What a night

Last night at AMP'd was very interesting, to say the least. The band did great, the energy was high, and everything was rolling nicely along. I was on stage speaking and all of a sudden I saw one of my volunteers make a really quick move to the row behind her. My first thought was some kids were talking or something, but I quickly realized it was more serious than that. There was a student who started having a seizure. This was a first for me in ministry and I have to be honest it rattled me a little bit. It was just one of those things that catches you off guard and you have to make some kind of decision. So that's what I did. I prayed for the student right then and had everyone else dismiss for the night. I have to give a huge shout out to our volunteers and Justin, our police officer. Everyone responded quickly and calmly and we were able to get EMS there and the student was taken to the hospital. I haven't heard anything as far as status, but I plan on following up later today. Needless to say, it was an eventful night, and I have had trouble sleeping. That would explain why I am posting at 5:15 am! Please pray for the student and his family, as I'm sure this was a tramatic experience for him. This is just another reminder to me that God is in control and He has a plan, even if we can't see it yet.
Well, I'm off to try to get some sleep...hopefully!

RUNning the Race,
Bholda

Hot-Lanta

So, Crystal and I decided to get away for a couple of days, since things are about to get REALLY, REALLY busy for us. We have Surge '08 (high school beach camp) in about 3 weeks, then Summit '08 (middle school camp) in about 4 weeks, REACH '08 (high school mission trip to Memphis) in July, plus we keep AMP'd rollin' on Wednesday nights!! Summer is wide open, but it is well worth it. Not only is all that coming up, but we are waiting to hear from DSS about our adoption. We have completed all of our "requirements", so we are just waiting for placement, which as far as we know could happen any time now!!! WOW! that is CRAZY!! Anyway, we decided to head to Atlanta for some much needed chill time. We got in late last night to the Marriott Marquis downtown. Sounds fancy don't it? Well, it is, but Priceline.com works miracles because we got the room for about half of what it would cost, which is nice, real nice. Today we got up and hit the town for a while and just walked around before we toured the Coca-Cola factory. It was sweet....literally!! I tried ALL the flavors, including BEVERLY, which if you have ever been to the factory, you know what I'm talking about, if not, then you should go check it out sometime. After that, we got rained on a little bit but forged on and hit the MARTA. Very interesting form of transportation to say the least. We checked out Underground Atlanta, and Lenox Square before heading back to the hotel to just chill. It's been a nice change of pace for sure and a much needed mini-vacation. Tomorrow holds more walking around and a trip to IKEA to check out some furniture. So, I better get some rest and get ready for some shopping!!

Bholda

Graduation Sunday

WOW!! Sunday was a blast!! I really enjoy getting to speak on Sunday mornings even though doing 3 services in a row wears me out, it's still fun. This year for graduation recognition I spoke from Matthew 9:35-38, but I won't bore you with the points right now. Not only do I get to speak, but our student band gets to lead worship. I've gotta say that rocked it out!! I was so impressed by how they did. They put a lot of hard work into preparing and it showed Sunday!! During the 11:30 service we recognized our graduates (or least those that signed up) and gave them props for their accomplishments. That is always a bittersweet day for me as there Student Pastor. I know they are excited and relieved, which is understandable. But for me it's tough because I have been their Student Pastor for a few years, and as each year goes by the kids I have known the longest graduate and move on to different things. Please don't get me wrong, I am very proud of each of them, and I feel that it is my calling to prepare them the best way possible for what lies ahead. It is my prayer that they leave our student ministry not just challenged, but CHANGED!!!
On another note, be sure to check out www.marathonamazingrace.com for updates on The Garage, our student facility! I should be putting a new post up at some point today. Well, I'm off to continue getting ready for AMP'd tomorrow! We will be asking the question "How do you know when God is speaking to you?" Should be a good night!!

Much Love,
Bholda

Busy, Busy, Busy

It has been a crazy week!! Let me take a moment and break it down for ya. I spoke at AMP'd on Wednesday night, then spoke at a graduation service on Friday night, spoke all three services this morning at Marathon (check it out, www.marathonchurch.org), led a mission trip meeting after the last service, and finally just got home from a cook out for all of our student small groups!! So, needless to say it has been hectic, but all very much worth it. It's what I love to do, hang with students and teach God's Word. This week will be a little better, but preparation for Surge is still in full swing. I am looking forward to Memorial weekend and a little time away with my wife in Atlanta. It is going to be nice!! I will update later this week. It's chill time for awhile!

RUNning the Race,
Bholda

Ima twoblogger

WHAT? I know that probably makes no sense right now, but be patient I will explain. No, it's not the name of my neighbor down there in williamston, pronounced "wullmstun". It simply means I am a two blogger now. I am "maintaining" 2 blogs, this one and one at www.marathonamazingrace.com That blog is all about the progress of The Garage, our new student facility slated to open this fall. Go check it out and see what's goin' down. In other news, I was the victim of an unprovoked attack by 3 "stoners" ie..staff members of Stonebridge church (www.stonebridgechurch.tv), which I will leave nameless at this time. I can call them that because they call me a "Maraturd", but it's all in good fun, so don't get all upset and think there is a bunch of drama or something. Anyway, I received a picture on my phone of my wife's broken down 1998 Honda Accord with 3, yes 3 big Stone bridge stickers across the back window. What a terrible thing to do, take advantage of someone's broken down car and use it as a billboard to promote your church. Shame, Shame!!! I haven't decided if I am going to retaliate yet or not? The last time something like this went down, I was cleaning up 2000 straws in my office. Long story, just ask Sammy.
In other news, AMP'd was great last night! The band rocked it out, and the energy was electric, hence the word energy. I tackled the question "Who Created God?", and got a lot of positive feedback from students. Send me a message is you would like to hear my answer-not enough patience to type it out tonight. Next week we will be answering 2 questions: 1) Does everything happen for a reason, even the bad stuff, and 2) Is it a sin to drink or smoke a little bit? Should be an interesting night next week. I will let you know what goes down.
Well, that's about it for now, I'm all blogged out-2 in one day is intense!!!

Much Love,
Bholda

Feel the heat!!

I can already begin to feel the heat of summer!! Not literally, but in the sense of busyness. We are only a little over a month away from Surge (our high school beach trip) and that takes tons of planning!! We started a couple of weeks ago getting the details together, but we still have a ways to go. There will probably be time set aside each day to plan and pray for Surge, it's gonna be AMAZING. This years theme is "Surrender by the bay" and we will be talking about surrendering EVERYTHING we are to God (Mark 12:30). The "bay" part comes from the place we will be staying. We will be surrounded on one side by a bay and the other side of the island is the Gulf! Surrender by the gulf just doesn't ring as well!! After Surge, we have middle school camp up in Pigeon Forge, Tn for a week and we are trying something different, so it should be pretty cool as well. Then the last week of July we head back to Memphis for REACH '08 our mission trip. We had an interest meeting this past Sunday and I am pumped about the students that are wanting to go. It was an incredible life-changing trip last year, and I am anticipating the same for this year. We have all this planned as well as several different events around the church for the students on Wednesday nights at AMP'd. We try to mix it up at AMP'd by doing different things throughout the summer, so I'm looking forward to that. While most ministries in the church slow down a little, student ministry hits on all cylinders and with all barrels blazing. I love it though, and can't imagine doing anything else, even when the "heat" is on!!

RUNning the Race,
Bholda

Time

Is not on my side right now!!! Lots going on, so hopefully I will have time to blog at some point this weekend. Check back.

Bholda