from Tim

Well you all know that where are in Knoxville Tennessee. But anyway CHIC is an amazing youth even to go too. But I bet you want to know about my trip so here is goes. We are staying in Laurel apartments, they are so totally cool, we got fridges and a stove so we could cook things even though we get FREE FOOD LOL the best of both worlds lol. So anyway this is a life changing experience. I’ve learned so much about how to be more of a son of God!!! Today I learned about something that most churches don’t talk about which was really cool. I’ve learned a ton, thanks so much to all the pastors, the singers, the small groups, base camps which Melanie is our teacher; it’s pretty cool. I didn’t pay for any extra activities so I’ve had a lot of time to think about what I have done wrong in my past and I know that God is in my presence and I want to know him even more.
Well thanks for all your prayers and love and support
God Bless,
Tim :P

blogs from Kali, Melinda and Emily

Hey there!!!! It has been so much fun here! I can honestly say that at first I was happy I was going but just wasn’t getting excited. When I got off the plane in Tennessee it really hit me that I was FINALLY here! Now I have been having the time of my life!
We have done so much in the little time that we have been here. Between main stages, focus groups (I went to the Love your body rock the world one…. I met Miss America 2008!!), base camps and all the extra things in between, we have definitely been keeping busy! Although the food isn’t amazing… I am still having a great time!
In the time that I have been here I have grown so much closer to the Lord and feeling like I have been moved in so many different ways that I never thought possible. It has truly been a blessing to get to know each and every one of these people that I came here with on a much more personal and spiritual level. I have met so many new people as well! Everyone here seems so friendly, even just in the elevator on the way to the lobby or up to our rooms I have met some great people.
It has been so amazing to get to know so many people that are so on fire for God! I can’t wait to see what is in store for me as the week progresses. Thanks for all the prayers and for thinking of us while we have been on this trip, they really have helped in making this week that much more amazing.
Check out all of the pictures and videos we put up and stay tuned for more! We still have so much more to learn and experience and I’m so happy we could share it with you!
Love, Kali :D

Hi everyone! We are all having such an amazing time here in Tennessee. There is such an overwhelming amount of activity here. Between the river rafting, swimming, worship services, seminars and ice cream eating there hasn’t really been any time to rest. I think I have gotten around four hours of sleep a night, but all the benefits of fellowship and learning outweigh the sleepiness.
It has been such a blessing to have this opportunity to learn about God with so many believers our own age. Despite all our differences- different accents, clothing styles, personalities, ect. It is so amazing at how the love of God has brought us all together. In God we are all the same, striving to become molded and shaped according to the will of God.
I am excited to see the way the Lord will work in me this week and what he will “undo” in my life to bring me closer to him.
Thank you for all your prayers and don’t forget to check out all the updates on the blog. They will provide a glimpse into the craziness and chaos that is this week. I am so happy that we can share all of our experiences with you all.
Lots of hugs,
Melinda :)

Hey guys!!! Ever since we have arrived at CHIC, every day has changed my life. This experience is amazing. I am still not use to the time change, I havn’t been able to get to sleep until 2 am every night. My roommates and I have loaded our room with icecream and poptarts. But between all of that there have been amazing speakers and activities. So far every night at main stage I have cried, because I feel like God has been sitting right next to me and has been with me through every step of my experience here.
One thing that has really stuck with me is the topic “Who Am I”, not who I think I am but who I really am in the image of God. And today I have found my identity! I am overcoming , and my verse is 1 John 4:4. And I am stoked!
One of my favorite things I have done so far it white water rafting! And to be honest, I was scared I was going to die…but it ended up being a really fun! And at that point I realized I don’t need to worry because I am in Gods hands :D

But over all I am having TONS of fun and I really don’t want to go home. And look out because I am coming home a new person! I will be undone! I miss everyone and cant wait to share more!

Lots of love,
Emily :D

a CHIC blog from Stephanie

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Hey everyone! Wow, so much has happened already. Before CHIC I heard a lot of people talking about how CHIC has transformed and impacted their life, and now I see what they mean. Although it’s only the first official day, so much has happened. Last nite at Mainstage, there was an amazing speaker, Erwin McManus. His message was about our dreams, and how through Christ we can make our dreams a reality. A lot of times, I think we find ourselves too scared to step out of our comfort zone and take the steps necessary to make our hopes and dreams a reality.

Also, today we had at base camp, focus groups. The group I went to was called “Love Your Body, Rock the World.” Miss America 2008 led it, and her message was so powerful, and relatable. She talked about her battle with an eating disorder, and how she overcame it. I think everyone walked out of that room with a new view of how they saw themselves. I learned a lot about body image.

And oh gee, the music is AMAZING!!! David Crowder Band played tonite, and they were amazing. I can’t wait to see Flyleaf.

Other than all that jazz, we have been walking… A LOT. Getting a lot of sun, and I probably change my clothes 3 times a day, I don’t know about you, but when my clothes start sticking to my body, I change them!

Thank you for your prayers and support! Oh, and if you’re my prayer partner, I appreciate all the love and prayers you have been sending my way! You’re amazing, and it’s evident that God is working through all of our lives.

Love,
Stephanie L.

The "good stuff"

CHIC is full of lots of fun stuff, that we are all enjoying immensly. But the "good stuff" are the sessions. Base camp and main stage offer new ways to worship and learn about God every day. The CHIC website is doing a great job blogging about the content of many of the sessions. I encourage you all to follow their blog this week as well, so you can ask the students about specific lesssons over the phone or when we get home.

I have also already found a few pictures of our students HERE , HERE and HERE on the CHIC website, so please look over those as well.

More pictures and our first student blogging will hopefully come later tonight.

Some clips from the first half of the day

Up to the Welcome Party

Loading the limo shuttle

Thanks for sending us off!

Out to pizza for dinner last night. it was really good!

Making breakfast in Melanie's kitchen

Kali waiving the smoke from the bacon away from the smoke detector. My room still smells like bacon . . .

Hanging out in my living room.

There are a bunch of themed graffiti walls at the welcome party.

The girls try making some bracelets

Bouncy Twister, Melinda and Emily were the champs.

Sarah goes head over heels in the bounce house

I know you wished you could have dunked Tim while he was in the dunk tank!

Watching the divers

It's almost time for dinner, and then the real CHIC will begin. Pray for us tonight as the program really begins.

The students are really enjoying their care packages!

Happy Birthday Isaiah! I love you my big four year old!

Watch it again, and again, and again . . .

This video was made for Youth Sunday at church, but it's also being entered in a contest where the video with the most views on 7/12/09 will be played at CHIC in front of thousands of other teens (that's why the funny Undone poster shows up all the time). Please help us win by watching the video often, and by spreading the news! :)

PS You'll need to stop the music player at the bottom of the page to hear the video.

From Youth Sunday . . .

Kid's Corner

The Lucas Show

Worship

powerpoint

Thanks again for doing a great job!

** Blog photo policy: We will never post the last names of subjects, or first names if requested. Please tell the blog master if you do not want your image on any blog photos. If you are an event participant and you would like the full size images without watermarks bring a usb drive to youth group and Melanie will give them to you. Email me if you'd like an image removed from the blog. All images are the property of First Covenant Church and of the original photographer, please ask permission to copy. **

From the movie filming night . . .

Munchkin


The good witch

Checking out a scene that was shot

Watching the filming from above

Dor-thy!

Kyle gets wild and crazy

** Blog photo policy: We will never post the last names of subjects, or first names if requested. Please tell the blog master if you do not want your image on any blog photos. If you are an event participant and you would like the full size images without watermarks bring a usb drive to youth group and Melanie will give them to you. Email me if you'd like an image removed from the blog. All images are the property of First Covenant Church and of the original photographer, please ask permission to copy. **

Good job everyone on a youth Sunday well done!

Lots of great feedback, good job to everyone! Thanks for being a blessing and teaching the adults about being desperate for Jesus. :)

we need a video editing smarty pants!

Who knows how to edit quicktime / MPEG4 files into a movie, on a PC (or on your mac)? What program should we use? Or what program will convert the files to .wmv?

Thanks if you can help!

We got a new video camera for youth group

Watch out! Who knows WHAT will end up on the blog now!

Munchkin Noah is my first victim. We're filming for youth Sunday right now, you are missing the fun!