american adventure so far.....since August 16th 2008

so this is my FIRST ever blog....i know, crazy for a woman who LOVES words sooooo much! so I have been here in the States since Thursday 14th of August - so this is to catch you up....it is so long. grab a coffee maybe - but REAL coffee please (like a latte or something!?)...haha

America trip journal – 40 days.....

14th august 2008
So Father here we go hey, on yet another adventure. One on which i trust you totally. One on which i have no doubt at all that you are going to move in me and through me like I have never known before. One on which I head off with a simple knowing in my heart that you are with me, and the girls & mum and dad back home. And for the first time, i leave in peace. A peace within me that truly surpasses all understanding. I used to pray that people would know a peace that surpasses all understanding and yet i didn’t have it myself...but now i get it. It is a peace in the storm. It is a peace that doesn’t make sense. It is a peace that regardless of the circumstances around me i know that you are with me, that you are God and that you are good. I know now the instead of depending on my emotions to rule me that you do, you really do. The only thing that has power over me now is you. I walk with no fear. Literally. Father i adore you, i love the way you love me i love that you meet me right where i am at and speak to me tenderly, “I love you sweetheart”. I love the way you are so sweet, kind and gentle with me. I love the way i can trust you with my heart. I love the way that when i seek Your face I find it. I love that when i fall at Your feet in surrender, you smile. I than oyu for your incredible love for me, a love that makes no sense and yet loves me anyway. A love that would call me Your own. A love that i have never really known...until now. I thank you for Your grace that has carried me through every season and continues to carry me through this tough circumstance on wings of peace. When i read in the Word about being in the shadow of your wings, i get that now. In the time of my life of the deepest heartache you are there, and i just know that you will never leave me or forsake me...and in that i have joy. I just know. I get it now. You adore me, I am incredibly significant to You. I matter to You. I thank you Father.

So now – the adventure....You ordained it and set it before me, so I know that you will pour out Your grace and favour on this time in America. Caitlyn and I come to the States to do 2 things: draw others to You and to make you famous. I want my life to count for something. I want to leave a legacy of faith, hope and love. I want other people to know you through the power of testimony and true witness. I want to make you smile Lord.
So here we go – with a fire that can’t be tamed Lord, together on this journey. And that is where the thanks begin. Thank you for drawing us into each others lives to see your vision for freedom and hope come to pass wherever you may lead us....i am honoured to do this journey with a woman whose heart is raw and real before you. Use this time Lord to shape us, make us, mould us.....
So the journey really begins with the setting of the itinerary. So i wrote the dates down, sent some emails and here we go – on a trip that will not only touch the lives that we cross paths of – but us as well. I am so expectant at what you are going to do in me and i don’t think it is going to be anything i can comprehend. Like you show me so often the favour of God baffles people. Seriously. I look at the itinerary and i laugh at the connections you have made in my life as i seek You...so cool.
So then the resources arrive, literally, the day before we fly out – CD’s and t-shirts...exciting! but how do we get them over there? Good question, being that we now have 4 boxes weighing 8kgs each! So we bundled them up and we prayed favour...and you did it again! We got to the airport and the guy that served us asked how many bags and i confessed that i had 3 and that i was willing to pay excess baggage costs. After checking us in he didn’t give me my tickets and when i asked if i needed boarding passes he said, “bear with me i am just trying to set the codes to waive the excess luggage costs”. No explanation, and even he looked baffled. Seriously. But when God does something people don’t always understand how or why they grant favour, they just do. So then he called another guy over and he didn’t know either, then they moved to another desk - then they called another woman over. So now 3 grown up human beings on the face of the planet unsure how to ‘waive the excess luggage’ but doing all they could to make sure it happened. He then sent us up to the check in counter to get my passes and when i got there another 2 people didn’t know what they were doing or how to do it. Finally they called the supervisor over and she said, “is that bags for Healy, it has been done”. It was awesome Lord watching you move through these people that had no idea that they were being your hands and feet right in the moment. I was so excited.
Then there was a young guy next to me, a bit irate and a bit frustrated. He had been next to me downstairs too and here he was again. Just cranky really, they had confused his bags and seats and stuff. So when we landed in Sydney, he ‘happened’ (haha) to stand behind me on an elevator and i asked him if he was ok and if he was sorted now....he still looked cranky but eyes and words of grace dispersed that immediately. After talking to him i discovered that he was on his way to Vegas for a bucks party and then a roadtrip with 5 blokes then a wedding in Canada. Oh man. He asked me what i was up to and i told him i was a travelling preacher and where we were going. I think he must have thought it was weird that i kept talking to him, with eyes of grace, and then we kept chatting for a bit and then i gave him a booklet and he smiled. I left the conversation so grateful that my daily prayer is for eyes of grace, and to see what You see Lord. To see with eyes of grace and speak with words seasoned with grace. After all – he too is your son, he just doesn’t know yet. But who knows in what way Caitlyn and I being who we are in you will speak to him – no condemnation just grace – and then you move! So i pray that he reads the booklet and that the Holy Spirit speaks to him through it! Seriously.
So here we sit, on the flight over...excited and expectant for you to do GREAT THINGS – great things in me, great things through me, great connections and MAY MY LIFE NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN.
I dedicate this trip to You Lord – have your way, may Your will be done as we seek Your face and Your will. May Your heartbeat be evident with every word, thought, action and deed. Now and always Lord. Have your way in me.
LET HOPE RISE AND DARKNESS TREMBLE – with everything!

(US Thursday 14th....)
So we landed in LA and then headed to San Francisco...I am really excited and expectant about this trip – about this portion of the journey. As Caitlyn gets set to catch up with people that she has not seen in 5 years – almost as a new person, new from the inside out, a new creation, a new and fresher version....I am excited for her – and glad to be here with her as she does it! And looking forward to meeting people that she has talked of and spent so much time with previously. It’s cool.
So we land and all of our luggage was here too – pretty cool in itself (especially with free excess luggage! All of it!)
We waited outside for Patti in the car and when she arrived we realised that she had her mum, “Grandma” with her...and Caitlyn set about loading the car, as only Caitlyn could- she fit it all in! Then I think i slept most of the way over to their place here in Walnut Creek...I had been hoping to stay awake to check out the scenery but I missed it! Then we ate food, showered and went to the store for supplies – at which we came across some cards that play music when you open them---my eyes averted to one card that said something about God has a purpose for you (I love that in America Christian stuff is normal and in the supermarkets and drug stores!) and it has “How great is our God” in it----of course I got it – i was so excited! Then we came back home and ate cheesecake at midnight I chatted to my mum on Skype and then we slept....then woke up about 8pm (US time) and ate and talked and then slept again about 1am.....so the plan of arriving, eating then sleeping then waking up to eat and then sleep works – my body clock feels totally normal today already!

Friday 15th August
only to wake up and it was now really FRIDAY THE 15TH OF AUGUST (US time!) and Caitlyn’s birthday..we had planned on getting up at 8am and going for a walk but i woke up to Caitlyn saying, “Quick Bron, we’ve got to get up it’s 10:20!!!!!”. Patti, Caitlyn and I were booked in for a manicure and a pedicure for 11am ....but it was a 15 minute drive to get there! So that was funny. Just as we left I met one of Caitlyn’s old mates John in the front yard and shook his hand...then when we got to the nail place he called Patti’s phone and simply said, “I just wanted to tell you that you have very strong and firm and meaningful handshake...I appreciate that”. It was cool that a handshake can open the pathway for the gospel and for freedom...so cool. (so we will be sure to give him a booklet....and pray) anyway....
Once we got there the treatment was divine – serious princess material. Feet soaking and being scrubbed and cared for while the massage chair moved on my back and someone massaged my hands and arms -----felt like i was in heaven (am sure God will have pamper bars in heaven right!?) Then even more blessed, Patti paid the bill before I had even finished. And just how cool is our God. I had said to the girls on the way over there that I would love to get my eyebrows waxed and when we got there they had a big sign out the front – FREE EYEBROW WAX WITH ALL MANICURES & PEDICURES! So sweet...all the little details.
I love the way God speaks to me so often through the little things – through the things that others would so often take for granted, that they might not even notice. I love that He has created me in such a way that I am always conscious of His presence, of His blessings, of His great love for me and for others, and of His great capacity to care for and nurture me! So exciting that I walk through life seeking His face and longing for His presence – all the time, not just in the ‘big times’...love it. I hope that I always stay that way too....
Then we went to Strings for lunch – which was delicious – then got a phone. Seriously ridiculous price - $23 for an LG phone + $30 for credit for 400 minutes and 20cent international texts! Crazy! This place is crazy!
Then we came back here to get set for Caitlyn’s birthday party with her old youth group crew...have had a great night – really great. Met some great people – Jacqueline, Joe & Jenny, Yvette, Shalina and her little girl Katy, Linda, Joe & Crystal...I think that’s all....was great to see Caitlyn and see them interact with her. Jenny made a beautiful comment to her, “You helped shaped my life you know, helped me be what I am today”....so special and great for her to hear.
So that is Friday the 15th August on this American journey...so cool. Excited about all that God is birthing in me too...

Saturday 16th August....
So we started the Californian summer day lazing in...nice. then we got up and got set for a day in Downtown ‘Walnut Creek’ – yes seriously...Walnut Creek is where Caitlyn and I are staying with one of the most special women I have yet to meet...her name is Patti. So we wandered down to the local shops and went to our first Ross- Dress for Less store on this visit (and be sure it will not be the last!). Ross is a store where all the label stuff that is out of season or going out of stock is sold at ridiculously low prices. Like today we saw a pair of Calvin Klein jeans for $14 US – so like not even $20 AUS...crazy! seriously. I got a great new dress and then we raced down to Sandfords for lunch – delicious turkey sandwich and a ceasar salad! Yay...then raced off again to see “Mamma Mia” – me for the second time..so I seriously laughed so hard my sides hurt and my head hurt – it would have been hilarious to watch me watching the movie – especially with Caitlyn there with me. Too funny. Then we toddled off to Target to0 find shoes to match my new dress and I am more than happy to declare we had a shopping victory there! Brown leather shoes for $24 – seriously ridiculous.
Enough about shopping though....
Then we got home and guess what I did!? Actually anyone that knows me at all would never guess it----unless of course you are taking notice of my Facebook profile update! Ok I will tell you! I went for a walk (with iPod and ‘This is our God’ – well actually just ‘The Desert Song’ about 10 times – as God revealed some super cool stuff to me....
I was walking and listening and singing under my breath – in case anyone was listening! And then all of a sudden I started to cry at the “ALL OF MY LIFE, IN EVERY SEASON, YOU ARE STILL GOD, I HAVE A REASON TO SING, I HAVE A REASON TO WORSHIP” moment. When God gently spoke to me....”Thank you for trusting your life into My hands. I love you. I only ever want what is best for you. I made this place for you to enjoy – like the way your children stand in awe of me...I want that with you. True intimacy...come.”....
So i looked up and I saw birds, trees and water...and clouds and the sky and flowers....all just for me.
Wow – He must totally adore me...and YOU for that matter that He would think to do that. I would encourage you today to grab a moment, 5 minutes even, to stop and be still and truly ponder His creation around you. Check it out. Man oh man is He good or what! The details God, the loving God, the forgiving God, the personal God...just for me...and for you! So that we could live free.
Wow.
So then after a magnificent dinner we went out to hang with some of the young peoples crew at a cafe, while one of their friends played music....all round, great day, great night.
God is moving in my heart in a mighty and awesome way. Looking forward to grabbing some time to write the new book...real excited about that.
Yay for God!

Sunday 17th August 2008...Concord Naz and crew....
So last night, again, we went to bed late – i was up reading and doing my journal-----then today was of course Sunday....and church day! I had the honour today of standing alongside Caitlyn as she returned to the church that was her home and workplace for over 4 years...going back 5 years now though. So one of the things that I know about Caitlyn, after knowing her for over 2 years, is that she is simply not the same person that she was when i met her. In so many ways – she has been incredibly transformed from the inside out and is simply not the same person – she has been radically touched by a reality of grace and the humanity of mercy---and it is an honour to call her friend.
So today I went alongside her to Concord Nazarene----known as Christ Community Church. Her old “crew” were there and many new faces to her too. Many people did not recognize her, until she started to sing! That voice will never change – because the anointing, and the point behind the gift, will never change so long as she keep her eyes on Jesus...
It was an absolute honour to see her stand tall and sing in front of her old ‘church family’...so good. So proud of her – THAT IS BOLD AND COURAGEOUS RIGHT THERE MISS CAITLYN TURNER!
Anyway then Pastor Eric interviewed me about my testimony starting with the question, “So this time ten years ago where would you have been?”. I said, “At that time of my life I was a drug addicted prostitute who would have just come home from a night at work to feed my $1000 a day drug habit...certainly not in church!”....that, of course, opened the pathway for the Gospel and to mention HOPE Foundation.
Then Caitlyn closed the service with “Acres of Hope” – again was so cool to watch her rise up moment and be her cheer squad!
Then we came home to have a roast beef lunch that Patti made – was incredibly delicious! Will need to be walking 3 miles EVERY DAY at this rate!
Then we went to hang out at CostCo – this crazy GIGANTIC wholesale place; where you seriously need a photographic membership card to even get in the door! I got an iPod nano for some ridiculously low amount of money (I am going to need that right if I am going to walking 3 miles a day! Haha). This place is hilarious! We went there with Joe & Jenny (some of Caitlyn’s precious old crew) and then Linda came there too....Caitlyn and I had a laugh at so much of their large stuff – yes photo album will follow at some stage soon....But my favourite was this gigantic soap that was the shape and size of my head! We looked through it from one side to the other – we looked totally morphed and messed up weird and took photos – looking like that was our heads! Silliness indeed! Caitlyn and I realised today, and yesterday actually, just how easily amused we are.....so easily amused. Laugh at anything!...well almost!
Then we headed to Walnut Creek to hang out with Jeff...a seriously tender hearted and special guy – another of Caitlyn’s old crew. Like I said to her this morning as I watched some of her old crew in worship band – “You should be proud, look at these guys, a crew that you sowed your heart & soul into ---in church, loving God and on worship”....so great for her to witness and experience. Special to be here to witness it...fruit.
Then we decided to go “have a barbie” and maybe go Ten Pin Bowling (yes Joe there are 10 pins and it is bowling!)...but we got back to Joe and Jenny’s and started to chat and they cooked the “barbie” and then we ate and realised it was so late. They are a seriously great bunch of people – I am so glad to of met them and got to know them, even briefly....we are trying to encourage them to save their money to come to Australia in 2009! They would be fantastic on the ACRES OF HOPE at ‘short term missionaries”, but also great to travel with Caitlyn on the HOPE TO THE NATION TOUR to film a documentary!
All in all another great day here in Northern California.
Special people. Lots of laughs and silliness. New levels of freedom for Caitlyn. Great food! (need to walk 6 miles tomorrow....not!)

Monday 18th August
So today I accidentally slept in....and then got up to my last morning in Walnut Creek....got ALL my bags (feels like I have so much more stuff even though I don’t really!? Weirdness. Then waited for The Kiefer Klan to arrive to get me (or “fetch me” as they would say here in America!).
When they arrived at was like a family reunion. Emma and Sam jumped out of the car and hugged me massive hugs and then Steve was so welcoming too....they got to meet with Caitlyn while I got my stuff sorted out and then we made the trip to their place in Fairfield, Suisun City.
It is hilarious that when Caitlyn lived here, and hence the other area that we visited in the Bay area is literally like 45 minutes away from where these guys are living! So God, so cool.
So the background of how I met these guys is story enough in itself. 2 and a half years ago Jason, Lauran and I were at Disneyland after the ICCP conference in Green Lake.....we needed a bit of fun after that. At about 7pm Lauran told us we needed to go to Main Street and get a spot for the parade. We decided on a spot that sat us next to these people that had some small kids (i was glad for that because i missed my kids badly that day in particular!). Within about 5 minutes one of the little girls had started talking to me and within half an hour they were sitting on my lap, chatting, laughing, wearing my scarf! The mum & dad were talking to each other and then started to talk to me, as we waited for the parade....time passed and our conversation grew. It was so great. Instant connection. So great. We exchanged numbers and then a couple of days later they called to see if we wanted to come and do lunch with their family. Again – instant connection. So special. We shared a meal and our hearts and dreams and then exchanged emails. Like we were saying today – who (except God) could have known that back then on Main St Disneyland that we would now be here – about to do a week of hanging out together and a weekend of ministry together! It is just so incredible!
So we got back to their home and basically sat and chatted all afternoon (yes Jeramy we call it ‘ARVO’!).....it was so great to re-connect. Incredible what the Holy Spirit can do!
Then tonight some of their family and friends came over and we had a ‘barbie’, what they call a ‘grill’ and just hung out. I love that when God is in it people that you have never met are basically instant family. I love it, simply love it. A great connection with the guys that were here and a real expectancy for my time in this region of America.
Excited about all that tomorrow with bring....

Tuesday 19th August
So we woke up today with good intentions of heading off for some sight seeing...but funnily enough the Lord had different plans! We sat around until 4pm in our pyjamas just talking. Re-connecting, sharing our hearts, tears and laughter.
It was an incredibly special day for me.....God spoke clearly to me through Steve and Michelle about standing and about suffering and about life and joy and friendship.
Then Michelle and the kids and i headed off to Target to hunt for some cool gifts to send over to my girls....so exciting!
Then we headed over to Meredith and Amy’s place for dinner. Again such incredibly special people. So blessed to of come all this way to connect with such great people.
You know what it makes me realise.
God’s great loving-kindness to me. Not just that He loves me or not just that He is kind – but HIS LOVING-KINDNESS. Incredible gift that He crosses my path with people so different to me and yet so connected – by Him, through Him, in Him.
New level of understanding today....that is always great and challenging at the same time.
May tomorrow be full of greatness too!