Youth Pastor Chic

New News :)

2007-11-09T20:29:00.000-08:00

It's been a while... Cody and I are MARRIED now so it's great and exciting! We're still living in Sussex and updates are coming soon...

Daner and Cody

It's been a while!!

2006-12-18T17:06:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone... it's been a while since I've been able to post a new entry. It's been really busy the past few months. A lot of new things have happened and life's been really great. God has been teaching me new stuff and He has been breaking me beyond belief. I praise Him for all his blessings!

Cody and I are dating now... he's so great and I know everyone agrees! I am so blessed! Oh my word! We're going home for Christmas to Newfoundland. I'm so excited to get home and relax for a bit. It will be nice to have Cody there and I'm excited for him to see a good ole Newfoundland Christmas with the fam. Keep us in your prayers as we travel.

Blessings all!
Daner

Is the dog real or not??? That's the question!

2006-09-04T12:25:00.000-07:00

So folks... here's a question for ya! Is this dog real or not??? What do you think? Jen... you're not allowed to say ;)

Bored...

2006-08-26T17:21:00.000-07:00

Ok.... I am so bored right now. You know you're bored when you see a spider in your window and you have the urge to take it's picture!! I have been sitting here for the last hour trying to think of someone I could call to see if they would want to go for a walk and I can't think of anyone because they're all either working, not anwsering their phone, or they're gone away... it's Sussex. Urrggg.

Favorite quote of the day: "For every minute you are angry, you loose 60 seconds of happiness."

Week At Music Camp

2006-08-23T10:38:00.000-07:00

From July 29 to August 5 I took part in a Music Camp at the Salvation Army Scotian Glen Camp in New Glasgow, NS. It was an amazing week and I loved every minute of it!! I just wanted to share some pictures with you and if you were there with me, I hope you like the pictures. Thanks for blessing me and making me laugh! I miss everyone tremendously!!

First, here's my guitar class...

We had so much fun that week... and by the end of the week everyone's fingers were guite sore but hey... it was worth it, right guys?? Cody was helping me lead the class at first and then he got a class of his own... I was just so thankful he was there! We definitely helped each other that week!! We are also missing two other people in this picture... Daisy and Ian... we didn't forget you!

OK... so this is a girl that makes me smile so big that I can't contain myself!! She makes me all giddy inside and she's so adoreable. We're going to Nationals next year for sure!! ROAD TRIP!! So... Carly, start saving sister!! ;)

And here's Jackie and also Daisy and BethAnn... they were also people who made my week at Music camp so much fun!! Oh my word ladies the memories!! LOL

The programs were so awesome and the kids/teens did so amazing in all of their solos and skits and performances. We were all so proud of them. The camp itself was beautiful and the teens definitely made it even better. I can't wait for next year now! I am so there! From cabin devotions with my girls, playing volleyball in the rain, crazy games, great conversations, amazing jam sessions, and building relationships to the late night camp fires with faculty and friends and making those special memories that I will cherish forever - how could I not go back next year?? There are so many amazing people that I met at camp who's picture I didn't get but know that you ALL are awesome and I miss you ALL so much! It was great to revisit you that day... we'll all see each other again soon. Wait for it!!

I have another picture that I JUST received and this person, let me tell you, is so amazing... and she can make any person smile with her warm personality and huge, amazing hugs!!! Amander, I MISS YOU... but we will hang out again really soon... and remember, mums the word for now lol ;) You're so cute in this picture!!

Here's one more picture... thanks guys... I miss you all very much!! Have a great year!

Crystal Palace Roller Coaster

2006-08-22T16:57:00.000-07:00

So Jen and I went to Crystal Palace and we have funny videos that she did up... have fun :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyQ9dLsbhxw

Trust

2006-08-21T06:27:00.000-07:00

K... so I was doing my devotions the other night and I came across this amazing truth. "As long as we rely on our own resources, we will never place our trust in God." This has been on my mind ever since. I want to control certain areas of my life because I'm afraid to trust the Lord and I'm afraid that it won't turn out the way I want it to. However, because of my lack of trust and because I'm taking it on myself, those areas are where I'm struggling the most. So lately I have been giving those certain areas over to the Lord and He has been blessing me abundantly. Instead of just being blessed with not having to worry about that area anymore, He is also blessing me with exactly what I've wanted for a while. He has made what I wanted come true but it's so much more fulfilling because I know it's of Him and not of my own selfish desires or wants. How great is our God!!

"Those who realize their inherent spiritual poverty apart from God will trust in Him, and He will enrich their lives immeasurably. Do not allow your resources, wisdom, talent, or abilities to prevent you from trusting the Person who can bring you abundant life." ~R. Blackaby

Encouragement

2006-08-08T04:48:00.000-07:00

This past week I was at Scotian Glen camp again. This time it was music camp. What an amazing week. The Holy Spirit really worked in me to refresh my thinking, my goals, and my heart for the Lord. I have been in a dry spot for sometime now and I didn't even realize it. Praise the Lord that He opened my eyes to allow me to see Him in a bright and real new way. Specific people at camp really made an amazing impact on me and I know the Lord will bless their obedience in being a shining light for Him. I KNOW God uses people to allow Himself to be heard by others but this week was so much like that I was completely overwhelmed. Everyone I talked to encouraged me and made me feel so loved and it just blessed my heart. I encourage you to keep spreading the love of Christ to people... even if it's just a hug or a smile. God WILL use it in His own way. He always uses His Children for His work... sometimes we just don't know it. Be a shining light for Him.

Scotian Glen Camp

2006-07-24T19:22:00.000-07:00

On July 17-21, I went to Scotian Glen Camp as a volunteer counselor. It was a great week! I met some great new people and I had a chance to spend some time with old friends who I hadn't seen in a while. Jen Rowsell was there (a good friend from St. John's, NL) and Heather Fudge was there (also a good friend from St. John's, NL). One of my youth also works at the camp so it was awesome to spend some time with her. Actually we counselled together so we had lots of time to chat. It was great to minister to kids again in a camp setting and create friendships with them. I loved my girls and they are going to be missed. Here are some pictures that I took. I hope you enjoy!

To the left are two of my campers. Whitley and Amber. They were my frisbee buddies.

In the other picture, my good friend Melissa Wells (ha ha love the name) was feeding me. It was feed the counselor breakfast. I was the baby and she was the mommy. It was fun... but I got really dirty... with milk and ketchup! Wow, now I know how a baby feels! lol.

This picture is of me and Daisy Wells (again... love the name haha) and we also counselled together. Me, Jackie, Daisy, Melissa and another good friend Beth-Ann were all counsellors of one cabin. It was awesome!

Then on Saturday me and some more friends went to Jungle Jims for supper. Oh my word... I have missed Jungle Jims. And yes, for those of you who know me well, I did have a virgin Strawberry Dacori and it was really good. I gotta tell a quick story... and if you go to Jen Rowsells blog you'll probably read the same story. It was REALLY funny and I feel like a dork but hey, I made everyone laugh so it was worth it.

We were sitting and taking pictures and Jen Rowsell wanted to get a group picture. I wanted to as well so I grabbed my camera and took a picture of us except when I took the picture, I held the camera the wrong way and took a picture of a menu on the opposite side. Jen, on the other hand, took a picture of us while I was laughing extremely hard at what I had done. So, if you want to see that picture you'll have to visit her blog, but here are the after pictures of my silly accident... someone else grabbed my camera (I think it was Beth-Ann) and took pictures while I was keeling over with laughter and finding it very difficult to breath...lol. It was great!

Swimming in Sussex??? I don't think so!

2006-07-07T13:37:00.000-07:00

So yeah... a Newfoundlander living in Sussex??? What was God thinking?? LOL Anyways, I'm having some minor dificulties. I'm living here and I don't know where to go to find places to swim. Can anyone help me?? I mean... there must be a pond or river or lake somewhere near, right?? Please tell me there is! I'm having a severe case of water denial.

Oh... another question. Is it a law in Sussex that adults have to wear a helmet when they're riding a bike??

I hope everyone is having an awesome summer!!

Joshua 1:9

2006-06-25T19:44:00.000-07:00

"I command you - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

This is a verse that has been coming up a lot in the last few months... so I wanted to pass it along.

I also went home a couple weeks ago and I want to show you some pictures. Hope you enjoy :)

Question...

2006-06-04T13:11:00.000-07:00

Even when we are aware of it and even when we are trying our best not to be, why are we still so selfish?? I'm interested to see what your answers will be.

Daner

The Sally Ann Cafe

2006-05-18T07:14:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone... so our youth group is having a coffee house type cafe at our Church, The Sussex Community Church, and we would love for all of you to attend if you are currently living in Sussex, NB! There's going to be lots of food, fun, and fellowship... plus live entertainment and much, much more! Come and join us... there's no cost at the door, but we will have a full menu of assorted teas and coffees and lots of desserts. Come and support our youth group and join in on the laughter and fun!

It starts 7:00pm on May 26, 2006 and our doors will close at 9:30pm. Hope to see you there!

Family Moments

2006-05-04T06:15:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone... just wanted to give you an update on all the new happenings and share photo's of friends and family with you. Lately I've been doing some cool things... first let's begin with the yellow mustang that I got to test drive... Ok. So it's been my dream car for years and when I actually got to drive this 2003 my mind quickly changed. Even though I still like the look and of course I like the color, (yellow is my favorite color if you haven't already known that) I have definitely changed my mind in that car being my dream car. Now I have to find another car... oh well. I got my ride in this one so I can say that I have at least driven A dream car before.

So I have a neice and a nephew who are getting older... which makes me older...lol. Anyways, I just wanted to add a picture of them... but then I realized that I don't have any recent pictures on my computer...so I'll get some and add them later... I miss them and love them so much though... just wanted to add that!

On Easter weekend I went to Ottawa and visited my best friend Amanda and her boyfriend Brendan. It was a great weekend and here are some pictures from that weekend:

This is their new car... it's nice... it's a standard... and I DIDN't drive it... and Amanda, you will learn how to drive that puppy like you own it... wait a sec... you do own it right? Oh yeah... it's yours and Brendan's... ok... got it! *wink wink* LOL

So... some of the pictures that I wanted to show you won't cooperate with me so I guess this is going to be shorter than I had orginally planned. But I guess it's all good. Everything has been going really good for me. God's been working stuff out and giving me strength through the tough times and totally blessing me in my trust in Him. We'll see what else He brings along. Have an awesome day in the Lord and I hope this has given you a little bit of info on what I've been doing lately. Let's SHOUT for our Father because He created us to be that way! Bless you all!

Rescue

2006-04-27T05:40:00.001-07:00

So a song that I have been listening to lately is Rescue by Desperation Band. The words go like this...

You are the source of life
I can't be left behind
No one else will do
I will take hold of you

I need you Jesus to come to my rescue
Where else can I go
There's no other name by which I am saved
Captured me with grace
I will follow you

This world has nothing for me, I will follow YOU!

These words have been such a blessing to me lately. I wanted to write them for you so they could encourage you as well. Have a blessed day!

In Ottawa

2006-04-15T09:45:00.000-07:00

So I'm in Ottawa visiting my best friend Amanda!! Dude... when the two of us are together... it's just not a good combination!! LOL. We are so much alike but yet we're not... does that make sence??

So... I think Ottawa is such a beautiful place... how many of you agree?

Amanda and I are having a ball... we laugh so much because of our stubborn moments, but hey, that's what makes us special... :) and that is what makes my Ottawa trips so special. I haven't laughed so hard in so long... it's a great feeling to laugh. If you haven't done it in a while, do it... it's definitely a stress reliever!!

Just wanted to add a post... haven't done so in a while. Keep it real people for our Father!

Pepsi or Coke??

2006-04-06T17:23:00.000-07:00

OK...all you people out there!! What's your choice? Pepsi or coke?? Let me know!! (I know this is random, but I'm in a random mood... go with it ;)

Wait For The One From God

2006-04-05T06:17:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!

I was checking out the Reliant K Myspace page and found this sermon on there... it's awesome! Go check it out! Let me know what you think!

Daner
www.myspace.com/relientk

Busy, busy, busy...

2006-03-29T10:11:00.000-08:00

Dude... I haven't had much time to do anything lately!! It's been a few hectic weeks. However, I did want to thank some of you for being there and helping me through some tough times. God's been amazing in helping me find truth in some stuff that had been lies for years and I want to thank those who helped me through that!! You guys rock my socks off :) I have never felt so free (ever) ... which has been a lot longer than most of you think ;) I know... I'm getting old! Lol God's good!

Jeremiah 29:11 ~ "I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

Question - MSN

2006-03-05T10:38:00.000-08:00

OK... question... What do you think about having deep conversations on MSN? Do you think it's taking over talking in person, and is this a bad thing? Really think about it. People now-a-days are using msn for everything. Are we using it sometimes as a scapegoat instead of confronting someone in person? Is this a bad thing? Let me know what you think!!

DW

Valentine's Day

2006-02-14T09:12:00.000-08:00

Here's something that was said to me today, and I think it is so true.

Let's shift our focus from being worried about the things that are not understandable in our lives to totally focusing on what God is blessing us with in our lives today!

How encouraging is that?
DW

A New Year

2006-01-11T10:39:00.000-08:00

2006... wow! Where has the time went?? So, basically life's good. The family's great... job's great, and I'm getting caught up with all my friends all around the world. There are a few friends that I have met over the years that mean so much to me and they are seriously all over the place. Wisconsin, South Dekota, Indiana, Ontario, and Alaska... how amazing is that! It's such a huge world, but yet I don't feel that far away from them. Sending letters is the best... and getting them are even better...lol. So yeah...

Friends are great... If you have someone that you haven't talked to in a while, call them up or drop by and see them because they are special... don't let that closeness and relationship just drift... it's so easy to let it go by, but friends are awesome! Everyone needs a friend! :)

For My Sisters in Christ:

2005-12-15T07:51:00.000-08:00

"Many of us are guilty of looking to other people to meet the needs that are in our lives - espcially the men in our lives. We are often then dissapointed when they can't meet those needs. Finally, in the end, it is all a senseless and exhausting process in which both parties lose. It is not the fault of the sons of Adam; they cannot give us the blessing we seek, and we have frightened them by giving them so much power over our souls. We must learn that the blessings we truly need come from God." ~Stormie Omartian (The Power of a Praying Woman)

Agree or disagree? Leave a comment :)

Expectations

2005-12-13T09:20:00.000-08:00

God revealed this to me yesterday and I want to share it with you. (This is especially for my youth group and bible study goers :)

"God wants you to long for His presence. He wants you to find fulfillment in Him and nothing else. He wants you to walk closely with Him. He wants you to increase in faith and knowledge of His Word. He wants you to put all your hopes and dreams in His hands and look to Him to meet all your needs. When you do, He will open the storehouse of blessings upon your life. That's because these things are His will for you!" ~Stormie Omartian

When we put too many expectations on things or people, we are bound to be let down because no one is perfect. Only God is perfect, so we need to learn to put our expectations in Him and Him alone!

Sussex SA Youth Group

2005-12-09T14:02:00.000-08:00

So.. as most of you know, I'm the new youth pastor at the Salvation Army church. Things are going really well and I just wanted to show you some of the pictures that I took lately. Some are funny, and some are just really good looking pictures... yeah none which are of myself... hehe! This top one is myself and Amy Parlee. She is one of my older youth. We both put wrapping paper on these boxes and participated in the parade dressed up as gifts. It was great! We got some pretty positive remarks... which kinda surprised me... seeing we were dressed as huge presents...lol. It was a lot of fun.

This next one (left) is Natalie Parlee...Army's sister. She rocks my socks off. She works at Tim Horton's. That alone is cool! lol She helped us decorate our truck for the parade as well. It was a fun day!

Then, in this next picture (on the right)... one of my youth leaders, Joannie Cunningham got asked to the Bethany Bible College Christmas Banquet... so we did her up in a nice dress, shoes, hair and makeup and sent her on her way. It was really cute... she's a cutie.. that one! Boys watch out, she's on the loose... lol wait a sec.. she's Joannie... you'll be lucky to hear her when she comes she's so quiet and shy... but that's why we love her... she's adorable!

This last one (on the left) is another one of my youth. Her name is Lauralyn O'blenis. She likes to be called Lauralyn, but no one calls her that except for me...lol. So yeah... that's Lauralyn. What another cutie :)

So that's it for me for now. God is a pretty amazing God and He's doing some great stuff here at the church. I am just blessed to be a part of it. Until later, Blessings to all!

Daner ;)

God Wants ALL of us!

2005-11-30T11:22:00.000-08:00

He really does. I've been here for about four weeks now (in Sussex, NB), and I am continually learning that God just wants us to surrender EVERYTHING to Him. Our fears, our worries, our financial state, our weaknesses, our thoughts, everything. It's hard to do but it's worth it. When you truly give to God what you have been holding on to, you gain His understanding and a peace that can make you smile for a week. I've recently given up some things and I can honestly say, a weight has been lifted from my shoulders and I feel less stressed and burdened. This is something I have said before, to surrender, and I've been through it before, but yet again, it's something that is so easy to forget as well. You get carried away in the busyness of your life and you simply forget to surrender and then you are easily frustrated and quick tempered. He wants us to surrender daily. It's all about seeking Him more and drawing closer to Him. He's there and waiting for us. We just have to make the effort to search for him and then be willing to surrender what it is we are holding on to. You can do it!

Don't Quit!!

2005-11-16T21:38:00.000-08:00

Learn today's lesson so you will have a personal story of God's grace and peace to share with others.

~Audrey Jeanne Roberts

God Takes Delight in the Presence of His People

2005-11-10T13:42:00.000-08:00

So yeah... the question that I asked a while ago was definitely answered this morning while I was at Chapel at Bethany. He loves to draw near to us. This morning the preacher was talking about living by the Spirit. In Galations 5:16 it says, "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature." If you are living by the Spirit, everything you do will be influenced by Him, and if it's not the right decision or the correct path, you will know. His Spirit will guide you in that way. Remember, though, you have to be living by the Spirit. Your heart truly has to be surrendered to Him and there has to be nothing that is hindering in any way.

How awesome is that! If you are right in your relationship with God, He will direct your path. You just need to surrender to Him. I guess the hard part is surrendering...

Guess Who's Living In Sussex??

2005-11-08T11:13:00.000-08:00

Yeah... so I'm living in Sussex, NB. How crazy but awesome is that? I'm the new Youth and Worship Pastor here at the Salvation Army church. It's going great and my teens are awesome! (YES you are!!)

I've been reading the Pslams lately and a really good chapter that really spoke to me was Psalm 37. It's called "Instruction in Wisdom." It's filled with ways on how to be wise in your decisions and how to not fall into evil. A couple verses that stand out the most are verses 23-24. "A man's steps are established by the Lord, and He takes pleasure in his way. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord holds his hand." This past week I had lost sight of that truth. I was trying really hard to grab a hold of the physical and the human side of things and I was feeling lonely and frustrated. However, God was quick to remind me that He is my strength and my rock in which I can lean and depend on. He's the only one that will satisfy my every need. I had lost sight of that and these verses brought that back to me. How awesome is our God??!!!

What is Church nowadays??

2005-10-20T04:35:00.000-07:00

I have a question for you:

Do you think that we as Christians need to go to Church whenever the church door is open on Sunday or whenever there is a service, or do you think that we should go to where the ministry is... whether it's a volleyball game, hanging out on the streets with kids, or whatever situation comes your way for ministry?

I'm caught in a situation like that and I'm curious to what other people think. Let me know what you think :)

Daner

Prayer is a Powerful Thing

2005-10-03T09:03:00.000-07:00

Can I just say that prayer is a powerful thing!! Yet again God proves His mighty power and even gives me a bonus. I was praying for a job to help me while I was home and I got two. Working at Save Easy (a grocery store in Clarenville) and helping my brother on his farm. What a blessing!!

Trust and patience are definitely two things that God is teaching me lately! He's such an awesome God. Like my msn signiture says:

God is too wise to be mistaken, to good to be unkind. So when you don't understand, when you don't see His plan, when you can't see His hand, trust His heart!

Jeremiah 29:11

2005-09-23T09:30:00.001-07:00

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

So... yeah, I didn't get the Winnipeg position. But, you know what God told me? He's in control and He knows what He's doing, so I'm putting my trust in that. It's hard, but it's what I gotta do. I know He has something amazing out there for me to do, I just need patience.

This Summer Was Awesome!!

2005-09-21T11:55:00.000-07:00

This summer stretched me and definitely helped me to see people in a different way. The team I traveled with were amazing people. They individually were unique and I felt blessed to be on a team with them. They each brought so much to the team and continually challenged me to be a more Godly person.

This picture of "Urban Salvos" was taken when the team went to Wonderland with our supervisor Rob Perry and some awesome youth. The other people on my team were Jono Urwin and Kirsten Ivany. Love ya guys!!

If you have never been to a cabin you have to find one and go! It's the most relaxing thing you can do when you're tired and need refreshing. I went to my parents cabin and it was unbelievable! Lying on the wharf listening to the water... oh yeah... that's my kind of relaxation! I was able to worship on the wharf as well and just sit there until it got dark. The sunsets were beautiful. It was definitely an awesome time with God. Here are some pictures from that weekend.

Here is my cousin Mendy. She visited me one night while I was at the cabin. We had some funny moments with a singing fish. What can I say... it's a cabin with no electricity and in the dark, you have to be creative to find things to do. LOL It was a lot of fun!

It's great to be in Newfoundland again and be able to visit friends and loved ones. There's nothing like Newfoundland. We have a great province fellow newfoundlanders... keep pouring out the love. For you Christian sisters and brothers, let's keep the love of God real as well. Newfoundland is going somewhere and I'm excited to see what God has in store for us!

Keep it real for our Daddy!

"May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help to live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." ~ Romans 15:5-6

Dream Dreams

2005-09-20T14:05:00.000-07:00

I went to the St. John's Temple on Sunday morning and I was definitely refreshed. God totally reminded me of some truths that I had been forgetting lately. One was:

If you always wait for something perfect, you will never be satisfied.

How true is that. I'm always waiting for that perfect thing to come along. I'm always wondering if there is something better than what I already have. But you know what, sometimes something perfect is not always something better. Isn't that awesome?? God has given us what we have for a reason, and we are supposed to be satisfied in that. We take too much for granted.

I was also challenged this weekend to dream my biggest dreams and not to settle for what I think is good enough. So... dream YOUR biggest dreams as well. Believe that you can reach them, and you'll climb to the highest heights... I promise you.

New Beginnings

2005-09-19T17:55:00.000-07:00

Ok... yeah.. I really do have my nose pierced... just so people know. I've been asked many times and so I'm just letting everyone know now.

So now I'm in St. John's kickin' it with Jen and Melissa and I'm waiting for a call from Winnipeg about a youth pastor position. I really hope I get it.

So yeah... that's it for now! Keep it real.

I have a blog... hehe

2005-09-16T12:29:00.000-07:00

Hey People!

So... yeah... I figured if I was going to be a youth pastor, the best thing for me to do would be to start blogging. I find myself on here often reading other people's blogs now all the time after traveling this summer, so here I am. I think it will be a good thing, and I'm excited to see what interesting comments and conversations will take place.

That's it for now...
Daner... by the way... that's my nickname for those who do not know :)