. What do I do? This girl is in a wheelchair?!" I was nervous, wondering if she'd get to do the same activities the other kids were going to do, if she could keep up, if she would be "weird," etc., etc. Stupid, ridiculous, judgmental thoughts, I know!!!! But I was sooo blessed by her ... and so humbled because SHE BLEW ALL THE OTHER KIDS AWAY!!! Kaycee is an amazing girl (time #3)! You would NEVER know that her legs don't work! She is one of the most positive, strong (physically and emotionally!), and uplifting people I know! I am blown away by her because she is so awesome!!!! She really blows by people. .... She wheeled her wheelchair faster than any of those kids during the games at VBS. She got excited and participated better and more enthusiastically than any of those kids who could use both of their legs that summer at VBS! She was more positive, more friendly, more fun than those other kids at VBS that year. ... Kaycee is an amazing girl.

I say all of that about Kaycee to say that she humbled me last Friday night when I had no faith that the night was gonna be more than alright. And she humbles me nearly every time I see her. And she was my glimpse of grace last Friday. God's grace: Kaycee really is an amazing girl.

GoG 69: The Child's Prayer (Part 2)

Well ... I'm sort of on time with this. It's 12:15am, so I'm a little late .... but at least I only have one to write instead of 12, 18, or 227.

I think I had several glimpses of grace today ...

- The weather was warmer ... rainy but warmer (warmer than 25 degrees ... so that's good) ... I also kind of like chilly (50 degrees) and rainy ... it would get old after a while (like, I think I'll be tired of it by the end of the weekend) ... but I was good with it today. :)

- I talked with a middle-eastern girl about her upcoming marriage today in the writing center. We actually collaborated in writing a play about her proposal experience. We laughed and worked well together - good session.

- I got to go to after school ... and I was so blessed even though I didn't feel like going beforehand.

- I listened to a really cool lady, who happens to be a youth pastor, named Jeanne Mayo ... and her talk about "Surviving the Pressures and Demands of Youth Ministry" was a huge blessing. Reminded me to keep an ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE. ALWAYS a good reminder!

- I snuggled with my blanket, some popcorn, some sweet tea, and Sister Act 2 tonight .... and teared up and got all excited when the folks in the movie started singing and dancing and winning the all-state music competition!

- I got to spend time with some of my SoZo kids .... sr. high Bible study was tonight ... always good to see my kids.

... I think I could keep going. But one GoG that stands out is little Hannah praying at after school. There's just something about a child praying. I've posted about her prayers before. But I found myself, during her prayer, grinning really big and joy welling up inside me. It was for different reasons this time ... mostly just that she is so young and yet she grasps the things of God. A child's prayer really is an amazing thing if we just stop and take the time to listen and take it all in. Praise you, Lord, for grabbing some of us when we are so incredibly young. Thank you for saving some of us at such a young age. It is only by your grace that little children can know you truly and wholly.

MOH Speech :)

Last month ... February 13, to be exact, I had the incredible privilege of being the Maid of Honor to my best friend in the entire world. Yes, believe it or not, Emily Nicole Karas (MacDonald) asked ME to be her right-hand lady! The most amazing woman in the world asked ME!!!!

I thought I'd post my Maid of Honor speech here ..... :)

For those of you who know me well, you know that I am long-winded and emotional when I talk in front of people. …. I want to say I will be neither of those things today, but I’m pretty sure I would be lying. So hang in there with me for the next few minutes … this is my best friend we’re talking about here.

And gosh …. where do you start with your best friend? ….. I’ve decided to start with a Bible verse. 1 Samuel chapter 18 talks about a friendship … probably the most distinct and intimate and cherished friendship in the whole Bible – the friendship of Jonathan and David. 1 Samuel chapter 18 verse 1 says, “Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved David as himself.” When I found this verse a couple years ago, I sent it to Emily, and we both agreed that it describes our friendship perfectly. It’s our BBF verse.

So … to say all of that … I not only have the privilege of carrying the title “Maid of Honor” … I have the privilege of being the BBF of Emily Nicole Karas … err, I’m sorry Emily Nicole MacDonald. BBF stands for Bosom Buddy Forever. Yes, we are that cheesy. The word “bosom” is special to Emily and me because its definition couldn’t be more spot on. The word “bosom” means “to embrace with or as with the arms; held close; intimate; cherished; dear; as a bosom friend.” Emily and I embrace at least twice every time we see each other … a hello hug and a goodbye hug. We are the most intimate of friends, sharing our heart’s deepest longings and struggles, praying for one another, and loving each other in a way I didn’t know was possible in an earthly friendship. And these examples are just a few reasons why we are bosom friends.

EmilyWem and King Barry, I am so excited for y’all. I’m not sure there is a more beautiful couple. Barry, you are one of the most upstanding, God-fearing men I have ever met. You are amazing, and I’m so excited that you belong to Emily. And Emily, you are incredible. You are my love, my other half, my #1 role-model, my bosom friend. I am so excited for the new callings God is placing on your life! ….. But I’ve told you before … I think my heart is breaking. I know you’re not dying, as you’ve told me so many times before. I know you’re not moving to Guam or some crazy, faraway place … you’re moving 5 hours away. But 5 hours is not 12 minutes to 272 Lincoln Hills. Em, until I find that future husband of mine, you have my heart. Everything feels better when you’re with me. …. When you’re simply standing in the same room with me, life is better. What am I gonna do without you? …. Oh, there’s no doubt … I will be driving 5 hours some days just so that we can make a Taco Bell run … and then head over to McDonald’s to get some BBF sweet tea. There’s no doubt that we’ll text and call … well, we may not call because we’re both afraid of phones … but Facebook … that internet do-dad will be our constant friend. And we’ll write “love notes” … as Jason likes to call them … on each other’s pages. We’ll take road trips to see each other. We’ll live and laugh and love together still … and apart from each other. BBFness doesn’t die with distance. But oh, how I’ll miss you, love.

There’s really no good way to end these kinds of sappy speeches, but I’ve carried on long enough. So … Emily MacDonald, I love you more than you will ever know. And I will end by saying just that …. I love you. And Barry and Emily, congratulations … I love you too, King Barry. Cheers!

GoG 68: The ATF Trip

I spent a good chunk of the day today getting ready for our SoZo trip to Muncie for Acquire the Fire. Acquire the Fire (ATF) is a Friday night/Saturday event devoted to worship and getting into God's word for teenagers! I went when I was a freshman in high school ... haven't been back since ... but it was tons of fun and really pointed me back to Christ.

Since Pastor Mike and Shelley left over 2 years ago now, SoZo hasn't done any real trips. Sure, we went to King's Island a couple of times ... but nothing really great - nothing life-changing. This year, we are going to Acquire the Fire and Nashville, TN for a mission trip. I'm pretty stoked about it!

This weekend's trip should be great! And prepping for it today helped me remember what a privilege it is to go on trips like this, how fun they are, and how much I've missed them. And by God's grace, we are going again! Praise the Lord!

GoG 67: The 60 Degrees!

Yesterday, it was 60 degrees outside!

60 degrees!!!!!!

God's grace? I think so.

'Nough said. :)

GoG 66: The Possibilities

My job at the writing center is gonna end at the end of next month .... and I don't know what second part-time (or even full-time job outside of youth group) I'm gonna find. I don't wanna sit behind a desk all day or grade SAT tests or something lame like that. I want to work with kids and youth! At the least - interact with people on a fairly intimate level ... no "how are you's?" and "how can I help you's" over the phone. Blah. Give me some people, yo!!!! :D

Several weeks ago, I found a summer camp at Ben Davis Christian Church. It's a Monday through Friday gig .... and I'd get to hang out with kids all day everyday! And be outside too! Sounds amazing, I know! ..... Well, Monday I found another summer camp job at the Avon park. I am applying for both!!!!! We'll see if I get accepted to one. But oh, the possibilities! And those possibilities are my grace for last Monday. God gives us things to hope for. God gives us opportunities to look forward to. God fulfills our dreams and desires and hopes!!!! Now, that's grace!

GoG 65: The Shelley Phone Call

Sunday night after youth group I called Shelley in Poplar Bluff. I called to get t-shirt sizes for the family ... but all in all, we had a great conversation.

We talked about ...

- Youth ministry

- Guys

- Singleness

- Difficult times in youth ministry

- Icees (ya know, the slushy kind of drinks)

- Good times in ministry

- Being CALLED to ministry

- Our youth

Good stuff.

And it was so good to hear her voice ... even better that I get to see her 2 weeks from Friday!!!

GoG 64: The 23rd Birthday :)

Last Saturday was my birthday ... March 6, 2010 made for my 23rd birthday.

My birthday, by itself, is God's grace in action because I made it to another birthday.

But also .... it was a good day.

- Lunch with Hannah and Los Rancheros (our favorite spot)

- Travel plans were attempted (Hannah and I want to travel the U.S.)

- Sweet tea was drunk (oh, my favorite!)

- Games were played

- Friends were fellowshipped

- "Happy birthdays" were given

Good times were had by all. :)

GoG 63: The Writing Center That Changed My Life!

Last Friday, after I got done working in the writing center, I stayed after an unusually long time. Yes, my last session went longer than it was supposed to ... but I got to talkin' with some really cool ladies I work with. Tere, the director of the writing center ... and Lynn, one of our faculty tutors. Both of them are awesome professors at IUPUI and amazing tutors in our stinkin' awesome writing center. They have both been a great encouragement to me over the past three years. They both believed in me from the start, when I was sooooo nervous I didn't think I could withstand the training seminar class, much less be a tutor .... and they have constantly encouraged me since then.

We got to talking about all kinds of things ... but in the middle of our conversation ... Tere turns around from the computer she was facing and blurts out, "Mical, you have grown so much ... I was listening to little snipets of your sessions this afternoon, and you have come so far ... you are so confident." And Lynn chimed in with, "I agree. You are so much more confident." .... And I was so blessed to hear those compliments because the writing center really has changed my life. My work in the writing center has had one of the most profound influences on my life out of anything I've ever done. Seriously. I have grown in confidence as a writer, as a READER .... but most importantly, as a person!!!! I have learned skills that will help me all throughout life. I have grown up and come out of my shell quite a bit. I have really grown ... as an individual. And working in the writing center has been such a gift in my life. So it was great to hear such compliments and reminders! God's grace! That He allows us to grow and prosper!

GoG 62: The Little Brother

Last Thursday, my brother came home to get my dad's car. He was driving down to Florida with some of his buddies the next day. So I got to see him for a whole 3 hours before he left. Wahoo. Ha! .... Well, I took what I could get.

I bought him some things to take on the trip (since it was our birthday on Saturday and all ... yes, we share the same birthday ... and he's two years younger than I am ... weird, I know ... but fun).

- A beach towel taller than he is

- A travel pillow (to which he texted me Saturday morning telling me "This pillow is money" ... in Wes language, that means he really likes it!) Yay!

- A frisbee

- And mixed nuts ... yeah, he's a health nut, so I thought it fit him well. ;)

He was pretty excited.

And I fixed him breakfast the next morning before he left for the trip ... to which he said ... "Thanks, Mike!"

We also laughed together quite a bit ... we do that when he comes home. :)

A night with the little brother. I have a little brother. Thank you, God. Oh, your grace is so sweet!

GoG 61: The Scribbly Lines

Last week, I helped little Hannah with her homework while we were after school. It was one of the most perfect homework help sessions yet. .... She's a fairly distracted little 7-year-old. What 7-year-old isn't? ;) .... She was working on writing some sentences about "The Impatient Turtle" ... and I was a little distracted myself, seeing as she didn't need too much help with her sentences ... so I started coloring a picture. She had a hard time focusing on her turtle sentences ... so we ended up coloring a little together. We took a break from time to time so that I could try to steer her towards her sentences again.

At one point, she showed me how to draw a pictures by scribbling lines. And here's what we came up with - together. :)

And this picture, by itself, is God's grace in action in my life because it is tangible proof that I am living out my calling to love on kids. :) What a gift!