Back in the USA.
Still jet lagged?
I have many stories to tell.
I have many sermons to preach.
Here's to hoping that I'll start writing on this thing again.

Cheers mates.



yep. thats me. in front of the Sydney Harbor Bridge. holler.

G'day mates.

Its Monday evening on this lovely public holiday the Aussies celebrate as the Queen's birthday. I have been in Australia for almost two weeks now. I live in a suburb of Melbourne called Sydenham, working at Sydenham Baptist Church. So far I have helped plan a few youth events, helped out with playgroup, joined the worship team, and led a Sunday night service. Its been a great time! I've learned a  lot of new phrases and I'm working on picking up the accent. I'm having a hard time with their 'O' sound. I can't quite figure that part out. Here are some nice new words for you:

bathroom = toilet, loo, dunny
McDonald's = Mackers, but you dont pronounce the 'r' so it sounds like mackahs
Hows it going = How ya going
man, dude, guy, girl = mate
man = bloke
fries = chips

I'm sure I'll think of some others later. Hmmm...what else...I'm learning about Aussie Rules Football...you should check it out. Its pretty rad. Google it. The team I barrack (root, but root is a bad word here) for is the North Melbourne Kangaroos. I went to their practice last Thursday. It was amazing. Rugby is pretty grand as well. American sports just arent going to do anything for me anymore.

Well I must rise early in the morning so another update will have to come later in the week.

G'day!

 

 

p.s. this post says 4:40 am but that is WAY wrong. its 7:40 pm here in Aussieland. the time difference is nuts!

My sleep habits are completely messed up. Let's recap this week. Wednesday: asleep at 5 am, awake at 3 pm; Thursday: asleep at 11 am, awake at 5 pm; Friday: asleep at 5 am, awake at 11 am. INSANE!

I must get back on track this weekend. Australia is only 16 days away! OH!

I'm listening to Paramore today. I don't really even like them, but sometimes you just need a little angry girl music.

Substance:

It is creepily awesome when you finally get scripture. The Genesis 32 deal has been bothering me for a while, just because I didn't understand it. Then last night it just appeared in conversation so perfectly and made total sense. I didn't understand the idea of wrestling with God for a blessing, but I get it now. I think we all probably go through this at some point in our lives. We want God to bless us. We deserve to have things and to be happy. It's not uncommon for us to get mad when we think God isn't treating us fairly. We lose sight that it is not about what God can do for us, but rather how we can serve Him. God owes us NOTHING. We owe him EVERYTHING. Still, sometimes we are stubborn and we wrestling with God, demanding a blessing. And just like with Jacob, God will make us lame if we will not stop. We have got to remember that it is NOT about us.

Who says that the Word is not enough? It is more than enough.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

Yep. its enough.

Keeping it real in Eddyville this weekend. Home sweet home. Everytime I come back it is a reminder of why I wanted to leave in the first place. There is nothing to do here! It is a pretty rad place during the summer months because of the lake. But when its cold out, it is boring.

Short blurbs about whats up with me:

I'm renewing my lease for six months. Then I am moving. Out of state. Out of the South. Making plans to go here: http://www.calbaptist.edu
I cannot ignore the pull on my heart to be a counselor. I love listening to people and I think I'm pretty good at it. Still got my eyes on long term missions, but I believe in serving through occupation...so, I kind of need an occupation. My desire to be out West has only grown with each day after Reno. God is moving mightily there and there is no mistaken that I have a deep love for the people of the West. So...westward I shall go!

My church prayed over my trip this morning. That was pretty great. It is always nice to feel encouraged by the body of Christ.

Finals week is all the remains. Yay! Well, then I have to return in the fall for what is hopefully my last semester. Fingers crossed!

I'm leaving for Australia in three weeks.

Possibly going to King's Island next weekend.

Adios amigos.

I'm going to call it before the race starts: Recapturetheglory.