Fine Arts Fine Thoughts...

{Worship time during the Thursday Fine Arts youth service.}

So like I mentioned in previous posts, I just came back from Louisville, Kentucky with my youth group for our Fine Arts competition. It was the best part of my summer and I'm still bummed about it being over. I've been thinking about the things that went out and the more I thought about them, the more in depth it became. I wrote about it in my Moleskine journal but I decided to post my thoughts on here too...:

Fine Arts. Nationals.

The time when churches/youth groups from every state in this country go to some location to perform in various categories such as vocal solos or dance or the forever popular HUMAN VIDEO! 

But it's not all about impressing your friends or the judges and hoping to make it to other rounds and getting awards, no. It's about showcasing the talents that God has graced you with and allowing Him to speak through you with said talents...

Did I forget to mention that this was indeed a Christian event?

{Human Video group "Insert Name Here" (from my church) acting out God creating the Earth. (I know it's blurry beyond compare but I thought it was cool.)}

Now I think that Fine Arts/Nationals has another role. I think that it's also about getting to know the people that you have surrounded yourself in your church/youth group. 

Think about it: every normal church day you walk in, say hello the youth members who also happen to be your friends, worship, sit through the sermon of the night, and then leave hoping that the words you've heard that nigh sunk in in hopes of being a "better Christian".

It's been the same routine until Fine Arts comes around. You sign up for whatever category (categories) you wish to be in and depending on the category you'll be put in with other people in that group. I did Drama Ensemble this year and I was put in a group with people I know. Even if I didn't know those people I would still make an effort to befriend them. And the people that I did know but never really talk to lots I got a little closer to them. 

That's what Fine Arts does to you. You get closer to people and even make some unlikely friendships along the way.

That's just around Districts.

Districts is the starting point of Nationals. I'm in Florida, so I went to Ormond Beach for Districts and so did other churches from Florida. Made some friends with some Sarasota kids and even saw one of my Sarasota buddies from Nationals last year in Phoenix!

Back to what I was saying...about the Districts dealio. Yeah, yeah, yeah you got closer with the other kids during your practices and it's time for everyone to bond together and give it your all on that stage!...Not until we get into a circle and say one positive thing about each other.

(It's a little Fine Arts thing, you'll understand in time.)

In the span of two days (still in Districts mode) you get closer to other members of your youth group and what not. Good for you! Friendship, yeah! Let's sit with each other at the final ceremony on Saturday, yeah!...Hey! They're running through categories now on the big screen!...Is that...our group name??? We're going to Nationals...WE'RE GOING TO NATIONALS!!! Everybody rejoice! We're going to Nationals 4 months from now! (Districts happens around April.)

I hope that narrative helped you think about what goes down around Districts. It's really one of those "you had to be there" type things. But yes Districts is over, blah blah blah, you/your group made it to Nationals, blah blah blah, now you gotta start practicing for Nationals, blah blah.

Let's get back to my Nationals thoughts again (I don't do think a lot.) Districts was just the starting point on your road to "new friendships". I got my friends and I'm so happy to have 'em around...but who knows what happens between the timespan of Districts and Nationals. Remember, 4 MONTHS PEOPLE! Anything can happen in 4 months. And man did some of those 'anythings' happen.

I've realized stuff about myself due to my time in youth group and hanging out with my peers. GOOD THINGS! I'm not a bad kid I promise. I watched myself change a little, I watched others change a little.

"Here's the big test, class. I hope you remember the material from earlier in the year."

Nationals. Nationals is like the ultimate test. 

You know those mini quizzes in class that you take in school and you take a lot of those and then you stop taking them? That's Districts. 

Then one day in class you have a big test that covers stuff from those mini quizzes and stuff? That's Nationals. Like the final exam.

Now, lots of people made it to Nationals in my church so that meant that I'll being dealing with them for a whole week. And let's not forget the fact that we took our charter bus to Louisville...14. Hours. To and from Louisville. With about 30+ people. And we left around nighttime.

Yikes.

I spent the bus ride in the back with my best friends. Was there another choice? Haha, NOPE. But at some point I did fall asleep to the sweet funky fresh sounds and dope beats of my friend Caleb rapping his white boy heart out at 3am.

But that's not important (I repeat, I don't do this a lot. Sidetracking like a pro~)
I'll just get to the point: Things happen before Nationals and those actions act as foreshadowing. And some people tend either stay close to people or begin to drift apart little by little as the week rolls on. I got closer to a couple of my best friends, I befriended a girl on the week going through some hard stuff, and I became the famous "only best friend I have on this trip" friend. I felt though as if I gained more respect from people? I'm not sure.

I would like to shout out some people on this post:
- Arianna M. for being so great to me on the trip and all the other times. I enjoy talking to you and texting you and I want you to know that I'm always listening. I got yo back cuh~*~
- Angel E. for also being a great friend. Anyone can get a simple nice comment on their FB wall and just simply say thank you. I cherish every kind word that you and my other friends ever give me.
- JUST ALL OF MY BEST FRIENDS I LOVE YOU GUYS YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE
- Aisha, my new buddy I made on the trip!



I really wish I could explain more about the "ultimate test", but I do better with speaking than sitting at a computer and mindlessly type out my feelings. Eh, it is what it is. Maybe I will make a video talking about my adventure?

***all photos shown in this post were taken by me. no edits.***