Treasure hunt anyone?

Last night was an interesting evening. We had put out a call, sent out facebook event invites, made announcements and we weren't sure what was going to happen. There was a treasure hunt scheduled for the youth group that I help with and it was a toss up to see what was going to happen. A treasure hunt in this way, is probably not what first comes to your mind. We weren't going to send the teens on a search for an amazing prize of candy or gifts or a physical take home object. Nope. We were sending them to find people that they felt God had told them that they needed to pray for, and to do just that- pray for them.

We, the leaders didn't know what to expect for attendance. Honestly, I hoped 15 would come, I prayed for more, but I expected 10. But alas, God has better planning skills than I or the other leaders. We had 27!

This idea of a treasure hunt, was first introduced to me in N.Ireland. You take an intentional 5-10 minutes, and just ask God to reveal to you someone that needs to have prayer. For ways of identifying the person, you just pray over an location, an appearance, a name, the need for prayer, and an unusual item. It could be a single word, a partial thought, or anything. Then you go in search of God's treasure. It's risky. You look and feel like a fool. It's super uncomfortable. But it can do amazing things. You've got to go with the expectancy God is going to show up, and He will. He's already there waiting for you.

... So we gave the teens a sheet of paper and had them pray. Then we loaded them up in several vehicles, headed down to the mall and split up to treasure hunt. I know in my group, we approached 5 groups of people and were able to pray for 2 of them. It might seem like failure, but it wasn't. The others we didn't get to pray with them but still we could pray for them.

On my list I had swings, and diamonds. Tthe girl I was with had job change, sweatshirt, boots, and long brown hair. Off to the kids playground we went and she saw a couple who fit the description somewhat and so we approached them. Sure enough, the guy, was in a bad job and had just started looking for a new one. I think they were shocked we'd stopped them and that we were willing to pray but they accepted our offer. When we finished praying I realized that then entire time we had been standing in front of a jewelry store with diamonds in the title. This story isn't a cool as some others. But to those people it could be life changing.

Upon returning to the church with the teens, we asked what they thought of the experience and it was almost 100% that the wanted to do it again. There were some who felt they failed because they didn't find their person. One or two thought the whole thing was coincidence and not of God. But almost all are wanting to do it again.  I want to!

These teens I get to work with, continuously amaze me. They all put on this front of coolness. But when it comes down to it, they go after what they want. And right now we're seeing a tide of them really wanting to be apart of something bigger than themselves. They want to do something for God, and they are. It's incredible to watch.

So yeah, last night was a good night. :)

David Crowder Band - SMS [Shine]

I seriously love stop motion videos. The creativity in designing them and shooting them is awesome.There has to be so much patience to create them, but the output is usually worth it. David Crowder Band just released their new video for SMS (shine) and it may be my favorite stop motion video yet! I heard David Crowder on the radio this morning talking about this video. It took over 700,000 lite bright pieces/ 2,100 hours / 80 people and patience to create this video. Check it out!

Go.

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. - Henry David Thoreau

Minneapolis

In mid-September I traveled to Minneapolis, MN for my first ever business trip! It was a scary/exciting experience. But anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE to travel. This was the first time I've been to Minnesota, so I was super excited. Though the four days I was there were extremely busy, I found some time to explore and relish in the beauty that was this city. I tend to be drawn to water- so any time there is a river, lake or ocean nearby- I find it. This time the Mississippi River required a 2 mile walk from my hotel but it was worth it. Here are some pictures that I finally downloaded off my camera.

Loring Lake @Loring Park

Mississippi River

There were lots of swan and geese

This was the coolest fountain ever at Loring Park.
It looked like the flower you blow on to make a wish

Tears

I was driving home the other day. The day when I was super anxious and I heard this song on the radio. God has perfect timing.

Yes please.

I have, for as long as I can remember, wanted to live in an old loft. A space with exposed bricks and pipes. A space that doesn't look super polished and perfect. A space with character. 

And I love color! I love being eclectic! I love repurposing items.  So when I found some of these pictures again today, I became super excited and inspired. The images were found in the archives of Design*Sponge. One of my favorite blogs for inspiration.

 

 I'll take this as is- Thanks!

 

Love, Love, LOVE the color and the velvet!

 

These bookshelves are incredible and I love the loft feel.

What a day brings

I went to bed anxious last night. I woke up the same way. A heaviness and sadness was on me. But God has shown up in countless ways today to encourage me. Through various songs, through various people, through various scripture, and through various readings he has shown himself.

Just a few of them:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." – Phillipians 4:6-7 NIV

“Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” Phillipians 4:12 The Message

“You have no idea of where God is going to engineer your circumstances, no knowledge of what strain is going to be put on you either at home or abroad, and if you waste your time in over-active energies instead of getting into soak on the great fundamental truths of God's Redemption, you will snap when the strain comes; but if this time of soaking before God is being spent in getting rooted and grounded in God on the unpractical line, you will remain true to Him what ever happens.” Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, Oct 19

Now I’m about to go to bed again, and my source of anxiety hasn’t disappeared, but I don’t carry the anxiety. My God does, and I’m happy.