BLAST

Well, we had a blast at BLAST this past weekend. Our three girls, Kaitlin, Sam, and Kelli, were able to attend this year. And, if you don't know, BLAST is a district talent event for the Church of the Nazarene. Kids come from all over the eastern part of the state to perform and compete in art and sports. Very exciting stuff! And such a joy to see kids come together and give it their best for God.

Kaitlin performed and competed with a sign to the popular Christian song "What Faith Can Do" by Kutless. She did a phenomenal job! She did not place, but her song and performance spoke to my heart, and I'm sure did to others as well. Sign language always makes a song's lyrics come alive for me. And, Kaitlin does a fantastic job.

Kelli submitted a creative writing--a short story, if you will. I had the privilege of hearing it (read by Ms. Kaitlin) on the way to the BLAST event. And, let me just say... people, if you see the work of an author named "Kelli Nelson" on the shelves in the future, you better pick it up. It will be well worth your time. She is a very talented girl, and am anxious to see how God uses her talent in the future. (Just remember me, Kelli, when you get rich and famous.)

Sam was there for moral support, and a good job she did. I'd love to have her in my corner anytime!

We had a good weekend, minus the hotel scares. Let me just say, do not trust the pictures that the Days Inn posts on the internet. What I saw online was worlds away from what we experienced. Plus, the unexpected visitor in the morning (or 3 unexpected visitors), make me never want to stay in that establishment again. Deadbolt and chain your doors in those places, people. The visitors may only be hotel staff coming to check your room, but that doesn't subtract from the creepy factor in the least.

I am very proud of our girls. They performed and conducted themselves in a very respectable manner. I was blessed to be their chaperon, and thoroughly enjoyed their company.

C.O.G.

Okay, we're blogging, but obviously not very often. Sorry about that. I will try harder from now on.

The first weekend of the month our youth group attended C.O.G. (Centering On God). It is a state-wide youth retreat at the Nazarene campground, Pinecrest. It was an amazing weekend! God blessed us with terrific weather! Of course, we were inside most of the time, so we didn't get to enjoy it much.

Anyway, the weekend started Saturday night with a mini-concert by a band called "Same State". They were awesome! This is a picture of the band with our Kaitlin nestled in the middle. She was a big fan! They then led the 256-person audience in amazing praise and worship. They definitely set the stage for Jim Chapman (a.k.a. Big Chap), the speaker. His message was on being the one Jesus loves, and owning that label. Too many kids live with labels--goth, jock, short, fat, tall, skinny, goody-goody, bad girl, etc. We should own and live the label, "Hello, I'm the one Jesus loves." That's the only label that matters.

After the service, the kids had the choice of enjoying a bonfire, participating in games, or hanging out in their coffee house. Finally, we fell in to bed around 1 a.m. But, we were back up and at 'em enjoying breakfast at 7:30 a.m. The morning session was just as powerful as the night before. The audience was encouraged to be rid of their sins! YOU ARE FORGIVEN! So, Big Chap had us write what we wanted forgiven for on a sticky label, stick it to a rock, then literally cast that rock into the lake. They're forgiven and forgotten! Never to be seen again. Thank God!

The afternoon session was simply a prayer service. Prayer for us youth workers. How humbling that was!

I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend. I was so proud of our kids, too. Jake is now known as the Great Straw Caper of Mid-Missouri. Matthew gave about six guys a piggy-back ride. Kaitlin blessed me by being bold in her praises. Ethan and Monte touched me with some of their candid answers to discussion questions.

I am proud to be involved with these guys. They are such a good and neat group of kids! Each one is unique and special. I can't wait until the next event!

Please be in prayer for us as we host a youth service this Saturday night. Pray that our kids will be bold and invite everyone they come in contact with. Pray God will bring them in. And pray that God will change lives once they get in the doors of Iberia Church of the Nazarene. We will give God all the praise! Amen!

We're Blogging!

Welcome to The ICON Youth Blog! This is simply a blog to inform and praise. Some of the kids in our youth group wanted the people out there to know what we're doing and what God is doing in us, and this seemed like a good forum for that.

We are excited about ICON Youth (Iberia Church Of the Nazarene), and where they're headed. We have some plans to do some exciting things, and are open to what God wants to do through us to reach our community and friends.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you follow this blog and pray for us as we pursue many avenues to spread the love of Jesus Christ!

--Amy