kitchen karaoke.

6 years ago, I was asked to be a part of a team to lead students in worship for a week during Spring break. I joined up with a group of my closest friends and camped in a tent on a baseball field for a week to play keys and sing songs to a God that I wasn't really sure I believed in, let alone trusted. In a week's time, I went from being depressed, lonely, and hurt to finding joy, peace, grace, and hope. I decided on March 9, 2009 to follow Jesus. 

Six years have passed since then. Six years, but what's felt like an eternity. An eternity of failures and triumphs, joy and pain, laughter and sorrow. I've graduated from high school, moved to college, dropped out and moved back home, relocated with my family to a new home, went back to college, dropped out again, and now have been living on my own for a year. I've worked in a job I love at the place i call home with the people I call family for 2 years now, and I would've never imagined that happening. Ive experienced six years of focus combined with uncertainty, strengthened by the promise of God but often screwed up by my own insecurities. 

BreakAway has taught me one thing in the last six years. It doesn't matter where you've been, how long it's been, or who's around you. You'll always find a place to feel at home. This last 2 weeks has been a surreal experience. I can't recall a time I've ever felt more exhausted, more drained, and yet simultaneously full. And i like it that way. Because even though many of the people are different, most of the students are new, and the team looks nothing like the old team did, I can still count on Kitchen Karaoke to step in and save the day. 

Thank you #BreakAway15 for refueling my creative tank, for challenging me like none other, for forging new friendships, and for being more than I ever could have expected while being everything I so dearly remembered.