I am sitting in the Sydney Entertainment Centre surrounded by thousands and thousands of women. It's that time of year, again. The time when I brave my fear of large crowds, let go of my Hillsong skepticism, forget about my work emails and bask in the beauty of sitting still, being one of the many, and learning. Its time to plug in and soak it up!
This time last year I wrote this blog... And what a 12 months it has been since then! For the third year in a row I am facing significant change in work and I am bringing it to colour conference to lay it down, seek guidance, receive peace, renewal and restoration of the heart as I brace myself for a new level. (And a busier workload... Again!!)
As always, I am thankful for the journey that is my life, but I am particularly thankful for these past few years especially. I believe I have grown more in this time than any other season in my 28 years of life. For the third year in a row, these few days in Sydney will be a 'marker' in my year that launch me into the growth that lies ahead. Bring it on, I say.
It makes me wonder, what will I be writing about this time next year?
(For the record, I was battling identity issues last year as a single woman. I dealt with that at last years conference and met my now-boyfriend, Darren, a few weeks later... God has a wicked sense of humour.)
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
A story that shapes hearts. Including mine.
It's been almost four years since a local church easter camp hosted the raw and unpolished pilot of Immerse. That weekend marked the beginning of an incredible journey for me, and many others (it would now seem). Having just returned from my tenth (!!) Immerse experience, I felt it fitting to mark the occasion with a reflective blog of sorts.
We recently spent five days with this years Year In The Son students on a journey through the greatest story ever told. A story that breaks down preconceived ideas about a God that was once distant and unobtainable, and reveals his loving heart and relationship with his creation.
The setting was beautiful.
The students were inviting, fun, adventurous and ever so sarcastic… (That last bit could be something I inspired and maybe even encouraged... whoops!)
The Story was confronting, challenging, inspiring, restoring, encouraging and motivating. We wondered about what it would have been like to be there - what we would have seen, smelt, felt, tasted...?
Once again, I saw a genuine community form around laughter, prayer, inclusion, and the courage to ask questions we may not have the answers to - yet. We dared to venture into the realm of the heavenlies and walked out with reshaped hearts.
We even played duck, duck, goose. (Sadly, no photographs were taken of this.)
But at the end of the day, the reward is not in the friendships made, the laughs had, or the new range of instagram photos I have to share. (Although they are all great things, of course.) No - it's when you read the thank you letters from your students and you can't hold back the smile....
If I could selfishly ask for any more than this, it would be that the story inspired a new group of movement makers, dedicated to sharing the story with others.
Perhaps there will be many more that will mark a number ten against their list of Immerse experiences. I surely hope so. Not because it is some revolutionary answer to contemporary youth ministry in Australia (although, I do occasionally wonder...) but because the journey of these past four years has made me, shaped me, taught me and led me to the very position I am currently in. And let me say, the view from here is amazing. A little scary at times, admittedly, but amazing nonetheless.
To my four special girls, you were indeed a sprinkle of delight in my life. (Get me a bucket.)
;)
Just saying.
J xo
We recently spent five days with this years Year In The Son students on a journey through the greatest story ever told. A story that breaks down preconceived ideas about a God that was once distant and unobtainable, and reveals his loving heart and relationship with his creation.
The setting was beautiful.
{Horseshoe Bay, Port Elliot.}
The Story was confronting, challenging, inspiring, restoring, encouraging and motivating. We wondered about what it would have been like to be there - what we would have seen, smelt, felt, tasted...?
{The separation experience}
{Re-telling the story with some artistic flare.}
{Inside the story room}
We even played duck, duck, goose. (Sadly, no photographs were taken of this.)
But at the end of the day, the reward is not in the friendships made, the laughs had, or the new range of instagram photos I have to share. (Although they are all great things, of course.) No - it's when you read the thank you letters from your students and you can't hold back the smile....
"... to experience the bible in such a practical way has made it come alive!"
"... I'm actually excited to pick up my bible now."
"... I'm feeling more confident in my faith and loved what I learned."
"... the way we received it, I think it will stay with me for a long time."
If I could selfishly ask for any more than this, it would be that the story inspired a new group of movement makers, dedicated to sharing the story with others.
Perhaps there will be many more that will mark a number ten against their list of Immerse experiences. I surely hope so. Not because it is some revolutionary answer to contemporary youth ministry in Australia (although, I do occasionally wonder...) but because the journey of these past four years has made me, shaped me, taught me and led me to the very position I am currently in. And let me say, the view from here is amazing. A little scary at times, admittedly, but amazing nonetheless.
To my four special girls, you were indeed a sprinkle of delight in my life. (Get me a bucket.)
;)
Just saying.
J xo
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