Significant Week
It's so funny how many of the significant things in life occur without any pomp or fanfare or stately announcement of their occurance. Last week was one of those sorts of weeks in our thop history. It was one of those weeks in which the Lord spoke, when certain events and meetings took place, when notable conversations were held, and when yet another one of the mile markers was crossed on this journey of establishing a house of prayer here in Tauranga. In the natural, nothing much looks different now than did a week ago, just as much as when one has a birthday, he or she doesn't necessairly feel older in the immediate days following. But the lack of apparent change doesn't negate the reality of the significant events which have taken place. God is on the move; the winds of change are blowing, and by His grace, the plans and purposes of His heart for a city and a nation and a region of the world will surely come to pass.
This thing sure is hard work ~ one of the hardest things we've ever done in our life. But it sure is exciting to be part of.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Bullet Points
- Tonight is daylight savings. Though I love the thought of one more hour of sunlight in the evenings, the immediate price of losing an hour of sleep tonight is quite disheartening. Especially since I am quite tired.
- This weekend is full for us. After a late night last night, a pre-7am rising (thanks to my precious daughter), grocery shopping this morning, and a meeting this afternoon, I am tired. Tomorrow Aaron preaches all 3 services at church, and I will lead ministry time with some of the THOP guys for the evening service.
- Friday marked the last day of the school term for Taylor. For the sake of my American readers, the school year here begins in February, and is then divided into 4 ten-week terms, with 2 weeks of "school holidays" between each term (and 6 weeks summer vacation over Christmas). So, Monday starts 2 weeks of school holidays. I look forward to the opportunity to have Taylor home with us all day every day, especially since our THOP mid-internship break falls in the second week of school holidays, so we'll all have a week off together. I can't wait!
- Taylor's social life is thriving. We have a play date scheduled for Monday with one of our ywam/thop friends, and we also had a lunch play date after pre-school yesterday with one of her favorite friends from pre-school, whose mom I also really like. I've really enjoyed forming friendships with the other moms, many of whom will be part of our life for years to come as our children will progress through school together.
Nothing much else terribly exciting for now. Time to get ready for bed, especially since it really is an hour later than the clock says it is.....
Friday, September 26, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
New Bible
After 13 years, multiple layers of duct tape on the cover and binding, and scotch tape holding together many riped pages, I've decided that it was time to purchase a new Bible. I seriously thought about getting my old one re-bound (an idea which, I must confess, I still haven't entirely thrown out), but after scoring a deal at the local Christian bookstore (NZ$80 for a genuine leather Bible that's exactly the same as the one I've already got ~ even the chapters and verses are in the same place on each page), well, I've got myself a new Bible. As familiar as it seems, it still is quite new and strange, but seeing as how I can actually now read the book of Revelation, I'm thinking its good that I have a new one. I guess it will take a bit of time to 'break it in', but its worth it. And my old Bible will forever have the place of honor on our bookshelf. It feels like that Book contains within it the last 13 years of my history and journey in God.
After 13 years, multiple layers of duct tape on the cover and binding, and scotch tape holding together many riped pages, I've decided that it was time to purchase a new Bible. I seriously thought about getting my old one re-bound (an idea which, I must confess, I still haven't entirely thrown out), but after scoring a deal at the local Christian bookstore (NZ$80 for a genuine leather Bible that's exactly the same as the one I've already got ~ even the chapters and verses are in the same place on each page), well, I've got myself a new Bible. As familiar as it seems, it still is quite new and strange, but seeing as how I can actually now read the book of Revelation, I'm thinking its good that I have a new one. I guess it will take a bit of time to 'break it in', but its worth it. And my old Bible will forever have the place of honor on our bookshelf. It feels like that Book contains within it the last 13 years of my history and journey in God.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Perpetual Night and Day Prayer
Today is IHOP-KC's 9 year anniversary. Or birthday. Whichever you choose to call it. Actually, they really have two birthdays. May 7, 1999 marked the beginning of the House of Prayer, 13 hours a day, 5 days a week. Then on September 19, 1999, night and day prayer began, and a prayer meeting started on that day that has not stopped since. I moved to Kansas City in August of 1999, so I missed out on being part of the May 7th beginning. (Though my husband tells me that the first nation ever prayed for in the House of Prayer was New Zealand. How does he know? Because he led the prayer meeting with Mike, and prayed for this nation himself. How cool is that?!) But anyways, I remember Sept. 19th quite vividly, a day which will, perhaps, be impossible to forget. There were lots of people crammed into the small prayer room, but it didn't matter. There was excitement and celebration in the atmosphere, yet also a holy awe and sobriety as we understood that none of us really knew the magnitude, significance, and also difficulty of what had just begun. It was an honor and privilege to be there on that day, and for 7 years that followed.
But the real point of that whole story (besides giving a bit of history and re-living those great memories) is that as I write this, I have a holy jealousy and a holy zeal/longing/anticipation for the day when it will be our turn. When a prayer meeting will begin in New Zealand that will, by the grace of God, continue until He returns. Not because this defines the success of our ministry, or because it's the pinnacle that all houses of prayer aspire to reach, but because first of all, He is worthy of it. He deserves great praise and adoration and worship and honor. Second of all, because as we consider the hour of history we are living in, this city and this nation will need it. Because I long for justice (the making of wrong things right) in our city (Luke 18:7). Because we need an open heaven. Because business as usual isn't working anymore. Because we need another Great Awakening.
Today is IHOP-KC's 9 year anniversary. Or birthday. Whichever you choose to call it. Actually, they really have two birthdays. May 7, 1999 marked the beginning of the House of Prayer, 13 hours a day, 5 days a week. Then on September 19, 1999, night and day prayer began, and a prayer meeting started on that day that has not stopped since. I moved to Kansas City in August of 1999, so I missed out on being part of the May 7th beginning. (Though my husband tells me that the first nation ever prayed for in the House of Prayer was New Zealand. How does he know? Because he led the prayer meeting with Mike, and prayed for this nation himself. How cool is that?!) But anyways, I remember Sept. 19th quite vividly, a day which will, perhaps, be impossible to forget. There were lots of people crammed into the small prayer room, but it didn't matter. There was excitement and celebration in the atmosphere, yet also a holy awe and sobriety as we understood that none of us really knew the magnitude, significance, and also difficulty of what had just begun. It was an honor and privilege to be there on that day, and for 7 years that followed.
But the real point of that whole story (besides giving a bit of history and re-living those great memories) is that as I write this, I have a holy jealousy and a holy zeal/longing/anticipation for the day when it will be our turn. When a prayer meeting will begin in New Zealand that will, by the grace of God, continue until He returns. Not because this defines the success of our ministry, or because it's the pinnacle that all houses of prayer aspire to reach, but because first of all, He is worthy of it. He deserves great praise and adoration and worship and honor. Second of all, because as we consider the hour of history we are living in, this city and this nation will need it. Because I long for justice (the making of wrong things right) in our city (Luke 18:7). Because we need an open heaven. Because business as usual isn't working anymore. Because we need another Great Awakening.
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Girl's day out, girl's night in
Aaron was in Wellington for the weekend, speaking at a youth camp, so Taylor and I had lots of special time together the last couple days. Yesterday I decided to forgo our usual Saturday grocery shopping routine, favoring a picnic at the park instead. It was a beautiful day, perfect for enjoying a good play (and lunch!) outside. Then last night, I decided to invite the girls from our community over to our place for "girl's night". We had a great time! It was a full house ~ between the THOP interns and staff and also the YWAM DTS students and staff, I think we ended up with about 20 or 25 girls here. But it was oh so much fun! The DTS just started last week, so it was really fun to meet those girls and get to know them a bit more. They're a great bunch; it's such a privilege having them here and having the opportunity to do the house of prayer alongside a DTS. It's a great combination! And Taylor had a blast last night, too. Many of those girls are her friends, too, in a "young adult befriends a pre-schooler" sort-of-way. I think she enjoyed the night just as much as (more than?) the rest of us!
One thing that I learned very early on in our marriage is that when Aaron goes away, it's important for me to make it a "positive" time for myself (and now Taylor) rather than a "negative" time. If he can go away knowing that I (we) are having fun and enjoying ourselves (rather than being miserable because he's gone), then it frees him to go and do what he is called to do without worrying about us. So, especially now with Taylor, I like to try to plan some special things to do while he's gone that we don't usually do when he's home. Like having a girl's night.
And now Aaron is home, which is the best part of the whole weekend!
Aaron was in Wellington for the weekend, speaking at a youth camp, so Taylor and I had lots of special time together the last couple days. Yesterday I decided to forgo our usual Saturday grocery shopping routine, favoring a picnic at the park instead. It was a beautiful day, perfect for enjoying a good play (and lunch!) outside. Then last night, I decided to invite the girls from our community over to our place for "girl's night". We had a great time! It was a full house ~ between the THOP interns and staff and also the YWAM DTS students and staff, I think we ended up with about 20 or 25 girls here. But it was oh so much fun! The DTS just started last week, so it was really fun to meet those girls and get to know them a bit more. They're a great bunch; it's such a privilege having them here and having the opportunity to do the house of prayer alongside a DTS. It's a great combination! And Taylor had a blast last night, too. Many of those girls are her friends, too, in a "young adult befriends a pre-schooler" sort-of-way. I think she enjoyed the night just as much as (more than?) the rest of us!
One thing that I learned very early on in our marriage is that when Aaron goes away, it's important for me to make it a "positive" time for myself (and now Taylor) rather than a "negative" time. If he can go away knowing that I (we) are having fun and enjoying ourselves (rather than being miserable because he's gone), then it frees him to go and do what he is called to do without worrying about us. So, especially now with Taylor, I like to try to plan some special things to do while he's gone that we don't usually do when he's home. Like having a girl's night.
And now Aaron is home, which is the best part of the whole weekend!
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Like a kid again
Wow. How is it possible that it's been over a week since I've posted? The days are just disappearing, and ending as quickly as they begin. Never mind the fact that it's already September. What is that about?!
So yesterday I decided that it was a great day to take advantage of the spring air and warm(er) sun. I decided to forgo my usual Monday run, opting instead to put Taylor in the stroller and go for a lengthy walk with her ~ with a stop at the duck pond and the park on our way home. It was great fun. Good to get out and enjoy the fresh air of spring. And enjoy some good time with Taylor. The ducks were pitifully not hungry, though they managed to humor us and dutifully eat our old crusty bread, much to Taylor's amusement and delight. My personal highlight of the walk, though, was definitely the park. The swings, to be exact. It's been a long, long time since I've done this, but I decided to hop on the swing while Taylor was playing, and really swing for real, not just sit there. Now, there's just something about soaring high into the sky on a swing that's good for the soul. It brings with it a sense of freedom, childlike-ness, carefree-ness, innocence, pure fun, and satisfaction. Like all the troubles of the world melt away with each propulsion into the air. I think I could have stayed on that swing for a whole lot longer than I did, if it weren't for Taylor's requests for help on the climbing ropes. To be honest, I'm not sure who had more fun on that day: Taylor or I. But I think the bigger girl would be a safe bet.
Wow. How is it possible that it's been over a week since I've posted? The days are just disappearing, and ending as quickly as they begin. Never mind the fact that it's already September. What is that about?!
So yesterday I decided that it was a great day to take advantage of the spring air and warm(er) sun. I decided to forgo my usual Monday run, opting instead to put Taylor in the stroller and go for a lengthy walk with her ~ with a stop at the duck pond and the park on our way home. It was great fun. Good to get out and enjoy the fresh air of spring. And enjoy some good time with Taylor. The ducks were pitifully not hungry, though they managed to humor us and dutifully eat our old crusty bread, much to Taylor's amusement and delight. My personal highlight of the walk, though, was definitely the park. The swings, to be exact. It's been a long, long time since I've done this, but I decided to hop on the swing while Taylor was playing, and really swing for real, not just sit there. Now, there's just something about soaring high into the sky on a swing that's good for the soul. It brings with it a sense of freedom, childlike-ness, carefree-ness, innocence, pure fun, and satisfaction. Like all the troubles of the world melt away with each propulsion into the air. I think I could have stayed on that swing for a whole lot longer than I did, if it weren't for Taylor's requests for help on the climbing ropes. To be honest, I'm not sure who had more fun on that day: Taylor or I. But I think the bigger girl would be a safe bet.
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