Leading Worship for the Kiddies

So this past Sunday I got to lead worship for the first time in my life for a semi-large group of elementary school kids. I was so excited to get the opportunity that I stayed up until 2 in the morning going over lyrics! After yesterday I decided that want to lead worship for kids and student ministry in the near future. I love the feeling that I could have possibly made an impact on a childs life that might effect their future decision to follow Jesus for the rest of their life. Just hearing those kids lifting their hands, spinning around, and shouting to the Lord was the single most greatest heart lifting moment I have ever experienced. I KNOW this is something I want to do.

Its been a while!

Well I have come to the conclusion that I dont NEARLY blog as much as I used to and it is something I need to work on. But as of now I guess I’ll give you a brief summary of whats been going on in my life lately.

1) girlfriend: The lovely Ms. Whitley and I are doing amazingly great in our relationship! Things just keep getting better and better. She started coming to Oak LEaf and now her best friend is coming too. She is the best person to ever come into my life and I couldnt ask for anyone else to call my love.

2) church: Well Oak Leaf has officially moved back to the theater as of 2 weeks ago and things seem to be going smoothly. I’m still volunteering and I still get to play guitar with the band a decent bit. I’ve grown so much as a person in life and in Christ since I started attending Oak LEaf Church and have made so many great friends in the process of doing so. This fall we are re-launching the youth ministry!!!!!! Instead of Limelight its going to be called Fueled and I’m super stoked about getting to play in the band for the kids on Wednesday nights. Matt told me I might even get to lead the kids in worship for a few songs. Music ministry is something I’ve always been passionate about but soon its hopefully going to become what I hoped it would : )

3) music: Music wise things are going rather well. Will and I discussed some stuff and he is actually going to get me guitar lessons when school starts! I’ve basically come as far as I can on my own with my guitar knowledge, skill and technique so this will be the most beneficial thing to happen to me musically. I’m really excited though : )   Although I AM in need of some new equiptment. The time has come I thing for me to upgrade guitars. I’ve been playing on an epiphone Les Paul for almost two years now but I’ve started having a few technical issues with it. I’m also looking at some different pedals so I can get a sound that I’m decently happy with.

4) school: School starts back this Thursday…….ugh

5) general: In general ly life has been going rather smoothly. I’m a senior now and I’m on track for graduating, My girlfriend makes me feel like the luckiest guy in the world, and Jesus keeps me pushin’ forward! YAY JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Crazy Video From the Leaf

This past Sunday Oak Leaf started a new series call I Love the 80’s, and to kick it off Michael and Jake made a spoof on the Geico commercials. ITS HILARIOUS!

Week #2 of OLC Sign Job

Well this week Jason and I embarked on our mission of putting signs around the streets of Cartersville yet again, and this time things went WAY smoother. We started at 6 and worked for about three and a half hours and put out all the signs we were able to fit in my car, which were about 50.WE KNOCKED THOSE THINGS OUT! We even had a little time in between to eat at Fuddruckers. I was riding around town today and I only saw 1 sign thats gone astray, so we’re not losing as many signs as we did last week.

Although things we’re going like a dream, we did manage to have one little confrontation. Toward the end of our route I decided to stop at my grandfathers business (Mid-Supply co.) to put out a few signs. I had justy put three out when a police officer pulled up next to my car where Jason was standing. APPARENTLY you’re not supposed to put signs out in front of a business while the business is closed, and if anything were to happen to the property during the night WE would be responsible. I tried to explain to the officer in a polite manor that it was my grandfathers property and that I had permission to put signs out, but the officer did not believe me. I don’t understand, a cop can catch me for LEGALLY putting signs up, but they cant ever catch the 9864259645 people that I’ve seen stealing stuff from my grandpas warehouse! Am I THAT noticeable???????

All in all it turned out to be a VERY successful night for the two of us. And we didn’t get a ticket! Thats always a good thing.

Stole this from Nathan….

I read in Nathans blog of his favorite memories of 2007 and I decided to copy his idea. I may miss a couple of things but this should cover most of it.

1) Going to Oak Leaf Church and becoming an active volunteer after things at my previous church got a little messy

2) Being kicked out of my former band(this may not seem like a good thing, but later down the road my music took a good turn)

3) Summer 2007! Crazy fun!

4) Playing in the September Limelight of our church youth. This was huge for me considering I had been trying to get involved with the music at oak leaf for 6 months.

5) Making friends within the church like Nathan, Jake Dudley, and Matt Moody.

6) Meeting a simply AMAZING person in September. You can read one of my previous blogs about her if you like.

7) Helping out at AMPED which was a Superwow like concert that the Cass High School FCA put on. Matt and the guys came and played, Coach Bruton gave the message and I think it was pretty successful. We got there at 10 in the morning and didn’t leave until 9 that night, but the fun meter was about to break!

MY birthday, which just so happened to be pretty shibby. I had a cake made of cup-cakes, and bought half of my pedal set-up with some of my birthday money.

9) Played at the November Limelight with Chris Coleman playing guitar with me. Personally I think it was the best Limelight we’ve had so far.

10) Thanksgiving. Family events are always the best.

11) I began playing at the main service at Oak Leaf. Became friends with Will , Dean, Joel, Carey and Jason.

12) Played guitar at Oak Leafs “Rockin’ Christmas Eve Eve” concert. It was definately the most fun I had ever had playing with a group before in my life! Although……I was somewhat nervous. Having it been the first time I had played in front of a thousand plus people at once.

13) Christmas. Although one of my family gatherings was a little dis-functional things turned out to be just fine.

14) Becoming involved in my schools acting department. We put on “You’re a God Man Charlie Brown” and I got the part of Charlie Brown! I met some awesome people doing that play and I’ll never forget it.

Last but not least I want to recognize everyone whom I came to know and love. Al the new friends, all the old friends, and a couple people that I still not really know…….but either way, it was a pretty good year.

A Rockin’Christmas Eve Eve

The concert on the 23rd can only be described with one word……”amazing”.

The day started off with me waking up and then picking my friend Jason up by 6:20. Afterwards we drove to church, did sound check and then had our usual service. Jason said he enjoyed it and that he wants to start going every Sunday. Yay for non church goers finding a church!

After church I met Jake, Bobby, Laura, and a few others at Red Lobster for lunch where we talked about different reality shows like “Rock of Love”, I Love New York”, and “A Shot At Love”. Unfortunately I had to leave early so I could go change into my performance clothes and get gas.

Once I got back at the church for sound check and run-through for the concert I noticed all off the intelligent light we borrowed from a church in Woodstock and they were AWESOME!!!!!!!

Sound check went decently fast, and during practice I acted like an 8 year old girl for Will. Unfortunately people started walking in at 5:30, even though the doors weren’t supposed to open until 6, but we were ready none the less.

The concert all in all was a hit! IT was a packed house. Over 1,000 people were there and chairs had to be brought in so everyone could have a seat. Wills Dad Billy Goodwin of Newsong came and sang the song “Christmas Shoes” and Wills Son came out and sang the childs part of the song.

To Will and the band, you guys are awesome and I love you all.

After the concert was over We tore down the equiptment, went home, and crashed. I must admit that going for 14 hours straight without any caffeine can get to you. Sleep was a much needed factor at the end of my day but the experience was something that I could never forget.