Hi!
I have started school.
I am getting so pumped up.
We have had our first couple of days of "intensives."
What are those, you ask?
INTENSE.
But in all honesty...
Jesus has changed my life. Well, He already did. But He did it again. And if these past two days were the ONLY reason that I am here in Sydney, Australia at Hillsong Church (I am definitely believing this is not only the reason haha...) (that would have been a really expensive trip...) I could honestly walk away from them and be a better young woman, friend, daughter, helper, server, employee, future wife, future mom....
And if this is only the beginning...
I am set up for a WIN.
And this, friends, is only the beginning...
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
answers to prayers
this is the first day that i have felt as if this was "home"...
good emotions.
feeling prayers for me today.
so grateful.
and expectant.
good emotions.
feeling prayers for me today.
so grateful.
and expectant.
Friday, July 23, 2010
when I arrived in my old set of clothes, I was half a world away from my home
A song by Brett Dennen that has been my anthem the last few days...
Enjoy....
When I arrived in my old set of clothes
I was half a world away from my home
and I was hunted by the wolves
and I was heckled by the crows
Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know
Alongside my innocence I laid in bed awake
conflicted and in chains with the impetus of age
but like a phantom she crept across the floor and out the window
Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know
From its place on the mantel my heart was taken down
scattered in a thousand little pieces on the ground
and I below the streetlamp like an orphan with a halo
Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know
Cause it won’t last
worries’ll pass
all your troubles they don’t stand a chance
and sometimes it takes more than a lifetime to know
Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know
Your confidences fall as your faith etched in stone
neither could comfort you from the wild unknown
so bury your burning hatred like a hatchet in the snow
Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know
If you have a broken heart or a battered soul
find something to hold onto until they go
to help you through the hard nights
like a flask filled with hope
Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know
Cause it won’t last
your worries’ll pass
all your troubles they don’t stand a chance
and it always hurts the worst when it’s the ones we love the most
Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know
sometimes your path is marked in the sky
sometimes it falls too thin in between the lines
sometimes all you can do is say no
Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know
I said when I arrived in my old set of clothes
I was half a world away from my home
and I was hunted by the wolves
and I was heckled by the crows
Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know
I said Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know
We said Darlin’ do not fear…
Enjoy....
When I arrived in my old set of clothes
I was half a world away from my home
and I was hunted by the wolves
and I was heckled by the crows
Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know
Alongside my innocence I laid in bed awake
conflicted and in chains with the impetus of age
but like a phantom she crept across the floor and out the window
Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know
From its place on the mantel my heart was taken down
scattered in a thousand little pieces on the ground
and I below the streetlamp like an orphan with a halo
Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know
Cause it won’t last
worries’ll pass
all your troubles they don’t stand a chance
and sometimes it takes more than a lifetime to know
Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know
Your confidences fall as your faith etched in stone
neither could comfort you from the wild unknown
so bury your burning hatred like a hatchet in the snow
Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know
If you have a broken heart or a battered soul
find something to hold onto until they go
to help you through the hard nights
like a flask filled with hope
Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know
Cause it won’t last
your worries’ll pass
all your troubles they don’t stand a chance
and it always hurts the worst when it’s the ones we love the most
Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know
sometimes your path is marked in the sky
sometimes it falls too thin in between the lines
sometimes all you can do is say no
Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know
I said when I arrived in my old set of clothes
I was half a world away from my home
and I was hunted by the wolves
and I was heckled by the crows
Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know
I said Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know
We said Darlin’ do not fear…
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
a funny little story...
Everyone has a story.
A few people have asked me my story. I gave them a shorter version... ; )
And I cannot help but smile when I think about it.
So, today... I will share my story for you.
The story of the last year.
The story that makes me a believer in the verse...
"For His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts."
A glimpse into this journey.
March 2009 I was accepted to Hillsong International Leadership College.
There was more hesitation than excitement at that point.
A few days before I had gotten a job in the kitchen at Stillwater Medical Center...
I can laugh now (and my parents can too...) but for those 3 months I just felt very purposeless, so aimless...
I had just graduated college and THIS is all there was?
I had just been so involved in an incredible worship ministry and had friends everywhere and THIS was all there was?
I pushed through.
Realized I needed to start looking for another job.
I just wanted to sing.
Began looking for a new job.
A job opportunity was available in Labor and Delivery.
I applied. The day I quit the Kitchen job, I got an offer about the other one...
Completely and totally God.
I took the job with Labor and Delivery. Best thing I could have ever done.
The day before I was supposed to start my new job I got really sick and was in a lot of pain.
Spent a night in the emergency room... Tests. Scans. Money.
Right now I am so thankful for insurance. Like... forever thankful.
The next few months are sort of a blur, but long story short...
I ended up having to have surgery in November 2009.
Something that would not resolve itself. Something that needed surgery.
Without insurance it would have cost 9,000 dollars.
With insurance it cost 2,000 dollars.
Working at the hospital was exactly God's plan for that season.
The news after surgery wasn't the best.
The fallopian tubal torsion would just take time to heal. Could heal perfectly. Maybe not.
At the end of November I was feeling like I needed to be involved with LifeChurch.
I had been loving the 9 PM Late Service. Just wanted to serve. Needed to serve.
Needed to heal. Needed to see beyond myself.
I had resolved to be grateful to serve anywhere they needed... so I started calling around.
This part I have to throw in... because it is random.
(I had never wanted free Cheez-Its...ever..)
The week after I had come back from surgery I went to the late service.
I was feeling like I needed some free Cheez-Its after worship.
I left the room. Got some Cheez-Its.
The worship band (my friends) were sitting out in the lobby.
Caught off guard (You know the Cheez-Its and all..)
I was asked if I would want to start leading worship on the weekends.
I couldn't even believe it.
YES. I wanted to serve. I was fine serving anywhere.
But, this God met me where I was. And provided something that I love. Wow.
January 2010 I became committed to going to Australia in July 2010.
And the rest is kind of a blur as well...
I say that because it flew by, it was so fun...
I worked. Worshiped. Got up really early on Sunday mornings. Went to bed really late on Saturday nights.
Very purposeful. Very aim-filled?... ; )
I was able to save up money enough to actually come to Australia.
I was able to have fundraisers. And see how loved I am. And that was freeing and life-giving.
And I left the United States with everything and more that I had set out for. Goals were achieved.
Even down to the funny things.
And everything makes sense.
When I saw July (2010) written in the clouds in May 2009 It was true.
(I thought I was crazy...)
Although the doubts were still there.
This God; He is true.
He is not safe.
But He is good.
There are ups. There are downs.
So thankful for the jobs, the insurance, the tears...
The steps to get from THIS to THAT.
Hard. But worth it.
And His ways are different than ours.
His thoughts are higher. Way higher.
So, if you are reading this... know that YOU.
You have a story.
And you are a big part of my story.
A few people have asked me my story. I gave them a shorter version... ; )
And I cannot help but smile when I think about it.
So, today... I will share my story for you.
The story of the last year.
The story that makes me a believer in the verse...
"For His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts."
A glimpse into this journey.
March 2009 I was accepted to Hillsong International Leadership College.
There was more hesitation than excitement at that point.
A few days before I had gotten a job in the kitchen at Stillwater Medical Center...
I can laugh now (and my parents can too...) but for those 3 months I just felt very purposeless, so aimless...
I had just graduated college and THIS is all there was?
I had just been so involved in an incredible worship ministry and had friends everywhere and THIS was all there was?
I pushed through.
Realized I needed to start looking for another job.
I just wanted to sing.
Began looking for a new job.
A job opportunity was available in Labor and Delivery.
I applied. The day I quit the Kitchen job, I got an offer about the other one...
Completely and totally God.
I took the job with Labor and Delivery. Best thing I could have ever done.
The day before I was supposed to start my new job I got really sick and was in a lot of pain.
Spent a night in the emergency room... Tests. Scans. Money.
Right now I am so thankful for insurance. Like... forever thankful.
The next few months are sort of a blur, but long story short...
I ended up having to have surgery in November 2009.
Something that would not resolve itself. Something that needed surgery.
Without insurance it would have cost 9,000 dollars.
With insurance it cost 2,000 dollars.
Working at the hospital was exactly God's plan for that season.
The news after surgery wasn't the best.
The fallopian tubal torsion would just take time to heal. Could heal perfectly. Maybe not.
At the end of November I was feeling like I needed to be involved with LifeChurch.
I had been loving the 9 PM Late Service. Just wanted to serve. Needed to serve.
Needed to heal. Needed to see beyond myself.
I had resolved to be grateful to serve anywhere they needed... so I started calling around.
This part I have to throw in... because it is random.
(I had never wanted free Cheez-Its...ever..)
The week after I had come back from surgery I went to the late service.
I was feeling like I needed some free Cheez-Its after worship.
I left the room. Got some Cheez-Its.
The worship band (my friends) were sitting out in the lobby.
Caught off guard (You know the Cheez-Its and all..)
I was asked if I would want to start leading worship on the weekends.
I couldn't even believe it.
YES. I wanted to serve. I was fine serving anywhere.
But, this God met me where I was. And provided something that I love. Wow.
January 2010 I became committed to going to Australia in July 2010.
And the rest is kind of a blur as well...
I say that because it flew by, it was so fun...
I worked. Worshiped. Got up really early on Sunday mornings. Went to bed really late on Saturday nights.
Very purposeful. Very aim-filled?... ; )
I was able to save up money enough to actually come to Australia.
I was able to have fundraisers. And see how loved I am. And that was freeing and life-giving.
And I left the United States with everything and more that I had set out for. Goals were achieved.
Even down to the funny things.
And everything makes sense.
When I saw July (2010) written in the clouds in May 2009 It was true.
(I thought I was crazy...)
Although the doubts were still there.
This God; He is true.
He is not safe.
But He is good.
There are ups. There are downs.
So thankful for the jobs, the insurance, the tears...
The steps to get from THIS to THAT.
Hard. But worth it.
And His ways are different than ours.
His thoughts are higher. Way higher.
So, if you are reading this... know that YOU.
You have a story.
And you are a big part of my story.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
no biggie.
pushing through the homesickness today...
and the, "what the crap did I do?" thoughts as well.
Resting in the fact that God knows me by name.
He sees and He hears.
He is a good Shepherd.
and the, "what the crap did I do?" thoughts as well.
Resting in the fact that God knows me by name.
He sees and He hears.
He is a good Shepherd.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
2 things, ok maybe 3.
Observations 101
1) There are so many Asians... more than I ever expected. A person said the other day, "Asian Invasion." I have to agree. Although, I love Asians... they are cute and have wacky style and great hair... I don't mind that they are here. It does cut my chances at seeing/meeting a blonde-haired-blue-eyed-surfer-dude, but whatever.
Another observation...(so maybe there are three observations today.) Ok, so these said Asians are the pushiest of people on the bus, off the bus, on the street, off the street, in the crowd...it is getting kind of ridiculous. I just want to turn around and say, STOP I AM FROM OKLAHOMA!!!! (Jordan's advice to me! HAHA!)
No, but really, sweet Asian people, ... the pushing in and the sitting-right-on-your-lap-on-the-bus has gotta stop. Love ya, but mind your neighbor. I am not pushing you...
2) I am finding I am caught up in the Aussie accent. So, someone said "goodonya" the other day and I found myself wanting to sit and listen to his accent...but I was at a bank, so I thought that might be weird...
So remember two things today:
no one likes a cranky Asian...
goodonya- well done, be well, congratulations.
so... goodonya.
or good on ya.
or good on you.
1) There are so many Asians... more than I ever expected. A person said the other day, "Asian Invasion." I have to agree. Although, I love Asians... they are cute and have wacky style and great hair... I don't mind that they are here. It does cut my chances at seeing/meeting a blonde-haired-blue-eyed-surfer-dude, but whatever.
Another observation...(so maybe there are three observations today.) Ok, so these said Asians are the pushiest of people on the bus, off the bus, on the street, off the street, in the crowd...it is getting kind of ridiculous. I just want to turn around and say, STOP I AM FROM OKLAHOMA!!!! (Jordan's advice to me! HAHA!)
No, but really, sweet Asian people, ... the pushing in and the sitting-right-on-your-lap-on-the-bus has gotta stop. Love ya, but mind your neighbor. I am not pushing you...
2) I am finding I am caught up in the Aussie accent. So, someone said "goodonya" the other day and I found myself wanting to sit and listen to his accent...but I was at a bank, so I thought that might be weird...
So remember two things today:
no one likes a cranky Asian...
goodonya- well done, be well, congratulations.
so... goodonya.
or good on ya.
or good on you.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
a dream is a wish your heart makes...
I got to fulfill a dream tonight! I went to the Hillsong Conference 2010.
So anointed. So powerful. So exciting to be in the same room with some of the most influential people in the world...
Getting off to a great start.
Feeling better. (Was sick feeling for a couple of days.) Time travel and I were not fast friends...
All in all...things are good. Excited to move into my own apartment soon and meet my roomies!
Super Expectant about this year!!! WOW!!
For your viewing pleasure...
Acer Arena. THE Place To Be In Sydney...
Love You.
So anointed. So powerful. So exciting to be in the same room with some of the most influential people in the world...
Getting off to a great start.
Feeling better. (Was sick feeling for a couple of days.) Time travel and I were not fast friends...
All in all...things are good. Excited to move into my own apartment soon and meet my roomies!
Super Expectant about this year!!! WOW!!
For your viewing pleasure...
Acer Arena. THE Place To Be In Sydney...
Love You.
Monday, July 5, 2010
picture post.
The best family a girl could ask for. (Hey fam!)
I am here.
And now I am eating butternut pumpkin soup...which I have seen many signs about in the city.
It looks like baby food. Tastes pretty good. It is a cool day here.
So funny leaving summer and arriving in winter.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
a goodbye of sorts.
...and yesterday I stopped and thought, "what did I do to be so loved?"
my heart is full. more to come...
my heart is full. more to come...
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