Time for Teams

I guess I should start from the point that most people will have been waiting to hear… Where will I be going? To put it simply EVERYWHERE, I’m going to be part of the National traveling team and we will be going ALL over Australia from Brisbane to Perth to Darwin and lots of places in between, we will drive all across this nation in a 12 man van.

Before leaving I know I said I wanted to be based, I simply HAD to be on a local team and in all reality I stood a pretty good chance. I mean there are eight teams and only ONE is travelling, statistically speaking I had a very good chance of getting my way. But God doesn’t go by the statistics. Growing up I used to get very homesick and I’m still completely opposed to change, Mum suggested moving the place where the Christmas tree is ALWAYS located this year and I simply couldn’t handle it, when the pictures around home change I find it distressing, needless to say this will be a year of challenge for me. However even in my desire to be based God worked through me and my heart align with his, for it is His ways that I desire, this is something I will always be sure of. Within a few days of arriving on training, which began with a weeklong retreat for us, God changed my heart. I never made a choice I never dwelt on it for too long, my only prayer was “Your will be done Lord, this year is for you” I knew very quickly that I would be on the National team, God had placed it on my heart without my even knowing and I was ok with that. It didn’t frighten me, in fact it gave me a great sense of peace. My new fear was no longer “Oh no what if I’m put on the National team” but rather “What if I’m not” for I knew that it is what God planned for me and I just had to hope that the staff realised that too. This isn’t to sound presumptuous or stuck up, but to simply share with you my mind and heart so far. Thankfully the God gave the staff the same message and put me on the “Natty” team, all teams were announced on Monday 23^rd so at this point I’ve had some time to get to know my team on a deeper level. I was lucky enough to be put on team with one girl who I initially met at “The Beat” music school and who was then in my small group all throughout our retreat period and had quickly become one of my closest friends here, in saying that however ALL my team is amazing and I can’t wait to get to know them all on a deeper more intimate level. The National team consist of 11 people 5 girls and 6 guys. We still have quite some time here at Peregian (Peru-gee-in) the township where training is but I’m very excited to start ministry with these people.

All other news, in my opinion, seems to pale in contrast with team announcements but for a brief recap: it has rained almost solidly since arriving on training (which is very odd or so I’m told, so I think I brought the BOP weather with me) kangaroo’s casually hop around the property (no joke, although you can’t pat them cause they’re dangerous but they make great photo opps) we have had a week of retreat and getting to know each other (which has been the most blessed, fruitful, amazing, challenging time of my life) we have visited Noosa and a bunch of other beach side towns, played sport, laughed, cried, joked around a lot. NET training thus far has been so awesome and so difficult, praise God.

 PS check Facebook for photos! xx

 AMDG

Aussie Update

Australia, the land of baby eating dingoes and a vast array of deadly spiders and snakes is surprisingly not as inhospitable as it sounds. I have patted a dingo and no young children were harmed in the process and even a snake and lived to tell the tale. At this point I have just finished my time at “The Beat” music school which was amazing but also stretched my musical ability and forced me out of my comfort zone. We had numerous “hands” workshops in which we focused on our particular instrument, which for me was acoustic guitar along with this I also took a lesson on how to put psalms to music for mass, how to lead worship and had the chance to play in a band. During our time at “Beat” we also had an event called “Heartbeat” which for those of you who have been to “Setfree” or participated in a “FOP” it was a similar experience to this; it was held on the Sunday night and was an amazing experience of praise and prayer.

Aside from the hands on side of music training there is also definitely a social aspect, there were 20 some “netters” at “beat” and it has been so awesome getting to know them, along with some of the staff. I went to “Lone Park Koala Sanctuary” in which I saw PLENTY of koalas, patted a dingo, kangaroo, snake and a lizard the size of me forearm it was so much fun to play the tourist and take in some good old Australian wildlife. Tomorrow (Wednesday 11^th) I will be going into Brisbane city with of a few other “Netters” and we hope to go to Southbank which is a manmade beach as well as taking in the sights and sounds of the city. For the duration of music training I have been staying with a host family which already has four children, a very big change from my life as an only child but they are all so lovely and kind I was also lucky enough to be put with Katrina so she and I are staying together at the same host family. As of today (Tuesday 10^th) I have two days off and then orientation and on Saturday will be heading off to begin the actual five week training. At this point the hottest day we’ve had got up to 40*c but luckily it’s a FAR drier heat than NZ so I can maintain my straightened hair, which is such a blessing!!

Today (Friday 13^th) was our orientation it was so much fun to meet everyone who will become my brothers and sisters for the next year, a big change from being an only child! Tomorrow (Saturday 14^th)  we are driving to where we will be having training for the next five weeks all the locals say it’s absolutely beautiful but I shall have to wait and see, as I have high expectations coming from NZ which is debatably the best country in the world, although I’m biased.

I am having such an awesome time with incredible people, well that’s about it for now, all the best and hang tight for the next update as I think my access to internet will be even less than it had been but I WILL update you when I can promise!

I love you all so much and am having such a fantastic time in Australia, I am truly blessed.

AMDG

PS. Please note I wrote this in advance of the date I was able to publish it because internet is scarce so I never know when or if I’ll be able to post. Also When I am able I will post pictures on my Facebook page but that may not be for quite some time yet but I will do my best.  Lastly please excuse the mismatch of dates this post was written at different times.

so long farewell auf wiedersehen goodbye

Tonight is my final night here in NZ before I depart for NET Australia tommorow. I am filled with mixed emotions but regardless of how I currently feel I know it will be an adventure that will change my life and that God knows what he's doing with me. I wish I had time to write a long message but I really don't I left my packing a little to long and now I'm a bit stressed, but that's just me forever a procrastinator.

To my friends I love you all very much and please pray for me, I promise I'll be praying for all you NZ'ers and of course my non kiwi friends too.

I will do my best to keep this updated with what's going on in my life, with my thoughts, madness and ministry. However please be patient as I don't know how much internet access I will have, especially during training but I promise an update will happen as soon as I can manage.

That's about it, off to start a new adventure and God help me.

AMDG

Happy Birthday Jesus

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the land
Not an inn had a room not even a bed.
The couple walked on with donkey in tow,
In hope that baby Jesus would soon be there.

They knocked on each door, and everyone said
There is no room, for you to lay your head.
But one kindly man had a stable to spare,
He said you can have your baby there.

At last it was Christmas and in a stable with sheep,
They welcomed their baby into the world and lay him to sleep.
The wise men came with their gift and their presents,
To welcome the Lord on this earth from Heaven.

Twas a glorious day that out Lord did come,
And now we shall celebrate all he hath done.
Happy Birthday Jesus have a good day,
All who love you have many thanks to say.
We know that we fail, we stumble and fall
But we know that this season is for you and I thank you on behalf of all.

Merry Christmas everyone and don't forget "Jesus is the reason for the season"

AMDG

The best offense is a good defence?

How often we here this quote in the world of sport, and it is true a team cannot win if they cannot score, defence is key. However, let us not forget them importance of attacking, while the above may be true it is also as true to say a team will not win if they do not score, I am talking about the offence, we mustn’t forget the necessity of attack if you hope to win, because without it all you can hope for it a tie.

I’m not, however, talking about sport today, I am writing to remind us all of the importance of attacking for the faith. We often hear defend the faith, which is undoubtedly something we need to do especially in this culture of death. However if all we do is defend how can we win? The best we can hope for is a tie. We need to be ready to take a stand and attack. We see in our culture the poison Satan has produced, it is obvious he has infiltrated our defence so clearly merely defending is not enough, after all it's not called the spiritual battle for nothing. In a war if all one side did was hold out their shield and never raised a weapon to fight they would eventually lose. This is evident in our world, and even though Jesus won the war by dying on the cross there are still many battles raging around us.

I'm sure we've all seen movies when a girl has been hurt or taken and her father or boyfriend go after her, fight for her, take a stand and vow that her life is greater than his own, that he would fight to the death if he must. Jesus did this for us; he fought for his bride the Church. He fought to the death and now it's our turn to return the favour. If we love Christ like we proclaim we have to show it, we must FIGHT for the faith. Throughout history martyrs are numerous people died excruciating deaths because they fought for Christ, because they loved him. Looking around us we can see that simply defending the faith is not enough because our defence has wavered and broken and our society has succumbed to the ways of death, of Satan.

How do we fight? Prayer is first and foremost, everyday for peace and an end to the culture of death. We stand and declare our faith every chance we get when we are asked about our faith do not shy away, as we are often inclined to do because we want to avoid the awkwardness, myself included. We refuse to participate in the enemies work and strive constantly to help others and ourselves become more like Christ.

We are Christ's hands and feet and we must stand up for him, if we love him we must fight for him because love is sacrifice. After all Satan fights for his kingdom, so stand up Christians and embrace your cross and fight for the Church, Jesus went first and now if our turn to fight.

AMDG

break time blog

In the midst of study and exams I thought I'd take a break and make a post, well lets be honest I don't do a whole lot of study so it's not really much for me to take a break, but well done to you, the reader, for taking a break from your busy life to read what I have to say.

I want to make a recommendation today, last time I posted about music and iPods well today's blog is running along the same thread. For a couple of years now I've listened to a Podcast series called "The One True Faith" it is an AMAZING series of Catholic teachings, answering questions, breaking down lies or misconceptions of the Church, encouraging others in faith, apologetics, basically it is sound awesome Catholic teaching. It was recommend to me a few years ago and I go through phases of listening to them constantly and not listening to them for months but right now they are a go! I wont lie some aren’t as good as others but that is to be with anything. On a whole I find them an awesome way to learn a bit more about Catholicism and how to live it out in a world that tells us we are wrong. It is originally a T.V. show but has been adapted to podcast; you can download hundreds of episodes totally FREE and legal off iTunes, each lasting about 40 minutes of pure to goodness Catholic teaching.

I know this hasn't exactly been the most riveting update in the world of blog but it is one that I felt I had to make eventually, so if you don't already or haven’t heard of the series I thoroughly recommend you have a listen, it is a great way to learn about the faith as you go about your day!

AMDG

Jam for Jesus

Please excuse the title I wanted something alliterative and this is all I could come up with, but that is not the point.

I’m sure you, just like me listen to music, and most probably own an iPod. I simply LOVE my iPod, but at times I know I don't use it for all the right reasons. Even though the majority of my music is clean cut and Christian I do have to admit to having a minority of songs that include, to some degree; swearing, blasphemy or are otherwise promoting sin. But not anymore. I have decided to cleanse my iPod of any and everything that is not Christian or at least has TOTALLY clean wording and not promoting anything sinful, basically my iPod now has to fit the standard of: if I handed my playlist to Jesus would he be pleased or dismayed? (Just to clarify I'm aiming for pleased).

If you're anything like me you probably listen to your iPod daily, this is why it is so important that what you listening to promotes the Kingdom of God, because, as the old adage goes "you get out what you put in" we need to be constantly in EVERY facet of our lives be feeding ourselves things that are for the good of God, that will constantly remind us of his sacrifice, and for us this may mean sacrificing some of the more ‘popular’ music. If we listen to secular music it can bring us down, and subtly instil in us a sinful mindset allowing Satan a foothold in our lives without us really realising.

If you have already one upped me and your iPod already meets this criteria then perhaps you could refuse to listen to any radio station that is not Christian or that promotes the secular way of life.

If you are looking at this and thinking it makes sense but you don't want to give up top quality music feel free to comment and I can recommend  some awesome Chrsitian music!

We must strive to give EVERY area of our lives totally to God and that is why, even though it may seem fanatic, or frivolous our iPods too must be pleasing to God because we are a generation that loves technology but we must always remember to love God more, he blessed this earth with the amazing people who invented these things (RIP Steve Jobs) and therefore we should use them for his glory.

AMDG