twenty-six.

{written on 13.09.14 but published late...typical}

Today's activities:

• gym
• Paddy's
• FaceTime chats
• quiet time
• Pie Tin
• assessments
• Dove & Olive with the flatties
• gifts

Today has been pretty spectacular!
Starting things off at the gym with some of my favorite people doing something I love (working out), was brilliant!  I knew I would be eating a lot of food so going to the gym had dual purposes today :)

My bomb trainers Jake (left) and Chris (right)

I was able to FaceTime with two of my lovelies from home which was a nice surprise and made home feel a little less far away. 

My flatmates took today to another level: Sabrina make me my favorite, red velvet cake! When I went downstairs first thing in the morning there were massive balloons and cards.  Although our days were a little crazy, the girls made time to take Hannah (my flatmate whose birthday was the 12th) and I out to dinner at Dove & Olive, a lovely little bar/restaurant in Surry Hills.  Feeling like a normal adult and not like a college student was first-rate! I'm still surprised how nice it was to be surrounded by a "typical" scene.  I love college and I love being in that environment--I don't take it for granted.  But it's easy to forget what it's like "outside" and being reminded of what "normal" is was refreshing in a way that makes me want to change what "normal" is.

I digress.

When all 7 of us were finally home and were looking for a movie to put in the girls shouted "PRESENTS" and gave Hannah and I certificates to spas!!! 

UNBELIEVABLE, RIGHT?!

They're incredible.

College students who don't have a constant supply or surplus of money yet they find a way to dote on us! I was honestly shocked and am so honored to do life with these bodacious babes!

I am humbled by the love and kindness I've experienced today.  It's actually so special to me that I get to share my birthday with so many amazing people! I wish I could adequately express how special everyone has made me feel via text, surprise visits, Facebook, emails, cards, notes, etc.   

3 Guys & a Tambourine.

A few weeks ago one of my favorite bands came to Sydney: Hanson.
Hanson came to Sydney.
That's right--the "MMMBop" boys.

Not only was I luckily enough to see them, but I was able to go with the coolest kids! We had the best time even before the concert started.  But then the concert started.
AND IT WAS NEXT LEVEL!!!!

The whole thing was like being in this dream.  Such a beautiful dream.
Hanson has always been good and not the synthesized, over produced kind of sound that's kept a lot of "artists" in the studio.  Hanson is the kind of good that's natural, unforced, and real.  A few songs in they put down their instruments and did an a cappella tribute (with 3 key changes!) to the Bee Gees.
Flawless.
That's the moment I was convinced it was actually a dream.





Two days after the concert and I was still on cloud 9.  As I was journalling I realized part of what made it so brilliant: I had been waiting for 14 years for this concert!  Ever since "If Only" came out in 2001 I wanted to see them.  Fourteen years of anticipation does a lot for the whole concert experience.

Long story semi-short: if you get the chance to see Hanson, do it.



My 3rd round of Pentatonix is coming up this Wednesday--that'll be fun!

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God is with me.
God is with you.
He's weeping when we weep. Laughs when we laugh.  He experiences things with us, because He's relational and loves us.

What really takes His love to the next level and why He's so trustworthy (one a thousands of reasons) is because while He's with us, weeping, rejoicing, laughing, mourning, etc., He actually sees the big picture.  God knows the reason we're going through what we're going through and cares for us enough to not rob us of the opportunity of character development.

Romans 5:3-4 (ESV)

"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that 

suffering produces endurance, 

and endurance produces character, 

and character produces hope..."

I'll write something about that: suffering produces.

But for now I'm stuck on the idea of faith as another layer of skin as opposed to an article of clothing we put on when we need it.  Excited to develop that more...

Hillsong Conference 2014

Pre-conference
Typically when people find out you're serving with Kidsong for conference there's this moment of silence and a consoling expression.  And honestly, when I saw I was allocated to Kidsong my first reaction frustration.  It's no secret that conference is going to be quite physically exhausting, but some allocations are easier than others.  Kidsong (preschoolers for 12 hours a day for 5 days) is clearly going to be full on. But you have to decide to set your own expectations;

expectations regulate experience.

So I've decided on some things I hoped for this week: 

1) keep my own expectations 

2) keep a positive attitude 

3) no saying "I'm tired."

Tuesday

I said "I'm tired" last night :(

Overall I'm feeling good and I have a great pod group!  Red pod is awesome and is made up of 3 non-college volunteers plus myself.  It's amazing to me how much fun we're having and how well we get along for a random group of people.  Such a blessing!

I knew I wouldn't make it into any of the sessions, but I got a big surprise last night when I was told to have the night off!! (We do morning and night with kids) I was able to sit in and listen to Bill Hybels talk about scheduling and how we should taylor our schedules to the people we want to be instead of only the things we want to get done.  For example, he had meetings at church most nights of the week and was missing out on a lot of family time.  He decided to change his schedule to be a great dad and would schedule home time.  He wrote "home" in his calendar so he wouldn't forget to schedule it.  And let's be honest, for most of us, if it's in our planner, we'll do it, but if it's only in our head, we'll forget.

It was nice to sit in and was definitely a new way to look at my planner.

As I was sitting in the session and of course was pitying myself for not being able to sit in more of it, the Spirit so gently reminded me that Hillsong is my church.  I get the privilege of sitting under some incredible leadership 6 out of 7 days a week, multiple times a day.  The people at conference are coming from all over and most likely aren't able to say the same thing.  Now is my time to serve at conference. If I want to attend, I can do it another season, but for now, I serve.  

It's not about me anyway, right?

Right.

Wednesday

Still feeling good.  Grateful we had an earlier night last night.  I was in bed around 8:30pm and completely knocked out.  

Still having a great time with my team and my kids.  

The whole week is going by so quickly and I'm having so much fun!

Post Conference

My feet are beyond tired.  Standing most the day, holding multiple children at the same time, and all on very little sleep is quite expending.

I've seen the first half of "Rio" at least a half dozen times.  One of my kids gave me a present!! I got a little emotional; so sweet and thoughtful.  My kids were the cutest thing.  I really had the best time with them.  So much fun!!!! Jumping in a bouncy house and having craft time is seriously the best allocation ever!!!

One highlight of my week: seeing the look on the parents' faces when they see how happy the kids are to see me and the other leaders.  

My week was full of hugs that bowled me over, laughs at silly man Dan, unique renditions of "Let it Go" and lots of hand holding.  

The experience was brilliant; a dream.

I might be physically spent and still tired, but I'm spiritually rejuvenated and pumped for what's ahead!  New things are always around the corner: new seasons, new people, new lessons, and new revelations.

Be on the look out :)

Do you want to build a snowman?

Yep, Frozen is stuck in my head and honestly, I don't mind.
If you haven't seen the movie, see it.  Olaf cracks me up.
Anywho...


I've seen a lot of sunrises this semester, which is like watching an artist at work, but has also taught me about the importance of sleep.



My first year at HILC is almost through--I can hardly believe it!  There will be a time (and post) of wrapping up the year, but not quite yet.
We're heading into the Heart for the House and Conference season, which means we're pushing at full steam ahead!  I don't really know a time we haven't been at full steam, so it might be better to say the church is in a "surge" season.

Heart for the House is the time of year where Hillsong comes together and gives over and above their tithes.  At my home church we call it the "Thank You, Jesus" offering.  It's quite a special time in the church, but I've never really thought about the power behind it.  I regularly tithe, but have never participated in the Thank You, Jesus offering; it's not something I had a revelation about.  But this season is different.  I don't think it has to do with being at Hillsong, but more to do with the way Heart for the House has been explained to me:
Typically giving above my tithe hasn't been something I'd plan for or think on.  It was just something I'd do spur of the moment or not at all.  But the way Pastor Joel A'bell was speaking about it one service brought me to a place of understanding how investing this season can be.  (There was also a brilliant finance advisor who came into class and made the concept very clear!)  Long story short, I'm very excited and expectant over Heart for the House to see how God will stretch me and reveal to me about how to be more involved in His global mission.  Planning to be generous is kind of like taking on the best kind of dare; how much CAN I give?!
So I'm pumped for that and to see the fruit that bears.

Last week Monday I gave my first preach and I have to admit that it was pretty much awesome! I LOVED IT!! In preaching class everyone had to preach for 5 minutes and I was the 2nd to last one to go.  My tutorial mates are some of the most gifted people I've ever met and it was a privilege to see each 5 minute preach! When it was my turn, I was super pumped! I really felt like the Lord breathed a specific word in my heart for it and the more time I spent developing the idea into something feasible and practical, I could feel God affirm a lot of things.
God has given each of us special and specific gifts, but the gifting on our lives say little about us and more about His character.  I don't want to waste or limit and potential on my life, because I decide to rely on talent rather than steward the anointing on my life.  I'm comfortable with public speaking and I do believe it's one of the gifts God has given me, but I didn't want to leave the opportunity up to chance.  Am I making sense?  Basically it was a struggle to say to myself "practice your preach. don't just expect to get up there and communicate it well. By not practicing and spending time preparing, you are limiting the potential of what God wants to do."
I had been given an opportunity and I didn't want to waste it on trusting my public speaking history.  I want to trust that through diligence and good stewardship the Spirit would keep developing and molding the message into something greater than talent alone could convey.
Anyway, it went really well.  I loved it and got a lot of great feedback!  You don't do it for the feedback, of course, but it was nice to hear that I preached as effectively out loud as I did in my head :) I know I have a long way to grow, but it's very exciting to see some of my dreams actually coming to fruition!

The link below will take you to the video. 

I'm not putting it up to be showy, 

but to make it accessible to loved ones in the easiest way possible.

The preach

(Sorry about the blurriness, but I don't know how to fix it)

On a completely different note, my sister and I are hoping to participate in the 2015 Disney World Tower of Terror 10 Mile Run.  It promises to be a lot of fun, but the training process always reminds me of how strenuous new habits can be.  Trying to make running a habit isn't easy; there's always a better offer than to go on a run.  But as per usual faithfulness in one area has produced encouraging results: my mile time is decreasing and I'm running longer than before.  Apparently diligence and progress go hand-in-hand...surprise, hey?
So as I type and look out the windows and calculate the time before my run date, I'm searching my brain for excuses that won't leave me wallowing in regret. But I suppose that's what excuses always lead to, hey? Regret.  If I didn't regret something, then I wouldn't need an excuse.  So in about 2 hours I'll be on my jog through the park, most likely wondering why I didn't drink more water before I left.  It always happens. But I digress.  The point was to share my excitement that my sister initiated this adventure and the adventure I know awaits! Not to mention the health benefits and the consequences of feeling like a champion all the time! :)

Friends, let me end by speaking life into your week.

There's a lot of things waiting for you in your Monday-Friday, a lot of good and a lot of mediocre.  But choose to come at it from a good angle.  Receive everything with a light heart.  When new challenges present themselves, and they will, remember they are always paired with new opportunities.  New opportunities spawn new lessons, and as long as you're learning, you're making progress.

This week will be great!  It'll be full of promotions, new friendships, heightened passion for servanthood, and maybe even longer runs :)

Let's get ready!

Cross = Love: my testimony.

16 days 'til Easter and Hillsong has started a church-wide effort to spread the love of Christ throughout the city.  There's something everyday from encouraging three people to writing a thank-you note.  The small pamphlet is such a brilliantly creative, yet completely practical way to show love.  Once again, the team has fully equipped us to be on mission (MISSION DEI).

Today's bit is to "share your testimony with someone" and since I didn't have the opportunity to share with someone in the city, I figured I'll use what I have (this blog) to be on mission.  After all, that's my hope for this space: that it would lead people to Jesus in small and great ways, whatever that looks like for everyone who ends up here.

As you read this, please try and read it with a smile on my face.  I say nothing out of bitterness, blame, or regret.  I love my parents and have been healed from anger and an unforgiving spirit.  Forgiveness freed me. Forgiving freed me.

With that said, here's the "short bus ride" version of my testimony:

My parents got divorced with I was about 3 or 4.  The God I "knew" was the God who took dads away, so that's the God I grew up knowing.  God didn't really factor into my life one way or the other, good or bad.  My mom became really abusive towards my sister and I, but I've always been a happy girl.  I suppose I just thought things were normal; all kids had a bit of what was my everyday, right?

Things were fine.

But when I was 13 I got in some trouble with the law (which is all the detail you get in the "short bus ride" version).  So the last resort I had was to bargain with God. You know the prayer, "God, if you get me out of here I'll never (fill in the blank) again."  And the next day I was out.  

Three things came out of that:

1. I had just met Jesus for the first time (I didn't become a Christian, I just met Him)

2. it's the first time I knew God was real

3. and maybe He wasn't such a bad guy

So from then on things went back to my normal.  When I was 16 there was another incident with my mom and my sister and I ended up moving in with our dad and his new family.

He made my sister and I go to church and youth group. 

It was awful.

No one talked to us.  My sister had a lip piercing.  I had an eyebrow piercing. And none of the kids talked to us.

It sucked.

And then of course my dad signed us up for summer camp...

When the other students realized I wasn't who they assumed me to be (and that I'm actually awesome), things got better and I made friends.  The third day of camp, Stewie (the speaker) talked about how you play different roles in your life, specifically the fool.

I knew that was exactly who I was.  I was playing the fool.

I had been hopping from group to group, from the preps to the punks, trying to fit in.

I was playing the fool. Searching for identity.

That night I fell in love with Jesus.

And from there it's been a journey.  

Not always easy, not always tough, but I've never felt lost like I was before.  

Since July 15, 2005 I have always felt identified, noticed, counted, and cared for by God.

My prayer is that in some way this encourages you and that you would know your testimony is powerful.  Every story of salvation is a rescue story; get excited about it! Don't keep good news to yourself. And don't keep The Good News to yourself.

Tomorrow's goal is to encourage 3 people.

Have a go at it :)

'til next time friends.

cross = love

Pieces & Pictures.

Greetings, friends & family.  I know what you're thinking...

"SURPRISE! SURPRISE! SURPRISE!
She actually updated her blog!"

A lot of my evenings have looked like this, so I've been a little distracted :)

I'm sorry for the great delay, but it has been quite a full couple of weeks.

Isn't she precious.

We are just coming out of a great Colour Conference: Hillsong's women conference.  And I wish every woman could attend at some location around the world, but I kept visualizing (I believe with my heart more than my mind) that my Nonna, sister, and step-mom would be with me at one in the future.  Nonna's in her 80's but I know (in Jesus' Name!!!) she's got a whole lot of life in her :)

I discovered a new spot: Giles Baths.

It's a section of Coogee beach separated by rocks, 

which makes it kind of grotto-esque, 

without being sketchy.  

Psalm 1:3 says 

"That person (who delights in the law of the Lord) is like a tree planted by streams of water, 

which yields its fruit 

in season 

and whose leave does not wither -- whatever they do prospers."

What encourages me is the metaphor of a tree.  This sounds too simple to say, but whatever, if something isn't dying then it's living, which means it's growing.  I'm not in a fruit producing season, at least not one that I recognize.  But I'm also not in a "dead" season.  Which leaves me with my only option of being in a growing season.

Sometimes being here at this type of college can seem a little more grey than black & white.  A little more unsure of where I am than definite growth or definite backsliding.   So I'm currently taking comfort in the idea that I am a tree in a growing season that is working on producing fruit.

Does that make sense?

Like, an apple tree doesn't make apples all year long.  But when it's not making apples, it's in the process of growing them. 

I think I'm in that season.

Self propelling into the next stage is kind of fun.  Satisfying to know that you can be your own cheering squad to form new and better devotional habits.  Self-encouraging isn't something a lot of us are used to.

I'm content, but looking forward to the more that is to come.

Briefly, but worth mentioning:

Campaign Confidence - I'm towards the middle of the page. After the babe in the red dress :)

Campaign Video - A short video they put together of the day.

There was more, but in an attempt to save my post it deleted itself and quite frankly I'm mentally exhausted.

Thank you for your prayers.

I miss you. and love you.

The Storm that Took Over Sydney.

Catching Vision.

Vision Sunday: the day when Pastor Brian conveys his (and Bobbie's) heart and vision for the church for the upcoming year.  


It really sets the tone and helps everyone to be on the same page in regards to the direction the church is heading.  As Vision Sunday grew closer we kept hearing more and more about it: "Vision Sunday this..." "Vision Sunday that..." 
Facebook. 
Instagram. 
Every method of communication was utilized.  
The hashtag around it was #pioneeragain.  
I knew it was going to be cool, but it also felt very "for the church" and not like a personal investment.  I love Hillsong and being a part of so many things, but I knew all the pioneering talk was about taking the church forward and that's it.
Well...
I thought I knew...
And then Vision Sunday happened.
And I caught it. I caught the vision.

Here it is (the way I feel the Spirit put it in me as I sat in church on Sunday morning):
We are pioneering for the House as a whole, yes, but it's just as important for me to catch it for myself.  I don't believe #pioneeragain is just for The House, but for my life as well.  
God is doing something fresh in my life; taking new territory in my heart and spirit that has been previously uninhabited.
I'm excited.
I caught it.
Catching the vision and pioneering isn't only for me: it's for the churches, places, and people I'll be influencing, impacting, pioneering...it's all waiting for me!!!!

Something clicked.  I'm not sure what it was, but once I realized that Vision Sunday wasn't only about the church, but also my personal life...it's all barely explicable!  
Man, it's the coolest (which sounds lame, but trust me it's not)!

"Pioneering isn't just for ourselves, 

it's for others, too."

Ps Brian Houston

Today

SUPERBOWL!!!! 

It was great.  

It felt incredibly American and wonderful to be in a room full of friends singing the National Anthem, rooting for said teams (even though any enthusiasm for the Broncos became moot after the 3rd quarter), and the seasoned meshing with the new.

Basic half time show review:

Bruno Mars = killed it!

Red Hot Chili Peppers = what?!

After a great football game of our own in the dog park, I came back to spend some personal time with my Father.  I was reading about and picking up some wisdom, which are both activities more of us could benefit from.  Then I began to pray and somewhere in my prayer I muttered "Lord, do new things in my life." 

And then it hit me: HE IS DOING NEW THINGS!!!!

Ummmmm, didn't I just a few hours ago "catch the vision"? Have I already forgotten?!

I'm in Australia.  I'm at bible college.  I'm growing.  I've learned (and keep learning) about the Spirit.

Lynne, 

He is doing new things.  

New things are happening.  

Don't be a routine pray-er; not much about your life is routine. 

Thank you, Jesus!  

Refuse to let this get old or mundane.

Revel.

Revel in it all.

You are here FOR others.

You've been brought into the Kingdom FOR others;

for His glory.

Get about it!!

One last thing: whilst I love & miss many things about home,  I'm not envious of the snow.

 

< USA vs     AUS >

Lists and Thank Yous.

The end of 2013 is here.

When did that happen?!

Does anyone else feel like this year flew by in warp speed?

No?

Just me?

Ok.

This post will consist of a few lists: 

lists of firsts, 

things I've learned, 

and my hope for 2014. 

(Plus a few fun never-before-seen pictures that are purely fun memories)

(a few) First Timers

touched the Pacific ocean

met people from Finland

fell in love

ate a Kangaroo

wrote a sermon

pretty much everything in Australia

New Year's Resolution

only use the word "literally" when something is literally happening.

I invite you, world, to join with me in that.

(a few) Things I've Learned

• a sense of entitlement can be blinding
• the goal should be to help people, not to impress them
• America is the best. country. ever.
• an active relationship with Holy Spirit is just as important as one with Christ
• not giving 100% is a waste
• my heart is for home

(this is just a special inexplicable moment)

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this year.  Thank you Allen Yam's core tutorial for being the most extraordinary group of people and for relentlessly giving yourselves to the cause of Christ.  Each of you inspire me in a different way.  

Thank you, sisters, for carrying me.  For all the "ugly cry" FaceTime calls, the kind reminders of hope,  the silent hugs and times you just sat with me (possibly the most beautiful expression of love).  Your compassion is what got me through many weak moments, and is still keeping me moving.  I had no idea how many sisters I had all over the world; thank you for coming into my life when you did.
Stay forever.
I love you all.

Hope for 2014

My biggest hope for 2014 is that it would stay on this upward trajectory.  This year has been a time of deep heartbreak and grand freedom. 

Growth isn't often easy.  

And even as I express my hope for this coming year, I am in a season of trying to form new habits and take captive my thoughts.  But I've experienced so much grace and kindness from the Lord, I am assured He's aware of me (which sounds weird, yes, but knowing you're not forgotten is a sweet sweet thing).

I have no plans for 2014.  God has shown me time and time again that my plans are weaksauce compared to His.

So here we go, Lord. Let's do this.

Cheers to 2014!