Best friend

I came to a realization this morning between my morning devotional and Ascend the Hill set. God doesn’t want to just be this fiery deity that I look up to and hope will be looking back down at me. He wants to be MY BEST FRIEND. And more than that, I NEED him to be my best friend. I can chase after him with everything in me but I’ll never catch him until I accept the fact that he wants me to run to him with everything not just chase after him with the big things.

You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. (John 15:14-16 ESV)

I don’t get to compartmentalize God even if I think I’m saving him from the petty details.

And on another note, I only have one festival left after this. I hope you have been following my instagram, twitter, and/or Facebook for pictures and more steady updates. Thank you so much to those of you that have donated to support me. And for those of you that are unfamiliar with what I’m talking about, please prayerfully consider assisting me in the next week and beyond. I will be heading to Nashville indefinitely to completely exit my comfort zone and chase after the things God has laid on my heart. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, please ask. And if you do, thank you and please continue to pray for me. If you feel led to assist me in this process, please be praying and visit:
http://rockforlife.org/2012/05/30/help-make-me-a-rfl-pro-life-summer-missionary

Thank you,
Christyn

Creation

Photo of a little refugee girl & I from Clarkston, GA:

Awesome pizza place in Cumberland, Maryland:

Hiking near a dam somewhere in Maryland:

shooting air-soft guns in Maryland:

precious photo received from a friend this week- much needed encouragement:

camp at Creation:

Flatfoot 56:

Underoath:

Dutch Blitz with Chris & Owen (Love Alliance crew) during a rainstorm:

Most precious teenager explaining how we had a set up at Creation because some mommy’s and daddy’s kill their babies because they don’t love them and how we were there to explain to them that it’s a sin and there are other things they can do instead:

Fantastic Huntingsdon finds:

lunch with the gorgeous, Erin Brecht:

free homemade pie from our awesome waiter at Boxers (strawberry-rhubarb & blueberry):

Switchfoot:

Darth Vader & the crew:

We were about to drive into a storm yesterday on our way to Ohio & I had to make a pit stop for a bathroom.  We found a Starbucks and when leaving, met Mr. Marc Ortega.  Him and his wife are traveling 48 states to spread the gospel.  They live in their van and just love Jesus a whole lot.  They stopped to share some of their food with us and talk with us about our parallel convictions and purposes.  It was such a blessing and encouragement to meet someone who was a visible product of Gods faithfulness:

Priceline and I became best friends yesterday when we checked into our hotel and it looked like THIS on the inside:

Oh how he loves

This past week was inevitably one of the most trying I have yet to experience.  For those of you who aren’t familiar with me personally, let me explain to you how little I enjoy the wilderness.  There have been countless moments in my life where I have “missed out” on memories because I can’t swallow the idea of sleeping in a tent.  It sounds very shallow and silly but I don’t like spiders.  I don’t like being wet.  And I don’t like bonfires (the smoke and my lungs REALLY don’t agree on much).  With all of that being said, I have to say I was right about how much I despised the idea of camping.  This past week was spent in Orbisonia, Pennsylvania on a farm called Agape.  Gorgeous town, spectacular bands, and lots of laughs.  But that was not liberated from the absurd nightly climate changes, intense thunderstorms, and a severe case of “holy crap, I miss my friends bad.”  One night, I literally cried myself to sleep.  It wasn’t out of repulsion to the environment or severe craving of a girls night with my lovely DNA group (although, I definitely could have used that).  I was upset because I wasn’t sure what I was doing was for God.  My friends who spent time with me before I left know that one of my biggest convictions is the fact that I tend to obsess over God’s call for my life.  Instead of praying about it and reading His word and soaking up everything He says, I frustrate myself over the fact that He hasn’t screen shared with me and typed out my life story.  It all goes back to some evil control issues that I have.  Regardless, this particular night, it was extremely difficult to hear His voice and the Enemy was definitely working on my heart.  The next day was a daze.  I was flustered and frustrated and still uncertain about my reasons.  Then, Erin suggested we take an afternoon “off.”  We had yet to really have a ladies day and just went out and bonded over our love of God and music and life.  So we wandered into Huntingsdon.  After much conversation, several LP’s, CD’s, and $2 DVDs (Yep, that place rocked), and some very delicious vegetarian dishes, I was starting to feel like God was stepping back in.  Then we opened up some devotionals and started to read.

One of the devotionals was nothing short of a huge “Oh Jesus” moment.  The entire devotional was speaking about how the Enemy doesn’t intend to come in and wipe us out with one swift kick.  His attack is a slowly devised manipulation of our human flaws.  The whole week, I was getting frustrated and distant as a result of other threads that were coming untied in my life.  Yeah, they were small threads.  But that’s how that jerk works.  He was working his way into my brain and convincing me that things weren’t working because God didn’t have this plan for me anymore.  As if God doesn’t know what’s happening next or what kind of decisions I’m about to make… The only problem was it was working until now.  And if I didn’t stop dead in my tracks and transition the way I was thinking about “my” plans and “my” purpose, the threads would continue to unravel and I would continue on a downward spiral into miserable uncertainty.  Lucky for me, God was ready for me to ask Him to pick me back up.  Which leads me to another point…

One of the musicians this past week, singer of Tenth Avenue North, was talking about worshipping during live music.  He was explaining how he loves when the audience has their arms raised but hes hoped it wasn’t out of obligation or peer pressure or habit.  He said his youngest daughter often wanders up to his ankles and raises her arms to him when she is excited or when she is hurt or upset.  She looks up to him in need of comfort and says “Daddy, hold youuu.  I need you Daddy.”  He compared that look in her eyes and need for his attention and comfort and ultimate surrender to his authority to our submission in worship.  When we throw our arms in the air, we are asking our Lord to hold us.  We are crying out to Him that we need Him to take us into that moment fully and comfort us where we are.

Anyways, I have clearly been learning SO much from this trip.  And I have been struggling quite a bit as well.  So please continue praying for my summer and the lives that I come in contact with.  I am sure I will be learning more than I will be teaching.  And I love that idea completely.  Thank you for all the prayers and finances you have already sent my way.  I miss everyone back home and can’t wait to meet those of you that I haven’t yet.  Please let me know if any of you have any specific prayer requests or if you have any questions or would like to be added to my “I’ll send out these postcards one day” list.  ❤ (please continue to prayerfully consider donating to my food funds for this summer)

Nashville/ichthus part 1

Dags:

Cody bowling:

Dags & I:

Kevin, kaley, & Erin:

Switchfoot backstage:

Jon after his set wearing his RFL tee:

Home:

The almost:

Day off in Clarkston, Georgia

Cookout:

Portugal soccer game:

Host mama & baby Simon

Tires in the community garden:

Refugee in the community garden:

International elementary school painting:

Community garden:

Baby Simon:

Sweet little refugee girl:

Atlantafest continued

Mini-Me’s:

Confederate Rushmore??:

Adam (Icon for Hire):

My Surrender:

Mini-me hijacked my phone:

Sorry for not posting for a bit.  I have been too busy having CRAZY INCREDIBLE CONVERSATIONS about God.  All of you that have prayerfully contributed to making this possible and prayed for me have not done so in vain.  I can promise you that.  It’s incredible how God appoints people to be listeners and others to be bold.  I have had the opportunity to just say “hi” to people who have, in turn, completely opened up and allowed me to pray over them and talk with them.  It’s such an awesome feeling for a complete stranger to talk with you openly about things that you KNOW there is no way they would share unless God was totally there.

AND Rebecca got here yesterday. 🙂 God should have warned everyone that we came in contact with about us.  Our similarities are hilarious and our ability to leave people saying “….uhhhh what?” is dangerously funny.  She’s such a sweetheart and definitely a great addition to our crew.  Please be praying with her about continuing with us.  I would love her to and I feel like she really should but I don’t want it to be for selfish reasons.  So yes, please keep praying.

And here’s the NOT fun part to write about… I’m still under 50% of my funding. 😦 I’m not stressed out about it at all but the marketing person in me feels like it’s necessary to remind people occasionally.  So this is all I will mention until Ichthus, probably.  But please be praying about contributing and just keep praying that God keeps bringing me divine encounters to share my passion and love.  The feeling that overcomes you in that moment where you realize that God is using you is THE most incredible and I just want to keep sharing and giving other people that opportunity.

So that’s that.  and NOW. I cannot WAIT to share some video footage of this stuff that I have for you guys.  I have to learn how to do video editing super quickly. but when i do, its going to blow your mind.  Some of these people just have THE most incredible stories.  And I’m learning SO much about myself and God and life and love.  Anyways, Matt is about to go on. So rebecca and I are going to watch.  Stay tuned for more. 🙂

It’s an open door for grace

First OFFICIAL day of Atlantafest:

Big D & I reunited!:

Nature girl, my way: iphone 4s in one hand, coffee in the other:

Turn to the right:

Turn to the left:

Oh, Stone Mountain…you’re so pretty:

So I guess you guys have finally guessed this was my first time seeing a mountain…:

This is what lunch looks like on tour…apparently no one uses plastic knives at Christian music festivals…or plates:

Royal Tailor’s set:

My lovely summer tour team: (Kaley, Kevin, Erin, me, and Ryan)

comp bracelet (thanks to Red):

Erin & I sporting the new Rock for Life tanks:

Vendor passes:

 

ALSO: While this is all a complete & total blast, I am still not yet to 50% funded for this.  And I know God has it completely taken care of but if you lovely people could be praying about if supporting this mission is for you, that would be WONDERFUL! ANDDDDD TO THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE ALREADY, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! I am so incredibly blessed and impressed that God worked so quickly to get that 47% funded.  AND Crazy God story: This man’s mother came up & requested to take a picture of us for him.  So she took a photo of Erin & Kaley (the rest of us were really busy) & I guess sent it to him.  5 minutes later, I had an instagram comment from him & he was following me on twitter.  My worldly views jumped right on ahead of my gospel-y views & his overwhelming interest sparked slight suspicion in me.  He commented that he would come by later & visit us.  Even creepier (in my own, warped brain).  Turns out, the gentleman works for a company that totally backs our cause & he wants to help Erin & I fund our trips this summer!!! So he plans on returning this weekend with the money we need for food for the rest of the summer.  Obviously, can’t get toooooo hopeful for something so insanely kind but God is just crazy sometimes.  I have had so many (in the words of Corinna Sanders): “Oh, Jesus…” (in a sassy, comedic tone) moments lately.

Oh, also- there’s a 7 week old staying at our host home.  He’s awesome & soooo precious but it’s now pretty late & if i don’t make it to sleep before he wakes up screeching for food, I’m doomed.  So that’s all for tonight… (as a baby starts fussing).  Love you all! ❤

Day1

Day 1: travel time.

Presidents plane:

Daydreaming in the clouds:

Itinerary:

First airplane:

First journey:

I must admit; I was slightly fearful of the initial meeting of the crew today in Atlanta.  After all, I just flew across the country to spend two months with complete strangers.  Fear and God aren’t buddies and He constantly reminds me so I don’t know why I keep pushing that off.  Anyways, I was pleasantly surprised.  Kevin, Ryan, and Kaley are all wonderful! And Erin will be here tomorrow!!! Our host home here is in Clarkston, Georgia.  For those of you that are unfamiliar with it, I HIGHLY suggest that you do some research.  This town is the home to tons of really rad ethnic groups, most of which literally hangout in the back yard of this home.  Our hosts greeted us with hot tea fresh out of the garden in their backyard, where hundreds of refugees farm their own food! The hosts both work in ministry at a mentoring program, of sorts.  Their job is to make sure the refugees feel comfortable here and find ways to support themselves without feeling the need to be put on welfare or something else.  The hosts were explaining how he thinks it would be great for us to go out in the community and experience the love and community all of these people have to offer and hear some of their testimonies.  I’m really pumped to see how God works through us and all of these incredible people.

But anyways, Kaley and I are sharing a bed and she’s a sick little one.  So I’m going to finish this Airborne (God knows I don’t handle being sick and away from home well. So please be praying it isn’t contagious), say some prayers, do some reading, and get some rest.  It’s 11:07 here & we have to go set up tomorrow & pick up Erin from the airport! 🙂 Please keep praying for me and let me know any way that I can pray for you guys also.  I definitely plan on keeping this blog updated with photos, videos, and short stories but you can also check out what’s going on over at rockforlife.org.  Thank you all so much for your support and encouragement.  The overwhelming love via text/call/hugs today has been incredible! You all rock. 🙂

Sweet Dreams!

xo

I am aware, far more aware than I have been…

 

Photo Credit: Paula Willems 

I just finished a 45 minute phone conversation with Erin.  And yesterday, I spent some time on the phone with Kevin.  And I cannot tell you how absolutely excited and blessed I am to spend the summer with those two lovely people.  I have yet to talk to the other gent that will spend his summer alongside the three of us but I hope he’s ready for the madness that will ensue. 😉 

It’s incredible how God works through situations.  I was reminded of my salvation when Erin and I were talking about our testimonies and where God has us now.  Our stories align in so many ways but are so beautifully unique in others.  I can’t explain the peace that comes with God simply whispering “it is well,” into your soul after the torment of years of chasing the promise of stability.  

I had the pleasure of talking to Mr. Andy Hull (Right Away, Great Captain, Manchester Orchestra, & Bad Books) on Monday.  And part of our conversation was about how we have struggled in our lives and God has consistently revisited us and used those struggles to glorify Him.  It blows my mind how creative and perfect everything in our lives is made.  It makes me anxious to think about how I am going to move all of my things so that my landlord/roommate can renovate my room while I’m gone, all the while packing and preparing for my trip.  But God has our entire lives figured out, start to finish.  And the difficult times aren’t Him working against us but His attempt to let us realize how much we need Him.  It’s so hard to remember that sometimes but its not our responsibility to understand, it’s just our responsibility to obey.  And that’s just the hardest realization of all sometimes.  

A dear friend of mine reminded me, recently, that my life is not supposed to be dedicated to planning out my next step.  God already has the plans ready, I am just supposed to prepare myself for the steps he has planned.  It’s like a trust fall.  I have to close my eyes and cross my hands across my chest and shift my center of gravity, but I have no control over whether or not I hit the ground.  

Anyways, this is becoming a lot of rambling.  Just remember that, sometimes in the moment, its terrifying.  But it’s always worth it.  And it will ALWAYS be worth it.  Even when it doesn’t seem possible.

Rock for Life Summer 2012

To help make me a Rock For Life Pro-Life Summer Missionary click here!

For those of you that don’t know me, I have an obvious passion for music that has been growing in me since my younger years.  However, it was not until this past year that Christ really showed me that He would like me to use that passion to serve Him.  This summer, He has opened a door for me to serve Him through Rock for Life.

Beginning June 12th, I will spend the next two months touring Christian music festivals across the country serving with Rock for Life.  For those of you that aren’t quite sure what Rock for Life is, I will explain a bit: Rock for Life is a christian non-profit pro-life ministry founded in 1993.  They spread the human rights for all (born and preborn) message through music, education and action.

Confused as to why I am suddenly so passionate about a pro-life ministry? Rock for Life has taken a gospel stance on the subject of abortion and convicted the hearts of pregnant teens and others with a graceful love and informative conversation.

So what will I be doing this summer? I am going to travel America challenging our youth to love the way that Jesus did with a boldness that informs their peers of future decisions.  I will be spending each and every day talking about Jesus and building relationships with believers and non-believers, alike.  And my favorite part is that I get to approach these people with a common interest, regardless of their religious views.  We share a mutual love for music and hopefully (if not, eventually), an incredible love for our Lord and a love for human rights.

I will be traveling over 6,000 miles to attend 7 major Christian music festival (and possibly more as events may be added!) with the opportunity to reach tens of thousands of my peers with the pro-life message!  I will be traveling to Georgia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Minnesota, Virginia, New Hampshire and New York (and, again, maybe more!). This is such an amazing opportunity to make such a positive impact on such a huge amount of young people!

The one big challenge for this trip, currently, is my funding.  I have calculated that in order to make this happen I will need to raise $1,300.00 by the end of the missions trip, August 11th.  I have to raise at least $300 by June 12th.  This will cover my travel costs and meals to get me going for the first week.  Rock for Life has set up a ChipIn page here.  Each contribution to Rock For Life for my mission trip is tax-deductible.  You can simply donate through the ChipIn page, call Rock for Life (540-322-3761) with a credit card, mail them a check or money order made out to “Rock for Life” with “Christyn Trelow Pro-Life Summer Missions Trip” in the memo and either hand it to me or send it to them at: PO Box 333, Locust Grove, VA 22508-0333.

Unfortunately, Rock for Life is not currently funded by any major foundations so my food, travel to meet with the tour, and any other costs I may encounter must be funded individually.  Many of you already know that I simply cannot afford to fund myself the entire summer without a job.

So I would encourage you to pray about whether or not God is calling you to help me in this. I would also encourage you not to do anything out of empathy or guilt.  I am positive that God has assigned me this journey with all intentions of fulfilling my needs.  If that is through some of your finances, spectacular.  If not, He has a backup plan.  And I would love for you to pray for me and with me for my spiritual growth and the hearts of the people I will encounter this summer.

I will be blogging my experiences throughout the summer as well as keeping you up-to-date on my fundraising goals.  So please check christynnicole.wordpress.com often for updates on this amazing journey.

Thank you for loving me,

Your friend,

Christyn Trelow

P.S. To help make me a Rock For Life Pro-Life Summer Missionary click here!  Thanks again!