Petra Journey

ZHOP completion

2009-09-28T16:52:00.003-04:00

In 2006, a team of Intercessory Missionaries were sent out to Charlotte, NC, from International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City, MO. The Directors were Kirk and Dee Bennett. Zadok House of Prayer was birthed. The assignment was to pray in Charlotte. Now after four amazing years of hard labor, the assignment is completed. ZHOP is closing in October. The leadership, and the accountability team, came to this conclusion after a series of dreams, prophecies and confirmations. This is not because of a sin or bad leadership. Kirk and Dee are being called back to head up the "Justice" department of IHOP. Most of our staff are transferring out there too. ZHOP has finished strong.

This was hard to accept first. It's sad when something so wonderful is ending, but we also see that it's the hand of the Lord. The whole time, ZHOP carried the sweetness of crucifixion. This little House of Prayer and it's tight community has been a hidden treasure in the heart of God. He has showed us so much about being crucified with Christ and the power of the Cross. A couple of months ago, we moved out of the Regent Park area across the state line to NC. The building we moved into was in the shape of a cross. Jesus was taken outside "the camp" to die on the cross.

Guitar next ??

2009-06-08T10:44:00.007-04:00

I didn't grow up in a musical family. I remember having a guitar for a little while and trying to teach myself some chords, but it was hard to keep up. I wanted to get some lessons but my parents weren't up to it, probably because they never had an interest or that it was too expensive. I have always loved music. I had a huge vinyl record collection and later on hundreds CD's. I also sang a little bit in the school choir, but that was quenched early by fear of man. Lately, all of this have been awakened in my heart. I love singing. I am not the best, but it makes me so HAPPY. I am learning to play piano and it's so much fun. I love to express my love to God through music. I think my next instrument to learn will be guitar. A guitar is easy to carry with me when I travel. So if anybody has a guitar they want to give away, I am interested !! :)

Morning thoughts

2009-06-04T17:29:00.006-04:00

This morning when I woke up at 7 am as usual, I walked outside on the porch. Amazing. A new day, a new start. Thank you, thank you !!

The first thing that hit me was the smell. It was damp and dewy, and there was a subtle smell of smoke in the air. The sun was low but already bright and hot. The first thing that came to my mind was Nigeria. I remember those african mornings. I use to wake up early when the cockroach sounded loudly outside our rooms. And then the sound of the muslims praying from the minaret. I would start the day by drinking my tea in the shade on the porch, just like I do always. Most people were still asleep. To get my tea I have to sneak down to the kitchen where some african staff already were preparing breakfast. They didn't know much english, but they got used to my morning company and we became friends. I used to help them doing the dishes. I think those were some of my sweetest times in Nigeria. Maybe some day I get to go back to beautiful Africa. Africa has a special place in my heart.

Worldwide Prayer

2009-05-31T20:32:00.005-04:00

Global Day of Prayer. May 31. Standing in the gap for the Nations.

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land" - 2 Chron 7:14

This year, ZHOP is hosting this event in Charlotte. Come and pray as churches of this city gets together in unity and seek our Lord's face. We will have a gospel quoir singing and different Pastors and Leaders speak. We start at 6 pm.

Abortion Holocaust

2009-05-02T18:26:00.005-04:00

Friday morning we were again standing outside one of Charlottes abortion clinics. We stand there with red tape that say "LIFE" over our mouths. We don't say anything to anybody. We stand there and pray in silence, praying for God to end the killing, for mercy, for peoples eyes to open and their hearts to change. We are standing there in the place of all the babies that are being killed that have no saying in this matter. We are the voice for the voiceless. A powerful voice and message I would say, and quite offensive to most people.

Abortion was legalized in the US in 1973. That was the year I was born !! Since then over 50 million lives have been aborted in US alone, that is 1/3 of my generation. Every day about 3600 lives are being aborted in the US. Only about 2% of these abortions were done because of life threatening situations to the mother. The rest, 98%, are all out of convenience. This is a hidden and accepted holocaust !!!

That morning, standing there, I felt the presence of God strongly. The wind was blowing in the green beautiful trees. I felt a grace to pray. I felt God's grace. Jesus died for us as we were still sinners. WOW. Thank you Lord !!

One woman came over to talk to us. She had come for an abortion but found out that she wasn't pregnant. I felt such love for her and we hugged for long. It was amazing. It made my day. This is what I live for, this is what I was born to do. To show God's love !!!

Carrots on steroids

2009-04-27T12:06:00.003-04:00

When I moved here to the USA from Europe in the 90's, there was many things to explore and learn. I realized quickly that everything here is bigger. The houses, the roads, the cars and even the people. One thing that really opened my eyes were the veggies in the store. All the fruits and veggies were so much bigger and shinier than in Europe. First I thought it was cool, but soon I didn't like it because they didn't taste real. Actually, they were bland. Tomatoes didn't smell or taste like tomatoes. Carrots weren't sweet. Potatoes never went bad. Weird. Things like this, and health issues, made me wonder what was really going on. I started to research.

What I have found, has made me very picky about what I eat. I try to only buy organic produce now. Added to foods are tons of sugar, hormones, coloring and artificial flavoring. Most of it has been sprayed with pesticides. But one thing really freaks me out and you need to know. Genetically engineering/modification is legal in the USA. Not in Europe. Genetically engineering is when they play with the DNA of a seed to produce a desired quality. To change the DNA there has to be a forced invasion. They often use viruses, bacteria and diseases for this. They also take cells from animals and put into seeds. GE foods don't have to be marked. You are eating tons of this kind of food without knowing it !!! Think about this next time you eat those huge potatoes from Idaho !!

ZHOP television

2009-04-20T22:33:00.006-04:00

Great News !!!

You can now watch and be a part of sets from the ZHOP prayer room on your computer. The website is below. Under the "Menu" you can pick to watch teachings or worship sets.

This will give you a taste about what we do here at ZHOP.

We keep the flame of worship and prayer going 24/7.

Enter in with us !!!!

ZHOPTV.BLOGSPOT.COM

Car inspection

2009-04-06T10:45:00.003-04:00

I recently found out that there is NO car inspection in South Carolina. Sweet !!

I have many stressful car inspection experiences and memories from New Jersey. You had to plan ahead of time and always try to figure out when it would be less people there. Sometimes you had to take a few hours off from work, because once you got there you usually where stuck in a long line of cars for an hour or more. You would sit there and wait, breathing the fumes of all the exhaust. One time it was about 100F outside and I almost passed out. You wondered if you should let your car run, or if you should keep on turning it off and on and off and on . . . . if it would effect the exhaust reading of your car once you get up to the building. If you didn't pass you would get a nice red sticker on the windshield so the whole world could see that you failed. You had two weeks to fix it, or you couldn't ride your car even if it was almost new.

I drove my old brown Volvo with a red sticker for over a year. The police warned me once. One day my car finally collapsed on the road never to resurrect again.

April

2009-04-05T22:51:00.003-04:00

I didn't write for a while, but here I am again.

Spring is here !! It's more like swedish summer. I am loving it. The trees are green again and flowers are blooming. Most days are warm and sunny. Makes life easier.

I have changed my schedule. I no longer stay up late in the nights. I have switched from the "night watch" to the "afternoon watch". Mostly because of health reasons. I lived a night life for 18 months. It was a really good experience and I grew and matured a lot spiritually. D

oing the "night watch" is a wilderness experience for sure and it's not easy. It's hard on your body and your whole life routine is upside down. At the same time, it's an amazing time to encounter God without any distractions. It was so worth it !!

For the first time in about seventeen years, I have a "normal" kind of sleeping schedule. Before being a nighttime missionary I had many jobs that required me to wake up obscenely early in the mornings. First I worked in a Bakery. I had to be there to open up

and sell the donuts :) I didn't have a car in those days and had to walk for miles in the dark to get there. Then I worked as a mail carrier for the US Post Office. I woke up early to sort mail. Then I worked in a coffeehouse as the wake-up crew. I was there before 5 am most days. Forcing yourself to wake up during your deepest hours of sleep pretty much sucks !! It's actually harder than staying up all through the night. I am starting to realize the effects of sleep on your body. We are suppose to sleep when it's dark.

Planting seeds

2009-02-13T15:25:00.005-05:00

My desire is to be able to fund other missionaries. Money that comes into my hand is not all for myself. It's not all bread. I want to live simple, and let finances flow through me to enable others to do full time ministry to God. I'm asking God for seed. I am already funding one missionary monthly. Her name is Irina. My desire and goal is to fund one more missionary by the summer.

This is Irina Balytsky. She is born and raised in Ukraine. Even though she has a college education, she chooses to be a full time missionary. She lives by the book of Philippians. She understands the importance of living a life of praying the word and fasting. She will soon move to Sudan. There she will be working for Iris Ministries. She wants to adopt many children. She also has a heart for the children in the inner cities. I have met few bold young women like her.

The practice of giving

2009-02-12T21:43:00.006-05:00

If you read the Sermon on the Mount in Matt 5-7 you can clearly see a lifestyle that Jesus taught His followers to live. Jesus calls us to live humbly and to go low. He calls us to live a life of praying, fasting and giving.

I have in the past year learned what it means to really live a lifestyle of giving. It's more than just giving a tithe or offering at church. It's about being willing to share everything you have with someone that has a need, even if you don't have much yourself. Don't wait until you have money !! Here is an exercise for you, practice giving away something to somebody every day. Give away clothes or share your food, or even harder, give away your rent money or your computer!! Let resources flow through you. The best way to break free from fear of lack is to give freely. When I look for ways "to give" instead of ways "to get" I'm not paralyzed by fear. This is the wisdom for today. Instead of being afraid of economic problems, start giving more and see God move !!

Internship . . . again

2009-02-02T22:02:00.003-05:00

Well, this time I'm all leadership. I'm the assistant/administrator for the Luke 18:7 intership that just started. I'm loving it!. A little bit of organizing, a little bit of teaching, a little bit of mentoring and a lot of FUN.

Miracle on the Hudson

2009-01-15T22:48:00.009-05:00

Today an airplane crashed into the Hudson river in New York. It was an US AIR commuter flight destination Charlotte. It carried over 100 passengers. If you have ever been to or lived in NYC, you know that there is no extra space for miles and miles to emergency land an airplane without crashing into houses. When this airplane went down, the pilot landed it in the Hudson. It was a true miracle that nobody got killed. Everyone was saved.

One of ZHOP's prayer mandates is to pray for God's manifest presence over Charlotte and for signs and miracles to break out in Jesus name. I see this as a miracle linked to our prayers.

Charlotte has a special place in God's heart !! Charlotte has a prophecy of becoming a City of Refuge in the times and seasons of trouble to come.

The drawing is by the artist Rex Babin.

Fire on the Altar

2009-01-10T17:50:00.006-05:00

A little update about my occupation. I love what I do !!

I get to spend hours a day ministering to God. Together with my brothers and sisters in Christ, we make sure that worship and prayer continue for 24/7 without ceasing. We have four different watches. The first six months here, I was hidden away in the night watch, midnight - 6 am. Now I go home at 2 am, and actually get to enjoy waking up to enjoy some daytime hours also. Since coming here I have learned to play piano and to sing. I didn't even know that I had a desire for that. I have never been musical in my whole life. Now I am on the stage every midnight-2 am set, either singing or playing piano or prayer lead. On wednesday nights I lead my own devotional set, which has been a real good challenge for me.

During the day I come into the prayer room just to study and meditate on the Word or to spend time in God's presence. There is such healing through Holy Spirit. Also, when you meditate on God's Word, it's like eating it. Fills you up in a good way. Almost every day we have classes to attend. I also come in to help clean, organize or serve in some way. We call it "Service Hours". I like to vaccum. But first of all, I am here to worship and to pray on the microphone. I think I'm dreaming !! ha ha ha :)

Alive Heart

2009-01-03T00:40:00.003-05:00

What does it mean to be alive ? Maybe to you it means to have a close loving family, success in your career or excellent health ? All those things make a difference in the quality of your life, for sure. But looking back at my life I now see a much bigger picture. First I was thinking that I must be getting naturally wiser as I'm getting older, but many people older than me are still not free in this revelation, even really intelligent people.

I have been through so much in my life. Both cool stuff and drama. I could probably write a book. Most things was so important when it happened, but now I look back and it seem to insignificant. Like it doesn't matter anymore, I could care less. Everything, every little part in my life is different than it was even seven years ago. None of those things, jobs or relationships or places I lived, defines who I am as a person. They all have lessons to teach, but what really defines me is the journey of my heart. Yes, I'm born in Sweden and I have curly wild hair, but the story of my life is the story of my heart !!!! My true identity flows out of my heart. To loose your heart is to loose life and everything.

We are born with a heart that is created for relationship with God. It's naturally passionate and yearns for intimacy, beauty and adventure. The Bible says that our heart is the wellspring of life. First it's pure, trusting and innocent. And then the hardships come. We get hurt and afraid. The passion of our heart get quenched. We loose hope. Lies are telling us to "grow up" and to act in certain ways. The Bible says that hope deferred makes a heart sick. Most people shut down, divorce their heart and fill up on temporary pleasures that won't last. They indulge in addictions, relationships, shopping, self improvement and approval. I did this myself. I said I deserved to "let loose". Anything to not look at the truth of emptiness inside of me !!

It is time for you to be free !!! It is time for you to live the way you were created to live !! You don't have to be stuck in a cycle, just getting by until you die. There is so much more !! Listen to your heart !! Become a little child again. Search. Press in. There's beauty waiting for you !! There's an adventure waiting for you !! There's hope, joy and peace and a purpose. YOU WERE NOT A MISTAKE !!!

No turning back

2009-01-02T14:38:00.001-05:00

I finally found where I belong, I finally found where I belong . . . in your presence!

I finally found where I belong, I finally found where I belong . . . it's to be with you.

Angel in the Hospital

2008-12-30T21:12:00.006-05:00

A week ago they were showing an interesting story on NBC TODAY in Charlotte. A sick teenager that was about to die suddenly got healed after several hospital staff and the family saw a light in the hallway of the hospital that looked like an angel. The family was there saying their goodbye before taking her off life support. Being christians, they prayed. Suddenly a light appeared on the security monitors from the hallway. It had the shape of a being and was bright. The girl left the hospital a few days later. Hospital staff said that they had never seen anything like this before. The mother said she don't care what anyone else believes, she was there witnessing the whole thing and calls it a miracle.

This is encouraging to see. We spend hours praying for an open heavens over Charlotte and for God to break in with power to save and heal in Jesus name.

Merry Christmas & Happy 2009 !!

2008-12-25T19:45:00.008-05:00

To family, friends and funders !! I love you. I'm so glad you are in my life. Thank you for your support and friendship. I feel an excitement and hope about 2009. It's all gonna be worth it !!

I pray that you will know the Lord in a deep

way this year. When you call on His name He will answer you.

Graduation

2008-12-16T23:28:00.010-05:00

Yesterday was my Internship graduation. It went so fast !!! Now I will be Staff at ZHOP. PHOTO'S: 1. me speaking to the ZHOP community during the graduation, 2. the Luke 18:7 group, 3. Jeremy and Racquel, my awesome internship leaders. 4. Kirk Bennett, ZHOP director

Breakthrough Rain

2008-12-10T18:56:00.002-05:00

Another really warm day here in the south. Every time it rains here, it really pours down. I love it !! Today I was out running in the rain. I feel breakthrough. A breaking in. I feel peace and joy. so good.

Thanksgiving Day

2008-11-29T16:19:00.005-05:00

So another Thanksgiving passed by. I'm actually not a big fan of turkey, I rather eat chikin !! But Joel, the husband in the house, smoked his turkey. It turned out absolutely amazing ! I was blessed to have three different dinners to attend. Below is a few pictures from the day. Yesterday was my one year anniversary here in SC. It's been an amazing year !

November in Fort Mill

2008-11-21T19:22:00.007-05:00

It's been a while, but here I am. My Macbook crashed about three weeks ago and I haven't been around in cyberspace too much lately. I realized how laptop dependent I am. It would have been easier if my car or cellphone broke. My hard drive died. The good news was that I still had my extended warranty and was given a brand new hard drive. So I'm back in business. The hard part was that I lost most of my photography and other data because I didn't back up. I have to admit that it has been kind of rough living in general lately, but at the same time I have grown so much. The same weekend my laptop crashed, I had a seizure and blacked out for a few. How long, Lord, how long ?? I still believe in full healing. I have seen it in other peoples lives. God heals. He also provides. Sometimes I don't know how I will eat, but there is always food. Today I was blessed with chicken for dinner. God gives good gifts to His children. He really knows the desires of our hearts. He has given me wonderful friends and family. Even though people constantly come and go in my life, I have always had really cool friends. I'm a person the loves deeply. It's risky to love, but always worth it.

Talia Espresso

2008-10-27T04:28:00.007-04:00

If you ever visit Moravian Falls, NC, you have to stop at this totally cool coffeeshop !!

Cooking up a painting

2008-10-20T15:17:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I was cooking again. Somebody else, one of my beautiful sisters, bought all the ingredients and then I cooked a lasagne for the "nightwatch" family to eat. The nightwatchers stay in the prayer room from 12 midnight until 6 in the morning. They worship and pray all night while you are sleeping. Their lifestyle is pretty much upside down, since they sleep all day. Anyway, cooking. I love cooking !! Cooking is like painting a picture. I love spending hours in the kitchen creating masterpieces . . . ha ha. Cooking is a right brain activity. When I enter in to my creative mode, I can't focus on anything else or talk to you. A wonderful place to be !!

Day and Night

2008-10-11T22:18:00.003-04:00

"And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him . . ?"

As lovers of Christ Jesus, we are called to pray. It's a way of intimacy and relationship. That's the way we talk to God. He enjoys it. He longs for it. It humbles us. He is worthy.

Through prayer we also partner with God. When we ask in the name of Jesus, there's breakthrough power. Jesus died on the cross and overcame death and the world. When we pray with boldness through faith, darkness has to flee.

God tells us in the Bible to turn to Him with fasting and weeping and to pray without ceasing. In this hour, he is sounding the alarm to awaken the Church from slumber and religion. He is calling forth "Anna's", to live a lifestyle of prayer (Lk 2:37). He is raising up His army to pray, to fast and to give radically.

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land"

Luke 18:7 Internship

2008-10-06T17:20:00.008-04:00

I have started an internship here at ZHOP. It will run from October to December. This internship is called "Luke 18:7". I'm very excited about this. I'm ready and everything feels just right. This is training I need to become official staff here at ZHOP. I know that I will not be leaving any time soon, so it will be very beneficial for me to do an internship. When I'm done I will be on payroll here as a missionary, which means that all financial donations given to me will go through ZHOP for tax purposes. As a missionary I live a very simple lifestyle. I rely on donations for my basic needs. Right now I need help financially to get me through the next three months and this internship ($2000). As the Lord leads your heart, please pray about partnering with me in this. Any amount is a big help. I will keep you updated. Love you.

Gaze at His beauty

2008-10-05T16:11:00.010-04:00

"One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple" Ps 27:4

Zadok House of Prayer, ZHOP, is a day and night worship and prayer community. Zadok means righteousness. Zadok was a line of priests that continued to minister to the Lord even when Israel had fallen away. We have a prayer room that is open 24/7. ZHOP is staffed by about fifty full time missionaries that are lovesick for Jesus. Here we minister to God through musical worship, art, dance and intense intercession (prayer). We sing and pray the Word of God back to Him. Our purpose is to maintain a continuos fire of prayer and worship before the Lord. We have live worship teams playing at least 16 hours/day. ZHOP empowers worship leaders, singers, musicians, intercessors and artisans in the ministry to the Lord. Our focus is first an upward calling minister to God. ZHOP is a mission base, equipping in intimacy and preparing forerunners to go before in prayer and worship. Intimacy is the wisdom for today. We will only know God and His will if we have relationship with Him. When we pray and meditate on His word we get deep revelation about who He is and His will. As we become people with the heart of Christ Jesus, and as we press in with intense prayer and fasting, we will break through spiritual barriers that will start to shift things in the natural. Intercessory Missionaries are a people that give their whole life to do this full time as a LIFESTYLE. They are vital for the Great Commission as their continual prayer and fasting causes breakthrough that is fueling the Great Harvest.

Music and Worship

2008-10-03T16:24:00.015-04:00

I have always been so passionate about music, it has always touched me deep into my soul. Even though I never learned to play an instrument until recently, I started to listen to music at a very young age growing up in Sweden. I remember having a cassette band player and putting it next to the radio to record music. Soon I realized how to record from the radio in a better way. I made mixed tapes of my favorites at that time. I didn't know any english yet and learned to listened to the music and because of that I have always rated music by how it touched me musically. I found that this is an awesome gift. I still operate that way, even though I now listen to the lyrics carefully also. I had a pretty big vinyl record collection. Once a CD freak I build a collection of hundreds of CD's. I always had music playing, in the car and in my home. When my parents were not home I would crank it sooo loud in the house. Our neighbors could hear it. Music is so powerful and will effect you in either way. It makes you come alive and to process things. It helps you grieve, it helps you feel happy. But it can also make you depressed. Almost everybody has memories linked to different songs. Music touches you deep in your soul and heart and forms you. I have learned to be aware of that when choosing what I'm listening to. I came to the USA during the Seattle "grunge" scene in the 90's. The music was very anointed and I entered in with my whole spirit. It made me feel more passionate. But it also promoted me into a dark lifestyle of drugs and rock n roll. I realized later that most of the music that I loved didn't really have a positive message. It grieved me and I mostly listened to jazz and classical for a while. And when I gave my life to Jesus and became renewed with true life passion I threw out my whole vinyl and CD collection. It was very very hard, but I knew I had to do it and it was incredibly freeing. I went on a search for new music that was life giving, but became very frustrated. The Christian music scene wasn't really satisfying to me, especially for somebody that has been listening to music her whole life. There's many great artists with awesome lyrics, but most of it didn't do it for me tell you the truth. I believe that music comes from heaven. It's proof of God's beauty. Once in the hands of humans, it wasn't that pure anyone. Hmmm . . . But I'm very excited to say that I'm starting to hear a new sound lately that again touches the deepest parts in my spirit. I hear it when a lovesick people play and sing to Jesus. Something happens when you pick up an instrument and start to make sounds in worship and adoration. When you use music to express your love for Jesus out of vulnerability and intimacy through brokenness, something real and true starts to happen. It's prayer, it's art and it's affection. Your love song opens up a portal to heaven. Suddenly you are having a two way relationship with God himself. It's true beauty, the way it was meant to be. Out of hours of intimacy a sound is being birthed. A sound from heaven. It's the most anointed. It shifts things in the spiritual and in the natural. It's alive !! It's awakening everything in me.

Family of God

2008-09-28T15:55:00.008-04:00

I'm so blessed by living in such a loving and close knit community. The people in the picture are some of my closest friends. There's always somebody to eat with, pray with, laugh or cry with. This is how the Body of Christ is suppose to be like. It's amazing to live like the first apostolic church, where we share with each other and nobody is on the street in lack. I live a very simple and basic lifestyle and I'm so free !!

Sweet Sixteen !!

2008-09-26T02:25:00.012-04:00

Today I'm celebrating 16 years in the USA !!!

Today 16 years ago I walked on american ground for the first time. This happened on Newark Airport in NJ. My first impression of US was all the brown colors, I thought everything was so brown. It was a muggy and rainy day. I came to work as an Au-pair for a family in NJ. They picked me up and took me to their home. It turned out to be a wonderful family, but I think I cried every day the first week. I was only a teenager. Everything was different, even the door knobs, and it was hard to speak english only. Since then, my life has been more than adventurous. I've been through both exciting and hard times. All I can say is that I don't regret a thing. I'm exactly where I'm suppose to be. I'm very happy I jumped on that airplane on Sept 26, 1992 !!!

Got gas ?

2008-09-25T22:04:00.006-04:00

It's hard to believe, but the city of Charlotte is out of gas. Every pump is closed. I'm driving around, running out of gas looking for gas. Ha ha ha. Amazing what a few storms in the Mex Gulf can do. And when a delivery comes, there's a long line of cars waiting down the road. Just like in Third World countries. I saw that in Nigeria when I was there, they waited for days to get a few drops. They came pushing their car (or wreck). They would beat you or kill you if you tried to get ahead. You leave your house to get gas and get stoned !! How wonderful !!!

Good thing I'm riding a bicycle almost everywhere I need to go.

Harvest Fest

2008-09-23T14:12:00.009-04:00

This past week was "Harvest Fest" at Morningstar. A lot of good worship and teachings. Outside they had different tents set up with things to buy and with information about other ministries. You could also get prophetic words from their prophetic teams. ZHOP had an information both (tent) set up and we took turns to staff it. I spend a few hours there and had a lot of fun connecting with people from all over. Check out my huge carrot !!! That was my snack and a good conversation piece for the afternoon. A carrot on steroids !!

"Chick-fil-a" princesses

2008-09-19T22:04:00.003-04:00

A few days ago, they gave away free meals at "Chick fil a". The catch was that you have to dress up as a princess to receive this generous offer. Well, we had pretty fun doing it !

Philippians 4:7

2008-09-13T21:02:00.001-04:00

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. "

Photo's from 08.08.08

2008-09-13T20:43:00.006-04:00

Todd Bentley to Fort Mill 08.08.08

2008-07-27T16:44:00.003-04:00

On August 8 there is an outdoor event here outside of ZHOP and Morningstar. Todd Bentley is coming to preach. Worship by John Mark and Sarah McMillan. We are expecting thousands of people. I can just imagine all these people on that field of mud and weeds . . . ha ha . .

ZHOP will simulcast the whole event inside, and cook hamburgers and hot dogs outside. You are welcome to stop by !!

On a journey

2008-07-27T15:53:00.004-04:00

It's been over a year ago since I once again made some radical changes in my life. I'm starting to really love change. I was struggling with partial seizures and had a hard time working a regular job. At the same time I felt kind of spiritually dry. I had for a while been longing for a deeper and more intimate relationship with God. I felt like I didn't have any love to give anyone, totally empty inside. I knew I was created for so much more than I was doing. That's when I set out on a life journey to see the Glory of God. That's when I started to step out in faith to see for myself, and to hear God's voice. I gave my life to Him in deeper way. You can call it the "narrow path" or the "road less travelled", and I'm still travelling. Yes, I've been taken some risks, like leaving my job or stopping taking medications. Some things might not make sense to some, but were the best choices I've ever made. Some didn't turn out to be so cool and I learned to overcome. Mostly I have spent lots of time face to face with my God, just loving Him. A year later, I'm broken and don't have it all together accordingly to the world, but I'm soooo FREE !!

Immigration experience

2008-07-23T12:14:00.002-04:00

You say "INS" and I want to throw up, ok !! So ok, I've had a few appointments with the Immigration, since Im a foreigner in the United states of America. Im called a permanent residential Alien ! Going to the INS in NJ was a day long nightmare. But today I actually had a very nice experience. Today I had an appointment to get my green card renewed (cost me $400, which I really don't have!). So this morning I drove to beautiful Charlotte. I was driving back home 40 min later. The INS office was in a nice place with very helpful and positive people .... what ? I guess the INS is different here in the South, like most things. No stress. No rudeness. No waiting. But very pleasant and organized. The officer was actually personal. I really love living in the South. It's hot. It's chill. They play country music at the gas stations, and they sell fireworks there too. And no need to use your blinkers, just slowly glide into the other lane or put your arm out the window ......

Big wheels keep on turning

2008-07-16T12:15:00.009-04:00

I got to be a trucker for a few hours. My little brother, who is now a handsome young man, is a driver of big trucks. I was excited to go with him to Gothenburg to pick up a trailer. The truck had computer, fridge, microwave, coffee maker and two beds, amazing !! But I guess if you drive all over Europe you have to be comfortable. It seem hard to drive that big of a truck, to keep it in the lane and to turn, and not to run over other cars. But it was FUN FUN FUN !

Mr and Mrs Nässén

2008-06-30T16:48:00.005-04:00

Let me announce !!

The marriage of Mattias Nässén and Sara Johansson , 28 June 2008.

Hurray, my sister is a married woman !!

"Midnight Sun"

2008-06-26T09:09:00.006-04:00

All these images are taken around midnight, check out the light !!!

This is a wonderful phenomena of the Nordic hemisphere that happens in June.

The Bride to be !

2008-06-22T04:18:00.007-04:00

No, not me, but my sister. Her wedding is next weekend.

The good news is that there is a better wedding, a heavenly one. The wedding of all weddings, the original idea. The everlasting marriage that we should all long and yearn for. And the Bridegroom is waiting for you. He is pursuing you. You are His desire. The ultimate love story. How long will you refuse ?

Brolin's @ Lifecenter

2008-06-18T05:10:00.002-04:00

Ten years ago Daniel and Paulina Brolin went to Caucasia as Missionaries and ended up as hostages. They were in captivity for months before rescued. Today they have four children and live in Bangkok, Thailand. They are from Västerås, Sweden. This coming Sunday they are speaking at their home church Lifecenter.

Where: Lifecenter International Church, Västerås, Sweden

When: June 22, 5 pm

Web: www.lifecenter.se www.brolins.org

Worship: LifeKidz

Corey Russell @ ZHOP

2008-06-18T05:02:00.004-04:00

Yes, don't miss this FREE fire party !!

Where: ZHOP, Fort Mill, SC

When: June 19-21

Web: www.zhop.org

Worship: ZHOP Missionaries

Corey Russell is an Intercessory Missionary and leader from International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City.

Photographs from Tjörn

2008-06-15T15:55:00.009-04:00

Summer in Sweden

2008-06-07T05:52:00.005-04:00

Arrived three days ago. Sweden. And the weather is amazing hot, to my delight !! And the nights never get dark this time of the year. So I still sleep with an extra blanket on my window. The water in my parents pool is warm and nice for a change. I've been playing with my nieces in the pool every day since I got here. There names are Victoria and Ida. I only get to see them once a year so I make sure I hug them extra.

2008-06-06T17:15:00.001-04:00

2008-05-28T20:20:00.001-04:00

Amazing love, how can it be, that you my King would die for me ?

Pro-Life

2008-05-27T16:01:00.005-04:00

It was early saturday morning, right after night watch. I found myself standing outside the abortion clinic with a piece of red tape over my mouth that said "LIFE". There was a chill in the air so we had to bundle up. The doctors pulled in one after the other, and then the women started to come. I counted to seven women in the first hour alone. Most of them came with a man, one with a mother and one woman alone. We stood there, praying inwards, not saying a word. We were not there to condemn, but to be a silent voice for the ones that can't speak for themselves. I felt compassion for the women as I put myself in their situation, could have been me years ago. I got upset when I realized how blinded I have been. I found myself repenting. How easy it had been to be Pro-Choice. My right as a woman. My convenience. Normal. But what if the baby is a woman ? Abortion was legalized in US in 1973, the year I was born. Since then, 50 million babies have been aborted in US alone, that is 1/3 of my generation. Only 2% of those abortions were done because of rape or life threatening conditions. 98% were done because of unwanted or inconvenient pregnancy ....... hey wait a minute !! Shouldn't we react to this ? When is a baby a person ? When there is heartbeat or only when it's been birthed ? Out of sight, out of mind ? If a husband kills his pregnant wife, then the baby is a human and the husband goes to prison for double murder. But if a couple don't want the baby, then it's totally acceptable to kill it ?? I know this is a hot topic. I hope that this post will challenge you into deeper research and not just accept and go with the flow. To be uncomfortable is good, because then you have to deal with it.

BOUND4LIFE regional event @ ZHOP

2008-05-22T23:21:00.004-04:00

Where: ZHOP , Fort Mill SC

Web: www.zhop.org and www.bound4life.com

When: May 22-24

Speakers: Matt Lockett, Kirk Bennett

Worship: ZHOP Missionaries

Bill Johnson @ Morningstar

2008-05-18T18:23:00.003-04:00

On April 23rd some Morningstar students returned from a visit to Lakeland Florida and a Holy Spirit outpouring broke out in the classrooms. Since then the party has been moved to the main sanctuary for anyone to join, every night !! People are being healed and refreshed every day by Jesus as they jump into the river. I have been there many nights, and it's sweet !!

This week Bill Johnson from Bethel Church in Redding, CA is coming to teach on healing. And his son and daughter in law, Brian and Jen Johnson are leading the worship times. You don't want to miss this !!

where: MORNINGSTAR FELLOWSHIP CHURCH in Fort Mill, SC

web: www.morningstarministries.org

when: May 19-21

speakers: BILL JOHNSON, Bob Jones, Rick Joyner, Steve Thompson

worship leaders: BRIAN & JEN JOHNSON, Leonard Jones

New Camera

2008-05-14T19:59:00.004-04:00

Look what the Lord gave me !!! A beautiful person with a BIG heart blessed me with this long wanted gift, a Canon 40D. A photographers dream !! I'm back in business !! Next assignment: my sisters wedding in June. How this camera ended up in my hand is such a testimony and really boosted my faith. It is the fruit of my road trip up to NJ in March.

Oh Baby Baby

2008-05-14T19:37:00.005-04:00

Did I tell you that we have a night watch baby now ??? Well, it's true. Unto us a John Phillip was born and he has the coolest hairdo around. He was born with a mohawk. He hangs out with us in the night and we all take turn to hold him.

Update from Florida

2008-04-21T11:13:00.006-04:00

I'm in Lakeland which is located between Orlando and Tampa. I love the palm trees. This is my first time in florida. I love the hot weather. So far I can say, I love florida! Actually, I feel an open heaven here. It took nine hours to drive here from fort Mill. I saw a shooting star on the night sky. I have met really cool people from every state and even from abroad. People are pouring in from all over the world for healing or impartation. I've been sleeping in my car and didn't shower for a few days, but last night was able to share a motel room with a bunch of guys. It's amazing what is happening here, you need to get here if you can ! With my own eyes I have seen deaf hear again, tumors disappear, people getting out of wheelchairs and legs growing in length ......yes yes yes.. !! The Revival is already spreading to other places in the world. Thousands of people are watching the webstream every night on www.freshfire.ca or GOD TV. Waiting outside we have had drum circles. We have been praying for people out on the streets. Yesterday I prayed for a lady with carpal tunnel at Cracker Barrel's. The Lord gave me a word of knowledge about her not more than 30 min before. We also prayed for a man with hearing aids and he took them out. We prayed for several people in wheelchairs including a woman in a wedding party, we caught her as they were doing wedding photography in a beautiful flower garden with fountains. She was crying with joy because she felt heat in her legs, her make up was all over.

Revival in Florida

2008-04-18T22:08:00.005-04:00

I'm on the road again. This time to Lakeland, Florida. For the past three weeks, God has been pouring out His spirit there through miracle healings and deliverances. This is happening at the Ignited Church and it hasn't stopped yet. People from all over the world is now travelling there.

Anyway, you who know me knows that I'm not big on speakers or conference hopping. I'm very happy spending my time at the Prayer room. Every night we encounter God, so I don't feel like I have to go on a chase. But I'm very desperate for healing though. This week I struggled again with partial seizures. There's awesome people here that are contending for my healing. I'm doing much better, but have yet to see 100 %. I know that Jesus will heal me fully as a testimony that he is alive !! I'm going to Lakeland in faith. I'm pressing in and believing.

"Grass clippers"

2008-04-09T19:49:00.003-04:00

I love the sound of the old fashion lawn mowers ........ or "grass clippers" like we call it in swedish. Not the new big ones, but the older push ones that stole when you hit a rock. That sound reminds me of summers in Sweden. The smell of a newly cut lawn is pretty cool too ....

Oh Tornado, where can I go from your presence ?

2008-04-04T20:39:00.003-04:00

At the moment we are under a tornado warning. A severe thunder storm area is approaching and it's being monitored minute by minute by TV...in case we have to seek shelter. I love storms, but I wonder... where would we flee from a tornado? All the houses here are put right on a stone slab with no basements. They would be like houses of cards. I guess the Prayer room would be the best place. WOW, the lightning is amazing...!!

Spring in Fort Mill

2008-03-28T02:19:00.007-04:00

Getting warmer fast. It's been in the 70s since I got back. PEACH TREES blooming. Birds singing, Frogs peeping. Crickets shirping. And Petra running again .....

Back in Charlotte

2008-03-24T23:39:00.007-04:00

It was nice to see the lights of Charlotte again tonight. The trip home took me ten hours with only a couple of quick stops. I love driving. I could have done another ten hours easily. I guess that's the traveller in me. Adventure. Today I imagined that I was driving cross country, not driving through Virginia. My car becomes my living room, as if I was watching a movie ......

My visit to NJ was short but intense. Everything flowed. I had a wonderful time. It was nice to see all of you. I thank you for beds to sleep in, all the gifts, tea at Starbucks, lunches and dinners. I even got an oil change and new front brakes on my car. Hurray. I was happy to visit King of Kings. Hurray again. I even got to eat grandma Ida's Italian wedding soup. I love you all.

I went to the Prayer room for a few hours tonight when I got back home. Feels good to be back !

Streets of Harlem

2008-03-20T21:26:00.011-04:00

It's cold and really windy here in New York, brrrr...... but that's kind of normal. As usual, I was in denial about the weather coming up here and only packed one long sleeve shirt. I really love New York, I do. I think because in this City you have every tribe, tongue and nation living together side by side and getting along pretty good. I love the mix of flavors. I love all the culture here. It's a perfect City to watch people or spark up a conversation. Pretzels and hot dogs from a stand. Get lost on a subway. Freaks in the East Village. Old churches squeezed between skyscrapers. Pulse. Cheap delicious Indian food. Opportunities to bargain. Beggars and filthy rich. Cab driver with a real cat on the dashboard, only in NYC.

Flowershow @ Macy's 34th st

2008-03-20T20:36:00.017-04:00

Bridgette report

2008-03-20T20:36:00.016-04:00

Bridgette is a homeless woman. I use to talk to her by the Path train (in NJ). First she was really suspicious and angry, but after a while she would want to hug me and even said that she loves me. I mostly just listened while she talked, but we had a couple of deeper conversations about life. I gave her food a couple of times. I can relate better now after faith-ing it out for a few months. Today I saw her when I caught the Path to NYC. She recognized me right away and came right into my arms with a big smile. We only had a few minutes because my train came. Her jaw was swollen because she had been beaten by the police. For the first time she let me lay hands on her and pray for healing in Jesus name..... yeeeaahh ! No instant healing this time, but I will keep on believing. Seeing her made my day.

The man in rags who used to sleep under the bridge has finally been put in a home. He would not have survived the winter.

Road trip

2008-03-19T23:10:00.006-04:00

I arrived safe in NJ around 3.30 pm this afternoon after being on the road for twelve hours. I drove alone and had a nice time with the Lord. Started out in the dark and it was really warm in SC. It was kind of foggy as I drove up the NC mountains, but by the time the sun showed I had this wonderful view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, see photo (I know the picture doesn't do justice to the true beauty I experienced). I had a nice hot cup of tea from Starbucks in my hand, and the sunrise felt fresh and full of hope. I tried to take a nap at the half way point with no success. I laid down in the back of my car under a blanket. It started to rain and the noise of the drops on the roof reminded me of sleeping in the camper as a child, I liked it, felt like adventure you know. It pretty much poured rain all through Pennsylvania and Jersey. Now I'm here, in cold Newark, trying to come off of night watch schedule......hmmm

New Jersey Next !!

2008-03-18T19:10:00.004-04:00

New Jersey here I come !!!

I'm driving up to NJ for a visit over the Easter weekend. For all of you who would like to catch up with me, this is my schedule.... I'm driving all day Wednesday, staying in Newark Wednesday and Thursday night, spending all day in NYC on Thursday, coming to Bernardsville on Fri-Sun. Driving back to SC on Monday. See ya there !

Uganda Benefit

2008-03-16T01:23:00.004-04:00

Birthday Week: Day 7

Last night, saturday, I had the opportunity to go to a benefit for a young woman named Danielle. She was in Uganda last summer as a teacher through the Invisible Children's Teacher Exchange Program, and she is going again this coming summer. "Invisible Children" try to provide schooling for children that have been soldiers in war. I was inspired to meet her. She loves Jesus. Please pray for her.

www.whereibe.blogspot.com

www.invisiblechildren.com

Winter is over

2008-03-14T17:30:00.005-04:00

Birthday Week: Day 6

All week I've been able to sit outside on the front porch when I wake up in the afternoon. I think it's kind of cool to be able to sit outside in March (in short sleeve) to drink my tea when I wake up. Life is so much easier in milder climates....listen to the swede that is always cold !! In Sweden I freeze even in August, ask my mom. So I guess it's spring here, or summer, because the Forsythia and the Cherry trees are blooming. Yellows and pinks

Tonight I went to Morningstar for worship with Jen and Mona.

Hot Latte

2008-03-13T21:00:00.010-04:00

Birthday Week: Day 5

Today was another wonderful warm day, in the 70's !!!

Today I met my friend Christiane @ AROMA to celebrate our birthdays. I haven't had any coffee since I stopped working @ Port City Java almost a year ago, so it was a treat to have my specialty.....grande decaf soy latte 2 shots no foam !!! What a treat !! Hot latte .... quente!

Though I have to say, it was tempting to jump the counter to make it myself .....

Família brasiliera

2008-03-12T17:14:00.008-04:00

Birthday Week: Day 4

Today was Otto's birthday, so we had a little celebration at the Silva home, a little bit of Brasil. It was just the original NJ FIVE, Otto and Keila, Webb and Nati, myself..... and Zion of course. Zion is getting so big, darker hair and he is always happy. Keila had made wonderful dinner. Instead of cake, I had pieces of dark chocolate with coconut filling on top....ha ha ha. We spent hours talking and relating about the lifestyle of faith that we are living. So encouraging !

Great Clips

2008-03-11T20:08:00.008-04:00

Birthday Week: Day 3

Today I had my hair cut. You know, had the "fro" trimmed....and I really enjoy getting my hair washed. The hairdresser had a deep southern accent and it made me think of the movie "Steel Magnolias". But this was more like a "Steel Deal", $ 18 plus tips ...... at Great Clips next to Bloom.

We have visitors at night watch this week, and we are having so much fun. Jonathan and Logan (in picture) are here from IHOP to play/sing/pray with us. Awesome to get to know other night watchers. We love you guys !

Today is the day ....

2008-03-10T21:23:00.009-04:00

Birthday Week: Day 2

So today was my actual birthday. The big 35 !! I woke up around 2 pm. It was a sunny and pretty warm day... lately I've been realizing that I actually live in "the South" now....(I have yet to experience sweet tea on the porch). After being a phone head with Sweden for a while, I went to the staff meeting. A lot of laughing there happened there. After that I went to "Chick-fil-a" with Sally, Ryan and Matt. We also brought Jonathan, who is a night watcher at IHOP in Kansas City. He is here this week to visit us at night. After eating we walked around talking, singing, taking pictures and just being silly. Life is worth celebrating !!

Glad to be born

2008-03-09T23:08:00.010-04:00

Birthday Week: Day 1

So I have started my BIRTHDAY WEEK celebrations !!

I'm happy to have been born 35 years ago tomorrow and my life is worth celebrating !!! Nowadays I celebrate Birthday Week instead of Birth Day ( thanx Gillian). Life only gets better and better and more exciting. We had another ABUNDANT shift dinner tonight. Sally made a German chocolate cake with candles and everything. Thank you guys, I love you !!

Wedding

2008-03-09T22:51:00.008-04:00

Yesterday we had a ZHOP wedding. Katie and Kenny were married. It was one of the nicest weddings I have ever been to, really joyful. The music and singing during the ceremony was rocked, Katie walked down the aisle with Kirk to our worship team singing "You have ravished my heart" by the Johnson's. Katie looked radiant and so did the whole wedding party. I think most of us had a really fun time, especially when we all started to let it loose on the dance floor. This House of Prayer is not just anointed in singing, playing and praying, but obviously also in dancing.......ha ha ha

Photo's of my friends, from left. My happy NJ/Brasilian family. And my amazing Night watch family.

Prayer room

2008-02-21T15:03:00.003-05:00

This some of the things I get to do in the Prayer room, play piano and sing. This is something new to me, haven't played an instrument before. I like it a lot.

A little bit of NIGERIA

2008-02-15T14:43:00.006-05:00

How wonderful God is !!! These are my friends Okey and Jessica. They are also committed in partnership with me on my journey. I truly cherish them. Wednesday night I visited them in their home here in SC, and I was blessed with a nigerian dinner. I'm blown away by their faith and how they trust in God for everything in life. When you operate like that there's no room for fear, you are free. Okey is from Jos in Nigeria (Africa). I have been there twice in my life on mission trips. Nigeria will always have a part in my heart. Jessica is born here in the Carolinas, but have lived in Nigeria and that's where they met and fell in love. They have a son. I love to hear their stories.

Fundraiser Show for SUDAN

2008-02-10T07:09:00.000-05:00

Last night Irina and I went to a Fundraiser Show for raising money to dig water wells in Sudan. It was in Charlotte at Warehouse 242. The music was really good, the crowd was young and the place was cozy. Even though we had a nice time, we had hoped for more information and photos from Sudan, all they showed was a short video and then told us to donate on-line. My friend Irina is originally from Ukraine, and she is moving to Sudan in July to work as a missionary for Iris Ministries....she's amazing....

Baby Shower

2008-02-10T02:31:00.002-05:00

A couple of days ago we (the girls only) had a Baby Shower for our sweet and pregnant Sally. There was some tasty food bites, and lots of presents for her baby boy. Here's some pics, of Sally opening presents and a group picture of the girls from Night watch. By the way, it was a pretty warm day, felt like spring..... hurray it's getting warmer again.

Cooking and baking and stuff....

2008-02-06T11:17:00.000-05:00

Yes, I think I actually like cooking. It makes me calm and it is artistic, so why wouldn't I like it ? And the fact that I love eating makes the whole thing easier. Most people are very surprised when they realize how much I can eat or how often I like to eat. Because I'm skinny as a flagpole doesn't mean I eat like one..., some people are just blessed with god metabolism OK !! Anyway, back to cooking. One thing I miss, is having my own kitchen. That's how you know I'm a grown up ... buh hu. Even though I'm totally blessed with Joel and Jenn's super kitchen, I miss those days when I had my own to mess up. Now days I cook and bake after 9 pm, before my night watch. Last week I baked bread in the middle of the night !! These are my favorite things to cook: pizza, chili con carne, thai food, swedish meatballs, guacamole, hummus, anything chicken, steak and crepes. When I was in Sweden last summer, I cooked a lot for my parents and for my brother and that was really fun. Hmmmm...talking about it makes me hungry. And I'm suppose to sleep now !

IKEA somebody ?

2008-01-27T00:01:00.000-05:00

I vote for an IKEA in the Charlotte area !!!!

Anybody else ??

I know there's one in Atlanta.... but that doesn't help me does it ? I have always been visiting IKEA for my swedish "fix" so to say. Every time I missed Sweden a lot I drove to IKEA in Elisabeth in NJ. I walked around and sat in the decorated showrooms, and for a moment it felt like I was back in Sweden. Ha ha ha........ most of all I loved to buy some swedish chocolate or food.... that I would eat in the car on the way home...

Today

2008-01-22T20:21:00.001-05:00

This is how a typical day looks like for me. Well......typical ? I don't think there's such a thing in my life. Every day pretty much is a new adventure and turn out totally different than the other. I come home from my night shift at the Prayer room around 6.30 in the morning and it's still dark. I would like to fall asleep before 8.00, but that's not a guarantee for sure. I think my sleeping pattern is one of my biggest struggles nowadays, funny I would never have guessed that. But staying up all night praying, singing, meditating and worshipping kind of get me going and wakes me up. Sometimes I don't fall asleep until noon.....and sleep in the evening instead. Some days I don't see daylight at all. But I would say that most of the time, I sleep between 7 am - 3 pm. No complaints, I love what I do !! Well anyway, when I'm not sleeping, I love to meditate on God's word, pray, sing, practice my piano, write, paint, walk and run. I'm also very social in between. Other things I do is cleaning and some administrative work, which is less fun but necessary. At 11.30 pm every night I go to the Prayer room and I stay there all night until 6.30 am. I try to live a pretty disciplined life and I love it. Discipline is not boring, it is actually a lot of fun when you have the right motives. And it keeps me out of trouble... ha ha ha...I have been taught to manage my time well. We are responsible for what we do with our time, we have the authority to fill it with positive inputs that will encourage us and make us healthy. What we listen to, what we watch and who we spend time with will either give us life or slowly kill us if we continue. Compromise WILL effect your decisions and the direction of your life !

Little snow..

2008-01-17T08:17:00.000-05:00

Yes.....believe it !!! I was hoping that snow wouldn't fall here in the Carolina's....but we had some powder over night. I was out driving a little in the night when it was snowing and I used the 4wd , just because I have it.......but it was just a tease!!

Middle of the night thoughts

2008-01-15T02:37:00.000-05:00

Please, will somebody pinch me !!!! I'm all giggly like a little girl. In the midst of not having a regular life at all...I find myself so incredibly happy. I knew it was time for a new level and breakthrough in my life, and after boosting my faith I did a few adjustments(risks) all of last year. Not without a few bruises on the way, but never crushed. I'm excited, I think I'm living a dream!! I'm so free. I call this the "narrow path" kind of living, and it's a celebration. I'm getting some cool revelation about it that I will share some other time. I was born to do this.....

Community Living

2008-01-10T22:42:00.003-05:00

This is Joel, Jenn, Rowan and Asher. I live in their home and I'm so thankful for that. They are wonderful people and I'm at peace living with them. We are created to live in families and not alone. In families we learn to communicate, get along and love others and we learn to become less selfish. Also, I think this is especially important for single girls/women, divorcees and widows. I love my alone time, but too much of that and I start to isolate, get depressed and too independent. The best time for me has been when I had room mates or lived with another family. In Bible times they lived in communities or bigger families. In todays culture it's not as common anymore and I think we have to rethink this as a Body of Christ. When one is weak, somebody else is strong. You help each other and pray with each other, and nobody is left for the street. And since I'm an european.....I really love some chatting over a cup of tea anytime !!!!

R U in a Funk ?

2008-01-05T04:01:00.000-05:00

Yesterday at PTP, "Prophecies to Pray", Kirk shared personally about being in the wilderness and so much came to my mind. I have been there and done that, and still go there all the time. It usually means to be in an uncomfortable season, kind of like a crushing..., like a desert, or "Dark night of the soul". It can be a time of going through difficulties both on the outside or the inside, and/or it can be a time of dryness where nothing seem to happen, like a stand still, and/or there's no breakthrough. In my younger pre-Jesus days I responded with self pity, complaining or looking to another human for answers. Every situation seemed like a crisis, and I asked why? why?..... I stuffed things inside of me, or tried to fix it through my own strength. I felt resentful and controlling and totally exhausted or in despair. I was so lost... The wilderness has a new meaning to me know, it is actually a necessity I have learned to welcome, believe it or not. As I learn to trust in God and to relax in knowing that he is in charge, I can see that wilderness is for my better and for my refining and maturing. Every situation is an opportunity to learn to surrender and to get out of my own way. That is called "taking a risk". Instead of trying to be super woman, I fall down at the feet of Jesus and cry out. Pressing in. Praying. Out of that comes life in exchange for death, because in the end I come out leaning on Jesus !!!!! When we are not afraid to be weak, we become strong. It is fear that keeps us trapped. We all have fear of not having enough, not being loved, getting sick or die. And we are afraid of what people are going to say about us. This is especially true when we don't know Jesus. When you have a relationship with the living God you can see past the fears of this world, and I tell you, that is the freedom we are all longing for. I actually love change now, I need fresh stuff all the time, and I'm not afraid to loose it all.....

Pumping gas

2008-01-04T22:25:00.001-05:00

Most of the time I can't tell than I'm not in New Jersey anymore, there's still wonderful Highways to drive on (Rt 77 and Rt 485) so I feel really at home...ha ha ha. The Pineville area has every possible store you can think of to satisfy the American shopper, just like NJ, and also a Mall of course. The good thing is that the temperature always is about ten degrees warmer than NJ. Oooohhhh....another thing that reminds me that I'm not in lovely NJ anymore, I HAVE TO PUMP MY OWN GAS !!!! This can be a real adventure, believe me ! I have found that there's something different with every gas station and I tend to run into a minor problem each time. Some pumps don't like credit cards, only debit, and some pumps don't work at all and I have to back up or swing around to try the next. Paying cash, forget it, you have to pre-pay inside. And tonight I couldn't figure out how to get the pump going, it said to press the button.......and I couldn't find a button...!!!! Eventually I asked a nice gentleman next to me (dresses in a GOLD suit) to help me. He laughed and called me "a City Girl".......

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

2007-12-31T04:47:00.000-05:00

These two girls are my nieces, Victoria and Ida. I haven't seen them since September, so I miss them. Aren't they pretty ? They like talking on the phone now which is great......

Happy 2008 everybody !!

Musical debut....ha ha..

2007-12-29T05:19:00.000-05:00

....well, maybe not professionally but for FUN. Moved down here with "the keyboard" from New Jersey in the back of my car, not knowing how to play. Now it's sitting pretty in my room in front of the window. I've been asking around at ZHOP for a heart willing to instruct, because that's what we do here, play and sing the Bible. And then Isaac came down here from Nashville from Thunder School, and he decided to bless Natalie and I with some lessons before he goes back...........Isaac , thank you, you rock !! Amazing ! Today , Natalie and I played a set together on the stage for the first time. Natalie played guitar and I played background keyboard. Singin we do every night for almost two hours anyway. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN !!! My fingers hurt now!! When you play to God you are automatically anointed...ha ha ha When I was a little girl I sang, danced and loved drama. I also had a guitar and wanted to learn but never got that far. I didn't care about what people thought of me, but that changed......so I'm claiming it back !!! I have never played an instrument before so this is fun fun fun. And I love my friend Natalie, she is a german girl in a french style.....hugs

Words of knowledge, prophecies and prayers

2007-12-24T21:52:00.001-05:00

Some testimonies to pump you up! Haven't been able to sleep after our night shift lately, especially this weekend. Our worship and intercession during the night have intensified. Saturday morning after our shift I went to the pancake house with Brian, Leon and Misty and the presence of God was with us and we prayed and prophecied. We ended the morning by going to to Morningstar Ministries. That was just the warm-up for Sunday morning. Sunday morning after our shift I went to the 24 H Walmart with Brian and Leon. In the car there we asked the Lord to show us who to speak to and he gave me a picture of a yellow shirt. In Walmart, we first met a man from Morningstar and we prayed and prophesied over him. We saw promotion, favor and changes to the better in his work situation, and we were right and the man was so touched by God right there. Then we met a woman in the Deli with a yellow shirt under her apron, she was standing cutting up some meat or something. The Lord gave us specific words for her to encourage her, and she first freaked a little bit, but then cried. She shared how her manager had had a vision while having a heart attack a while ago. The woman wanted to leave the Deli to work somewhere else, but her manager said to stay put in the Deli because she had a vision about people coming to the Deli to pray for her..............well...we laid hand on her and prayed. After that we also prophesied over the cashier. After that we still could not sleep so we went to the Mall...ha ha ha.... There we prayed for people with canes and crutches. One teenager felt heat in his broken foot and a tingling in his arms when we prayed. We got to prophecy over several people including the security guard, and we also ministered to three jewish people and to one muslim.....wow...that's what I call a Merry Christmas !!!

Dinner with the family

2007-12-24T00:17:00.000-05:00

My fellow night watchers and I hangin out together. Today we had dinner at Ryan and Sally's place. We had chili, rice, fruit salad, home baked bread (Natalie Rocks!), pistachio pudding, corn bread and eggs. Half of the family are away for Christmas and they are missed. Never a dull moment with ZHOP night watch !!

Brain dump

2007-12-22T02:39:00.000-05:00

Tonight we are meditating on Song of Solomon 6:5. I love our nighttime encounters. Today I really needed to refocus, I was scattered all over earlier and didn't get anything done. I drove around Pineville for an hour. For the first time I realized that it actually is Christmas in a few days, because I saw a jeep decorated fully in Christmas lights...and the traffic was crazy. I was thinking about that I haven't sent out any Christmas cards, sorry my friends....I still love ya! I'm not too good with the cards and especially the Holiday ones. I like spontanious and unexpected cards. I drove home and spent some time in the livingroom with Jenn and Becka, mostly girltalk. We made popcorn... Today I actually missed New York and New Jersey. Something about the snow and the decorations. Was thinking about snowblading, was remembering watching movies with Beth in a blizzard.Was thinking of King of Kings Worship Ctr and the awesome people there. Here, we had the honor of scraping some ice off our windshields twice so far this season. Most of the time I don't need a scarf or gloves. I was also craving some swedish Christmas dinner, could see myself eating it with my family. Mmmm...meatballs and herring !!

Prayer Warriors

2007-12-21T05:02:00.000-05:00

Here's some of the people I hang out with all night, a special gang. We meet at 11.30 pm and we go home around 6.30 am.During those hours we tend to the flame of God in the ZHOP sanctuary, the Prayer room...he he.. We soak in God's presence, we read, study and meditate in the Bible, and pray of course. We don't have enough worship leaders yet to have live worship music the whole time, but almost....For two hours or more we do a musical set on the stage where we pray and sing the Bible together. The style is called Harp and Bowl. This is a 24/7 House of Prayer that is open to the public, a pretty busy place, but during the night it's kind of quiet and we have the audience of ONE only, that is God himself. We are the Priests ministering to God in the Holiest of Holy. To be a night watcher takes discipline and an upside down lifestyle. We keep watch while you are sleeping and we go to sleep when you wake up in the morning. I love it !

Chanukah

2007-12-17T00:37:00.000-05:00

Here I'm lighting the Hanukiyah during Chanukah, the Festival of lights. Chanukah is a celebration of the victory of the Maccabees and the rededication of the Jerusalem temple.The eight lights in the Hanukiyah represents the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days.

I'm learning more about Judaism to have more understanding about Israel today and the End times.

Heatwave Charlotte

2007-12-14T01:01:00.001-05:00

It's December and we were blessed to enjoy a few days of summer with temps closer to 80 F/+25C. These pics are from Charlotte. Keila and Zion and I enjoyed the warm weather.

Hemma

2007-12-13T18:30:00.000-05:00

My neighborhood and the house I

currently live in.....

I'm soooo blessed !

Worship

2007-12-12T01:13:00.000-05:00

I'm here. Presence of God is here. I make many mistakes, but God is steadfast. One thing I know, I was created to love God, to worship Him only. He is the only one that really satisfies in life, I've searched and I have stumbled. There are many great things in life, but in the end it counts for nothing. They keep us entertained until we die. Have a taste of Jesus and you will never be the same, no turning back. Suddenly life and death makes sense. He is forever! You love Him first and everything else will fall into place. I see it day after day in my life and in the lives of many many others. I never thought it would be so exciting to give up control and die to self. We are created to worship God through Holy spirit in musical songs, prayer, dance and creativity. Every step and every breath. When that burning flame is alive in us we can truly love others around us. I have ways to go, but I desire to be more like Jesus.

Dream

2007-12-07T02:06:00.002-05:00

In the dream I was walking on a country road by the woods, and there was some snow on the ground. As I turned around I saw two wolves coming running in the woods toward me.I got paralyzed in fear as I watched them coming right at me.When they came up to me they ran passed me, one on each side of me, as if I was invisible.

This came to my mind, Malachi 3:11-12; "And I will rebuke the devour for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field", says the Lord of Hosts;"And all the nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land', says the Lord of Hosts.

Southbound

2007-12-04T02:30:00.000-05:00

Leaving New Jersey wasn't that easy for me. New Jersey has been my home for 15 years. I love the City, I love the historic countryside, I love the beaches, I love the skiing, I love the Diner's and I love all my friends there. I will be back.This past Thursday we left NJ bound for Zadok House of prayer (ZHOP), in South Carolina. I decided to move down here for a season when Otto and Keila said that they had extra room in their moving truck. Made sense after having been pursuing a disciplined lifestyle of prayer and worship for a few months already. Webb and Natalia are also halfway moved down here. Thank God for my brazilian friends !!! The trip took 13 hours, and only one flat tire...We have been met with nothing but open arms and love. Everybody are so helpful. Four days later and I have a wonderful place to live and new friendships. The ministry is alive, it's just to soak it up. I continue to encounter God in the Night watch. I'm willing and expectant. I feel peace.

I'm a Night Watcher

2007-12-03T02:12:00.000-05:00

It is soooo amazing to love God, to be in His presence every day. Alive in Christ I am !!
Nothing else in life satisfies the same way, nothing.Nothing compares to being in the secret place of the Lord, seeing and tasting His beauty.
It is soooo amazing to be loved by God, to lean on Him and to let Him fill my whole being.I'm born to love Him and to be with Him.I love sitting in His lap, I love talking to Him.I love meditating on His word and to sing it back to Him.This is my lifestyle, not just a sunday morning activity.Every day, every breath is because of Him.Everything I do is for Him.What a Joy!!
The nighttime is a very deep time to do this, and my favorite time with the Lord.It is also a very crucial time to press in with prayer because there's a lot of dark activity going on during the night.I find that during the time between 02.00-04.00 am, something opens up in the spiritual realm, like an open heaven.I looooove this special breakthrough time of the night.I love to stand in the gap, I love to fast my sleep to be a watchman for God.I believe in miracles, I believe in healings and I believe in freedom.Christ is the ultimate love.

Noises that I love

2007-11-26T21:47:00.001-05:00

I'm laying in my bed in Harrison, New Jersey, and I'm listening to all the familiar noises that I love.
Even though the room is dark, the outside sky is light because of the surrounding city, and it's penetrating through my window.
I can hear the rain dripping, love it love it....
I can hear the distant sound of traffick from Rt 280, and sometimes I hear a train passing by.....lovely NJ Transit transporting people between NYC and the suburbs.
I can hear trucks driving pass the house now and then, this is an industrial area after all.....
I can hear the sirens from police cars, usually from across the bridge in Newark.
But what I love the most is the sound of airplanes taking off from Newark Airport.All through the night I hear the deep rumble from planes taking off from the runway.It's exciting to me.....weird I know.I have always loved Airports because they represent a doorway to adventure and to other cultures.And there's something powerful in itself about a plane taking off from the ground.Every time I'm in one of those big heavy planes, I'm amazed by how we are able to get off the ground and into the sky.
Being a world traveller and all, I guess it's ok to enjoy listening to the noice from the Airport rather than from a TV or a fishtank......