Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Venture

After three slammed weeks of having no down time, I have forced myself to sit down and try to sum up what has been going on here lately. Since school has now started and I have gotten use to my new schedule, I have also gotten use to having no spare time. I have class Tuesday through Friday, a two hour internship with the events team two days a week, work (on most Friday and Saturday nights), and I am at church all day on Sundays. On Mondays, I get just enough time to clear my head and prepare to start the madness allover again. I really am loving it. Staying busy all the time makes the weeks fly by. All the new friends I have made are becoming like family, especially the ones who live in my neighborhood. There is always something to do/somewhere to go at night or someone at the house. I started a new tradition, on Monday and Thursday nights we do yoga. It is my new thing, and I LOVE it! Caressa and I have decided on Mondays we are going to start to try and travel now that it is warming up here. Last Monday we went to Bondi Beach, which is a big tourist attraction in Sydney. It is a gorgeous beach withcute places to eat dinner overlooking the ocean. The weather was perfect. We were hoping for the same weather today so we could go to Manly Beach, but when we woke up it was raining. So instead, I made pancakes and eggs, we were lazy, and she made brownies. We all need days like that.
On another note, God has completely blown me away in just the last three weeks I have been here. It only keeps getting better weekly. In the beginning all of the students told me that it was going to really surprise me how much God would just transform and stretch me in ways I had no idea, and it is completely true! I have learned so much about myself and God in just three weeks. I have realized how much more you can grow spiritually when you are in God's word daily and how he speaks to you in the most perfect times. God has always been real to me, but the level of his realness in my life since I have completely surrendered to him is incredible. Last Friday in chapel was the most powerful service here yet. I hadn't felt God's presence like that in so long. I feel like I am reassured daily that this is where I am suppose to be and what I am suppose to be doing for this season of my life. I am determined to get everything I can out of this year and just seek God, grow and stretch myself spiritually and let him take care of the rest.
I am also currently applying everywhere for jobs. Let's just say I am not cut out for the whole waitressing thing. I think it would have been better forme if my boss wasn't a complete jerk. I haven't quit yet, but yesterday I was told that Meyer (a major department store like Dillards/Nordstrom) was hiring and a lady from church who recommends for hiring asked me for my resume. I am praying that it works out. I am so thankful for my job, but I would rather be doing anything but waitressing. It is not worth the stress. Last Wednesday night we had a big youth rally for the college age students called "The Gathering." We had over 1,200 students in attendance and lives were definitely changed. Since I have been here I have realized that I have a heart for teen age to young adult age girls who struggle with low self esteem or just need to be loved. I definitely want to come home and get involved with an organization that reaches out to girls struggling in that area. I am also pretty sure I am going to get my degree in psychology when I get home and would like to do Christian counseling. Then again, I change my mind all the time... but for now that is what I am thinking. I skyped with my family the other day and it is always so good to see them and catch up with them. I have learned that skype and a.i.m are gifts from God to get me through the time I am away from everyone that I love. I don't think I could manage without it. Everything here is becoming my new way of life and I am beyond adjusted, but there is still so much about home that I miss. My family loves hearing that, no more having to worry about losing me to the Australians. I really love it here for this time in my life, but home is where my heart is.
I must go to bed now, it is 2:00 am and I have to be up at 7:15 am for school.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Comfort Zone? What's that?

The more time I spend in Australia, the more I find myself having to step out of my comfort zone. Making new friends, attending a new school and church, learning the the habits of this new way of life, and trying to be comfortable just does not happen. I am learning to branch out and how to handle the situations where I do not feel comfortable. School started last week and I am already being stretched in ways that I know will allow me to grow. My expectations of classes were far from what it is actually like, I was somewhat shaken up with all the information and new understanding of what I am about to be a part of. There is not a doubt in my mind that it is going to be incredible, but it comes with sacrifice and dedication. I am learning to completely surrender to God and let him have his way with my time here. It is much easier said than done. But I must remember that this is not about me, it's about me being in God's will for my life and allowing him to work through me. Seeking him and allowing all else to fall into place.

Last week we had our first house dinner/meeting with all of the girls in our house. I am so thankful for all of the wonderful girls that I get to share a house with! All of them are so sweet, encouraging, and eager to please. It is going to be a great semester. For dinner, I made chicken and the other girls made salad and garlic bread. I was so excited! So many people back home doubted my cooking ability. It was a good start to my new hobby of discovering how to cook.

Last saturday I was job searching in Rouse Hill shopping center and got a job on the spot at a restaurant called Tequila's. I went in that night for my first trial, and it was by far one of the most stressful nights of my life. Trying to remember table numbers, names of entrees, names of coworkers, and starting on their busiest night of the week was quite the task. Everything went well and I was asked to come back, so I am praising God for a job! It is going to be great having the extra money to buy the adorable clothes here.
Second week of Intensives start tomorrow. They are very long and not the most interesting part of college, but only three days to go. I have decided that I am going to get involved with Fuel which is the junior high ministry at Hillsong. I have a passion for girls that age and I am considering being an RDG leader. This will allow me to meet with a group of middle school aged girls once every two weeks and lead/pour into their lives and hopefully them pour into mine. One of my housemates did it and said that she fell in love with the girls she met with. It all starts very soon and I can not wait to get back into a regular routine. I am expecting great things and am eager to see what Hillsong college life is like.

"The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him." -Lamentations 3:25