I Remember

I thought I should follow up on what Steve's Blog was saying and post the memories I have from this whole experience I have found myself in. This picture I put at the top of my post is a picture of me when I was about a year and a half old in the Lord. I think I have grow since then, and yes I am wearing plastic wrap.

I remember my second week at church and Kristin said to me, "Hi Mary." I was blown away at the fact that she remembered my name.

I remember hanging out with Susan, Lea, and Melissa at celebration on Sunday nights because I loved going to church.

I rememeber the Sunday night I knew with everything in me that I was saved and that the Lord loved me.

I remember going on my first mission trip to Mexico and swearing that I would live there someday. (Who knows?)

I rememeber asking Pastor Mike if I could be on the worship team and I remember how welcoming and awesome everyone was.

I remember when I confessed to Kerri a sin that I was so ashamed of.

I remeber asking Tamy, in a passing moment, if she would disciple me, and I remember thinking that she would forget. So I figured that I wouldn't ask again and just leave it be. I remember the phone call I got from her because she didn't forget.

I remember the trip to Mexico where Steve taught me how to play the guitar, which by the way I never thought would amount to much.

I remember going over to Steve and Tamy's house 3 or 4 nights a week for one reason or another. I remember thinking that these people were so awesome and that I would go anywhere they would go.

I remembered wanting more passion from God and for God and the thing that was holding me back was the fact that I didn't tithe. I remember the first time I tithed. (That was a fun time because the first thing that I felt called to tithe on was the $6,000 my parents gave me for college. That was fun telling them that I tithed 10% on that. The fur was flying that night!)

I remember when Yaks opened. I remember crying everyday for the first year. I remember hiding in the bathroom because I was crying so much and thinking that I was safe till Nancy walked in. She prayed for me.

I rememeber the time I realized that I needed to take responsibility for my relationship with God, that was time I started to tithe.

I remember the day that I called Jeff Jones and told him that I felt called to lead worship. I remember writing papers and reading articles for my internship.

I remember being so excited at the possibility of another Girl's House. I rememeber moving into the Girl's House. I also remember the 5:00 am meetings at Nan's house.

I remember feeling called to plant a church with Steve and Tamy, and for the first time not being afraid to leave the Vineyard. I wouldn't be leaving I would be sent out.

I remember whe Sean and Linda came back and Sean started to meet with me about worship. I remember the first thing that he said to me about leading worship. "Character over quality anyday." I remember starting to lead worship and the first time I had a meltdown. I remember when Sean asked me what was the matter I told him that I felt like a big a**hole. I remember he laughed.

I remember starting on Staff and wondering what the heck everyone was thinking. I remember 301, boy do I remember 301. I don't think I will ever forget that. That was the most family I have ever done.

I remember all the 6am meetings at the Girl's House.

I remember going to Buffalo for the first time.

I remember going to World Mandate and being rocked and for the first time realizing the urgency of salvation of unbelievers. I remember for the first time seeing the world through the eyes of God.

I remember being loved and feeling loved. I remember being encouraged to go for God with everything in me. I remember being told that I am the hope of the World. I remember being told that I can dream big, that I can dream God's dreams and that it was okay for me to reach out and grab ahold of them and run with them. I remember being told that people were 100% for me and whatever God was doing in me. I remember learning to do family and learning to love the family that God gave me. I remember growing.



This is me 4 years after meeting the Lord. I guess the goofiness never left.