New Wilmington Mission Conference

     So, i'm Kalyn Stevwing, i've been going to the conference for the past three years... and i'm going to be there every year until i die, if i have any say in it. 2007 will be my last year as a high school delegate... i'm happy about that. i agree with David, the band is awesome, but we don't need the drums on every song. But, anyway. i was extremely happy with the conference this year, and even though i'm going to miss karen latta directing us in the choir, i welcome Jen Morris!! Anyway... I've been going through some rough times in my life for a few years now. when i say a few, i mean like 10. yes, i'm only 16. my mom had an abusive alcoholic druggy boyfriend for 9 years. he was only abusive to her and my brother, but it still was pretty emotionally scarring. when i came to nwmc in 2005, my second year, my mom was just breaking up with him for the thousandth time. on july 26th, a tuesday, he left an extremely upsetting message, and i hated him. i actually wished him dead. the following night at hs girls vespers, our message was about our personal wounds and forgiving those who caused them. i gave myself to Jesus that night. and as i prayed with karen spadafora that night, i felt arms wrap around me and hug me. it wasn't karen, i was holding her hand.  this past year, quite a few things happened, that really rocked my faith. at one point, i actually contemplated suicide, and even went as far as to hurt myself. my mom got a new boyfriend in early spring, who, was quite weird, to say the least. he, again was a drunk, and had an abusive history. he didn't really hit my mom, but i could tell my mom was bending over backwards just to please this guy. that bothered me, still does. this year when i came to conference, i was shown that my body is God's temple. i don't have a right to hurt it, and neither does the devil. i also learned that i can't change, fix and control everything, i can only control my life. My mom finally got rid of the boyfriend, but that's only after he punched a hole in the wall, broke my mom's cell phone, one of our home phones, our tv, almost broke my mom's nose, and beat my mom up.

    I know those guys have good in them somewhere, and if i learned anything, it was this:  everyone has good in them somewhere. you can't hate a person. You can dislike their actions. Even if your life isn't that great, there's always someone there suffering right along side of you. His name is Jesus. I've also learned that there are many many many great people at nwmc, and at church, though i've known that for quite a while. It's still good to get a reminder every once in a while...

okay, so i've taken up a whole bunch of space... i'll get off of here now. I'm praying for all of my nwmc family!!! Can't wait to see you next year!

 

love, Kalyn

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Philippians 1:3-11

     So, i'm Kalyn Stevwing, i've been going to the conference for the past three years... and i'm going to be there every year until i die, if i have any say in it. 2007 will be my last year as a high school delegate... i'm happy about that. i agree with David, the band is awesome, but we don't need the drums on every song. But, anyway. i was extremely happy with the conference this year, and even though i'm going to miss karen latta directing us in the choir, i welcome Jen Morris!! Anyway... I've been going through some rough times in my life for a few years now. when i say a few, i mean like 10. yes, i'm only 16. my mom had an abusive alcoholic druggy boyfriend for 9 years. he was only abusive to her and my brother, but it still was pretty emotionally scarring. when i came to nwmc in 2005, my second year, my mom was just breaking up with him for the thousandth time. on july 26th, a tuesday, he left an extremely upsetting message, and i hated him. i actually wished him dead. the following night at hs girls vespers, our message was about our personal wounds and forgiving those who caused them. i gave myself to Jesus that night. and as i prayed with karen spadafora that night, i felt arms wrap around me and hug me. it wasn't karen, i was holding her hand.  this past year, quite a few things happened, that really rocked my faith. at one point, i actually contemplated suicide, and even went as far as to hurt myself. my mom got a new boyfriend in early spring, who, was quite weird, to say the least. he, again was a drunk, and had an abusive history. he didn't really hit my mom, but i could tell my mom was bending over backwards just to please this guy. that bothered me, still does. this year when i came to conference, i was shown that my body is God's temple. i don't have a right to hurt it, and neither does the devil. i also learned that i can't change, fix and control everything, i can only control my life. My mom finally got rid of the boyfriend, but that's only after he punched a hole in the wall, broke my mom's cell phone, one of our home phones, our tv, almost broke my mom's nose, and beat my mom up.

    I know those guys have good in them somewhere, and if i learned anything, it was this:  everyone has good in them somewhere. you can't hate a person. You can dislike their actions. Even if your life isn't that great, there's always someone there suffering right along side of you. His name is Jesus. I've also learned that there are many many many great people at nwmc, and at church, though i've known that for quite a while. It's still good to get a reminder every once in a while...

okay, so i've taken up a whole bunch of space... i'll get off of here now. I'm praying for all of my nwmc family!!! Can't wait to see you next year!

 

love, Kalyn

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Philippians 1:3-11

Hey Kalyn,

          Good to see you're spending some of your time checking out these "healthy" locations!  It is good to hear about how God is working in your life and I'm so thankful that you are seeing God's hand in all the stuff that has happened to you!  It's always good to see your name (first registered delegate for two years running!).  Love ya sweetie, Keep me posted on your life (tee hee, pun intended!)

Karen

 Hey Karen,

 tee hee... i think that's the first time i have seen an adult type that... but that's okay, because i love you!! i will definitely keep you posted on my life (pun still intended)

 

Kalyn

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Philippians 1:3-11

Kalyn, 

It's so good hear that God is working daily in your life. Stay grounded in that faith - God is surrounding you and filling your life with blessings.  That doesn't mean that everything goes "right", that bad things and decisions don't happen - but it does mean that God has destinct and direct plan for YOUR life. Keep singing GOd's praises, praying, and listening for God's word. You are a blessing - to us at conference and to your family. We don't get to see through God's eyes - we don't know the "why". Sometimes I feel that God gives us glimpses of His plan. Look for them.

 Love and Blessings!

Jen Morris

Hey

I traveled with the band to conference this summer and wanted to thank you for your support of the ministry. Check out our myspace page http://www.myspace.com/lighthousemiami 

also if your interested in buying cds send me a message or the myspace account and we can hook you up. Also Ali Rhea is our main contact between conference and the Lighthouse (the home church of Drive)

Hey all, I am Gail (Gorter) Rohde and I felt it was about time I come out of hiding and introduce myself. My hubbie, Mike, already introduced himself a while ago. I have been coming to NWMC for twenty something years....I'd like to say I was a conference kid, but I wasn't, so that just makes me old! Here's the run-down of my Conference roles: HS delegate, Young Adult Delegate, Summer Service (Alaska 89), Career Delegate, Bible School Staff, HS Girls Counselor, Young Adult Small Group Leader, Dorm Director, Child Care staff, and I helped with Signing and interpreting and working with the Drama teaching sign language. I think that's it. I was pretty lucky to have some really great Young Adult small groups with the likes of Tobyn, Rachel Dawson, Traci Stapleton and Ali Rhea. Those have been some of my favorite years at NWMC. I vividly remember Tobyn and Stacy McIntee dying their hair at 2:00 a.m.! Conference has been for me a grounding place where I know I will be able to renew my faith and grow closer to God and to my friends who are so precious to me. I love that we have this place to connect in between conferences....great idea! At home, I live in Milwaukee, WI and I am a Social Worker with the Elderly and mom to Nathan who is almost 4. Looking forward to seeing you all out here more! Blessings, Gail

My name is BK-Mckee aka THE BK.  I attended NWMC the year after my senior year two years ago.  The secret of PC USA was worth the wait to find.  I fell in love with the people, the programs and the place almost instantly.   I intend to return for many years in the future, although my career as an actor(cross everything that can be) may take me elsewhere during one of the most magical times of the year, it will always be near to my heart and I will find my way back always.

 

THE BK 

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Close your eyes, but keep your mind wide open.