journal entries for Challenge '08 in Salt Lake C

Friday, June 27, 2008

I’m in the van on the way to Detroit, which is where we’re gonna take off on the plane to Utah! I’m SO excited! The church vans were vandalized but a couple guys from the church graciously offered to drive us to Detroit and back in their vans =) Thank you Lord! So this week has been spiritually tough. I’ve been praying SO much and asking God to 1) humble me 2) take every drop of glory for Himself 3) save Jazz and/or Shelly 4) guide me so I know what to say n’ stuff, like when witnessing 5) shine thru me SO much so that people can see God in me. Also, I think I’ve been kinda proud about this. I’ll ask God to tell me what to say and guide me (when witnessing) but then I go ahead and ask someone else for advice. I tried to justify myself and say its not that I don’t trust God, it’s just that I want to know what to say JUST in case…Then I realized that was prideful, cuz 1) I really didn’t trust God completely and 2) I was basically saying I don’t want to look like a fool for Christ, so I dunno, I just really need to trust God. Also, some more things I hope will happen on this trip is God works in the hearts of every single person on the trip plus people in Utah. I hope God prepares us for this next school year and I hope God humbles us all. Also, I hope what ever good thing happens will last. So, those are my prayerful goals/hopes and the only way they will happen is by the power of God. Also I hope and pray souls are saved, but all in God’s timing :)

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Saturday, June 28, 2008

Wow…today was …I don’t know. it was like a dream, or part of it anyways. We started out just going to a park (Pioneer Park) to play games that involved team work. I saw symbolism in them, lol. IDK if it was intended, but like, the one that we had to tag people with a stuffed animal, it might have been called Monarchy, but IDK, but anyways, it reminded me of how the enemy is out ‘tagging’ people and sometimes it’s hard to tell who’s in the ‘Monarchy’ and who’s not. Another game that involved balance and MAJOR team work, reminded me of how we have to rely on each other (body of Christ) and God to hold us together and stay balanced… Well 2 of the games were kinda the same, but anyways, it’s hard to explain.

So today was the day that, me, Jazz, Shelly, and Jazz’s mom met up… that’s the part that still feels like a dream. So, I called Jazz around um…3-4pm. Told her to meet us at the Depot next to the mall. They ended up getting here earlier than we thought, so  they met us at Pioneer Park (which, originally, I told them Liberty Park, but told them the wrong name, So after some mix up, they finally came to Pioneer Park where all 28 or so of us were at. It was awesome! I didn’t expect Shelly to look how she did, lol, it was prolly her new hair cut that I don’t think I’ve seen before. Also I think I expected Jazz to be taller, but anyways…

          Man, it STILL feels like a dream, which seemed SO real, that I just woke up from. Only now, I gotta let it sink in as reality, cuz it is. So, I had been REALLY wanting to give Jazz the Out of Mormonism book. But Don asked/warned me about it, cuz he thought it might have been offensive to them (Aly warned me about this, earlier, too). So finally, I decided to look for the opportunity and if I saw God give me one, I’d give Jazz the book, but if not, I wouldn’t. Well I didn’t give it to her cuz I ended up not seeing an opportunity. I’ll explain more about this later.

          Anyways, me Shelly and Jazz were walking around the Gateway mall and just hanging out. Eventually we had to leave Shelly at the fountains cuz she had to wait for someone (Jazz had to take me back to our meeting spot cuz I was afraid I’d get lost XD) So we went back to where Don and Tammi and some people were and we met up with Jazz’s mom, and the three of us went to find a place to eat, so we did. It was fun just hanging out with them, lol, but a little awkward at times. After that we were just walking around the mall (which, again, was awkward cuz Jazz’s mom was always behind us and I felt like it was rude, but I dunno.) So, again, we were walking around and talking and eventually had to go back and meet the group. When we did, we were pretty much just talking to Don and the group.  Then, we went our separate ways, but not after the 2 of us got in a poking fight while crossing the road (she poked my forehead and I didn’t get hers >.<) Afterwards, I was so confused about the night and what happened.  I thought it would be the time when God did something major with Jazz’s heart, or at least this would be a big turning point. Turns out, this might have been a smaller event in a bigger picture of God’s sovereign plan! See, I guess Jazz’s mom is like, having doubts about the LDS church and Don was talking to her about stuff like that. I’m sure I’ll have tons more stuff to say about this later, lol. So I dunno exactly what’s happening but I’ll trust God :)

          Anyways, gotta go to bed (haha I can actually say that and mean it literally cuz I’m sleeping on a bed!) lol…yea…dad would be proud. So I’ll write about tomorrow’s adventures, and of course more about Jazz’s mom um…tomorrow…Lord willing.

Ps- just thought I’d say this. I’d been judging Nicole since like…yesterday. And I *think* God wanted me to confess. So I did. It feels so much better. Also I’m pretty sure God is working in all 4 of our lives (Nicole, Elizabeth, Veronica and me)) Thank you Lord!

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Sunday, June 29, 2008

Wow…today was interesting and totally amazingly intense or insane or awesome or…whatever…in that order. So today we went to the Mormon temple and it was well, interesting…the group had a discussion about it afterwards, but here are my thoughts on it.

          I could see why people can be so easily attracted to Mormonism, cuz like, in the temple, it was such a ‘family friendly’ environment! Also, in the temple, I gotta admit it was beautiful. Impressing? Only some parts.

          I dunno, like, they probably try to attract people like that, to their church that is. But the other thing is, during the tour, they were trying to pretty much ‘connect’ with us cuz they most likely figured we’re a Christian group. They were always referring to the Bible and our beliefs like they wanted us to think that we all believe the same things, but we don’t! And I hope they know that too! They took us to this room that was like a dome and it had a statue of ‘Jesus Christ’ in the center. It was a huge statue. I didn’t want to look at it when it was ‘speaking’, in fact, I wouldn’t look at it. They believe in a different Jesus. Their Jesus is the brother of Lucifer. Their Jesus didn’t cover every sin when he died on the cross. The Jesus of the Bible is God in flesh, created Lucifer (before he became satan) and has the power to cover every sin.

          Oh, also, it seems like that during the presentation when ‘Jesus Christ’ was speaking, it seemed like they were picking bits and pieces out of the Bible. I just really didn’t like it…also, we were talking to a lady about the significance  (according to them) about the death and resurrection of Christ and she sorta avoided the question until finally me and Veronica were asking her a little bit more…

Oh, also, Don told me more about the convo between him and Jazz’s mom. I guess she’s been doubting the LDS church a lot and she’s been looking at other religions. Then Don told her he has found Truth in Jesus (I forgot what the exact words were).

Ok so as for tonight, it was intense! We were all at the Challenge ’08 conference rally. (There were like 6000 people, literally!) I was having doubts about whether it would be any good or not. Eventually, after the speaking, Francis Chan (who sounds awesome!) got done, it was like….WOW…Francis Chan was talking about descriptions of God…then when we started singing and worshipping again…this was the WOW part. I’m sure that the Spirit of God moved among us. I felt kina distant from God but then it was like God was truly moving in the hearts of people there…Veronica is one of them, and probably Elizabeth. Thank you God so much! It was a humbling experience :)

Gotta go to bed

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Monday, June 30, 2008

Today was awesome! This morning at the rally, the speaker, J.D. Greear, was pretty much talking about hurting people groups and bringing the gospel to them, coupled with ‘signs’ or good works. I really liked it!

          The 2 seminars I was in were Understanding Your LDS Neighbors and then the Genesis one. Both were pretty kool. The LDS one was a lot of review and some not so much, but it was good!  The Genesis one was really interesting. A lot of it was practically exactly the same as Kent Hovind material.  (Also Dr. Hovind presents it better, lol) But still, I’m glad I went. BTW, IDK if Dr. Hovind took it from Answers in Genesis (AiG) which is who presented it or if they took it from Dr. Hovind, but last I knew AiG didn’t support him so IDK) Harold and John were there too and I’m glad they were! Apparently they’re both interested in that topic.

          So anyways, for the evening rally, the speaker, Jimmy Dorrell, was talking about um…well he was telling his story and about the ‘Church Under the Bridge’ he started (I think in a mid east country). I thought it was awesome that they would let anyone get involved no matter who they were or what their problems were. During breakaway, which is were each youth group ‘breaks away’ from the 6000 people group and talks about the rally (both morning and evening) we were talking a lot about different ministries we could do to help Big Rapids and also about PowerHouse (the name of our youth group) in general. I’m sure God will do something more with PowerHouse. One thing I learned today is that Harold is one of the most honest guys I know, lol! OK…bed time.

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Tuesday, July 1, 2008

So today we did street evangelism and cleanup. I did evangelism (with Brandon and Silas). Believe it or not, it was pretty fun! It was frustrating cuz we were around temple square so that means all except 1 or 2 people were Mormons. It didn’t help that the survey cards we had to use were not good for Mormons. So I dunno, but we got to talk to a few people and had a couple good conversations and there *might* have been one true Christian or at least maybe God was working on his heart!

          Then tonight the speaker, Becky Tirabassi was telling her story and more stuff and it was amazing! Also, God did something amazing w/ me! (and lots of other people I’m sure.) I think He actually humbled me! Also, I’ve had this insanely annoying and slightly disgusting attraction to…one of the guys in my youth group, and as a result, I’ve felt Jealousy toward a [she] friend who is really good friend with this guy. And well, I hate it and it would never go away! I also had a hard time focusing on God sometimes and had a hard time being around this guy, I just hated it all. But tonight, after rally (evening), when God did something in me, I was able to look at him and see him as a friend and not an ‘attraction’! (or something like that). It was so awesome! And now I don’t feel Jealous toward my friend who is a she!

          I know it was God cuz only He coulda done something like that. It was completely random, lol! I’m just hoping it stays like this. Cuz I noticed as a walked out of the rally that something was different about me. But I couldn’t figure out what. Then I realized, I was joyful! Like a lot!

          IDK, the only way I can explain this is when I’m proud, my heart feels like a stone that sank. But when God humbles me my heart feels like its a stone floating in water (so in other works, it’s light) Anyways, that’s what happened today :)

Another entry on July 1:

God knows I’m often proud. He knows I don’t often share the Gospel. He knows I sometimes subconsciously doubt prayer or doubt the effectiveness of it or I don’t even know how to explain it. But He knows. He also knows I don’t seriously study His Word very much. God knows. He knows everything. He also knows, and I hope this has always been true since the first time I saw it, that my deepest desire is for His will to be mine.

          Tonight something changed. I know God did it cuz it couldn’t have been more sudden and random. I asked Him to humble me and I think that’s what He did tonight…I think. I’ll see if it lasts. If so, thank you Lord! And as a result of this maybe God will honor the commitment I’m gonna make to spend time with Him every day ‘til I die.

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Wednesday, July 2, 2008

K, so tonight the speaker, Tim Elmore, was talking about that we need to be leaders and at the very end, he asked us to stand if we want to be that leader that God wants us to be. Anyways, I stood. I know God wants me to be a leader. In fact, a quote from the guy was ‘A follower of Jesus will eventually become a leader’. So I want to start being a driver instead of keep being a passenger. I need to be the leader that God wants me to be.

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Friday, July 4, 2008 (BTW I was extremely tired when writing this one)

YAY, it’s independence day. Tis the anniversary thing or whatever of the American Revolution or as the British would call it, the American REBELION! Bahahaha! Ok

SO yea, Today was amazing, seriously! The morning rally was on Evangelism, by Greg Steir who is awesomely amazing! And the evening rally was on ‘What to do Next’ by Francis Chan.

          Today was another evangelism and service project today. I signed up for evangelism. Me, John, and Silas were in the same group. So it turns out John is SUPER good at just like starting the convo and leading it and stuff. I’m best at stepping in randomly if he needs help (I figured out I have all this random information in my head but can’t always figure out what order to put it in, so if I have a context to put it in, then I’ll be good.) Also, me, John, and Nicole, went out and shared the gospel after dinner. It was amazing!  I also figured out that if you want to be humbled, go do evangelism.

-Soldiergirl4Christ aka Lora

Here's a couple things I didn't include in my journal:

The band that was playing at the rallies was Starfield. They're pretty awesome. But something reeally funny happened lol. A guy in our group, Seth, and some other people in the youth group have an inside joke i guess. Seth calls some people his baby (don't ask, I have NO idea) and they'll call him 'Dearest paPA' sometimes. lol. So Seth got one of the guys in Starfield to call him  that lol! They got in on video too! It's hilarious. They went up to him and ask him and at first he just shook his head no, but then he was like 'NAH im just kidding! My Dearest paPA!' and they hugged one of those manly hugs (as opposed to a girly hug or serious hug), lol. I wish i was there when it happened, but i just saw the video of it.

k, so something else pretty awesome is when we got back, our youth pastor (Don) said that apparently someone at the hotel we were staying at said that our group was like, the most behaved, or something. (There were lots of youth groups staying there!). Also, the lady that drove us from the hotel to the airport on the last night said the guys of our group really impressed her (or something like that)! I dunno about everyone else, but I'm taking those comments as answered prayers! Cuz i mean I asked God to shine through me, but it counts for Him shining through everyone!

Also, when me, Brandon, and Silas were out on the streets, we got to talk to a few people: a guy who might be Christian, or close to becoming one, a young woman at the cross walk, a young woman with a baby, and a guy who might have been her boyfriend or husband. When me, John and Silas/Nicole were out on the streets, we got to talk to alot of people! More people than Brandon, Silas and I did the first time. Some people we talked to were: a young woman who might have gotten convicted because she told us she didn't want to talk about it any more, a  construction worker who I think really got thinking about some of the stuff we were talking about, an Elderly Mormon missionary, a young lady with a stroller, 2 Atheists, 2 girls who were smoking and said they were related to Joseph Smith,  and a young lady name Maryan (sp?) who I think she really was thinking about what we were saying, and a guy name Danny who i guess grew up in an Evangelical school, but left for a reason we couldn't find out. These are only some people. (and btw, we didn't start getting people's names and introducing ourselves 'til later, so that's why we only have a few names). But yea, we couldn't finish our discussions with a lot of people because we were doing this mostly at the train stop, so a lot of people had to get on the train. But I pray for all of them. I know God can save them and I pray He does somehow. I also pray God would send more people to tell Salt Lake City and Utah in general about the coming judgment and the true Gospel!