Last weekend, Maywood joined the students of First Baptist Church in Oak Grove, MO for their fall Disciple Now retreat. We've played at Oak Grove a couple of times before and we often rehearse in their excellent facilities when we're in town. This student body is close to our hearts as this is the home church of our very own Jared Prindle.

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The weekend started with high energy as the students checked in, Maywood kicked off the worship and we heard the good Word from speaker Matthew Morrison of Gravity Ministries.

Our focus scripture was Nehemiah 1:8-9 which says "Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name."

Our bassist Aaron Lupo had to leave for the rest of the weekend due to a family emergency, so we kept he and his wife, Jess, lifted in prayer and trudged on feeling somewhat handicapped. Luckily, guitarist and lead singer Scott Loring can play every instrument known to mankind WHILE SINGING and stepped up to the plate. Even so, we drug our friend Josh Driller up on stage for a worship session on Saturday evening where he filled in beautifully on bass. Thank you, Josh!

The most notable worship experience Maywood participated in was after Matt's message on Saturday night. We were asked to play one more song to wrap it up, but student minister Stephen Watson felt the Holy Spirit moving and encouraged us to continue. We strummed through 3 closing songs, letting the Spirit saturate the room. After what felt like an eternity chanting Hillsong United's "Fire, fall down" we parted ways for the night, feeling completely filled. 

Another notable experience was my tardiness for the first service on Sunday morning. My husband and I have family in the Independence area, so that's where we spent our nights all weekend. I set our cell phone alarm for 6:30am, giving us plenty of time to get ready and drive the 30 minutes to Oak Grove. Kids ... if you're going to use your cell phone as an alarm clock, ALWAYS remember to check that it's not on vibrate. Suffice it to say, I woke up at 7:50, jumped out of bed, threw on my clothes and grabbed my tooth brush in hopes of cleaning my teeth between services (yeah right) and Greg and I high-tailed it to the church. The first service was scheduled to start at 8:15. We rolled in as Maywood was playing the first song. With pillow markings still embedded on my face, I strolled onto the stage in time for our second song. It was CRAZINESS, but God met us there in the church and despite everything His people were moved to worship. 

We had a great time, Oak Grove, and we look forward to returning. I leave you now with some extra band photos from the weekend.

Liz Prindle slaved over breakfast for the entire band (plus a few extras) on Saturday morning before we headed to the church.

"Josh, try not to eat everything!"

Me and Greg.

Prindle family photo! I loled.

On the way to church, we found a pig! Scott HAD to stop and get pictures with it. Goof.

for His worship,
Sarah