Bad hair days, bad fashion passions, and too much silliness ... another day in Katie World
Monday, May 22, 2006
The Many Faces of me
Bad hair days, bad fashion passions, and too much silliness ... another day in Katie World
12th of April 2006 - Cael Frazer Brien came to our Family
My incredible sister did a great job hanging on an extra two weeks until our little guy was ready. I have seen so cool things in my time but nothing is as impressive as my sister giving birth to a very relaxed little dude, who really wasn't in any rush to come out and hang with his peps.
It was an incredible experience. Being able to witness it, pretending to help (but you know the only one who can do anything is the woman pushing) ... my life is better because of my family.
I love these guys. How cool is my dad with our little ones.
Aunty Katie!! My superhero alterego!
January 2006 - How Much fun is Paradise (AKA The Maldives)
It doesn't get much better than lying and laughing around with your best friend in a 5 star resort. Scuba, snorkeling, Pinking (not to be confused with tanning), photograph expeditions, eating, cocktails, and just lots of FUN!
January 2006 - Where is the Curry ... This isn't India Naomi
Email Diary Moment
I can't believe I still pray ... "if it is your will" not expecting God to blow me away with His awesome love. I have become so used asking for but not expecting it all! Well the past few weeks have changed that. God is ABUNDANTLY COOL/FAITHFUL!!
So I always do "Katie" trips that I say are holidays but end up me running around everywhere seeing/doing everything and coming back tired. Never the whole relaxation thing that everyone tells me is the basis of a holiday. I decided to take one of these holidays where I would just relax, somewhere with a beach or pool and nothing to do but chill. Great plan ... that ended with me (and my best friend Naomi) booking a trip to India to see a dear friend. Not as relaxing as planned but a great adventure ... a Katie trip again. To bring the "normal holiday" into the trip we went to Singapore for 3 great days in a hotel with a beautiful pool and lovely food. We ran around doing everything we could, even danced the new year in, in the midst of 10 000 (predominately Indian) males in a foam pit (it was very tame and safe). All great .. then we got to the airport to catch our plan to India ... ready for the culture change and great reunion with my dear friend.
Everything changed when the Singapore Air woman asked where our visas were. "We don't need them" I said. "Yes you do", "no we don't" and you see how it would end. God was gracious to send us to this woman. She was great, showing us the official YOU NEED A VISA book, calling the Indian consulate -"No Visas for you in time" ... next two days are closed then the 5 working days to get them would give you one day in India before you have to fly home. She took us to the ticket office personally to see what could be done. They said they need authority from Australia ... which is also closed for two days as it was Sunday then the NY public holiday - like the rest of the world.
So begins the calls to Australia ... first to mum ... "everything’s cool just need you to find [my sister's bro-in-law = my travel agent] to help sort this out". "So do I find him first or kill him" ... as crazy as it was being stranded in Singapore airport with no flight out, no holiday ahead, no plans and no accommodation ... there was a peace. Over the next two hours, we got hold of my travel agent, he went back into his work to help us with the situation and my whole family were praying. Only through a true miracle, my agent got the Australian Sing Air reps home number and she approved the change of the tickets (which were APSOLUTELY NO CHANGES tickets). So now we could go somewhere else. There was talk about London or New York or New Zealand but those ideas were quickly squashed - only Asia. So beaches and Asia ... options were Colombo (Sir Lanka), Phuket (Thailand) or the Maldives. We prayed and felt real peace about the Maldives. It was the most expensive accommodation wise but it felt right. So away we went, with the amazing help of Australians travel agents and airline reps, to change our tickets from India to the Maldives.
We get to the gate and were handed the immigration card for the Maldives. Number 1 of prohibited items, Drugs - that's no problem. # 2 was nothing contrary to Islam - okay we have 2 bibles, 3 books and music that is all about God hmmmm. # 3 was No idols of worship, # 4 was No Pork or Pork products ... then 5 was Weapons. heheheheh. Okay this is interesting everyone on the plan is wearing Islamic dress. Cool okay so the holiday will be a bit different than expected, no swimming in bathers rather the full body suits. Ok. Then I got a phone call from my agent who couldn't find accommodation after the first night. So we are about to get on the plane to a country that could be really intense where we had things that were illegal (being our bibles) and had no where to stay. hehehhehe. Plane ride to Male was spiritually intense but some prayer and then some more and the peace was back.
We got through customs without being arrested, into the hotel all good. Waking up early knowing that my agent wouldn't be calling to get us accommodation for another few hours we asked the hotel workers to help. They laughed and said "this is the peak season everyone is full, no rooms ANYWHERE". Okay God you are good at this, HELP. They said they would help us but were clear they didn't think it would be possible. Since we had people looking on both sides of the world Naomi and I decided to do what we could ... lay by the pool and trust God. 2 hours of "we have called everywhere and it is all booked" and "you could stay at this resort for the last 3 days for $700 a night but there is no where to stay until then" ... but then the Answer. A beautiful island resort, a hut and all meals for US$100 a night for the whole time. More prayer ... lets do it.
After a 70 minute boat ride, arriving at a wooden dock surrounded by colourful tropical fish ... we were in paradise. How is it that we were suppose to be in India, then everything feel apart and we could have been sleeping in an airport then just flying home but here we were in PARADISE! God not only protected us and got us through ... but He wanted to bless us ... and not just a little ... but the whole nine yards - of white sanded beach! We would have been happy with a small little room with a smelly pool. But no, God wanted to LOVE on us! Incredible. How do I ever doubt His plans.
So after this huge story Naomi and I ended being blown away with 7 days of God's faithfulness in the Maldives. You have to check it out. You know me ... this is something I would never do but how good is God!! http://www.vermillionmaldives.com/resorts/kuramathi_village.htm, and I got my scuba license and swam with SHARKS (and turtles, manta rays, lots of fish and eels), ate beautiful fresh foods, lay on the beach, laughed all day with a beautiful friend and even got a 4 hand massage (yeap 2 women and 80 minutes of heavenly relaxation). I am SOOO blessed!
Just feel really convicted that I pray and believe these things for other people but never for me. Now I am praying for a "completely blown away" experience for you. It may be the favour of a boss, the love of your life, a day of complete peace ... anything ... just completely unexpected and the kind of blessing that you could never imagine and find impossible to analyze (as I have).
Thanks for the prayers ... I got you. This is going to be a great year!
I can't believe I still pray ... "if it is your will" not expecting God to blow me away with His awesome love. I have become so used asking for but not expecting it all! Well the past few weeks have changed that. God is ABUNDANTLY COOL/FAITHFUL!!
So I always do "Katie" trips that I say are holidays but end up me running around everywhere seeing/doing everything and coming back tired. Never the whole relaxation thing that everyone tells me is the basis of a holiday. I decided to take one of these holidays where I would just relax, somewhere with a beach or pool and nothing to do but chill. Great plan ... that ended with me (and my best friend Naomi) booking a trip to India to see a dear friend. Not as relaxing as planned but a great adventure ... a Katie trip again. To bring the "normal holiday" into the trip we went to Singapore for 3 great days in a hotel with a beautiful pool and lovely food. We ran around doing everything we could, even danced the new year in, in the midst of 10 000 (predominately Indian) males in a foam pit (it was very tame and safe). All great .. then we got to the airport to catch our plan to India ... ready for the culture change and great reunion with my dear friend.
Everything changed when the Singapore Air woman asked where our visas were. "We don't need them" I said. "Yes you do", "no we don't" and you see how it would end. God was gracious to send us to this woman. She was great, showing us the official YOU NEED A VISA book, calling the Indian consulate -"No Visas for you in time" ... next two days are closed then the 5 working days to get them would give you one day in India before you have to fly home. She took us to the ticket office personally to see what could be done. They said they need authority from Australia ... which is also closed for two days as it was Sunday then the NY public holiday - like the rest of the world.
So begins the calls to Australia ... first to mum ... "everything’s cool just need you to find [my sister's bro-in-law = my travel agent] to help sort this out". "So do I find him first or kill him" ... as crazy as it was being stranded in Singapore airport with no flight out, no holiday ahead, no plans and no accommodation ... there was a peace. Over the next two hours, we got hold of my travel agent, he went back into his work to help us with the situation and my whole family were praying. Only through a true miracle, my agent got the Australian Sing Air reps home number and she approved the change of the tickets (which were APSOLUTELY NO CHANGES tickets). So now we could go somewhere else. There was talk about London or New York or New Zealand but those ideas were quickly squashed - only Asia. So beaches and Asia ... options were Colombo (Sir Lanka), Phuket (Thailand) or the Maldives. We prayed and felt real peace about the Maldives. It was the most expensive accommodation wise but it felt right. So away we went, with the amazing help of Australians travel agents and airline reps, to change our tickets from India to the Maldives.
We get to the gate and were handed the immigration card for the Maldives. Number 1 of prohibited items, Drugs - that's no problem. # 2 was nothing contrary to Islam - okay we have 2 bibles, 3 books and music that is all about God hmmmm. # 3 was No idols of worship, # 4 was No Pork or Pork products ... then 5 was Weapons. heheheheh. Okay this is interesting everyone on the plan is wearing Islamic dress. Cool okay so the holiday will be a bit different than expected, no swimming in bathers rather the full body suits. Ok. Then I got a phone call from my agent who couldn't find accommodation after the first night. So we are about to get on the plane to a country that could be really intense where we had things that were illegal (being our bibles) and had no where to stay. hehehhehe. Plane ride to Male was spiritually intense but some prayer and then some more and the peace was back.
We got through customs without being arrested, into the hotel all good. Waking up early knowing that my agent wouldn't be calling to get us accommodation for another few hours we asked the hotel workers to help. They laughed and said "this is the peak season everyone is full, no rooms ANYWHERE". Okay God you are good at this, HELP. They said they would help us but were clear they didn't think it would be possible. Since we had people looking on both sides of the world Naomi and I decided to do what we could ... lay by the pool and trust God. 2 hours of "we have called everywhere and it is all booked" and "you could stay at this resort for the last 3 days for $700 a night but there is no where to stay until then" ... but then the Answer. A beautiful island resort, a hut and all meals for US$100 a night for the whole time. More prayer ... lets do it.
After a 70 minute boat ride, arriving at a wooden dock surrounded by colourful tropical fish ... we were in paradise. How is it that we were suppose to be in India, then everything feel apart and we could have been sleeping in an airport then just flying home but here we were in PARADISE! God not only protected us and got us through ... but He wanted to bless us ... and not just a little ... but the whole nine yards - of white sanded beach! We would have been happy with a small little room with a smelly pool. But no, God wanted to LOVE on us! Incredible. How do I ever doubt His plans.
So after this huge story Naomi and I ended being blown away with 7 days of God's faithfulness in the Maldives. You have to check it out. You know me ... this is something I would never do but how good is God!! http://www.vermillionmaldives.com/resorts/kuramathi_village.htm, and I got my scuba license and swam with SHARKS (and turtles, manta rays, lots of fish and eels), ate beautiful fresh foods, lay on the beach, laughed all day with a beautiful friend and even got a 4 hand massage (yeap 2 women and 80 minutes of heavenly relaxation). I am SOOO blessed!
Just feel really convicted that I pray and believe these things for other people but never for me. Now I am praying for a "completely blown away" experience for you. It may be the favour of a boss, the love of your life, a day of complete peace ... anything ... just completely unexpected and the kind of blessing that you could never imagine and find impossible to analyze (as I have).
Thanks for the prayers ... I got you. This is going to be a great year!
December 2005 - Singapore
We thought we were on our way to India, so we lived it up for 3 days in Singapore ... little did we know...
Truth Tour 2005 - Done and Dusted
Email Diary MomentsSo 7 weeks … should be far enough away from the tourto be reflective? You would think so. The blur of thewhirlwind has cleared a bit but still I have troublearticulating what that 10 weeks meant to me. So when I was cleaning up my emails I found notes fromfriends saying things like…… “I am so overly estatic that your dream of havingthe boys and girls from NYC come to Australia cametrue! When I was at the concert I started cryingduring one of the peices just out of pure hapiness ofseeing your dream become such huge and awesomereality!”“What an awesome opportunity for you to see Godmoving in the youth of our nation, calling them toHimself through a ministry HE has blessed, openeddoors for, gotten through airport after airport. . .your heavenly papa bear loves you to bits and piecesand He's so excited about the woman He's revealing in you!!!”
They are right … God really did use me. Man, therewere some hard times, and some times of pure joy. Whatsticks is that outside of the “JOB” I did 24 hours aday for the 10 weeks, God used me!! God placed a tinybit of a vision in heart in 2002 on a bus full ofcrazy boys. I saw the Nubian Gents in Australia,reaching out to our youth. That small vision grew andit was always about God. 2004, 2 weeks of hard workand months of closed doors lead to 2005 – 10 weeks ofincredible ministry. Though when I tried to predictnumbers, seeing 100 000 people seemed absurd. The final numbers were 6 cities, 160 schools, 110 000people = 80 000 kids, all in 10 weeks. Incredible!!All that from a tiny little vision. Don’t get me wrong, this was not about me. I was theleast of this process, and yet God used me to do this.That is HUGE for me. Obedience plus faith … mindblowing. Even now I don’t exactly know what it allmeans. Is there more, or was that it? If relationshipsdetermine your resources – then I have a lot ofresources that are just sitting at the moment. I wentto a hip hop expo last night and was totally inspiredto see God do more. Now comes that greatprayer/waiting and more waiting time. What does Godwants from me now. I just want to be obedient and makesure that my daily life doesn’t inhibit my faith. Itis so easy to get caught up in bills, work, bills andmore bills.
I feel different this time. The guys and girls aregone, and I love them. The past 3 tours I felt lost,as if I was in the wrong place because the ministrycontinued on in New York and I was in Australia. Thistime I just feel happy. It was a great time now whatnext. It might be more of the Gents, or somethingelse. Just not emotionally tied anymore which is anice change. It really is hard living one place andhaving your heart in another. Already ministries are asking for the guys to comeback next year. The feedback was phenomenal!Ministries were so touched and inspired by the teams,they now have open doors to take their communities forGod. Our Father really used the teams to “step” opendoors to schools and relationships that seemedimpossible. There was story after story about how Godhad made a way where there was none. Truly awesome. 
On a personal note, THANK YOU!!! You saw that is was achallenging time for me and your prayers and words ofencouragement really made all the difference. I cameout the other side blessed and changed. I really feltyour prayers when all seemed lost. I learnt so muchabout God’s love for me as He challenged me to godeeper and higher. I am so blessed to have you in mylife. Thank you for journeying with me. Well that is it. The end of the tour updates andprayer requests. Please stay in touch. I value yourfriendship and insight. So if God gives you anythingor you have a second to comment on what you thoughtabout the tour … PLEASE DROP ME A LINE! Be blessed in all you do so that you can share thatblessing with others! Much love and respect
September 2005 - Truth Tour Week 10 - Sydney
Email Diary Moments Week 10
Saying Goodbye left a great sense of satisfaction, relief and excitement about sleeping again!
August 2005 - Truth Tour Week 9 - Sunny Brisbane
Email Diary Moments Week 9
The subject title says it all!!
This trip has been amazing. God has done so much in us and through us all and it has been HUGE!!!!
I am exhausted ... Lamont is tired ... the team is doing so well. Tomorrow we will do 11 ministries IN ONE DAY!! It is officially the fullest day of the whole trip but God is going to do great things so we are holding on to that.
This has been the first week out of all the other 8 that I have had to rely solely on God's strength to get out of bed, the bus and get on with the job at hand. He has been so faithful and everyday has been a blessing.
We went to Steve Irwin's (the Crocodile Hunter) Australia Zoo today and saw all the crocodiles, kangaroos, koalas, elephants and their friends. Naji did a great impersonation of Steve and won a prize (in front of hundreds of people). It has been a great week and nice to have such beautiful warmth after being in cold Tasmania.
Although we only have 12 days left there is still alot ahead of us. We have more than 35 schools left and two huge rallies with over 30 000 kids combined. After the rally this week the teams would have ministered to over 100 000 people. Isn't that amazing. I just feel honoured that obedience has lead to this. I never thought it possible and now look at where we are and what has happened. I am so grateful to our Father that He allowed me to be a part of this and see it all come to pass.
The coming to pass part is the focus of the prayer this week:
· THAT GOD WOULD DO ALL HE NEEDS TO - in the team, in the communities, in the churches groups, in the young people and in me. That this tour would finish with us all feeling the peace that comes with the completion through obedience and service.
· STRENGTH and UNITY for the team... we need it more than ever. All is well but we need more .. more ... more JESUS!
· Ministry - at the schools and rallies ... that God would bring young people to His side through these times.
· For me -- it is always hard saying Goodbye. This has been a great trip and my love for this ministry has increased with each day. Hence it is always hard seeing them leave and my heart going back to NY with them. I just need to the peace from God that I am in the right place!! I need that more than ever. Thank you for your prayers for me during the weeks after they leave. I am preparing but it is always hard.
Well I am exhausted and have a the blessing of spending time with two of my favourite people so I must get away from this computer.
Thank you for all you are!!
The subject title says it all!!
This trip has been amazing. God has done so much in us and through us all and it has been HUGE!!!!
I am exhausted ... Lamont is tired ... the team is doing so well. Tomorrow we will do 11 ministries IN ONE DAY!! It is officially the fullest day of the whole trip but God is going to do great things so we are holding on to that.
This has been the first week out of all the other 8 that I have had to rely solely on God's strength to get out of bed, the bus and get on with the job at hand. He has been so faithful and everyday has been a blessing.
We went to Steve Irwin's (the Crocodile Hunter) Australia Zoo today and saw all the crocodiles, kangaroos, koalas, elephants and their friends. Naji did a great impersonation of Steve and won a prize (in front of hundreds of people). It has been a great week and nice to have such beautiful warmth after being in cold Tasmania.Although we only have 12 days left there is still alot ahead of us. We have more than 35 schools left and two huge rallies with over 30 000 kids combined. After the rally this week the teams would have ministered to over 100 000 people. Isn't that amazing. I just feel honoured that obedience has lead to this. I never thought it possible and now look at where we are and what has happened. I am so grateful to our Father that He allowed me to be a part of this and see it all come to pass.
The coming to pass part is the focus of the prayer this week:· THAT GOD WOULD DO ALL HE NEEDS TO - in the team, in the communities, in the churches groups, in the young people and in me. That this tour would finish with us all feeling the peace that comes with the completion through obedience and service.
· STRENGTH and UNITY for the team... we need it more than ever. All is well but we need more .. more ... more JESUS!
· Ministry - at the schools and rallies ... that God would bring young people to His side through these times.
· For me -- it is always hard saying Goodbye. This has been a great trip and my love for this ministry has increased with each day. Hence it is always hard seeing them leave and my heart going back to NY with them. I just need to the peace from God that I am in the right place!! I need that more than ever. Thank you for your prayers for me during the weeks after they leave. I am preparing but it is always hard.
Well I am exhausted and have a the blessing of spending time with two of my favourite people so I must get away from this computer.
Thank you for all you are!!
August 2005 - Truth Tour Week 8 - Cold Tasmania
Email Diary Moments Week 8
It is cold, cold, cold. One day there was 13 hours of driving and 4 ministries. This is insane but great things are happening. Girls are doing great!
It is cold, cold, cold. One day there was 13 hours of driving and 4 ministries. This is insane but great things are happening. Girls are doing great!
August 2005 - Truth Tour Week 7 - Melbourne and the Flames Arrive!!
Email Diary Moments Week 7So here we are in MELBOURNE:
The girls are great. They are a beautiful breath of fresh air in all respects. The spiritual atmosphere has lifted 100% and we are all refreshed. This is going to be an amazing time for both ministries. The week is great as the ministry is well spaced and strategic. There will be a community outreach rally on Friday night were the two teams will head and hold the bill.
Which brings me to prayer points:
· Gents and Flames - that God would revitalised and challenge the Gents to press into Him in a new way. That He would mould and shield that Flames as they travel through this new experience and that He would give them a real sense of individual purpose and vision. Also that the two teams will strike a good balance and encourage each other as God uses them to encourage the Australian people.
· School, workshops and country ministries through the week. That God would open hearts and minds to hear His voice. That the local churches will be inspired and pick up those people who find Jesus.
· For Friday night - everything to go smoothly and for it to really bless those who have supported and organised it. Also that it would be financially successful to help us cover expenses.
· For the leaders - O is really tired and as our leader doing it all he really needs the strength that comes only from God. Pray for Shiniqua as she finds her feet, Jamie/lamare/phil for a renewed vision and strength based in God, Shirece/Miya/Denielle for a personal solidification of their discipleship and ministry roles.
· AND ME ... last week was particularly hard for me within my role. Having the girls here brings some great new experiences and challenges (like getting 26 people on a plane with two bags all over weight). My daily prayer is that God will make me all I need to be in that Day for this ministry. I would love you prayer on that. I really want to leave with my brain, heart and body intact whilst giving it everything I have to bless these guys and my great country.
And if you get anything as you are praying please let me know. All insight is a blessing!
Time to sleep ... running of steam, 3 hours sleep and the excitement of being with my closest friends tonight!
Bless you all for all you do
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