So this was my first time at CIY and it was ridiculously awesome! I really didn’t know what to expect but I heard great things of it and I decided to give it a try. No lie this was the BEST decision I could have made. Those five days were I would say the best five days of my life.
The first day we got there I was pretty nervous but at the same time excited to see and find out what CIY was all about. That night we had an evening session just informing us on how this week will be planned out and such, and then we were let out to get some rest to prepare for what was yet to come.
Day 2
My roomies and I roomies wake up for breakfast, and it totally wasn’t worth it because it was like a breakfast lunchable. And of course the first party princess was Ken Marshall (band mates at church and in the NEW out side of church band. Check us out once we have some stuff ready). And the Ms. Sparrow was being boldly worn by Emily Ross. So around 9:00 we had our first morning session which had the toy box gang movie in the beginning and then the message and some shortly after. The message was about the Holy Spirit and throughout the morning and evening while we were in the conference room they would put a gust of wind sound effect in the background of everything they did, which I thought was pretty cool. The sound was calming and reassuring and just a reminder that the Holy Spirit lives within us and that it is the connecter between us and God. After the am session there was this thing called encounter which was a time where we could go and have some alone time with God. This was probably my next favorite thing besides worship at CIY, because for me its easier to pray, say what’s on my mind, and just have some one on one time with God when I’m alone. Then after our encounter time we brought it together with our D- groups and discussed what the message was about and what we were thinking about during our encounter. Shortly after, we met back in the big room for some more worship and another good message. Mmm then it was the either burnt or undercooked burgers, what delicious food they served there….not. Then came free time. A time where we could go to the beach either get burned, get a rash, or just get really sandy, but it was still fun. See now we as a church didn’t want to go back for more amazingly crappy food so instead we went to Fuddruckers which was waaayyy better then the hotel food. After a good, meal we headed back to the hotel for our last session of the day. This session was the most fun and exciting because everyone seemed more pumped and energized. Last but mot least was group time, a time where we as a church could go somewhere and talk about the highlights of the day and sing a few songs of worship, and just be together. After group time it was off to our rooms and lights out.
Day 3
The night before we all agreed to set a later alarm because waking up for breakfast was not worth it. So I wake up get ready and go downstairs for the morning session and they told us that today was going to be about community. Then it was encounter and Lucy, Chelsea, and Ken and I raced to get our little nook on the second floor. After we all had our alone time with God we decided it would be fun to throw mike and ikes down to some guys sitting on a bench and after a few throws we get yelled at by this lady who was telling us we needed to go down there and pick them up. But the guy down there insisted on eating them off the floor, which was kind of weird and gross. After that we went into our D-groups and discussed our thoughts and the topic of the day. Then it was lunch which was as usual bad. Right after lunch we all went to the mid day session. The message during this time was excellent and so was the worship as usual. Seeing our church dancing and just worshiping together described what the message was on which was community. I was talking to Eddie after one of the messages and we both agreed that the message hit home and that it was just a great message. When we got it was free time, and then dinner which was very good. Right after dinner we returned for the last session of the day, and then it was to the beach for our church to be a community together. This was the night where I was declared the party princess throughout the first couple days I was hoping that I wouldn’t have to the party princess but then it happened. After being at the beach for a while we headed back to the hotel and to our rooms.
Day 4
I woke up after breakfast and got ready for the morning session and of course I was featuring the party princess hat, wand and ring. This day was all about boldness and being bold. I was already being bold I guess hence I was wearing I pink hat and carrying around a purple wand. But anyways today was a normal day after morning session we went to our encounter time and then D-groups. I remember when we were just talking in our group Sean came out of no where and told everyone that he just doesn’t understand the whole Christian thing, and I think that was pretty bold if you ask me. After D-groups we had another session and then skipped a meal then went to free time. We all went to Broadway on the beach which was really fun, and that’s where Ken, Austin, Ryan and I bought the amazing party princess ciy ’08 t-shirt which I featured on the bus ride home from Broadway. Oh yea and when we were getting our clubs for putt putt the old lady at the front desk asks me if I’m gay because of my hat and such which was really funny. We then went for some supper and came back in time for the evening session, and then it was back to the beach for the last time and we all knew Ciy was pretty much over and it was kind of sad but we still had one more day. I was so excited to retire the honor of being the party princess, and my good buddy Austin had the gift of being the final day party princess.
Day 5
Our last day!! I wake up and we all packed up our stuff and took it down to the bus. This was a sad and great day because we knew it was our last hours at Ciy but we then we also knew we can still move and be moved afterwards. So after were all packed up we head over for the last morning session and this day was called move which is a good topic to end with considering that was the theme. After the am session it was off to encounter time and then D-groups, and that’s when Eddie asked me to write this blog. After D-groups we had our last bad lunch with each other, and then we were back for another session, and then free time and dinner. Then it was THE last session of Ciy and it was one of the most awesome sessions of them all. Everyone was going crazy during the worship, and the message and closing were really good. At the end they dropped the curtain and that was it the best five days of my life came to and end but I haven’t gone down hill again back to my normal self. I changed a lot during those five days in Myrtle Beach. I was definitely Moved.
Favorite part of CIY
One of my favorite parts of CIY was the worship. I give props to the Aaron Pelsue Band they were AMAZING! It was on day three I believe when I started really getting into the worship as in putting a little dance moves in there and not just singing the lyrics but listening to them and really just focusing on them. During every morning and evening worship I would get this mixed felling of emotions in me, and it was one of the best feelings I have ever experienced before in my life. When I would just close my eyes and lift my hands up I felt like I was just surrendering everything to Him, and I just felt this deep connection with God and it was most comforting feeling ever. I just thought it was awesome seeing all the people around me worshiping in their own ways, and I really liked it when we would all rush to the front and just jump up and down. So yea worship was definitely the highlight for me.
-Steven
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