Enemy Has Been Defeated

"The enemy has been defeated/and death couldn't hold you down/Gonna lift our voice in victory/Gonna make your praises loud/Shout unto God with a voice of triumph/Shout unto God with a voice of praise/Shout unto God with a voice of triumph/We lift your name up, we lift your name up"

These are the lyrics to "Shout unto God." When I think of God and what He can do, the enemy has truly been defeated. The way Christ rose, death has no power over Christ Jesus our Lord. He has an amazing power that is greater than we could have ever imagined. Yet, He wants to have personal relationship with us. He cares so much about us that He died for us. In order to acknowledge this, I think we need to lift our voice and make His praises loud. That is what he wants us to do. Thus the song:) We must pursue Him with a crazy passion and make His name ring into the heavens. We should be proud, as Christians, to proclaim his name throughout the world and to every nation. We have a joy and a flame inside of us that no one can take away or put out....be proud and stand strong in your faith!!!

<3 Schmanda

New Year, New Blog!!

I have decided that since it's a new year that I should do a new blog. I would like to focus on songs that have a message...if that makes sense. I'll try to do new songs each month, 2-3 at least!! So be sure to look out for that!!!

<3 Schmanda

2010 is HERE!!!

Well, 2010 is here!!! my how time flies. A new year means new things to do and mew resoultions to make. Some of my resoultions are to be bold and stand strong in my faith, grow in a deeper relationship with God, and encourage people to come to church. The past week, I witnessed a prayer answered when God provided a way to keep in touch with someone. He opened a door and I took it...now I am able to keep ministering to this person. How amazing God is!!!!! For Christmas, I spent time with the Huvers and pretty much half of the care group at their house. It was an amazing time to spend with them. We had lots of yummy food and desserts and soda...on Christmas! As for New Year's Eve, I was stuck with watching my brothers while my parents went out and partied...lucky me:/ But when I put my brothers to bed, I celebrated a little by myself by thinking of all the things that happened in 2009...and what the future holds in store for me. God has so many things planned for this new decade and I can't wait to see what happens!!!

<3 Schmanda

Christmas Season Rapidly Approaching

Well, Thanksgiving went by fast and Christmas is rapidly approaching. Thanksgiving was a good day. I ate tons of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and many delicious rolls....and you can't forget the gravy!!! Even though Christmas is on its way, the new year comes along with it. So many things to make way for and change. God will never stop providing for what we need to do in life. He is always there for us no matter what. Just remember that when Christmas rolls around. Never forget the true meaning of Christmas when you are sitting by a warm fire, wrapped up in a blanket, drinking hot chocolate, and chatting away with your friends and family. I might do a Christmas special blog. Look out for that.

<3 Schmanda

Long Time No Right

Well, I haven't been on my blog since before the missions trip. Talk about a long time ago! Well, so much has happened. Mission's Trip, Orlando, FL for NFAF, school, Convention, City Museum, Pursue Nights, and just Wednesday night services. Last night, Pastor Marc had a message of being thankful. I just want to tell everyone that I am thankful for you guys in my life. It is amazing to know I have wonderful friends who support me and wonderful mentors who guide me. I <3 all you guys and don't change one thing about you. Enjoy the rest of the day...I'm going to try to get on more often.

<3 Schmanda

Last Couple of Weeks....BUSY!!!

Well, I am finally settled down to where i can do another post. The past 3-4 weeks have been hectic. The first major week was the week of the mission's trip. We went to Osage, Oklahoma and ministered to the people in Pawhuska. I had kid's camp for the first 2 days and work projects the last 2 days. Dani was in my group and we just hung out all week. We really connected and now i feel more closer to her more then ever before. I really miss the awesome teenagers there that we met like Legrand and Kris. Ahhhh, good times! After Pawhuska, we went to Orlando, Florida to compete in a National Fine Arts competition for Percussion Unconventional, Puppet Group, and Small Sign Language. We all got Superior and did a wonderful job! The services were excellent....just like i remembered 3 years ago. We didn't go the first 2 nights because on Monday, we didn't get registered on time and Tuesday, we went to the Barlow's for a barbecue....amazing food!!! The services we did go to were amazing!!! I really felt like i connected w/ God a little bit......it was an amazing feeling to do that!!!!!!!! After Orlando, we returned home and i slept for a looooong time...then school started! Well, that was it....an explanation of what happened towards then end of summer in a nutshell...and that is not even half of it....lol!!

<3 Schmanda

P.S. When you're in a car ride w/ a bunch of people for long amounts of time....trust me on this, you get aggravated at people...

3 Days

On Sunday begins the start of my 2 week travels out of O'Fallon. I will be going to Osage, OK and Orlando, FL. It is going to be an amazing time because I believe God has amazing things in store for this youth group. I know He will reveal Himself to us in our small discussion groups after each day. The only thing I'm going to miss that we won't have this year is a small group. Last year we had 5 people come...now it's 20 people. I'm going to miss that small intimate group time. But I am glad that almost the entire youth group is able to come. Praise God for the miracles He is going to do in hearts and lives of others.

<3 Schmanda

Technology

Sometimes, technology can be so frustrating. I try to upload pictures on my facebook and it takes forever to do so. If there is any way to make technology work faster and more productive, I would love to meet the inventor behind it. Anyway, that would be my frustration for today.

HOME

Well, I'm home and boy do I feel sick. I have a cold and it stinks because I didn't get to bed last night until like 2:30 in the morning. The final day of Branson was fine. We didn't get to go to the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum but we did go to Meremac Caverns. It was quite interesting. It's amazing that such beautiful artwork can come from just plain old boring rock-and God is the artist of it all. HOW AWESOME IS HE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

<3 Schmanda

Branson, MO-Day 2

Today we went to the Hollywood Wax Museum and the Titanic Museum. At the Titanic Museum, we got to look at real stuff from the ship and get to learn about the history of each piece. I got to expierence the actual tempature outside on the deck and the actual water temperature. The water temp was 28 degrees and you would get hypothermia within 20 minutes-talk about freezing. Then after we ate lunch, we went to the Hollywood Wax Museum and saw replicas of movie characters and stuff. I will post the pictures on my facebook page when I get back from the trip. I think one of the pictures I took will be my facebook picture. They look freakin' sweet!!! Now we have just one more day to go and we plan on going to Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum. I hoping they have a floor that is straight but once you walk on it or up it, you lean back!! That would be amazing!!!!!!!

<3 Schmanda

P.S. Good luck to Jake, Kourtni, Hillari, and Jordan at nationals for TBQ. I'll be praying and rooting for you guys!!!! You all work so hard to learn more about God and grow deeper in Him!!!