trading in a heart of stone...

Today we had a cool opportunity.

I, along with Erika Sanborn, Sarah Slegh, and Jordan Cross got up onstage during a wedding of a Liberian couple in our church,

and painted.

we painted this during a church service last year to end a sermon series called Morph...

the transformation from a broken heart to a new, healed heart that only God can make happen.

well this couple was really touched by these paintings and asked if it could be done during their wedding ceremony.

and after talking to the bride - she explained that it told their story.

they had gone through some hard situations not too long ago and their hearts were broken...

but God was healing them and putting them back together.

so it was an honor to do it again for their wedding.

and it was such a cool opportunity to be a part of their day!

bright colors and 13 sets of bridesmaids/groomsmen (yeah...crazy, but so fun to have so many loved ones up there for you), FUN music that you just had to dance to, so much laughter, so fun and SUCH a supportive, attentive audience.

it was so cool.  

such a blessing.

so like i talked about in the last post - visuals that resonate and stick with you.

Holy Spirit led art - inspired by Him.

it speaks in ways we might not expect it to.

so cool to be a part of it.

here is the finished product!

thanks ladies for painting!!!!!!!

and thanks to Chelsea Kimball for playing our music for us!!!

:)))

it was perfect.

and just so we didnt waste paint...

:)

spontaneous team artwork.

good stuff.

-ALIVE

what are we seeing?

i learn through visuals.

i always have.

if i see something - it sticks with me, when the test comes i can picture it, remember it and i've got the answer.

if i see something that resonates with me on some level - it sticks with me...and i continue learning from it.  it stays in my mind and instead of just remembering some information - this picture comes to mind every now and then and just keeps building.  it inspires thoughts and ideas.

and i used to use this ability for tests at school - its great, i hardly ever had to study.  just show up.

however - since i met the Holy Spirit...

HE uses this ability, that He gave me- to teach me and use me.

He keeps it in my mind for the right moment, He leads my thoughts from that visual into the ideas He wants me to realize.  He helps me see what He can teach me through the things I'm seeing.

from a second of footage from a movie of someone getting their feet ready to go into battle...

or seeing the face of a fighter in a place where he needs to surrender, but he just can't seem to...

or an abstract painting with colors that somehow seem to move and remind you to do the same...

or watching a rapper speak the words you've listened to SO many times...but now that you're seeing the emotion behind them - that's what sticks.

and i'm SURE that i'm not the only one out there who responds to visuals.

if i was - there would be no tv or commercials or magazines.

whether it be sometimes or all the time...

from movies to paintings to ads to tv to dramas to performances...whatever it might be.

we're taking it ALL in -usually at face value.

and if you don't know the Holy Spirit - there is SO much He wants to show you.

we live in a VERY visual culture.  everything trying to grab your attention in the quickest way possible.

so we can see what the world wants us to...and it'll stick because its designed to stick.

OR we can ask the Holy Spirit to start (or to continue to) showing us what He wants us to see...

to see the things around us through His eyes...to grow us, teach us, lead us in His will.  so that we can see more of His plan...and not forget it.

i LOVE seeing christian artists...any kind.

its SUCH a beautiful thing seeing people let God use the gifts He's given them.

and its soooooo cool to see God's words, God's heart - out there for the world to see.

in a way that will stick.

in a way that will not only speak - but will teach and inspire and move...

its powerful stuff.

so i am going to be posting some art over the next few days that has been done by people who have surrendered their gifts to the Lord and are seeing God use them.

its. a. beautiful. thing.

for the first one...

here's a video of Matoko.

they'll explain it for you...

letting God move.

not only in churches but because this artist has surrendered his gifts - God is able to use it in the mainstream art world.

AMAZING.

let God use your gifts.

there is no telling what He has planned for them.

-ALIVE

we be arting...come!

can't believe its thursday again tomorrow!!!
exciting things are happening, friends!
we got the ok to build our room for dance/art ness! :)
praise the LORD!!!
we'll be starting classes (for younger kids) soon...but praying that we'll work our way up to a variety of ages!
yay :)

tomorrow (9/22) we'll be meeting up in the dungeon to art, pray, chill...etc.
so if you are even a LITTLE bit interested in seeing what ALIVE is all about and live in the area -
please please please come join.  and don't worry if you only like to act but not dance, or if you only like to write or only like to draw - that is perfect :)
we are all about just using the gifts God has given us!  and we all just happen to have creative ones... ;)
let me know if you have questions or talk to someone you know comes...because we'd love to have you!

730pm.  Edinbrook Church.  see ya!

-ALIVE

quick update

currently at Caribou...

new idea in process...

if you're reading this - pray that it comes together FAST :)

i'm just reminded over and over again why i don't plan things...

haha

i planned this time around...i did...

and then 2 days before God gives me a different idea.

so despite the planning - here i am.  at caribou.  working on a new thing.  

team.

:)

but - i guess, how else will we know its Him?

i just want to share a video...

its on facebook so i can't actually upload it to here - 

but follow this link and hopefully it will work.

its of MOST of the Kickoff dance the team performed...

it makes me smile.

so fun.

and whats new with ALIVE, you ask?

well - 

we learned that sardines is really fun...but not in a huge dark basement with only 10 people.

psychiatrist is fun...but not always easy.

calendar of upcoming thursdays is IN PROGRESS...

i promise.

so if you are interested in learning some painting, drawing, dancing, etc...

stay tuned.

thats all i got for now :)

have a blessed night!

-ALIVE

Kickoff 2011!

Kickoff 2011...success!

a great night of music, food, fire, dance, volleyball, chillin...lots of fun.

and............a mashup dance.

6 members of this amazing ministry spent HOURS over the past 3 weeks learning a dance.

a long dance...to a variety of different songs.

and even though it seemed crazy and overwhelming (and i can't even pretend to completely sympathize because i learned about 30 seconds of the dance...and i was on vacation for a couple of the practices)

they practiced and they worked at it and gave it all to God and they totally ROCKED it.

it was choreographed, taught to the group, part of it taught to some extremely talented adult leaders ;), learned and performed in just a few weeks...

(i just attended a leadership conference and one of the speakers talked on being willing to work for God's miracles...i just blogged on it - you can read more here!

oh, the beauty of working for God ;)

its always an adventure and He can do things we can't.

i just want to say thanks to the team for spending so much time on it!

i love seeing your hearts for ministry :)

and special thanks to all the Adult Leaders who came out and braved the Footloose dance.

you were amazing! :) (and i'm not just saying that cuz i was one of them...;) )

i will hopefully have a video of the performance (even the ending that i wasn't allowed to see until we were in front of everyone - test of my trust and my control issues...haha - pass!)  

but until then...you can watch what happens when i'm on vacation and not at practice...

video...

i'm just glad they have fun :)

if there is anyone reading this who is creative or wants to use some of their creative gifts - art, painting, drawing, acting, dancing, whatever - join us!

we'll be posting some upcoming events...like art classes, dance classes, upcoming performances- and we would LOVE to have you join us by performing or writing dramas or whatever you feel called to do.

but please - contact us!

be blessed!

-ALIVE

mashup

this morning we spent a few hours working on "the dance" aka "kickoff mashup".

:)

so fun.

early.....but fun.

some youth, some adult leaders spent some time learning a dance to about 45 seconds from the song 

Footloose.

goooooood stuff.  haha

so funny.

but we're learning it! :)

i love having people who are good at dancing and choreography in this group.

its so beyond what i can do...haha  so its fun to be able to learn it.

and this dance is so different than anything we've done.

tomorrow morning...

we're having a practice time at church...

the adults are learning Footloose.

the youth are learning a different part...

:)

it'll be cool.

we spent some time discussing performance and i'm getting excited...

it'll be fun.

so be sure to come see it because there will also be some bands and music and food and games and it'll just be a really really really fun night.

so come learn the dance tomorrow morning :)  930am.

and then come on SEPTEMBER 11 for KICKOFF 2011!!!

:)

love it.

-ALIVE

your participation is requested...

good morning!!!

:)

so there are a few things in process right now for the ALIVE team...

1) video.

i am motivated to cut/edit/put together a video...

but for some reason filming it just seems too overwhelming to me.  haha  and time is running short.  haha  so if anyone reading this really is just feeling the need to take a list of questions and just film people answering them - consider this your calling for right now. ;) 
if not...then it means i just need to get motivated and do it.  haha

2) dance.

now - before you stop reading this because you think "oh...i can't dance."  just wait - we are working on a dance for a certain upcoming event...and if you have EVER thought to yourself "i wish i could be a part of that (easy, short, learnable in one practice) dance with that group doing a kind of "flash mob" style dance"

then THIS is your moment...

:)

be bold.

it'll be fun.

so let me know ASAP if this is something you'd like to be a part of (ANY and ALL ages welcome).

either comment or use that handy "contact us" tab at the top ;)

God is doing some fun things and i'm excited to see it all come together!!! :)))

love it!

-ALIVE