That Crazy Pentecostal Girl

I have a peace like no other right now, and just beginning to write this i get teary eyed! (Tears of Joy) I'm looking over this past year and I'm overwhelmed at how much I have changed. All for the best of course, but still its in sane. A year ago I was a senior in high school. I had left Pentecost for a non-denominational church, which don't get me wrong wasn't all bad, but around this time last year I realized something was missing. I had learned a lot from that church, but spiritually I was still weak. I went to Illinois for Christmas and went to my grandma's church. May I remind you this was the first time I had gone to a pentecostal church in over a year and immediately I realized what I had been missing. This may seem small and simple, but I was missing the worship. Holy Ghost filled, tongue talking, good Ole' Pentecostal worship. No holding back, not fake, completely giving every ounce of energy and passion into it. To think I didn't praise God o...

A little while ago I was stressing out like crazy about paying for college. When I finally just handed it over to God he took care of it. He blessed me with a check of $2500 from a dead aunt I never knew. Not on purpose, but because I kept forgetting to grab my check book before I walked out the door for church, I hadn't tithed. Finally I got around to it....the very next day i got a phone call....I was offered a job!!! Call it coincidence, mere chance, call it whatever you like. I'm ganna call it God blessing me!!!! Now I Can Give Tithes Every Week I'm still struggling with money because I don't get many hours, but God still provides. Just last weekend I won 1st place for my trunk and my church's Trunk-er-Treat (fall festival), which put an extra 20 bucks in my pocket. Then Wednesday my youth pastor gave me a $20 gift card to Chick-Fil-A for winning!!! HAHA Needless to say I'm blessed And I believe this is just the beginning of what God's going to do for m...

"Live, Love and Learn": A movie made in the 1930's that coined the popular phrase now used in cute little quotes, but I think the movie had it all wrong. One must first Learn , then Love , and then and only then can they Live ! Last weekend a group of my friends and I went to a youth rally in Tampa just for the heck of it, and I'm so glad we did! Obviously it was a great service, but your never ganna believe what Bro. Joey Campatella spoke about!!!!???? "HOLINESS" 1 Timothy 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; The way he spoke about it just made you have so much more respect and love for it! On the way home we had a discussion about holiness. See I feel like a view holiness differently then most Pentecostals, but truth is I feel the same way. Some people just don't know it yet. See ever since I was a li...

So, I told you about the lady in Johann's. If that wasn't weird enough I had 3 more people come into my life quit randomly and strangely this past week. Thursday I had class and after I had planned to go out to eat with my mom then go shopping with some of my girlfriends. Well, my mom and I got done eating earlier then I had mapped out so I had a couple extra hours on my hands before I had to meet up with the girls. I decided I would go to the Books-A-Million in town because I had really been wanting a good student study bible. So, Im standing there, looking at the bibles, minding my own business when this young man, nearly my age asked If I was a christian. I looked at the bible in my hand and then looked up at him and said with a grin, "Uh Ya". This kid starts making conversation with me and Im friendly so I make conversation back. Get this, he eventually tells me his life story. How he hasn't always been in church, but he knows this is where he belongs blah bla...

This week has been one of the worst and life evaluating weeks of my life, and it probably didn't help that the little devil that visits me once a month decided to visit me this week:/ I can't go into detail what came to surface early this week because it's family business and not anyone else's, but I can tell you it was difficult to believe, once i believed it, it still didn't seem real, but it became real and I was angry - I let the sun down on my wrath-Ephesians 4:26 I eventually forgave this person, well at least to their face, but to be completely honest I'm still bitter about the situation and Im hurt All this went down on Monday. Tuesday I had class. Afterwards I went to my friends work, had lunch, and went shopping for several hours. All this to stay away from home as long as possible. I went to johann's during those several hours, which is where this story really begins. I went back to the patterns table, sat down, looked through some books, minding ...

So after hyphen a lot of us college and career kids are pumped! If thats the word you wanna use...i don't know. All I know is we've been talking and talking about making a difference and now we are finally going to do it! Its ganna be OFF THE WALL! It started off with My friend Amber and I just chit chatting about how we need change in this church, especially the youth group, over a cup of coffee. We came up with this brilliant idea of having a bible study type thing where we just get together and basically do what we were doing now, talking, but with more people and throw are opinions and idea's out there and just see where it would go from there. So friday night it was set, her house, 7pm... it didn't end till 11! So, there we were, Amber and I, Lauren-Ashley, Troy, Garison, Chris-Ann, and Bro. & Sis. Barnhill, sitting in the living room talking about...well everything. We really touched base with how this generation, the college and career age, needs to b...

I was a little hesitant this week about going to this function my church held! It didn't really sound appealing and it was $25 that I didn't really feel like spending on something I wasn't sure about, but I was talked into and then my church offered to pay for everyones way so I went and I am soooooo glad I did! It was a little awkward at first, but by the end it was one of the best services I've ever been to! I mean it wasn't a jumping around, shouting and getting crazy service. It was chill, quite, but very informational. It was broken up into 6 speakers each of which talked on a different subject. Dreams, Roots, Exposition, Sexuality, Money, and Them! The first subject made me start thinking of when I was little and how I thought I was ganna be a missionary to Australia, and how now that looks just crazy, but what if it wasn't? The next one Roots, the speaker Jody Wells for one is awesome second it made me want to read the bible more, fast more, and...

I could sit here and go on and on for 3 to 5 paragraphs about how pathetic my life is, but I rather not~ I was sitting in my bed a week or so ago crying about how pathetic my life is! Sometimes I feel so useless like there is nothing I can do about it. I wish I could help my church more, get them more into it, but I don't even know where to begin with a church of 1000 people, give or take! I wish I had more money for school, the only reason I was going to a secular school to begin with was because I thought it was paid for, but its not completely and now I feel like I shouldn't be spending money on something God hasn't even called me to do! I wish I was more of an example to people around me, from family, to friends at school and church! AND BLAH BLAH BLAH!!!!! Like I said I can go on forever! But as I was sitting there freaking out about everything it hit me, a little voice, telling me to not be afraid and to stop worrying, "For God has not given me the spirit of fear...

My boyfriend is always telling me I'm too negative! Most of the time he's being sarcastic, but I have noticed at times I complain way to much! I started noticing every time I would say something negative and the thought about what I was saying. What if instead of complaining, I fixed whatever it is that is wrong!!!???? *****LIGHT BULB***** I was reading a book the other day about some of the worlds greatest known people. It mentioned Abe Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Eleanor Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, and my favorite Helen Keller. I started realize while reading these stories, I have no reason to complain! In fact I have all the more reason to rejoice!!!!! I have sat on the pews of church complaining for way to long about how no body here cares about God, or about the youth and blah blah blah and Im not the only one. A few of my friends have done the same so I went right along with them every time, but IM DONE! I don't know what I can do to fix this situation exactly, or s...

I don't know much about love. I loved once....i think! Needless to say Im very bad a determining the difference between love and infatuation! ♥ I was thinking about my birthday, which is on tuesday! I'll finally be 18 ahhhh crazy! Crazy to think I've been alive for this long Crazy to think that i have people on my life who have been with me all 18 years! Crazy to think how much they truly love me! ♥ ♥ LOVE ♥ .... Such a a strong word, yet I use it all the time and people say it to me all the time! And my question is - do they honestly mean it! I'm sure they have good intentions, and they probably do love me, but I wanna talk about a different kind of love! The kind of love only found in this story book! No, not Cinderella! Not Little Bo Peep! Actually no, A good story is found in the book of John, 3rd ch., 16th verse "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." ♥...

"Turning Point" Where do I even start I don't know! In the beginning of summer I was not planning on going to camp at all, but it worked where I really wanted to and was able to, so I packed my bags and went! I was expecting something great, but I couldn't have imagined how great! Every night was just another revelation, blessing and out pouring! Like I was thinking all week how I was going to tell you all about it and now that Im sitting here writing it out, words can't even express the power, and anointing in each service and all throughout the camp! Each night I would start out just doing my thing, praising God, not really feeling anything, but be the end of the night my face was planted in the floor! And its times like that when I know Im in the right place, the right "religion" if i must say, and the right atmosphere that I wish I could be in 24/7!!!!! Its almost like every night and even morning services God pried my heart open and Bro. Collins ( T...

Thats all I want...." More " Conquerers Camp 2010 - God as something big going on! UPCI florida youth district does camp every year for different age groups...this past week was 15 & 16! I went up a couple nights, mainly because I wanted to pray and be there for our young ladies! Man, did God move or what! I went every night, but wednesday and Im so glad I did! Not only is it awesome to see these girls worshiping and praising God, but I got anointed from the sermons as well! Monday Night - You do not have to fight this battle alone Tuesday Night - Be A servant! Thursday night- Take this home-for real When your fasting for your youth, and you see things come to past, your faith sky rockets! These young ladies, and the one guy who went, were impacted this week like they haven't been in a long while and Im so excited for them! God has some awesome things, no not awesome, EPIC Miracles coming! I'm going to college camp this up coming week and I cant wait to be blessed...

I fasted last Wednesday, just one day and oh the difficulty! I don't understand why its so hard for me, but every time I get ultra sick:( I get a terrible migraine and by the end of the day i feel like I'm going to puke, what I don't know since i didn't eat! And on top of that O feel like its pointless because at the end of the day i stuff my face! So why do I do this, and is it really working! Well I'm ganna do it again this week and for 3 days, but I'm ganna try to do it more like a Daniel's fast! Your probably wondering why, why put myself through that again! Well call me crazy, but I think its working! One day of fasting and I already see things changing! I was fasting and praying for two things in particular, One-My youth group and Two- My dad to be healed! Today in church God's spirit came and anointed the place, The service was on fire! Best part, there were kids, youth, my friends down there praying in the spirit who usually never are!!!!...

My trip to Illinois is over:( But it was worth every penny! A lot of great things happened just within the two week i was there, but my favorite and most likely to last was how my relationship with God grew! Bro. George Szabolcsi, My Gramma's pastor, and I had an awesome conversation the Sunday before I left; I told you about it in the previous Blog, but I just can't get over how everything he said and did for me is going to impact my life. It's exactly what i need! He sent me home with 2 books, "Fasting" by Jentezen Franklin and "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire" by Jim Cymbala! My Great Gramma also sent me home with 2 books, "Pathway to Purpose" by Deborah Joyner Johnson and "Dare to Dream" by Sandra Mcleod Humphrey! I'm reading "Fasting" right now and I'm addicted! I never thought it was for me because I would get sick when I wouldn't, but I think its all in my head and I feel like I need to do this! Matthew 6 talks abo...

AKA " HOME "! I came to help my gramma with stuff because she had recently got surgery done on her shoulder and can't really do much. I left with a a stronger desire for God! It happens everytime I come here, God is so evident, and I always get a renewing, encouragement, and support. The bible says to surround yourself with a cloud of witnesses, here I have my Grandparents, Great Grandma, Pastor, Youth Pastors and ppl in between! When I go back I have A couple elders in the church, and the "Unofficial Youth Pastors"! Thats it, and it makes it so much harder to live a Godly lifestyle. So, I love talking to my Pastor up here. I like to pry his brain about stuff. He's really intellectual and full of wisdom, Awesome man of God. So I talked to him today about loving here and almost afraid to go back home and of course he had things to tell me!!!! He told me that Joseph lived in Egypt for 17 years, 7 of which he was in prison...the Bible says God was with him thro...

Well my life lesson I learned this week has nothing to do with Bible College, which is what IBC and Gateway are, BTW! lol Im mean ya Im trying to decide which one I want to go to, but yep thats my biggest tradegy right now! I went Illinois Youth Camp yesterday...ahhhhhmazzzing! Man, I wish I could take this to my church, I wish they could hear the messages I've been hearing since I've got here! Maybe, things would change! Maybe, ppl would feel God's presence once again in there life! Maybe, just maybe God could take THEM by horns and run with them untill they get a sudden life evaluation that changes their whole aspect on GOD and church! Maybe I can say something, but how I don't know yet! Untill then God Is GREAT! & Life is Good, Don't let anyone tell you different! With Love Ally

Sometimes I feel like am. Lately more then usual! I think I have friends until they ditch me, stand me up, or refuse to answer my text messages. I seriously have to sit and think of who my real friends are and i can only name a few! I recently graduated and I threw this party and every other person had an excuse why they couldn't come and I try not to care, but I'm human how can I not. This past year happened so fast, and it just hit me how many people I'm no longer friends with and whom I'm no longer going to be friends with and it hurts! It really sucks when your stood up for a guy?!?! If I were to have a boyfriend i wouldn't do that to my friends and I don't understand why my friends do that to me! I was talking to someone today and no longer will they...you wanna not be a true friend to me fine...idc I Got a Friend In Jesus and I'll be OK:) "Feelin Alone-Remember God's still there:)" With Love Ally

I noticed recently that I always am wanting something! Whether its money and possessions or love from a significant other, but the other day at church one of the elders came to the pulpit and quoted Psalms 23 -The Lord is my Shepard I shall not want...Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. He says this then that night as I started getting upset and feeling lonely again, Tenth Ave. North's song, " By Your Side " comes on the radio. The lyrics to this song go something like this---- "Why are you looking for love Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough" ---- WOW !!!! Ha God speaks to us all the time, you just got to keep those ears open! What I learned when I started listening was God has it under control. I need to stop wanting things I don't need or aren't intended to have just yet! It just isn't God's will yet and until it is I have his love and I shouldn't take it for granted or forget that. Psalms 23...

I was sitting in my bed, on the verge of tears! Why? Well, this may seem simple, but it was all because I wanted to do something Epic this summer! Im going off to college this coming fall, so this summer is basically my last before I have to take summer classes, which is a bit depressing. So, I wanted to do something, anything, something I could look back on and say "Wow, that was awesome"? But what? I've been thinking about it, googling it, and praying about it, but was having no luck till this afternoon! A light bulb came on... SHEAVES FOR CHRIST !!!!!!!!!!! Sheaves for Christ is the fundraising ministry of the General Youth Division of the United Pentecostal Church International. Since its establishment in 1952, over $103 million has been raised to fund missions and ministries around the world. I decided I wanted to be apart of that. My church is one of the largest in my section, yet I noticed we never really raised a whole lot for SFC! I want to change that this summe...

I went to a youth rally in Orlando this past Friday! Wasn't planning to go. It was a last minute thing I was talked into, but can't say I regret going. Acually the day of I was excited about, but not for reasons I should be. Actually the only reason I wanted to go was to find a nice, good looking, pentecostal young man, but God had other plans. The preacher was from Alaska, and he was very good. He talked about not letting your dream die, which spoke right to me. I mean I feel called to ministry and the devil constantly puts doubt and fear in my head, so the sermon was awesome. Altar call came and he asked everyone to stand back a few steps and for people who felt called to ministry to step forward and before the pastors even laid hands on us I could feel the annointing. I absolutly love living in America where I have the freedom and the opportunity to expierence a Holy Ghost filled service and to be touched by His all powerful presence. Its truely like nothing else I could ima...

So here is the first to many blogs! I want to do this to show there is real ppl out here dealing with the same stuff! But instead of just going through the motions, Im ganna live a life thats something to talk about! Live life with Boldness and most importantly with God! So lately my little sister, who is 15 has been pulling my chains. Im not sure why I let her bother me. Usually its little things like what Im wearing, or how weird I am bc I don't like the same music she does, or dont have a bf 24/7, or I actually want to go to church and usually I let it go through one ear and out the other, but lately it has been doing just the opposite! She's saying things that Im really insecure about and I dont know how to handle it, but with anything I don't know how to handle I fall on my knees and pray. You know what I realized, If I just keep living my life, as weird as it may seem to her now, one day she'll look up to me. Right now she's young and doesn't understand ...