Worship School: A Dream Come True. Part 2

Pinch Me, I Must Be Dreaming!

My BSW necessities, and extras.

It was time, and it still hadn't fully hit me. I was going to Bethel! I was going to see Jen Johnson, Steffany Frizzel-Gretzinger, Jesus Culture, Jeremy Riddle, Paul Baloche, Martin Smith, Amanda Cook, and so many more amazing worship leaders! All in one place!

The thought alone was surreal. I couldn't wait to get there. I was excited, nervous, and more than a little bit intimidated. 

Upon landing at the San Francisco International airport, I made my way to the gate for my connecting flight into Redding. I quickly was able to spot out other students by the number of guitar cases. Plus, the connecting flight was a smaller plane and pretty much everyone on that plane was going to BSW (Bethel School of Worship). It was amazing at how quick we started to make connections. We all had the same emotions running rampant! 

Friends Forever

As we got ready to head out to Redding, I quickly texted the girls who I'd be living with for the next two weeks to let them know I would be there in less than an hour. There was seven of us, as I stated in Worship School: A Dream Come True. Part 1. I was the last of our house to arrive. I hadn't met any of them, but we were already connected. We'd been talking through Facebook for the past four months. 

I could write an entire post on my awesome housemates. We formed lifelong friendships that will last from here to eternity! We are still texting, touching base with each other. We plan to meet up once a year, taking turns visiting our home towns/states/countries. I can't wait to see them all again! I seriously love these ladies! They are all beautiful and are so full of the Lord. I'm bless to have them in my life!

On our last night together, we spent several hours praying and prophesying over each other. It was amazing. These girls will always be in my heart! 

From L to R: Top row: Therosia, Nicole, Tanisha Bottom Row: Irene, Leonie, Sonja, me

A Little Star-Struck

 One exciting thing, for me anyways, was the first night I was there, we went to Bethel's Sunday night service and I saw Jenn Johnson. I noticed that two of my housemates were talking to her so I just HAD to go! I slid up next to them. Literally. And she totally caught me. We laughed and I thought, "Well, at least I made an impression!" And of course, I had to have a picture with her.

Me and Jenn! Not the best picture of myself, but I'm with Jenn so who cares, right?!

I also got the privilege of sitting in several classes taught by the incredible Amanda (Falk) Cook. She is the one who wrote the song "Closer" sung by Steffany Gretzinger. And also "I Will Exalt". She's extremely talented and I got to sit and listen to her as she spoke about her personal process of becoming the songwriter/singer she is. She sang and prayed over us each class and it just got better and better.

Me and Amanda Cook!

 School Is In Session

There's absolutely no way I could write about my entire experience while at BSW. There's just too much that went on. I took an empty spiral and came home with it just about completely full of notes if that gives you any indication! We were in classes from 10am to 9:30pm daily. 

We started out each day with worship. Ah-maaay-zing worship! So intense at times. So free. No holding back. Completely lost in God's presence. 

The classes I took were nothing short of life-changing. I loved every moment of it. God was there with us. He spoke things over me. I'm going to be writing a blog post talking more in detail about a couple of things that the Lord revealed to me. 

Each class was more and more amazing. I couldn't get enough, I tried to soak up every single second of it, yet at times, I didn't feel like my brain could hold on to any more knowledge or revelation! Ha! How awesome is that?! 

Everyone there, Bethel staff and teachers, all made us feel like we were family. And made us feel genuinely loved by them. Which made us feel more connected with them. I definitely left a big piece of me there when I left. 

Bethel School of Worship changed my life. God changed me. And I can't wait to see where He leads me. I don't regret for one second going there. Would I go back? Um. Yes! In a heart beat!