July 21st, 2016- Update + First day of South Dakota Choir Missions trip entry!!!

Hey y'all! I am so sorry (again) for not blogging in awhile. Summer has definitely kept me busy this year with the home school conference, my sisters injury, (her cast is off now and she is starting to dance again, praise Adonai), dance camp, different choir events, home projects, the South Dakota missions trip etc. I hope all of your summers are being blessed and I hope each one of you has done something fun and memorable. My choir, and my family and I went on a choir missions trip to South Dakota. Most of the time, we were in the town of Spearfish. We all had a wonderful time and I am so thankful my family and I were able to go on this trip. The trip was from Thursday July 7^th to Sunday July 10^th. It was short but sweet. Alright, here we go into another adventure!

On July 7^th our whole choir team met at a gas station at 6:15 am with packed cars and ready hearts! Mrs. Porter ahead of time assigned car teams so that there wasn’t any arguing, jealousy etc. at the gas station of who was riding with whom. Thankfully, she assigned Kira in our car which was really fun! We listened to music, “danced”, talked and ate on the 6 ½ hour car ride to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota.

When we first pulled up to Mount Rushmore and I saw the heads of George Washington, Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln I started getting really excited and giddy. It was so fun to learn more history about Mt. Rushmore. If you ever get a chance to look it up, I definitely suggest doing so to learn the history of the making of “the heads.” It is truly amazing all of the time and endless hours they put into making it all possible. Plus all of the people they used and effort is crazy. Upon arrival, we warmed up our voices, then we walked through a flag archway in our patriotic attire. We began singing patriotic songs: America the Beautiful, Battle Hymn of the Republic, and God Bless America. A lady from Georgia came up to us and told us with her cute southern accent that when we were singing the songs it brought tears to her eyes and saddened her to see that many people didn’t stop to recognize our freedom and country. We really appreciated what she told us. The choir talked afterwards about what she told us and my mom said that she thinks one main reason it meant a lot to this lady was because we were youth singing patriotic songs. There are so many students out there  now days don’t even know a single word to our patriotic songs. It  means a lot to the generations of  people before us to see and hear our generation appreciating our country and freedom. There was a couple from Texas who said that we had made their whole trip. Additionally, a couple of veterans saluted us as well, which gave me goose bumps.

Once we got through the archway, we stood in front of the mountain with the 4 Presidents’ heads in the background and sang those patriotic songs again plus some upbeat songs like ‘Happy’. We had maybe 100-150 people stop to watch us, clap and take videos. That’s one of the things that I love about doing choir missions trip. Impromtu, we stop at the Spirits leading and sing in crowds. Many people video us which means they will have uplifting messages and often songs about Yeshua(Jesus) with them everyday. You never know who may have been touched by the message in the words. I met a lot of people from Georgia, Florida, Alabama (roll tide --lol), Texas, Colorado, Arizona, and California. I love meeting new people from all over the world, and hearing their different accents. My goal was to meet as many people as I could at the Mount. After we took a little hike around Rushmore, sang songs along the way, went through a museum to learn more about Mount Rushmore, and then we came back outside to sing one more patriotic song.

After we did that, a little girl (maybe 8) named Aris came up to us and asked if we could sing ‘Oceans--, where my feet may fail’ by Hillsong United with her. We all knew the song, so of course, we said yes! She had such a beautiful strong voice. She was such a talented amazing singer (especially for her age). She told us that she wants to try out for America’s Got Talent and we told her we would all be watching for her performance! I think our choir team members are among her biggest fans. J You could seriously hear her voice above all of our 10, and a  little more experienced, choir members. We were sad to find out that they live in Arizona because we would’ve loved to have her join choir. Her mom became friends with Mrs. Porter on Facebook and she showed us their family photos. The mom had photos of her and her two daughters with the Make aWish program. I don’t know if they support Make a Wish or if they are apart of the program. Everyone has a story and it was really nice to know that we, hopefully, blessed their family and the people watching around us. I did see her mom shed some tears which was definitely touching. Only God knew this was going to happen, and He only knows what is going to happen in the future. I was really thankful to have that wonderful experience with Aris though. We all gave her a big hug and then she started telling us random things about her family. It was so cute. If she is part of the Make A Wish program, that grants special wishes to dying children, then my heart is even more grateful to have been a part of Aris desire to “make it big” with her singing in front of people.

It was such an amazing feeling that day to be able to go around the mountain and stand in front singing songs about God and our country. It saddens my heart to see all that is going on in this world right now. There is so much death and hate and it is sad to think that this generation is growing up with all these things happening around us and who knows what will happen in the future. When we were singing songs, like ‘God bless America’, it gave me a little sense of hope… just a little. There were people there that might have a different religion or different language, but it was encouraging to know that we were able to bring at least some light into peoples lives. We all need to stand up for what we believe in and we need to be willing to be a light to the dark world around us. Even just a smile or an act of kindness can change someone’s life. So spread the light of love and kindness. Stand firm against  the dark, hate and evil.

Mount Rushmore was beautiful and I can check-it off my bucket list now. It was really cool to learn even more about our past presidents, but my favorite part wasn’t seeing man made carved rock heads but sharing His light to the people who each have their own unique story. When I would tell people that I was going to South Dakota to sing and share about Yeshua, some people would ask, “Why South Dakota? Wasn’t Vienna more interesting?” Eventhough we had many wonderful opportunities in Vienna, there are many people out there who don’t know Christ… even here in America. You can go to your home town to be a light and touch someone’s life. It doesn’t matter where in the world; it just matters where God leads you and then going to wherever that place is in obedience. I am so glad that we all had this opportunity to be able to go to Mount Rushmore. I think we all had a wonderful time there. After we were done singing for the day, we all stopped to get some ice-cream. That was some of the best ice-cream I have ever tasted.

After we were done with everything, we all piled in cars and drove about an hour to Mrs. Porter’s relatives house in Spearfish, South Dakota. They had a gorgeous house and beautiful large, kind of farm property. While one of the meal teams was preparing dinner,  some other girls and I who were not assigned to dinner prep, headed outside to play a quick game of soccer. We then had dinner, got ready for bed and had devotions.

Rebecca and I thought this devotional time was going to be this sweet little devotion… but it was a very powerful time together. We first all talked about our favorite moments from the day and then Mrs. Porter shared Zephaniah 3:17 which say, “The Lord your God is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you; He will quiet you in His love. He will rejoice over you with singing.” Here were my notes from the devotion time, sorry if they seem a little scatter brained… I am not putting all of my notes because some of them are private. :) And whenever I write “me”, it means “you” too.

“When God looks at me, He sees Yeshua; for I am a child of God. We are all so critical of ourselves, but we don’t need to be, because He loves you just the way you are and He rejoices over you. He is never critical of you. We can’t even comprehend without the Holy Spirit, the powerful love that He has for us. He takes great delight in ME. He takes great delight in YOU! Even when we sin, He still takes great delight in you. God answers with a still small voice. He doesn’t answer with harshness, but, with love and kindness. He answers you with that still small loving voice, instead of a harsh yelling voice. He even sent His one and only Son to bear the pain and hurt for YOU. He went through so much pain, trials, and tears all because of you. Now, if you don’t consider that love… then I don’t know what is. Sometimes He might be trying to tell us to change not because He doesn’t like who you are but because He cares for you and He has an even higher plan for you. He sings over me with a soothing voice just like a mother sings over her tired child with a sweet tenderhearted voice. Don’t care or worry what people think of you or if they like you because God ADORES you and loves every bit of you. Ask Him what song He is singing over you.”

After we dug into our verse, meditated on it, and sang worship songs then we prayed; and that’s when the tears started to flow from pretty much every ones eyes, except Jackson, poor guy. I prayed from my heart out loud and this is kind of what it was like, “I see You Father as a shepherd to all of your sheep. You are dressed in white and glowing from top to bottom. We, the sheep are standing in Your presence in awe, as you call us to come closer and closer. You are calling us all each different names: beloved, brave, beautiful, thoughtful, kind, lovely daughter, and fearfully and wonderfully made. You say to us, “I love you, my dear child. I know how many hairs are on your head, just as I know how many grains of sand there are. I know the plans and purposes that I have for you my dear daughters and I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

After I was done praying, I noticed many people were over comed by the Holy Spirit and having tears in their eyes. I really noticed “Sally”- not her real name for privacy-- with Abby and Addie surrounding her and all of them crying their hearts out, especially “Sally”. I felt led to go over and lay hands on Sally. Sally shared with us all how this past year she has gone through deep depression and feeling alone. I looked her in the eyes and told her, “Sally, you are beautiful and loved. God created you and you are His daughter. He loves you so much and He would ‘never leave you nor forsake you.’ He is wrapping His arms around you and He is calling you His. I know how it feels to feel alone and it really hurts. I think God gave me this vision of Him being our shepherd because right now you are one of His lost sheep; just like in the parable of the shepherd having 100 sheep. One goes off so he has 99 now, and yet the shepherd still went after that one lost sheep because he loves us ALL. You are that little lost sheep and you are being called out. You feel alone and scared, but God, your shepherd, has been looking and has found His precious lost sheep. You are not alone. You are NEVER alone.” Mrs. Porter and Mrs. Brown shared some things on that subject too, then we all prayed over each other . I prayed over Rebecca; I just felt led to her. Jackson told me afterwards that his parents had told him that girls are really emotional. It was so funny! J That day was a really great experience and I am thankful for every moment of it; especially for that night. Come back soon for the second day of the South Dakota Choir 2016 missions trip. Thanks for reading this blog post. Sorry it was so long. :) Blessings to you all,

Kaila