The last few weeks in Australia have been a whirlwind. I've been blessed to be part of so many exciting adventures and have all sorts of fun with such wonderful people!
Last weekend I went waterskiing with my dear friend, Jess, who is a student at the university I attend here. She has taken me on many road trips, and this was yet another fun trip that was a highlight of my semester. We went to Lake Macquarie, which is the largest saltwater lake on the southern hemisphere. The cabin we stayed in was right on the lake and there were all sorts of activities available. We got up at 6:30 to get some runs in while the water was flat. It took me a few tries, but I eventually popped up and rode around the lake for a few minutes. I tried again later in the day and got up right away! It was so exciting. Jess and her family grew up waterskiing on the lake, so they were all skiing on one ski and going in and out of the wake like it was nothing. Jess and her cousin even skied at the same time and crossed back and forth together. I was so impressed! I loved spending time on the lake. I got to go kayaking, paddle boarding, tubing, and we even played some bat-mitten. I could have stayed there the whole semester, but alas we had to return for school.
The next day I had a super fun sleepover with the girls from Hillsong in my connect group. After the service we got some sushi with a few other people from the 18-25 group and then we ventured off to have some tea, get the most delicious gelato in the world, and then return to my friend's house for a movie and lot's of laughs. In the morning we went to a friends house for breakfast with some more people from the church. It was so nice to spend time with my church community and get away from the routine for a weekend. I really enjoy spending time with the girls from Hillsong, because there is always such diversity of cultures, backgrounds, stories, and world views. I love hearing what other people have to say about life and learn more about the beautiful God I serve by listening to the way other people have encountered him throughout their lives. It has truly been a blessing to be part of Hillsong for the past few months and to be so warmly welcomed into a connect group. God has been so very good to me!
A few days later I got to have an experience of a lifetime. I went to the Sydney Opera House with a few friends to see Romeo and Juliet. Let me say that again, I went to THE Sydney Opera House to see one of the most famous plays ever written. Can you believe this is my life? I am blown away that I get to do things like this all the time! Sydney is such a vibrant city, full of diversity and charm. Before the show started we got dinner and dessert and sat right on the bay between the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. It was like living a dream!
The show itself was fantastic. It was set in modern times and they incorporated incredible music and some pretty sweet sets. The actors were amazing, of course, and they threw in some interesting twists but still kept all the original lines. The whole time I was there I had to ask myself if it was real. My friend Anna and I kept turning to each other with huge smiles spread across our faces, trying to hold back our giddy laughter. It was by far one the most incredible nights I have had since coming here.
I finished out the week by going to Shelley Beach, which is really close to the famous Manly Beach across the way from Sydney Harbour. The beaches in Manly are unreal. The water is a fantastic color of blue and green and the vegetation is so lush and varied. I had a great time relaxing on the shore with my friends and doing a little souvenir shopping afterwards. Before we got to the beach we went to Pancakes on The Rocks, which is a fabulous breakfast restaurant in the historical section of Sydney known as The Rocks. They have the most delicious pancakes in pretty much every flavor possible. I got blueberry crepes with ice-cream on top!
Living in Sydney for the past three months has been an unforgettable adventure. I have loved every single second spent here and I can't imagine what my life would be like if I hadn't chased after my dreams and come to Australia. It has transformed me in so many ways and given me such a desire to explore new places and experience different cultures. There hasn't been a single day when I've had second thoughts about coming here. Every single thing I could have had back home pales in comparison to the journey I have had here.
It may sound like I am boasting or flaunting my life to you right now, but that is not my intention. I can't help but be excited to talk about what has been going on in my life recently, because I have been abundantly blessed by my Jesus and I can't hide it! I don't understand why I have been given this opportunity to live out my dreams, but I couldn't be more grateful that God weaved this chapter into my life and gave my the most amazing parents who have supported me and made this trip possible. God has been transforming my life on the inside and out and it fills me with an everlasting joy that just won't fade away. I love the season I am in right now and it's all I can do but soak it up while it lasts.
Praise Jesus for his abundant goodness!
Last weekend I went waterskiing with my dear friend, Jess, who is a student at the university I attend here. She has taken me on many road trips, and this was yet another fun trip that was a highlight of my semester. We went to Lake Macquarie, which is the largest saltwater lake on the southern hemisphere. The cabin we stayed in was right on the lake and there were all sorts of activities available. We got up at 6:30 to get some runs in while the water was flat. It took me a few tries, but I eventually popped up and rode around the lake for a few minutes. I tried again later in the day and got up right away! It was so exciting. Jess and her family grew up waterskiing on the lake, so they were all skiing on one ski and going in and out of the wake like it was nothing. Jess and her cousin even skied at the same time and crossed back and forth together. I was so impressed! I loved spending time on the lake. I got to go kayaking, paddle boarding, tubing, and we even played some bat-mitten. I could have stayed there the whole semester, but alas we had to return for school.
The next day I had a super fun sleepover with the girls from Hillsong in my connect group. After the service we got some sushi with a few other people from the 18-25 group and then we ventured off to have some tea, get the most delicious gelato in the world, and then return to my friend's house for a movie and lot's of laughs. In the morning we went to a friends house for breakfast with some more people from the church. It was so nice to spend time with my church community and get away from the routine for a weekend. I really enjoy spending time with the girls from Hillsong, because there is always such diversity of cultures, backgrounds, stories, and world views. I love hearing what other people have to say about life and learn more about the beautiful God I serve by listening to the way other people have encountered him throughout their lives. It has truly been a blessing to be part of Hillsong for the past few months and to be so warmly welcomed into a connect group. God has been so very good to me!
A few days later I got to have an experience of a lifetime. I went to the Sydney Opera House with a few friends to see Romeo and Juliet. Let me say that again, I went to THE Sydney Opera House to see one of the most famous plays ever written. Can you believe this is my life? I am blown away that I get to do things like this all the time! Sydney is such a vibrant city, full of diversity and charm. Before the show started we got dinner and dessert and sat right on the bay between the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. It was like living a dream!
The show itself was fantastic. It was set in modern times and they incorporated incredible music and some pretty sweet sets. The actors were amazing, of course, and they threw in some interesting twists but still kept all the original lines. The whole time I was there I had to ask myself if it was real. My friend Anna and I kept turning to each other with huge smiles spread across our faces, trying to hold back our giddy laughter. It was by far one the most incredible nights I have had since coming here.
I finished out the week by going to Shelley Beach, which is really close to the famous Manly Beach across the way from Sydney Harbour. The beaches in Manly are unreal. The water is a fantastic color of blue and green and the vegetation is so lush and varied. I had a great time relaxing on the shore with my friends and doing a little souvenir shopping afterwards. Before we got to the beach we went to Pancakes on The Rocks, which is a fabulous breakfast restaurant in the historical section of Sydney known as The Rocks. They have the most delicious pancakes in pretty much every flavor possible. I got blueberry crepes with ice-cream on top!
Living in Sydney for the past three months has been an unforgettable adventure. I have loved every single second spent here and I can't imagine what my life would be like if I hadn't chased after my dreams and come to Australia. It has transformed me in so many ways and given me such a desire to explore new places and experience different cultures. There hasn't been a single day when I've had second thoughts about coming here. Every single thing I could have had back home pales in comparison to the journey I have had here.
It may sound like I am boasting or flaunting my life to you right now, but that is not my intention. I can't help but be excited to talk about what has been going on in my life recently, because I have been abundantly blessed by my Jesus and I can't hide it! I don't understand why I have been given this opportunity to live out my dreams, but I couldn't be more grateful that God weaved this chapter into my life and gave my the most amazing parents who have supported me and made this trip possible. God has been transforming my life on the inside and out and it fills me with an everlasting joy that just won't fade away. I love the season I am in right now and it's all I can do but soak it up while it lasts.
Praise Jesus for his abundant goodness!
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