PLAYING WITH PICTURES

Wow! Until now, I didn't realize that posting pics on my blog was so easy. I'm going to have to start doing this more!

I was feeling a little nostalgic today, realizing that Mikella is almost one-year-old already. She was born on Christmas Eve. Here is a pic of Mikella, Bella, and myself on January 1st at Mom and Dad's house.

SIX AWE-FILLED DAYS

I just came back from six very powerfully exciting days on the road. First, on November 4th through the 6th, a busload of us went to the Advance Youth Convention in Pierre, SD, an AOG-sponsored district event that we have been a part of for the last couple of years. This year was a little different, though, as me and a few of the guys from the Destiny worship team had the opportunity to lead the worship services. It was a total blast from start to finish. The sound man was the best we have ever worked with, and the stage -- with smoke, lasers, lights, and four large-projector screens surrounding -- was like a rock star’s dream.

That wasn’t the only cool thing. Our students were experiencing God in very powerful and real ways. One student, in particular, experienced physical manifestations of God’s presence -- reportedly having “hot hands” while he was praying for someone and then seeing some pretty awe-inspiring visions later on in the evening. Twice, I came into my room late at night after all of my responsibilities were done for the day and found the guys in my room reading the Bible, journaling, and praying. How cool is that? There were several other cool stories that I heard from students and it is always awesome to watch and be a part of the ministry times.

As far as the worship times go, it was such an easy and “ready” atmosphere. Many times I felt more like I was part of the worship crowd than a worship leader (which is probably the way it should be anyhow). There really is no way to describe the atmosphere of those three nights without just being there. All I can say is that it was incredible and it was an immense joy to have experienced it.

The group of us came back on Sunday evening, where I left the PM worship service at Destiny early so that I could pack for my Monday morning departure to Oakland, CA. This was hard to do, leaving my family behind for another three day venture, but I knew in my heart that God had plans for this journey, too.

As soon as I arrived I was made to feel welcome by several new-made friends. Tim, Jeremy, and Danny all blessed me with a very memorable first time experience at the famous In’N’Out Burger joint. Several of them pooled some money together and bought me my very own In’N’Out T-shirt. Not to mention, when the In’N’Out employees found out it was my first time, I was given an official In’N’Out baker’s hat and a handful of In’N’Out stickers. To say the least, it was very good food; I’m a new fan of the franchise.

The meetings with the national leadership team were all overwhelming for me. Overwhelming mostly because I couldn’t believe that I was there! Here I was sitting in a room with the nation’s leaders in the field that I am working in and I have no idea how I got there. A word was given shortly upon our arrival about that same “fear” or “feeling”, if you will. God said that there were some at the meeting who couldn’t figure out why they were here. To them His words were “I have prepared a place for you at the table; this was meant for you.” Those words blessed me beyond measure.

Ron Pinkston, the pastor of East Bay Fellowship, James Craft, the national Foursquare youth director, and Larry Spousta, were the three main speakers at the meetings. They facilitated discussion about the national youth ministry movement and helped steer us towards new direction and renewed vision.

They also rolled out the red carpet for us. The meetings took place at East Bay Fellowship’s brand new, 5-million-dollar youth facility, featuring a game room, café, and large, media-rich service room. All of the meals were home cooked except for the last, when they drove us all to San Francisco’s pier for a fantastic meal at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., fashioned after the infamous character from Forrest Gump. The food was great and so was the atmosphere. The youth and Foursquare leaders that I met over those two days will long be fondly remembered and I hope to keep them as long-time friends and ministry peers.

The next morning, Wednesday the 9th, I got up at 3:00 am and caught a taxi with Aaron, Jon, and Charles, some other new ministry friends. I made it home at around 3:00 pm, took a two-hour nap, woke-up, showered, and made it to youth group for a wonderful time with lots of people that I love.

SINGING

SHAWN @ ADVANCE YOUTH CONVENTION