2nd SOW entry

It's starting to get cold here in Colorado. It seems to get cold on Sunday's and then warm up through out the week. For example: last Sunday it snowed about a half inch and was about 30 degrees, then later in the week it got up into the 80's. Colorado is so inconsistent with the weather and I am not used to it yet. But I do love it here.

Recent News:

Well the last 2 weeks I have been learning many things and perfecting my 2 songs that I've written. Some of the teachings that we have been taught on have been about the following: Getting in the Word with Mary Jane Powers, Prophetic Worship with David Powers (Mary Jane's son), and Freedom in Worship with China Kent (she is also my vocal lesson teacher).

The thing that I got the most out of Mary Jane's teaching was the importance of reading the Bible and making sure that the songs I write about are not JUST coming from emotions but also the Bible. She would teach us and then let us practice what she taught. This was very helpful and a good way for me to totally understand what she was talking about as well as the HUGE importance of reading the Bible, and memorizing it.

Then the next speaker was Mary Jane's son, David. He taught on Monday and Tuesday this week. Monday was very unique and was totally led by the Holy Spirit. I entered class time thinking that we were going to get a lecture, but we began to share with one another what God has been speaking to us and the importance of the things that we were all hearing from God. Then on the next day, David taught on the things that he didn't have time to get into the day before. We talked about the Fear of Man, Worship, and then we just touched upon Prophetic Worship. I would have liked to get into Prophetic Worship more, but I was told that we will get into that later in the school.

On Wednesday and Thursday, China Kent taught us on Freedom in Worship. I don't know how to describe this, but to just tell what happened to me personally - so here goes. There was something that China said which got me thinking... "Why don't I draw anymore?" When I was a kid I used to draw, color, paint, etc. and now that I am an adult I don't hardly draw. And the funny thing is that I am still drawn to the Art section at stores (especially anything with the CRAYOLA name). There have even been artistic reletives that have told me that they thought that I'd be an artist when I grew up... but I am not. So I asked myself... why don't I draw anymore, because I used to love it when I was a kid? After the self-reflection I figured that it was because I thought my art work had to be perfect and/or I would compare it to someone who was much better. Therefore, I'd get discouraged and have no desire to draw. But there is still something in my adult years that still is drawn to those Crayola's. :o) So, I really want to go back to that... I want to go back to drawing and coloring and just drawing random things. Even if it isn't perfect... it will be unique because of it's imperfections. Also, I would like to paint with my nieces and even with my own kids someday. :o)

On Friday, we as a school picked the songs that we would like on the CD that will be released in December. And this coming week we will be practicing those songs and recording them. It's going to be a busy week, but should also be a lot of fun.

Outreach:

I have decided to do the optional outreach for SOW, which will begin on December 26, 2007 - February 15, 2008. The outreach will consist of about 10 musicians touring around the West Coast singing the songs we've written in this school, popular Christian songs, and will also cover some songs. We will be doing most of our touring in California, however we will also be going to Arizona, Oregon, Washington, and Canada.

Some fun things:

Last Friday, most of our people in our school went out to Red Robin for one of my band members 21st birthday. It was a lot of fun and I took many pictures. Here is a picture of me, Summer (in my band), and Hae Eun (from S. Korea).

Last Saturday about 25 people from the base went to the Denver Zoo for their free day. So I've enclosed a couple pictures. The 1st picture is of Susan, me, and Lisa and the 2nd picture is of me and the Zebra's. I took many pictures, but most of them didn't turn out as well as I would have liked.

This Saturday, I went to a Halloween Costume party hosted by my band leader. Since there are 9 girls and 9 guys... each one of the girls dressed up as each one of the guys. Then we went over to my school leader's house about a 1/2 mile away so he could see our costumes. Then we stayed and watched a movie. That night was so fun and funny. It was the

best Halloween party that I've been to. :o)

The "girls" and guys each person is by the one they dressed up as

Well, I think that's about it for now. Next week we will be doing recording prep for the CD. Which will bring about a busy week.

P.S. This picture is of me and most of the people in my band for the 1st song presentation.
I'm working on putting the videos of my 2 songs that I've written on my webpage.

1st SOW entry

I flew into Colorado for YWAM Denver's School of Worship (SOW) on Sunday night - so when I got picked up from the airport it was about 9:30pm so I did not get to see much of Colorado at that moment. We drove to Arvada, which is where I am staying on the base here. My room has 4 bunk beds with onl only 6 girls from SOW. Our room also has an attached bathroom with 2 bathroom stalls and 2 showers. It's nice. :o)

On Monday (October 1st) was registration and at 7pm we had "Community night". Community night is where everyone on the base got together and told what school they were doing along with their name and where they were from. There are 4 different schools that are going on. There is the DTS (Discipleship Training School) at Eagle Rock - which is also owned by YWAM Denver and it's up higher in the mountains. We will be going to visit that base later on in the school. The other three schools are: DTS - here on the base, Phase 2 - gives leadership training along with more biblical foundation, and School of Worship (SOW). There are probably about 150 people here when we are all together (staff and students). But in my school there are 18 people... 9 boys and 9 girls. I love it.

On Tuesday we were given our first task... to 2 songs on the school's theme - RENEW - on of the songs is fast and the other is slow. We have to write the 1st song with lyrics and chords by Monday the 8th.

Basically the whole week we have just taken things easy and gotten to know each other. But my school leader, John Connor, is so funny and laid back. It's so cool. I'm not going to go into detail about who all is here in my school or on this base... but we have many people from ALL over the world.

I am so thankful to be here. :o) This week I have felt discouraged at times with my song writing, but I have also had some amazing times with God where I have felt His peace come over me. It was amazing!!! :o) I do have my 1st song done and I have a start to the 2nd song. I love this. I cannot wait to learn more about music.

Well, that is all that I am going write about for now. So far all is going good and I am so thankful that I am here and for everyone who have supported me. If you have any questions, please let me know. The first week of school is usually pretty laid back and it's basically all introductions. But I will write more... not weekly, but maybe once every month or more. One of my personal goals is to not spend so much time on the internet.

P.S. I've posted some scenery photos of what it's like here in Denver, Colorado.