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!
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!!!
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!