Love Love Love

I heard this song today and it really reminded me of what we need in this world right now. Not saying we don't but it is real important to remember. Have a Good Friday!

Whanau

Words to express this past weekend. I know in my last post I touched on it a bit but I really want to get across how amazing this conference was! God really showed up and spoke through the leaders, worshipers, intercessors, and just anyone that was open to him. That's the key though, you have to be open to him and he will speak. It's like this, take your palm and hold it flat, the flatter you hold it the more you hang on. I know it doesn't make sense and it takes a lifetime to comprehend but it's so true! Think about it! One thing that I absolutely loved was that we sang the New Zealand National Anthem at the start of each worship session with this Maori woman Cindy Ruakere. She is epic! It felt as though we were going to battle. I myself feel as though New Zealand is full of warriors that need to rise up and proclaim what this land means to them! We sang part of the song in Maori which is the native tongue to New Zealand. It's so powerful. Anyways, below are the lyrics and some pictures I took while up in Tauranga.
Being up there really made me have ambition again with life. It was such a great "revival" if that's what you call it! Going back to a simpler life style is key. The simpler the better, it's real hard at times to live a simple life but once we do, imagine how easy it will be to praise the Lord, because of all our free time! For everyone back home, my eyes have been opened to see the true beauty of God. Western mindsets are the worst to see this properly. We need to not think logically but really just go with the flow and it will all work out. God's got us and there are no better hands to be in! Believe me, he's the one that protects, loves, endures the hard times with us, gives us opportunities to be strong. He does it all! Truly one thing that did happen this weekend was that I have fallen more in love with the one that loves me. He loves you too! When we are open and receptive to what he has for us it is soooo good! The shaking of the earth is an awakening to send out revival to the nations. Every nation will praise his name and will glorify him. Another thing that really hit me was that whatever we put between God and us is what he tears down, that we really hate but it has to come down. For me, I'll admit it was my truck when I was home, I just loved how I felt in it and it really made me feel good. Well I knew in the back of my mind that I should have sold it before I came out here in 2009 but a bigger part of me said, No, I'll keep it and all will be good. So when I got home to drive it, a week before I came back to NZ, It broke. Not only did it break but it was not worth fixing. So I sold it to a guy that could fix it himself. Anyways, once it was broke it wasn't hard for me to part from it. Not saying God purposely broke my truck, but the fact of the matter is that the truck was the one thing tying me to home and keeping me there. Everything else I own doesn't have much value to me because it's just "stuff" I have stuff here but wherever you go you get "stuff". Once I felt the freedom though of not being tied to home it was amazing and I really felt like I could fully be here and not have to think about what could happen or what's going to happen but to fully have my mind here. The freedom is amazing, he takes care of it all. I feel such a peace about where I'm at right now in my life and with the family and friends I have around me. Anyways here are the lyrics to the song. Look it up on youtube if you want to hear it sung. It's worth it! Trust me!

English version

God of Nations at Thy feet,

In the bonds of love we meet,

Hear our voices, we entreat,

God defend our free land.

Guard Pacific's triple star

From the shafts of strife and war,

Make her praises heard afar,

God defend New Zealand.

Men of every creed and race,

Gather here before Thy face,

Asking Thee to bless this place,

God defend our free land.

From dissension, envy, hate,

And corruption guard our state,

Make our country good and great,

God defend New Zealand.

Peace, not war, shall be our boast,

But, should foes assail our coast,

Make us then a mighty host,

God defend our free land.

Lord of battles in Thy might,

Put our enemies to flight,

Let our cause be just and right,

God defend New Zealand.

Let our love for Thee increase,

May Thy blessings never cease,

Give us plenty, give us peace,

God defend our free land.

From dishonour and from shame,

Guard our country's spotless name,

Crown her with immortal fame,

God defend New Zealand.

May our mountains ever be

Freedom's ramparts on the sea,

Make us faithful unto Thee,

God defend our free land.

Guide her in the nations' van,

Preaching love and truth to man,

Working out Thy glorious plan,

God defend New Zealand.

Māori version

E Ihowā Atua,

O ngā iwi mātou rā

Āta whakarangona;

Me aroha noa

Kia hua ko te pai;

Kia tau tō atawhai;

Manaakitia mai

Aotearoa

Ōna mano tāngata

Kiri whero, kiri mā,

Iwi Māori, Pākehā,

Rūpeke katoa,

Nei ka tono ko ngā hē

Māu e whakaahu kē,

Kia ora mārire

Aotearoa

Tōna mana kia tū!

Tōna kaha kia ū;

Tōna rongo hei pakū

Ki te ao katoa

Aua rawa ngā whawhai

Ngā tutū e tata mai;

Kia tupu nui ai

Aotearoa

Waiho tona takiwā

Ko te ao mārama;

Kia whiti tōna rā

Taiāwhio noa.

Ko te hae me te ngangau

Meinga kia kore kau;

Waiho i te rongo mau

Aotearoa

Tōna pai me toitū

Tika rawa, pono pū;

Tōna noho, tāna tū;

Iwi nō Ihowā.

Kaua mōna whakamā;

Kia hau te ingoa;

Kia tū hei tauira;

Aotearoa

A surfer at the beach in Mt. Maunganui.

Mt Maunganui, so beautiful with the sun! 

Leisure island, a great walk for inspiration! 

Connection

So it is Friday here in good ole New Zealand. I have been up in Tauranga these past few days, I flew up with my good friend Scott with the intention of seeing my kiwi family and settling him in since he is staying here for the next two months. BUT obviously God has some totally other plans for my life right now! Which he is totally rocking me in! There is a conference going on right now at the house of prayer called Before Thy Face. Normally in the states. Conferences are pretty big deals, right? Well here it is a bit different or perhaps I just feel different because I know half the people here and I am pretty good friends with the big time leaders. It feels like Whanau (f a new) that's the Maori word for family which is what this conference is about for the nation of New Zealand and specifically for the people of Christchurch. It is so amazing and I feel so honored to be here to represent the South Island in this time of prayer and this time of crying out to god to see what he is saying for the nation of this beautiful country! I was able to hang with my kiwi parents today which was awesome one funny thing that happened as we were talking and "debriefing" about life was that they called me a kiwi an "honorary kiwi" then tonight when we were listening to the speaker he said if you are an honorary kiwi you are connected to our Whanau! It feels so much like home here! Sorry America it looks like I probably won't be home for a while. Tauranga is such an amazing city imagine Minnesota on the beach with some Wisconsin thrown in. Quite the mix but the atmosphere is sweet. You have the chill surfers, the artsy people, the tourists and the locals.so I love it when God intervenes he has such a better plan than any of us could come up with. Like with Scott coming up here it feels weird to leave my good core friend for two months but at the same time I know we are both going to grow so much and the time is going to fly right by! It is a great opportunity to really see things in new ways like with the house of prayer and being in the presence of the Lord for two hours straight can energize you and bring real breakthrough in different ways! I'm stoked to see what's going to happen. We went for a walk today and it gave me so much inspiration to get back to my childhood and I know how silly this sounds but to run on the rocks up and down the mountain. That used to be one of my most favorite things to do when I was little was to really see how fast I could run on the rocks! (I never got hurt, knock on wood) anyways it's also the sound of crashing waves and how untamed the sea is that is the desire in my heart, to not rest until every nation knows Jesus is lord and knows of his love! Ok I really better get to bed! Big day tomorrow! Love you all!

Comfortable Cut-Offs.

Oh how one thing can really take you back... For instance it's wearing a cut off for me. I haven't worn one in like two years, and tonight I find myself wearing one feeling quite comfortable in it as well. Wearing one reminds me of volleyball practice in high school as well as FFA and in the summer on the farm. It is turning to fall here pretty quick now and I know at home it is turning spring, one thing I can honestly say I miss is the smell of fresh hay, manure (I know that's weird but it's true!) and the smell of new ideas! It amazes me how doing or wearing one thing can really take you back to certain memories! I love it, I believe that the way society is today that we often forget the simple things that make us really happy or that we "used" to feel comfortable with. It really is simple though! I am finding more and more each day that as seasons come and go, or as the weather changes that we need to live in the here and now. Meaning even in the bible it says don't dwell on yesterday and don't worry abou tomOreos but focus on what God is telling you right now and what he's teaching you! I'm super stoked although a little sad that I am loosing one of my best friends for two months, that God is going to teach me so much and really show me new things. You know that saying "God only gives you what you can handle" well I never understood the full meaning of it until a few days ago and that is: he only reveals certain things at certain times. Because when he reveals them we are ready to hear them and deal with them if needed. Seasons change so quick around here and the turnovers are fast that you do get used to it but you have to be careful to not become numb to the fact that everyone's leaving. I now look at it as we will keep in touch and I have a million friends all over the world that I can connect with when needed. I also love the support system that comes from it! Prayer is such a powerful thing to have and to be apart of! Reading about David (one of my favs) and how he is little but so mighty, God chose him because he had such a heart and he was going hard after Gods! I don't know if I shared this with you already or not but one thing that the south pacific and I guess pacific in general is being called forth into the nations to proclaim the Lords name! We are small but we're mighty! I think that's awesome because I take that on board being who I am and what God has instilled in me to bring to the table. I am so incredibly honored to be apart of this revolution that is taking place amongst us. A little girl from Argyle Wisconsin can make an impact on the nations through being here for all these people is amazing, if I can do it you can do it!!! This is just what's been on my heart lately over the past week or so. So through the struggles we still learn, I had a good catch up with the base leader who is just such a big bro to me, and we said or agreed on the fact that if you are uncomfortable or in a position that you're struggling with then that is good! Because you're growing, we as Christians need to sharpen each other. We really do forget that and focus mores on being good and comfortable rather than sharpening each other. I don't care if you're 16 or 80 we have a responsibility to one another to holdeach other up and accountable in a godly way. You could be the pastor of a church, a cook, a teacher, a farmer, a waitress numerous things but really we are all children in Gods eyes and he loves all the same. But as a sister to all you I want to do my part in upholding you in prayer and support, to tell you the hard things and come alongside you to work through what you're going through. To maintain that standard in the church and say, you are my family and I love you. The church I attend here is amazing I must admit because it is holy spirit lead and it really has that family atmosphere to it. Granted I do miss good ole Martintown with the way something's are done. Like greeting th people wound you Anne how much that one does feel at home. I also love the fact that although I'm 10,000 miles away from home this church has taken me in and given me the support of familyness and how so far can feel so close to home. So it is 1am on Saturday morning and I need to sleep. Goodnight!!!

Dude...

I apologize for not updating... It's been on my mind for the past week and a half. This past week was Angels and Mortals. So you have someones name and you bless them through out the week, then someone else has your name and they bless you. It's like secret santa in a way. I love this week because on Thursday we have this massive meal and celebration. It was so great! I had a vision and went with it! We had Peach and Walnut Salad, Pasta Salad (my mom's recipe), Bacon Wrapped Chicken breasts with Gravy, Roasted Parsnip, Kumera, Pumpkin and for dessert I made white chocolate cheesecake. (pictures below) I loved it. One crazy nights like these I don't get stressed, it tends to be that when the stress level of other people goes up mine goes down. I was super tired the next day and I could really feel it in my muscles. At the love feast though we had about 110 people eating, when I walked out of the kitchen, it felt like 20 people were in there. It is such a big family here, all the way from a 5 month old baby to a 90 year old grandmother. It felt like Christmas. No matter what you can make a complete fool of yourself and people give you the grace or the space you need to grow. That's what I love here! Anyways folks, here are some pictures from the night...

All the cheesecake soldiers lined up to go out!

White Chocolate cheesecake with mint leaf, cherry, and chocolate garnish. Powdered sugar sprinkling.

There were no more little spoons so these peeps used my big mixing spoons...

The set up of the room.

This was my angel, Jeremy he is the base leader and my big brother....

Scott and Justin jumped in for a picture...

My good friend Scott...