It's funny how you think you understand a concept of something, and then God does something that shows you maybe you don't have a clue. It's neat, too, when you can see what it is God might be doing behind the scenes in your life and in your heart .

Today, the youth who are going on the missions trip to Guatemala had our second yard sale to raise money for the trip. This past week has been absolutely hectic trying to get ready. After our first yard sale, we had a lot of stuff left over, but not enough to have another sale with just that--we needed more stuff. So, in an attempt to gather enough donations, Rachel called through the entire church directory asking for donations of their old junk, and word spread fast. There were plenty of people calling Rachel back asking us to pick their stuff up, and even more were bypassing us completely and taking their stuff straight to Ms. Mary's house where we had the sale. This was all within the past week and a half or so, though. Before then, it looked as though we wouldn't have enough stuff, and that the second sale would be a flop. I spent tons of time praying about this, asking that God would bless our efforts, and that he would provide us with the stuff to sell and the people to buy, and I knew God was going to give us far more than the $900 from last time. Because of this, I was not concerned very much with the looks of things leading into the sale. I trusted that God would follow through, and simply continued to do my best to get things ready.

I am no amature at holding yard sales. My mom has been doing them my entire life, so I've picked up quite a few things from her. However, our sale today was hands down one of the most interesting ones I have ever experienced. From the time we started setting up, we were swamped with people! By about 9:00 AM, we had witnessed a screaming (apparently dissatisfied) customer and a woman peeing behind a truck in Ms. Mary's yard, but we had made $550! Later in the afternoon, we were all witnesses of a hit and run, but no one was hurt. Two people left our sale and backed into a parked pickup across the street, then took off. The owner of the truck didn't even know! We called the sherriff's office for him and reported it, because although we didn't get a plate number, we had a description of the vehicle and the people. Whether or not they eventually get caught doesn't matter. As long as the guy's insurance covers the damage.

In all, our final amount was $1443.04!! Praise God! That is so exciting! I told my friend that while I am completely amazed by what God has done for us, I'm not shocked at all because like I said before, I KNEW without a doubt that God would bless us far beyond what we raised the last time.

Ahh, it's great. I love I have God to live for.

The [Real] Beautiful Collision

The heart breaking makes a sound
I never knew could be
So beautiful and loud
Fury filled and we collide

So courageous until now
Fumbling and scared
So afraid You'll find me out
Alone here with my doubt

Here it comes, a beautiful collision
Is happening now.
There seems no end to
where You begin and there I am now
You and I collide

Something circling inside,
Spaciously you flyInfinite and wide,
Like the moon and sky
Collide

Here it comes, a beautiful collision
Is happening now.
There seems no end to where you begin and there I am now
You and I, collide
Yeah Yeah Yeah

Here it comes, Here it comes, Here it comes now
Feel it coming on, Feel it coming on now, Here it comes now

[David Crowder Band]

First Ever Prayer Service

This past Friday night the youth met at the church for a prayer service. It was the first time we had ever done anything like that, and I'll tell you what--It was GREAT. I was really excited to go, because I wanted to see what it would be like. I expected for it to be group prayer, but instead we all separated around the sanctuary and prayed by ourselves. David had PowerPoint slides that would change every now and then, structuring our prayer time and telling us what to pray for and how long. It was very interesting, because for one, I cannot say that I have prayed for an hour straight before. Two, having that set amount of time to pray for a certain thing really challenged me. Normally when I pray, I find myself saying the same things over and over again, and therefore just ending quickly. But this time, I was challenged to draw it out, and find new, creative ways to tell God what he means to me. It was definitely an awesome experience for me, and I can't wait to do it again. Although, by saying that I do not wish to imply that that's the only time I'm going to pray that way. I learned that I need to (and want to) work at my personal prayer life, and that I can do all of that in my bedroom--it doesn't have to be in a sanctuary with other people to focus on intense prayer...

Today, David preached for all three services at church, and I think it was a really good sermon. He was talking about the importance of a good foundation, and how in life, that means basing everything on Jesus. He also talked about the difference between good, spiritual people, and GODLY people. I somehow managed to leave my bible at home, so I couldn't take notes, but I managed to remember a few things. There was one thing he said towards the end of his sermon, though, that had my name written all over it, but now I can't remember what that was for the life of me!

Well, I haven't had much sleep since Friday night, so I'm out for the night.

Until later,
Courtney

What God Did

We're covering the topic of evolution in my AP Biology class right now, and it got me thinking about what I believe. I know without a doubt that I believe what the Bible says about creation--we were created by God, for God. The thing is, I don't know enough about evolution and the like to determine whether I think its fully false or not. I'm sure that there's a chance that parts of the theory fit in with Creationism, I just don't know what/where...

Anyways, today Mr. Toms said something that caught my attention. He said something along the lines of there being 63 common amino acids among all organisms, and that it is this commonality that helps to point toward the evolution of all organisms from one, common source.

This got me thinking. Yes, perhaps this is true and that is the case. But, maybe it's something else. Maybe it is not a common SOURCE (as in 'organism') that explains this, but a common CREATOR. Just as artists have their own signature style and technique, God has signed his work with amazing simplicities, such as common amino acids or symbols of the cross in outer space.


^ The Whirlpool Galaxy ^

I'll Take The Heartful Of Dreams With A Side Of Passion, Please.

No money.
Sunrises.
Little children.
Backpacks.
Prayer.
South America.
Hospitality.
Photography.
Cool winds.
This is what I want.

Not knowing.
Faith.
Fear.
Fearless.
Europe.
New people.
Learning.
Culture.
Hard work.
This is what I want.

Language.
Love.
Helping.
Healing.
Rainforest.
Gondolas.
Trust.
Feeling.
Planting.
This is what I want.

The Unknown.
Blessed are.
No place here.
Boundary-less.
Waiting.
Seeing.
Depth.
Living.
Reaping.
This is what I want.

Wisdom.
Truth.
Imperfection.
Obsession.
Foundation.
The uncertain.
Africa.
Prov31.
Eternity.
This is what I want.

But, what does God have planned for me?

Mr. Huge! Teacher of the Year!