Living in God's Paradox

"The same power that raises the dead lives in me!" 

Wow what a powerful statement. I really don't think we could ever FULLY grasp the power of the Father that lives, works, moves, and rises within us. It has been a cry of my heart for God to reveal that more fully to me while we are here in Australia. So many need God's power in their life....His freedom, a fresh movement, and fresh word, and moment of tangibly feeling His love. How I so desire to bring that fullness of life that is in Christ into the world. Oh God would your power rise more and more and more within me!

The view from our home!

This is Melissa here :) While we have only been here for about two weeks, this has certainly already been a journey for me. It seems as though Jonathan doesn't always need a "journey." When God wants Him to have something, he just gets it! I have to work at suppressing my jealousy of that gift from God, but maybe its good that one of us takes a little more time to "chew" on things.

I know that God has revealed many things to me about myself...how I truly am when I'm stripped away from all that is normal, all that is comfortable, all that is easy. Not that life at home is easy, and not that anything here is anywhere close to difficult, but change is always something..umm....new. Our God is such a God of paradox. Our God is constantly making all things new, yet he never changes. He is our solid rock, yet he stirs movement throughout His people. I desire to be ever moving with God's "pillar of fire," yet I also desire to never be tossed to and fro by the winds, but to stand firm on God's rock without flinching. How do you get to that ultimate place with Jesus. How do we reach that place like Enoch who was walking with God yet so utterly, steadily one with God that He was taken to the reality of how he was living on earth...living in God's Kingdom. I'm just sitting here so empty before God and so hungry to be completely consumed with Him, while still being consumed with living out His love through relationship with others.

The "flat top" mountain Jonathan is climbing!

I'm sure you would like to know more the specifics of what we've been up to... LOTS haha! Jonathan is currently out with some guys climbing a mountain for one thing. Haha, he woke up singing Miley Cyrus "It's the Climb" this morning as he assured me that he would return in one piece. This week has been a full week of working with Easterfest and City Women. It's awesome how God had the perfect spots of need for us that match our giftings. I have been working hard on the City Women website. I even learned a new website creation program! Get ready TLC for a new website when we return :). I am also going to be working with the Bella Magazine, specifically marketing and promotion in schools across the nation. If you have never heard of Bella Magazine, please look it up!! It a magazine meant to counter the horrible, disgusting material that our young girls and women are reading everyday. It is all about true beauty, worth, value, and purpose as a women created by God. If anyone has a connection with Lifeway, please let me know! I am also the volunteer coordinator for all the Bella activities at Easterfest. Thanks my wonderful mother-in-love for your training in volunteer management.

Jonathan has been doing an AMAZING job in his role at Guest Itinerary Coordinator for Easterfest. Working with headline artists to secure flight info, hotels, schedules, meals, etc is no small feat, especially when you don't know the area. He has also designed the entire 3-day schedule for the event...organizing every minute of 3 days with artist concerts, speakers, etc. He has grown so much in his administrative gifting, and I'm super proud of him :) Oh how I LOVE LOVE LOVE my husband!! He delights in me as I know God does..what a blessing.

Us with little Alyce and Ben - Isaac's (CEO Easterfest) beautiful children

I will get to help lead worship tomorrow. Super excited about that :) We have a pool party tonight with the young adults, and our host family leaves for a 3-week "holiday" to New Zealand on Tuesday...so we will be on our own! We love you all so much and are praying specifically for many of you. We trust God in your life just as we trust him in ours.

I'll leave you with this quote I heard today at a ladies meeting:
"If you don't have change you don't have butterflies"
I thought that was fairly fitting for all God has been stirring within me :)

Blessings!