Pictures, Pictures, Pictures

Pictures 1-5: Hard Rock Cafe

Picture 6: Barbie going to the highest bidder before the doors open

Picture 7: Emily displays her arm art (don't worry it's not permanent!)

Picture 8: Superheroes Hannah, Alycia, Sydney and Jessie at the Cho-zone.

Picture 9: Margaret, Sarah and Shelby at the West Buidling of the Convention Center.

Picture 10: Jayme, Haley and Kayla playing Uno with a new friend

Picture 11: Matthew, Zach, Tyler, Josh and Matt take in 9 holes of flamingo golf.

Picutre 12: Jayme, Haley, Hannah and Barbie at the Live it! Area

Sunday and Monday

Sorry so late in an update.


Yesterday, Sunday, we headed up to the convention center early for our Bible Study "CHOSEN TO THE WORLD". Our leader, a Pastor from New York, was VERY energetic and kept (most of us) awake. :) After the Bible Study, we headed out to Hard Rock Cafe and had excellent burgers, nachos, onion rings and of course, the famous Hard Rock Cookie. Lots of great gifts and souvenirs were purchased at the Hard Rock Shop and other stores at the City Walk. Right before leaving to head back to the hotel, we got caught in an enormous afternoon Florida downpour. After deciding it wouldn't let up, we hurried to our bus (Sorry, no outside picture like we had planned!), and headed back to our hotel for some power naps.



After our naps, we loaded up on a shuttle and headed to the convention center for the Evening's Mass Event. Sunday night's theme was CHOSEN TO HOPE--which was planned by our very own Myron Harms as well as some other Oklahomans. Our favorite part by far was the sand artist who shared the gospel using Sand and light. It was amazing. After the Mass Event, we returned to the hotel for our Family Group meetings and some went to bed while others of us went to find dinner at the IHOP across the street.



After a very short night's sleep, Monday's Bible Study had us waking up EVEN EARLIER as we trekked back to the hotel at 8 am. The Bible Study was held in the West Building of the Convention Center and we met with all of Track "Julie" (our small group of about 8,000). Fusebox and Pastor Joel Lehembauer showed us how we are CHOSEN IN CHRIST.



After Bible study, we spent the day in the Convention Center, exploring the Cho-zone and the Live it! Area for our Track. We picked up a LOT of freebies, including frisbees, keychains, and more. A group headed over to the North/South Building early so that they could wait in line to get us good seats for the evening's Mass Event.

Monday's Mass Event Theme was "Being Chosen Changes Everything" and Dr. Micah Parker talked to us about our "dirty little secrets". We had a time of confession and the question was asked what's on your card? as we talked about the things that we hide that burden us. After receiving absolution we knew that there was NOTHING on our cards that couldn't be forgiven by God's love and grace. The Jesus Painter was everyone's favorite part as we watched him tell by painting, the story of God bridging the gap between man and him through his son Jesus.

After the Mass Event, we headed back to the hotel for late dinners and our family group meetings and looked forward to being able to sleep in Tuesday morning!!

In Christ,

Hannah

Saturday

Yesterday was an eaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrly morning! After loading our bus at 7:00 , we headed to Cocoa Beach. After arriving, we spent most of the morning playing in the water and working on our tans. Jeff and Shelby rented surfboards and Tanner, Tyler, Haley and a few others tried boogie boarding in the Atlantic Ocean.

After the beach, we returned to Orlando for a quick shower and change before catching our shuttle to take us to the opening Mass Event at the Orange County Convention Center with
25, 000 other youth from the Gathering.

The doors opened at 7:00 and with Trusty Barbie guiding the way (carried by Jeff), we were able to get great seats! The Mass event Praise Band started the music at 7:30 and we were ready to get started!

Last night's theme was "Chosen for Community" and Pastor John Nunes with the help of "the skit guys" led us through a powerful time of rememberance and celebration found in Christ's love and forgiveness.

After the Mass Event, we boarded our shuttle and some of us went for dinner and after a quick wrap-up meeting everyone headed to bed!

More Later!

Hannah

P.S. NOT TO WORRY: Erica, Jessica, and Alycia escaped from the hot electrician/kidnapper on their way to lunch...and all is well. At the end of this "traumatic" experience the girls have the final words of, "STAY SEXY (but not with electricians or Baptists)."

Published by: the escapees themselves

Thursday and Friday

Greetings from Sunny Orlando!

It's been a very eventful two days so far! Yesterday, after loading up and leaving Oklahoma City at 8:00 am, we drove and drove and drove and drove... changed drivers and drove and drove and drove and arrived at Trinity Lutheran in Downtown Orlando for a quick change of clothes and a WONDERFUL breakfast of cheese omelets and pacakes by Mrs. Barnes of Trinity.

After breakfast, we headed over to Universal Park to spend the day at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. Everyone returned a little pink and tired. We checked into the FABULOUS Sheraton Safari, where some went swimming and others went to subway, yet others (Erica) went to straight to sleep.

Tomorrow our day includes a visit to the very famous A1A Beachfront Avenue and Cocoa Beach, not to mention Ron Jon's Surf Shop and of course, the opening of the gathering back in Orlando.

Stayed tuned for pictures and updates!

In Christ,

Hannah

Orlando Or Bust!

Welcome to the Messiah Youth National Youth Gathering Blog! We'll be posting pictures and stories from our trip here so that you can check and see how we're doing. Be sure to check back often for updates while we're on our trip!

~Hannah