my-heart.

How much do you value a human life?

Is it the 30 cents you give the begging kid just so he will walk away from your car?

Is it the $20 paid to sleep with a trafficked girl in a brothel?

Is it the smug look you give to the homeless man on the street corner?

Is it the apathetic attitude you have toward those less fortunate than you?

Just because you chose to not see, doesn’t make it go away.

Our world has become too custom to degrading human life. From bullying to slavery, God did not create mankind to be treated in such a way. Social justice isn’t a one time action or a bilboard for celebrity charity status. Social justice is about restoring the value of a human life. Taking back what the enemy has proclaimed over a life and replacing it with God’s unfailing love and grace.

It’s ironic how life makes you feel so insignificant. But it’s in those insignificant moments where God singles you out, puts you in a spotlight and sings over you. He sees you. I feel insignificant all the time, but then I hear it, “I see you. I love you.” And that’s all I need to carry on. God sees the moments of desperation, brokenness, and lonliness. Hallelujah that He is omnipresent–everywhere, living within me.

The world has been turned upside down by individuals, so why do we hold back? Why not give it a go? Why not change the world? It starts small. Give a wave to the people walking opposite you on the street. Smile at the eldery woman in the grocery store. Fill up your local food banks with non-perishables. Sponsor a child. Take out your neighbors garbage.

Who knows what will be the spark to ignite the flame..

Myeyes have been opened to the world I live in. I’m not naive about how the rest of the world lives. I’ve seen extreme riches and extreme poverty. God sparked a flame within me. The I-Heart movie was a cry from my heart as well. I was a bit overwhelmed watching it because God has called me to the ones that this world does not acknowledge. The ones who are losing hope. I dream big. Most of my dreams make no sense and they are quite ridiculous. But I’m going to prepare now as if they are going to happen. I’m going to make the most of each day. I’m going to make sure the people in my world know their kingdom value. I want to restore their hope in an ever faithful God. He will never fail. :)

“Don’t despise the day of small beginnings.”

check out www.i-heart.org

October in a tiny nut shell.

So I began October with the prayer of  “the joy of the Lord is my strength.” Everyday my lovely British friend, Francis, would remind me of that prayer. “Do you have the joy today, Lydia?”  With a smile and hug like hers, how is it possible to not have joy?

Assessments, rehearsals, classes–full to the brim.  Getting to the end of October was my goal, better yet, get through October with a beautiful spirit and attitude–that was the key. I figured if I could leave stress behind and go into the month strong, then I could conquer anything.

I had a couple of visitors come and join along in the October madness…

Callie and Erin!

 

They came to join in on the fun and chaos that is Encounter…

 

 

Encounter was life-defining. It was one of those moments where God came, God spoke, and God poured out an incredible joy.  Thousands of youth uniting and declaring God’s praises. It is really rather extraordinary. God met me there. While in worship one night, God gave me a vision, a tiny glimpse into my future. Let’s just say my dreams actually get to come true. That vision was so beautiful. I feel like the woman in Proverbs 31, I smile at the future.

There is no one like our God. Everyday I think I fall even more in love with the God who saved me, who took the death that I deserved, who chose me.

…Encounter was even more than I expected. After I said my goodbyes to Callie and Erin, I set off for the Gold Coast to meet up with my housemate Danita. I got to chill with the South African Seymour’s for a couple of days, which was a necessary vacay.

 

 

Hello Gold Coast

 

The moment I got back in Sydney, I was in dance rehearsals. Our dances, all glory to God, went amazingly. They were so great. Seriously, we can’t even take any credit for the fact that we pulled them off because it was totally just God showing off. They were so much fun and so much work, but in the end it all paid off. Never underestimate a dancer…haha or God.

 

…I managed to pull a bit of an injury while rehearsing. I have tendonitis in my achilles tendons. Basically, it is super painful to go up on my toes or apply heaps of pressure to my ankles. sweet. I’m still healing and having to be careful when dancing. It totally added to the stress of the month. But God told me, He is making all things new. My joy is complete in the Lord. He is my strength and He is my song. He is strong in my weakness. When I called out to Him, He inclined His ear to answer my prayer.  I made it through! October was full on and demanding….and well, November isn’t looking to be anything less than that! Bring it.

He is my strength and my song. my strength and my song. my strength and my song.

just. dance.

Group Choreography:

My Choreography:

traffic.

This is what happens when you have been laying out all day and sitting in surfer’s paradise traffic….

 

I’M AN AUNT AGAIN…well…in 9 months.

So life got really exciting when I heard the news (thank You, Lord, for skype!!), that not only was my sister in law Christina pregnant, but my sister Brittney is also pregnant!!!!  you know what that means….

…AUNT LELA/LALA RETURNS!!!!!  (well, not to the States, but re-establishes the title of coolest/best/most awesome Aunt in the world (literally)—no offense everyone else)

My little ones mean the world to me. I swore after missing the birth of the oldest, Chloe, that I would never ever miss another birth of one of my nieces and nephews, regardless of where in the world I was.  Little did I know back in 9th grade, that I would not only be missing 1 but 2 births and BONUS—I’m on the other side of the world.  …go figure.

Chloe is one of my best friends. I remember driving as fast as I could to get home after school when Mom would be babysitting so that I could bundle up little Chloe and take her on a walk in her stroller. I used to pray Psalm 84 over Chloe, “that her soul would long and yearn to be in the courts of the Lord, that her heart would sing for joy to the living God.” We even have a song, appropriately titled “Our Song” by Taylor Swift. Chloe is a passionate little girl. When she loves something or someone, she really loves them and will go to all costs to make them feel special.  No doubt God created her that way for a specific purpose…I can’t wait to see the fulfillment of that. I don’t think I’ve come across a child that is so aware of the Spirit that surrounds her. He radiants from her. Chloe’s heart of worship will be a heart that speaks to nations.

The moment I saw Esther, I just saw this delicate quality about her, a tender heart. Esther really is like a rose–a soft, sweet exterior with a bold colour and fragrance of character and will. She is never to be underestimated. Estie is a determined little girl, when she pursues something, she is going to go after it with everything inside of her. She really does take after Queen Esther. I believe that there will come a time when God will say “Now, My love. For such a time as this, I created you.” And the thing about my Esther is that she will hold fast her belief and her love for Jesus…nothing will be able to stop her. She is going to grow into a mighty woman of God, my prayer for her is from 1 Peter, that her “adornment will always be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of the Lord.”

Jaxon is my cuddle buddy. He is the only one who understands my hair-twirling compulsions…we just can’t help it, people! As with the other babies, I couldn’t stop crying when I first saw Jax. There is a strength about that little boy. I prayed that the same heart that God loved about David would be the same heart He sees in Jaxon–a blameless, righteous man of God–a warrior who will prevail over evil with a humble, tender heart. I asked God that He would annoint Jax just as He annointed David, that “the Spirit of the Lord would come mightily upon Jaxon from that day forward.” Jaxon has a character of strength and compassion, quite a force to be reckoned with. Jax is a loyal boy, to people he loves and to his skill. God gave Jaxon a talent with a pair of sticks and a drum…those seamingly insignificant sticks may just be a glimpse into a future of worship and evangelism. He is growing into a powerful man of God, filled with the Spirit, always pursuing after God…and one day a beautiful godly girl.  :)

Graceyn really is my little bundle of joy. She giggles and giggles and laughs until you join in on the laughter and she sees you smiling.   …If sunshine was a person.  The world could use a few more laughs and smiling faces. What a gift God has bestowed on Grace Grace, that she is able to share what is within her! The love and joy she has on the inside beams into the hearts of others. One day, Graceyn’s sunshine is going to break through another’s darkness, opening their hearts to receive from the Lord.  Joy is a reflection of an inward belief. Graceyn has a great capacity to believe for others and believe in Jesus. The words that Jesus speaks over her will penetrate her heart, then resonate to others. She will truly “be blessed because she believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.”  Gracie Beth’s capacity for faith will be matched with her capacity to love others. Laughter and love are the new nuclear bombs…and Graceyn is fully loaded.

Ross is my little mystery man. I have yet to get to know him like I do the others since I moved to Australia when he was only 5 1/2 months old. But I’ll tell you what I do know…Ross is going to defy the ways of the world. When everyone turns right, he is going to go left.  He is going to be like a prince of his day, nobody is going to ask why he beliefs in this, or why he acts like that–they will just follow him because there is something “noble” about his character. A courageous man, with a foundation of wisdom. Unlike some men, Ross is going to be a devoted listener–to God. “Listen, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way.” Ross will stand firm on his position, staking his ground, conquering an empire with the love of God. For God speaks to Ross, “give me your heart, my son, and let your eyes delight in my ways.” A wise leader is uncommon these days, but God is raising up a mighty man of God to lead the lost back home.

There was a moment on the day that Joe and Megan got married that I was in the hotel room with Chloe, Jaxon, and Esther on a king size bed–I had nap duty, my mission: get all 3 kids alseep to avoid cranky wedding day syndrome. Chloe lay next to Jaxon, Jaxon next to me, and me next to Esther. After a few giggles and “tag the cousin over Aunt LaLa”, they finally went to sleep. All 3 of them, drifted away to the sound of my voice. With 2 kids snuggled right on top of me and another squeezed close, I managed to slip my way out and off the bed. I’ll never forget that moment. I stood at the foot of the bed and just cried. Then I began to pray over each one of them. Nothing will ever take my love away from these little ones. If they only knew! (haha, as God says, “can you at least see a little glimpse of my love for you, Lydia?”) <–Oh God, ever-present. I love Him.

I am so sad that I am going to miss the births of these next two miracles, but God has given me grace for this moment. I am where He wants me, and there is blessing in that. I have to hold fast to His promises at times like this, because my flesh is so weak and it screams out “that’s not fair, God!”  So I will “wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord.” Ps 27:14

So there you go.  There is a part of my heart, they are a part of my heart- always and forever.

Chloe, Jaxon, Esther, Graceyn

Ross

step it up, Lydia.

Here I am at the outset of October. As I look through my calendar, I realize just how chaotic this month is going to be. Honestly, if I can make it through October, I’ll feel as if I’ve conquered the world. Assessments, Encounter, Choreography, Rehearsals, Kidsfest….I’m seriously freaked out here. 31 days isn’t a lot of time. Everytime I look at my schedule, I already feel defeated. Where is this time going to come from?

It is moments like this that I am so grateful for the God that I serve.

“Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7

I am learning that right now, this moment, if I even try…no, if I even think that I can do this month in my own strength, independent of God, then I might as well stop where I’m at. I just feel overwhelmed at the moment. Sometimes I just go numb because I’m too busy concentrating on my own problems.

October is a month that I can either choose to succeed or fail…miserably.

To avoid failing miserably and hating my life, I have predetermined that October is going to be one of the most life changing months I will ever have. I have decided to be strong this month. The following verses of 1 Peter 5, tell me that my enemy is roaming, stalking, planning, seeking to find me in my weakness so he can rip me to shreds. But I am not going to be defeated this month. I am going to enter into this chaos with an attitude of confidence and peace.

As Nehemiah said, the joy of the Lord is my strength. That is my hope.

Lord, give me courage to face this month. Give me heaps of creativity in my dances. May my each day glorify You. I love You with all that is within me!

s.o.l.o.

Here is my solo assessment for dance performance class. We had to perform Linda’s choreography with our own interpretation and story. This dance is so fun…and it will also give you texas-sized bruises.  can you say kneepads??

 

big EXO day

So saturday, september 19, 2009 was a day of epic proportions—big exo day. Exo day is when all the youth of the state (New South Wales) get together and have a massive festival. There are bmx riders, wake boarders, hardcore stage, indie rock stage, hip hop stage, chill stage, battle of the bands, make overs, fashion shows, and so much more. It is a one day only event that unites the youth of NSW. 10,000 kids showed up!

I spent most of my day hanging out at the indie rock stage where i listened to some sweet bands and made sure kids didn’t stand in the stairwells. I volunteered to help out at Exo day and was given the priviledge of hosting aka standing on your feet the entire day.  It was a beautiful warm day, however it got a bit cold–okay really cold– that night…smart one for me, i was in shorts and a t-shirt. Nevertheless, a cup of hot chocolate and a jumper and you were all good to stand for another 2 hours!

To end the evening, Reggie Dabbs brought the Word, 1,000 people got saved, and Relient K brought it all home with a celebration concert.

Seeing those kids, who just commited their life to Christ, leave the stadium to receive their Bibles in the amplitheater was one of the most rewarding sights. 1,000 decisions to follow Jesus! Exo day was a total success.

…side note. upon leaving the showgrounds i got to hear the end of beyonce’s concert. she was singing halo and it was amazing!

 

Sunnies and housemateshosting...thats where its at

 

team awesome

lunch...chicken nuggets and chips

X-O volunteering

night rally+wind=cold

sweet as

september 22

september 22.

i woke up to sunshine pouring through my window. smile on my face. it is going to be a good day. the first words i heard when i opened my eyes, “Happy Birthday, my precious daughter. I’m so proud of you. I love you.”

i love when God wakes me up with beautiful words.

i also love when my housemates make me chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast!

 

 Good morning, good breakfast

 

 

                           Gettcha some!

my birthday was really good. lots of hugs and cards. sunshine, wind in the afternoon and a storm to welcome the darkness. God seriously loves me.  college and dance, then some time with my rdg girls at max brenner and wrapped up the day with 500 days of summer! i even got to skype my family and get some hometown lovin.

i have been thinking about this next year. twenty one. this is a year of possibilities. a year of health-physically and spiritually.  a new year to live. like seriously live–go all out. live on purpose. live with passion.

i heard God’s words over and over throughout the day. “Happy Birthday, ______ (<–each time a new name, daughter, beloved, beautiful, precious, My love). I am so proud of you. I love you.”   it is amazing what a simple word of encouragement and blessing will do to brighten your day.

i also listened to nathan angelo’s september 22:

Rolled out of bed, put on some clothes
Brushed my teeth and hit the road, on the coaster again
Another day has just begun
And she’s already beating like a drum
It’s crazy again
But I cannot escape the pounding in my chest
It tells me there’s something that I must address

If blood’s flowing through my veins
And there’s air to breath, life to live
Then I’ve got a song to sing
On this normal day, September 22nd

I see the writing on the wall
And realize that after all life’s not so bad
I walk around, start to smile
Watch the joy go dancing down the aisle
It travels like a fad
Cause you cannot escape the pounding in your chest
It’ll tell you there’s something that you must confess

besides the fact that september 22 is my birthday, i love this song because it is about the normal days where you choose to sing and live out that day to its full potential. i mean, why not?  and when it is a special day, that just gives you all the more reason to really cherish the day, each moment.

happy birthday to me! twenty one is going to be an amazing year! hip hip hooray, hip hip hooray, hip hip hooray!!

  show me your 21’s

 

::selah::

There is a different air about Hillsong right now.  A fresh wind has swept through the place, a wind that breathed life into all that it came in contact with. We definately dwell in the midst of the Holy Spirit everyday. His presence is undeniable. In fact, just last week I was giving a non-Christian visitor a tour around the campus and he kept saying  “There is just something about this place. There is  great ‘energy’ coming from the campus. I felt it the moment I walked up to the church.”    …everyone can sense it, whether you have the Spirit within you or not.

I so wish I could describe to you what chapel was like on Tuesday. There aren’t words. From the moment the first song started, I felt God near—So near, that all I could do was cry in His presence. This was by-far the best chapel I have ever experienced in my life. I will also put it at the top of the worship times I have ever experienced. I will never forget that moment.

Just imagine it….

….worshipping your Creator, your Redeemer, your Savior, your King, your Abba amoungst a group of 500 faith filled young people. Your Spirit is so full and overflowing that you get lost in the moment of worship. Your soul is screaming out, “THIS IS WHAT I WAS CREATED FOR! THIS IS IT!!” You can feel comfort behind you–you are in the midst of angels, they just want to join in on the celebration. Peace runs over your body. You sing out your praises to God. You sing out your love for Jesus. You begin to sing in another language, one not of this earth. You let go, you surrender everything. Then…then here it comes…that voice…that quiet soothing powerful voice that you know well.

God speaks. 

“Behold, my love. I am making all things new. A river of life will flow afresh. Don’t forget, Lydia, I am with you always. And I will always love you. You are mine.”

My faith kept rising and rising as we say the simpliest of songs, hymns of Jesus. Then we prayed. We prayed for Megan’s miracle. My friend, Megan, here in Australia has been diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer. As a college, we prayed for her on Tuesday, united in faith, that Jesus would miraculously heal her of all cancer…we will see the report on monday or tuesday! I believe she was healed. But either way, this girl is the epitome of joy and sunshine. Her anchor is Christ and He will never let her down!

My new enouragement is Revelation 21: 1-7. I love the thought that one day I will get to be with my King. The day that no one will cry or mourn or have pain, there will only be joy and laughter. He is making all things new. He is starting with us, salvation is part of making things new.

Tuesday started as any other day. Same ole, same ole. I didn’t expect to have that moment with God. I should have expected it…I mean isn’t that what we are supposed to do everyday?! But Tuesday, September 15, 2009 ended up being one of the best memories and experiences in my life. I know that I know that I know that I am supposed to be in Australia for this season of my life. God just gave me such a peace about it all. He let me know that He is going to “take care of everything.” 

Don’t discard a day as if nothing of significance can happen. It’s those days that we have to pray to see the opportunties God has placed in front of us. It’s those ordinary days that God makes extraordinary.

Tuesday was just one of those moments…a “selah moment.”  A moment where you have to just pause and wait on the Lord. A moment where the presence of the Holy Spirit is so thick and heavy that you can hardly move. A moment where you don’t even sing, you reflect and pray. Selah is a God encounter that leaves you breathless, speechless, and all you can do is just bask in the love of our Lord Jesus.