The Parenting Life

Life can become busy very quickly. We all have our 'stuff' that fills up our time. Maybe it's school, work, your own business, the boss calls on you to do extra tasks, people asking you for help, or family needing your attention.

My time is very quickly filled up with 'mum' stuff. Taxi runs to and from school at 3 times a day, plus taxiing Dave to and from work, building car tracks, racing cars, scooter races, building lego, filling hungry tummies, building my muscles pushing around a trolley (cart) full of food and 2 boys (usually) to make sure there is enough to eat, and enough toilet paper and nappies (diapers) to last out the week. Then there's nappy changes, fights to break up, wounds to kiss better, endless cuddles, teeth to clean (and dentists to visit as a result of bad teeth cleaning!), toys to pack up, homework to help with etc etc. Then there is also the part of me that spends time helping Dave pastor, meeting with students, leading a worship set in the worship rooms, and of course spending quality time with quality people.

Now there are a tonne of mothers out there who have more kids, either homeschool or work - or both, run their own business, craft, write letters and stay in contact with people all over the world, grow their own food, and maybe don't have a lot of help. Or single parents who never have the option of relying on the other parent when they're feeling frazzled! These mum's are my superheros! I tell people - "I'm not a normal mother of 3. I have the most amazing husband who is completely involved in family life, lets me sleep in, puts the kids in bed and plays with them constantly. Then I also have people live with me, who help clean, cook, babysit, and generally just make life fun! I have a blessed life". I have learnt not to feel guilty because I have it somewhat easy, but instead always be thankful that God has built key pillars into my life. Even while I'm a million miles away from my immediate family, I am surrounded by amazing 'family' here.

However, even with all this help, I have struggled to find my own 'quiet time' where I can just fully engage with the Father, or listen to the sweet voice of the Spirit, or chill with Jesus. I am not a mornings person, so you won't find me getting up at 5am. I'm sure if I did - even to spend time with God - I would not be a very happy person by 11am :). Evenings are for quality time with my husband and friends. And during the day is often a write-off for time on your own when you have 3 little ones pulling on you. So where does a mother (or parent at home) find time to spend with Jesus?

You often hear it said that your own personal 'closet time' is crucial in your relationship with the Lord. And I totally agree. However, at different stages of your life, your 'closet time' might look a bit different. I've heard of mothers who would put their apron over their heads to be with Jesus and the kids knew not to disturb her. I've heard of people who use babysitters to get time alone. I've heard of parents who train their children who are past naps to have 'quiet time' in their room. But sometimes this doesn't always work. For a period of time before Chase was born, I had 2 kids at home, and only one would nap. 'Quiet time' never worked for the other one (yep I tried and tried - and gave up :) ). Then the second child decided at age 2.5 that he'd didn't need naps anymore. Now I am at a stage where I have one in full time school, the second in school 3 hours a day, and the third napping while both are at school. Yes, 2 hours of pure bliss :) (provided the napping child doesn't wake early, or I don't get a call from the school, or there is something urgent that needs attending to etc etc). You get the picture. Even though I have this time where I can just relax with Jesus, there are often things that interrupt. Sometimes it's the only moment in the day where I can tidy up, or pay bills, or sleep myself, or today it's to write this blog!

Guilt is often our first response. We think 'I haven't spent enough time with God, he mustn't be happy with me, he'll never use me for anything because I don't spend time with him…..'.  For a long time I disqualified myself from the promises of God. I have promises and prophetic words, dreams and ideas that I want to see happen in my life that extend beyond being a mother. But I thought that I was not good enough anymore.  I had to learn that my relationship with God is not determined by my quiet time. God is bigger than that. His love extends beyond the borders of time. His love is not waiting for me to sit and pull out my bible. His love reaches into the very mundane moments of my everyday life and reminds me that he is constantly with me. When I look at the beautiful chubby faces of my children, I am reminded of the innocence and perfection of Jesus. When I'm racing cars and it puts delight in the eyes and smiles of my kids, I'm reminded that by spending time with them I am spending time with Jesus. When my kids cuddle me I feel the love of heaven filling my very being. I am reminded that he entrusted their lives into my care and I am loving Him by loving them well. When I am tired and frustrated a small gentle voice reminds me that peace lives inside of me and I can feel His presences anytime, at any moment. So with hands in the sink, or keys in hand ready to rush out the door, I can take 5 seconds to stop and feel His presence upon me and inside me. Then I can walk through the next moment aware of Him, aware of his love, aware of his ever present spirit, aware that I am loved no matter what I do or don't do.

From this perspective, I can teach my kids how to live a life fully abandon to Christ. I can show them how to do life being aware of His presence even though things are busy. This is living from a place of rest. Being aware of his presence and relying on His strength as we go about the things we have to do.

So in those 2 hours where I could be opening my bible, sometimes I don't. Sometimes I feel like Holy Spirit says its ok to sleep, or its ok to make dinner, or its ok to write. Sometimes I have worship music on, most times I don't :). As a family we do dance parties to fun worship music (we've tried soaking - lying on the ground listening to worship and listening to the Holy Spirit - but my boys are too active, so we dance). We talk about Testimonies - what God's been doing. Not what he's not doing, but what he IS doing. Looking for the good things, thanking God for looking after us. Making declarations of the promises of God in our lives. Your family and my family will be different. It's a matter of finding what works for you and asking Holy Spirit for ideas :).

I am not disqualified. I am not sitting around waiting for my destiny to happen. This is my destiny. The thing he had placed in front of me. I will live it well and find God in every little thing possible! I still dream big - dreams for my family, and dreams for the future. Because now I know that God is in every moment and is teaching me through every little thing. As new things come my way I have to learn how to steward what I've learnt, and listen to Holy Spirit - because there may come a time when he asks me to put aside an hour or two a day just to be with Him. It's a life journey of listening and obeying in the moment. What's he asking of you today?

The next part of the journey

So I failed to finish our story of getting back into the USA! Yes, we obviously made it back :). For those who don't know, we ended up getting a visa appointment much earlier than our original date, but later that we would have liked. However, we got to enjoy the festivities of 'The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth'; a 10 day event in Calgary. Just imagine the biggest carnival you can and add rodeo events and live shows. We had a blast enjoying this annual tradition that includes free pancake breakfasts everyday! We also got to see a grizzly bear and a moose. We were so blessed to stay with some of the most amazing people - Dale and Cathy Dyck. They were so gracious to host us for 2 weeks while we waited for a visa to come through. Once we had it, we spent 27 hours straight in the car to drive home. We were very thankful to borrow some other Aussie friends car with a DVD player to help with the kids - and fit all of us in one car.

REVIVAL GROUP PASTOR

The last 6 months have revolved around Dave's new job as a Revival Group Pastor. The school of ministry has around 1200 people in the first year of the course. These 1200 people are divided up into groups of 65. Each group has its own pastor. This is where Dave comes in :). He has the privilege of pastoring these 65 students into the supernatural lifestyle. The whole group meets weekly, then they meet individually and in small groups with Dave. I also have the privilege of being involved. I head into school every week when the whole group meets. I then have 12 students that I mentor and catch up with fairly regularly. Being along side Dave and influencing the lives of these people is such an honor! I have learnt so much through this process. The things I feel that is more evident in my life after my 3 years here, is that I have learnt how to really love people. Not that I didn't love people, but I am seeing the impact that loving people - as God sees them - is having and I realize just how important it is. We have both been very loved and honored by this amazing group of people. The group totally love and value the huge impact and investment that Dave is making into their lives.

TESTIMONY PROJECT
Dave, Mr Innovator, has developed a strategy for capturing the testimonies that happen every day here in the school. He has spear headed this project that includes a website where people can easily access and record what God has been doing. This strategy has already taken the interest of key leaders and departments in the church beyond just the school.

AUSTRALIA MISSION TRIP
This coming April, Dave will be leading a mission trip to Australia! Each year students have the opportunity to go numerous places around the world to love on people and see God move supernaturally in their lives. This year is the first time a missions team from Bethel has ever gone to Australia (there have been key speakers with groups of students go to places in Australia, but never a specific missions team). The kids and I will also be heading back with the team and ministering with them. The best - and I have to say humbling - thing is that we will be heading to our old stomping grounds :). The team will be in Melbourne, Bendigo, Albury/Wodonga, and Brisbane/Gold Coast area. If you are in any of these areas and would like to know more info then email us! We'd love to see you! We would also love your prayer support for the team as they prepare and as they are in the country. If you also feel led to give financially to sow into what will be happening in Australia, you are welcome to do that too. Just make sure any donations put in our account are marked with mission trip.

FAMILY
Zeke is in his first year of school and absolutely thriving! He will be 6 in a couple of weeks; still rocking his dreadlocks and loving sport, hip hop, music and parkour. Jaden is 3 1/2 and as sweet and powerful as ever. Yes, the two somehow go hand in hand. He attends Bethel preschool 2 mornings a week. We felt he needed to transition more slowly into school than Zeke. Jaden is a little more reserved on first encounters. Chase is a cute and chubby 1 year old. He loves playing with his brothers who in turn take great care of him. My band of boys are proving to be very spunky, loving, fun, adventurous, and innovative. We love watching the grow and develop in all areas of their little lives.

Life is very busy here, but we also make sure we get some quality time with quality friends when we can. Community is still very important to us. Especially people who speak into your life and encourage and challenge you to be all you are created to be.

We love hearing from people back home. We like to follow what we can on Facebook to see where people are at and what developments are taking place. We pray that you all are living lives that are full of fun, hope, and the supernatural. We look forward to seeing you when we visit in April!

journey of trust

It seems that the journey of trusting God is just that...a continual journey. Over the last 3 years we have had to trust God on many occasions. Actually, continually! Prior to moving it was about trusting that God was speaking to us and giving us clear direction to move - and that he would provide for us along the way. Since we've been here we have not had a regular income to live off, however God has provided for us every step of the way. As much as I would like it, he has not given us a million dollars and said 'go for it', instead we have had to trust that every week he would provide for all our needs. I can say that we have never gone without the things we need. He has even provided some of the things we've wanted! Bill Johnson talks about how you have too much money when it causes you to stop trusting God.
Our trip to Australia was also a step of faith. We did not necessarily have the funds to make the trip however we knew it was time and that God wanted us to go. Again he provided above and beyond our needs to make that trip happen.
Dave has recently been offered a job with Bethel Church as a Pastor within the school of ministry that he just completed. Just like every year so far, we have had to make the trip out of the USA to Canada in order to renew or change our visa. This year it's a little different in that we are changing our visa to a Religious Workers visa. We had to leave the US by the 20th June so we were not out of status. This meant taking a 'forced' holiday to Canada without any confirmation from the US Government that it was ok for Bethel to employ Dave.
On our journey to Canada we have had to trust that God would provide and that he would go before us and open the way for us. And we have seen just that happen!  We have had both financial provision and amazing accommodation open up for us.  For every location we have been we have either had a great deal on a hotel, or a day or two before our arrival friends have lined up a place for us to stay. We have been so so blessed to say the least! We have been able to take my Dad to places he's never seen before - and new places for us to see too.
Our visa appointment is to be in Calgary, Canada. However, we arrived in Calgary still without the confirmation that Dave could be employed. We needed this confirmation number in order to fill out other visa forms and book an appointment. Finally last night the confirmation came through. It was never a matter of doubting that we would get it (that part is now easy to trust after being on this journey for 3 years), but a matter of trusting that God had the timing of it all worked out. Still not my timing I can tell you!
Even now as I sit in Calgary, Canada I am still having to trust that God will provide and that God goes before us and opens the way for us. Currently our appointment is not until August 14. I totally trust that God will give us an appointment sooner than that and we will be able to get back home so Dave can start work (and so the kids can have some normality back). My struggle is still with seeing the timing work out just the way I would like it (yes, a little bit of a control thing ;) ). My impatience wants the appointment today, so we can get going on the road home by mid next week (2 days of processing time before you can collect your visa - and we have Canada Day and July 4th public holidays in the midst of it all). Now, I am learning (trying) to rest in God. Not to worry, not to try and make it happen in my timing, but rest. Rest knowing that God is in control, that he has gone before us and made the way clear. Rest in his goodness and faithfulness. Rest knowing that God is a happy God who wants us to succeed. Rest in his presence and laugh, watching it all unfold before me. :) Let the resting and unfolding continue!

Our New Home Group - beginnings of revival!

Recently I was in a 3rd year class when a friend of mine named Cris Kerr came up to me and said "Dave you and Taff should run a home group. Would you be interested in running a home group?" It felt like it was a real 'God moment' and I said "We have just been thinking about getting involved in one, and how much we missed our old home group." We had been processing how much we needed a 'community' with Bethel church to - 'do life with', so I said "Yes lets do it!" Together with Cris and Rose (another amazing friend) we began a group that is more than your normal home group :).

The vision of our group is to build community, to experience God's presence and goodness and reach the lost. Every week is different and we follow Holy Spirit each week to see what he wants to do. The group is continually growing with more and more new people coming each week. It has been incredible to watch God allow us to minister into the lives of people from all around the world - pastors, night club owners, neighbors, friends, Bethel students, unsaved - work colleagues etc. and He has radically moved in all of their lives. We are seeing more and more non-believers come and experience the presence of God and have their gold called out!

One highlight recently was having one of our leaders work colleagues coming to encounter God. That night Zeke had stayed up and wanted a 'Fire Tunnel' (a fun way to pray - where you make two lines, and pray for people as they walk through) So we started a fire tunnel and this new girl walked through with everyone else. Later that night she told her friend (who had brought her) how half way through she began to 'feel dizzy' as the presence of God came onto her! It was so encouraging to see this girl getting touched by God in her body, because she had no prior knowledge or expectation of what fire tunnels were about, it was a legitimate encounter. After this our group prophecied over her and she was greatly impacted. Since coming, she has been encountering the 'dizzy presence of Jesus' at work and at home. She now is having full on conversations with Jesus regularly!

Another home group highlight for Taff and I, was when our neighbors came over for prayer.

After recent conversations with them, we'd begun to sense God was moving in their lives. So we invited them to come to home group for 'prayer'. They said "We'd love to" and they came over with their two kids. Our group of amazing leaders gathered around and began to prophecy life over them. It was incredible the accuracy and consistency of what God was 'calling out' in the whole families lives. Their girls were 'open mouthed' saying "How do you know?" You could see the parents affirming what what said over them also. After about 40minutes of prophecy, their whole family just soaked in the presence of God, as Taff played worship. It was beautiful seeing God pour back into this outrageously generous family - whom we love.

The next few days we heard stories (from our neighbors) about how one of the girls had went to her friends house and said "I went to this bible group and they did magic on me!" I was building our playground with their youngest daughter and she said to me "Dave, you know that bible group we went to the other night, those people knew all about me! They knew my personality!" I told her that God knows everything about all of us and that He showed the people those things about her. I also told her that she could begin to hear messages from God for her loved ones. You could see her eyes light up.

Since then there has been a dramatic shift in the family lives. I have seen happiness and hope coming into their eyes like never before. Not only have our conversations changed, but we have began to pray more together with them, and now they have begun to talk about their dreams and about 'believing God' again! Even today someone began to repay a debt owed to them of $1000! The husband also met with his brother and sister in law (who were at the end of their rope with life) and begun to lead them to God! He said "I don't know how, But God is going to come through for you! You have to come to Dave and Taff's home group and have them pray for you!" Their family came the following week. Again our home group prophesied and loved on them and called out their gold. The family was greatly impacted. Things were called out in the husband that he hadn't even told his wife. Secret dreams for their life were called out. The family have had conversations with beauticians, work colleagues, family and us about the impact it had on their lives. We are excited to see their journey with God through this.

Life is so amazing when living in a community of people that encourage and empower you to be who God created you to be. We are forever grateful to God for the amazing people he has put in our lives.

"Your car is fine!"

We were driving our Subaru Outback recently and the "check engine" light came on. I thought it might have been a loose wire, so I left it. However the light stayed on and my wife began to alert me to the fact that it needed a service. I had the thought "Why don't you pray for your car?" So I began to release life and blessing over my engine, as I would take Zeke to school, however it didn't change much.

So I took it into "MDR" the auto mechanic at Twin View in Redding and he checked it over. He called me later that afternoon to say that He thought it needed new plugs, leads and a tune up. He said it would cost around $200-300. I was a bit bummed about that, but thought "Ok God you have to provide." He said he could do the job the next day, and because we needed it that night, I picked it up with the mindset of dropping it off the next morning to be fixed. That night, as I drove the car, I prayed over it again.

I took it back in the morning and left it to be fixed. When I came back later that day to pick up the car Matt the head mechanic said "Good news. I checked over it again and the light all of a sudden stopped coming on. Your plugs and leads are all so new I didn't need to do anything. Your car is fine!" I paid him $40 for his time and walked away thanking God for His goodness on our lives!

Miracle at the Carnival

It was the Easter Fair week in Redding this week, so we took the kids down to the show. As a parent the thing which stuck out to me - was the smiles on my kids faces when they were on the rides! I loved seeing Zeke and Jaden beaming from ear to ear - mouth's opened as their little bodies were exhilarated by the 'G Forces' of the roller coasters and other rides.

After taking the boys there in the morning, Taff stayed home and Carmel (our babysitter) and I decided to take Zeke and Jaden back for a quick ride in the evening. Towards the end of the evening we met a lovely man, named Bill who was running one of the rides. We got talking, because he loved my accent, and then he asked what we were doing in Redding. So I told him about Bethel and the school of Supernatural ministry, and that we travelled the world healing people. I could see he had no grid for healing or the supernatural...so he quickly changed the subject. But I kept talking to him and he to me.

It was almost time to go and I knew that God had connected us with Bill for a reason. As I looked at him and we were talking some more, it was like I began to see an image his lower back (almost like a 'cartoon' of his lower vertebrae in white and red) It sort of hovered around that area on his body - on top of him. I asked God and I felt God say "He has lower back pain". The image stayed there the longer I talked.

By this time Bill had taken over another ride at the show. I hadn't talked to him and was walking with the kids, on our way to the car and he (Bill) called out to us - "Are you guys going?" I walked over to him and chatted a bit more then I said "Hey, you wouldn't happen to have lower back pain?" He looked at me with big eyes and said "Yes I do! I have a sciatic pain in my lower back"

I told him that God had told me, because He wanted to heal him. I asked if I could pray for him and he said "Yes".

We waited until he finished the ride and let all of the kids off. Then I walked and asked Zeke and Jaden to come over too. We prayed a simple prayer for 15 seconds - commanding pain to leave and releasing peace into his body. I asked him how he felt. He looked at me (as if he was self analyzing) and said "Its good! Its all gone!" I said "You are not joshing with me are you? I am an Aussie, and I like things straight" He said to me "Its gone! I always have pain when I wear these pants and its all gone!" I gave him a high 5 and thanked Jesus. Bill had to start the ride up again and as we walked away he yelled out "make sure you come back and see us!" As we drove away he was watching for our car and waved with a big smile!

I love how natural the supernatural is. God wants to meet people every day through us... we just have to believe how good we are and how good He is.

Internship Steve Thompson

Steve Thompson internship

As I was heading towards the end of my 2^nd year of study, I began thinking about who I would intern with for my 3^rd year of study at BSSM. Some of the people I’d felt a resonance with were Steve Thompson (You May All Prophecy), Banning Leibscher (Jesus Culture).

My first choice was to intern with Steve Thompson, a global prophetic teacher and business leader who’d come into our class and said the statement “what I did with the prophetic lifestyle (making it portable and usable for every Christian) I want to do with the supernatural life.” He said it twice, and the phrase hit me like a missile impacting a target, and I said “that’s exactly what I want to do with my life!” Banning would have been my second choice, but I also knew that he was way too busy to be able to pour into an intern, so an internship with him may not be as good as I’d thought.

So I emailed Steve and Banning. Banning replied back to me with “I’m sorry but I am not set up for interns currently” email, and then Steve responded with “lets meet for coffee!” (Since then I have actually ended up working with Banning on two book writing projects –God has really blessed me BIG TIME there!)

So Steve and I met, and then a new friend of mine Todd Casselberry (who happened to be on every mission trip I’d been on that year) was also due to meet with Steve after me. So after we all talked, Steve offered us both an internship!

Todd and I have been meeting with Steve at his home just on the outskirts of Redding for around 12months now, and it has been fantastic! Steve has opened up his home, his life and his story to us. He has poured in hours and hours of wisdom and answered many of our theological questions. Now we are all beginning to work on building a new ministry called NU World.

NU World is all about resourcing and empowering people to transform their worlds. Check out the link for Steve Thompson below: www.stevethompson.org