CIY MOVE 2010 - In My Eyes

CIY Move 2010 was a life-changing experience for all 16 of us that went.

We left early Monday morning around 7:30. As we packed all of our luggage into the van, the amazing week began. The ride to Lee University was a long one. We arrived around 5:30. The first thing we did was eat dinner. Afterwards, we went to our first service. Monday night, we talked about God's grace. His grace is overflowing and his grace covers anything and everything. It truly is amazing. The night was capped off by throwing our "red cards" or sins away because God has forgiven us and taken them away through his grace. I personally ended up crying my eyes out and talking to Trevor for about an hour. It was a pretty sweet first night.

Tuesday was one of the longer days during this CIY. We woke up early and went to breakfast, preparing for a great day. The Morning Show was hilarious with Taylor Brown and Topher the Vampire giving us some good laughs. We were introduced to Mark Scott on Tuesday morning. He spoke to us each morning during the week. Tuesday's messages were about truth. We were told that the truth is not words, but a person...Jesus Christ. That same night, we received a video sermon from Mark Moore. It was talking about using the truth (Jesus Christ and the Bible) in getting others to accept Christ. The message was so powerful. He talked all about his "friend" and fighting to make her accept God. She hasn't yet, but he keeps telling us to always get up when you are pushed down. He told us that every time, his "friend" pushes him down, he gets back up. The video ends with, "I get up because I need a savior...and so does my mom." Wow!

Also on Tuesday, we played in the basketball tournament. It was outside in the pouring down rain...but was still a lot of fun. We made a run to the semifinals and lost to a team that had a guy going to play at App State next year. During those 2 hours in the pouring rain, Connor, Jordan and I made some friends. They won't be forgotten....Corbin, Kevin and Dirty Steve...haha. I think the funniest part of the day was when Dirty Steve put a caution:wet floor sign on the outdoor basketball court after an hour of rain. And to end the night, we went to a 45 minute concert by Taylor Brown.

Wednesday, to me, was the best day of maybe my life. The topic was godliness. The day started with Taylor Brown and Topher playing an epic game of invisible tennis. So funny. Again, Mark Scott preached the morning session. He made it easy to see who role models should be in our lives, godly people. He pointed out role models that are terrible...Ben Roethlisberger, Lady Gaga, Terrell Owens, etc. and showed us good ones...Tim Tebow, Tony Dungy, Albert Pujols, etc. It was very interesting. But he also talked about being godly so you can influence others and lead them towards Christ. That made me think of 2 people that I really wanted to influence. One is my friend, Terry, and the other is Hayden. So I decided that I would go to whichever elective Hayden was going to that day. Oh yeah, forgot, on Wednesday, instead of free time we went to a class of your choice where they talk for an hour. Hayden, Alex, and I went to Taylor Brown's 5 Things elective. It was a great class...Taylor talked about the story of Jacob....fighting against God. He acted out the fight scene to a point where everyone is the room was cracking up. It lead to me and Hayden talking and getting to know each other better...I am forever glad that I went to that elective.

After the elective, Gabe, Jordan and I went to the Talent Show and ended up talking to DJ Alex. We ended up getting a free download for his CD...he's actually pretty good...his stage name is Customary.

Wednesday night, the worship was awesome! The worship leader, Caleb Rowden tweeted afterwards that it was one of his best experiences ever! Then, Matt Proctor spoke and changed my life for sure. He made us really appreciate what our parents do. He really just pushed me towards my friend Terry that night. I don't really know why, but I prayed and prayed and prayed for him that night....till 3 in the morning. Also that night, we celebrated Jordan's birthday with a 1:36 rave...Kyle Time!

Thursday was a fun day. We went to the morning session and got some laughs in from Taylor and Topher. Then Mark Scott talked about influence. The Morning Show was short and then we had Extended Rec. We went whitewater rafting...very fun. Only one injury out of 16 people...not bad. Well actually Alex had to get 8 stitches cause he tried to kiss a rock...but thats another story. haha. On the way back from rafting, I sat with Hayden and we had a really good conversation that solidified our friendship...or to me it did. Thursday night, we returned from the river and had another great night. We were told to get good influence. Everyone needs a "Paul" or a mentor. I am so lucky to have 2 that live in my own house. Everyone needs a "Barnabus" which is someone fighting right there with you. I have a whole youth group for that. And everyone needs a "Timothy" or someone that you influence/mentor. I have a great oppurtunity to do that with my brothers. Also we celebrated Jordan's birthday that night. Long story short, BEST PARTY EVER!

Friday was the last day. The morning was great and afterwards, Hayden and I went to the worship elective. It was interesting to hear from the band about what worship really is. Then we went on to the dodgeball tournament. We had a great time...losing in the quarterfinals, however. After the tournament, we played basketball for an hour or so. Then, we went back, showered, and went to dinner. I left dinner early and went to the auditorium early, for no certain reason. But I ended up talking to our friend from earlier, Corbin for 30 minutes or so. It was great to find out his struggles and be able to pray for/with him. He is a great and hilarious dude. That night was bittersweet but awesome. Blake Bergstrom gave a GREAT message on enduring the "race" to Christ. It is hard, but you can't give up. Caleb Rowden took us out with some worship and the camp ended. During youth group time after the session, we got into pairs and prayed for each other. Me and Hayden prayed for each other. I think that's when it happened. We just clicked and man, idk how but the guy is my bro now. I love him...no homo...so glad that he could come this year.

Later that night, I called my friend Terry to talk to him a little about Jesus. When I talked to him I about lost it because he told me that he had gotten saved on Wednesday night...you know the one where I was up till about 3 praying for him. GOD IS GREAT AND POWERFUL! I hope to bring Terry next year. It would be awesome.

And lastly, I just want to let each and every one of you know; Gabe, Connor, Hayden, Jordan, Alex, Andrew, Brett, Mitchell, Jessica, McKinnon, Joelle, Chelsea, Danielle, Kathy and Trevor, that I love all of you and if you ever need anything or want to talk...I'm here.

Luke