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

From snow to sun!

This year has gone so quickly! So much has been happening, I'm bound to forget to tell you about something!

Snow in February? Even for Redding it was a rare and special occurrence. To have snow covering your backyard and street was quite a novelty. We enjoyed a day or two playing in the snow. Bit hard to believe now that we are in 40 degree heat!

Dave's second year of school ended in May - with quite the surprise! Dave was awarded the M.Earl Johnson award. This award is for the person who has the lifestyle of a revivalist. It's considered (probably cause it's really the only award) the highest award of the class. There were many people in Dave's class that could have received this award, so it was a real honour (and surprise) for him to have been chosen.

June saw us traveling north once again to cross the border (and take a little vacation) on Vancouver Island, Canada. Thankfully, due to being given 5 years visas last year, we didn't have to make a visit to the consulate :). It was just a matter of crossing and re-entering. We travelled with our good friends, and fellow Aussie family, the van Tinterens, and stayed on Vancouver Island for about 5 days. The kids explored the rock pools along the coast, catching crabs and other sea creatures! As for the adults - we spent as much time as possible reading and relaxing by the fire, taking shifts for arvo naps! We toured around the island a bit, and ventured into the city of Victoria. Beautiful place, but glad to have only spent 2 nights there. On our journey home we travelled along the Oregon border. It reminded me a bit of the Great Ocean Road. Not as windy or famous, but still very beautiful. We stayed a night right on the beach before landing back in Redding. After sleeping 4 of us in small hotel rooms, it was quite relaxing to return home where we had lots of space! Our housemate at the time had also cleaned my house for me! What a bonus!

Unfortunately during our time away (and for a few weeks after) Dave was suffering from shingles, and I had slight morning sickness! Thankfully we both weren't sick for long, so we have been able to enjoy the hot dry summer here. The weather is very similar to Bendigo - perhaps a little hotter! Again we've spent the summer in our gracious neighbours pool, and ventured out to the beautiful Whiskeytown Lake a few times also. Our wonderful neighbours also bought a pontoon boat and have taken us out a couple of times - once for my birthday dinner. So amazing! I've never seen so many stars! We still continually brag about and thank God for our amazing neighbours. They have been such a blessing to us and become great friends of ours.

Dave has been picking up the pace a bit with his internship. He is privileged to be interning with Steve Thompson. Some of you will know him from Morning Star church (Rick Joiner) and some may even know his book, 'You All May Prophecy'. They are developing some new things with Steve - but I'm going to have to get Dave to expand on this himself. He'll be able to tell you what it is they are doing! I can tell you that this past weekend he has been in Portland, Oregon, ministering with Steve at a local church. The church treated them like kings! Even though Dave had to give out, I think he'll be returning quite refreshed. :)

Recently we found out that our little baby is another little boy! He will be born in January - and yes, he'll be born in the USA and be an American citizen. We will have to pay to register him as a dual citizen with Australia. Lots of advantages for this little man to have dual citizenship! We are very excited and feel very honoured to be given the privilege of raising 3 godly men! When I think of all boy families I think of the Harvey's (of course), the Geerlings, the Bergins, and the Chuds (I'm sure there are others but just the ones that come to mind now). I think of the men in these families and pray that we too can raise our boys to be just as amazing for the Kingdom as these men are.

Our other exciting news is that in just 30 days we'll be leaving to visit Australia!!! I am totally excited about seeing everyone - especially our family. Two years is a long time between hugs with your dad :). We are counting down the days til we leave (gotta love calendars and stickers!) and planning for some quality time with people we love and miss. We're still finalizing our plans as we have to work around Dave's ministry time with Steve Thompson while we are there.

So Australia - we'll see you soon!!!

"Your Destiny is Found in Nicaragua"

It was January, and months earlier I had chosen Mexico City as my main missions trip. I wanted to see the power of God and crazy miracles! However ever since I'd booked it, God had been whispering in my heart "Nicaragua" "Nicaragua" but I wasn't sure why He was saying it... I knew He was a good Father, and wasn't angry at me choosing Mexico... I just knew there must be something special about Nicaragua!

School was to finish soon, and I hadn't been on a Bill Johnson or Kris Vallotton trip the whole year! I only had a small window to get on a trip, but it wasn't looking good. Then I got accepted on a 10 day Kris Vallotton trip to Mexico and Ecuador! I was soo pumped! This was Friday and I only had to find $2400 US by Monday!

Then I had a dream. In the dream Eric Johnson picked me up in a 4WD and said "Come on, I'm going to help you find your destiny." I jumped into the 4WD and cruised around with him, up highways, then off road into jungle tracks. We stopped at village markets. He would pick up clothes and other articles and say "Is this it?" (meaning my destiny) and I said "ummm nope that's not it." So we would keep going, and then I eventually "found my destiny". Then I woke up.

The next day I was riding with some friends, and they began talking about a trip that Eric Johnson was leading to Nicaragua. I got excited and told them that God had been calling me to Nicaragua, but I wasn't sure how it would work. They told me the trip team was already picked, which meant it was pretty much impossible to get on. I looked at the dates of the Nicaragua trip and it overlapped the end of the Kris V trip... which meant I would have to choose one or the other!

I wasn't sure what to do, and then Monday morning, as I opened my eyes, straight away I heard God say "Your destiny is found in Nicaragua with Eric Johnson!" I had never heard God so clearly and consistently! I had to make some phone calls!

So I called my amazing revival group pastor Kate Eifert and she told me to get to school early Tuesday to chat to Eric. She also told me she would go into bat for me!

So Taff dropped me off at school early Tuesday morning, however Eric was no-where to be seen! Then I found out He was on Jury duty! This wouldn't have been too much of an issue, it was just that today 11am was the cut off, for accepting Kris V's trip or not. I called his secretary and shared with her what was happening... she gave me another 30minutes.

I remember walking outside to the front of our school, and as I stood there pondering what to do next right in front of me was Kris Vallottons Lexus convertable parked right next to the exact 4WD that I saw in my dream about Eric! It was like I was prophetically standing at a cross road, a choice between the two trips and God's plan or my plan.

I thought to myself "there is no way in the natural that I am going to get onto this Eric Trip, but I can't do anything but choose it and say no to the Kris trip... after all that God has been saying!" Faith rose in my heart and I called Kris' PA cancelling my spot on the trip. Now God had to come through with Nicaragua!

Later that day Eric came to school, so I walked up the back during a session and asked to chat to him! I was very nervous, because I had never spoken to him before now. Eric was lovely and heard my story and request to come. He told me that he would speak to Ben the trip leader with him.

Sure enough, within 30minutes, Ben came to school and spoke with Eric. But it didn't go to plan. Ben came to me and said that there is no way that I could get on the trip, because I had been on too many trips already! My heart sank a bit... I had cancelled Kris' trip for nothing. Just as I was about to give up hope, Kate Eifert walked up and said "Davo! Hows it going what is happening?" I told her that Ben had just said "it wasn't going to happen"... but she eyeballed Ben and said "No, No, Dave has to get on that trip." So she went directly to Eric.

I sweated that night... not sure of what was going to happen, but fully knowing that I had done my best and that my daddy in Heaven was better than I thought and could pull off anything!

The next morning Ben texted me, Eric had decided to let me on the trip!!!

Miracles in Mexico City 2011

This trip would have to be one of the greatest trips of my life! I have never seen Jesus heal so many people!

From the time we landed, we were go go go! On the first day (Sunday) we had over 8hrs of ministry over 3 meetings, during this time, we saw over 80% of people healed! I had the honor of praying for a little boy named Chris who had a genetic defect. While I was praying the pastor walked past said he had kidney issues. I looked into his eyes and he said he felt fire all over his belly! I also prayed for a lady who had stomach issues. Fire came on her stomach then God started tickling her! Then her husband came and he got hit with the joy too! All her pain left. During the night meeting a lady with severe nausea from hospital was brought to us, doctors couldn't help her. As we prayed for her pain left her stomach. My friend Michael then took her for a walk. As she came back, the Holy Spirit said "forgiveness". We asked her to ask Holy Spirit if she needed to forgive anyone...and He said Yes...so she forgave and then was completely healed of nausea and vommiting!

The next day was Monday, and we went sightseeing, taking a bus into Mexico City. Some of the highlights were, toilets that we had to pay for! (I shouted all my friends!) and just the beauty of the City of Mexico, like the new high-rise buildings everywhere and the fresh gardens being planted. These were some things that I didn't expect.

While we were out, we visited one of the biggest Catholic churches I'd ever seen!

In there I saw my first deaf ear healed!

I was walking along and was asking God "i really want to pray for someone" . Then a lady was highlighted to me who was looking at the dead bones of an old saint. She walked away, so i grabbed an interpreter and my mate Nathan Anderson. We asked her if she had anything wrong with her and if she would like prayer. She said she was partially deaf in her left ear. So we prayed once and then asked her if it changed. She said no. Then we prayed again, this time i walked further and further away asking her to repeat my words. I only got 5 m away and she couldn't hear. So we git her to thank God for what was happening, and prayed again. Again i walked away... This time getting 15m away and she could hear me! I told her to look around and she was amazed!!! She was healed!

Then we prayed for her missing gall bladder and she felt heat on the area! She wanted to know about church and exchanged numbers. We also prayed for a new job for her. She left totally rocked! The interpreter then went on with Nath and saw another lady completely healed of neck problems and knee problems!!! He was totally rocked too!!!

The next day we had outreach, which involved me leading a team and us being dropped off outside a school and market. So we divided up with Mexican interpretors and went for it! Jesus performed many many miracles and salvations! One highlight for me was how, we would pray for people, Jesus would heal them just with a few words like "Jesus heals you", and then they would go away and bring their family and friends to be healed! Before long we were ministering non-stop, seeing everyone healed for over 2hrs! A memorable one for me, was an old grandmother who had severe stomach pain and was instantly healed. Later she came back to me with her two grandchildren wanting me to pray for them, explaining "Red Pepper Red Pepper!!" I thought she was still having pain, but the interpreter told me that she had eaten 2 Red Peppers and was completely healed! I laughed! Another memorable miracle was two little girls who had conjunctivitis in their eyes. I prayed for them to feel the 'fire of God' in their hands - and they did! Then I got them to put their hands over their eyes and their eyes began to clear up! Then their mother explained she wanted to feel the fire of God too! They all had a massive encounter with Jesus that day!

On the Wednesday I led a team to a church plant over 50minutes away from the main church. It was in an area where "if you go outside you will get knifed!"... so we stayed inside! Our first meeting was with the women of the church... and it went for over 5 hrs! We began by calling out words of knowledge and healing began to fall on the people! We go them to pray for each other and 95% them were healed instantly! Then I gave a prophecy about a new wave falling on the church... and a spirit of joy fell on the whole group! It was amazing! I was blown over on the stage by the presence of God! And even our interpreter Betsa, was knocked out under the power of God and unable to interpret for some time

The night meeting in this church was awesome too! We activated the whole church in hearing the voice of God and prophecying over each other. There were also some crazy miracles like metal dissolving in a ladies hand and wrist! She came up moving her wrist backwards and forwards and making a fist exclaiming that she was completely healed! As she shouldn't be able to do that!

On the next day Thursday I saw some of the greatest miracles! We arrived at a school and I walked up to 4 older teenagers who didn't know Jesus and told them to follow me, because they were about to see Jesus perform a healing miracle! We walked across the street to a man on crutches, who'd had 3 knee operations and pain in his hip and other knee. I got one of the boys to pray "Jesus heals you!" over the man and touch his knee! All pain left his knee and then he pointed to his hip! I got another boy to join in and all pain left his hip! He got completely healed through the prayers of some boys who didn't know Jesus yet! Then all 5 of them gave their lives to Jesus!!!

The best part was walking back to the van and seeing the man back at work at his food stand, crutches leaning up against his van, no longer needed! He yelled out to us "Gracious! Gracious! Gracious!" Jesus is soo good!

The miracles continued throughout the rest of the trip! I saw 100% healing down the street that night! and a girls deaf ear opened in under 2minutes!!! An old lady with a deaf daughter met me as I was running to get on the bus to leave...I had to go, so I said "ok we have to be quick", I grabbed another lady and said you pray and heal! So together we quickly prayed "Jesus heals you!" check it out...she shook her head and said "no". So we prayed quickly again... "Jesus heals you" and she let out a sound and smiled as we tested it out! She was healed! Jesus opened her ear!!!

On the Outreach of Friday night I saw a lady with cancer, have all pain from her body leave her completely after a little boy Alex prayed for her! I saw a picture in my mind of a sperm entering her heart, and so I said "Gods seed is entering you now!" She then replied "yes I feel it! All pain is leaving my body!"

I also saw a lady with stomach pain get prayed for by two non Christian teens! All pain left her instantly and the boys decided to get saved!!! They then went home and grabbed their parents who all got encountered by Jesus!

A beautiful little girl and her brother were brought to us on the street at the end of the night... The little girl had a cold and sore chest, her brother flat feet. I got the brother to touch her hands and say "Jesus heals you" and her face lit up, as the sickness and pain left her! Then she touched her brothers feet, saying the same, and his face lit up as pain left his feet. Then the little girl stood up, white like a ghost, motioning with her hands that Jesus had created new arches in her brothers feet!! Gloria a Dios!!!

At one of our last meetings, we prayed with blind man who had something like cataracts for over 2hrs... We watched in awe as God began to create a new blue IRIS in his left eye! And he began to see shapes and images! He didn't get fully healed then and there...but during it he said he "felt like a cloth got taken off his face" (which his wife told us later that she'd had a dream about a cloth being removed from his eyes years earlier!) He also felt a whole lot of baggage lift off of him when he forgave tonnes of people!!! The best part for me though, was his tears of joy as he also got re-connected to Father God and could feel his love!!!

This trip totally changed my life! I am going to have to make this an annual event!

Thanks to everyone who contributed financially and through prayer for this trip! Together we all changed many many peoples lives!

The little things matter

We've told you many stories of how God has provided for all our needs while we've been here. And he continues to do so! We are so thankful to everyone who has supported us while we've been here. We couldn't have done it without you! We have had people support us week to week, and many one off donations. One of our prayer requests in an earlier post was for our travel insurance to be covered. We had people give us $1500 which was more than enough to cover our insurance. We've had people donate money towards Dave's school fees (which are paid off :) ) and donations towards his ministry and missions trips. We also had unexpected money come in just before Christmas - perfect timing!

But today we want to tell you about how God has also blessed us with the little things (actually they are more 'wants' rather than little things :) ).

Firstly, when we came to the USA my GHD hair straightener was an older model, so didn't convert to US power. So I bought a cheaper straightener here (every girl needs a straightener :) ). Well, it lasted a year. We were telling some people about it and how I wanted to save up for another GHD. The next week, we had some friends present me with a jar to start my savings! However, they had put a cheque inside the jar which was enough to cover the whole GHD! Not only that, they had a friend who could get one at wholesale. So now I have my new hair straightener and I love it! It will work anywhere in the world too!

Not long after that, I said to Dave that I would love to get away for a couple of nights without the kids. We worked out that there was 1 weekend that we could do it, or it possibly wouldn't happen for a long time. We waited until the night before to book our accommodation. We had been praying about it and felt that God would provide for it. We had lined up people to come and stay to help look after the kids - Tim and Anna needed somewhere to stay for a few nights while someone else was using their house. It worked perfectly. Within minutes of booking our accommodation, I received an email from someone saying that they had just put money in our account! The money was to go towards Dave's tuition, then on a holiday or whatever we chose for the remainder! We were able to finish paying for his school fees, and cover our trip away! How blessed are we! We spent 2 nights in San Fran in a room with wall to ceiling windows with views of Bay Bridge and the city. And we had the most beautiful weather (which is a rare thing!).

The most recent surprise we've had....well, Dave's birthday was Christmas eve, and I cashed in on his birthday gifts! Dave and I were both given iPhone 4's!!! We were astounded! We had been looking into them as a possibility, comparing the prices of what we were spending on phones to what it would cost. One day Dave was sitting in a cafe and was trying to research them. None of the websites would work for him. He felt God say that he would give him one. Sure enough, we got 2! They are linked with some other people on a family plan which makes it cheaper, so we're not paying much more than we already were for our phones. They are really handy - especially to record all the prophetic words that people speak over you! (Not to mention accessing skype and facebook when away from the computer :) ).

I think it's just amazing that God not only cares about what we need, but the things that aren't such a necessity. We have been blown away by God's favour on our lives. His grace is for all areas of our lives! His love is abundant and his generosity unending! We live in the Kings house and have access to all that is His! What an inheritance (more on this another time :) ).

Just a few months ago...

So, we've been a little slack with the updates! Apologies to anyone who might happen to check this :).

What's been happening? Some of the fun things we've had is having friends and family from Australia come to visit! We've had a ball showing people our life here in Redding. Back in early September, Colleen & Mason Thomson came to visit. We enjoyed the end of summer with them hiking, swimming and eating lots of food! Colleen came with a group of ladies to do the Trees Of Life conference. Mason came along for the journey and he's been convinced that this would be a great place to come to very soon.

For the month of November we had some of our closest friends staying with us. Jase, Rach, Judah, and Kahlan spent 5 weeks in the US, most of it spent with us. The house was definitely full but we really valued this time with them. There is something special about being able to share your 'new life' with 'old friends'. During their time here, we spend 4 nights in Yosemite National Park. It was the most beautiful winter wonderland I've ever seen. Absolutely spectacular! We also had a special Thanksgiving dinner (one of three that were hosted at our house :) ). A good friend of ours loves to cook...and I love to have people in the house. So we made a deal - I'll open the house and she could cook the food! Far deal to me :).

During December, I (Taff) was asked to play for the Choir for their Christmas events. I also had the opportunity to sing a couple of songs, including one of my own Christmas songs. I had so much fun playing piano for them! Also during this time, I was asked to play & sing at a community outreach event. While I was playing, I watch a man get healed as people were praying for him right in front of me. His leg grew out, his back and knee were healed, then later than night he went to the house church in the neighbourhood and was filled with the Holy Spirit! Wow! Come on Jesus! His life has been radically changed. What a privilege to be a part of what God was doing.

I've been surprised at how much I play and sing these days! I have hardly done it in the past, but felt that I had to practice....and now everywhere I sing, I play also. I'm really enjoying. I'm still leading worship for the parenting group I'm involved in, home group at our house every wednesday, and I co-lead once a month at Healing Rooms. I'm continually being stretched, and I'm excited about what I'm going to learn this year.

Just before Christmas, my sister was on a business trip to the US but I wasn't going to be able to catch up with her. While she was here, she ended up having to change her flight home. In order to get the cheaper flight, it meant that she had to stay a week longer in the US - so guess where she spent the week! With me! I was so excited to have her here, especially around Christmas time.

Our house was full of people again on Christmas day. It was a really nice relaxed, 'family' day. There were 8 kids that were beautifully behaved, and about 16 adults. So nice to be able to celebrate with friends that have become our family here.

We had a very relaxed New Years Eve - for once we didn't host anything which was really nice! We spent the night with a few friends...and were totally excited when it began snowing at 11pm! It was amazing! We stood outside watching the snow and the fireworks...counting down about 10 times...weren't sure of the actual time :). I was most excited when our yard was still covered in snow in the morning! It was such a beautiful experience (when you haven't had many snow adventures). The memories (with the help of photos) will stay in my mind forever!

God Heals Through Prophetic Art!

For my first ever prophetic art painting during worship at church, I painted a picture a silhouette of a mans face and the Holy Spirit like a lion roaring into their ear. The person was holding 'the harvest' and had a bracelet with life around their wrist. I remember at the time feeling that Holy Spirit wanted me to pain a wave of water going up and touching the persons ear. I felt that God was going to heal peoples ears.

After worship, I presented this painting to an elderly man named Earnest and he was prophecied over by another team member. Then at the end of the meeting A lady named “Gramma” who I had met at the front desk, came up and said that she suffered from Tinnitus and ringing in her ears.

So I released the testimony of a friend who had been healed of that condition and said “I think God wants to do it again!” As we began to pray, what was like a huge wave of the spirit, literally surged upon us and dumped on us! JUST LIKE THE PAINTING!!! It felt like a huge wave was crashing over us! I was holding the womans head as she arched back…(I have never seen a granny arch that far back!) I was getting knocked over too! She was like 65-70 years and arched back so far, that a teenager luckily caught her before she fell to the ground.

While she was down, God kept pouring over both her and me!. Then she got up, and I asked “how are you feeling?” she said “I cant tell until I go out of the room.” So I told her to come back and tell me if she hadn’t been healed because God wanted to heal her. She came back later to tell me “Guess what! I have been completely healed!” I didnt realise how cool it was, until I spoke to a few friends who told me that Tinnitus (ringing in the ear) is right up there with deafness as being incurrable and that people have suicided because of it!) Anyways God is AMAZING and he wants to heal today!

Zeke's Business & Trampoline Miracle!

Zeke came to me (Dave) during the summer and said "Daddy, I want to get some more toys!" So I said to him "Ok, well then you will have to start a business!". Zeke (3) looked at me with those big gaping 'Why' eyes and said "Daddy, what's a business?" So I told him how it worked and then he said "Daddy, I want a trampoline!" I drew up a chart (that he could colour in each time) and we made a goal of how much we wanted to make roughly. Then we proceeded to see what opportunities were around him to make this happen?

Zeke and I ended up negotiating with Mike and Bec (our amazing Aussie friends) for Zeke to move some wheelbarrows of bark (at the lucrative price of $1 per wheelbarrow) from one part of the property to the other, so they could plant turf.

So for the next 2 weeks roughly, Zeke and I got up early, had a quick bite for breakfast and headed out to aim to shovel 10 wheelbarrows (before the hot sun came out!) Zeke also managed to con-vince Mikes two kids to work for him. So the four of us shovelled (the kids used broom and shovels) After all of this, Zeke ended up shovelling 45 wheelbarrows, with the help of his cheap labour and dad!

Then we prayed for a miracle... and God came through! On Craigslist (a second hand on-line community selling website) we found a brand new trampoline (without a mat) for $45!!! This was an incredible price, as they retailed for $280 new with a mat (the mats were $90) So we grabbed this one... but then we had no mat.

Then a friend of ours Satch, dropped in one morning and announced to Taff and Zeke that his friends had heard the story and given him $150 for a mat!!! So Zeke had more than enough to buy a mat, pay his Tithe and his cheap labourers! Praise God that he is a generous God!

Zeke's Resurrection from the dead!

A friend of Dave's began to teach him about planting a vegetable garden. So Dave took up the challenge and made a garden with strawberries, basil, oregano, lettuce, tomatoes and a capsicum plant.

All of these went well, except for the lettuce seeds (which Zeke washed away in the early days!)

and the capsicum plant. It shot out 2 capsicums, but then died suddenly, withering into a yellow semi dry organism. Dave thought "Oh well! there we go again! maybe I am just not a gardener after all!" The plant was like this for weeks.

Then one morning while Dave was undertaking his usual ritual of watering the plants... Zeke came out in his pajamas. He then walked straight up to the capsicum plant, bent down and began to extend his hand and pray over the plant! Dave just stood there watering mouth gaping wide open! Then Zeke walked back inside! Dave said "Zeke did you just pray for the plant?" and he replied "Yes". Two weeks later the plant re-shot out of the top and has now produced two new capsicums and some more on the way!!! Praise God that He is a God who raises the dead! and does it through a child! Go Zeke!

life is relationships

I know that Dave has already shared about the power of community, but I (Taff) wanted to share about some of my personal journey with this.

Prior to coming to Bethel, I thought I was a fairly transparent person. I have since realised how much I wasn't. Rather, I was trying to fit into the idea of what I thought was expected of me - as a person, a friend, and especially a leader. I felt I always had to be strong; that despite tough times I could still keep it together. I felt I always had to have something to say, something to share or teach. But I've learnt that it's ok to show your weaknesses and allow other people to see what's going on in your life. It's ok not to have something to say, but to just be with people and share life with them. Let me try to explain more.

Many times back in Australia, we would joke around with our friends about 'living in community'. I always rejected the idea. Who would really want to live with other people? Sharing everything? Even the messy times? Not me! However, I eventually got to the point where I said to our closest friends that I could POSSIBLY live with them. Little did I know that these conversations were preparation for what we would be doing here in the US.

As we were looking for housing, Dave threw out the idea of having people rent with us to help cover costs. I didn't take to the idea initially due to the size of the houses we were looking at. When we found the house we are now in, I just knew it was perfect - and even perfect for having roomies! (Admittedly, the size of our house in Australia was not good for extra people so I think the idea of living with people in a small house really didn't gel with me!) So it was an easy decision (one that had a lot of grace on it) to have people live with us.

The first person to join our house was Tim. He and his girlfriend (now wife - yay!) were the perfect people to have around. They became amazing friends - and have had to put up with my transition into loving community! They've seen the good, the bad and the ugly - and they still seem to love me. They, and our other roomies, have endured the journey I have been on about being real with people and being ok with people seeing the mess in my life. They've also helped me to learn brave communication (openly talking about concerns etc).

We also have other amazing friends that have journeyed through this with us (me in particular). Our house became the place where people hang out - and we love it. Many of our close friends are Aussies - so good ol' Aussie humour was never left out at any gathering. At times I felt like some of my 'stronger and perhaps not so likable' characteristics became the brunt of many jokes. Ones that have been brought to my attention plenty of times over the years. After a while I had to check - was this really an issue or is it simply a joke (and I was a good bite :) )? I couldn't just hold it in anymore. I had to find out. This is where relationship really started...I began to open up and ask questions. I learnt that yep, at times I over stepped the boundaries, but I was still loved for who I was. I could be around these people, show my weaknesses, and still be accepted and loved. I didn't need to be strong and in control. We have learnt more recently in our Love After Marriage workshop, that when nothing is hidden - no secrets - that's when there can be a deeper relationship. I have taken this concept on as a strength for any relationship. I can share what I'm struggling with and know that I am only going to get support, love and prayer. I can speak to a person directly about a thought or issue I may have with them, and know that that friendship will only deepen and be stronger for it. I know that by me being open and honest, allows them to feel safe and do the same. People can relate to realness! They can relate to struggles. Then, they can celebrate with you when you have success! They become a part of the journey. Every relationship - even people I just meet - I feel like I can offer more of me (the good and the bad) which will help that relationship go deeper, even just a little. Not everyone in my life will be my best friend, and I'm not saying I share my deepest darkest feelings with a person I meet for the first time, however being real just makes people feel more important (at least that's what I think).

I now look for opportunities to go deeper with people. I get a little restless if the relationship feels stagnant. And I am constantly still learning how to make this a part of my life more and more. I just read 'The Shack' (yep, finally!) over the last 24 hours (hubby away on camp!) and it just confirmed everything I'm learning about relationships. I've been wanting a 'love encounter' with Jesus, and I think I'm in the middle of it - but it doesn't look like what I thought it would. Father has been showing me his love through people, through relationships, through life! I haven't been shaking or laughing or doing anything 'abnormal'. But I have felt the love of God through relationship with people. I feel so loved right now. I have amazing friends and roomies (now we have 2 girls - but that's another story) and I am learning not to try and earn God's love by doing what I am supposed to (cause I can't), but rather just capture his love for me by being in constant relationship with him, and learning to know the voice of Holy Spirit.

My only sad point is that I wish our close friends and family were all with us to be more a part of it! Skype (and time differences) make it very hard to catch up regularly and be able to share all that's going on. I now long for greater relationships with these people.

As for me as a leader, well that's still to be tested. I've just been given an opportunity to oversee the worship for the parenting group I've been leading worship at. There's only 3 of us at the moment, but I've got a lot to learn and practice so that's plenty for now! :)

We have the amazing opportunity to sit in a culture where everyone is learning similar things about their identity and relationships, so it does make it a bit easier. There is definitely a grace for that here. However, it's not limited to here. I don't intend to leave behind what I've learnt here either! Life is relationships. With people, and God (three in one). And life is so much better this way!