Hidden Talent and so much more...

So I have failed... Having intentions to write a blog at least once a month (not very tough at all) I realized today that the last one was in September... it's November... 

...I'm over it...

Time has flown by and I have experienced 'the edge' on what seems like every positive human emotion. There's been unconditional joy (especially when the whole DTS team is ice-skating in Spokane), times of revelation (that after weeks of freezing showers we realized that if we turn the shower knob the opposite way it'll be hot...!), excitement that is so uncontrollable it leads to tears (I realized my hidden talent of having the ability to stretch the unusually excessive amount of skin under my chin), and how I can truly pursue a life that is discipled by Christ. 

[Hidden Talent]

For a quick update of what's been going on here:

- It's the 8th week of the DTS

- As of 1 Month from now I will be leaving on my outreach (the second part of the DTS is the outreach phase.

- I will be in BRAZIL for 3 months in the cities of 

- Rio de Janeiro

- Salvador

- Recife

- We will be working in the slums, playing and loving on kids, speaking and playing music, and doing a lot of intercession. We will be hitting up the largest party in the world in Salvador in Feb. This party will have 20 million people and will be a pretty good picture of Hell of Earth. Everything sinful will happen and everything is endorsed and encouraged by the people, government, and culture. This is a big part of our trip, to witness and be a light in this place.

- Oct. 22-Nov. 2 I was in Spokane, WA on our 'Mini-Outreach' which is a time to connect with your outreach team (the Brazil team is 9 students and 2 leaders) and do things like street evangelism, which is something I've never done before but very cool to experience. 

- I have had several opportunities to lead worship and do a lot of music. I have a show this Saturday in a near by town and then next week we have a 'Cafe Night' where the musical people on base will present some of their own music. Super pumped! 

- Swing dancing has been HUGE here and I have gone to a local restaurant that has a live band and dance floor just about every other weekend. All the credit is due to a fellow in the DTS from Seattle, WA. His name is Mark and he is an amazing dancer (specifically swing) and he has an awesome ability to teach. (really funny but as I'm writing he's playing ping-pong behind me and he just asked if I want to go swing dancing friday... he wasn't reading this either... haha) If we don't go to the restaurant we end up dancing in the gym. It's been great! 

So that's a good chunk of what's been going on over here. I've been doing a good amount of photography when I can and I've created a photo album on my Facebook called, 'Portfolio,' so if you enjoy photography feel free to check it out!

Real quick, cause I know this is getting long, I wanted to just write a little something that I wrote in my journal yesterday that I've been thinking about a little bit yesterday and today. Quick background to what was going on- A guy in the DTS, Bruce Kauss, had his knee healed during the morning lecture as three DTS students prayed for him. Crazy in itself I caught myself thinking something right after we celebrated God's decision to heal him. Here's were the journal picks up--

"As we were praying again as a group, I was looking down at the blister on my foot [from dancing] and I began to pray [quietly], 'Father, if you would heal my blister in front of me--if I could watch as you remove even the scar that it will cause and heal it completely, I would be shouting and singing; weeping and praising you because you are real...' My faith is non-existent. 

Would I act differently if I saw a miraculous sign from God that was Blatantly in-front of my face? Better yet, would I act differently if I saw GOD in the flesh, or spirit (... however he could reveal himself without killing me...)? If so, why is that? It comes down to my faith in God's power and the amount I am willing to die to myself and allow my life to be as a servant, doing what God's plan is for me- which includes everyday! Not just the future! It's everyday!"

I would LOVE to hear what you think about this. E-mail, Facebook, write on this blog, call me, text me, ANYWAY you can respond to this journal entry I would love to hear it; and not just a "this is good." Though that gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling, it's not really what I'm aiming for. Truthfully i would much more enjoy a, "this doesn't make any sense. You're crazy!" message because then I can go somewhere with that. 

Wrapping this up, I want to thank you so much for reading this enormous blog and for (thinking positively) sending me your thoughts on what you would do if you 'saw' God. Would you act different? Would you believe or make an excuse why it couldn't have been God? Would you be scare? Any response. 

Thanks again and I hope your loving how your living!

View Larger Map

Brazil Outreach Locations

Link:

Facebook Portfolio

Welcome to Montana!

So it's here! I am currently in Lakeside, Montana and I have completed my 3rd official day of DTS (Discipleship Training School) with YWAM (Youth With A Mission). It has been amazing!

Starting off with a road trip with my parents, visiting the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park, my journey to Montana had an amazing kickoff! Once I arrived in Lakeside I felt such a real and hungry desire from every person I encountered, that I was quite overwhelmed. "This really couldn't be any better." It's only been 4 nights and 5 days so far but already I have grown so close with the guys and girls that have given up their time, money, and heart to 'grow, go and serve.' (YWAM motto)

Today we had our first small groups as we divided into groups of 4-5 and will have times during the week where we can be accountable with other people of the same gender, and really grow together as we challenge each other, love on one another, and figure out what God is doing in our lives. It was in the small group today that I realized how good it has been for me to have the experience of Oral Roberts University and YWAM just in reason that I have been able to more securely identify who I am. After going to ORU my freshman year, I realized that I could become anyone I wanted to because no person there new me. I had the unique opportunity to take my life from Oregon and, in a sense, mold who I want to be. One fear I had was, "is this fake of me? Can I keep this up?" and what I realized in Tulsa, Oklahoma and even more now, in Lakeside, Montana, is that it is not fake but rather me receiving an AMAZING opportunity to live my life in a way that is a better reflection of Christ.  This has been

 completely rocking my world as God has been really guiding my thoughts, feelings, and actions

 as I have been genuinely caring about every opportunity that I encounter to create and further a relationship. 

... It's only been 3 days...  :)

Here's a couple pictures from the road trip. If you want to see more check out my facebook page by CLICKING HERE

Yellowstone

Grand Tetons

A Little Bit of a Big Update

So I realize it's been a while... I am sorry--

I have no good excuse for not recently blogging except that I feel I have been waiting for some 'big stuff' to happen in my life before I blogged again. It wasn't until late last week, as I received inquires for an updated post, that I begun to realized how much has really happened. So here, in my best effort, I will try to update and share a little of what has been going on in my heart and life. 

My Internship at Salem Alliance Church was kicked off 2 days after I got back home from

 school. This is the second year that I have done an internship for the summer and it is rockin! Super fun and a lot of good opportunities mixed with personal

 development and outward relational development. I am the Creative Ministries Director for the Youth (Middle School and High School) which has placed me in the position of video production, photography, web design, and music. It has been amazing developing the Creative Ministries Team (CMT) which is comprised of Middle School and High School students that have decided to step up and lead their peers by living a lifestyle for Christ 'off stage' and offering their creative abilities 'on stage.' That is my main goal for this summer-- to create a sustaining program (for when I leave in September) that will be pushed by students with constant adult leadership. 

So that's where I am working this summer in Salem, Oregon, and through my job, and

 for no deserving reason, God has been blessing me like crazy-- So here's some more of what my summer has been like so far: 

- In the later part of June (June 21-29) I had the opportunity to go down to Lake Shasta, California with a group of 70 High School students. I was doing the music and video for the 

retreat, but I had plenty of time for wakeboarding, tubbing, water balloon fights, and AMAZING conversations and relational growth. This trip is called "RED" and I will post the movie that I created for it on my personal website Tuesday, 7/22. It's about 16 minutes long and captures the heart of what "RED" is about. Check it out! 

Click Here- Go to My Website

-  After arriving in Salem, I took my car into a repair shop to have some damaged assessed. The Damage was from some hail storms that happened when I was at school at ORU in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After several weeks I was notified that my car was 'totaled' as it would cost more than the car is worth to fix all the little dents. Because of this I was able to get 'financial gift' and still keep my car because it runs perfect and the damage isn't noticeable unless you are at the right angle. With the money I got though the ordeal I was able to buy a brand new, very nice, Digital SLR camera and laptop (which I have been wanted to do for a long time). All the pictures on here, I took with this camera.

- I have taken several trips the Pacific City Beach, the most recent trip being July 10 where 

the High School group at Salem Alliance Church (SAC) went. I took my surf board, 2 skim boards, and had a blast teaching and laughing with the Students as our hands and limbs became completely frozen in the unusually cold pacific ocean. 

  

- As of today, I just returned from a Middle School Northwest District Conference called "Youth Quake" where I did music and Video and pictures for. It was amazing with around 200+ middle school kids from Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. We had an amazing band, amazing weather, and unforgettable memories. I saw a CRAZY passion in the students for a life sold out to Christ-- that was amazing! Also, the movie that I made for Youth Quake will be on my personal website also. It's 23 minutes long and took me last night to make when I edited it from 10:30 pm last night to 10:30 am this morning. Check it out 

Go to My Website 

- For the last big news-- Yesterday I received a call from a man named Jeremy West who is going to be heading up and leading the DTS program on the YWAM Montana base. After talking to him for a little while and him asking me some questions, he formally accepted my admittance into the DTS program in Montana; so I will be officially going to Montana in the Fall! 

__________________________________________

So that's where I'm at. God has been blessing me and blessing me like crazy and I can't explain it, but I do hope that this will serve two-fold-- 1.) That you would be reconnected to what's going on in my life currently.   2.) That the grace and blessing that God has given me, would cover over you-- That you would walk in Joy everyday, knowing that you have a purpose, you can make a difference, and that you can right now.

Thanks so much for reading this! I would love to connect with anyone and hear about what's going on in your life so please feel free to e-mail me at:

oconnor.sean@mac.com

Thanks so much! 

Video Website is up!!!

Hey!

I created a quick Website to post some videos and I posted the Spring Break '08 video along with the, just created, FLINT end of the year banquet Video. You can check them out at:

http://web.mac.com/oconnor.sean/seanoconnor/Welcome.html

And I'll post any new movies on that website if they're too big for Facebook or my Blog here. Thanks for Checking it out!

Something New

So it's been about 2 months since my last blog, however, this past month has been a life changing one and I have so much to tell about it!

As I recap this last month, in as few words as possible, I would love to hear your comments and updates on what's going on in your life. As you will see, my life has taken a few exciting trips and I would love to hear about your life, and where your at. Seriously, take a second and reconnect with me-- my e-mail is: oconnor.sean@mac.com or you can get to my facebook address at: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=79103528 .
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It all began with the long awaited Spring Break trip. I outlined the trip in a past blog, but essentially me, and three other school colleagues, headed out on a 4,000 mile road trip across the South Western part of America. We begun and ended in Tulsa, Oklahoma, traveling to New Mexico, California, and Arizona visiting the carlsbad Caverns, beautiful beaches of Southern Cali, and admiring the Grand Canyon as we hiked down it. In those 10 days, we laughed so hard that our abs contorted in pain, mastered the art of making a PB&J sandwich, and actually read an entire book. The book was, "Through Painted Deserts" by Donald Miller and became an influential spark that elated my adventurous spirit. 

The Road Trip was everything it could have been, and God began to work in my heart. 

"Through Painted Deserts" is a story of Donald Miller and a friend who embark on a journey to live. They have little plans and very little money. Throughout the story, their personalities and adventurous hearts are clearly evident in their experiences. This book sparked my thinking a few days later, upon arriving home from my road trip. I began to understand my passions, past and present.

I realized that, though my passion is the same-- I want to lead worship for conferences and conventions all over the world while still having a home church-- I felt my passions broaden. This past year I have had amazing opportunities to travel. Traveling to School in Tulsa, Oklahoma I traveled with my dad through Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, and Kansas. In September i had the chance to travel to Germany, Switzerland, and France. Then Spring Break hit and I traveled through Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California. 

Apart from seeing all of these majestic places and realizing God's beauty in the world, I began to see other passions increase. Though playing music is my leading goal, I have recognized that God has so much more for me to see and do before I am able to dive into what I want to do with music. The idea that THIS IS MY LIFE and there is nothing that I want to miss out on. Whether it be something that I could have seen, or could have done; someone that I could have influenced, or have influence me; I don't want to miss it. I want my life to be an exciting adventure, that is broken by an understanding of my worthlessness and reformed by God's endearing value on my life through grace.

These past two years at Oral Roberts University have been amazing and I 

have made some lifelong friends. One's that taught me, challenged me, and encouraged me in unexpected ways. When I came to school here I was lead by a few desires-- I wanted to submerge myself in a unfamiliar culture, one that pushed me religiously to find God for myself, becoming less ignorant of what others believed. I wanted to learn guitar and music so that when I would lead people in worship, I could more easily create an atmosphere where the focus is on the words being sung and hearts being changed from the inside out. The last thing was I wanted to create relationships that would be lifelong and influential. I wanted to meet men and women that would be friends I could count on and believe in; having experiences and events that strengthened our relationships.

This all happened. In the short amount of time I was at ORU, God placed experiences and people in my life that lead me to where I am now. Now I feel God taking me somewhere new. Somewhere that I am so excited for. 

YWAM Montana

I am applying to do a DTS in Lakeside, Montana in the Fall. DTS stands for Discipleship Training School and is a program run by YWAM. It is a 5 month long program that entails 3 months of learning, lectures, creating relationships, and diving into God, followed by 2 months overseas. I will either be 

going to Nepal, the Ukraine, India, or Thailand. 

I have no idea where God will take me after this and what exactly I am going to experience, but I am complete in knowing he's with me.

_____________

If you want to see the movie, I would love to show you-- just send me an e-mail or catch me sometime and we can connect to watch it. 

"Leave"- Once Soundtrack

So it was late one night and we had some energy... Tim, Clem, Mooch, and Brian all gathered in my room and belted out "Leave" from the ONCE soundtrack with pens in their hands as microphones. Besides Brian, all of us are the guys that are going on the Spring break trip that's outlined below this blog.  Anyway, here's a vid we shot a couple nights ago...... don't judge us....

Spring Break Plans

So I'm super stoked for Spring Break this year! I'm always stoked for it but especially this year because I am going on a road trip with 3 really close friends from school here in Oklahoma and It's going to be crazy. Staying in 4 different states with 5 major destinations totaling about 4,000 miles while we are all crammed in my 1990, deep burgundy, Honda Accord EX.... we are going to have a blast!

We're taking my video camera and are going to document our adventures and most-likely make a vid of it and throw it up here so keep an eye out.

The Trip:

View

 Larger Map

Beginning in Tulsa, Oklahoma on March 14th, we will travel to White City, New Mexico and camp there for 2 nights as we discover the Carlsbad Caverns National Park. It's said to be amazing and was a thing that I have wanted to do ever since I saw BBC's "Plant Earth" videos. 

After 2 nights we leave early to go to Valley Center, California and stay at Pat and Laura O'Connor's house (my Aunt and Uncle). We will be there for 4 nights surfing, taking a one day trip into Tijauana, Mexico and kicking it on the beach. 

By now it's the 20th of March 

and we are going to head up to 

Los Angeles, California and spend the day with Jordan Houser. We will stay at his apartment right on HollyWood Blv. only to leave early the next morning for the Grand Canyon in Arizona. 

Camping at Hather Campground next to the Grand Canyon, we will have one full day of hiking and exploring the canyon. 

After 2 nights of camping we head out EARLY for the last time and make a straight drive back to Tulsa, OK. 

It's gonna be a blast! I will be sure to post pictures and recap of the trip after we take it!