...life...
Kristina
So, for those of you who I have never met before, and my new friends who don't know my story... I decided, now was as good a time as any to tell you about myself:

Well, I was born in a small farming town in.... sorry... I couldn't resist!
=)

I have been so blessed to have been raised in a home where Christ was the centre of everything. At an early age I decided to serve Christ with my life... Which was the best decision I ever made... but 12 years ago my perfect life changed...

My father was on a fishing trip to Canada with a few close mates, and only one of them made it home alive.
My Dad
On their way home Dad, my Grandfather, and their best friends were all in a car accident Daddy was the only survivor. He was rushed to the closest majour hospital in Duluth MN, and no one thought that he would even survive the trip there... well, they were wrong. He lived.
He was in a coma at the hospital, and they said he'd never wake up. He's awake.
He'd never walk, or talk... HA! He does both!
He is truly a walking miracle... but here is where my struggle begins.
I was very young at the time, and was suddenly thrown into to position of 'Mother' to my 4 year old brother. Mom was practically living at the hospital, and I was scared... I had to grow up quickly... very quickly!
After 2 years in the hospital and nursing homes, Dad moved home, but he wasn't the same man. He suffered a tramatic brain injury, and is now like a 7 year old... in a 67 year old man's body. Rarely does he remember my name, he throws temper-tantrums like a 4 year old, and makes me so mad that sometimes I'd like to spit...
I didn't have much of a childhood. Like I mentioned, I helped raise my brother... I was teacher, chauffeur, sister, & mom. By the time I was 12 I was cooking, cleaning, traveling, and making some majour decision that even people 2 my age weren't ready to make.
The things that I have see and experienced most people couldn't even comprehend.

So, here's where I get transparent...
I have the daily struggle of deciding whether to depend on myself, or on Jesus to make it through the day... well, after falling on my face in shame too many times... I have realized... No one runs my life like Jesus.
HE is my true Daddy. I have had to look to HIM for comfort. I won't have my father walk my down the aisle one day, which is sad, but I remember: I have a heavenly Daddy... who is waiting for His bride.
I'm still a work in progress... I always will be... everyday I still have to make the decision to wake up and committ my life to the Lord, but when I do... I know... It's worth it!
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My darling girlies...
Kristina
Over the past year and a half I have had the opportunity to be the small group leader for 8 amazing girls ages 12-13... This has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had.
Lizzie, Emily, Vanessa, Nikki, Elizabeth, Annika, Sarah, and Caitlin: You girls have changed my life! 
Thank you, I'm going to continue praying and thinking about you even though I am thousands of miles away... and when I get back... you can BET there will be a party!!!
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Reminders
Kristina
Well, I'm back! I'm so sorry about neglecting you all! These past few weeks have been... crazy! I leave for Hillsong in only 5 weeks, and there is so much that needs to be done before I leave.

Today, for example, I transfered a hunk of money to of Aussie account. I called the local clinic requesting copies of my medical forms for my visa, stopped by and picked them up, but had to run to ANOTHER office a half-an-hour away and wait for an hour to receive copies of my chest X-rays, which my Doc had forgotten to send with the med forms. After that I even signed up for a new credit card!

I think that God is using this whole visa process as a way to challenge my faith... and remind me that HE (and no one else) is in control! I realize that recently I've been trying to run my life, take control of my future, and depending on myself to make it through this... and I finally had to remind myself that this isn't my life... it's HIS! 

So, after a majour break down in my kitchen (sorry Mom!) it really hit me... In 6 weeks I leave the country, everyone I love... and again, God is in control! I am so excited to see how God is going to change me in the next 11 months... He is amazing isn't he?!?

I just wanted to thank you all for your love and support, I can't even express how important your thoughts and prayers mean to me! 
I promise, from now on, I will keep you updated!


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Faithfulness & Adventures in the Down Under
Kristina
Throughout my entire life, and all of it's ups and downs, God has been faithful... I have been so blessed by the family He has given me, the adventures that I have been able to take, and the incredible opportunity to live... not just 'live'... but live entirely for HIM!!
And now the 'ride' of life is taking me somewhere I have never been... it's taking me on an adventure that I could have never dreamed about, and this adventure is the next step in God's incredible plan for my life...

AUSTRALIA!!!

That's right! On Monday I start this amazing adventure... for 2 weeks I will be in Sydney, finding a place to live, setting up a bank account, meeting some new people, have a job interview, and get to know my way around the area...

It seems so far away some days... and then others, I remind myself that in exactly 5 months I'll be starting school!
I'm so excited to be living out my life, surrounded by people who have the same passion as me... the passion to serve God in anything and everything we do... Serving Him with our gifts, and going out to tell others about His amazing love, mercy, forgiveness, and passion for this world!

So, join me! I would love it if you would be praying for me as I start this journey... I can't do this alone...
I love you all, and I'll keep you updated!
~Stina

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With Everything: A Glorious Sunrise
Kristina
Feeling kind of out of sorts this morning, I was looking forward to the 15 minutes car ride to town to spend some time getting my heart in the right place with the LORD... 
and on my way to rehearsal He met with me... 

the sun was just beginning to rise, and as I sat in my little car among the cool fog of the early morning, streams of golden light shone across the road, and all of a sudden I felt God's amazing presence... 

Just me, fog, a golden sunrise, and my Saviour...

And as I was overwhelmed by God's forgiveness, mercy and love this song began to play:

WITH EVERYTHING
Words and Music By: Joel Houston

Open our eyes
To see the things that make Your heart cry
To be be this church that You would desire
Your light to be seen
Break sown our pride
An all the walls we've built up inside
Our earthly crowns and all our desires
We lay at Your feet

Let hope rise
and darkness tremble 
In Your holy light
that every eyes will see
Jesus our God
Great and mighty to be praised
God of all days 
Glorious in all of Your ways
Oh the majesty, the wonder and grace
In the light of Your Name

With everything
With everything
We will shout for Your glory
With everything
With everything
We will shout forth Your praise

Our hearts they cry
Be glorified
Be lifted high above all
For You are King
With everything
We will shout forth Your praise

Our God is so mighty, awesome and worthy of all praise!!!
His love completely baffles me... but I am so honoured to be loved and cherished...


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Isaiah 53
Kristina
The other day I was studying the book of Isaiah, which happens to be one of my favourite books of the Bible, and stumbled upon this amazing chapter. 

2b There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, 
nothing to attract us to him.
3 He was despised and rejected- a man of sorrows, 
acquainted with deepest grief. 
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
 He was despised, and we did not care.
4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; 
it was our sorrows that weighed him down. 
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, 
a punishment for his own sins!
5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, 
crushed for our sins. 
He was beaten so we could be whole. 
He was whipped so we could be healed.

This is just the first part of the chapter!! I've read this before, but it just hit me today... It was for me. As Jesus hung on that cross, dying the most painful death, and breathing his final breaths... my name was on his mind!!! He was beaten, whipped, and tortured for us... Doesn't that just give you goosebumps?!? 
I know it's kinda pathetic that I just realized this now... But isn't God amazing... The fact that he loves me still blows my mind...




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It's True!!
Kristina
I was accepted at Hillsong International Leadership College!!!!!!
God is so good isn't he?? I am so excited... but at the same time... terrified! This is a huge step I am taking. I have to just put all of my trust in Jesus, it's hard, but totally worth it!!
With moving to Australia, there is so much to do, and so many little details that need to be covered.
Right now I have to pay to secure my place at the college, and then I really need to focus on finding a place to live!
Why is that so hard you may ask?
Well, the school placed students in homes kind of like a foreign exchange program, until this year!!! Apparently it got to be too much and the school had to drop that program. Now, I have to find someone all on my own! The housing the school offers are super expensive apartments, that I just can't afford!
So, If you happen to know anyone in the Sydney, Baulkham Hills area... Let me know!
Love, Love~
Kristina
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Disney Princess...
Kristina
MARATHON!!!
= )
Yup! My group of 6th grade girls are coming over tonight for a sleepover and Princess marathon... pray please! 8 12 year old girls and me... It will be fun... but who knows what can happen! 
I'll let ya'll know how it went,
Over and out
~Stina
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Back At It
Kristina
Well, my dear friends, It has been a long time!
I apologize for my neglect... I have gotten out of the habit of blogging, but I have decided get back at it again!

Here I will let you know what God has been doing in my life, what I happen to be reading at the time, life's adventures and all of my 'Lucy' moments on the way!

I am so excited to be back at this... I hope that my life isn't too boring and that maybe, just maybe you'll learn something about me that you didn't know!

Blessings, and love,
Kristina

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