The Will Chronicles

moved

2010-09-26T15:18:00.000-07:00

For those of you that are still actually checking on this blog... please know that you can replace this address with the new blog www.thewechronicles.blogspot.com. I'm married now you see.... so we're combining our powers and having 1 singular blog :) thanks!

Just a little tease :)

2009-12-17T14:10:00.000-08:00

The new YWAM Denver School of Worship album is out and Erika and I were blessed to be able to sing one of the tracks. Here is a little ghetto video from the CD release party of us singing "Lost in Love." Hope you enjoy!!!

We are currently still working on our own personal EP (cd of 6 songs) and will hopefully be releasing, "Threshing Floor" sometime around the new year. If you are interested in donating to help us duplicate please let me know! It will cost us at least around $700 for us to finish up this process, but we're excited to see God work and provide for us!

Love to you all!! and a VERY VERY Merry Christmas! I'm off to ALABAMA!! WOOHOO!

Do you hear bells?!

2009-10-17T22:42:00.000-07:00

It started just outside of Vail with a little hike

We were happy to be out from the city

Just soaked in the outdoors

Made it to the top (the falls are just right behind us)

Took some pics and ate lunch

We like taking pictures ;)

Ate some Kvikk Lunsj (A Norwegian hiking tradition!)

My personal Kvikk Lunsj model ;)

The Turtles came with.... of course
(Erika takes these guys EVERYWHERE she goes)

After a few gifts at the top for our 1 year anniversary (they were just decoys) we hiked down and stopped along the way. I washed her feet, read a letter, and seamlessly popped out a little box with a shiny ring!

Through her tears and sobs she managed out a faint YES!

We're Engaged!!!

Take Time

2009-10-14T10:33:00.000-07:00

I'm learning to take time....Time is a strange fellow. He is around all the time, but usually tends to be a cruel ruler over our lives, dictating our actions. My life in the past two weeks has gone from having a decent amount of free time to a more rigid schedule of events, but I am realizing that if I take a hold of Time and make him my servant instead of my dictator then there can be a freedom within that. It's a process....learning what's priority and what isn't....who is priority in my life and who can I wait to talk to later. I don't have it down. I'm DEFINITELY still learning and fighting with this old man Time... He's been around a bit longer than I and knows his way around; so I'm trying to learn my own ways or tactics to beat him into submission :)

The School of Worship just started last week, October 5th. I'm so excited to finally have met the students as I have been praying for over the past month. We split the 16 students up into 3 bands. I have 5 students that are so excited to be in a band and are hungry for what God is going to speak to them and how He will be challenging them in this time! Their first songs were due this past Monday and we were able to gather at my house for them to share them with the rest of the band. (I just received a beautiful upright piano on Monday afternoon at my house!! Praise the LORD) They were nervous but excited. It is such a joy to be able to see the life and talent that God has placed inside these students and I can't wait to start to transform these songs from just an acoustic feel to a full band! Our first song presentations as a band are next Friday where we will be able to hear what the other 2 bands have been working on and get an idea of what the album for this school may start to sound like.

From Left to Right:
Cory, Rebecca, Kevin, Katrina, and Mary
(they affectionately call themselves "The Will Strickland Project")

This is the beginning of a great 3 month journey with so many challenges of my own within that time... I am moving... hopefully towards the goals that God has set before me...and with a grace that encourages those along my way.

A thought for today

2009-10-05T07:40:00.000-07:00

"You can only multiply the quality of your own life; and if the quality of your life is needy then what you create will then follow that." Patrick Dodson

Not a new concept, but just a good reminder and challenge for me to be checking up on my own quality of life.

This guy has TONS of podcasts... and he has SUCH amazing wisdom.. check him out.... just click on his name.

These times... They are a changin'

2009-10-03T08:35:00.000-07:00

In 2 days I will be helping to lead the School of Worship here at YWAM Denver. We have 16 students that are coming to dig deep into the reasons of why their heart beats so strongly to the rhythm of leading people into the presence of God. I hope to be a part of that process as I personally lead a band of 6 students; coaching them, encouraging them, challenging them, and pushing them forward in their gifts, talents, and desires. We have students from the U.S., Nepal, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Albania, England, and Canada. It's going to be a fun next 3 months!

Over the past several weeks God has been challenging me about the word "Expect." There are two different realities that I am seeking to plunder into my heart and figure out. The first being that of the expectations that are put on our lives... either by other people or ourselves... but mainly how those expectations affect us. I make certain decisions, be it positive or negative, because of what is expected of me. Seeking to find out what those expectations are can be as simple as noticing how someone greets you with a hug (expecting that you will reciprocate) or maybe more personal, like how you react to certain stressful stimuli. The challenge for me currently is that I would not let any expectations dictate how I act or who I am. When I feel as though I "should" be something, but know that maybe that's not the true "Will" that I want to be, I am now trying to respond, react, or be the reflection of Christ that I know I am... rather than what is just simply expected of me.

The second "expect" part is that of an expectancy. I woke up a few weeks ago on a normal Monday morning and was just having a chat with God. After the typical greetings and salutations I sensed that He was asking me what I was expecting from worship at the base that morning. Slowly I began to realize that I expected nothing.... I expected that we would sing some songs, maybe someone would give a Scripture or a word of exhortation/ encouragement, there would be a few announcements, and then I would leave and begin to prepare lunch for the base. In that moment, I had this sense of broken heartedness come over me. How could I go into the presence of God and not expect one single thing from Him? Why don't I walk in hoping, praying, and expecting God for miracles, for chains to be broken off peoples lives, for relationships to be restored, for His manifest presence to be so thick that we have to fall on our faces in humble adoration and holy fear?!

So here I am, seeking to identify the expectations that are on my life that hold me back from being the man of God I truly desire to be, and desiring to live in an everyday expectancy that God is going to miraculously transform lives. These next three months are going to be intense and I am expecting God to do GREAT things.

How long is too long?

2009-09-20T18:19:00.000-07:00

Do you know those seasons of life where you keep wanting to do something and then before you know it 6 months goes by? That's me.... with my blog. :( It took me a while to get re-acclimated to life here in the states and I jumped right into life at YWAM Denver again. The transition has been interesting, exciting, new, and routine all at once.
When I got back from Norway, I dove into meetings with leadership, friends, and pastors in an attempt to get my life back in order here in Denver. Unfortunately my desire to get organized and focused made me so busy that I didn't make time for simple things like updating my blog. For that.... I am sorry and as of now is changing!

So here's the scoop in a few short sentences....I'm loving being back in Denver. Erika and I are doing great and I can't wait for her to come join me out here for her Phase 2 starting October 5th. I am the assistant director for the School of Worship starting October 5th, and will be taking over the school for next year!! and... I have started a youth band at my church.

Now that I've got this all out of the way I can start giving more regular updates. Just having the large monster of me not writing anything in SOOO long has kept me from doing it, so now that won't be a problem!

Unfortunately, I won't be able to grace my blog with any more pictures as my one and only camera bit the dust my last week in Norway :( I'm praying for a new Digital SLR so that I can continue to capture life as I see it. Thankfully I still have some awesome pictures from all the travels to choose from!

Give me a few days and I'll let you know more details of what I'm up to in my life and what God is teaching me.

On the way up!

2009-06-14T10:14:00.001-07:00

WOW! What to say.....I feel as though my whole life has turned into something different since I last posted several weeks ago. God has been revealing Himself to me in new ways and just really showing Himself faithful to bring good gifts.
Since I last updated, Wellspring went back on a short tour to the east coast of Norway to a town called, Hamar. Where I actually led worship one night in Norwegian, we played a concert in a local cafe, and led worship for a Sunday Norwegian confirmation service. The last two weeks we've been back in Skien working on the base doing practical work. I've done everything from putting up walls of sheet rock to grinding out mortar from in between bricks. Its been a great two weeks of work and fellowship with the YWAM Skien staff.

A cafe in Hamar where we had a concert

God has really been giving me personal breakthrough with all the spiritual strongholds in the area and as well blessing me with friendships that are encouraging and life giving. I am leaving this place in only 6 days and I am happy to say that I am honestly sad to go. I never wanted to leave Norway with the attitude of not liking it here. It was important for me to see victory while I was still in the midst of the place of struggle.... to have life in a place that so easily brought death to my spirit... and now I believe that I truly have!! Also, I realize that I have made some great friends here in this place and have learned so much about my own heart, leadership style, and the authority that God has given me as a man of God.
I am daily crying out for God's wisdom and He continues to teach me how to fear Him. :) This time here in Norway has brought about a breaking in my spirit and an opening in my heart that could never have come without the catalyst of this country and these people.

Visiting my friend Karen that I met during her SOW in Denver

we led worship for the confirmation service in Hamar... you can see Helga has her national costume on, on the far left.

Hard times

2009-05-24T13:30:00.000-07:00

Life has been good over the past few months for me..... however within these weeks it has been some of the more challenging times of my life. I feel drained, weak, and heavy hearted. The strongholds that are in Norway (and more specifically Skien) are depression and apathy, which has definitely affected me. I often times want to hide in my room and do nothing for no reason; and coming here to Poland I have felt an increased loneliness and worthlessness. I know all these things are lies and I'm praying against them daily and replacing them with the Truth of the Word, but I am weary. I want to come home; somewhere that is familiar, where I actually have friends instead of strangers with names that I can't pronounce. This has not been easy for me.... to be dealing with so many thoughts, questions, and wonderings all in one very jamp packed, fast paced several months.

The one breath of fresh air that I have had was recording week. Though it was hard work and draining in its own way, it was wonderful. Why? Because I was with two American's that I felt I had known for a long time, even though I just met them the same week. It was amazing to be around musicians with the same heart and the same understanding of the Norwegian culture.
I'm reminded of my outreach to Egypt 8 years ago and how that was one of the hardest times of my life but also the most fruitful.... I'm clinging on to that and praying that this will bear much fruit as well. I can tell you this... when I get home... I will not take it for granted! Not that I did before actually, because in reality I've basically been away from home since December, so the little moments I had there in between I cherished.

Please pray that God will continue to give me the wisdom and strength to finish well here in Norway. I really want to make an impact here at the base in Skien, Norway. Right now.... I'm still in Warsaw, Poland but we fly out tomorrow morning at 12:40. I'll give more details on that tomorrow or the next day once I get my pictures uploaded.

The Threshing Floor

2009-05-16T07:27:00.000-07:00

the fantastic four

This past week Erika and I undertook the ambitious task of recording 5 songs in 5 days with our two dear friends Caleb and Erin Paxton. I have been fans of their music ever since Erika sent me their album but getting to meet them.... record with them.... spend 16 hour days with them.... laugh my head off with them....and talk about our lives together has been one of the most memorable times in my life to date. Getting to write music and record it is a birthing process that takes time, pain, labor, and hopefully results in great joy; they have been through this as a couple and were an amazing encouragement to Erika and I individually and as a couple. I can't recall myself ever feeling so connected to someone so quickly...it was truly a great joy to get to know them.

The music for our little EP, if you will, won't be done for a little bit longer since we have to mix all the tracks, get it mastered, and figure out a way distributing it. I want to thank you for any prayers that you may have lifted up on our behalf this past week, it was an intense time. There is a growing excitement within my heart as we begin to make this idea of music into a reality and I'm eager for you all to be able to let it speak to you. When we get closer to being done with the final product I'll be sure to let you know more details.

ME!..... Vocals, piano, guitar, drums and a shaker!
(and as you can see in the background... we spent a LOT of time playing speed scrabble)

Our beautiful piano at the Methodist church where we did a lot of recording

Erika!.....Vocals, violin, piano, and cello

Erin!....Glockenspiel, accordian, and vocals

The last day!! almost there!!

There was Caleb as well who played the mandolin and did 90% of the recording!
What a trooper!

Italia

2009-05-07T09:12:00.000-07:00

If you don't already know, Erika and I found $25 flights to Italy and were able to visit my wonderful new cousin (she married into the family) Sarah! We were blessed beyond belief by her wonderful southern hospitality and knowledge of Venice. It was everything we hoped it would be and was such a great time of rest and rejuvenation for us, as we had just come off the tour around the west coast of Norway with the Wellspring band.

I actually have been talking to a guy named Georg Kivijarvi who was at one of our concerts at a cafe in Kopervik, NO. He wrote me on facebook and told me about how when he heard our music it made something in his heart change and he suddenly had an urge to read the Bible. It's amazing to see this 16 year old kid that isn't from a Christian family begin to search for answers simply from hearing a concert and hanging out with a few believers. We weren't sharing the Gospel, but simply let our hearts be known and the music speak. I love it when we are able to see such obvious fruit from our labors! Please pray with me as I continue to stay in contact with him that the Lord speaks to his heart and he joins the family!!

Before I get back to talking about wonderful Italy, I just wanted to let you guys know that I'm not done with my traveling. I'm joining YWAM Skien in their vision for an outreach called RISK. From here in Skien, Norway we are sending out teams to be in every European nation from May 20-25 to do strategic evangelism and simulataneous intercession and worship! It's a sweet opportunity to really bring the continent of Europe up in prayer and to plant seeds in the process. Erika and I are taking a team to Warsaw, Poland and are so excited to see what God will do through us while we're there! It's costing us about $300 to get there and I'm not sure about food and such while we are actually there, but we'll probably fasting some of the time... so that will help :) If you're interested in helping to specifically support me in this please contact me via my email (bihoasis@gmail.com) or send a tax deductible check to YWAM Denver, 12750 W. 63rd Ave, Denver, CO 80004.

Alright.... NOW to the good stuff...

THE ALPS!!!

Downtown Sacile, Italy, where my cousin lives and works with the Air Force

Sarah (my new cousin and our most gracious host)

A castle near Trieste, Italy

We made it to VENICE!!
From our view here we're looking at St. Marks Basilica

Enjoying some FABULOUS gelato!

Around every corner was another beautiful picture!

This week Erika and I are working on a recording project of our own original material and have been blessed to be joined by two of her friends Erin and Caleb Paxton who are amazing musicians of their own. They are here to help us with the actual recording and to put in their own artistic flair to our work. We're so excited to see this happen and hope that many of you will be blessed by the fruits of our labors. This process does take a lot of time and some money, so if you want to donate to the "Threshing Floor Project" then feel free to let me know. Thanks again for all the prayer and support that I receive to help make my ministry and life possible! I can't do it without you!

Prophetic painting

2009-04-27T15:16:00.000-07:00

Today we were sort of "commissioned" to do some prophetic painting at this non Christian University campus in Stavanger, Norway by a christian organization that is present on the campus. Tomorrow we're playing 3 shows at 3 different locations during the day, so that will be sweet to be able to sing and worship all over campus!
But today we got out our paints, easels, and canvases and went to work in this big hall of one of the main buildings. 4 of us just standing there.... painting...praying.... singing.... talking... thinking.... stopping to talk to passers by. It was great! I actually had an idea of what I was to paint and why as I was painting it, but wasn't sure who it was for (we paint the paintings and then pray for God to show us who to give them to and what they mean for them specifically). After an hour we had to move on and get some food, so I finished up and waited.
Several hours later Erika headed up teaching a course to about 15 very eager students about prophetic painting: the heart behind it, the usefulness of it, how to express God's heart within your own abilities, as well as simple techniques and painting structures. While she was teaching I had a sense that recipient of my painting was there in the room, so I began to scan and see who it might be. AHA! There he is....!! .... but then I waited. We began to paint again and I started a new painting and just waited for the right time to give him his painting. Finally at the end we had a chance to share about what God was speaking to us in our paintings and his painting was derived from some inspiration from Proverbs 4:23... which is one of my life verses! Recently God has been teaching me about what exactly "guarding my heart" means and how I have instead put up a wall around my heart in the past years; so I am currently working on tearing down that wall!! Anyway, he began to share and everything he said made me want to jump up and down and scream "YES, YES!" It was so amazing! He was speaking what my heart had been learning about this verse and I KNEW that this painting was for him because we were both coming from similar places.
Here is the painting that I gave him.

It is a picture of a flame that is a powerful, white hot, but needs to purpose itself to be around other similar flames (you can see the "other flame" in the top left corner) in order to guard itself from the darkness that so eagerly wants to overcome it. There was more, but I'll spare you any more details.... just know that it was a word for him that spoke right to his heart! I felt so blessed to be able to serve God in such a fun and exciting way. If you're an artist... I HIGHLY suggest you step out and try it sometime in a downtown area or maybe on your front porch.. and if you're not an artist.... go for it anyway!

Covering ground

2009-04-26T08:36:00.000-07:00

Since the last post that I made in Alesund, Norway; I have made it much further down the west coast of Norway. Sandane, Bergen, Haugesund, and Stavanger. Go ahead... see if you can find them.

At each stop we've able to do so many different things from speak in schools, play in coffee shops, have times of prophetic painting, and lead worship at many churches! It has been an amazing adventure, and I can't believe that I'm able to get SOO much of Norway while I'm here and really experience the culture.
The culture here is very religious and steeped in tradition, which does not really leave much room for the Holy Spirit and we have felt the affects of it. At each stop we try to really pray and seek the Lord for what His heart is for the people and how we can personally minister to them where they are at. Erika has a huge heart for worship as well as ministry directly for the congregation, so many meetings lead into times of us praying over individuals and giving prophetic words for them. It has really been such a joy!! Here are some more pics of our travels.

This is Sandane, Norway! completely surrounded by mountains on 3 sides and the beautiful fjord on the fourth!

Yesterday we decided to go to Preikestolen (which means "The Pulpit" in English). Its a very famous natural wonder in Norway and the world. A beautiful view and just a shear cliff dropping FOREVER into the fjord! We were about an hour or so away from the top at this point in the journey.

This is a bit of a funny view, but it continues to go down even further!!

"Hanging" off the edge :)

A Norwegian camping lunch! Hot dogs, disposable grill, oranges, and kvikk lunsj for dessert!
Seriously.... the WHOLE country eats then when they go camping/ hiking.. especially at Easter.

at the top!

Erika and I

a beautiful view.... and Helga on the bottom right

back at the bottom!~! We conquered!

Wellspring leading worship with a church's youth band here in Randaberg. Such a great group of kids!! Later that night after the meeting we did a little concert and were able to just spend some time with the youth.

On the Way to Alesund, Norway

2009-04-13T23:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we drove 777 Kilometers, went through approximately 27 tunnels, and saw over 100 waterfalls, in 11 hours of driving from Skien, Norway to the west coast of the country.... Alesund! Here are a few shots that I was able to snap off while we were driving by. It s times like these that my heart grew weary of not having a proper camera to truly capture the glory of God's creation. I know that these shots are beautiful... but I couldn't even capture some of the most breathtaking scenes! Absolutely STUNNING!

This is the view from the back porch of the house where we're staying at!

Beauty

2009-04-12T01:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Erika and I were enjoying our Easter break and decided to go out for a photo shoot. Our lovely Methodist church pastor friend, Froydis, let us borrow her beautiful Nikon digital SLR!
These are some of the results of that time :) Enjoy

2009-04-07T13:45:00.000-07:00

THE WELLSPRING TEAM

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:
Maria (acoustic guitarist, trumpet, and vocals)
Myself (Piano and vocals)
Helina (Djembe and other various percussion instruments)
Helga (Bass guitar, flute, and vocals)
Erika (Violin and vocals)

Starting next monday we will be on our tour of Norway; going to schools, churches, and coffee shops to teach and lead people in worship. Please pray that the Holy Spirit is heavy on us at each stop as we only desire to be doing what He has for us to do.

A few videos :) thanks to my girlfriend

2009-03-31T14:53:00.000-07:00

Erika uploaded a few videos of us :) click HERE to see me eating my first taste of brown cheese..... and HERE to see a quick clip of us practicing at a church. Hopefully we can get some of us full band on here soon :)

A glimpse into this past week!

2009-03-29T03:07:00.001-07:00

Caffe' Motta

Since I've been here, it has been nothing short of busy. Above and below you'll see pictures of the Cafe Motta (which means "Receive") . Helga (who is pictured below) is the staff member that runs it. I was blessed to be able to revisit my roots as a barista and help out here on Thursday night! Oh how I've missed making lattes.

WELLSPRING

Just a random pic of US!

These two girls are the other half of the Wellspring mobile team band. Helga (in the middle) and Maria (on the right). They have so much life in their hearts and its been a joy to get to know them as friends and fellow worshipers.

LOVE FEAST!

This weekend there was a leadership conference here at YWAM Skien that we have been leading worship for. Erika and I also helped with the Love Feast that was put on for it last night. Taco NIGHT!! SO good :) I was a blast to be in the kitchen with foreigners again. I was cooking the beef and when I started to drain it drain the fat off they sort of looked at me funny and said, "Can I ask for why you do this?" Aaaaaah different cultures :) So fun! (though I must say their beef has a lot less fat than most of ours)
The beautiful table

CELL GROUP
Tuesday night I was able to join Erika's cell group. The 6 of us shared about our lives, a little bit of our YWAM journeys, and were able to pray for each other. God was moving so much and it was incredible to see how the pictures and words that I was able to share spoke directly to them. It was nice to have Erika there as she knows their stories and could confirm the accuracy of what God was saying through me. So fun to be able to take advantage of these opportunities.

Today we are leading worship for 3 different services at 3 different churches! So we're quite busy and I'm very much looking forward to having tomorrow off. My first day off!! Please be praying for us as a team as we continue to seek our Father for His direction and strength while we travel around Norway leading worship and praying into the hearts of His people.

Challenged

2009-03-24T12:27:00.001-07:00

So today I felt challenged that even though I don't have the digital SLR that I would love and could take beautiful pictures with, I am still blessed with a decent point and shoot camera that I should not shun simply because of it not being what I want it to be. It serves its purpose relatively well and therefore I should take advantage and allow it to do its job. So, I have decided to take it with me most days and bring my photographers eye back into focus. Tonight I went on a walk around Skien by myself.... here's some of what I saw.

Store front

Went to the library.

Found the EVER so vast English book section!

a little comic relief

On the way to Norway + a few other things

2009-03-22T14:26:00.000-07:00

My flight #2 from Chicago to Stockholm, Sweden

Trying to get a little bit of sleep on the 2.5 hour train ride.

A sweet waiting area at my Gate waiting to go from Stockholm, Sweden to Olso, Norway.
The view from my bed looking at my cell block door ;) YWAM Skien used to be a jail!

Well, I'm here in Norway! and am still sort of trying to find my feet. I can't believe how my life has changed in a matter of hours! Hopefully today I'm going to be up to meeting the rest of the Mobile Team here and just get settled into life. There is a bit of a skeleton crew here right now because the School of Evangelism and the DTS are both currently gone on outreaches. Please pray that my body will recover. Its 3:50am and I can't sleep; mainly because of all the mucus that is stuck in my head and rolling down the back of my throat! SICK! ;) Well, if you want to see more pics you can click HERE to go to my facebook album.

The journey begins

2009-03-21T08:24:00.000-07:00

I arrived at the airport early to insure my breezy departure only to discover an enlarged line of people at the United counter. :( No worries though, things were moving quickly. For those of you who may have had the pleasure of traveling with me before you know that I am not one for under packing so picking up my bags and putting them on the scale is like judgment day every time I fly. This time my suitcase was 62lbs and my camping backpack......35lbs!!! Sweet! So I spent some time transferring things and getting the bags to the desired distribution of weight. whew! All done :) So now here I sit at Denver International Airport waiting for leg one of my journey...

Packed and Ready

2009-03-20T22:39:00.000-07:00

In less than 11 hours I will be on a plane from Denver to Chicago; from there I go to Stockholm, Sweden and finally to Oslo, Norway. Once in Oslo, I'll be taking a train and then a bus to Skien, Norway (my final destination). I am hoping to be able to continue to update and let you guys know what God is doing in Norway with the "Wellspring" team from YWAM Skien as we travel around Norway leading worship, teaching, and doing ministry. Until then... I'll be seeing ya from the other side of the ocean. :)

2009-03-17T07:29:00.000-07:00

This is my last painting to be made in Denver for a while so I thought I'd share it.
Hope you like it

Our Lord is Faithful

2009-03-10T10:47:00.000-07:00

Today, I awoke to a very nippy morning covered in snow. "SNOW!" I thought to myself, "What a nice treat :)" As i meandered around the house doing my normal routine I decided to make some muffins for myself and the boys. Whipped some up and threw them in the oven... then continued on getting ready for the day. Since I spent the time making the muffins I then consequently had no time to sit down and enjoy them before I left. Grabbing a paper towel I quickly shoved two delicious mixed berry muffins into it, snagged my backpack and walked out the door into the great unknown of a new day.

To my surprise, as I walked out to my car I realized that in fact there was not a car to be seen under my carport....."Strange?...." I quickly ran through the events of the previous day to ensure the fact that yes indeed I had parked my car there upon returning home yesterday... "Huh... well, I guess someone stole my car....I suppose I should call the police then." I was surprisingly shocked by my own calmness and the peace that was in my heart. God has given me so much and He is a giver of good gifts. Just because my car is stolen doesn't mean that this fails to be true. I know that there will be a great story of faith and goodness showing the glory of my God through this!! So PRAISE THE LORD!!

Today, I have no car. But just as I walked out into the unknown today, I will do the same tomorrow and who knows.... there just might be a car waiting for me in the morning :)

Anna Kate @ 12 days old :)

2009-02-22T18:50:00.000-08:00

I was blessed to be able to be home and take some pics of my beautiful new niece today :) Hope you enjoy.

So... maybe it's been a while :(

2009-02-18T07:12:00.000-08:00

To my disgrace, I have not for quite sometime revealed any sign of my life over the past few months! I ended with making muffins and oddly enough I just finished making some again :) Though today instead of making them in my kitchen in Denver, I'm doing it in Dothan, AL. Thankfully, I was able to come home after the birth of my first niece!! Anna Kate :) She's beautiful (of course) and I'm so blessed to be able to spend some much needed time with my family, since I typically am only home once a year for about a week.

Well, Since my last update I've been to 10 states across the midwest and the south with my Mobile Team of 7 students. We were able to share the love of Christ in churches, schools, and coffee shops everywhere we went and saw so much happen! Youth would come up to us after we would lead a service (which would consist of worship, challenging videos, a short word, and prayer/ intercession times) and reveal to us their desire for missions and how God had been speaking to them during the service. It was beautiful to see their hearts breaking for what God's heart breaks for! We simply wanted to go into the churches of this nation and bring an excitement about what God is doing in our own lives in the hearts of those students. There were many instances where we saw breakthrough in the lives of the youth and also saw several come to know Christ for the first time!!

About 3/4's of our way through we were in Chattanooga, TN and had our trailer full of sound equipment broken into. Simply within 30 minutes of leaving the trailer we had $15,000 of instruments and equipment stolen! The very next morning we were supposed to do the chapel service at Bryan College (my alma mater). Throughout the process we were so hopeful that God would provide for us and were more determined than ever to continue on with the work that we had been called to do. At every stop God provided instruments for us to play and in many cases more than what we needed!! Two of my guys were given guitars during the trip! It's been an amazing journey to see God's faithfulness and see Him use our not so great situation to bring life and hope into the hearts of others.

Kim and I leading worship at Calvary Chapel Chattanooga

Leading worship in Austin, MN

SPAMTOWN, USA :)

Matt Sztyk (our bassist) and I talking to students post service

Me and Yvonne Alvarez :) Our host mom in Chattanooga and one of my dearest friends!

While on our trip we stopped to help a few people along the way. Here, we're at a public elementary school in Chattanooga, TN volunteering to help the teachers. Their turn over rate for staff is 50% annually and most teachers don't have enough time to prepare for each day so we were able to give them a helping hand. The statistics for poor literacy are also very high at this school, so every extra moment the teachers have to teach is a gem!

We were also able to help several people with their homes that were either unable to do it because of illness or were simply just part of the Christian family that need a some help.

The past seven weeks have been an amazing growing experience for me as a leader, worship leader, and speaker. A part of my life long desire is to be able to effectively communicate the love of God and His desire to see His children walk in the fullness of His life and glory! On this trip I was able to continue on in that journey through speaking to youth groups all over the nation. Thank you so much for you prayers and support throughout this time, it's been such a joy.

Muffins to be made

2008-12-07T17:44:00.000-08:00

We practiced from 10:30am-5pm... so I brought some sustenance!!

Kim and Matthew

From left to right:
Josh Hester (Electric guitarist)
Kim Beight (Diva and vocalist)
Matthew Deters (Acoustic guitarist)
Matthew Sztyk (Bassist)
David Zuidema (Drummer)

Click here for a rough video of practice.... remember... its practice ;)

and here for a little of our comic relief

The CD is OUT!!

2008-12-05T13:42:00.001-08:00

We just got the new School of Worship cd today!!! If you would like one sent to you for free then please make a comment on this page with your address or shoot me an email with you physical address... You won't be disappointed... so act FAST!!

On my way

2008-12-02T13:36:00.000-08:00

Brittney, Myself, and Jeremy shooting guns on the farm

For the next 7 months I will traveling all around the world doing everything from milking cows and leading worship to being a groomsman in a buddies wedding.

I just got back from the Thanksgiving weekend in Missouri on a farm owned by my friend Jeremy's dad. I had quite a few "first" while there. Rode horses bareback, herded cows, milked cows, saw over 40 barn cats, shot clay birds, drank sassafras tea, and watched The Notebook. It was such a great time, and I felt so blessed to be able to be a part of the Turpin family while there. Despite being sick and throwing up on Saturday night, I was able to lead worship for their small local country church. I was so blessed to be able to serve them in that way and just allow the Holy Spirit minister to them as I sang over the congregation.

My next travels take me to Pennsylvania next weekend to be a groomsman in Jeremy's wedding (the above couple).

From Dec. 19-26 I will be at home in Dothan, AL for Christmas with my family!! I can't wait to be there with my friends and fam. My sister is due to have her first kid on January 30th, so i'm excited to see her fat belly :)

December 28-February 10th takes me to Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida on a Mobile team trip to bring an awakening to the youth and church of America with the Spirit of God!!

Lots of things are happening in February and March, but the big exciting thing is that I'll be moving to Skien, Norway to join the YWAM base there from March 21st to June 26th, to work with their mobile team, worship department, teaching mini School's of Worship, and recording an album. The best part is that I will be doing all this ministry my lovely girlfriend Erika! She's also on staff at this base and has been a huge part of planning the whole trip. There will be more details to come!

The life of a checklist

2008-11-04T10:43:00.000-08:00

Currently, I am going through a season of life that I have never been in before. Never have a had so many opportunities of leadership and responsibility on my plate at once. I am honored

-to be running the worship department here at YWAM Denver;

-to be discipling 2 young men in worship and their walks with the Lord;

-to be coaching and teaching a cell band within the School of worship;

-to be planning a 7 week outreach across the states to revolutionize the local church;

-to be assisting in worship every Monday, Wednesday, Friday here at the base;

-to be leading worship at my local church every Wednesday night;

-to be in a relationship with an absolutely incredible woman of God;

and to simply be a friend and counselor to so many precious people.

In the midst of this business and responsibility I find that I am hearing the Holy Spirit in a clear new way. He is teaching, counseling, and preparing me to be a teacher myself. As a result of this, time is something that I now see as SOOOO valuable, probably more than EVER. I have feel that more and more, the time that I have with people must be used to speak His heart to them and bring life to their souls. God has called me here, YWAM Denver, and I want to shake it for Him. An awakening of His church is coming........

Bethel.... A place of abiding

2008-10-27T18:15:00.000-07:00

My trip to California wasn't only to see Erika, but also to go to a conference called "Open Heavens" at Bethel Church. It was 2 days of INTENSE teaching and just dwelling in the presence of the Holy Spirit. God revealed so much to me for my future in ministry as well as just right now.

For the past 9 months or so I have been experiencing a pain in my left knee that shoots up my leg, which disables me from sitting indian style or cross my leg (my favorite way to sit). The first night of the conference God healed my knee!! No PAIN!!! Thursday night I went up in front of 1,000 people to give my testimony and I ended up being asked to pray for healing over everyone there with knee problems, as well Carol Arnot (one of the conference speakers.) !!!

Here are a few pics of the trip. :)

The stage at the conference. During worship they had 4 people doing prophetic painting! It was sweet! My favorite was a married couple that painted together.

Just playing a little guitar around the pool at a friends apt.

no explanation needed ;)

We met these 4 Alaskan youths the first night.
They were so fun and just loved Erika and I.
Erika's travel partner, Ragnhild, is on the right still receiving from the Lord ;)

So.... there's this girl.... ;)

2008-10-22T12:35:00.000-07:00

Meet Erika HydeenMy girlfriend :)

We're in the wilderness in Northern California.... Whiskeytown to be exact.

The Sundial Bridge in Redding, California

Erika is a worship leader for the YWAM base in Skien, Norway and is here in the states for a little bit. We are here in Redding, California to get some face time and go to a conference at Bethel Church. Its been an amazing time so far and we are both so excited about what God has for us while we are here.

The Mobile Team

2008-10-20T18:33:00.000-07:00

Top Row: Elizabeth, Matthew, David, and Josh

Bottom Row: Me, Josh, Kim, Sarah, and Grant

These are the guys that are going with me on a trip around the Midwest and Southern states to bring the ministry of YWAM Denver to the local church.
Our desire is to bring a new awareness of justice issues, true worship, and the need for missions through times of prayer, worship, and multimedia presentations. At each stop along the way we will be invading churches with a love for their youth and bringing in a fresh perspective of who they are in Christ. We want to start a fresh awakening of the spirit of God within them and do it through simply spending time with them, praying, worshiping, and teaching them about how God sees them. He wants to stir up the young people in this nation and we want to be a catalyst for that stirring.

Practice makes perf...... well it helps

2008-10-20T15:57:00.000-07:00

Drumming it up!

Here is just a little look into a typical afternoon of practicing.
These guys are transforming their acoustic worship songs into full band worship music!!

Elizabeth rockin' the keys

Can someone tune please???

Heather and Jonathan (working on Heather's latest)

A day for breathing a bit deeper

2008-10-19T16:12:00.000-07:00

A sweet organic and fair trade coffee shop in Boulder!

This weekend has been nothing short of perfect from weather, to food, to most importantly the fellowship!! Andy and I have been able to just soak and relax. It has been such a blessing and needed break from the business of this quarter. I leave for a trip to California in two days and this is a great way to get focused, relax, and ready to make the most of it. Andy is an amazing man of God and we been able to share so much of our hearts with each other as well as just speak truth into one another's lives.

A trip to Denver would not be complete without a visit to the legendary
RED ROCKS Amphitheater!!

The band... in the flesh... sort of

2008-10-16T09:47:00.000-07:00

Here we are!!!

The Band!

From Left to Right: Elizabeth, Heather, Jonathan, and Daniel

Yay for friends!

2008-10-14T11:38:00.000-07:00

This is my friend Andy... He's coming to visit for the weekend :)

I'm excited!

God is so faithful to bring us fellowship.

School of Worship starts again

2008-10-06T20:15:00.000-07:00

We're in the 3rd week of the fall School of Worship and I am loving every minute! Everyday I get together with 4 students (Elizabeth, Jonathan, Daniel, and Heather) who have been formed into a band. Our times consist of prayer for one another, introducing new songs that the students have written, and taking those worship songs from a simple acoustic song to full band. Myself being the band leader, I am there to simply coach, encourage, criticize, guide, and disciple them into the worship leaders they are.

Being a part of this school is probably the most life giving thing that I get to do! When I was a band leader for my first School of Worship this past Spring I felt as though it was the fruition of the past 6 years of training (a bachelors in music, and two YWAM schools). It allows me to incorporate my passion for music, with my calling to be a discipler, teacher, and worship leader.

Hopefully later today I'll be able to post a few pics of the band/ school.

Just getting started!

2008-09-21T08:47:00.001-07:00

Here you will find an easy way to keep up with the day to day happenings of my life and what God is doing in and through me at Youth With A Mission Denver! This way you can check at your own leisure and be as informed as you would like. Thanks for being a part of my life and investing in what God is doing in my community.