Random Joys

Meet Mia!

2010-06-03T06:56:00.000-07:00

Well I am happy to say that we have a new member in our family! Michael and I are proud parents of little Mia. She's a Shiba inu, a Japanese hunting dog that is absolutely adorable!

This is little Mia when we first got her. She's about 4 months old now. She won't get very big, about 20 lbs total and she is about 10 lbs right now. She is super timid, passive and relaxed. She finally likes to play with her toys and I think we have finally mastered the "bathroom" accidents! Whoot whoot!

Michael and I recently went to Houston to visit Michael's family where we also celebrated our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! That's right, Michael and I have been married a whole year...I'll blog about that later though.

On the drive back to Joplin, (It's about 11 1/2 hours in the car!) Mia did so great. She slept on a pillow between Michael and I and we just had to take a picture.

Here she is...

As Mia grows I'll be sure to post more pictures and funny stories! Maybe even a video of her prancing around with her toys!

Peace out for now!

Home Away From Home

2010-02-26T17:55:00.000-08:00

While I now accept Michael and I's duplex as our home and I love our "spread" I can't help but love my home away from home. Michael and I got a break from believe this weekend and returned to Oklahoma to spend the weekend with my parents and siblings.

There is just something magical about only living in one house as a child. I know this house, the smells, the creaks and sounds. The air outside smells different and I can't hear cars or trucks driving by...only the animals that are going about their day. It's refreshing and if there was anything I needed right now it's to be refreshed.

I guess I just need to "make a public statement" to honor my parents in raising us under one roof, even though they had to make HUGE sacrifices to do so....I now realize how wonderful that is.

That's all for now but perhaps while I'm being so "refreshed" more thoughts will come.

Life in the Miyahara Lane....

2010-02-07T18:51:00.000-08:00

Here is an update on life in the Miyahara world for all those that actually read this blog, and especially for Travis Long (I hope you enjoy this shout out!)

We have finished two believe events now, one in Anaheim, California and the other in Tulsa, Ok. We had great crowds in both and I am just blown away with how God is blessing the believe team. This 2010 tour really has a great staff and the artists are so much fun to hang out with! Also, a HUGE thank you to all the volunteers that came to help us out at both of those events! We seriously CAN NOT do it with out you all!!

The theme for believe, "The Messiah" is so solid and the speakers are really doing a great job of connecting to the students about how God created us, wants us and want to use us! Such an awesome message! I love it!!

Michael and I are doing well! Believe has definitely been keeping us busy but we love the ministry that takes place and the people that we get to work with. We were married right after the tour last year so it was a pretty stressful time getting ready for such a huge life change and getting ready for the wedding. It is so much nicer to be married now, whew!!

Update on the Turbo Jam work out...well I'm still doing it and I still absolutely LOVE IT! It really is the best work out I've ever done...so much more productive then running or anything else that I have personally tried. Nichole Palmateer one of my best friends and co-workers has also tried it with me now and she agrees...it totally kicks butt!

I'm am trying to get a little business on the side going of baking sweets (Pies, cookies and breads). I guess we will see where it goes. I really do love to bake and I have been practicing A LOT lately!! Michael likes that!

I recently went in to get my hair highlighted and came out with almost completely blonde hair...so that was unexpected and if you know me I don't do very well with unexpected things...but I'm slowly getting use to it. Michael said he likes it.

After this month Michael and I will officially be OUT OF DEBT!!! We are SO excited. It has been really hard but we put everything towards debt and we just have one payment left in February we are DONE!! Thanks Eric Samuel Timm for the advise before we got married!! It's already paying off (pun intended)!!
If you want help or advise on how to get out of debt (car debt, credit cards, school debt...anything!!) we would love to help!! Really....debt is horrible and if your in it...take steps NOW to get out!!

Well, that's all I got for now...maybe I will write more later on this week.

A great Offense...and confession

2009-12-16T20:46:00.000-08:00

I recently offended my husband with a statement that I nonchalantly made the other night. After listening to the song "I am nothing" written by bebo Norman that The Jordan Howerton Band covered on their new album, Live Loud(coming out January 15th!) I just began to cry. Afterwards I told Michael that I think Bebo and I have connected souls (yes, this is the great offense). I am sure that thousands of people are fans of the song and feel very connected to the lyrics ( which was what I was actually trying to say).

My confession, my prayer....the lyrics of the this song.

Take these hands and lift them up
For I have not the strength to praise You near enough
For I have nothing, I have nothing without You

**Daily I am reminded that my meager attempts of worship to the one of only God of the universe is simply sad. My strength is weak...my attempt feeble...my heart is eager, my faith is strong, my mind is set but without HIM....what am I, simply put...nothing.

Take my voice and pour it out
Let it sing the songs of mercy I have found
For I have nothing, I have nothing without You

**My prayer, my absolute prayer is that somehow God can use my strong headed, awkward, untalented self to glorify His grace, power, beauty, spirit, presence, love, mercy, and compassion (just to name of few).

Chorus:
All my soul needs
Is all Your love to cover me
So all the world will see
That I have nothing without You

Take my body and build it up
May it be broken as an offering of love
For I have nothing, I have nothing without You

All my soul needs
Is all Your love to cover me
So all the world will see
That I have nothing
But I love You

With all my heart
With all my soul
With all my mind
With all the strength that I can find

Take my time here on this earth
And let it glorify all that You are worth
For I am nothing,
I am nothing without You

** Ecclesiastes 1:2 says,
"Meaningless! Meaningless!"
says the Teacher.
"Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless."

There is something amazing about a body of believers, family, friends, strangers singing that they are nothing without Christ. Verbally communicating it to each other, to themselves that without the Creator and Savior of the universe we would be absolutely nothing.

I am a worrier, through and through I worry about everything...but somehow I know that God has something planned for my life that He has not yet revealed to me because I am not yet ready. I don't know what it is but I know I will be rocked and I pray that He will take my time here on this earth and let it glorify all that He is worth...

I know that I am nothing, yet because of Him...

I am a creation of the creator, intricately made and woven....gently molded, often tested and a receiver of grace undeserved.

Tis the season

2009-12-13T17:34:00.001-08:00

I thought I would share a picture of our tree for those of you who haven't seen it. My mom bought Michael and I's first tree and ornaments! (Thanks Mom!) Michael and I were so excited to put it up and even more pumped when we got to see the finished result!

Michael has always had a real tree and since we did go with a fake one I bought a pine candle in the house to try and make up for the "fakeness" of the tree. It worked.

A Fools Redemption

2009-11-05T07:19:00.000-08:00

So, this entry will be about my largest fault (in my eyes). I have decided that being more aware of it will somehow help me overcome it. Here it is...I am horrible at making friends and probably even more horrible at keeping old friends. There, I said it...and it's true. Here goes my explanation...

I think I have always been bad at making friends, it is not a gift that comes naturally to me. Yes, I believe that I am a nice person but making friends just isn't in my gift set. I have been opinionated and stubborn since the day I was born and it only got worse when I learned how to talk. When starting new friendships I have the hardest time opening up in any sense of the word, 1) because I'm partly afraid that my oh so opinionated self will come out very strong, or 2) I have no idea what to talk about because I only like to talk about things that I know or care about. (selfish? Yes, I know and I'm working on it.)

Proverbs 18:2 says, Fools have no interest in understanding they only want to air their own opinions.
**Ugh**

I need a fools redemption.

My husband is a social butterfly. It's like people shake his hand (*BOOM* magic glitter and smoke inserted here) and their instantly friends. Where I might have to shake a person's hand about 100 times and then we are acquaintances and talk occasionally when we see each other. Michael's phone rings a lot and it's typically someone new each time. If my phone rings it's either Michael, my mom or my boss texting me that I need to do something. Sad? Well that depends because I kind of like it...it's bittersweet to me because if it was anybody else I probably wouldn't know what to talk about. I'm so awkward, it actually hurts. :)

**I like to blame the above paragraph on the fact that Michael plays guitar and most people like to talk about that where as I...do paper work, read and talk about stupid facts and numbers well?? Yeah, case in point.

I'm not a "let's plan to get together" kind of person, although I'm getting better. This (moving on to the next point) is why I suck at keeping old friends. I super stink at checking in with people and trust me it isn't because I don't care about them it's because I suck at actually taking action when it comes down to it.

I've lost every "close" friend I've ever had...for a number of various reasons but I blame my lack of action and complete awkwardness for most of it. I'm hoping to keep Michael by my side for the rest of my life...he helps keep me in check. :)

Proverbs 12:1 says, To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.

Well, I'm a learner....I'm disciplining myself to be better at being a friend.

Baby steps but I'll get there.

The Week, The Album, The Excitement!

2009-10-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

Well, the time is here! Get Excited people! My husband along with the Jordan Howerton Band are going to Oklahoma City to record their first full length album next week!

Reasons why I'm excited you ask?

I'm excited to see my husband, Michael get so excited. He keeps talking about what he's going to wear, how anxious he is and how he never thought this would happen...and the time is near!

I'm excited to see what God has in store for this group of guys. They work so well together. They are friends on stage and off. God has obviously given this group of men the passion to sing His praises and guide others through musical worship!

I'm so excited to see how God will continue using JHB throughout the summer at CIY's, MOVE conferences and other various events!

I'm super duper excited about the album release party that will happen the first or second week of January (More details to come, I'm sure!)!

...a little bit of this and a pinch of that...

2009-10-06T19:21:00.000-07:00

I thought I better post an update on the Miyahara family...not that anyone reads this blog but just for the sake of keeping it updated.

New happenings in the Miyahara Household:

1) We sold the Wii...and traded it in for a nice, gently used...Xbox. :) Hence, I am blogging at 9:30 on a Tuesday evening.

2) We really, desperately want a puppy...but with a busy tour schedule like believe we decided to wait until our travels are over so we could be good parents. However, we did pick out what we want. A PUGGLE!! Not to be confused with a baby platypus, a puggle is a half beagle, half pug mix. Yeah, look it up...you'll fall in love and if you don't...well, you don't have a heart.

3) I started making new recipes for supper lately with the help of a betty crocker cookbook, my mom and my grandma. :) Let's just say, we're eatin' good!

4) I have decided that I want to create a menu of pies and breads for people to order from. I want to start off slow as I learn more about the secrets of baking. However, I worked in a kitchen with my grandma for 5 years and her specialty was homemade bread and pies....so, I've already learned a ton but I'm sure practice will help, especially if I want to make some money with it. I have just come to find that I really enjoy cooking and baking and I love when people try what I've made and like it!

5) Yes, I have recently started a workout called Turbo Jam and Michael bought me a weighted jump rope...so I've been pretty busy! AND, I love Turbo Jam, it's fun, it's fast, it's creative and it seriously works your entire body out! I'll keep you updated on my progress. Michael says that he can see a difference but he has to say that!

6) No, I have no idea why I seem to write in list form. Easier to keep my scattered brained thoughts in order I suppose.

7) Michael has recently started a new endeavor as well, creating his own pedals. I'm pretty proud of him and he seems really excited about it. He even designed the outside of it! Maybe he'll start making and selling pedals! Neat!

8) Netflix is awesome. Their customer service is spectacular! I would recommend them to anyone who doesn't want to pay for cable OR for anyone that really loves watching TV series or Movies! Great selection and speaking of TV series, everyone definitely needs to check out Jericho! It's an amazing show, Michael and I loved it.

9) My mom has started going to a women's Bible study at the church and really loves it. She has become such an amazing friend to me, so beautiful and caring. I'm so proud of her.

10) Married life truly is fantastic. Michael and I are doing great. Learning more about each other every day and following after the Will and Heart of God.

Facts, observations and a thought or two...

2009-08-21T06:47:00.000-07:00

1. Fact: Get out of debt your first year of marriage and you'll be ahead of the game...by a long shot!

2. Observation: Just because there's money in the bank doesn't mean you should spend it.

3. Thought: Just because your friends have it doesn't mean you need it. *See fact #1 and observation #2.

4. Fact: Live like no else now so you can live like no else later. Thanks Dave.

5. Observation: It's okay to be "That Wife".

6. Thought: How does an insurance company expect me to know whether me or my husband will get sick in the next year? Just askin', I mean really.

7. Fact: Since I've been married I have actually became better friends with my parents and I really love it.

8. Observation: I would like to be a professional college student and really want to take online classes. Weird? I don't know.

9. Thought: Reading is good as long as you are reading the right things.

10. Random: Even an extraordinary life can be thought of as mundane.

How Beautiful....

2009-07-28T13:21:00.000-07:00

When I was a senior in high school I did a bible study that went through the book of Romans…I have recently started to reread Romans and came across a set of verses that were just as strong to me now as they were then, Roman 10:13-15. In the margins of my bible I had written, “Go and Tell, My Mission.”

I have been able to see a couple of weeks of Know Sweat this summer and am looking forward to my last week in Dallas 2. Throughout the entire summer I kept thinking about this verse…it was just sitting in the back of my mind but I couldn’t pin point why.

Again this morning I read Romans 10:13-15 and I know why it was so set in my mind …it’s because I had been seeing it in great action. This summer thousands of students across America decided to have “beautiful feet” because they put into Action the love of the King. They made a choice to go and tell through their actions and attitude. They made it their mission and the impact was more powerful then anyone could have predicted.

For everyone who calls in the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? and how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

–Romans 10:13-15

This wasn’t some big revelation where everything suddenly became clear nor was it a moment that brought me to be knees….it was a moment that challenged me, it was a moment that made me just sit in my chair and think…. that’s what it’s all about…Go and Tell because the King wants His people, His Glory and love shown to the World…it made me think….How beautiful.

Office Update: Messiah Tour 2010

2009-07-01T09:29:00.000-07:00

I am so excited about the upcoming all spring believe 2010 Messiah Tour! No really, I am pumped it is going to be awesome.

Here are my top 5 reasons I am stoked about the Messiah Tour!

1. There is something special about getting into a van with a group people that are crazy enough to dedicate their lives to junior high ministry. It’s always a little crazy, a lot of fun and there is always an excitement in the air to get our feet on the ground and get the “elements” of believe set-up in anticipation for the coming students!

2. The 2010 Tour is going to be AWESOME! Returning artist Eric Timm is going to be doing some stellar artwork that will blow your minds while Hetti Marie and the Foundation Red Band will get you pumped up with their heart pounding, crazy awesome worship! But that’s not all, I am SO excited about the untitled skateboard crew that is going to be joining us this year! It’s gonna be edgy and awesome! I am so ready to laugh until my stomach hurts with the 321 comedy team too!

3. If that wasn’t enough to keep me up at night the new Manga art is so cool! We will even have manga books to you can buy at the believe bookstore…oh yeah, I’ve already read them and you don’t want to miss out!

4. Holy cow the speakers! Scott Rubin, Chad Monahan, Kurt Johnson, Nathan Head, Jason Raitz AND Heather Flies! I got to meet with this group a month ago and it was phenomenal! Not only were they great to just hang out with but they came up with some crazy stuff that will keep you in your seats craving more!

5. Come on, it’s believe….do I really need to say more! I gotta get my heart rate down….It’s going to rock!

Roofing = Mega Loads of Dirt

2009-06-26T11:33:00.001-07:00

I had no idea that roofing a house was so...dirty. Now I know how girly that sounds and yes I have seen lots houses being re-roofed. But I had no idea the amount of work that actually went into the task until I went to Know Sweat and saw a team work their tails off, have fun and get mega dirty. Hopefully you will be able to see the picture I attached of the two teenagers that recently attended Know Sweat with their youth group. The entire team was cover in black dirt from head to toe in 100 degree heat! Now that's dedication! It was so encouraging to see this team come together. I'm sure from all different lifestyles and backgrounds, join together and complete something HUGE in just four days. All because they understand the importance of service. I will never forget how dirty they were covered from head to toe but their but spirits shone brightly for an entire neighbor ..all for the glory of God. It's a good day to serve the Lord. Wanna get dirty? Try Know Sweat.

I got to Know Sweat

2009-06-21T06:43:00.000-07:00

Last week I got the pleasant adventure of going out with the Know Sweat team that did a week in Joplin, MO. It was an experience like no other...and HOT. 200 junior high and high school students came together from all over the nation to work on houses right in Joplin, MO and those students WORKED hard! Those students painted, racked, mowed, planted, scraped, nailed, cleaned, washed, roofed. 9 different places in the Joplin area were fixed up, worked on and loved on. Now, I won't lie I didn't actually work on any houses but I did get to do was something that definitely opened my eyes to the work and labor that goes into Know Sweat. I rode in one of the trucks from work site to site making sure each house or location had all the materials it needed to get the job done...and those know sweat don't use AC so it was hot ... but very fun. It was awesome to see the work that went into the program and the attention to details on every house. The interns did great and worked so hard. I think it's going to be an awesome summer for Know Sweat. If you want to know more about know sweat check it out at www.ciy.com/knowsweat

So much is happening...

2009-06-12T09:12:00.001-07:00

KnowSweat just got on the road to start their summer tour! Check out their dates and locations and keep them in your prayers!

Joplin, MO
Cincinnati, OH
June 15-19

Omaha, NE
Cincinnati, OH
June 22-26

Omaha, NE
Kissimmee, FL
Beckley,WV
June 29-July 3

Milligan, TN
Rockford, IL
July 6-10

Denver, CO
Milligan, TN
St. Louis, MO
July 13-17

Portland, OR
Cincinnati, OH
July 20-24

Cincinnati, OH
Dallas, TX
July 27-31

Dallas, Tx
August 3-7

Also, this just in...believe 2010 tour dates are here!

Anaheim, CA
January 29-30
Hilton Anaheim
777 Convention Way
Anaheim, CA 92802

Tulsa, Ok
February 5-6
Tulsa Convention Center
100 Civic Center
Tulsa, OK 74103

Cincinnati, OH
February 12-13
Bank of Kentucky Center
500 Nunn Drive
Highland Heights, Kentucky 41099

Chicago, IL
February 19-20
N/A

St. Louis, MO
March 5-6
Family Arena
2002 Arena Parkway
St. Charles, MO 63303

Kissimmee, FL
March 12-13
Osceola Heritage Park
1875 Silver Spur Lane
Kissimmee, Florida 34744

Arlington, TX
March 19-20
Arlington Convention Center
1200 Ballpark Way
Arlington, TX 76011

Atlanta, GA
April 9-10
Gwinnett Center
6400 Sugarloaf Parkway
Duluth, Georgia 30097

Anderson, IN1
April 16-17
Anderson University, Reardon Auditorium
1100 East Fifth Street
Anderson, IN 46012

Anderson, IN2
April 17-18
Anderson University, Reardon Auditorium
1100 East Fifth Street
Anderson, IN 46012

Holland, MI
April 23-24
DeVos Fieldhouse
222 Fairbanks Avenue
Holland, MI 49422

Portland, OR
April 30- May 1
Oregon Convention Center
777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Portland, OR 97232

it's believe, check it out....

2009-02-24T11:59:00.000-08:00

Well as always I haven't blogged in quite a while. So the faithful two people that do read my blog have probably stopped but I will go ahead and give another go at it.

First off, believe is going really well! The team just got home from Cincinnati, OH and we had almost 4,000 in attendance! How awesome is that?!

Learning how to put on a conference for that many churches, adults and junior high students is quite the experience. From working really long days to simply not even knowing what all needs to be done and covered it was overwhelming to say the least. I must say, I could not pick a better team to work with. I complain at times...I'm human. I get fussy and tired and irritated but I wake up every morning and know that I get to work with really incredibly awesome people.

So, let me just take a moment to tell you a little bit about some really awesome people that love the Lord, junior high students and the kingdom of God!

Nichole Palmateer is so rock solid in her faith. I don't think I have ever met a person that is so willing to give everything she has to the Lord without the slightest of hesitations. What I really love about her is that she is so honest! If she has no idea what you are talking about Nichole will never fake it and if she needs help she is able to ask. Her thoughtfulness, intelligence, humor and overall attitude are a shining light on the junior high team!

Chase Allcott is one of a kind. I mean the guy knows everybody and their mother and hardly ever forgets. He literally keeps ALL of us on track. One thing that really sticks out in my mind is that he always says, "I really want you to learn and grow and I will do whatever I need to help you do that." How awesome is that? It is encouraging to work with someone that wants the people around them to grow and is a willing servant of God to be a part of that! Chase pretty much keeps the believe team from going insane!

Josh walker is so sincere and an incredible worker. I mean I have seen his notebook and his "to-do" is longer then some books I had to read in college! It's INSANE. I appreciate him so much because he is always thinking of others before himself. God's word tells us to put the interest of others before our self and Josh is an awesome example of that. His encouragement and effort is an example to all that know him!

(The Tech guys) Seth Ulrich, Brad Rizer, Nathan Allcorn, Daniel Smyth,Tyler Olsen and Chris Russell are unbelievable. What they do and how hard they work is way beyond my thinking. From lighting, to audio, to cameras and big screens my mind goes in circles. I can hardly move a 30x30 with their equipment in it much less actually make it do anything awesome. Props to them on about a thousand different levels. Not only are these guys really good at what they do but they are fun and caring! They are a tremendous part of the believe team and a true blessing!

(Backstage Manager) Amy Girton has the most patience of anyone I have ever met! Working with almost all boys can be extremely exhausting, (sorry guys but it's true...25 guys to three guys is CRAZY!) Amy handles it like a pro. She knows a little something about every something! Her love for people is admirable and a true example. She is GREAT at what she does and works so hard! I am blessed to know her and even more so to work along side her.

Brent (the stunt guy) and his STELLAR wife, Amanda are an example of servant hood, respect, patience and love to everyone that knows them and meets them. They are truly incredible. They are two of the most inspirational people I have ever met. They work so hard at anything they are doing and are always willing to help at any moment. They are real, genuine, deep and true in every way. I can not possibly say enough good things about them. The believe team is blessed to have them be a part of this tour. I know that we will ALL miss them so much as they follow the Will of God on their lives and go to the Philippines to do mission work. I have no doubt that God will continue to use their molded hearts to further His kingdom.

Jared (the illusionist) is probably one of the funniest people I ever met. When he is on stage students and adults are glued to every word he says. His wit, cleverness and talent have taken him far and I know that God will continue to use Him! He stinkin' loves the students and it is so awesome to watch him interact with all the kids! I love it!

Eric Timm (the painter) is such an inspiration and role model for us all. His wisdom and confidence in the Lord is so encouraging. Everyone that is able to watch him work and "do his thing" walk away knowing that He is worshipping the Lord with every moment and giving the glory to God. His heart for this ministry is whole hearted and overflowing!

The Rubyz (co-worship leaders) are stinkin' energetic! They bring such a fun spirit to the stage. Junior high students get to see a real life example of someone their own age stepping out! These three girls love the Lord and their leadership and example to thousands of students is such a blessing. I have no doubt that God will continue to use them in incredible ways!

(The band) Jeremy Weldon, Chris Derstien, Isaac Schade, Doug Price and Michael Miyahara are some of the best guys out there. They get so excited and pumped up to lead worship for junior high students! They give everything they have and then some. Every once of talent and heart is given to the Lord and shines! It has been such a fun experience to get to know each one of these guys and see their hearts and where God is leading them. They work so hard and have such great attitudes. They rock it and give all the glory to God! Michael is also my fiancé! His heart to serve is an overwhelming inspiration to me! His love and devotion to God is an encouragement day in and day out. I am truly blessed beyond words.

Tom Nobis is our financial "care-taker" and such a hard worker. He is always so willing to step in and do whatever needs to be done in order for things to run smoothly. He has been able to travel to several believes and we have been blessed by his presence each time. He works hard and does it with the heart and mind set that God is being served by every movement.

Director (Johnny Scott) pushes me beyond what I think I can do. He expects the best from people and therefore people are pushed to serve the God with all they have. He LOVES junior high students, youth ministers and the kingdom of God with a solid heart, good humor and steady mind. He pushes his team day in and day out to be better, do better and serve God with everything we have. His leadership is God given and I am excited to be a part of it!

This day is not ours, nor will tomorrow be. It is the Lords and I get to be a part of a team that is driven by that very statement. Let nothing we do be for ourselves but so that the Kingdom of God will grow, overflow and shine.

From running lights, to ordering t-shirts, to answering hundreds of e-mails, voicemails and questions, to playing guitar, to singing, to making sure audio works, to making sure the team is healthy, to painting, to whatever job there is to do both seen and unseen let it be for the Glory of the Lord.

And the buzz was ... Jesus

2008-10-29T06:52:00.000-07:00

believe is an awesome program to work with. The more I am around this ministry the more I understand how totally awesome junior highers are and the adult leaders/youth ministers that have dedicated their time to be apart of those students lives. There are some pretty rockin' moments at believe from the Rubyz concert and seeing all the kids jump around and get excited...to seeing the worship band lead students into a time of fun celebration and meaningful praise. Seeing kids jump up out of their seats to see Brent the stunt guy do his awesome tricks and watch in awe as Jared the illusionist blows our minds, once again with his crazy tricks. Watching Eric paint and create and use his talents and watch the kids react to that "art" of worship is simply ...awesome. But none of those things are my favorite although they all rank high.

It was a moment that I experienced in Omaha. Standing in the middle of room with 400 students and adult leaders as they broke up into their small groups. This happens on Saturday afternoon and honestly it's a time for the staff at believe to catch up on having some fellowship with each other and trying to get things ready to pack for load out. It's a pretty busy time for us. But something stopped me. I stood in the middle of that room and just began to listen, to observe. Time out: Have you ever been to a great sports game and heard the roar of an amazing crowd. The thunderous sound pumps adrenaline into my veins and makes me so excited! I love listening to a crowd and how about when something really exciting happens and it becomes the single greatest topic to the audience and all "the buzz" throughout the people? Time in: That is what I heard. It was the roar of conversation...and the buzz was Jesus.

I stood there for a second and I heard the voices of students start to open up and talk about what was going on at home, school and with friends. I heard the voices of other students agreeing as they listened to their peers. I heard the voices of the adult leaders as they began to ask more questions and receive more feedback from their students. The topic was Jesus and it was the greatest, most worshipful moment of that weekend for me; to watch those students start to speak up about what was going on in their lives and to seek God in their lives. I got to witness that. What an honor.

I never would have picked this job for myself...ever. I want to write and speak and travel...etc. I made a decision about two years ago that my heart was not prepared for that. If I would have followed and pursued a speaking career for a university or random organization I would have done it because I wanted the glory. I could have...I wanted the attention...I'm good at public speaking...I wanted people to see or hear that. But then I allowed God to take my steps. Proverbs 16:9 says, "We can make our path but the Lord determines our steps." I have begged God to use me...in whatever way He desires and maybe it isn't the way I thought it would be and wanted it to be and perhaps God is giving me the life experience and growth I need. The believe theme for the 2008-2009 tour is "speak" to speak God's words to all those around, to encourage, share and defend. There is probably a lesson in there for me. I got to witness 400 students and adults speak to each other and pray with and for each other and to pray for those that were not with them and it was powerful beyond comprehension. I was called to speak... maybe just in a different way then I ever expected.

"The buzz" was Jesus...and it completely changed my life.

I don't even know how to do this.

2008-09-21T08:07:00.000-07:00

I have no idea what to write about or what would interest others. I have wanted to be a faithful "blogger" for some time now and this will be an attempt to help that come true. I don't even know how to do this but I'm willing to try.

Becoming a Christian was not in the cards for me if you would have looked at my life growing up. It wasn't something that people would have ever thought; that the Brown children would be Christians...much less work in the minstry. My parents were raised to think that everything in this life was from man. That working hard and money would give a person everything that they desired. My parents taught me how to put my head down and work hard, to be confident in the work I do and that there would always be someone out there that wanted me to fail so I had to prove them wrong and they taught me that I had to be independent and rely on no one but myself. . .then I met Jesus.

I remember it like it was yesterday. It was my birthday and I was turning nine years old. Somewhere deep inside me I knew that I was empty and there was something that could fill my little heart up but I was unsure where to find it. I knew of a man named Jesus from a sunday school advertisment on Sunday's after "Feed the Children" went off. I remember thinking that Jesus was awesome because He was going around fixing problems and emptiness. So at the young age of seven I began begging my mom to let me go to church and met Jesus. But it wasn't a part of what my parents believed in or supported so the answer was always "no". Two years and the emptiness was still there and so were my questions about going to church. So my mom sucked it up and I got to go to church to meet Jesus on my ninth birthday. I remember being so confused because after I got to church I realized that I couldn't meet Jesus; I couldn't reach out and touch Him like the the woman did to be healed on the t.v. show. Confused, scared and nervous that my dreams of being filled by Jesus were not going to happen I began to ask more and more questions. I started begging to go to church as much as possible and my mom...with a deep sigh and a heavy heart started taking me to church.

I was baptized a few years later with the knowledge that I had encounted Jesus it was different then I thought it would be. It was better. My little heart was filled with this passion to live for Him and I knew that this life wasn't about me. For the first time I felt filled with a purpose. My youth minister came to my house and to talk to my mom and dad...I was junior higher. He wanted me to go to some weekend get-a-way called believe. I wanted to go because the church youth group was going. I had no idea want believe was. My parents kicked and screamed (not literally) but finally came to the conclusion that it would be ok for me to go. It was only a weekend.

I sat in an auditorium with my youth group in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There were two banners on either side of the stage. I still remember exactly what they look like. This was my first youth group trip, my first believe and first time I truly realized and grasped that I wasn't alone. The room was full of kids my age and adults that loved us. I remember, literally screaming to the worship songs because I was so excited to worship. For the first time I knew that I was exactly where I was suppose to be and that even when I went home I was going to be ok because I served a holy, powerful God that loved and cherished my existence. I was no mistake to Him.

I'm 21 now,. Graduated from college with a communication degree. My parents taught me to work hard and I do. I didn't even know that Christ In Youth was in Joplin until my mentor at college literally put me in her car and drove me to the office and said fill out the application to be an intern. A year and half later I'm on staff with believe. The very conference that set my feet on fire to run around like a mad woman for Jesus Christ! I feel overwhelmed, honored and scared to death. I'm a loner, backwards and awkward. I don't like public places and could easily be a hermit if I allowed myself to and yet God said no you are my creation and you can do this. I work with an incredible team of people that I am still getting to know that love God with all thier heart. They love junior highers and have a passion for the ministry that Christ In Youth is committed to.

Blessed beyond belief I sit in this coffee shop with tears streaming down my cheeks but I know that I am exactly were God wants me to be. I would have never thought it or dream it up myself but it feels good. I'm scared of messing up and looking silly....I'm scared of a lot of things....but more then that I am eager and ready to serve to the King.

To anyone that thinks junior highers aren't craving to know thier maker is crazy. I was a junior higher with a crazy family and heart to know why I felt empty but with God I felt filled.

Junior Highers love Jesus too.

believe....here I come. God...thank you...I'm relying on you...here I am; use me.

Creation

2008-03-19T08:31:00.000-07:00

Psalm 139

1) O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
2) You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my every thought when far away.
3) You chart the path ahead of me
and tell me where to stop and rest.
Every moment you know where I am.
4) You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
5) You both precede and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6)Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to know!

7) I can never escape from your spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
8) If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the place of the dead, you
are there.
9) If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
10) even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
11) I could ask the darkness to hide me
and the light around me to become night-
12) but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are both alike to you.
13)You make all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother's womb.
14) Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous- and how well I know it.
15) You watched me as I was bring formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16) You saw me before I was born
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
17) How precious are your thoughts about me, O God!
They are innumerable!
18) I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up in the morning, you are still with me!
....
23) Search me, O God, and knwo my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.
24) Points out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

He is the creator. He created me, sometimes that is an easy thing to overlook. I am a creation of the King.