Just Can't Keep It In!

Posting time.  It's been months since my last post (I think my last several posts have started this way), and loads of things have changed in my life since I've last written!  The biggest change has much to do with why I'm sitting in my grandparents' house chillin' with my family as I write.

But FIRST!  A disclaimer!

What follows is not intended to be my best piece of writing.  It's intended to convey exactly what I think and feel about the best thing I have ever been blessed to be a part of—Highest Praise. As the name implies, it's a musical program, so if you don't like music, well, it's not for you!  But if you do, then by all means, read on good man!    

Where was I?  Ah yes, sitting in my grandparents' house.  We are officially back in the USA—for good!  We've said goodbye "see you later" to Costa Rica and have relocated back to the United States after 8 years of paradise.

And I've gotta' say, it's a little bit weird!  It doesn't feel weird for ME to be back, but it's been just plain strange to see my family all back in the US for good!  (They need to be back in Costa Rica where they belong!)

Luckily, I've been just a little distracted.  I just finished my second and final summer of Highest Praise.  For those of you who don't know what Highest Praise is, someone once described it as "traveling church camp choir for high schoolers".    I would call it "intense music ministry camp for high schoolers".  You can read all about it right here.  Of course, I can't talk about Highest Praise and not say my piece.  I'm not going to describe exactly what goes ON (you can follow the link for that); I'm just going to tell you why it's the best!  You see, I'm convinced that, despite other churches and colleges having their traveling bands/choirs, there is none better than Highest Praise.  I'll give you a few reasons why right here, and if you're reading this as a high schooler who likes music, you can decide whether or not you think it such a great opportunity as I do.

For one, Highest Praise simply has the best people!  Now, I'm not dissing other colleges, I'm just saying that you won't find any people who are more committed to knowing you and investing directly in your life than  Mary Green, Scott Handley, and Doug Pogue, our wonderful Highest Praise directors. Secondly, no other program allows you to bond so well with other people your age. Don't take my word for it—ask anyone else who's been on tour!  We're a huge, close family; a big, personal support group.  Anyone who's been can tell you that the friends you make on Highest Praise aren't like the friends you make elsewhere in life.  They're for life.  They're a whole part of your life.

Lastly, Highest Praise is the best because, while you minister to others all tour, the program is really designed to minister to you.  There's a life-changing message at the core of each year of Highest Praise, and it's not meant just for the audience.  It's meant for you.  And it works.  You can't experience Highest Praise without growing deeper in your relationship with Christ.  Last year taught me to look outside of "my own little world" and look to those around me.  I realized that life is not about me, but about everyone else.  This year's message had to do with "the heart of the matter".  God doesn't look at the outside.  He doesn't care what we look like, if we're funny, fun to be around, or even about what we've done.  He looks at our heart.  He looks past our mistakes and our pretenses to see whether we're set on knowing Him and obeying Him in our heart.   Likewise, when you stop looking at that one annoying person as "that annoying person" and try to see them as God sees them, you will usually find a beautiful heart, "crafted by God's hand and perfectly planned to be just who [they] are".



For me, Highest Praise is more than a 12-day bus tour with incredible friends.  It's a 12 day bonding experience with brothers and sisters.  It's a challenge to grow, an environment to grow in, and the ultimate support-group all rolled up in one—and it's all tailored just for you.  For teenagers that love God and love music, that is.

It's not a just a musical performance.  It's a full blown musical ministry.  It's where you'll meet friends you'll keep for a lifetime.  It's where you'll "just sing" and change the life of a person, a family, a congregation.  It's where your life is changed and you change lives.

It's the highlight of the summer.  It's the highlight of the year.  It's the event worth looking forward to.  It's number 1 on my list.  It's better than church camp.  Better than a youth retreat.  Better than band.  Better than choir.  It's all those things combined.

It's everything worth devoting 18 days of your summer to!  It's beyond your wildest expectations.  I love Highest Praise.  If you're a high-schooler and are musically talented, this is my shameless ad—you need to do Highest Praise.

Follow the link in the sixth paragraph and try out for Highest Praise 2013!  You won't regret it.

(P.S.  The website is still currently set to Highest Praise 2012, but the application forms are still the same!)

Our Family Group (#1).  We're the best!
Thanks to Jordan Baker (seen standing and about to driver her fists into Sam, who is lying on the ground) for granting me unasked permission to use this photo. ;)