One Family.

   With January coming to a close, the Village seniors whom are going on their senior mission trip are counting down the days.  We have three more weekends until the plane takes off from Raleigh and we make our way to a country to where most of us have never been.  Today, many of the students went to Mr. Vogel to get their Romania jackets, the embroidery pictured below.  Although this is the same design the senior had last year, I could really care less. This mission trip is not about anyone else but God. 

   During this trip, I plan to throw away school, and all my other cares, for eleven days, and spend my time with God and other believers, bettering ourselves and other while getting ready for the coming of Christ. Continue to pray for those in Romania and those whom are taking part in the senior mission trip.  God Bless!

"Halelujah."

   "I feel like I just gave birth to my first child!" was the words which exited Emily Baughman's mouth after we completed the "Who's the Master" skit on Saturday January 26.  This skit was her "baby"; she was the mastermind over this whole project. However, everyone in this skit is just as important as the the other, that is why I love this skit so much.  Without the character Jesus, there would be no meaning to the skit; without the character Satan, Adam or Eve, the story would not be truth; and those who lift for the thrones and tree are just as important as those who are lifted.  The skit tells a very important story in a way that pleases the eyes and makes the audience involved, wondering what we are going to do next!  But, when you think about it, the chemistry we all share for this skit is the "behind the scenes" stuff that truly shows the love of God.

   With three weeks left before our departure from America to Romania, we still have a lot of work to do; granted, all the hard stuff is done.  All we have left is to perfect the timing and facial expressions; then we will really be perfect!
   Our celebratory "Drama Pants" was replaced by "Pants Off!" But no worries, I had shorts on underneath!

This is the skit so far, with everyone but three important factors!

Second Voge-Bear meeting.

  We are only becoming more and more excited!  
  Every meeting with Vogel seems to go on and on forever (four hours to be exact), but, nevertheless, after every meeting, I seem to have only gotten more excited.
  As of now, we are planning for extremely cold weather, but I'm sure that will be the last thing on my "out of my comfort zone" list when going over to Romania.  No worries! God has got it under control!
  
  Last time I went over to Europe, the plane rides there did not bother me, for there was a period of time when the sun was down, and darkness covered the plane.  BUT on the way back from Europe, we stayed with the sun for eight hours; near the end of the plane ride I started freaking out, and had a temporary case of claustrophobia. This time, my sister offered to give me her little eye covery thingy that some girls wear to bed.  I will take advantage of them and use them on the way back from Romania, when it stays 4:30 in the afternoon for eight hours.

Believing is not enough.

  One night in Apologetics class, Mr. Duffy asked us an odd questions: "Do you really believe in Jesus?"
  My first thought was: "Duh. Why would you ask such a crazy question.  I mean I go to a Christian school. I have been brought up in the Christian faith.  I have not known anything else my whole entire life. And I am even going on a mission trip to Romania."
  Then after some talking and discussion, he asked us something that really made me think: "If you truly believe that Jesus is God, and there is only one way to him and that unbelievers are going to go to Hell, why aren't you going to your neighbor who is lost, or you uncle who doesn't believe in Christ?  You know if they don't accept Christ, they will go to Hell for eternity.  Why aren't you doing anything about it? Is what you are doing or what you are planning to do with the rest of your life something you want to spend your life doing?"
   His words made me think about not only Romania, but also my future, and what I want to do with it.  I am still stuck in between what I want to do for God, and what others think I want to do, just because it makes good money and because its semi interesting to me.  I feel this passion within me, but people close to me have no faith in me, and it questions what I should be doing with my life.
  This is another reason why I am excited to go to Romania.  I pray every day that God will open my eyes and continue to open my eyes during this mission trip.  I expect an emotional journey, but I also expect to find out who I am and who God wants me to be.  I know these are high expectations for a mission trip; but it is the hope I am holding on to; HE is the hope I hold on to. 

Next Step.

  Even though our Christmas trees are still standing, ornaments and all, the Christmas season is officially over.
  Christmas is a time of remembrance, a time to spend with family, and most importantly, a time away from school.  With the beloved Christmas break now over, the Village Christian Seniors are looking forward to a new "break."  This break is, yes, away from school; but it will take place in a foreign land, far, far away. 
  Well, maybe not far far away. . .
  Romania.  Europe.  Thirty-two God-driven teenagers, some of whom have never flown on a plane.  Eight chaperones, to include Master Duff, and the Famous Vogel.  Two suitcases, a journal, a bible, a deodorant stick and prayer is the armor each individual is taking on this trip.  No matter how much indigestion or diarrhea the students contract, they are all on the same sheet of paper: serving God.  Drama team; Music team; Sound team; we are many branches serving the same trunk; a team always completes things faster and more effective than an individual.  We are all here for each other.  We will stand behind each other; beside each other.  We a school friends; but we must now become a family.  We are a family. 
  Raising money and planning for Romania might have been or is stressful, but as long as we hold on, we are on our way to a better tomorrow.  A better future, for not just us, but our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

  Just the other day, I think it was on Monday, I was driving to school with my sister.  We were driving through our neighborhood, on the way out, listening to my Building 429 CD; the usual Crawford morning.  Alexandra was telling me something as I was singing one of the songs that was echoing through my car.  For no reason, just because, I looked up.  In the sky I saw an airplane.  I smiled; the first thing that came to my mind was my Romania trip, which will take place in less than two months.
  The sight of this plain gave me excitement.  It reminded me of how much work our Drama team still has to complete.  It reminded me of the money I must raise by the end of this month.  For a moment, all the future memories I have already envisioned filled my head: sitting on the plane by my best friend; being able to stay up late and get to wake up the next morning to share God with others; becoming closer with my fellow students.  My past interactions with Europe (Germany and Poland) also came across my mind.  All these visions running through my head implanted excitement in my day, and my Monday turned into a Funday!

  For now, I must keep my eyes on the prize, and what I must complete now.  But, my excitement is what keeps me going.  
  The one thing I am most excited about is how this trip will change my life; and how this trip will change my relationship with those who will be walking right beside me as I undergo this change. 

"Serve WHOLEHEARTEDLY as if you were serving the Lord and not people." Ephesians 6:7