I asked for this I asked for you to give me a dream One that is extremely huge One that I couldn't accomplish by myself And now that you have answered I get intimidated by it Overhelmed by it I don't know if I am qualified for this Yet I hear you speak into the depths of my heart You are capable You are qualified You have been chosen My heart has begun to believe you But my head won't shut up I have so many fears So many insecurites But I choose faith over fear I choose to be responsibly irresponsible I choose the hard path I choose reckless abandonment...

For many years my parents have told me that my actions not only affect me but those around me as well; many of these conversations took place after I had made a poor decision or I got in trouble. I completely understood that my poor decisions affected people but this trip has taught me that even good decisions, helping people out, and doing nice things can also affect people; they can even hinder their growth. For the past week, I have not been able to serve my teammates around the house because only a few of us would help out (because we thought that we had to) and everyone else would...

Slaves know obedience, but your relationship with God goes beyond that.  He brings you in close, as a friend.  So close you can feel His breath, and in that place He speaks to you. Remain close.  Feel the rhythms of His heart beat as you await His voice. The rhythm is one of peace and rest. Let go of all that would hinder you and simply rest in your Father's arms of love.  

Dear Parents, Your kid is freaking coming ALIVE! Sincerely, Michael (team leader) PS: It is simply amazing watching every one on the team come ALIVE! They all have come so far in such a short time.  Truly, I want my ceiling to become their floor and for them to go far beyond the places I have been with God. Today, I read to the team from the book "Supernatural Ways of Royaly" by Kris Vallotton, from a chapter about identity: "The devil is the accuser, and he often uses other people to propagate his alias identities over us.  My first stepfather...

I was surrounded from all sides with children staring intently on the task that fell so heavily upon my heart. Their faces were like open books seeking the chance to be read and understood. Each face pleaded with my soul and cried out for someone, anyone to be attentive to the need that has been ignored their whole lives. If it had been an adult it would have been seen as pathetic or annoying but because children were the owners of this so prevalent need, their sincerity could not be ignored. I was their glimmer of hope and their outstretched hands portrayed that sentiment perfectly....

About a week ago I was sitting outside reading next to one of my leaders, Michael. He then randomly asked me if I had a book with mazes. I told him no and then I asked him why… you never really know what is going through his head. He told me that he wants to create a maze all over the yard and make the team walk through it. Ahhhh… see what I mean? I really didn't think that we would ever actually do it but before I knew I it I was sitting next to him trying to design it. Believe it or not… it was actually a ton of fun to make. We used yarn and nails and the maze...