I'm thankful for chilly FALL weather, it's my favourite.
I'm thankful for God's promises and even though it's annoying sometimes... His timing.
I'm thankful for my family - that I've got three stellar brothers and amazing parents.
I'm thankful for awesome friends, some who are (unfortunately) scattered around the world.
I'm thankful for music.
I'm thankful for 'aha' moments.
I'm thankful for coffee.
I'm thankful for my journal and Bible.
I'm thankful for grace and His faithfulness.
I'm thankful for those who have gone before.
I'm thankful for testimonies.
I'm thankful for laughs.
I'm thankful for random moments.
I'm thankful for sleep.
I'm thankful for dreams and vision and hope.
I'm thankful for airplanes.
I'm thankful for food.
I'm thankful for nature.
I'm thankful for beauty.
I'm thankful for memories.
I'm thankful for opportunities.
I'm thankful for children.
I'm thankful for grandparents.
I'm thankful for nail polish.
I'm thankful for games and movies and books.
I'm thankful for time.
I'm thankful for rest.
I'm thankful for work.
I'm thankful for wisdom and advice and the Holy Spirit.
I'm thankful for home(s).
I'm thankful for change.
I'm thankful for skype and internet.
I'm thankful for confidence.
I'm thankful for soccer.
I'm thankful for purpose and priorities.

Click HERE for an awesome song. <3



 
 
 
  
 

....I've never met someone, who doesn't love a t-shirt!" (Nice rhyme, yeah?)
 
To anyone and everyone:  Selling some comfy t-shirts with an awesome message as a fundraiser this month to raise money as I'm volunteering with Youth With a Mission in Townsville, Australia.  Check more options out here (http://citygatelancaster.com/so-loved/) and spread the love! Just $15 USD and free shipping. Weeee.

Feel free to email me with questions here.


 





 



 

Not sure where this post will go... that's promising, but I've got a few thoughts on my mind lately. 

Transition: is great, is fun but is hard and uncomfortable. Definition from thefreedictionary.com says:  2. the period of time during which something changes from one state or stage to another. You grow to know something (anything! a job, a friendship, a home) and after awhile it becomes known which means it probably becomes comfortable....normal....maybe easy. Now, I'm not saying that is right or wrong - just saying.... it tends to be the way things go. Moving from something known to unknown... there is often tension, feelings and emotions of being uncomfortable, out of your depth. I reckon grace is the key in the midst of transition... grace and honesty. Two of my favourite words.


Gratitude: Man! 'A grateful heart is a happy heart....' So, so, so true. Naturally, it is TOO easy to look to what we wish we had or how we wish things were... when instead why don't we open up our eyes to ALL that we have been blessed with?! It's crazy! Our ability to cultivate a genuine thankfulness says so much about who we are.... helps us push on and move forward... changes perspectives. 



Clutter: If we aren't deliberate... life gets cluttered. I know, if I don't deliberately put my clothes away in my room... before long, there's a pile of clothes on my floor (or somewhere). It's the same with life too, if we don't deliberately choose what we fill our time with, we'll waste it.... we'll cruise... we'll continue to say 'yes' to things...or maybe, we'll continue to say 'no' and not try new things. It's time to de-clutter!


Psalm 75:2-4 "You say, I'm calling this meeting to order, I'm ready to set things right. When the earth goes topsy-turvy and nobody knows which end is up, I nail it down, I put everything in place again. I say to the smart alecks, 'That's enough,' to the bullies, 'Not so fast.'" 





 


 

Love/hate relationship with blogging. But today, I've been inspired to post. May just be to say that I've since returned from the wonderful land of Papua New Guinea. I loved it, hey! So so much to reflect on, laugh about, cry about, be grateful for.  

Right now, I'm sitting on my bed in Townsville and the last two weeks have been almost like a little pit-stop, because I leave for the States on Tuesday. It's been an interesting transition and I think the fact that I'm leaving again so soon, plays into the equation a bit. BUT, I've got a lot to look forward to - playing catch up with friends and family, sleeping in, wearing hoodies and scarves (fall is my FAV!). 





 

 

This is about all I have to say. 

Life is rich. And it's not so much based on figures in a bank account. And it's not always easy and swell (no doubt) - I'm a huge fan of the 'little' moments and 'smaller' joys. For instance, we've got this stellar table and chair set on our back patio- give me a journal, sweatshirt, hot drink and Bible and I'm set. 

It's been a good last few weeks. With the DTS, we've had lectures each week - different topics covered and lots of input. I've been so enjoying being a part of this school. 20 students from all over the world- It's truly amazing how a bunch of strangers quickly can become family - God's been up to some gnarly stuff - His grace astounds me! 
 
We're a week and a half away from leaving for Papua New Guinea... Let me say that again: 9 days until we're hopping on a jet plane.

 ...this means, 3 months away from my Aussie home, my second birthday in a row spent on the medical ship, opportunities x 1000 to love, learn, and share. Woooop

PNG is known as the land of the unexpected. Faith's a-rising in my heart, although it still doesn't feel like we're quite so close to leaving.

Appreciate your prayers, friends! Let's make the most of what we've got.

April this year means, another Discipleship Training School has begun. This particular school is our Ship DTS and a good chunk of the next 5 months will be spent up in Papua New Guinea- some time on board our medical ship and some in different villages.

This last weekend we had 20 students join us from all over the world! I love this aspect of DTS.... different people, different experiences, backgrounds, cultures. Last night, we were able to spend the evening on the M/V Pacific Link as it's currently docked in Townsville. 

It's a new season, a new adventure. I'm excited 'cause I know that God is going to show up and do things with all involved with the school, as well as we get to impact and learn from the people of Papua New Guinea. 

My prayer this week is for God's consistency to be so known. With new seasons, as exciting as they are, they often also bring uncertainties. I was reminded this morning of how God is consistent and wants us to know and rest in this truth.

Psalm 62: 7-8 (msg)

"My help and glory are in God
-granite strength and safe harbor God-
So trust Him completely, people,
lay your lives on the line for him.
God is a safe place to be."
 

 Last year, I spent three months in Papua New Guinea. Stoked, I was stoked. I knew I'd have opportunities to do things I never thought I'd do. I also knew going into it, that by the time I returned to Australia there were a few things that I wanted to have considered, chatted to God about and got some clarity about. I loved being in PNG once again. When the time rolled around to leave, I was returning feeling like I had heard from God and was excited to see what would happen.

But returning to Australia, things ended up not being as I was expecting. Actually, things had changed and were very much out of my control. Opportunities I thought I was going to have, I didn't. I didn't know. It was so easy to then doubt God, who He is, what He promised, what He's up to.

It's easy to take something that you believe God's for and then run with it..... which isn't necessarily a bad thing I don't reckon, but it can get you into trouble if you're not then willing to lay those dreams down and clue back into reality.... "Okay, God.. this is different than I thought, what is your heart in this?!"

What if it wasn't that I didn't hear God? What if it was that I took the first glimpse of what He was up to into my own control and timing? The last 6 months, I've been pleasantly surprised with God's faithfulness and redemption. How He takes something out of nothing, placed opportunities right in front of me to walk into, switched things up a bit, and surprised me. And it's been good. 

Thank you God that... your faithfulness isn't dependent on me.

I had another one of those moments of contentment where you again realize just how beautiful life is. 

I remembered again today, how short life is....not in a depressing manner but in a way that makes me want to make the most of my time. 

I love that life is a journey, constantly evolving and changing, moving forward in time. I love that each day brings opportunities to learn. To learn: new things, to love, to relate, to communicate, to listen.

I love that life is so unknown. That even the plans and desires I have are not set in stone. That really, who knows?! and that it leaves me in a place where I need to trust God.

I love dreams and hopes, I love faith. I love memories and that they can take us almost straight back to a different time in our lives.


   

There is such a gift and miracle in the now.  And I am grateful.

I woke up this morning, made some coffee and ventured to the front porch. Coffee in hand, comfy pants on and bible and journal on lap. For not being (too much) of a morning person, I quite enjoy beginning the day in a similar fashion as this morning. Something about it is so refreshing.


Time again seems to be picking up and flying by. I can't believe it's another Saturday afternoon. And we've already broke into the month of February this year. Overall, it's been a good week. Steps forward, progress made, things accomplished. 


I'm continually convinced that so much of life comes back to the motives of things, why do we do the things we do? Are we just going through the motions? Living trying to fulfil expectations? God asks us to be wholehearted, diligent, faithful...no doubt. When life is full of agendas, responsibilities, to-do lists, it seems to be so easy to just keep forging ahead.... trying hard to get done, to progress and develop. They aren't bad things but I wonder if God wants us to slow down, wait on Him for strength and wisdom in how to progress and move forward. Oh, Lord show me what this looks like...

I hope you guys have a fabulous weekend. Enjoy the little things and find laughter in the silly things. I reckon these are the things that bring such simple joy.



 
 


 
 
 

Oh, my good intentions sometimes fail me. I've been back in Australia about three weeks now (and totally meant to write before now). Hello, 2012. Hello, summertime and hello, 75+ new students! Our January quarter has begun and it's quite exciting to think of all the things God's got up His sleeve over the next few months. I'll continue to work in our Registrar office this next few months, which I quite enjoy and love the team in the office at the moment.

I was just thinking this morning, one year ago I was just starting to feel settled on staff, was still learning the ropes to Registrar, had questions and hopes for the year. I can't believe it was how long ago last January feels. So much has happened this year and I'm continually amazed at God's faithfulness. Looking at 2012, I feel like I have a general idea of how the year will pan out, but even as I'm typing this I'm rolling my eyes because most likely... I have no idea... especially concerning the details. I often realize after the fact that at the start, I really had no clue. God probably likes it that way 'cause it means I have to trust Him. Oh, the lessons I continue to learn. :) So glad our God is a patient Father.

Some food for thought lately has been this theme out of James 1- "Consider it a sheer gift, friends when test and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way."

Hello!? A sheer gift? Trials are something to be glad about?! How often do I actually have that perspective? The perspective that God's got something greater and is working behind the scenes.The perspective that it's all good. I have moments of seeing it that way but then can quickly forget. If things were peachy all the time, we'd never know then what we're actually made of when it cuts down to the nitty gritty. We'd never really have to rely on the Lord either or press into Him diligently. 

Be blessed, friends. Find rest, be refreshed and enjoy the beginning of a New Year!