Sunshine in the Winter

Well once again it’s been a long while since my last post. So much has happened since my last post, I  completed my first semester of Hillsong college, I was blessed to be a part of Hillsong conference 2014 – which can I just say was mind-blowing! Mmm what else, I celebrated my one year anniversary with Tim and I cooked my first lasagna away on my own. So let’s be real..it’s been a productive time.

This past weekend I had the awesome opportunity to visit my family in Brisbane, Queensland. I flew in on Friday 18 July and before I knew it I was already back in freezing Sydney

.

My trip to Brisbane was spectacular, was such a blessing to see my family that I haven’t seen in over 10 years and was absolutely spoiled by them. I loved the city of Brisbane, most of all I loved the sunshine. We went to the Gold coast for the day and well I found myself more than at home with my feet in the sand, salty breeze in my hair and sunshine beaming in my face -  heaven!

Can you believe in the dead of winter, there I was soaking up the warm sun! Who knew just an hour and 15 minute flight away was a place that reminded me of home.

Finding the sunshine in winter made me think a little bit about life.

Finding sunshine in winter was like …being welcomed home by my lovely Guatemalan friends, Ale and Christian who are such a blessing – and gave me a ride home.

It’s like… coming home to your roommate and housemates you haven’ t seen in weeks  and catching up over lost time

It’s like the realization that you have Monday off and can sleep in – and yes I slept in till 12pm ;)

It’s the feeling of peace and ease that I don’t have to struggle with money this month because my uncle and aunt blessed me with some extra money.

It’s like the feeling of being so refreshed after a weekend away and being ready for the next semester!

So it’s basically like CHRISTMAS in July, which it is indeed! Despite the cold, there is love and sunny happiness!

Much love

A little thing called GRATITUDE

So I’ve been living in Sydney doing Hillsong life now for almost 5 months and one thing that keeps flashing it’s face at me is a little thing called GRATITUDE.

//God

Now more than ever I have been in total awe and gratification to God for getting me to where I am today, living my dream and being able to learn and make way for greater things. In the beginning I found it SO easy to complain about the little things;

…I don’t have a car so now I have to walk

…I don’t have a job so have to be extremely cautious of my money and only buy essentials

…I have little to no free time and a very full college schedule etc…

BUT then  I had some realizations…

…I don’t have a car, so now I walk, which means I get an hour of fitness every day, also means I am healthy and capable of getting to places on my own, even get to experience the adventures of public transport. Thank you Jesus!

…I don’t have a job, YET, giving God so many opportunities to open my eyes to receiving blessing, see the love and generosity in people to bless me and also teaching me how to handle finances. Thank you Jesus!

…so I am tired most of the time, but why did I use to see this as a bad thing? Being tired means I’ve had a full productive day. I’ve been placed in the most active serving areas which requires my utter most attention and reliability. This may not be soon as ‘cool’ to a college life student but I now see it as the biggest challenge for me to grow- Bring it ;) Thank you Jesus!

Joel A’bel once said how do we live in gratification? Simple- Learn the most you can out of life because God is more interested in who you are BECOMING than what you simply can achieve right now.

//Parents

Only when you move away from home do you realize how freaking amazing parents are. Honestly would have never been able to come to college without their support. So thankful to God for giving me parents who have NEVER questioned what I want to do with my life, ALWAYS support me (and my expensive dreams) and always make me feel like everything is going to be okay.

//Family

Been so thankful for family and their love and generosity to me here in Sydney. Family I have not seen in years have just showered me with phone calls and support as well as family friends here in Sydney that have blessed me beyond words with meals, furniture, airtime, rent money etc.

//friends

God has been so good to have blessed me with such a lovely house of girls here, making my house a home. Making good memories and more than that meeting some new friends in the different serving or learning areas of college has been inspiring and just such a blessing. Secondly being here made me realize how crazily grateful I am for amazing friends back home that are so supportive and just so great with maintaining deep friendships with mail, skypes, messages, texts etc. Man I miss them, I am seriously surrounded with people of gold!

//Church and support

To all the support I got from church back home, I am so thankful for every prayer and word of encouragement. To the wonderful couple who sponsored my air tickets, without them this trip would have been impossible and their investment in my growth and potential was just so encouraging to this day!

//Timothy

Moving overseas choosing to leave your loved one behind is never ever an easy thing, every other day I still get those moments that I wish I could hop on a plane to just see his face but I know for now God has called me to be here. But I thank God for Tim every day, he has been the most loving, committed and caring man. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be blessed with such a kind hearted guy who is not only such a beautiful creature (haha) but so talented and in love with Jesus. I chose a man who allowed me pursue a deeper love for Jesus, a man who always gives me the freedom to follow my dreams. So I guess at the end of the day I am just so ridiculously thankful to have Tim in my life because his life shines JESUS more than any human in my life.

Life is too short to not be thankful for the little details. xxx

A Season of Challenge and expectation: Hello Hillsong, Hello Sydney.

So it’s been a while…. A long while… but I finally found myself with a little free time to get back into my thoughts, well online anyway ;)

What’s been happening since I last posted:

1.       I moved to Sydney , Australia

2.       I study worship and theology at Hillsong International Leadership College

3.       Made some seriously cool international friends

4.       I live with 9 amazing girls from all over the world

5.       I walk everywhere and miss my car dearly

6.       I cook and clean, hello domestication!

7.       Tim and I have been dating for nearly 11 months, taking down long distance like a boss

8.       My best friend Mandi and her cool Mexican man, Dan got hitched a week ago and I was blessed to be her maid of Honour

9.       I just turned 24 on Monday

10.   And life goes on… the tales of everyday life!

Well A LOT  has been happening. Life in 2014 is one big adventure and every day I am learning something new and being challenged. But what is life if I am not challenged and continuously moving forward? Sometimes I have to remind myself this everyday… keep.moving.forward.

I came into this year with one verse:

Joshua 1:9

This is my command be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged because the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

This verse has stuck with me and has been my truth for this season, my point of reference and my motivation.

Hillsong 2014, what a rollercoaster it has been, from getting my visa two days before leaving, to going to an ENT specialist in Sydney afraid of vocal damage, moving into a mansion with no fridge or furniture for a month, running out of money, making new friends, learning about my identity, being challenged about my values, being stretched in my serving, being disciplined in my vocal skills…the list goes on.

At the end of the day all I can say is that without FAITH this journey would have ended a long time ago, without trust in God I would have quit. But I am glad I didn’t. I am so excited to see where God steers me in the next 8 months in Australia and I am continuing to pray for bigger things and open eyes. College is slowly but surely changing my life, one baby step at a time... lets see what happens shall we.

Till next time xx

The Modern day Deborah

Judges 4:7-9

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁷ And I will call out Sisera, commander of Jabin’s army, along with his chariots and warriors, to the Kishon River. There I will give you victory over him.”

⁸ Barak told her, “I will go, but only if you go with me.”

⁹ “Very well,” she replied, “I will go with you. But you will receive no honor in this venture, for the Lord’s victory over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh.

What type of woman do you want to be?
The normal or the exception...

Deborah was the exception to the Rule, she was a brave leader, a warrior of her time!

She inspires us to act with authority, live without fear and listen to God for his wisdom!

This is no lady for the feint hearted, she was bold and ready for action! People admired her and came to her palm tree for council.

What would it look like to be a woman without fear, what would the world look like if woman stood in the gap and took up the seat of courage? How much more beautiful can a woman be, who is powerful yet with such grace and poise!

The story of Deborah is a tale about a woman who was aligned with God and served His will with fierce determination. She stood her ground as a leader! If woman could be this strong, how strong would her man have to be? In order to lead her, he would have to be twice as brave and strong in order to be worthy of submission by such a woman.

Living courageously, with no fear!

Happy weekend xxx

The Leap… challenging your heart and lifestyle. #youngandfree

So I think the thought of the future is half and half for me... half scary half ‘ I- can’t- wait -excitement’. Today I received my certificate for enrolment to Hillsong College 2014. A lifelong dream I have wanted to do since grade 8. It’s almost weird now, being older that these ‘dreams’ can actually come true.

On the other hand it’s a scary thought, leaving al you know behind you, leaving PE, my home town for the past 23 years. I come across people always wanting to run from this place, patting me on the back for ‘finally getting out’. But I don’t see it like that; I love my city, the simplicity of it, the chilled life, small town, friendly faces. I KNOW it all too well. Yes, I am a creature of comfort and I dislike change… so 2014… will be one of the biggest changes my eyes will ever see.

Yet I can’t wait to see what Hillsong has in store for me. I can’t wait to journey with a bunch of new people from all over the world that shares my passion for worship and ministry. I can’t wait to finally be free to write music and play my instruments in an environment of musicians, I can’t wait to see how God is going to change me and mould me after the year.

To tell the truth I am too comfortable here, life’s a peach. Friends, family, a job, live by the beach, got a good man by my side, working with youth and worship and I am alive and healthy. What more could you want? Well everyone needs a challenge, what better way of challenging yourself when you at your most comfortable happy place in life!

One thing is for sure. I am a blessed. One of the biggest changes I had to go through this year was, well … I met the man of my dreams. No but really, haha I asked God for a very specific guy, VERY SPECIFIC. And the funny man upstairs decides to give me everything and more that I asked for! WHAT A DAD! It’s crazy looking back now, I am dating my Hillsong Boy and I haven’t even gone to Hillsong yet! The thought of long distance is a frightening one, BUT I also know that God is good and he knows best.

My mom asked me the other day ‘Kel are you happy to have a boyfriend?”

My answer “haha mom I’m not happy to have a boyfriend, I was perfectly fine before this, BUT I am happy I am with Tim”

It’s about the person and not his title ;)

.....................yip it's about to get lame and cheesey

He will probably never read this so I am a free bird writing what I want ;) But if I can sum up anything it would be that God brought us together because of our mutual desire and passion for worship and life! Something simple grew from small beginnings into a deep friendship that blossomed into something that makes me smile every day.

Timothy Heine, the man that challenges me to be even stronger than I was before, he inspires me to get closer to God and love God more than I could ever love him or anything for that matter. He taught me to see a whole new world of compassion and love for people. He taught me to be generous and give people my time and patience. He proved that getting angry is a waste of our precious time and he also showed me that honouring God with EVERTHING is the bottom line.

I am quite excited to see where God takes us in the future and pray he takes us to new heights in our ministries both separately and together.

So that’s it from me for now… thoughts for the day,

Peace xxx

 

 

Thursday thought: Chivalry at it's best!

Thought for the day...

A young gentleman, a chemistry student who had assisted me at a work week earlier this year, emailed me asking a favour. This student always amazed me because he was just so ridiculously polite. He would take off his cap to greet other staff or woman in general, or he would just speak to his fellow classmates in such a kind and peaceful mannor.

Anyway in his email he would refer to me as mam, even though I'm possibly the same age haha and then just the words he used such as: "may I kindly ask a favour of you". Furthermore he would always answer when spoken to , reply to my emails stright away, help when needed.. well this all really made me think. When he came passed my office I made a point of saying that I really enjoy his politness, he is such a gentleman and he is going to make a lady very happy one day if he carries on like that ;)

Nevertheless, long story short. He kind of laughed, shyly and said thanks. He also added that it's something he is conciously working on. BUT what shocked me is his next statement, he said "Well is it a good thing, is it not maybe seen as a weakness?"

I look at this guy, stunned. and say "No, you sir are a true example of a gentleman and your humilty is really admirable, whoever made you think chivarly is a weakness is insane, so don't stop!"

Chivalry is never dead. In today's society it's just become watered down, and sadly become a norm that people in general don't have to set a super high standard to be polite anymore. The most beautiful thing to me is how a man will treat/speak to a lady, It's CHIVALRY at it's best. (mmm lucky for me I personally am blessed to have found a true gentleman to be part of my life too...haha but that's just my own story)

Okay, so I'm not a guy, do other guys see this as being a weakness amoungst other guys?
To be softer spoken, and gentle... To answer to a woman if she needs it... To care when it's not expected... To give utmost respect even if its not the norm in the world..

This is not a man bashing post at all, on the contrary I believe there are true gentlemen around. And if anything, as a woman, we need to encourage men, male friends, fellow colleagues, syblings etc to embrace the gentelman within. Pay respect where respect is due ;)


Keep it real xxx

Finding the strength to fight fear

Proverbs 31:25

 

To be a woman who is clothed with strength and dignity, she has to find within herself the courage and boldness to not doubt the things around her.

 

God has chosen woman to be his expression of emotion, his expression of vulnerbilty and beauty. With that comes the human side of insecurity and fear.

However PERFECT love casts out all fear, as a woman clothed in his LOVE, we need to understand that we are CHOSEN and given the ability to feel EVRYTHING and experience a million emotions. a gift? haha some would think it is a curse.

 

Its scary. its scary to be vulnerable. To be open. to have the courage to let others see you, to let others care.

And when the time comes when people dissapoint you, when you feel like nobody cares. That is when WE MUST LOOK UP and seek GOD for that inner strength to overcome our fears.

 

xxx