3 of My Personal Favorite Auckland Road Signs

1. I just can't get over the name Duder...

It just sounds like a try-hard surfer talking or trying to make up a nickname after watching the movie Cars with Mater in it.

2. For over a year i was confused as to where the Botany Airpot was...

I had no clue where an airport could fit or be until someone explained that road headed in the direction of "Botany" AND the "airport", not to a "botany airport"!

3. Last but not least,

Does anyone feel like this looks like a Kiwi's failed attempt at trying to spell my last name?!

New Scar and Thought

So I've added a major scar every 4 years for the last 12 years.

I broke my hand doing a backflip and had surgery when i was 17
Tore my ACL during churchleague basketball and had surgery at 21

and just got a gash on my face during a shaving cream fight at camp at the age of 25.

Forget tattoos and piercings to make a statement... I will be a walking picture of different stories and accidents by the age of 60 with all my scars :)

Also, this quote gave me good kick in the but last night when i was reading: This is probably true about some of the things i don't intentionally bring before the Lord.

“I learned that the most accurate barometer of my humility and sense of dependency is not what I think about myself or what other people thing about me. It’s the reality of the actual praying I do.

When we ask God to intervene in our lives or in someone else’s life, we’re actually admitting our own weakness. We come to God because we know we can’t handle whatever situation we’re in. We need help with our marriage, our kids, our future, our job, our decisions, or whatever else we seek his help for. On the other hand, when we don’t pray very much, we’re really saying that even though the Lord created the universe, we think we can handle our problems and guide ourselves through life. It means that we are putting a lot of stock in our own intelligence and resources, quietly claiming our own sufficiency. Genuine prayer acknowledges who God is and our need for hi. That’s a sign of humility.” Chip Ingram Good to Great in God's Eyes

Going to Camp

A lot has happened as December is always a busy month that i will have to fill you in on later, but just as a heads up, i am off to camp today! Woo! This was the camp last year that i was the speaker at and this year i am more in charge of the media production side of things which is crazy. Your prayers for the campers and leaders is always appreciated at this time. Two scriptures that came to mind this morning that i thought were cool.

8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. Eph 2:8-9
Been kinda stressed about my new role, but this put me at ease. Not only can i not save myself which is how i have always read this verse, but thought to myself today that other people are not saved by my works either. I can be a part of it, but it is ultimately God who saves them too. good reminder.

20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Eph 3:20-21
On top of that, he can do more than we would hope or dream. Sometimes i think we forget that this may not look how we want it to and may even be invisible (see 2Cor 4:16-18) because if i am being honest i can't think of how God could do something much greater than everybody being touched by the Spirit and radically leaving the place going nuts for the Lord, and yet God could blow my best plans out of the water and that is what i am praying for this weekend.