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Hey everyone! We're finally done the school year (well, the university students at least)! I'm sure more than a few of you went to MarkEast; hope you had a blast. It's been quite a few days back here, but I've already started to notice some things, about myself and my surroundings.

It's great to be back home, but it feels a tad awkward, if I'm allowed to say that :P. The atmosphere and my expectations have completely changed, and I'm definitely a different person now than when I left last August. It's a change for the better though, as I'm more sure of what I want to do in my day to day life, and what I need to do in order to honor God. Growing older and seeing the world from a maturing perspective helps you appreciate where you've been and how far you've come.

So now, included in this new perspective is an urgency to improve my musical skills, so I can be a better instrument for God's work in worship, as well as an urgency for more financial support. I've been practicing several instruments quite a bit, and applying for a number of jobs as well. I could use a little prayer with the latter; eight applications in and I still don't know the score, so your support would be very much appreciated.

Coming back home is not all about change though. I have enjoyed falling back into the routine I was familiar with (minus the no school part haha), and while some things are definitely different, being back here is the start of going back to normal. Friends, Church, Youth Group, all I held dear is now back where it belongs. And I'm happy for it.

"Hello, What's Your Name?"

Hey all, as promised, I want to introduce you to a few of my friends and colleagues here. As soon as they accept the invitations, they will also be a part of the musings here at Formed Ability. This is the executive for Mount Allison Christian Fellowship, 2010-2011.

These people have had a very large impact on my life over the past few months :), and I'm glad to to have the opportunity to work with them. From left to right, we have:

Katie Pazia, VP Small Groups/Finance
Martin Wightman, President
Brent Harris, VP Large Group/Worship
Debbie Chute, Records & Finance Coordinator
Kiera Kent, Small Groups Coordinator
Odum Abekah, Worship Coordinator

The worship team will also be invited in soon, so keep a look out for that, and try to say hello! You're among friends here, and there is so much that we can learn from one another in our walks with Christ. We will try and keep you updated (much more than this year, sorry :S!) on what is going on in our ministry, and I hope that you guys back at First Wesleyan would do the same. Have a good night, everyone.

A Change in Direction/Semi-Reinvention

It has been a long time since I updated this site... which is a shame. I loved being able to write about things that went on and new, exciting things going on in worship ministry. This time (I know it''s like the third time I've said this, but I'll stick with it haha), I would like to start it back up again, this time with a little bit of freshness dropped in. To my old and dear friends, I have decided to open this site up to the executive and worship ministry of the Young Adult fellowship here at Mount Allison, and create a joint effort of sorts to keep in touch with each other, and to help encourage one another as we continue to lead worship in our respective locations. All of you are wonderful people :), and I hope that through this, we can grow some new friendships between each other.

Also on the agenda are some technical changes. From this day forward, the site will be known as Formed Ability: A Worship Ministry Blog, to represent both ministries here in lovely New Brunswick. I may also do something new with the page's layout, but I don't know... blue's a favorite for me ;).

I will post a photo up this evening of some of the new faces behind the new user names. Enjoy your day everyone... It feels great to be back.

My Mountie Life - Strip Down Yo' Worship, The Heart's Still There

Well now... I realize that it's been about forever and a half since I last posted on here, and to be honest, I'm not exactly sure how many of you actually visit here anymore. I suppose a number of factors contributed to this, including distance and the want to write long articles when I do start typing. I realize now I don't have to do this, so I'll just get to the point:

I love Mount A.

Much contributes to this statement, but none so much as the privilege of playing for MACF Group every week. Yes, I'll admit the worship's not perfect, and neither am I at playing it for another. However, there just seems to be such an atmosphere when you're there. People aren't afraid to worship there, and it just makes for an evening where Holy Spirit Level Indicator is high :P. I also feel closer with the people I play with, making the music that much more enjoyable. We've grown stronger musically and personally. This week, we did Mystery at large group, and listening back on the recording, it still puts me in awe. It was a brand new song, and the moment that everyone caught on to the lyrics they were singing away - nothing makes me happier as a worship leader than seeing others enjoying being there worshiping as well, nothing. It feels like we're all together on the same journey, and it's an amazing feeling, knowing you're not alone. I hope you feel a little bit of what I'm taking when you listen to this (if you're still browsing the blog and see this, of course), and I also sincerely hope that the youth ministry year is going well. See you in three and a half weeks!

MACF Large Group - Mystery

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Birthday Dear Formed Ability...

Today, young sirs and madams, is a day that I never actually thought would come to pass. It was this past morning, one year ago that I decided to make a blog for the youth band that I hoped would be able to be a sort of online component to what we did at First Wesleyan... If you can remember what this place looked like back then, it really has been a year full of happening things...! Just one post and absolutely no sections to do anything with hahaha! But a blog it was all the same, and one of my doing, to boot (yes, I'm proud of something :P). There are always a few things I've wondered about it over the past few months, such as how it would've done as a public blog out on the internet. But I'm glad now that it wasn't; there are so many things that mean a lot to me on this space, and it's not always for the general public to see or read. It's for the ministry that I made it for. So now, five sections, ~147 posts and 365 days later, we are where we are today. I hope that this blog, named after something important to me even now, has blessed you or done something for you guys in some small way. I'm glad to have been able to create something like this, and my hope is that you guys enjoyed the ride and what it has become.

And so with that, I guess I can announce the winner...! He only submitted a portion of the answers, but points are points :P, and in this case, the winner of the contest is Ian McMath (*digitized claps of applause*)! Entries are still being accepted, but considering how you're probably all sleeping at the moment, you will miss the deadline lol. Don't worry, I'll still hang out with you (maybe), but you're definitely not getting a free CD from me! hahaha, it's been a great ride guys, have a good one, good luck this Sunday, and I'll see you soon.

My Mountie Life - A Torch Filled Afternoon

Wow... I've been sleepy all day hahaha. Honestly, I didn't think I would survive my classes today! Just so you know, make sure you never end your day with a dose of History; nothing brings the zzzs more than that, Odum assures you! Also, don't watch Criminal Minds with the roommate on A&E till 2 o clock, especially when you already have four seasons on your computer... bad decision, in hindsight ;).

Life at Mount Allison is well past its point of normality, and things have gone into more of a routine type lifestyle for everyone, myself included. But today was a nice little change in pace. I must say, everywhere I go, I always get the opportunity to do something for the first time lol. This time, it was watching the Olympic torch go down my street!

It wasn't even half an hour ago that a great majority of Sackville's population lined up along York Street to watch the mini parade of sorts. The Coke Truck passed us, as well as the Bell Vehicle (very nicely colored floats haha), giving out flags, products and such, and then finally, the 20 seconds that everyone had been waiting for...

"Do you want to pee, or do you want to be a part of history?"

The moment didn't even last too long, but it was great to be part of something not only with the student body, but with the city of Sackville too. So many days you go by here, thinking that the only people that live here are the university students. Today, we got to see everybody: the parents, the middle schoolers and toddlers. It didn't hurt to be a part of history too haha; it's the first time the torch has been here in over 20 years, so I was happy about that. Mountie Life rocks, sirs and madams :).

Nice try... I still like Pepsi better :P

Can I make an on-foot transaction?

Gone before it had barely begun.

The Formed Ability Anniversary Contest

Guys, did you know we are mere weeks from the blog being a year old? Has it really been that long? Yes... it has, and we cannot simply let this momentous occasion pass without fanfare! So ladies and gentlemen, give some applause for the 1st Annual Formed Ability Anniversary Contest!

*Applause*

Happy Birthday dear Formed Ability...

Yes, we are having a contest! The contest will be in questionnaire format, composed of ten questions (down below). To join, simply answer the questionnaire and submit. The entrant with the most correct answers will win the audio CD of his or her choice, and a day with the admin when he returns from his dorm room at Mount Allison University! Exciting huh :P? Good luck sirs and madams, the final submission date is the blog's Anniversary, at 12:00 PM. Also write down the date of submission in your entry. Several answers may be subject to change depending on the day you submit.

The Formed Ability Anniversary Contest

1. What day was Formed Ability created (specification gets you an extra point)?

2. Oh no! We’re playing All Day at Youth, but I lost my musicbook (which would never happen in reality, right? :P)! But that’s ok, because I can get it in the ____________ on the blog!

3. The furthest back we have recordings for youth band is ___________.

4. What are the admin’s interests (looking for a specific set of them)?

5. What are your top three recordings of the year, and why? Explain in complete sentences, and specify :P

6. As of this week, how many SOTW’s are there? What is the week # of this Friday’s SOTW, and what are the three rules for selection of an SOTW

7. Formed Ability has __ specific sections, in addition to the normal blog reel. The newest section is _______________.

8. There are ___ published posts. How many has the author Ian posted? Peter? Palmer?

9. It is an instrument of violence. It upsets the climate that furthers life's suffering,confusion, turmoil, and strife. This a description of what? From what post does it originate?

10. What is your best memory of the blog? What would you like to see here in the future?