Out of the Box
Hello, this is a picture of my husband Mark and me. We live in Roseville, Michigan with our four kids. Over the last several years God has taken us on a personal journey of restoration in our marriage and taken me personally on
a journey of encounter which has forever changed the course of my life.
Seventeen years ago, after we were married, my husband moved us here to Michigan. I honestly hated it here. I had lived in Seattle Washington for 7 years prior. I learned a lot about the Revival culture there as I was a part of the flow since 1995 when the Toronto Blessing seeped down into Washington. When moving here to Michigan, I found myself in a different church world where religion was very rampant and this was like nothing I was used to. I found myself in what some people would call a wilderness experience. If I were to sum up the first eight years of life here in Michigan it would be "survival mode". Finally it took being desperate to understand my need for God in a deep unusual way. I knew that
something had to change!
Nine years ago, my husband and I were headed for divorce and my family was an emotional mess. I said to God, "you have to do something, I don't have it in me to fight anymore, I am done." I was at the end of my natural strength and abilities to change. I thought God would change my circumstances or some of the people in my
life but instead He changed me!
After going to IHOP (International House of Prayer) for a “OneThing”conference, I was touched and healed physically and emotionally. When I came back I went into a state of pure joy for about three months! I was so rocked by God that I would often spend hours laughing and just basking in His presence. I found a renewed hunger for His presence as I would find myself in the prayer room at IHOPE (International House of Prayer East) Eastpointe, Michigan, two to four hours a day. This is where I encountered Jesus face to face.
God has had me on an awesome journey of rapid growth for the last seven years. While running with some incredible fiery people, I came across an awesome revelation from God about creativity being restored back into the church.
During an evening service I heard God say, as I walked into church to worship, “take off the ceiling.” I began to imagine the roof off as I worshiped and I was taken up in the Spirit into the night sky.
I even felt the rush in my stomach as if I was on a carnival ride. I felt the physical sensation like I was being taken up. Then God spoke to me and said, “I am taking you out of the box and I am taking my church out of the box.” This began my journey of understanding and learning to flow in prophetic art. I am excited as I continue on into more revelation on this wonderful journey of surrender and encounter after encounter with the lover of my soul!
Victoria Friends
a journey of encounter which has forever changed the course of my life.
Seventeen years ago, after we were married, my husband moved us here to Michigan. I honestly hated it here. I had lived in Seattle Washington for 7 years prior. I learned a lot about the Revival culture there as I was a part of the flow since 1995 when the Toronto Blessing seeped down into Washington. When moving here to Michigan, I found myself in a different church world where religion was very rampant and this was like nothing I was used to. I found myself in what some people would call a wilderness experience. If I were to sum up the first eight years of life here in Michigan it would be "survival mode". Finally it took being desperate to understand my need for God in a deep unusual way. I knew that
something had to change!
Nine years ago, my husband and I were headed for divorce and my family was an emotional mess. I said to God, "you have to do something, I don't have it in me to fight anymore, I am done." I was at the end of my natural strength and abilities to change. I thought God would change my circumstances or some of the people in my
life but instead He changed me!
After going to IHOP (International House of Prayer) for a “OneThing”conference, I was touched and healed physically and emotionally. When I came back I went into a state of pure joy for about three months! I was so rocked by God that I would often spend hours laughing and just basking in His presence. I found a renewed hunger for His presence as I would find myself in the prayer room at IHOPE (International House of Prayer East) Eastpointe, Michigan, two to four hours a day. This is where I encountered Jesus face to face.
God has had me on an awesome journey of rapid growth for the last seven years. While running with some incredible fiery people, I came across an awesome revelation from God about creativity being restored back into the church.
During an evening service I heard God say, as I walked into church to worship, “take off the ceiling.” I began to imagine the roof off as I worshiped and I was taken up in the Spirit into the night sky.
I even felt the rush in my stomach as if I was on a carnival ride. I felt the physical sensation like I was being taken up. Then God spoke to me and said, “I am taking you out of the box and I am taking my church out of the box.” This began my journey of understanding and learning to flow in prophetic art. I am excited as I continue on into more revelation on this wonderful journey of surrender and encounter after encounter with the lover of my soul!
Victoria Friends