I’m still on the Journey… November 9, 2010

When I first began this blog I was in Australia & I was experiencing a part of my journey that I never could have imagined.  What I am realizing now is that my journey was only beginning in Sydney, Australia at Hillsong.  Since returning to Pittsburgh July 2009, my journey here on earth has taken turns I never thought possible & has led me through lows & highs.  I experienced months of roots being torn from Sydney & needing to transplanted in Pittsburgh.  I met the man of my dreams, Ronald J. Lombardo & have been so blessed by him, but have been so challenged to maximize our relationship & partnership & to never take advantage – what does that look like for us?  We know that God has something amazing for us now & in the future, but how do we do that together?  I’ve invested my heart & my time into this community called the South Side & this church called Lifestone.  During this time I’ve realized the importance of tilling the soil because to reap a harvest from seeds planted, a well nourished soil is needed, one where weeds, thorns, roots, & stones, are removed.  I mean, a soil where evil spirits are dealt with; depressed spirits are rejuvenated with love, hope, & joy; where new life is made available.  And most recently my journey has led me to engagement & wedding preparation, as well as trusting my Father with a career path that seems to be so close to where my dreams have been.

What has my journey taught me? It’s taught me to trust in my Father.  Period.  No extra gimmicks or tricks or steps to success.  That’s it, trust God.  In the past couple weeks where I’ve been in employment transition, my heart has found it’s complete trust in God.  I know that my God will provide in all circumstances & that he will bring the Answer to the Questions that will come.

How do I continue my journey? Stir up the gifts & dreams that the God put in my heart, spend time in prayer, find myself in the Word, allow myself to be used by creating space & being flexible.

I know that the next 5 months are going to continue to take it’s twists & turns, but as I trust God & rely on his guidance I know that He will light my path as I am found seeking Him & loving His people.  I look forward to being more purposeful in documenting this journey of adventure & excitement that God has allowed me to be a part of…..

Why Do I Fear? January 17, 2010

Why do I fear to develop spiritual disciplines in my life?  Because I’m fearful of the natural outcomes.  For so long I never fasted because I was fearful of getting bad headaches or shaky – side effects of me not eating dinner at the right time.  I was so tied up in what I know naturally that I forgot to recognize that God is with me in all things.

Why do I fear doing or saying the wrong thing in a relationship?  Because I have worry from my past and am fearful that I’ll be rejected and thought less of.  I can be tied so long to past experiences in relationships & friendships, past hurts & wounds, that I forgot that my God has provided me with grace for every season and He still loves me even though I don’t deserve it.  And I forget that God has taught other people how to love, to love even me, despite my shortcomings.  I forgot for a moment.

No longer do I want to be fearful of those things that would hold me back & be strongholds in my life, because they will only hinder what God wants to do.

Romans 8:15 – The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.  And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

1 John 4:18 – There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made in perfect in love.

I want to live a life that is full of God’s love, free from doubt & worry & fear, because it is for freedom that Christ came, freedom from past hurts & mindsets. God, I thank you for your love & for your abundant grace that helps me through each day.  Teach me Holy Spirit, to walk in each day free from fear.  I don’t want to be held back but I want to move forward & grow into the daughter you have created me to be.

Change…again June 20, 2009

Life happens, it’s true, you can’t do anything to stop it.  If you tried to stop life, you’d be stopping opportunities and expectations.  The challenge is to believe that life’s happenings are opportunities and things to look forward to – this is the hope that we need to have to keep going sometimes.

I’m returning to the US of A on July 17, with change in the air.  I’m excited for this truly new chapter and season that I”m about to enter in to – I just really want to finish this season in Sydney well – and that’s what I’m finding a challenge.  There’s this tension between wanting to go NOW but yet still having the roots into this place that’s been home for the past 4 years and realizing the change that is going to be happening soon.

I can only take one day at a time, letting the tears come when they do and making lasting memories with good friends.  And on those days when I don’t want to make any decisions or take care of anything, I remind myself that to do change well I need to take it all in stride and just do it.

Superbowl Weekend February 4, 2009

K, so for those of you who missed it – Steelers won the Superbowl!  I was able to get the hours off work and watch the game live!!  I had my Terrible Towel waving!!  Yes, there were a few nerve-wracking moments at the end, but we pulled through and won it!!  So, just wanted to remind everyone out there that we are the champions my friends!!  Here’s one of the many Steelers Superbowl Parade videos to be found on Youtube:

PH Retreat February 4, 2009

This past weekend we, the Powerhouse community of Hillsong Church, encountered God in the most unbelievable way on the Central Coast.  It was my 4th Ph Retreat and the best yet!  There were 1000+ people from the ages of 18-25 – all of us coming for one purpose, and that was exalting the Lord our Saviour!

Retreat actually began a night early for me due to the fact that I’m involved with some of the Uni Ministry at one of Sydney’s Unis.  There were about 25 of us who stayed an extra night in Terrigal, just hanging out and building a real community between students from different Universities.  We stayed in this amazing house with a great view of the ocean.  The following day was spent at our first ever Uni Launch Program, where Chrishan and the team invested into the Uni Students, speaking vision and encouraging the students with what needs to be accomplished and what they’re able to do to be a part.

When we finally got to the first night I was ready!  It’s a remarkable how much working full time can alter everything.  At College I always had chapel and was constantly in God’s presence worshipping, however since working it takes a lot of my focus away and I’m simply in a different environment, so being at retreat was a true refreshing time of worship and hearing from God.  We had a phenomenal first night – right from the beginning everyone was in one accord, hungry to hear from God.  Thomas Hansen spoke – putting out the challenge to us live a life of prayer and believe in the power of God.

Friday morning  Robert Fergusson brought the word, using Isaiah 6-8:

• I saw – we see the glory and majesty of God
• I cried – we acknowledge the state of our humanity and that we are sinners
• I heard – we actually hear from God
• Here I am send me – then we GO!

Robert mentioned that a lot of the times at retreats people get all excited about the ‘GO’ part but they forgot the previouis 3 things, meaning that there’s no foundation or ‘legs’ to what we actually want to do.  We had an incredible time of praying for each other as directed by Robert; we were to pray for each other in tongues and then pray, praying Scripture – usually that’s the interpretation right there!  He wanted us to stir up the gift that has already been deposited in us.

The afternoon was spent at the beach!!!  We enjoyed a wonderful cafe and then just hung out at the beach, watching the boys play footy and the girls timid to go in the water.

And then there was the night session, one not to be forgotten.  Joel Houston and the team was leading worship and we just kept going.  We got to the end of the ‘planned’ songs, but God was definitely doing something and so they began to play prophetically and we kept worshipping.  Chrishan came up on stage and said that we were going to keep worshipping and that there was so much joy in the place.  Once he said that, the team continued playing prophetically, to a beat that made everyone jump and dance before God.  People were encountering God like no other and people’s burdens were being lifted and we were being stirred for more of GOD!  2 hours later Chrishan came up on stage and did give a very timely word about what are we committed to change.  If we, as a whole and individually, will be committed to aligning all that we do to God’s Word then we will see this Powerhouse movement go forward.

Saturday was another great day of sessions adn prayer and worship and connecting with friends.  Danielle spoke in the morning – she delivered a great message about getting rid of weights, those things that hold us back from accomplishing all that God has for us.  Then we prayed for different groups, those in the work place, those in uni, etc.  Chrishan also brought the tribal leaders on stage to honour them and pray for them.  As they were beginning to do that, someone came up to me saying that Nathan wanted me on stage.  Now I just started helping out with Uni stuff so I wasn’t expecting anything, but it was definitely an honour to be considered a leader in that capacity even though I know that it’s not of my own strength at all!!  And we continued by praying for the PH pastors, Nathan and April, Thomas and Catherine, and Ben and Carli – then Chrishan and Danielle.

Once again we headed to the beach and I got a bit too much sun!!  And then we headed back to the venue for the final session of retreat.  April spoke a challenging word of ‘This is your moment’ – calling us to claim what’s already ours and live in the power of God.  What can I saw it was a great retreat!

I really enjoyed meeting new friends and connecting more with old friends.  And I was definitely stirred to see salvation in friends and those that I meet.  This generation is going to make a stamp on history!!

2009 January 22, 2009

My 2009 – just like it’s YOUR 2009.  It’s a year to claim the promises of God and believe for His faithfulness.  Despite the good and the bad that 2008 brought,  2009 will have its own blessings, adventures, trials, lessons to be learned.  And there’s really only one thing to do with it all – take it one day at a time with a positive attitude that anything is possible, that change is possible, that each day creates new opportunity.

What are some of my expectations/goals (or resolutions if you so desire)?  I have quite a variety of them, but here are some:

• run a half marathon in May
• save money for Med school
• apply for Med school
• develop a richer prayer life
• really explore the supernatural that God has for my life
• develop a better relationship with Jason (my boyfriend)
• invest in Uni students’ lives and see them connected to church
• have a deeper appreciation for people in my world

There are always different dynamics going on in life: work, relationships, personal development, etc.  And while a balance would be nice, that’s simply not how life works.  So during my 2009, throughout the ups and downs, I want to remain on the immovable Rock and deal with challenges and continue to become all who God wants me to be.

I hope that your 2009 is remarkable – that it is marked by the faithfulness and generosity and blessing of our Father.

Pittsburgh’s going to the Superbowl! January 22, 2009

Well to all my Pittsburgh Steelers fans – how exciting is this!!!  We’re going for our 6th Superbowl win!  So I may not be in Pittsburgh to celebrate with the best of ‘em but I’m making due with what I got:  Internet radio, my official Terrible Towel, and the ‘Here we Go Steelers’ fight song playing:)

And the best thing is I have the people at work rooting for them as well!!  Woohoo!!  So on Feb 1, Steeler Nation will be rocking the house and I’ll be joining from the other side of the world:)

Thanksgiving all over the world November 25, 2008

My Thanksgiving celebration won’t be traditional to say the least.  First of all, I haven’t actually celebrated Thanksgiving since 2004 – shocker I know, but that’s what happens when you live in a different country I guess.  However, I will be celebrating this year and I am really excited about it – who knows maybe there will be a tear or two.  We’ll be celebrating on the weekend and there will be Americans, Canadians, Aussies, Kiwis, maybe some Asians – it will be a melting pot of people!  Despite the fact that it’s an ‘American’ holiday – everyone has something to be thankful for so why not include everyone in ‘our’ celebration.

What am I thankful for?  A lot   I have a wonderful family, beautiful friends, an amazing church, a great apartment in a spectacular city, good health, and most importantly, I have Jesus in my life and that makes all the difference!

I hope that all of you have such a great Thanksgiving, celebrating with family and friends, eating lots of turkey and stuffing and pumpkin pie!  Watch Macy’s Parade, play some flag football, relax…enjoy a special day to say extra thanks to all those in your world for all that they do.

Colour Conference November 25, 2008

To the girls: wherever you are in the world – just want to invite you to Colour Conference 2009!  It’s going to be an amazing time of celebrating Sisterhood and Womanhood and revealing what we can do together to be a might force of change on this planet.  Have a look at the website for more information!

Transition November 17, 2008

Transitions occur throughout the whole of our life:  between middle school and high school and college, between changing your major in college,  between school world and ‘the real world’, between jobs, between moving states (or countries), between singleness and marriage, between being a DINK (double income no kids) to having kids running everywhere, between raising kids to letting them go, the list goes on and can be much more detailed than that.  So since we can’t escape them, there’s only one thing to do and that’s do them well.

Everyone deals with transitions completely different – one thing I try to do in life is do the transitions in my life well.  We’re always leaving one season and entering another season – and I want to that well.   One thing I try to do is be self-aware (taking a good self checklist) of where I am now and where I want to be.  Also, I go with what I know because you can’t do anything with what you don’t know.  I know that God is faithful and my provision, I know I have a great family and great friends, I know I’m called to serve His house and love His people, I know that I’m supposed to do my part in being a positive influence in the world, just to name a few.

When one goes through transition, one can tend to throw everything out the window, making a new start on EVERYTHING.  This can be detrimental, especially if they decided to throw God and their relationship with Him and his Church away.  These are the things that need to remain constant to help get one through transition!  Without God there would be no guide or understanding or wisdom.  Without Church there be no community to help support one through the transition.  I know that I have definitely needed all of these things during this time of transition.

So while transition may consist of the ‘details’ of life…big picture should remain: God, our love for Him, and the relationships we have with good friends.  Keep the main thing the main thing – and do transition well.