March62012

We’re all called

This quote hit home…really hard.

‘Not called!’ did you say? ‘Not heard the call,’ I think you should say. Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father’s house and bid their brothers and sisters, and servants and masters not to come there. And then look Christ in the face, whose mercy you have professed to obey, and tell him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish his mercy to the world.”

- William Booth, Founder of the Salvation Army

February282012

We haven’t updated our blog in ages. But today marks our one month since we’ve been back in Australia, so we thought we would resurrect this thing!

Looking back and reflecting on 2011, a lot had happened while we were home. As soon as we arrived back to the states, we went to the “100th year since the Gospel has been in Vietnam” Conference in LA (yeah I know that was a really long title..haha), then I was a matron of honor at my best friend Mimi’s wedding, then Mei & Wilson’s wedding, then our sister Mai got engaged, then my cousin from Vietnam came over to study and live with us, then my parents opened up a restaurant! It was seriously a whirlwind of events in the one month we were scheduled to stay in America! 

Thus we decided to stay home for a season so that we could be home for our sister’s wedding, and of course help my parents with their new restaurant and all the other eventful things that were happening at home. So my husband had to take a semester off Hillsong College, and the next thing you know God gave me a job at Apple, Inc, and it seemed like we were settling back at home.

But we knew it was only for a season, and we knew in our hearts we had to go back to Australia to finish what God had started in us. 

From July to January we stayed home, worked, and served. At times I felt exhausted. Working at Apple from M-F from 8-5pm, then at my parents restaurant from 6-10pm took a huge toll on me, and looking back at it now, I can’t believe I did it. But it was a huge learning experience, and needless to say it was “growing-pains-Jesus-give-me-strength” kind of a season.

Bao worked at our parents restaurant and was also able to pour a lot of what he learned from Hillsong back into our home church. As his wife I was so amazed at his growth, and to see God use him on a different level was a real inspiration to me. It was so fun to be able to serve with all the leaders back home again, and to see everyone there stepping into new and exciting seasons of life was really encouraging. 

Then the new year rolled around and in January we witnessed a beautiful unity between Mai & Du on their wedding day. We know they are going to have such a blessed life together. As soon as the wedding ended, we had only a few days left in the states before we were Australia bound again. So after all the packing and bittersweet g’byes, the next thing you know we were saying g’day in Australia again.

As much as we really enjoyed the time God gave us to be home with our friends and family, we’re really excited to be back at Hillsong for another season of change and growth. We’re believing this year to be a year of favor and fulfillment, and we’re so honored we get to serve such an amazing God in this new chapter of life.

We encourage you to believe that this is going to be your best year yet. Regardless of the challenges and circumstances that may come, believe that God can carry you through it and strengthen you to be better than you were yesterday or the year before. Our hearts are expectant and believe the best is yet to come, because when you’re living in God’s presence, surely, the best is coming. Believe it! 

With everything,

The Kieu’s
November182011
Funny story with these boots. I first found the camel colored boots (shown on the left) at Crossroads for a great deal. And since I left most of my winter clothing in Australia, those camel boots were the only ones I had so I pretty much wore them all the time. I loved how comfortable they were, and since I didn’t like the pointy heel boots, the thick heels were so much easier to walk on.  One day I was walkin’ and praying, and I just said, “God, I’ve only got these boots, and they’re my favorite ones so far. Can you help me find a pair of black ones exactly like these?”  Lo and behold I walk into a Goodwill a few days after, and these black boots were sitting on the top of the shelf. You know that feeling you get when you know something was placed there just for you? I seriously screamed for joy. I tippy-toed to take them off the shelf, put them on, and they fit…perfectly. The design and style were exactly like the camel colored boots. I couldn’t believe it. And you wouldn’t believe the price I got for those ones.. Amazing how God can hear what I sometimes think is the silliest prayer, yet He’ll provide just because He loves me.  Man, totally overwhelmed with God’s love just by the thought of these little boots. And that’s just a materialistic thing! Imagine how much more God provides by giving us His grace, mercy, strength, power, wisdom…the things we actually really need! In short, these boots, were definitely made for walking. Thanks Nancy Sinatra for that song, and thank You, God, for the boots. With Everything, Mrs. Kieu

Funny story with these boots.

I first found the camel colored boots (shown on the left) at Crossroads for a great deal. And since I left most of my winter clothing in Australia, those camel boots were the only ones I had so I pretty much wore them all the time. I loved how comfortable they were, and since I didn’t like the pointy heel boots, the thick heels were so much easier to walk on. 

One day I was walkin’ and praying, and I just said, “God, I’ve only got these boots, and they’re my favorite ones so far. Can you help me find a pair of black ones exactly like these?” 

Lo and behold I walk into a Goodwill a few days after, and these black boots were sitting on the top of the shelf. You know that feeling you get when you know something was placed there just for you? I seriously screamed for joy. I tippy-toed to take them off the shelf, put them on, and they fit…perfectly. The design and style were exactly like the camel colored boots. I couldn’t believe it. And you wouldn’t believe the price I got for those ones..

Amazing how God can hear what I sometimes think is the silliest prayer, yet He’ll provide just because He loves me. 

Man, totally overwhelmed with God’s love just by the thought of these little boots. And that’s just a materialistic thing! Imagine how much more God provides by giving us His grace, mercy, strength, power, wisdom…the things we actually really need!

In short, these boots, were definitely made for walking. Thanks Nancy Sinatra for that song, and thank You, God, for the boots.

With Everything,

Mrs. Kieu
November62011

You’ve got a Friend in me

 

After being married for a little over a year, we’re sometimes speechless at how faithful our God is. Marriage is a tough thing. As beautiful as it is, it’s hard work and sometimes challenging. But we can honestly say all the work is completely worth it. A love that is centered and completely entrusted to God will never fail.

Being a young married couple we don’t really find friends our age that our married, so sometimes it’s tough to find encouragement through another married couple. But we’re so thankful that God brought couples near and far to encourage us. The Carts, all the way from Switzerland, & The Leongs, our local LA-ers. We all spent nearly a year together at Hillsong, and I can honestly say these families have showed us the unending love of Christ in the most selfless ways. Their families really gave Bao and I a strong sense of what values we want our family to uphold, how we want to raise our children, and what it really means to walk in faith as a family.

What we always remember most is how little we all had, yet how much we really had. We all had to live uncomfortably, but for some reason it’s probably the best way to live. We can’t imagine living a completely comfortable life where we’ve got everything and all our ducks are lined up the way we want them. Living on less gave us an opportunity to build a stronger sense of community. The way we fellowshipped and broke bread together are still vivid moments we love looking back on.

The Carts shared something our hearts really resonate with this season:

“The blessing and wealth, which God has blessed you with is not just for you. Be happy and enjoy it, give your tithes, offerings and live as a royal priesthood. Don’t think cheap. God is not a God of cheap thinking and bargains. Represent him well… but know that beyond that he has called you and blessed you to make heaven on earth visible that HE may be glorified.

Treasures in Heaven

19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

——

And the Leongs shared something that we are really keeping in mind as we go into the holiday season:

“Well, who would have thought that some of the most stretching times would come during the summer holiday? Actually, I suppose it really isn’t that hard to believe since I’ve always heard about how the Christmas season is the hardest time of the year for many people. But that typically isn’t the case in my experience.

I suppose what I’m talking about is something that is ultimately good, just not necessarily the same good that pretty much motivates everything we do. We all want to live a good life, have a good time, to feel good, to eat and sleep good (bad grammar I know), to be good. The good I’m talking about is the eternal good; the good that only comes from God. Basically, what I’m saying is the real good doesn’t always seem or feel good.

I’m sure it has happened to all of us at some point, whether we’ve realized it or not. God shoves a mirror in front of us and we don’t like what we see…at all. In fact, what we see is downright terrifying. It’s unnerving to realize that what we’re becoming is not what He intended. We’ve taken what He has given us and distorted it. Used it selfishly, only to achieve our own agenda, our own success, for our own “good”.

However, as uncomfortable and unsettling as it may be, there is always grace. Think about it. This isn’t uncharted territory. We’ve been here before. Remember when we first recognized our need for Jesus and surrendered our lives to Him? We can’t forget. It has always been and always will be completely Him. It wasn’t us then, and isn’t us now. He has shown us what to do and He provides the means to do it

So I guess the question now is— What am I going to do about it?”

——

We were incredibly blessed to be able to see The Leongs over the weekend, it was the most refreshing thing to actually see them in America! Even more refreshing just to hear how they’re doing and all the wonderful nuggets of wisdom they pour into us. We’re so excited to be able to see the Carts again in January, even more excited because we’ll get to their newborn bubba! Congratulations parents to be!! =) 

We’re thankful for life impacting friends and the numerous ways God shows his never ending goodness through them. So thank you guys, for being real good, and we mean really good friends.

With everything,

The Kieu’s
September282011

We were made to be courageous!

The Kieu’s are SO excited for this movie, it premiers THIS FRIDAY, Sept 30th! Go find a theater near you and watch it! 

9 ”Have I not commanded you? BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

With everything,

BGK
September132011
YESSSSS! He is for us!  With Everything, BGK

YESSSSS! He is for us! 

With Everything,

BGK
September112011
We’re proud to be American. Honoring all of the 9/11 victims and their families today. Honoring all of the fire-fighers, policemen, EMTs, and all those who serve the country in the military. We’ll never forget, but always remember, what the enemy intended for evil, God redeemed and turned it around for good. PSALM 46  1 God is our refuge and strength,    an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam    and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]  4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,    the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5 God is within her, she will not fall;    God will help her at break of day. 6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.  7 The LORD Almighty is with us;    the God of Jacob is our fortress.  8 Come and see what the LORD has done,    the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease    to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;    he burns the shields[d] with fire. 10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;    I will be exalted among the nations,    I will be exalted in the earth.”  11 The LORD Almighty is with us;    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

We’re proud to be American.

Honoring all of the 9/11 victims and their families today.

Honoring all of the fire-fighers, policemen, EMTs, and all those who serve the country in the military.

We’ll never forget, but always remember, what the enemy intended for evil, God redeemed and turned it around for good.

PSALM 46

 1 God is our refuge and strength, 
   an ever-present help in trouble. 
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way 
   and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 
3 though its waters roar and foam 
   and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]

 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, 
   the holy place where the Most High dwells. 
5 God is within her, she will not fall; 
   God will help her at break of day. 
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; 
   he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

 7 The LORD Almighty is with us; 
   the God of Jacob is our fortress.

 8 Come and see what the LORD has done, 
   the desolations he has brought on the earth. 
9 He makes wars cease 
   to the ends of the earth. 
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; 
   he burns the shields[d] with fire. 
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; 
   I will be exalted among the nations, 
   I will be exalted in the earth.”

 11 The LORD Almighty is with us; 
   the God of Jacob is our fortress.

August82011

Everyone is getting married these days! It’s just that time in our lives when that’s just the next step to do…that is if you’ve found the right one =)

After watching this video I realized that boys (and men) will always be little girls at heart! HA I’m totally kidding! But seriously the reaction from the kid is horrifying yet hilarious! Granted I don’t think it’s acceptable that a boy should scream or react in such a dramatic way, but that’s besides the point. How funny will that be if these two kids really end up getting married? What an EPIC video to play at their wedding to look back on! Haha. 

I love how persistent the little girl is. But then again I would understand why a boy would freak out if a girl kept saying she was going to marry him no matter what he said.

Anyway, for all you soon to be married folks, or anyone that’s thinking of getting married, hope this video gives you a good laugh (not meant to scare you or anything!)

Marriage is actually really fun =)

-GQ
August42011

Waiting in Hope

Isaac Hunter (Summit Church) in reference to Paul trying to get to Asia:

If you have ever been trying to follow God and you feel like,

“God I’m trying to follow you and the thing that I think you’ve called me to do that I’m trying to do faithfully, it’s not working out the way that I thought it would. It’s frustrating”

Some people quit, but Paul didn’t.

Some of you are in seasons of life and you don’t know when it is ending.

Paul says, “I’m not pretending that I like where I am. What I’m recognizing in the middle of where I am, is that God is bigger than where I am.”

Paul doesn’t display waiting in passivity, he displays waiting in hope.

God is bigger than the circumstances in front of him.

At the end of the day our lives aren’t about making circumstances better,

it is about being faithful in the circumstances we find ourselves.

Good word for a good season.


3AM
“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19. Ever since we’ve been back from Australia we’ve constantly seen a common theme strung throughout everything around us — something new. We weren’t expecting to be staying home in the states until January, but there were so many unexpected things that came up that we decided it would be wise to stay for a season. At least we’ll get to work, save up, spend some quality time with the fam, serve in our home church, and of course help our sister plan a wedding (Congratulations again Mai & Du)! As much as we would love to be back in Australia serving at Hillsong, we believe God is able (and we can’t say this enough) to use us in any season. After all, we Kieu’s have a tendency just to live by season and take things a day at a time.  Bao and I are eternally grateful that God is doing something new not just in our life, but in everyone’s life we know around us. It’s been incredible to see how God has knitted lives in such a way that can only point back to His amazing grace.  And regardless of the dry wastelands that surround us, we’re believing and declaring for God to create those rivers of living water like He said He would in Isaiah 43:19. We really believe this is the vision God has for our marriage and family in this new season He’s carrying us through. In short, we’re excited to be here, and even more excited to see what God will do when we’re simply still in His presence.  With Everything, BGK

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19.

Ever since we’ve been back from Australia we’ve constantly seen a common theme strung throughout everything around us — something new.

We weren’t expecting to be staying home in the states until January, but there were so many unexpected things that came up that we decided it would be wise to stay for a season. At least we’ll get to work, save up, spend some quality time with the fam, serve in our home church, and of course help our sister plan a wedding (Congratulations again Mai & Du)! As much as we would love to be back in Australia serving at Hillsong, we believe God is able (and we can’t say this enough) to use us in any season. After all, we Kieu’s have a tendency just to live by season and take things a day at a time. 

Bao and I are eternally grateful that God is doing something new not just in our life, but in everyone’s life we know around us. It’s been incredible to see how God has knitted lives in such a way that can only point back to His amazing grace. 

And regardless of the dry wastelands that surround us, we’re believing and declaring for God to create those rivers of living water like He said He would in Isaiah 43:19. We really believe this is the vision God has for our marriage and family in this new season He’s carrying us through.

In short, we’re excited to be here, and even more excited to see what God will do when we’re simply still in His presence. 

With Everything,

BGK
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