So umm...yeah. State Choir.

On Wednesday, me and five other Souderton kids headed out to Pittsburgh for the PMEA state choir. Needless to say, it was an experience I will NEVER forget. It was districts and regionals on steroids. Not only was it state choir, it was the state band, state orchestra, state wind ensemble, state jazz ensemble and state vocal jazz choir. There were over 600 prodigies of music stuffed into one school/convention center/hotel. 600. It was INCREDIBLE. You were surrounded by music wherever you went. Oh my goodness, and the sound of the choir. It sounded like 288 angels singing. The basses were so good that their notes rattled in your chest. I love singing so much. :]

Another crazy thing? 5 out of the 6 Souderton kids made the top ten of their section (Natalie 7th, Kelsey 10th, Will 4th, Brenna 2nd, me 3rd).And helloooo Eastern Regions. :D

Another amazing thing. On Saturday before the concert, we had oodles of down time while the other ensembles were performing. Jon decided to start a bible study with his friends. It started out with about five of us, and ended up with about 25 of us. We barely knew each others' names but we all ended up spilling our lives out, our pain and problems, where to look in the Bible for help, we prayed for each other, we sang every worship song we could think of. I ended up crying, especially seeing Natalie having tears stream down her face. I loved getting the strange looks from everyone else (we were in the middle of the floor...in a circle...in the Pittsburgh Convention Center, mind you.) Some people were curious and would hang around for a bit, then leave. Most stayed. Even the head chaperone saw what we were doing and came to join us. And you know? This is the power of God. That day. We were strangers and yet we were bonded in the family of Christ. It was INCREDIBLE. I'm so glad I got to experience it.

I'd post more but I believe I hear Carter pulling up. But in short, these past few days were marvelous days. I will never forget them.

~j

VOTD (and one of my personal favorites:)

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

This is hurting my very soul. It absolutely kills me to see people so entangled in sin. I can only depend on prayer at a time like this...

~j

VOTD:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:5-8

Indescrible.

So I woke up early this morning to go running, and by 'waking up early', I mean I forced my rather sleepy body out of my bed around eight o'clock. It felt rather good. The weather is SO beautiful. It's PERFECT out. I've gotten major spring fever after the multiple 'Blizzards of 2010'. After I ran, I came back home and decided to read outside. I got pretty distracted by the nature surrounding me. I was watching a shadow of an ant crawl about a flower, and this butterfly was circling the gardens I was in between. It's so beautiful. Hello, spring.

Whatever religion you are (or aren't), you can't deny that our earth is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. So go enjoy it today. :]

~j

VOTD:

 What great deeds are done by His hands. 

Mark 6:2