Forward 2023 Day One

Maddie and Maddie 

Maddie snapped this photo from her seat today

Our Forward's Got Talent judges...

Big crowds - growing and growing as the day went on

Mom assembled this Baby Shark costume for a fun moment early on...

Outstanding set for Forward, designed by the same one who did our Easter stage design. 

Really cool visuals today.

Maddie was praying that Anna Golden would sing "Oceans," and was so happy to see a prayer come true.

Of course, Uncle Reggie's been here all weekend.

Levi Lusko spoke tonight - Maddie bought one of his books!

Day One of Forward Conference is here, and it’s a big weekend again here at the Gas Light Arena in Gwinnett County.  So many kids here, screaming, jumping, laughing - it’s been a great first night.  I rode down on the bus with the kids, as there were some unexpected complications with staffing - I was there to help out, so why not?  It worked out because there was a large group of kids invited from a neighborhood, having been given a scholarship to come to the event.  But it’s been a situation very much like in “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” in some ways, if that makes any sense.

Regardless, Maddie was with her friend from school, as well as some other friends from taekwondo, and she was having a great time.  Things went well, with a fantastic opener and a really fun game sequence we’ve been putting together for a while.  The first message was so good Maddie got a book by the author - she had a great time tonight.  It’s been busy.  Lots of little issues, but lots of unforgettable memories for Maddie and everyone who’s attending.  We got back pretty late, and we’ll have to get up pretty early too - that’s the nature of this weekend.  She’s having a great time!

Maddie's pov:

so today was the firs day of Forward. I met up with my friend Maddie at the main campus along with Chloe and her sister, Raina. We hung out together while and hung out before we had to go to our buses. Raina and Chloe werre not on our bus along with Noadiah. Before we had to leave, we had been playing some card games I had brought in my clear bag.

We got onto our buses and left for the Gas South Arena. Maddie and I talked for a while, she read some comics. We also got some food as in granola bars and water.

We got there and met up with Chloe and Raina so we could sit together. We saw Mia, Brenleigh, and some of their friends along with Brayden. We got to our seats and Maddie and I went to look at the merch. I got a book from the pastor that was speaking that night, Levi Lusko.

Team Icy, my team, lost the first tribe wars. Shmoney won, but it's rigged so whatever lol. There was this guy singing, Andy something. we got to worship soon after that with Anna Golden. She sang Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) which was one of my song requests to God for a while. Levi Lusko was the preacher and it was a good message. After the session was over, we left to Free Chapel.