Kristina
So, today is the anniversary of the death of my mentor and friend, Kaye Hirsh...
Kaye was a Proverbs 31 woman... She was an amazing mother, wife, mentor, friend, church leader, & woman of God...

A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise:
"Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!"
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!
~Proverbs 31:10 - 31

The day she died I had written this little thing on my previous blog... and having had recently gone through all of my old posts, I decided to place it here...

~~~

Kaye, you are the most amazing person to every walk the face of the earth. The legacy you are leaving behind will not only bless those who were fortunate to know you, but will impact the entire world!
Your love and passion for youth inspired me to pursue ministry, and I swear to live my life totally and completely for God!
Thank you for being my mentor, role model and great friend... I will never forget you!

~~~

I can't believe that she's been gone 2 years... Somedays it feels like it's been longer... and others it feels like it was just last week.
I miss you Kaye-Kaye...
I love you,
Stina

Kristina
Someone asked me the other day what I have been struggling with, and what they could be praying for... And I decided to share this with you, because I feel like it's something that many people have issues with, and that it's something that Satan uses to tear us down, especially when we are in great situations...

Recently I've really struggling with insecurity... It's been an issue in many areas in my life...

1. There are so many amazing believers here, who already know where they are going, and what they are doing beyond their years here. I know that I am here for a reason, and I know God's in control. Even though parts of me may doubt it, I know that He has a huge, amazing plan for my future... The majority of the students here are from very Petecostal churches, and for me, growing up in a Baptist church... that's a little bit of a shock! It's not too bad though... but there are still a few areas that I am really being stretched in, thank God!

2. I am surrounded by gorgeous, skinny beach girls who are pretty much here to snag a husband. For those of you who know me well, you know that is NOT the reason why I'm here! But it is difficult being around so many beautiful girls... I have struggled with body image, but it's something that I tried to leave behind me back in the US... But the biggest struggle with this one, is a cultural thing. They don't put much weight into modesty here. I grew up in a family, and church that encouraged girls and women to be modest in order to help build up our Brothers, but here, wearing a skimpy bikini, and micro-mini skirts is normal! I'm one who loves trendy clothing, but I've worked it out so that I can be trendy and modest at the same time... I don't know... I could go on for hours on this topic...

3. Then there's my insecurity when it comes to music. I never had formal music training, and have never been much of a songwriter... So, thankfully I'm getting a bit of that, but I still don't believe that music performance, worship leading etc. is necessarily where God's got me going...

So, your prayers would be greatly appreciated! I am really enjoying my time here... I'm growing as both an individual, and as a believer... and I cannot wait to see what God has in store next!
Kristina
Well, I was digging through the archives of past blogs the other day and found this little post that is still very relevant...
~~~
I'm at chris and kelly's right now watching the kids...at the moment there is peace in the house, you would never guess that WWIII was about ready to break out about a 1/2 an hour ago...

but after sitting the kids down for time-out's i got a HUGE hug from james...and that brought to mind the book i just finished reading called 'the official hugs book' it goes into a deep (but hilarious) discussion on the different types of hugs and the way you can use a hug.

for those who don't know...i love hugs!

if i had a terrible day at work...give me a hug!

if i just completed the worst course at school...EVER!!! give me a hug!

if i blew it...hug me!

if you see me...GIVE ME A HUG!!!

hugs are healing, hugs are comforting, hugs mean more to me than anything you can think of!

please...hug me...

~~~
Hmm... Ok, so I haven't seen my kiddies for almost 4 months (and I miss you 3 terribly!!), but the point I was trying to make is that I love hugs... I miss hugs... I'm still in the process of finding a 'healing' hugger... so, if you're out there... Here I am... Hug me...



Kristina
So, it is officially autumn here in Australia... it's odd to think that it is spring back home...
Autumn is so different here...
For example:
The trees don't change colour. I am use to maples, oaks, and birch trees... while here they have palms, and gum trees.
Autumn is a time where you feel winter is approaching... cool mornings, cool evenings, and cool days... here we have two of the three... The days are still in the mid-20's and early-30's (70-75 degrees) and sunny.

I miss the rain.
I miss frost.
I miss picking pussy willows.
I miss deer and pheasant hunting.

I miss homemade strawberry jam.

Don't get me wrong... I love Australia... but it's different...


So, join me in remembering the motherland...





Kristina
Here we are... only 5 days away from Easter, and the celebration of our Messiah’s resurrection!
But, before that stone was rolled away, and He ascended into heaven... Jesus had to die. So, I decided to do a little research in the Bible in order to understand fully why God had Jesus carry all of our sins on that cross...
This is what I have come up with:
God’s law demanded a sacrifice to atone for our sins, and the death of God’s perfect Son made that sacrifice once and for all.

God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.
He did this to demonstrate his justice, committed beforehand unpunished -
he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time,
so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith is Jesus.
Romans 3:25-26

God wanted us to recognize the extent of his amazing, never-ending love...

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being,
sustaining all things by his powerful word.
After he had provided purification for sins,
he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Hebrews 1:3

For God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

Now, let’s take it back a couple thousand years, to around 1400 B.C. when the Israelites were commanded to build the Tabernacle by God, under Moses... Inside the Tabernacle was the Holy Place, and inside that, was the Most Holy Place where God resided. Now, there was so much detail to the Most Holy Place, but one of the most significant features was the curtain (or veil) that separated the Holy Place, from the Most Holy Place.

Make a curtain (or veil) of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen,
with cherubim worked into it by skilled craftsman.
Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood
overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases.
Hang the curtain from the clasps
and place the Ark of the Testimony (or Covenant) behind the curtain.
The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.
Exodus 26:31-33

The word “veil” in Hebrew means a screen, divider or separator that hides. The curtain was shielding a holy God from sinful man. In essence it was a barrier to make sure that man could not carelessly enter into God’s fearsome presence. God’s eyes are too pure to look on evil and He can tolerate no sin.

Your eyes are too pure to look on evil:
you cannot tolerate wrong.
Habakkuk 1:13

Whoever entered into the Most Holy Place was entering the very presence of God. Even the high priest, could only pass through the veil and enter this sacred dwelling once a year, on the Day of Atonement and he had to go through a entire day’s worth of preparation in order to enter the Most Holy Place... in addition, the high priest took a blood sacrifice.

At that moment the curtain of the temple
was torn in two from top to bottom
Matthew 27: 51

So, the torn veil illustrated Jesus’ body broken for us, opening the way for us to come to God. The ultimate offering had been sacrificed... no longer would we have to make animal sacrifices.
We can now boldly enter the presence of God... without fear of being struck dead... Jesus bridged the gap between humanity and an almighty God.

We who have run for our very lives to God
have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go.
It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline,
reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus,
running on ahead of us,
has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us,
in the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:19-20

BUT... that wasn’t the end...

Three days later our Saviour, who just died the most horrible death rose again... And that is the reason why we celebrate. We celebrate a true love... A love the Father had for us... A love that caused a completely innocent man, who was also God, to take the sin of the entire world upon his shoulders...
So, enjoy your holiday, but don’t forget about the real reason we celebrate Easter...

True Love
By: Phil Wickham
Come close listen to the story
about a love more faithful than the morning
the Father gave his only Son just to save us

The earth was shaking in the dark
all creation felt a Father’s broken heart
tears were filling heaven’s eyes
the day that true love died, the day that true love died

when blood and water hit the ground
walls we couldn’t move came crashing down
we were free and made alive
the day that true love died, the day that true love died

Search your heart you know you can’t deny it
loose your life, just so you can find it
the Father gave his only Son just to save us

The earth was shaking in the dark
all creation felt a Father’s broken heart
tears were filling heaven’s eyes
the day that true love died, the day that true love died

when blood and water hit the ground
walls we couldn’t move came crashing down
we were free and made alive
the day that true love died, the day that true love died

Now Jesus is alive, Jesus is alive
Jesus is alive, Jesus is alive
He rose again

When blood and water hit the ground
walls we couldn’t move came crashing down
we were free and made alive
the day that true love died, the day that true love died
Come close listen to the story