Tonight I am packing me and the boys up for the weekend. The little one is going with me to our youth retreat, and Jad is headed to his best friend’s house.  I am going to miss him so much!

I’m really excited for what God has in store for us this weekend.  I’ve heard rumors that the dramas are going to rock everyone’s world.  Of course, I am stoked about worship.  Everyone has been working so hard.  

So if you are out there and you know about Coram Deo, or even if you don’t, we would be so thankful if you said a prayer for us today.  Satan likes to attack just about every aspect of the event each year, but God always comes back kicking butt tail and taking names.  Literally

Love you all!

Steph

This year has been crazy busy for my “other” job as a worship leader/choir director.  Things are slowing down (for a moment) at Harvest Time, but at the same time,  everything is speeding up at 180 Remix.  We getting ready for our youth retreat - Coram Deo, and  it is officially two weeks and four rehearsals away. 

It’s an exciting year because the team has finally had time to write songs.  We Will Go was introduced last night and it went over really well for a “first-timer.”  

On a side note, the new Hillsong United Album was released two days ago and I have been looking forward to it since they skipped on the CD last year.

^That will explain my next story….

Our youth pastor, Josh came up to Jon after service and told him that the new song was great and went over well considering the CD came out on Tuesday.  

Jon’s response: “Thanks, we’ve been working on it for a few weeks now, trying to get it just right”

Josh “Ah so you got it early, not suprised”

Jon:  “Not following you…”

Josh “The new United song “We Will Go”

Jon:  “We wrote We Will Go.  That isn’t Hillsong.”

Josh “Wow, no way, that’s sweet”

I thought that was cool.  The guys did a great job on that song.  

I took a few pictures of the band practicing on Tuesday night because it looked so cool.  We are all about raising up the next generation.  Here is a couple of pictures to show how awesome this team is:

Look at all the Electric Guitars!  There are seven of them (3 are in Jr. High):

Here is the other side of the stage:

Missing from these pictures:

2 drummers, 2 Guy vocals, 8 Girl vocals, 2 Keyboard players

Tonight night was one of the coolest nights at 180 Remix.  It is an awesome thing to recognize and celebrate all the students/leaders that give their all for God!  It was like the Academy/Grammy Awards, and the students got to vote for their peers.

You may be the one to say that you don’t agree with such an event, but I believe it’s a great way to say “well done,” and it was also fun to dress up!  The students that were nominated for these awards don’t work their tails off day in and day out looking forward to this night…no, they are doing the Great Commission for their Lord and Savior trying to save the lives of their peers and friends.  They are all beautiful people!

Anyway…here is the family photo of the night…Jon and I presented the “Gift Award.”  Can you see my fist?  Jadon spit out his pizza so he could smile for the camera…yes I’m holding chewed up pizza. (and he ate it, again, after we were finished)

Here is a video of Jadon dancing backstage…

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCSDuG7Qc3I]

What are some cool things you do at your church?

As a worship leader, communion is a time that I rarely get to move off and have my own moment with God.  Lets just say it’s very difficult.  

Anyway, last week at our youth service, Josh spoke on Those That Followed and had communion at the end of service.  

Usually, I leave the service early to get the boys home and in bed, but I was so excited to stay the extra 30min, to humbly hide away in a corner, on my knees, in gratitude to my Lord and Savior.

Take those moments and tuck them in your pocket.

Do you ever feel the same way?