andi oakes

Here’s a bit of an update “bloggy” thing to let you know what I’m up to:

I’m so thankful for the last year and all the wonderful things that Grace and I have experienced and all the new people who have come into our lives, both locally here in Northern Ireland, throughout the UK and also our new extended family over the pond in Nashville, TN.

2009 was a year that, as well as bringing many new things along, also saw the resurrection of some aspects of my work that I thought I had left behind, with me feeling inspired to return to painting.  I had previously stopped producing any art work at all in 2006, after my Dad passed away as well as finding myself suffering with depression towards the end of that year which subsequently took a lot longer to fully recover from.  So to feel inspired once again during the latter part of last year to paint was actually quite unexpected for me, and I found it a great source of encouragement to have my work so well received by so many people.  So I’m intending to have at least one exhibition locally this year with a view to looking at other venues around the country as well as internationally. (Might as well aim high I reckon.)

2010 is already shaping up to be something of a significant year in itself.  My work with Arise in Lurgan continues in a great atmosphere of anticipation as more people have been joining the worship team and seeing their gifts released.  We’re excited as a ministry to see what lies ahead for us all as well as for the greater work of Shankill Parish, within which Arise functions.

January has also seen me embark on a six month project with a lovely church in the neighbouring city of Lisburn where I have been invited in for a six month period to develop the worship ministry in Kingdom Life.  Their senior Pastor, Brian Agnew, called me just before our trip to Nashville to discuss the project with me and to see if I would be interested.  I just love working with and encouraging people and so it was really a bit of a “no-brainer” for me.  So we’re already two weeks into our walk with Kingdom Life and I love every minute of it. It is just such a joy to meet and spend some time with more wonderful people.

I’ll also be continuing my contact with the Elim church in Caledon, a place that is so close to my heart.

I’ve been rehearsing with my new band over the last few months of 2009 and so we’re just about ready to be let loose on an unsuspecting public.  Our intention is to start doing more concerts together over the next year, which is something of a change for me as I tend to do most gigs in an acoustic set up.  I have been blessed with some great musicians who are also friends and I know we are going to have an awesome time playing for people and leading them in worship.

Apart from all of that stuff, I am just so thankful for everything God has allowed me to experience over the last few years. I have changed so much as a person and that has a great deal to do with the experiences that God has taken me through and, more importantly, the people He has brought into my life.  Life is about people.  Without others in our lives, I believe we miss the point of existence.  Life is not about making money, gaining influence or having all you needs met… I believe it’s about sharing with others and allowing them to share with you.  I am deeply grateful for every person who has influenced me for good so far and I would not be who I am today without them.  Some I see frequently, some I see occasionally and others are far out of my reach.  But wherever they are, I want them to know…thank you.  When people touch you deeply, they leave something of themselves with you and it is my joy and a great source of comfort in my own life to carry those marks of love with me wherever I go.

Grace and I want to wish you all a very happy and blessed New Year and our prayer and hope for you is that you discover and experience more of God’s love in your life and that you find the real joy in life, which is sharing that love with everyone you come in contact with.

Bless you,

Andi