Family times

I've been at home for a week now....and I've got to see a lot of family...and friends that are like family. I have a few pics/vids that I'd show.

Christmas is here!

Its Christmas day! i tried to post twice yesterday and both times failed...so lets try this thing again.

I've been home for like...30 hours. I got home yesterday at 2, came home...SHOWERED!!! then got dressed for church, went to church, found out Im doing a short talk on TWC on sunday, went to my brothers house to see him and his fiance, then went to the house of a couple from our church for a bit, came home and went to bed. Then it was Christmas. Oh me oh my its Christmas. Its exciting! I got an ipod, which is exciting, but really, Im just extremely glad to see my family. and to see some of my friends in a few days. I miss the community in Vancouver though. Well...thats all for now. I will blog a bit later!

1 freakin week!!!

So....its pretty much one week till I go home...a week and a day till Christmas day.

Heres a clip of rudolph...haha ;)

Christmas...2 weeks...

14 days till I fly home....15 days till Christmas!!!

now...a clip...if you think its cheesy cause its full house...well...thats your loss haha.

3 weeks!!

22 days till Christmas! I get to see my family soon!!!!!

I love the movie elf...and because of my love of it...here ya go!!!

4 weeks!!!

Christmas is only a month away! Heres the last video of the Christmas Carol, maybe the grinch will be next...maybe not.....you'll have to wait and see!!





I also thought I'd post some pictures of christmas stuff in the downtown eastside.

Dashing through the snow....I mean rain

So, I miss snow. And my family. I come home in 5 weeks from today!!! Christmas eve!

5 weeks!!!!





So I'll actually give you a small update on things in my life this time. Im sick right now, but I just got a flu and Pneumonia shot for free. So maybe that will help.

We're starting kettles this weekend! Its gonna be good I'd say, stressful I think, but good. Hmmmm....I started watching gilmore girls on weekends and I fell in love with it all over again.

well I cant really think of much else to say...so Im gonna go!

6 weeks!!! we're getting closer! I'd just like to clarify...Im not really excited for the gifts, santa, etc. but more for spending time with family and friends.

Christmas is on its way still!

7 weeks till Christmas! Its getting soo close!!!

8 weeks!!

8 weeks till Christmas!



I heard this song last night and I thought it was cute. Enjoy!

Christmas is coming!!

Christmas is only 9 weeks away!!



Im sooo excited for it!

Are YOU washed?

Im doing a deliverance prayer station for the prayer room at Youth Councils this weekend. This song came to mind.

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you walking daily by the Savior’s side?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Do you rest each moment in the Crucified?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
O be washed in the blood of the Lamb!

Hello, Celebrity savings, how can I get you saved?

So last night, I had a dream that we saved mary-kate and Ashley Olsen. So Caitlyn and I decided to start saving celebritys. And we'll call it Celebrity Savings of Jesus Christ.

Thats my news.

Worship

So one thing I've noticed is, in the last year or so, I've really struggled worshiping with all I have. I'd give my "all" for one song and then I'd just sing and kinda stand still. When I was at the Building a House of Prayer conference in Kelowna last weekend, there was something in me that just kind of...released. We watched the Passion of the Christ between sessions, then that night I was able to just release. and like...sometimes I'll stand still, but it wont be the "umm...this is enough worship, I just wanna sit down" kind of standing its like the..."Im so consumed right now that I just don't want to move, i just want to let it soak in" and its awesome! It feels so nice to be able to worship freely, without something hanging over my head.

the truth isn't sexy

Check out the new website for the Salvation Army Campaign against Human Trafficking.

http://www.thetruthisntsexy.ca/index.php

Kelowna

We cooked Pasta with a cup and a half worth of 18% creamers. We didnt have milk.

Sally fell in love with a big stuffed moose.

a couple pictures

Just some pictures of life. One is of Me and Carlye dressing up, haha...another is in the war room, and just a random.

War College

So...I've been here for 2 and a half weeks, this is my second week of classes. Its been really good. I went through a time of homesickness which was...horrible haha but its getting better. Sometimes, it gets depressing down here, seeing all the pain and addiction, but at other times its so amazing cause you get into conversations with the people who are in pain and addicted, and hear their stories...some people have amazing stories! I have so many stories, but a lot are stories that aren't really bloggable cause you cant get the full aspect of what they're like without seeing expression. And for those who are worried, haha...thanks for the concern! I'd like to say though, people down here know that we're with 614, and its well respected, so if anyone sees us in a potentially dangerous situation, they'll step in and help. And they're very protective also because they see that we're clean, and dont want to see us getting into anything that they're into. I think they look at us and it gives them hope that they can come clean as well. Its really cool.

Keep the prayers coming for sure!!

48 hours of homelessness

I spent all of wednesday, all of thursday and part of friday homeless. It was a powerful experience. The feelings that I felt were loneliness. Even though I was with 6 other people...and God...I just didnt feel right. I also got scared, I got a feeling of uneasiness. It was an amazing experience but I can honestly say that I never want to be homeless legitamitely. The feeling of not knowing where your sleeping is safe and all the emotions that built up over the 48 hours, I wouldnt want to do it. Im so thankful to God for a roof over my head, for a bed with warmth, pillows and everything else.

East Van

Well...I live on the downtown east side of Vancouver now. Its pretty awesome. Classes are great, students and teachers are awesome...and the best part of it all is the community. Actually...I love it. Its really cool. They're such a tight knit community and Im a part of it now. I've met a few neighbors and stuff, not as many as I'd like yet but I've only been here for 4 days. Its pretty awesome though.

Ok

K...I have 10 minutes to do this.

Camp this summer was Amazing. At first I wasn't sure if I liked it...I was a little uneasy...but especially looking back...it was amazing. Theres so much to say...but I dont know where to start. Amazing campers, amazing staff...JUST amazing. Honestly...I really dont know what else to say.

Camp 2008

Camp has been quite an experience this year. For those who don't know, they've decided to merge two camp staffs this year. So Beaver creek camp, and Pine Lake camp staffs are one staff running both camps. There are 2 kitchen and maintenance staffs, one for each camp, but the rest is all one staff. So the first week of the summer, half of the staff was at Beaver creek in Sask. for teen camp, and the other half was at Pine Lake for moms and tots. Then we all came together for Holiday 1, 2, 3 and teen camp at Pine Lake. Holiday camp one was a good camp, everyone was still trying to figure out the program, and get to know the staff they didn't already know too well, holiday camp 2 was a gongshow, as usual. It was that week that I almost quit, as well as a few other people. But we stuck it out, Holiday 3 was alright...the worst that really happened was lack of sleep....but its camp, of course thats gonna happen. And then teen camp....OH teen camp. I loved it. I just wish we had more time to minister to the campers. Teen camp only ran monday - thursday because we had to pack up and move on friday. I felt like the campers didn't get the time they deserved. But it was amazing nonetheless. The staff had fun, therefore the campers had fun. I like teen camp, because you get to hang out....and you don't get the stupid fights like "she called me a name". The campers are really good. Teen camp, for me, was by far the best so far. And now we're in saskatchewan. We have been here for a week, so we've done adventure camp 1 already, it was alright. I made a mistake and ate gluten last weekend, and then on monday....so I was sick and tired all week...but it was ok. Now, coming up is Adventure 2, then 3, then we're done. I can't believe its almost over. I can't believe I'm going to be living in Vancouver in less than a month! I'm so excited for it.

Anyways, I should get going.
Courtney AKA - Buttercup...or Bcup

Saying good-bye is hard

Saying Good-bye to someone is one of the hardest things a person goes through, if not THE hardest thing. Whether its saying good-bye to someone who has passed away, or whos moving away...or if your moving away and you have to say good-bye to everyone around you.

I have been working through 2 of those good-byes. My grandfather died...which has been really hard. He died on May 16. I was doing alright with it for a bit...after the funeral and everything...I was fine, I went to yc and danced and had fun and it was all fine...and then I had my grad...and I looked up to my family...and he wasn't there and it was so hard. He was always there for milestones in our lives...he was always there no matter what. And never complained about it. And I started recovering, again...or at least I thought I did. Then last week...we had a grief lesson at sunday school and that just brought out more emotions...and this last week...my emotions have been rolling. Because of that...and because Im leaving soon. Im so excited to go to Vancouver and Im going out of my mind here...because I know something bigger and better is coming up. And friday, we had a bonfire with some people from school...and saying good-bye to them was incredibly hard. And then today, they did kind of the "final good-bye" at church...and it wasn't too hard for me...but then I looked around and there were people crying...and then there was my mom who was like...weeping...haha.

I dont want to say good-bye...but Im so excited to leave. Everyones like "I dont want you to go" "i cant believe your leaving" and its like...i feel like I shouldn't be as happy or excited as I am. Everyone around me is so bumed that Im leaving and everytime I talk about it...I just want to jump in the air and dance...I know it sounds corney, haha...but its the truth. Im excited beyond belief.

Anyways...thats all Im gonna say for today

2 Corinthians 5:13

I was sitting at the computer listening to Leeland and all of the sudden these words came into my head. The inspiration behind them actually came from 2 Corinthians 5:13

- If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you

So I take this as...be insane for Jesus...dont hold back. Do whatever you can to please God! If God wants you to buy a homeless person lunch, do it. If God wants you to raise your hands in church, even if no one at church does it...do it anyways. Give God all the Glory, Honor, and Praise that he deserves...no matter where you are in your life!


Are you quiet? Are you shy?
Are you always passing by?
What the lord has said to you
What the lord has done too

Are you Happy? Are you stoked?
With what the lord has provoked?
What else has he said to you?
What else can he do?

Be insane in the name of Jesus
So he can see us
Go Crazy, make it big, and make it loud
So he can hear us

Grad '08!!!

So I graduated yesterday. So stoked for it!!! It all kinda went by in a blurr though.

AND!! I shaved my head today!!

PS! Jesus is truly amazing. People are hung over today and Im tired with a headache, lol...but Jesus honestly gave me the strength to not drink.

Im to tired to say much...so I'll leave you with pics and a video.

My prayer

I dont care whats happening in my life...I need Christ, and I need him to take me under his wing!



Can you hear me? Does anyone around me
Feel the way that I feel now?
Cause from the window where I sometimes cry
I just want to see Your face tonight
And I'm willing to lose everything I am

Cause I need you more than ever
I need Your help to find where I've been going wrong so far

Take me under Your wing tonight
Make me so perfect in Your eyes
Hold on cause it will be alright
You're not alone.

When You're near me, I feel like I just found me
In the traces of the boy from yesterday
But in a world that is so black and white
I will take the steps to change my life
And I won't be coming back to here again

I need Your loving hand to guide me
Through the maze of all the things inside me
Then I'll know that I'm alright

Cause I need You more than ever
I need Your help to find where I've been going wrong so far

Take me under Your wing tonight
Make me so perfect in Your eyes
Hold on cause it will be alright
You're not alone
Please help me get from worse to better
Before these tears soak through this lonely sweater
And let me know that I'm alright
I still have one strike of this match left
And I'm holding on to my last breath
And its getting a little dark around to see here

Take me under Your wing tonight
Make me so perfect in your eyes
Hold on cause it will be alright
You're not alone

Take me under Your wing tonight
Make me so perfect in your eyes
Hold on it will be alright
You're not alone

And You'll be here forever, forever You'll stay
And You promised to love me, You'll love me always
You'll love me for always, You'll love me for always
Always

So the video isn't actually a video....its just a picture, but its a good song to just listen to.

My king!

I may have posted this before, I probably have, but its so powerful.






And the "rock" version

YC 2008 - Passion

CARPE DIEM - SEIZE THE DAY

That is one thing we heard all weekend. And I swear, there must have been a TWC representative there cause they kept talking about being more than conquerors lol.

YC 2008 - Passion was this weekend. 17 000 young people worshiping God together. It was amazing. The power of the holy spirit was so consuming! All weekend there were tears, and there was laughter.

RIP Grandpa

I can be a nightmare of the grandest kind
I can withhold like it’s going out of style
I have the bravest heart that you've ever seen
and you've never met anyone
Who's as positive as I am sometimes.

You see everything, you see every part
You see all my light and you love my dark
You dig everything of which I'm ashamed
There's not anything to which you can’t relate
And you’re still here

I blame everyone else, not my own partaking
My passive-aggressiveness can be devastating
I'm the most gorgeous woman that you've ever known
And you've never met anyone
Who is as everything as I am sometimes

You see everything, you see every part
You see all my light and you love my dark
You dig everything of which I'm ashamed
There's not anything to which you can’t relate
And you’re still here

You see everything, you see every part
You see all my light and you love my dark
You dig everything of which I'm ashamed
There's not anything to which you can’t relate
And you’re still here

What I resist, persists, and speaks louder than I know
What I resist, you love, no matter how low or high I go

I'm the funniest woman you've ever known.
I am the dullest woman you've ever known.
I'm the most gorgeous woman you've ever known
And you've never met anyone as, as everything as I am sometimes.

You see everything, you see every part
You see all my light and you love my dark
You dig everything of which I'm ashamed
There's not anything to which you can’t relate
And you’re still here

And you’re still here
And you're still here...


Grandpa, You've seen every part of me, and you never left me. You're gone in spirit but I will always have you close to me.

I love you!

I dont care where you are

I'll always be there for you...wherever the lord may place you!!!

























listen baby ain´t no mountain high ,ain´t no valley low,
ain´t no river wide enough baby

If you need me call me
no matter where you are,
no matter how far (don't worry baby)
just call out my name.
I'll be there in a hurry
you don't need to worry

chorus:
'Cause baby there
Ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you babe

Remember the day
I set you free
I told you you could always count on me,darling
From that day on
I made a vow
I'll be there when you want me
some way,somehow

Chorus

No wind,
No rain,

Or winter's cold.
Can stop me baby.
ooooh baby
Cause you are my goal
If you're ever in trouble
I'll be there on the double
just send for me
oooh baby
send for me oooh baby

My love is alive
Deep down in my heart
Although we are miles apart

If you ever need a helping hand
I'll be there on the double
just as fast as I can

You know that ;
they're ain't no mountain high enough,
ain't no valley low enough,
ain't no river wide enough,
to keep me from getting to you babe

Peaceful, calming, Crazy, Busy

So I was thinking about how crazy my life is right now....and how much crazier its gonna get in the next month. It makes me think of December, when I went to "The cabin" which was actually my brothers fiance's family's cabin. Im sitting here thinking about how relaxed I was....with the mountains and the creek and...the hot tub. I dont know, theres just something about being in the mountains that relaxes me. Which is probably good considering Im moving to Vancouver. I dont know, I just thinking about it. I miss being stress-free.

Thinking...(oh dear)

So Im sitting in my english class....not doing anything except facebooking...and blogging, obviously.

Right now...I feel disconnected from everything. I really feel like moving on. I want June 29th to get here so I can finally do that. Its a feeling that is very unsettling. I went and saw a movie based out of Chicago yesterday...and it made me think of how happy I was when I was in Chicago, and then when I was in BC afterwards. Maybe because I wasn't in school then, haha but I dont know.

And right now....the crossover of food (gluten food to gluten free food) has been making me sick...which is brutal...and apparently its gonna last like....2 months...so annoying.

Anyways...thats my life right now...well...part of it.

And again, the dog wouldnt eat it!

So...I found out on friday that I do in fact have celiac disease...so I've been trying out different gluten-free foods...most of them arent too bad, but I had a granola bar sunday morning that I think is only good for one thing...emptying your stomach....it was gross...my dog wouldnt eat it, and my dog eats everything. And then today, I had a instant meal...penne....and I took it out of the microwave and some spilled on the ground, the dog came over...licked some up...SPAT IT OUT! and walked out of the room! That shows how good it was... :S

By request

So....I have a request from Sarah to tell everyone how "well" I came out of the anasthetic from my biposy today...so here it goes..

I thought I was in my leadership class, so I tried sitting up and the nurse told me to lay back down....and I was like "SHUT UP ALLIE I DONT WANNA LAY DOWN!"

Then i asked how sundaes went (cause we had a sundae fundraiser at school at lunch that I was in charge of)...Obviously...the nurse didnt know and I got mad, lol.

Then they asked if I wanted ANOTHER popcycle....I do not remember eating a first popcycle...kinda scary.

So...apparently this will make you laugh

Galations 1:6-8

So...I've taken these 3 verses....and written my interpretation of the verse in my own words in bold...tell me what you think!!!

6I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel

I’m shocked that you could turn your back on the Lord, and that you’re turning to a completely different belief system!

7which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.

That new thing you believe in…it’s a load of crap! Obviously you’re being tricked and thrown into something that has somehow been twisted into sounding like the Lord, and you are being converted by a twisted gospel.

8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!

Any Believer of the Lord who has preached something other than what his word says…he will have eternal Damnation.

Galations 1:3-5

3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father
5 to whom be glory for ever and ever.

Amen.

I started reading through Galations, but Im not going to read a chapter at a time like I usually do, I'm simply going to read a few verses at a time, so I can really meditate on what it says and take it for what each verse says, as opposed to what each chapter says, so I can really break it down and hear all the words of the LORD. I read Galations 1:3-5 yesterday, and it basically talks about how God had planned all along to have Jesus die for our sins, so that we wouldn't need to be enslaved to this sinful earth. But, yes he rescued us from the slavery of this sinful earth, however he didn't take us away from it. We're still here, we're not living in a bubble. We have to make an effort to keep ourselves from the captivity. God isn't going to keep us from sin, he gave us free will. Its up to us to make that effort...we have to be willing to ask God for help. God saved us but we have to want the saving.

SOMEONE STOLE MY IDEA

So a few years ago we came up with WWJD smackdown on the way to youth councils...and never got around to making it...haha. I was gonna do it at camp or something (I still might) but I was on the internet and found this...I laughed super hard!!

Im sorry

Im sorry this happened to you
Im sorry for your pain
Im sorry you have to be alone through this
Im sorry theres no one there
Im sorry I cant help

I wish I could be there
I wish i could show you that I care about you
I wish I could show you that not everyone in the world is like that
I wish This didnt happen to you
I wish I could take the pain away

I just want you to remember I love you, and Im always here for you.


Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Titus 1:15-16

15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.
16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

If you watch carefully, there are so many corrupted Christians, who say they're Christians, then go and get so drunk that they cant remember anything the next day, or who are constantly dropping F-bombs or who are dealing drugs. We're human, yes, but is that being an example for the lord? It says "but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted" Does that mean that anything they do before they believe in the lord is wrong? No matter what it is?

I want to urge everyone to take a deep look at their hearts...and examine your relationship the the lord (or if you even have one anymore).

Mr. President

So...I went to my sister-in-laws dance show today, and they danced to this song, and it really stuck out to me.

I will go

So....I've been listening to the new starfield CD non-stop for like..3 weeks, and its amazing, i highly recomend it! Anyways, I was thinking about moving to Vancouver, and the song "I will go" came on...and its almost like it was written for me. I've been wanting to help people in this way for 16 years! And yeah...so here are the lyrics.

To the desperate eyes and reaching hands
To the suffering and the lean
To the ones the world has cast aside
Where you want me I will be

I will go
I will go
I will go Lord send me
To the world
To the lost
To the poor and hungry
Take everything I am
Clay within your hands
I will go
I will go
Send me

Let me not be blind with privilege
Give me eyes to seek the pain
Let the blessing You've poured out on me
Not be spent on me in vain
Let this life be used for change

I wanna live for you
Go where you lead me
I wanna follow you

I wanna live for you
Go where you lead me
I wanna follow you

I wanna live for you
Go where you lead me
I wanna follow you



Send me! (4x)

Come Lord Jesus Come


Enough Said

Articles of War

So...I've been challenged by a lot of stuff lately...The Articles of war is one of the things I've been challenged by. Its not that I disagree with it...but its just been in my face a lot lately (not just cause its the first thing I see when I wake up in the morning)

Having accepted Jesus Christ as my Saviour and Lord, and desiring to fulfil my membership of His Church on earth as a soldier of The Salvation Army, I now by God's grace enter into a sacred covenant.

I believe and will live by the truths of the word of God expressed in The Salvation Army's eleven articles of faith:

We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God; and that they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice.

We believe that there is only one God, who is infinitely perfect, the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of all things, and who is the only proper object of religious worship.

We believe that there are three persons in the Godhead - the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost - undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory.

We believe that in the person of Jesus Christ the Divine and human natures are united, so that He is truly and properly God and truly and properly man.

We believe that our first parents were created in a state of innocency, but by their disobedience they lost their purity and happiness; and that in consequence of their fall all men have become sinners, totally depraved, and as such are justly exposed to the wrath of God.

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has, by His suffering and death, made an atonement for the whole world so that whosoever will may be saved.

We believe that repentance towards God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and regeneration by the Holy Spirit are necessary to salvation.

We believe that we are justified by grace, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; and that he that believeth hath the witness in himself.

We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.

We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We believe in the immortality of the soul; in the resurrection of the body; in the general judgment at the end of the world; in the eternal happiness of the righteous; and in the endless punishment of the wicked.

I will be responsive to the Holy Spirit's work and obedient to His leading in my life, growing in grace through worship, prayer, service and the reading of the Bible. I will make the values of the Kingdom of God and not the values of the world the standard for my life.

I will uphold Christian integrity in every area of my life, allowing nothing in thought, word or deed that is unworthy, unclean, untrue, profane, dishonest or immoral.

I will maintain Christian ideals in all my relationships with others; my family and neighbours, my colleagues and fellow salvationists, those to whom and for whom I am responsible, and the wider community.

I will uphold the sanctity of marriage and of family life. I will be a faithful steward of my time and gifts, my money and possessions, my body, my mind and my spirit, knowing that I am accountable to God.

I will abstain from alcoholic drink, tobacco, the non-medical use of addictive drugs, gambling, pornography, the occult and all else that could enslave the body or spirit.

I will be faithful to the purposes for which God raised up The Salvation Army, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, endeavouring to win others to Him, and in His name caring for the needy and the disadvantaged.

I will be actively involved, as I am able, in the life, work, worship and witness of the corps, giving as large a proportion of my income as possible to support its ministries and the worldwide work of the Army.

I will be true to the principles and practices of The Salvation Army, loyal to its leaders, and I will show the spirit of salvationism whether in times of popularity or persecution.

I now call upon all present to witness that I enter into this covenant and sign these articles of war of my own free will, convinced that the love of Christ, who died and now lives to save me, requires from me this devotion of my life to His service for the salvation of the whole world; and therefore do here declare my full determination, by God's help, to be a true soldier of The Salvation Army.

Dont get all up in my grill, cause im a Jesus girl

So yesterday, in my leadership class....I had a near confrontation. We were doing this thing about superheroes...and we had to write 8 fictional superheroes, 8 people that were heroes in their time, but have....passed on from this life....and 8 people who are heroes right now...I put Jesus down...cause you know...Jesus is the greatest superhero of ALL TIME. And someone was like "Jesus was just a man, he didn't do anything heroic, everything people believe about him is a lie" and I got so angry. You know that feeling when you get really mad, and you can feel all the blood rising to your face and your about ready to bust a cap? Yeah...that was me...you do not talk about my daddy like that.

God is with you

I came to the realization this weekend...you dont need to be in a church service, or a christian conference or anything like that for God to speak to you, and to grow in your spirituality in an insane way. I've been in Vancouver/abbotsford since friday morning, just hanging out...but I have grown. I've been growing like...non stop since december, but this weekend has been...AGH...so awesome. I spent friday and part of saturday with Paige (Honeycomb!!) and we just hung out...and pulled out the guitar for old times sake...and it was so random and so amazing. Then yesterday...I spend time on the downtown east side of Vancouver with some of the war college students and it was amazing. I dont know how to describe it. Its all been like...a reassurance of my calling from God. I've been trying to teach myself exactly what it means to praise God in every word you speak, every breath you breathe and every step you take...and its really starting to come alive. My crazy growth has been amazing...and I know there will be a lot more to come...and im so stoked for that.

Change

So I was driving along...and Im listening to Sean Kingston...singing along..."Yeah all these beautiful girls" you know...just chillin. Then this song came on, its called change...and I was totally speachless...I've been listening to this song over and over again trying to figure it out. Well...here are the lyrics....tell me what you think.

And ask yourself the question...can God work through this song? Even if its a secular artist?

Change – Sean Kingston

[Chorus:]
Oh I wish I had the power, the power to change the world
But I'm just one man trying to do it on my own
Oh I wish I had the power, the power to change the world
But I'm just one man trying to do it on my own
Can someone help me (change the world)?
Can somebody help me (change the world)?

Everyday I see the youth, they're chilling on the corners
Hustling crack and marijuana
Because they don't have no guidance
Nobody just be guiding, no

Hope to see black people living longer
Also less kids without fathers
We should all come together
Please stop fighting and killing each other

[Pre-chorus:]
It's what happens when you're living in the street life
It's so dark and you don't get sunlight
People're seeing why you don't get treated right
But I'm gonna try to change it

[Chorus]

Many people're living off welfare
Hoping things get better next year
But I'm covered in tears
So many sick without health care

Too many innocent people dyin'
And I don't know why
You gotta keep your eyes open even when you're rollin'
As days go by

[Bridge:]
Somebody, change the world
We've got little boys and little girls
Growing up on this sinful earth
Oh what's happening?
I don't know, but please tell me
We've got all these criminals and discretes
Killing people for no reason
I don't know why

Im gonna fight

Alright....so in case I didn't explain the last few posts well...Im going to the war college in Vancouver, I start in september. Basically....its the beginning of my fight for God. I'll be working on the downtown eastside of Vancouver trying to win the people over for the kingdom of Christ. Its my battle field, its been my mission since I was 14.

Heres one more video on I'll fight.

I'll fight

While women weep, as they do now
I'll fight

While little children go hungry, as they do now
I'll fight

While men go to prison, in and out, in and out as they do now
I'll fight

While there is a drunkard left
while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets
Where there remains one dark soul without the light of God,
I'll fight - I'll fight to the very end

The moment I've been waiting for, for 4 years

"Dear Courtney McLeod,
Greetings in Jesus' name! We pray that God is strengthening you by his mighty Spirit living in all who believe!
Congratulations on being accepted into The Salvation Army’s private institution, The War College. We don't accept just anyone to attend. Based on prayer, your application, and your references, we are pleased to invite you into the 2008-2009 session of The War College - Conquerors! Your acceptance is for the one year of post-secondary spiritual discipleship and mission studies. Be assured that we have prayed and carefully weighed our decision and are looking forward to fighting alongside you and growing in faith with you!"

Thats my king

They showed this video at yc last year, so true!!

In my prayers

So, when I was in Ontario this summer, we were visiting a lot of family, it was amazing, I got to meet a lot of people that I've either never met, or haven't seen since I was 4, so it was really cool. We were in london and we were visiting my moms aunt and uncle (who, by the way are like...in their mid-70's), and their son and his wife came over and we had a grand 'ole time. Then we're sitting there having tea and coffee, and I looked over by the stairs and see this little head peak up. And he left, and then a little girl came up the stairs, it was there foster kids. So I went down and played with them. The little boy had bald patches all over his head, so I was a little confused. They we're absolutely adorable children. They had a 6 month old baby, but my moms aunt and uncle were really of no age to have a baby that young in the house. The baby was taken right from the mom at birth.

I left their house in tears because I knew that I would never see them again. They are very special kids. The little boy wouldn't come near me for a while, then when his sister started playing with me, he started to warm up again. But then when I told them I had to leave soon his response was "when are you coming back?" and it broke my heart because I knew that I wasn't going back to see them. Those kids have had so many foster families, so many people who are only there to play with for a little while and then they leave and no one ever bothers with them again. I saw in his eyes when I told him that I didn't think I could come back that he was disapointed, for the billionth time.

When we left I found out that the bald spots on his head were there because, when he found out that he had to leave his previous foster home, he pulled out his hair, I guess it was a way to relieve anger. But it breaks my heart everytime I think about it. They are very special kids and I wish I could see them again. I think they will always hold a special place in my heart, even though I only knew them for a couple hours.

Hosanna

Verse 1
I see the king of glory
Coming down the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes, the whole earth shakes
I see his love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing, the people sing

Chorus
Hosanna, hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

Verse 2
I see a generation
Rising up to take the place
With selfless faith, with selfless faith
I see a new revival
Staring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees, we're on our knees

Bridge
Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me
Break my heart for what is yours
Everything I am for your kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity

Hosanna

Look up, say your prayers

Look at you now, just standing there like you think you’re something.
The lights are up and the crowd is looking your way.
Waiting for what you have to say.
Go ahead boy give them a little taste of hypocrisy, maybe a hint of blasphemy.
Whatever you’re preaching it isn’t me.
You wanna walk with me, do ya?
You wanna walk with me.
If you love me then just love me, don’t you give me pretty words.
Lay your life down at the altar.
Let me see how serious you are.
These people don’t look to me no more they’ve got their idols in various forms.
With lust in their eyes they crave for more.
Take their place with the corporate carnivores.
Oh, keep your focus for the day will come when everyone will give account for what they’ve done; make me proud.
Make me proud my son.
Look at this broken world; look at my children.
Get ready go; sing to me the right song.
Look up say your prayers on the steps of the capitol.
Look up say your prayers, on your knees.
Look up say your prayers.
Look up say your prayers.
You wanted it to be like you always thought it would but all you seem to accomplish is the
opposite.

~The wedding~