Stuck in Nairobi

We are stuck in Nairobi, Kenya because of the volcano which erupted in Iceland.  We don’t know how long we will be stuck here.  We were returning to U.S. for our daughter’s graduation from college.

They put us in a beautiful hotel last night.  We got in our room about midnight.  They gave us a meal, too.  The place is wonderful.  It reminds me of a Hilton in the U.S.  The only problem is they only gave us a room for two people and didn’t have a cot.  They offered an extra room but we all wanted to stay together so Joshua slept on the floor.

My mom said the news said it could take up to two weeks for the ash to clear.  It depends on the wind and also how long the volcano continues to spew the ash.  I’d rather go back to Malawi than stay here for two weeks.  Angela will be terribly disappointed if we don’t make it for her fashion show (part of her final for college gradaution).  I would check into flying through SA but we know that could be very expensive because we might have to buy a whole new ticket and we couldn’t afford that.

We were so surprised as we drove through Nairobi because the airport is kind of a “pit” and to find the city so nice.  It was difficult to see a lot because it was dark but the buildings are beautiful and modern.  It is like SA.

We are at “complete” peace in all this.  None of this is a surprise to God.  He has a plan and it will be exciting to see what it is.  Thanks for your prayers. 

John, Colleen, and Joshua Smith

The Prices Write – April Update

My Catch Up Time…

Hey everyone! I’m just writing a quick note to let you know all that’s been going on here in Australia. I know its been so long since I wrote you all. My schedule has been really packed. Monday is my free day, which I’m sure a couple of you have noticed This is when I try to talk to people, including my momma who has recently gotten on Skype!! Hallelujah! So yeah, if you want to chat with me, your Sunday night (which is my Monday afternoon) is a perfect time!

I’ve begun my 2nd year (actually in the beginning of February) and its been so mind-blowingly awesome! I love it so much! I continued in studying music and I can already see how much I’ve been stretched as a vocalist as well as in leadership. My music classes have been amazing. I have an Analysis class where we look at different music styles and pull them apart, learning from each and applying it to our own writing, skills and understanding. I also have my Musicianship class where its more of a personal setting with practical learning. Lately in our practice sessions, we have been learning how to learn a song in an hour and then perform it. It can be quite stressful, I have to admit! The first time we did this, I was chosen to be the lead vocal for “Party In the USA”. I never ever dreamed I would sing Miley Cyrus on stage. But its all a learning process. I didn’t do the best but I learned that I just need to concentrate on what I’m doing, not how it makes me feel. It didn’t exactly help that I was singing “My tummy’s turning and I’m feeling kinda homesick. Too much pressure and I’m nervous.” Nope. Doesn’t help. At all. But I was able the next week to sing backup vocals, so I was more in my element in harmony. We sang a song called “Alive Again” by Matt Maher. I had never heard it before but when I listened to it, I was immediately drawn in. The melody of the chorus just jumps out and takes you by surprise. Like a gasp for air or a sudden breeze on a hot day…I immediately felt refreshed. I highly recommend it Tomorrow we will actually be assessed on how well we can perform a song after just learning it. I’ll give some details about how it goes. I know I won’t be leading which I’m pretty excited about

We also have Theology of Worship. This class is so amazing. It teaches us the fundamental truths of worship. In my first class, we went over what worship is and what it does for us: It quickens the conscience to the holiness of God (Makes us more aware of how great and wonderful our God is), it feeds the mind with the truth of God, it purges the imagination by the beauty of God ( He’s so much greater than what we imagine him to be…He gives us glimpses of himself), it opens the heart to the love of God (softens us), and it devotes the will to the purpose of God (When we come up with the answer ourselves, we learn; when we live it out, we are devoted). So yeah, its pretty awesome stuff.

My Old Testament class is pretty awesome as well. It really ties in with my theology of worship class. Right now, we are going over the Psalms and the different types of psalms. We have been taught that by studying the psalms, we learn that we need to bring everything to God, we need to refer to God, we need to speak when God is silent, we need to be honest with God (even pray angry prayers, don’t keep a restricted heart), we need to express even extreme emotions, we need to allow the psalms to bring order out of chaos (from how we’ve seen God deliver us before), and we need to apply this understanding to our life and ministry. So, we need not be “holy” all the time. God wants us to be honest with him and tell him everything that we are going through. Even when we are angry with God and wondering why He feels so far away. God knows your heart and your thoughts, but he is still a relational God. He wants to be in on the conversation and when we include him and speak out how we feel and allow him to work in us, then that’s when you grow closer.

I am also taking a Pastoral Care class that at this point in time is really focusing on listening to people. We haven’t got too far into it yet. But what we’ve had has truly helped me with my social skills. When we speak to people, we need to be actively listening. This includes avoiding distraction and asking them questions. Its taking the time for that person and giving your undivided attention to them. You show them value and respect.

This brings me to the last Colour Conference! It was soooo cool. For the first conference, I served with HMA, which is Hillsong Music Australia, which is selling their resource. The heart behind this part of the church is resourcing the congregation with books, CDs, and session recordings that will empower them, grow them, and teach them. This is also what I do on Sundays at Southwest (whoop whoop!). But this last Colour was really cool. Priscilla Shirer came from Texas with her awesome accent! Oh…it was such a good piece of home! She pulled apart the verse “Now, to him, who is able to do above and beyond all that we could ask, think, or imagine. To him be honour and glory forever and ever AMEN!” God is not limited by who we think he is or how much ability we believe he has. So, are you dreaming big? Are your dreams achievable in your own strength? Then I don’t think your dreams are big enough.

So I had tons of fun serving the ladies with their purchases. I was able to help them find what they need, fill them in on the latest deals and making sure they left with a smile on their face. I found out the Sunday after the first conference that I had served 500 women over 3 days. And I tried my best to connect with each and every one of them by at least asking them how they were enjoying Colour. You know whats also really cool about this year? They handed out personal sized tea pots with a little cup that it sits in. I heard it was incredibly hard to hand these out to 9,000 women in a span of 4 minutes! And I can understand why. It took about 700 volunteers to pull it off. Amazing. The heart behind the gift was to promote connection. Invite your friends over for a tea party, show off the “I am sisterhood” tea pot, and start a conversation. Its so amazing how something so simple could change a life.

Coming up is Easter! Wooooooooo! Tomorrow is Good Friday and I will be heading out to Southwest to sing in the choir with beautiful others. We will proclaim the powerful work of Jesus Christ and his gracious sacrifice. And then, on Sunday for the evening service, we are all headed to the city for the Film and Art Festival. We will be in the Sydney Entertainment Centre on Darling Harbour, our 3 campuses in one building praising God for all that He has done and victory that He has won! He is good and worthy to be praised! I’m really excited to see what our church has put together creatively! Last year, it was so awesome to see all the artwork and watch the films. It had such a good response, that people instantly started working again to create things for this years Easter. Its going to be awesome!

So I also thought I would share with you some things I’ve learned so far this year: Be prepared, these are pretty mind-blowing ideas.

1. Fruit is never forced. You don’t go to a apple blossom and squeeze an apple out of it. You wait. It will come in its own season. You don’t have to strive or work for it to produce. My life of faith shows the fruit of the spirit. I don’t work for these qualities to come out of me, my relationship with the Father brings the fruit. It can only grow as I connect myself to the life source. Also, we may know that God has promised us something in life, but we can’t force it to come any sooner. If we do, the result may be bitter and not what we expected. Because we tried in our own ability to bring it to pass. Let God be God.

2. Worship is everything we do. Its in doing our homework, finishing assignments, obeying our parents, doing the dishes, reading the bible, being an example to our friends, and also the time we have in church. The bible says that in everything we do, we are to do it as if we’re doing it for God. So, when we focus on God in our everyday, in everything we do, we are more in tune with him. It becomes more like a two-way conversation than a letter to Santa.

3. We praise what we value. Delight is incomplete until it is expressed. It is “our inner health made audible”. As God pours into us his words and revelations, and shows us how he sees us and how he made us and how he promises to stick beside us and continually empower us day after day after day, all we can do is praise!

4. When we see something at a distance it may look small and meaningless, but as you get closer, it gets bigger and bigger. So when you stop looking at the cross from a distance and come closer, you see so much more. It is more significant when you experience it for yourself and measure yourself against the enormity of the cross and its true purpose.

5. The story of Abraham is one of amazing devotion and commitment. He was ready to sacrifice his own son (the fruit of the promise of God) because God told him to. In the story we see Abraham planning for the journey and cutting wood for the burnt offering. He places this wood on his son’s shoulders. Isaac asks Abraham where the lamb is for the offering, and his father says “The Lord will provide”. Of course we know this story about how the Angel stopped him and provided the lamb to be slain. But he also says “You have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” and because of this action, his descendants would be blessed AND through them, all the nations would be blessed. Abraham willingly was going to do what God himself would do. God willingly gave his son to be slain. Jesus carried the wood on his shoulders and was pierced. And through him countless thousands and millions have found hope, our endless blessing of life with him. There is such a mirror image here, hey?

So I hope I haven’t lost any of you. These have been my constant thoughts since school started. Such ideas I have never even grasped or thought about ever before. I hope they have made you curious to pick up a bible and take a look for yourself. Let God speak to you. He is such a good God with only good things for you. You may feel distant from him and don’t see his promises coming out in your life, but be patient. Don’t let the devil trick you and steal your faith. Hold fast to God and his promises. He loves you with an unending love. He has such great plans for your life. So just trust and speak out his word over your life. Remind yourself day after day about who he is: faithful, mighty, all-powerful, loving, caring, personal, relational. He’s the provider, the healer, the restorer, the redeemer, the saviour, our counsellor, our comforter, our strength and our song. He is. He is all that you need. And He can be trusted.

And I love him! <3

I hope and pray that you are all well. I miss you all so much. Keep persevering, praising, worshipping, living for the God who keeps you and watches over you. Be blessed this Easter and remember that He is able to do abundantly and exceedingly more than we can ask, think or imagine. So keep dreaming, seeking him, and be joyful in him and He will give you the desires of your heart When you delight in the Lord and his ways, then his desires become your desires, and He is able to work through you to bless and impact others. So keep trusting…keep your faith. I love you all so much! Talk to ya soon!

BTW…Brazilians are amazing! I have a friend named Ana who has been teaching me Portuguese the last few months. She has taught me important phrases like “Go catch little coconuts!”, “I don’t understand”, “You are too much sand for my little truck”, “I love Brazilians!”, and “Kiss me”. Yup…very important! I also found out that she sang “Love You So Much” in Portuguese the exact time we were singing in in English! If you don’t remember, the song starts out “Hear these praises from a grateful heart. Each time I think of you the praises start. Love you so much, Jesus. Love you so much.” Cool hey? It has the same power in every language!