Allusions, codes, secrets: blogging at Canada Youth 2009.

In the beginning, we travelled by bus for three hours singing the same five praise songs over and over again the entire ride. By the end of a road trip like that, you're singing Days Of Elijah in your sleep ... and tapping your feet ... and the bruises from clapping your hands so long are still throbbing to the beat.

In the beginning tire Lord said, "Let there be light." But when I got to Brock University and approached the room I had been told was the place to worship, I was positive I was in the wrong place. Purple and blue light was streaming into the hall. I could hear music and noise.--Christina Gillard

Just as the doors to worship were supposed to open, one of the leaders popped his head out into the crowd that had gathered. And he said it would be another 15 minutes, disappointing the crowd. It was getting really hot in that area by this point. But then, through the dull roar of various conversations came the sounds of a familiar song. Someone had started singing a praise song. Soon other voices started joining in, and then almost everyone close to the doors was singing. Impromptu worship is often the best kind: unplanned, Spirit-led, good.--Alex Luyckx

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"When you look up at the sky tonight and see a star explode, remember that all that matter doesn't just cease to exist," said Rev. Derek Macleod. "All the blood and matter that makes you up used to be a star. Did you know that? Maybe that's why our hearts bound when we look up at the sky.

"So CY09, tonight look up at the stars. Look in the mirror. Look at someone new. And not this week, but in the weeks to come, look at someone you hate. And make a bold statement of faith: 'It is good.'"--Connie Purvis

Tuesday we found our small groups, and asked each other questions, played name games, and discussed how we felt about last night's service. We also discussed the aspect of "the Beginning" but sadly many of the questions were answered with silence. A few others and I tried to get some conversation going, and failed, and quickly gave up. (No one wants to seem like the over eager go-getter.)--Christina

Jess Powers, in her drama last night asked us, do you know where you came from? Do you know where you are going? There is no map of life for us to follow, we blindly look toward the future, praying, hoping and trying for good things. Do we ever really know what path of life we will walk down?

Will it be a leisurely stroll, or a quick paced race? Only time will tell, and our faith will guide us.--Leila Paugh

Everywhere there is an allusion, a code, a secret to be found. Songs about heartbreak aren't just songs, they are the pain. A song about secrets isn't just a song, it's a secret unto itself. It showed that many of the things we fear are the same as those of the person sitting next to us. We all fear failure because it is inevitable. We fear disappointing our parents because we all have a deep desire to make them proud. The biggest secret of all is that none of us are alone.--Christina

"I have seen the risen Lord." A powerful statement from Sarah Travis as she boldly stood at the front of worship and told us her heartbreaking story. Her son Sam died on his third birthday after three liver transplants. And when she questioned God heading home after Sam's death, God told her, "I too have lost a son." Her story then turned empowering.

Sarah focused on what to do next. The family decided to donate to a hospital in Jobat, India, where the need is great. She turned tragedy into beauty. I have seen the risen Lord. I see his work through Sarah.--Leila

Sarah Travis came up to me at lunch today and asked me, with a joking smile on her face, what's the deal with me Twittering during her sermon? I told her I thought it brought people from around the world into her sermon. She smiled and said to keep doing it.--Brenden Sheratt

Today was a sad day, but also a happy day. Sad, because everyone had to leave their newly-found friends. Happy because they have the chance to keep in touch with them via e-mail and/or phone and/ or Facebook.--Dustyn Frankcom

CY had its ups, its downs, its turnarounds, but I will not forget the lessons it has taught me. To love. And to inspire, and to grow through the roots in my Lord and my Saviour. Praise my God because I know now that through Him I can be the change I wish to see in the world. And through His love, we are all able. So I say farewell to CY. In hopes that I can reach the next rung, and grow a new branch. At CY12.--Christina

All of these blogs can be found at presbyterianrecord.ca.