Spiritfire Gear

This just in!!

Our newest order of Spiritfire gear is HERE and ready to be worn!  If you placed an order be sure to check your email and see how much you owe. Pick up your shirts/sweatpants/sweatshirts soon---it's the perfect season for sporting your SpiritFire clothing! 

Also--BRAND NEW items
*soffe brand girls SHORTS (writing on the front leg)--$10.00
*nylon drawstring bags (black bag with white writing)--$6.00 

If anyone is interested is purchasing an item let me know asap! I should be placing another order within a week. 

Tshirts: $7

Sweatshirts: $19

Sweatpants: $17
Zip Hoodies (writing on back): $21

Soffe brand shorts (girls): $10
Drawstring Bags: $6

Getting To Know You: Randomly

After having Amanda and Josh introduce themselves to all of you, we thought it'd be fun to have Josh, Amanda, Kevin, and Melanie answer some random questions about themselves. Here's what they said:

1. If money were no object, where would you go on vacation?
1. M: I would spend a couple weeks touring Italy, France, and the Swiss Alps. And maybe top it off with some time spent in Australia. 
2. K: I would pay to have my computer moved to the Blue Mountains of Jamaica at Strawberry Hill, bring a pile of books, and play games and read up there with Mel...Strawberry Hill is probably the most fantastic vacation spot I've ever seen.
3. A: If money were no object I would go on an extended vacation to Europe. I really want to visit Italy, France, England, and Ireland
4. J: Assuming this question means anywhere in our nearest galaxy, I would have to say mars. If however for some reason though it simply means Earth, then I would say Pennsylvania.
2. What's your favorite toothpaste?
1. M: Aquafresh. Though I'm too cheap to actually buy it for myself.
2. K: The kind that Melanie left in the drawer...preferably when she takes the time to screw on the cap all the way. On the other hand, I like new tubes, so you don't have all the crusty gunk on the ends...
3. A: I like anything minty and whitening. I usually buy the one that I have the best coupon for! 
4. J: Colgate… I like how old-school the logo is.
3. If you had a surprise visit from friend one evening, what would they likely find you doing?
1. M: I would be in my favorite sweatpants and over-sized sweatshirt, eating homemade popcorn, snuggling with my cat, and either reading or watching some tv. 
2. K: Probably surfing the web or playing some computer games from my childhood...or reading...or watching TV with Mel. Or sleeping, since I go to bed at 10.
3. A: Sitting on my laptop in my living room watching TV
4. J: To my chagrin, most likely I would be wasting time on video games.
4. What's your favorite tv show?
1. M: Criminal Minds. And The Biggest Loser. And Gilmore Girls.
2. K: At the moment, it's Bones...because I'm stoked about the new season started. But I'm also a sucker for Wipeout over the summer. =D
3. A: Gilmore Girls!  
4. J: Probably The Wire… it was Lost, but the series finale was so terrible it dropped down to the #2 favorite TV show spot.
5. What fast food restaurant do you frequent?
1. M: I'm a McDonald's girl through and through. Well, besides the Wendy's frosty. 
2. K: If I could pick any one...it'd be either Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, or Panera Bread. Please don't make me pick just one.
3. A: McDonald’s… it’s weird that their pop tastes WAY better than any other, and their fries are the best too. I think it’s a strange conspiracy. 
4. J: Taco Bell
6. If you could have one talent that you don't already have what would it be?
1. M: I would love to have a natural athletic prowess. But I'd also love to be an awesome photographer--that one could actually happen. Pretty sure I could never pull off the athlete thing.
2. K: hrm...probably Mel's talent for making everyone like her instantly. I have no idea how she does it.
3. A: I wish I were better at math and manipulating numbers. I’m terrible at mental math 
4. J: Serious answer: To play an instrument of some sort. Funny answer: Teleportation
7. If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be? 
1. M: Adorkable. Defined as: both dorky and adorable. The state of being all dorks strive towards.
2. K: Volatile
3. A: Autumnal – I think my personality could be described by a season. Fall is usually a pretty mellow time of the year. I’m pretty mellow, but the leaves of the trees are always bright and cheerful colors. I’m usually cheerful… even when I’m in a bad mood I poke fun at myself. Fall always provides tons of things to do from haunted houses to apple picking. I’m always up for trying new things like food and activities. 
4. J: Theophlianthropist
8. If you could have a superhuman power, what power would you possess?
1. M: I wish I had superhuman reflexes--mostly because this would save me from repeatedly injuring myself. 
2. K: Flying. Lets be honest...if you can fly, anything else is just gravy.
3. A: I would like to read books really really fast – like John Travolta in Phenomenon, without the whole tumor thing. 
4. J: Either the ability to create any power or the ability to steal other people’s powers (like Mega Man or Kirby)
9. What are your food obsessions?
1. M: peanut butter. chocolate. ice cream. popcorn. apples. 
2. K: I have an obsession with food in general...I'll ask Mel to make me a different thing every day...from Jambalaya to "Something with cheese and pasta" to anything else...I'm a very mood-based eater, my favorite food changes by the minute.
3. A: Oh man. Of course McD’s coke and fries, and anything with chocolate and peanut butter. Lately, I’ve really been loving greek yogurt—Mmm… blueberry. 
4. J: Pizza!
10. If you were an inanimate object, what would you be?
1. M: a paperclip. I'm straight-laced, a little uptight, and function best in organized environments. 
2. K: an espresso machine...because nobody can be sad while using an espresso machine.
3. A: Umm.. a candle? Candles are relaxing and they make me happy. Haha
4. J: a shelf.
11. What's your favorite time of day and why?
1. M: I'm one of those weird morning people. No, I don't get up as ridiculously early as my husband, but I do prefer to be up early--before the rest of my time zone. I get so much accomplished in the morning.
2. K: About 7 AM on a day I'm not subbing...I've been up for a bit, showered, and I have time to relax before the day actually starts.
3. A: Early evening – I’m most alert and productive. Usually my Mom is home – or Josh and I hang out like on the weekends. So usually early evening provides some fun. : )  
4. J: Probably later at night, like after 9 PM
12. What do you get teased about a lot?
1. M: I get teased for being a "paperclip." Most people don't understand why organized, Type A girls like me get so easily frazzled. 
2. K: When I play video games, I like to do crazy things...like make spreadsheets about all the possibilities so I can pick the best one.  Yes, that's right. While I'm relaxing and playing video games, I'm constantly doing mental math.  I am a geek at heart.
3. A: Josh’s friends tease me about me a psychology nerd. : ( lol
4. J: My accent/ diction when it comes to pronouncing words.
13. What is something people would be surprised to know about you?   
1. M: I have an alter ego. Early in our dating years, Kevin named her Maxine. She is sneaky. moody. ruthless. ridiculous. and even mean at times. Basically, she is everything the real Melanie is not. But she likes to rear her ugly head now and again.
2. K: Depending on who it is...most people would be surprised that my life combines Music, Chemistry, and Youth work...any two is believable...but all three is just weird. =)
3. A: People are usually surprised that I’m left handed. Also, people are surprised that I have super curly hair. That’s because I usually straighten it though.
4. J: That I am very surprising… ha. Seriously though, probably that I actually do a fair amount of writing on the side.

Dare2Share 2011

this just in! the lowest ticket price for D2S 2011 is $44 and that offer ends Friday!  Let us know by Friday morning if you want a ticket purchased for you at that price. Please get your money into us within a week, if possible. 

Dear Parents,

Teens today live in a challenging and oftentimes perplexing world, one where unprecedented opportunities and challenges await them at every turn. Still, this generation stands ready to change their world for the better. And as they step out to do just that, they need an unwavering, unstoppable faith in God that will help them live each day for Jesus.

Dare 2 Share’s weekend training conference is designed to help teens cultivate this kind of deep, immovable faith in Jesus that will last a lifetime. This year’s un. Tour is built around the powerful story of young David’s unwavering faith in God and his unstoppable determination to change his world by taking on Goliath (1 Samuel 17).  

Here are a few of the ways the Dare 2 Share (D2S) un. Tour weekend will impact your student:

Un.cool - Teens will catch a glimpse of how God chooses to use uncool people to accomplish His purposes.

Un.alone - Students will learn that they walk surrounded by the Trinity and are never alone.

Un.afraid - Students will learn how to face their own personal Goliaths.

Un.leashed - Teens will be motivated and mobilized to share the gospel with their lives and their lips. 

There is also a special youth leader breakout session, which is designed to help youth leaders like me learn how to mobilize teens to reach their generation for Christ. Dare 2 Share’s evangelism principles and strategies are built upon 19 years of experience working with youth ministries across the nation.

D2S is committed to providing youth leaders and students with resources to help them in their walk with Christ and in their efforts to share Christ with others. Check out the D2S website at dare2share.org. You will find tons of free, culturally relevant resources there, as well as a variety of resources available for purchase to help deepen your teen’s walk with God and help them reach their friends for Christ.

As our youth group prepares for this challenging training conference weekend, I am asking you to pray for us! Pray for the students to be prepared to take the message they will receive and use it to transform their lives through Christ. Pray for the impact on their schools and communities! Pray we, as a ministry, will be used mightily in advancing His kingdom here in our city and beyond. Below are the details for the weekend. 

Dates/Times:

February 4-5, 2011

Cost:  

$44 until September 24th. After that $54 and then up to $69. (please contact us if you are having trouble paying.)

Lodging and food cost information is forthcoming (approximately $15 for hotel and $20 for food.)

                                                 

Location:

Columbus, OH

Other:

Chaperones and Drivers needed! (These adults will need to purchase a ticket as well--OR volunteer for Dare2Share staff and get in for free.) Let us know ASAP!

Introducing....Amanda!

We are so excited to introduce to you our very first volunteer youth work--Amanda! She is a great friend of ours and we're so thrilled that she's decided to help out in any way she can with the youth group. We hope you get to know her and love her as much as we do. 

We asked Amanda to tell us all a little bit about herself. 

Here's what she had to say: 

Hey hey all! 

My name is Amanda Carter 

I’ve known Melanie and Kevin for a few years now. 

Our “it’s a small world” story begins at Spring Arbor University in Choir. 

I only was in choir for one semester, but during that semester I sat one seat away from Melanie. I was also only at Spring Arbor for a year, before I found out it wasn’t the place for me and I moved home to Monroe, MI. 

After being home for awhile I was wasting time on Facebook and I found Melanie again. I also noticed that she was employed at Monroe Free Methodist Church. Come to find out we only lived a few miles away. Since then we have kept in contact quite a bit, and more recently God has led me to their young adult group and he has been pushing me to ask Kevin and Melanie if they could use an extra “adult-like figure” (lol) around the teens. So I asked and they said yes! 

So that’s why I’m here now! 

Anyways… I’m a senior in college now, and I attend Siena Heights University through Monroe County Community College. I will graduate in May with my Bachelor’s in psychology. I was not brought up in the church. I became a Christian during my freshman year of high school. I used to work at the Monroe Family YMCA as a summer day camp counselor, but now I am starting to work as a substitute teacher. My plans currently for the future (though God might have different plans) are to work as a college counselor and eventually I would like to teach psychology at the college level. 

I enjoy spending time with my boyfriend of three and half years, Josh. 

I like being thrifty. I love watching many different types of movies. I watch way too much television. My favorite shows are 19 Kids and Counting, Gilmore Girls, and the Office. If I were not heading into a career involving psychology I would probably be an interior decorator/ personal organizer or a make up artist. I love reading magazines. I’m addicted to McDonald’s coke and fries. I am left-handed. 

If you have any questions for me or want to know anything else about me, ask away!

Corn Maze Fun!

Grab your friends and $6.00 and come on over to Heck of a Corn Maze.
Join us from 7:00pm-8:30pm on Sunday, October 10th for a night of fun--winding our way through 10 acres of twists and turns and confusion.
Have your rides drop you off and pick you up at  the Corn Maze--4309 W. Albain Rd.
This is one of the most popular events we do every year and you don't want to miss it!

Buy a Candle: Support Bible Quizzing

Our youth group is now selling Cottonwood Candles to raise money to buy a new set of Bible Quiz seats (which cost at least $200.) 

Candles are locally made (right on Monroe St.) and we are selling them for $8 each. Order your favorite scent or something perfect for fall. These will make great gifts (especially with Christmas on it's way!) and you're supporting a local business too!

Choose from:
Apple Cinnamon
Banana Nut Bread
Toasted Hazelnut
Vanilla
Spiced Pumpkin
Caramel Apple
White Cake
Orange Dreamsickle
Love Spell
Fruit Slices
Lime Cooler
Fresh Linen
Fudge Brownie

I am burning a Caramel Apple candle right now and I have to say the scent is amazing. Within minutes the delicious fragrance travels through the ENTIRE house. It's a better candle than I've ever burned--it burns evenly and for at least 50 hours. Contact me for more info! 

Thanks for your support!

This Weekend's Exciting Activities!

Youth Group-led Worship Team and Drama practice tonight at 6pm! Be there if you want to be a part of our SpiritFire Sunday Service--THIS Sunday @11am. (but don't forget to come at 9:45am Sunday for a quick run-through!)

First EVER 5th Quarter::TOMORROW NIGHT! Friday 9-11pm! Be there (or here rather) and bring friends! And don't miss out on the great selection in the snack shop--items just $0.25 to $1.00!

Concert at Spring Arbor University! For just $5.00 you can here an awesome concert by Shawn McDonald as well as the local Kaleidescope: Brighter. THIS Saturday. September 11th. 8pm. (Unfortunately, Kevin and Mel can't make it because our small group is starting--but feel FREE to check it out with your friends and family! It's worth the hour and a half drive!)

Songs for Spiritfire Sunday

National Christian College Fairs

Attention all those interested in attending a Christian college or university!
It's never too soon to start investigating where YOU want to spend the four formative post-high school years.

Check out the National Christian College Fair when it comes to our area!

Detroit (Metro South)
Tuesday September 21.
6:30-8:30pm.

Cross Pointe Community Church
36125 Glenwood Road
Wayne, MI 48184

Free Admission!
Financial Aid Workshop (the stuff parents like to know about!)

For more info check National Christian College Fairs:
online. www.nccf.us
phone. 888.423.2477
facebook. NCCF or for Detroit's event click here.
twitter. NACCAP
fax. 585.307.0594