And the award goes to...

I definately think that Brian and I should get the slacker award for blogging.  In our defense the past month and a half has been a whirlwind!  Since I know you all are dying to know what we've been up to the past month (ha!), I will give you snip-its into our life...

1.  We MOVED!  Thats right for the 3rd time since August we packed up our things and moved.  We are becoming professional packers and movers!  We are no longer in the college housing.  We've moved to the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney near the bay.  Its a BEAUTIFUL area.  And we are able to save heaps of money by living here.  We are so blessed.

2.  I'm applying for my 2nd Visa in 6 months!  Yeppers, thats right, I'm back to the Visa process.  But its for a wonderful cause.  My company, Lindamood Bell, promoted me and with the promotion I need to be able to work full time.  However, on my current visa that is not possible.  So they have agreed to sponsor me so that I can be full time status!  Again, we are so blessed.  However, we NEED your prayer.  This is a very vigorous process.  We (my work and I) are finishing up the application and submitting it this week.  The business sponsorship is a hard visa to get approved.  So we need your prayers!  Please join us in praying and believing for my visa to come through, so I can begin full time work by July 3rd!  We are believing for a miracle!

3. Brian is playing in Hillsong College Chapels!  Brian has the honor and privilege of being one of the few worship students to play in the chapel worship band at college.  If you know Brian, you know he is LOVING it!  Anytime he has an opportunity to engage others in life changing worship, he is stoked.  God is really raising him up in leadership. 

4. KEYBOARD!  God is a God who provides.  And we've seen this to be true through this whole journey.  God keeps showing himself as our provider...even in our wants.  We've been praying for Brian a keyboard.  As most of you know, Brian isn't just passionate about playing and singing but he is passionate about writing music.  In order for him to practice and write he really needed a keyboard at the house.  So we began praying.  And in about 2 weeks we had a keyboard GIVEN to us.  Thats right-given.  For free.  Amazing.

5. Brrr...As you all in the northern hemisphere are in full swing of summer, June 1 marked the first day of winter for all of us southern hemisphere residents.  I am so confused.  Each time I write the date, this messes with my mind.  My internal clock is WHACKED.  Winter in Sydney isn't too bad.  Winters primarily consist of sunny and crisp days. Today it was about 60 degrees and sunny...I can handle that!  And on Saturday we went to the beach...I'm not complaining!  However, this was after about 2 weeks of rain...ick.  Autumn is rainy season, so I was welcoming winter!  

6.  MEGA PRAYER.  We got to experience our first Mega Prayer Night at Hillsong.  This is a service the church gathers all campuses and has a 2 hour service of worship and prayer.  Unbelievable.  This was the BEST and most POWERFUL service I've ever attended.  I felt like I had a glimpse into heaven.  I can't begin to put into words.  But the Spirit was thick.  

7.  Across the Earth...Hillsong United released another album May 26 in the USA.  It hit #1 on iTunes beating Eminem...how crazy is that?!  If you haven't listened to it-YOU MUST!  This is my favorite United Album.  Unreal.

Well, that about catches you up.  I promise not to take such a long absence.  At the suggestion of a friend, I'm gonna start carrying my camera EVERYWHERE and take pictures of our experiences so we can keep blog-land updated more frequently and with more pictures.  Again, we are blog slackers.

xoxo

b & erika

If i have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

If there is one thing in this world that I am thankful for, it is the life that I have been graciously and undeservingly given. I was hit today with a very harsh reality that was very amazing to me. http://www.globalrichlist.com/ On this website is a calculator where you put in your annual income and it shows you where you are on the worlds "Richness Scale." I put in on that scale what Erika and I were making when we first got married, and I was slapped in the face, when I saw in relation to the rest of the world, how well off we are. 

I have been getting involved with I Heart Revolution, and I am so excited about this movement.  I really think that it is going to be something that impacts this world in an incredible and mighty way.  As I see and work with these issues, I am realizing more and more that we as Christians are supposed to have an attitude of love and generosity, and really to the point that we think is crazy or makes us uneasy.    We weren't blessed with the money or the things that we have so that we could hoard those things and keep them all to ourselves.  Thats not what it is about at all.   I love 1 Cor 13, most people know it, but I really like where it says in verse 6 where it says' "Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth."  I know that with a lot of homeless people in the states that the mentality is to just say that those people made the choices that led them to where they are, and they are just draining our society.  Well I would venture to say that most people haven't gone up to a homeless person and really sat down with them to ask them their story.  I would encourage everyone to do that,  I think that many people will be surprised what they find out.  

That goes with the rest of the world to, not just the homeless people in the States.  There is so much going on all over the world that we don't see in the news, or media.  There is so much injustice in this world, and it is so easy for us to get into a rut and ignore the strife of this world just so we don't have to leave the comfort of our routine lives.  I encourage you to do things to make a difference in this world starting with just stepping out of your comfort zone and talking to the people that you wouldn't normally talk to, or help the person that helping them might be an inconvenience. 

I thank you for reading what God is doing in us, please let us know what is going on in your lives, we love the feedback and hearing how people are doing.   

I will leave you with this,  If you haven't read 1 Cor 13 in a while, sit down and read it slowly and really chew on what it is saying.

blessings

brian

Colour Your World.

A couple of weeks ago Hillsong Church hosted their women's conference, Colour Your World, where literally thousands of women come from all over the world.  I was able to be one of 20,000 other women who had their life changed and turned upside down by what the Lord did at Colour.  Here I am two weeks after the conference and I am still processing and journaling all I experienced.  I have NEVER been so empowered as a female in leadership and woman of God.  I am blessed to be apart of a church who places value and worth on womanhood and empowering us as leaders.  Not in a feminist way, but in the way the Lord intended.  At Hillsong, we have a ministry called "Sisterhood" and it shatters every stereotype you have of women's ministry.  It is more than just a group of women at Hillsong doing a bible study during the week and bring a casserole to those in need every now and then.  It is a company of women uniting in friendship and cause changing their world and the world around them.   The hear of sisterhood is in this, "The Sisterhood is a company of women united in heart, using time and energy, strength and influence for the betterment of others...A company of women united in friendship, gathering their world, raising awareness, venturing into the realms of responsibility...A company of women united in cause, seeing the fruit, feeling the joy, knowing that they are making a difference." And Sisterhood isn't just for those at Hillsong.  We do have a local group that meets at church, but there are women all over the world apart of this amazing movement of women.  You can check it out at www.hillsong.com and then click on "sisterhood".   Once a year the "sisters" from all over the world gather for the Colour conference uniting us in spirit and body for 3 days.  And the result is nothing short of life changing.  There is no way I can share with you everything the Lord wrote on my heart, but I would like to share some highlights.    

We were blessed with amazing worship and phenomenal speakers (Lisa Bevere and Sy Rogers), wonderful entertainment, and had the opportunity to make friendships with women all over the world.  However, the life changing part of the conference was the challenges and need presented to us that are all around us and the globe.  The whole conference we were reminded that We are to be the Change because the "Spirit of the Lord is upon us...."  It is so easy to go through life only serving ourselves.  And this was not how the Lord intended life.  We were not created to live for ourselves.  The Lord really spoke to my heart about how I live my life.  My heart broke as I heard the need all around the world and right where I am.  And I get so caught up in me that I don't see the need right under my nose.  I'd heard the need so many times before.  And I walked away wanting to make a difference.  But then just several days later, I returned living life for myself.  But this time was different.  The Lord whispered into the depths of my soul, "My daughter, love.  Love in my name."  And the quiet intimate whisper in my soul, joined together with 20,000 other whispers has become a SHOUT!!  If we, as a company of sister joined together with Christ, can be the change in our world.  The way I live my life today looks different than it did two weeks ago.  Not only were we presented with a need, but practical ways we can be the change in our world and globe.  My service is not coming out of a place of obligation or legalism.  But love.  The Lord has placed such a burden on my soul that my life be a reflection of love and service.  And all who see my life can't help but see the love of my Saviour.  So, I extend the challenge and mandate to you...the Spirit of the Lord is upon YOU, my sister.  Won't you be the change in your world and globe?  

Before I close this ridiculously LONG post, which if you've made it this far, you are special to us, I want to open your eyes to a need that grabbed my heart.  Human trafficking.  For those of you who are not familiar with this, human trafficking is modern day sex slavery and exploitation of women sexually.  Roughly 2-4 MILLION girls are trafficked across borders each year.  These precious girls and women are expected to service up to 20 men a day.  99% are NEVER rescued.  How does this happen?  Some women are violently forced.  Others are given a promise of a good job overseas and then taken in trafficking.  These victims are from all parts of the world and happen to all races of women.  These women are subject to many abuses such as: malnutrition, sleep deprivation, emotional abuse, beatings, lack of healthcare and forced abortions. Many contract STD's and hepatitis A & B.  And children are deprived of basic education and any sort of parental upbringing, and are completely dependent on their captors for food and shelter.  Although this seems like a HOPELESS situation there is so much we can do RIGHT where we are.  There is an organization called A21 that is seeking to abolish this injustice.  You can join them in praying daily with guided prayers, financially support a victim of this crime, donate, etc.  Please visit www.thea21campaign.org to find out how YOU can be the CHANGE!

xoxo

erika

Happy Easter.

Happy Easter!  We are sending a big Aussie shout out to all our easter peeps in the US (get it, easter-peeps...hee, gosh I'm a dork).   We are on easter hang over.  Its now officially the day after easter and we've got withdrawals.  On a more serious note, we wish you fruitful easter egg hunts, many yummy cadbury mini and cream filled eggs, memorable family easter dinners, but most of all reflections on your freedom that was paid over 2,000 years ago.  

Freedom.  I found myself reflecting on that one thought over and over this Easter Sunday.  Because of a sacrifice I don't deserve or couldn't earn I'm free from bondage.  Free from the chains of performance.  And that is such freedom.  I struggle with performance.  You see, I'm a perfectionist at heart and I base a lot of my worth on what I can do.  But none of that matters to Christ.  I don't have to earn his love or approval.  You see, that is quite an elementary thought, but I would dare to say that very few actually live like they believe it.  I think the world would be a much different place if we did.  You see if we truly understood freedom not only would we not need to try to impress God with what we can do, but we would stop trying to SCREAM for attention from others as well.  I find that there aren't a lot people in the body of Christ who labour (or serve) out of love.  They labour to be loved.  By God.  And others.  And this is in direct conflict with 1 Thessalonians 1:3.  When members of the body (church) are striving to be noticed this only breeds disunity.  This comes from a performance based mindset.  Believing if we serve, serve, serve, someone will notice us and be impressed with what we can do.  BUT, unity comes from a mindset of KNOWING we are loved.  Realising we don't need to obtain love.  Its already been done.  Its vital as the body we live from a place of being loved not striving for attention or to be noticed.  A relationship with Christ gives us the FREEDOM to LIVE from a place of already being loved.  No performance needed.  Its already been paid.  There is nothing more I can do.  What a freeing thought!  I've heard so much on freedom over the years, especially at Easter, but for some reason it clicked today.  I've been learning so much about freedom and experiencing freedom like I never have and I'm changed.  I will never be the same.  And I don't have to prove it.  Its been done.  So on this Easter, I hope you realise your freedom.  Live out of your freedom.  It will change your life.

xoxo

erika

ps.  sorry it took so long to blog.  its been crazy lately.  but we've learned so much.  and experienced so much.  look for another blog in the next week to play catch up! 

Here are some pics of the city finally enjoy!!!

Hope you all enjoy these and hope they can give you a little glimpse of what the city looks like. We will continue taking pics and posting them.  Thank you all so much for all your prayers and your love.  I hear it is getting warm in hometown Missouri.  Pretty soon it will be lake season.  ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!

Brian

God is awesome!!!!

Hello to all who read our blog.  I first just want to say thank you so much for all your prayers and support that you give us.  

School is going really well and finally our intensives have calmed down and we are in a regular schedule.  Intensives were two weeks of brain exploding information about church, communication, God, and you name it.  I have really enjoyed school so far, and God has taught me so much in the first few weeks. I have learned a lot about myself and have learned that in order to minister effectively to others, I first must understand why I am the way I am.  I have a past, just like everybody has a past, and if that is not dealt with, if I can't figure out how to deal with my own stuff, then I can't help anybody else or be as effective in ministry as I could be if I deal with myself.  There are things that God has shown me about myself, that I never saw as a big deal, and to most anybody it wouldn't be, but to God, It is a very big deal.  So I have been working through those things, and it has been absolutely freeing and amazing.  I am learning that God made me the way I am for a reason, and I shouldn't try to be anybody else except myself. Everybody is unique and should love that they are that way, because they are that way for a reason.  A simple concept that we hear from the time we are kids, but not until I actually took the time and thought about it and understood it and applied it to my life did it really sink in.  God is showing me what it is like to live in freedom and I am loving it.  It will be a long journey, but I know it will be incredible.

I am also taking a songwriting class this semester and am learning so much about it that I had no idea about before.  I am also taking an old testament class, and may I say I never spent very much time in the old testament before, but looking at it while in this class, I can see that I have been missing so much.  So all of you out there that think the old testament is no longer important, I encourage you to get back in it.  Its all there for a reason.  

Thank you all so much again for your prayer and support.  We have posted more pictures on facebook, we will keep trying here as well, but it is difficult to post them on this sight.  If you have a facebook go see them on our sight and add us as your friends if you need too.  I will try to do better about posting more. We love you all so much

Brian 

Guess who's joining the work force?

You guessed it I (erika) have a J-O-B!!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your faithful prayers. I cannot begin to express my gratitude. I am so excited to start this new chapter in my working life. This isn't just a job to pay the bills. It isn't mundane or boring. Not a job I had to settle on out of desperation. This is a job I can wake up each morning excited about work and passionate about what I'm doing. God is so good. I'm just in awe each day of what he has up his sleeve.

As of Thursday February 19, I will be working for Lindamood-Bell. The organization is actually based in the US and has 40 offices there. There is also a office in London and the Sydney office just opened in February. This organization helps individuals with learning and developmental dissablities (dislexia, hyperdislexia, autism, ADD/ADHD). They use a cutting edge learning method which uses visualization and verbalization to increase the learning capacity for each of their students. I will be working as a clinician with kids and teens on a one-on-one basis. Their world renown learning method had been published in respected psychological journals, and the organization has done research for some of the world's top universities. I'm so excited to mesh my education in psychology and experience with teens in this position. Check out www.lindamoodbell.com !

I begin the 40 hours of training tomorrow (Thursday) and continue through the end of next week. Apparently its a pretty intense training where they will teach me their methods. Ready or not, training here I come! Have I mentioned how excited I am???? Heehee. I will post an update after my first couple of days of training and fill all you faithful readers in on my progress!

Love Ya:)