The Past 3 Months

Hello!
This is random, but I just wanted to mention it because I am so excited! I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but before I left for a tour of the West Coast with 8 people in my School of Worship (SOW) in YWAM Denver, I was blessed by someone giving me a guitar. I had been praying for about a year for God to give me a guitar or provide me with enough money to buy a guitar and here I was given a Gibson electric guitar. It was made in 1997 and is in good condition. Even though I didn't know how to play it, I took it with me on tour and it was played many times by the guys in the band.

Trillium: Waiting For Summer Tour

I am so sorry for not writing an update sooner. I am back home in Illinois now and I am done with my tour of the West Coast. I had an incredible time and God was evident in our lives and especially in our praise and worship. We did have some road blocks that appeared as we prepared for this outreach/tour as well as throughout the outreach. One really big one was the shooting that happened at the beginning of December. We all had the choice to go home or keep going with the outreach. We chose to go on. Then 2 weeks into our outreach our leader (and only staff person from YWAM Denver) fell off of a horse and fractured her skull (she ended up with 24 fractures in the base of her skull) and ruptured her ear drum. Once again we were faced with the question - were we going to continue on? We as a team were not going to give up. But it was up to the staff at YWAM Denver. They had never allowed an outreach team to go on without a staff person. After much prayer they decided that God had a reason for us to go on and it was evident that obstacles were coming in our path to hinder us. So they appointed Bart, our bass player, to be our leader and for him to be accountable to the staff back in Denver. During this time we grew as a team and also as individuals. For myself going on this outreach was not easy... I was still struggling with the tragic incident of the shooting, I was struggling with insecurities, and I was wanting to be with my dad as he was going through heart procedures. However, even through this time God was destroying the fear I had from the shooting, He was with me as I was learning and working on my insecurities, and He was comforting me as I was wanting to be with my dad. Like I said I had an incredible time and I had an amazing time with the people on my team. I got to know them really well. At times when I was really stressed out, someone would be there making me laugh. We all were definitely a fun group and laughed a lot.

Home Again

After the outreach/tour was over I decided to go visit my relatives in Albuquerque, New Mexico for 10 days and then take a train home. But once I got to New Mexico I found out that I had developed bronchitis. I got an antibiotic and got better really fast. Therefore, I rested and once I started feeling better I went horse back riding and just hung out with my cousin. Even though I had bronchitis I had a really good time in New Mexico. Then I took a 24 hour train ride back home - which was also relaxing and gave me time to process the last 5 months in YWAM Denver and to prepare myself for coming home. But I was not prepared for what was about to happen.
My mom picked me up at the train station and about 10 minutes later she got a phone call from my dad saying that my grandma was going to go to the hospital. She had a bleeding ulcer and was bleeding internally. Basically she almost died. My grandpa (her husband) was not in good condition either. A few days later he was admitted to the same hospital for bronchitis and not taking his medicine. My grandparents were in the hospital for about a week before being transfered to the same nursing home to go through physical therapy. They are doing well and I am not sure how long they will be there. Therefore, since I've been home I've been trying to help my parents out in any way possible as well as trying to get myself adjusted to being home again.

What now?

Many people have been asking me, "What are you going to do now?" and so far what I know that I am going to do is get a job to save up for the next thing that God wants me to do in YWAM. I believe that God wants me to do another school and I feel most led to do a leadership school. I feel like God wants to strengthen my weaknesses and show me my specific strengths and how to use them effectively. One thing that I am considering is... YWAM Denver has a school called Phase 2 which is a program designed to equip individuals who plan to serve God in full-time ministry. I believe that God has a specific ministry for me He just hasn't revealed that to me yet. Also after I have 12 weeks of training I will be ready to take my place in ministry (whatever that may be) just about anywhere in YWAM or a local church ministry. Also, completion of Phase 2 is required for people who want to join staff at YWAM Denver (which is also something I am thinking about). However, my next step in YWAM will not begin until 2009.
Also, while I am home I am learning how to play guitar as well as continuing to write music. I believe that if I continue to pursue music that God is going to open many doors and give me opportunities to bless others as well as it could also be something that could be used for my future ministry.

One last thing - I would like to thank you for supporting me in every way possible. I really appreciate it and it encourages me greatly.

BY the way, here are some pictures from the tour and of me and my guitar... ENJOY!

The Trillium Band

Playing worship in LA

Andrew Boyer playing during the offering in The People's Church in Fresno, CA

Playing for Worship in YWAM Denver
for the last time as a band

My Electric Guitar a
1997 Gibson ES 335

Me playing my guitar

The Rock Star inside of me comes out!
:-D

Unexpected Visit Home for Christmas

This time I am writing from Illinois. I am back home however I leave today (Christmas Day) to go back to Colorado. I was not expecting to come back home however with the recent shootings that took place at my school I decided that I needed to come back home to be with family and rest.

Because of the shootings my school graduated a week early, and therefore I was home on December 15th. And like I said I go back to Denver today. I am going back to Denver to go on tour with a band that was created by 9 people (including my band leader/school assistant). We are called Trillium - which comes from a flower that blooms in the West Coast, which is where we will be touring. Here is some more information about the purpose of the tour and where our band name originated from.

Trillium
A group of students taking our passion on tour, using the abilities God has given us to impact our generation. Through our music, through our words, through the passion God has stirred for the youth of this nation. Our name is taken from a small flower found in Ontario Canada, Oregon, and North West California. The name Trillium was given to this plant because all of its parts comes in groups of 3. The flower is also unique because it only blooms every seven years. The significance of naming our band Trillium is that our focus and goal as a band is to plant seeds into the lives of our generation. Seeds that will have deep roots, and bloom in Gods perfect timing.

We will be leaving Colorado on December 30th and heading to Arizona. Then we will continue to travel in 15 passenger van, with a small trailer for our equipment, to southern California making stops at just about every major city and we will continue traveling north. We are even going into Canada for a few days - then making our way back down to Colorado. I am not sure about the specific dates right now as to where and when we will be in specific places. We will return to Denver around Valentine's Day.

I am so excited for this tour and just to see how God is going each person in our group personally and to see and hear stories of how God worked and used us all together.

Well, I am sending this last email for a while. I do not know when I will be able to write again, but I hope it's not too long. I hope you all have a Wonderful Christmas and a Blessed New Year! Thank you all for your support - you have been so wonderful to me this past year and I am truly blessed to have you in my life.

4th SOW entry: the shooting

December 13, 2007

Hello Everyone,

I am sure you've heard the news about the 2 Colorado attacks by a lone gun man. And I am writing you to tell you that I am OK... however to keep praying for me as I go through the grieving process. I am going to tell you a bit of my side of the story and then let the things in the news complete the story. If you'd like

The 1st shooting took place in Arvada, Colorado - where my dorm is. At the time I was not there, however I could have been. A bunch of people in my school went out bowling after a Christmas banquet. 4 staff members were shot and 2 of the 4 were killed. This action took place in a common area of the building, in a hallway, in between the boys in my school bedroom and "the war room" (which is a room that myself and many other people in my school hung out). Our curfew is usually at 11:30pm and at Midnight we need to be in bed with the lights out. However, because most of my school was out bowling - we did not get back by curfew. So, as we were on our way back to the base/dorm at 12:30am we got a phone from another student in my school who called saying to not come back because there had been shooting. So we immediately went to my school leaders house. We then got up to date phone calls from school leaders who were at the hospitals and let us know about the conditions with the 4 people that were shot. In between phone call updates, we prayed for the victims, quietly sang worship songs, and simply just comforted each other.

From there we were not allowed back to the base/dorm until the investigation was completed. Which did not happen until Tuesday late afternoon.Therefore, we stayed at my school leaders house for a couple of nights.

I'll let you watch the rest in a news video link I've found about the events on the night. I've also found the Rocky Mountain News to be the most accurate in telling details and not emphasizing on non-important details. Things have been crazy here ... and graduation is 1 week sooner than planed due to the recent events. Then after Christmas is outreach to the West Coast. Please pray for continue protection.

Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, concerns, e-mails, phone calls, and love.

I love you all VERY much.

3rd SOW entry

Happy Thanksgiving from Colorado,

I just realized that it's been almost a month since I've last sent out an update, therefore I apologize. I have been really busy and I am not trying to use that as an excuse, but being in YWAM keeps you busy. I start my day at 6am and go until 11:30pm. My days are pretty full - filled with class time, band practice, meals, work duities, and other miscellanious things. I'm sorry.

Anyways, I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving that was filled with love, thankfulness, and joy. This was my first Thanksgiving away from home. On Thursday night we had dinner made by the students, that didn't go home for Thankgiving, and we made your traditional Thanksgiving dinner. It was good. I missed my family, but only about 1/4 of the people in my school were gone - so it was nice to have them around to hang out with. I will not be coming home for Christmas either, and it should be interesting because even more people are going to be going home for Christmas. But I am looking forward to having this experience during Christmas because I know that God is going to do something in my life. I am not sure what, but He'll reveal it to me when I need it most.

Recent News:

About 2 weeks ago, was probably the hardest time that I have had here. I stuggled with uncertainty and doubt - about my talents. I questioned the reason as to why I was doing this school. When I applied for this school God told me to do this school to expound on my musical abilities and also developing a foundation with Him being #1 in my life. But I just felt like that I was not growing as much as I thought. I believe that I have matured more and that I have changed (in a good way) since I have been here... but I cannot put my finger on it - therefore, making me feel discouraged.

But last week was an amazing week because I put my guard down. You know when you meet someone for the 1st time you want to make a good impression on them... well, for the past 6 weeks I still have been trying to make a good impression on people. And when you do that for so long it's frustatiting and tiring because your not being exactly who you really are. But after I put my guard down and stated to just be me... the person that God created me then I noticed that I was happier, at peace about my life, and I had more fun. :o)

Last week some people did some recording and we had our 3rd song due. I really like my 3rd song - I think mostly because it has a lot of imagery and because I have a story of how I wrote my song. Sometimes when I write songs or even poetry I have a hard time going deep and being vulnerable. But this one seemed to be easy. One of our speakers was encouraging us to always write songs or poetry, because she said that ou of every 10 songs/poetry that you write there will be an average of 1 song that is really good.

Also last week we had a speaker, Duff Rowend, talk on Spiritual Authority. He was really good and at the begining of class we would start off by singing some worship songs. He taught us a couple of new songs and some songs were songs that I had learned in the church that I grew up in. During the whole week God was giving me revelation about things in my life and He also gave me a little more information about what my future is going to look like. I am excited to find out more and more of what God wants me to do for my future and also what the next step is that He wants me to take after this school and outreach is over.

Fun Things:

Last weekend some of my roommates and I went to a mall and then we went to Wal-Mart and got a Christmas tree and decorations. We even got an airfreshner - so every time I walk in my room it makes me feel more at home and also it makes me think of Christmas. It's so awesome. I've enclosed a couple pictures of the tree.

On Wendesday, it snowed about an inch and it's been cold ever since. I wanted to play in the snow, but it I thought that it was too cold. Maybe next time it snows.

Last night our toilet overflowed and thankfully we noticed it before it got really bad. The water was just starting to come into our room and nothing was ruined. The bathroom just smelled really bad and it was an inconvenience.

This Thanksgiving break I have having fun with my hair. Like on one day I teased my hair and frowed it, then later that night I put the front of it up and it looked like and 80's hair style. Then the next day I straightned it. It was a lot of fun. I love straightening my hair (with a flat iron) because it's so dry here so my hair doesn't get frizzy and also because it's the straightest that I've ever gotten it.

Afro

80's hair style Straight

Last night some of the people in my school learned how to play a game that involves a pool table and just the que ball and any other pool ball. We didn't make this game up, however we don't know what it is called but it's a lot of fun. The object of the game is to try to get the colored ball in the pocket by throwing the que ball. If you get the ball in the pocket then the person after you gets a point and 3 points and you are out. If the ball stops then you get a point and if you cannot hit the ball after 3 tries then you get a point. Also, a little twist to the game is that the que ball has to thrown on the opposite of the table as the colored ball. And once you hit the colored ball you have to move away from the table so the next person can grab the que ball and hit the colored ball. It was a lot of fun. Some of us played it for 4 hours straight with only short breaks. I realized that when I play some sports that I enjoy - I get aggressive.

For example, a few weeks ago I played soccer with a bunch of guys on the base and another girl in my room. (They go once a week.) It was a lot of fun and I was surprised at how competitive and aggressive that I played. I didn't stretch that much and I really paid later. I was so sore that I could hardly move for about 3 days. I still felt sore muscles 5 days after I played. So the next week I didn't go to soccer, but I did go the next week and I was the only girl from my base to go. I didn't play as aggressively or competitively because I was really tired from that week. But I still really enjoyed it.

Prayer Points:

- That God would coninue to speak to me about my next step after Outreach

- There are about 2 other people in my school that need money for Outreach

Well, that's about it - I think. :o) Like I said before, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I cannot believe that Christmas is only a month away.

P.S. The CD release party is scheduled for December 13th. If you'd like a CD please let me know and I can give you more information as to how I can send it to you. I think they are $10.

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.