PEAK 2015 Youth Conference

PEAK youth conference has always been the highlight of the year for my youth group. Fundraising, planning and packing with anticipation for July to roll around. This year instead of riding up with my youth group or flying, I decided to drive to Tulsa, OK for the event. Best road trip yet! We left NC at 5 am Tuesday morning and 1,091 miles later arrived in Tulsa, OK at 11:25 pm. A 16 hour drive completed in 18 hours, with stops and a quick visit to our friends in Memphis included! Let me include: Arkansas is notorious for bugs (Poor Alice needs a car wash ASAP)

Wednesday  we did the only sensible thing that girls know how to do best when left to their own devices. Shop of course! The first service began Wednesday night at 7:30 and the excitement could be felt around the entire arena. Old friends greeting each other exuberantly and new friendships being delicately initiated. Homer Looper kicked off the first night with an awesome message about "A Great Inheritance Worth Fighting For".

Thursday morning consisted of  "Wilderness Babies" by Gary Robinson followed by a cohesive message of "That my Soul Knoweth Right Well" by Cody Marks. God is amazing in the way that these preachers all came together with their messages that just seemed to build upon one another. There were countless lives that were touched and many weary souls revived. Also, about 5,000+ people in the ORU Mabee Center. Can I just mention that the Burlington, NC youth were on the front and center rows every. single. service. Like it has been since 2009. They make me proud. :) There was a lock-in after service Thursday and sleep was nowhere to be found.

  

           

And finally Friday came around with a phenomenal message from Joel Booker "Lengthen & Strengthen". Did I mention my Bishop killed it with his singing? He did. But really, I am so blessed to have such an amazing example for a leader; I appreciate all he does and what he stands for steadfastly.

   

Friday evening we heard Nathaniel Urshan, current missionary to Roatan, Honduras pour his heart out with "The Other Side". There was an incredible atmosphere as everyone poured out their hearts to God and reached for more. Everyone was challenged to GO. 

"...Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away." 

A gentle awakening to keep striving, that this is not where it ends. You have so much more to do and achieve and time is of the essence. It's services like that, that remind you how privileged you are to be included in the greatest thing going on. To have an undeniable love source that reaches out to you time and time again, no matter your failures or shortcomings. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

I also got to see some beautiful friends that live afar off, fellow Hope Corps alumni, and met some interesting people from cities I've never heard of. Hey guys, can we just stay here forever?

            

Saturday, we headed back home. With a few detours of course. We visited our friends the May's in Memphis, TN (p.s. the home cooked meal was delicious) and visited with the Kennesaw, GA youth group while we were there.  Sunday we grabbed lunch at the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant and reluctantly decided it was probably time to go home. Maybe. 

            
                    

 Until next year friends!

xoxo,Dulcinea

Creating the Life You WANT to Live

It was December last year, while preparing for my morning commute to work, that this thought came into my mind. And it persisted.

 "Create the life you WANT to live"

As I was plotting my course from point A to point B and deciding on details for small affairs, I realized it's all up to me. I know that God has a plan and a course for my life and I want nothing more than to fulfill that; but when it comes to effort and working towards an end result, that is all up to me. It was enlightening as I considered this thought a little longer and dwelled upon it. Anything and everything I've wanted to become, I can! With God all things are possible, and that even applies to me. He can work in me and change me better than anyone else, even myself. It was comforting to realize that if there is anything in my life that is upsetting me, affecting me negatively, or hindering me, I have the power to change it. I can cut away ties that are holding me, I can let go of the heavy burdens that weigh me down, I can discipline myself to become a better me.

Somehow, in my delirious little brain, there is a notion that things will just fall into place. That everything will happen just the way it's supposed to as long as I do what I should. And that may be partially true, but how much more could I accomplish if I made a significant effort? I suppose I won't magically wake up one day in my 40's and be the accomplished lady I aim to be. I won't be a great cook someday if I've never set foot in the kitchen. I won't miraculously find my hidden musical talent on the first attempt at the piano. It won't happen overnight. All of my goals, dreams, and ambitions need to be worked on. With Gods hand in the mix I have no fear of failure.

Every little accomplishment you've wanted to have under your belt, you can do it! Throw a new recipe into the oven. Start your sewing project. Get out your oil paints and have a mini-Da-Vinci-moment. Download that language app and get to work on your french, Swahili, and Portuguese. Run an extra mile. Wake up an hour earlier than usual. Work hard. It's odd just how satisfying a hard day of work is. You could be lounging about and wasting time on the internet, social media, and games, but when you have a to-do list and you actually get all or most of them done, it is indeed a satisfying day.

Decide that TODAY is the only day you can really take hold of and use it to the best of your ability. Spread kindness and love wherever you go; something so lacking in today's world, will let your light shine blindingly true. Be the light in your city and be the love of Jesus someone sees today. 

xoxo,
Dulcinea