God is such an awesome God. So much has happened since hitting the road. There have been so many firsts for me. Right after we hit the road, our first XP back, I gave the sharing. And like, I didn't have much time to prepare myself. Which normally would make me go crazy, but God kept me calm and said, "You can do this," and for only being my second full sharing since I hit the road, I think I did good. And then the next weekend was an even bigger first for me--I was at my very first Quake ever in my life, and man, there were over six hundred kids there, and they were really rocking. God opened my eyes.
 
I was so nervous going into because I was doing so many things I have never done, and God's like, "I got it, everything will be okay." And on that Saturday, I led my very first Trek (a breakout session) with Koral, which was crazy because I'm leading something and I had never even been to a "Trek." But by the end of that day, it felt like we were pros at it, we did three back to back with 60-80 kids in each. Then on Sunday, closing celebration was just about start and Jamie comes to me and says, "Well, you haven't come up on stage, would you like to give the benediction?" I was like, sure, I can do that, (really I'm like, I don't do so well in front of so many people). But I did it. By the end of the celebration, I basically memorized the benediction and right before the last song, I was up on that stage. I was so nervous, I think it was the lights that did it, but by the time I got off that stage, I was shaking. But it was so crazy and amazing.
 
This last weekend, we did our third Event, and things are getting so much easier, and I am slowly getting more comfortable with many things. I think one of my favorite parts of the Quakes is getting to know the youth and hearing that they are learning something and enjoying it. This is it for now. This weekend we have Quake number four, and I am just so excited for these kids that will be coming and enjoying such an awesome experience.
--Chrissy Salser
 
As we've been traveling the northeast, CFNE has realized this: IT'S COLD. Yet today, as we drove to Hampton, VA, we experienced something we thought was long gone...a warm day! We cruised from Washington D.C. to Hampton with the windows down in our t-shirts, enjoying every minute of our drive. It was awesome to say the least.
 
It's funny to think that the smallest thing such as a warm day was taken so much for granted before we experienced this chilly winter. Maybe I'm exaggerating because I'm from the warmth of Arizona, but it really made me look at other things that I've taken for granted while being on the road. The gift that I take for granted the most [second to Jesus Christ, mind you!] is something so incredibly simple: a hug from my mom.
 
Consistently inconsistent is how I can describe my relationship with my mother earlier in my life. My mom and I didn't always see eye to eye between my ages of 13-18 and butted heads more often than not. Needless to say, we didn't hug much. However, though they were few and far between, I find myself thinking about her embrace every day. I get teary-eyed every time I hang up the phone with her, and even sitting here writing this is instigating a few drops on my cheek I know being on team is God's will for me and that makes it easier, but being away has actually made me closer to every member of my family. There are aspects in each relationship that I am more thankful now then I ever was before, and I really can't wait to see my family again in April.
 
So, as cliché as it is, tell your family you care about them today. And tomorrow. And hey, maybe even every day. Show them the appreciation they deserve!
 
Other than that, we have the Virginia Beach Zone coming up this weekend and we couldn't be any more excited than we already are. If you're coming this weekend, get ready, because it's going to be AWESOME. We're praying for you guys and can't wait to meet you all.
--Taryn Hoover
 
 
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