We bought 24 internet so I'm trying to take advantage of it and write another update while I can! Today we went to the girl stinter's (STINT team is a group of year long missionaries from crusade) church and it was really great. We had to get up early though so we could take the 8 am bus, and then had to walk a little ways to actually get to the church. (it's always a challenge getting anywhere- we have to first walk to the bus stop if we are taking it, then usually walk to where ever it is once we get off the bus) ...but asside from the travel, which I am getting used to fast, it was great! The message was on putting on the armor of God to defeat the enemy and I think it was exactly what we all needed to hear. The pastor had a really sweet perspective to it. After church we were waiting at the bus stop and I kneeled on the grass and got bit a few times by some fire ants and it hurt so bad! It burned for a few hours...but now it's better.
The brunch my roommates and I made also helped heal my burning leg- chocolate chip pankcakes, sausage, and of course coffee!:)
And speaking of food...last night I got to experience my first ever Tim Tam slam. Tim Tam's are REALLy good chocolate cookies with fudge in the middle and they are dipped in chocolate too. A tim tam slam is when you bite of the corners of the cookie and suck hot chocolate out of it and when you taste the hot chocolate you shove the cookie in your mouth and it literally melts. It was the greatest thing I have ever had. We had competitons and I came in 3rd place. (out of 4) haha...
A bunch of the girls are laying out by the pool right now so I think I'm going to head down there for a bit-it's kind of chilly out today but the sun is always really hot so the weather is confusing. Soooooooo here I gooo. Love Love! :)
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Aus!
ahh:) So much has happened. There's been a lot of ups and downs! A huge up was how God provided for this mission trip. And the traveling went so well. We flew into Dallas from Minneapolis and then from there we flew to LAX...then the 14 hour plane ride to Brisbane! I was super nervous for that since I have never been on a flight that long before, but it was actually fun haha! We were served a dinner right when we got on the flight, then I fell asleep to Dear John and slept for about 8 hours. The best part was seeing a shooting star from the window right when I woke up since it was still dark out. Then I got super excited when I watched the sunrise and we could finally see the sandy beaches of Australia and the ocean!
That already seems like a long time ago though, since so much has happened. We have been on different campuses every day for about 5 hours at Griffith uni initiating conversations with students and meeting up with new friends that we have met. Some days are definately harder than others and I can tell that all of us are under spritual attack. In myself some days my mind just goes crazy with thoughts that are definately not of God, and this reminds me how important it is for me to arm myself with the word and truth of God so that I am able to descern these thoughs and not be afraid or weary.
Although it's a warzone over here God is at work...we've already seen two uni students put their trust in God just in the week that we have been here. This is huge for here. Most of the students that we talk to have either gone to catholic school, but have no idea why Jesus died or what the basis of christianity is, or are atheiest or agnostic. It is a lot different than in the US since many people already have a grasp of what the gospel is there. So praise the Lord for what has already happened. All of the team would love prayers for protection of our minds and hearts and that we are able to connect with students and be able to communicate the gospel clearly.
Another cool thing is that I was able to travel to Queensland Uni with a guy on my team, mike and we got to tell a little bit about how God provided for us to get here and what we have seen happening. It was also cool to see how their student life meeting was different from our Crusade in the states and even different from the meeting at Griffith.
It's been in the 70's mostly here which is nice, and we have been able to travel to the city- which is huge and sweet. Last night we even got to go on a ferry tour because the Brisbane River cuts right in the middle of the city...and it's beautiful. It was a really nice break for all of us to be able to just hang out with each other and relax.
I'm loving it here despite the ups and downs, and missing America! Haha. There are a lot of differences here- such as driving on the opposite sides of the roads and other little things like the slang and the money (which is really pretty!) And all the food tastes a little bit different...I'm going to need some home cooked meals from my mom when I get home! I miss everyoneee and love you! Thanks for all your prayers:)
That already seems like a long time ago though, since so much has happened. We have been on different campuses every day for about 5 hours at Griffith uni initiating conversations with students and meeting up with new friends that we have met. Some days are definately harder than others and I can tell that all of us are under spritual attack. In myself some days my mind just goes crazy with thoughts that are definately not of God, and this reminds me how important it is for me to arm myself with the word and truth of God so that I am able to descern these thoughs and not be afraid or weary.
Although it's a warzone over here God is at work...we've already seen two uni students put their trust in God just in the week that we have been here. This is huge for here. Most of the students that we talk to have either gone to catholic school, but have no idea why Jesus died or what the basis of christianity is, or are atheiest or agnostic. It is a lot different than in the US since many people already have a grasp of what the gospel is there. So praise the Lord for what has already happened. All of the team would love prayers for protection of our minds and hearts and that we are able to connect with students and be able to communicate the gospel clearly.
Another cool thing is that I was able to travel to Queensland Uni with a guy on my team, mike and we got to tell a little bit about how God provided for us to get here and what we have seen happening. It was also cool to see how their student life meeting was different from our Crusade in the states and even different from the meeting at Griffith.
It's been in the 70's mostly here which is nice, and we have been able to travel to the city- which is huge and sweet. Last night we even got to go on a ferry tour because the Brisbane River cuts right in the middle of the city...and it's beautiful. It was a really nice break for all of us to be able to just hang out with each other and relax.
I'm loving it here despite the ups and downs, and missing America! Haha. There are a lot of differences here- such as driving on the opposite sides of the roads and other little things like the slang and the money (which is really pretty!) And all the food tastes a little bit different...I'm going to need some home cooked meals from my mom when I get home! I miss everyoneee and love you! Thanks for all your prayers:)
Sunday, May 23, 2010
He did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today I got to the hotel in Minneapolis and have been going over details with our team, things are becoming so real!!! These last few days have been so amazing. So many things have fallen into place for this trip, and it's not by coincidence, but by God's faithful hand in all of this madness! I'm ecstatic to announce that as of tonight ALL of my support has come in and the trip is fully payed for. I still can't comprehend this. I am still so amazed by God. I'm falling so in love with him- more and more every day! I'm so pumped to see what he does in Australia!!!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
EEEE:D
So the last few days have been insanely crazy with getting ready, seeing people before I leave and also the amazing amount of support that God has brought in. I have never felt this blessed before in my entire life. All of this is making me realize how much I truly am loved by my creator. Yesterday I needed around $1,430. Well...I've got $830 left to raise as of this second, and I'm still waiting on an important call:) Ahh I just want to cry right now. (a happy cry of course!)
It's so amazing. God can do anything! I'm so excited to spend the next 6 weeks of my life showing people his love and adoration! I can't imagine a better way to prepare for this trip than to lay finances in God's hands and watch him take care of me in a way I have never experienced before.
Through all of this I am honestly being able to see more and more just how faithful God is, unlike people that I have been hurt by. This is a HUGE for me, so it's prettty dangggg sweet that God can use this situation to teach me so much!!!!
Eeek, my to do list is slow getting smaller...and my excitement is getting bigger! haha. Okay, that sounded lame...but for real!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
only two days until the land of oz....
My room is a mess. There are clothes everywhere and I'm still trying to unpack from college. My stress level has reached an all time high- but in the midst of this chaos God remains faithful, with answered prayers of hope! Just two days ago I needed $2300 for Australia, and now that has (MIRACULOUSLY through GOD!!!) Been reduced to $1470. Crazy. So crazy. I love watching God work. He probably thinks it's funny that I'm so surprised every time he slaps some more money out on the table. Mmm:)Thanks everyone for the prayers- keep em' coming!
Off the topic of Australia, I've been realizing lately how gosh darn blessed I am to have the people around me that I do. The last few days have been soaked in great friendships that haven't been sparked since being away in college for so longggg. I got to spend the entire day with my sister the other day- I love her so much! I'm going to be sad to leave all this behind for 6 weeks, but it can NOT compare to what God has in store...
ahhH! I'm so pumped. Everyone, just so you know...God is not dull. He's fun. He likes to keep us on our toes and you never know what he's going to pull out of his sleeve. One thing I've learned this year, don't put God in a box. (haha SARAH:) No sirreeee. He'll jump out and pull mysterious situations and answers out of thin air.
Two days left in the states... I'm getting excited....mmmm airplane food and sleeping over night in a reclining a chair;)
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Australia on the brain.
It's May 19th- the day after my birthday I might add! (which was great!)
But now reality is starting to hit me, and I really am leaving for Australia in 5ish days...which is crazy! I can't seem to wrap my brain around that! I've been so blessed with all the people that have financially supported me, and awesomeness that God has shown me...people I don't even know have supported me! That's crazy! I still need some money- a good chunk actually, around $2000. But hey, it's okay, God's got it under control, and it's his timing, not mine.
Little things keep reminding me that when things "seem to go wrong" for me, God still knows the whole plan. I wish I could push a button to make myself stop worrying! But, unfortunately by body just reacts to stress...
But I've started packing and making lists.. My passport is sitting on my suitcase right now, which is a sure fire sign that I'mma going! WOo.
Also, it's so great...the Australia team is wonderful. We got to meet and hang out at a weekend conference in Minneaopolis in April & we all get along great!
Well, I better get packing and write some more thank you notes!
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