Singin' Praises

Woah God. That guy is amazing- seriously. He continues to surprise me everyday. The way He has just made clear to me that this is where I am supposed to be this summer is overwhelming.
The past week has been one of the best in my life, I probably have to say.

Paulina and I had a couple meetings last Thursday-Friday with the chaplains of a few local highschools. I am starting to get involved with them tomorrow ( or technically later today since it is the wee hours of Wednesday morning here) and am eager to see what God is going to do through these opportunities. I will be helping with after school "Veta" classes, brekkie programs, lunch programs, "MAD" (make a difference) classes, and visiting a couple people in the community with the chaplain. Pray that I will be filled with the Lord's joy and that it will be visible to the students. Thursday evening I went with Paulina to a friend Melinda's house. Her mom took me out to see some roos. I only saw one wallaby- but there was a baby in its pouch! Then, Mel asked if I wanted to go to her dance class with her. I decided too and it was so much fun. Took me awhile to catch on a few moves, but it was enjoyable and fun getting to meet new people. Paulina and I spent Friday afternoon planning youth group and just talking. We really got to know with expressing our testimonies and things God has been showing us this past year. She shared with me her call to ministry. I really love that girl. ( plus her favorite animal is a panda, she has a foot phobia and she loves Jimmy Needham..so were pretty much BFFs right?) We had youth group that night. It was a long weekend, for the it was the Queen's Birthday on Monday. ( It wasn't really the Queen's B-day..but its a national holiday haha). Since the long weekend, we had a movie night. We watched "Soul Surfer". We then discussed how God can use even the terrible, hard things in our life for good. I got to have some good discussions with some girls after. I am praying that these relationships continue to grow.

It was a rainy Saturday, so Emily, Kathy, and I headed into the city. We wouldn't have been able to do much sightseeing, so they took me to a DFO shopping center. We of course got coffee first. I love coffee and I love that people her love it too. We walked around a few shops. Then we went outside and caught the city tram. It was a cool way to see some of the city. We grabbed lunch and did some more walking around the city and tram riding. Then we stopped at the Lindt Chocolate factory for hot chocolate and shared a dessert. It was yummy, but I was chocolate-d out. Who knew that was possible? After a little more exploring we went home where Pastor Greg cooked me a traditional Australian meal of lamb, pumpkin, various other vegetables, and the families favorite Tasmanian sparkling apple cider. It was a lovely day.

Sunday morning means church! I really enjoy Sunday mornings at Sydenham Baptist. I got a couple things ready in Sunday School and then headed down for first service. In between services they have a "morning tea" where people from both services are encouraged to fellowship. I met a young lady named Josephine. She said she had been visiting a couple sundays and is seeking to find Jesus. She was just so open about herself, it was wonderful. She explained that her boyfriend is a recent born-again Christian and that she is interested in learning more too. She has been trying to read the Bible and find that connection, but has not been anle too. She asked if I had any tips or advice. I was able to share with her my testimony and a few verses. I told her I would love to meet with her sometime and we are having dinner this Thursday!! I am so excited. I pray that God blesses that time and  gives me the words. I plan on bringing some verses and Bible passages and want express to her about meditating on the word oppossed to just reading it. I pray that He humbles me through this time. If you could pray for this too, it would be greatly appreciated. Later that afternoon- Greg, Kathy, Allaster, and I headed to Mount Macdeon. It was a really foggy afternoon but It was still beautiful. There is a beautiful, giant cross. It was quite chilly, but still really nice. We grabbed a coffee and shared a scone ( which is the same to our biscuit, not our kind of scones) and enjoyed some conversation. Then we began looking for a geocache ( and found one!) and climbing some rocks and checking out the view. That evening we had a youth group leader meeting. That meeting was a blessing in itself. The group of us sang worship songs and prayed together as a group. We planned the amazing game that is going down on Friday night- an interactive version of the Game of Life. I am pysched. Then Paulina asked that I share my testimony. That group of young people is so encouraging. I then spent the night at Melinda's house, for we were planning on leaving early the next morning to go sightseeing. Her family- the Bonellos. I LOVE them! They are some of the most talented, fun-loving, God-fearing, welcoming people I have ever met. We stayed up so late just laughing, singing, and talking as a whole group.

Monday morning we ventured to Phillip Island. Karen (Mrs.Bonello), Mel, Chase ( a fellow American from Mississippi- who is staying with the Bonellos), and I were along for the journey. The day started off foggy, but thankfully cleared up. We went to a tour of a local chocolate factory ( yes, I know I think I write about chocolate a lot), did some sightseeing on the beaches, grabbed lunch, and walked around some other lookout areas. Then we purchased our tickets for "The Penguin Parade". Everynight abotu 2,000 of the 23,000 penguins in the area swim to shore when it gets dark. It was a joyous sight to see the little penguins swimming and waddling up the shore and to their homes. They are native to Australia and spend about 2-3 months at sea at a time. When I was younger- we did a play about Australia in the 1st grade and I was a penguin, so I was pretty excited to see them. We weren't aloud to take pictures so we didn't scare them, but man did I want too. We spent the drive home telling stories. They asked me to share how and why I am in Australia this summer. It was so beautiful to hear their responses and questions that just added confirmation that God has me here for a reason. The two-hour drive went by so fast with beautiful stories.

Earlier Today (Tuesday), I went to Friendship Group with the seniors. We met at a couple's house for coffee. The couple shared with the group about their journey from Lebanon, their marriage, and their faith walk. It was interesting to get to learn more about them. I had some pleasant conversation with some sweet ladies around me. I then spent the afternoon journaling, reading, and catching up on e-mails. Then I changed clothes and went for a run. I ran to the next suburb- Caroline Springs. (it really isn't that far away, only about a 25 minute run). I walked around the shopping area, grabbed a coffee, and walked around some more, before heading back. I went home made a grocery list- for I am cooking tomorrow night!, and walked to grocery store. I could spend a large hunk of time in there. Everything is just so different. I am cooking jambalya, homemade cornbread, and some kind of dessert! I hope that it turns out well. Later this evening Mel called and asked if I wanted to come over. She came and picked me up. Michelle ( her friend I met at dance), Chase, Mel, and I decided to go to Mount Macedon! We picked up Mel's older sister Ashley ( who I also met at dance) and started the journey. We saw several kangaroos and a few wombats on the drive. It was kind of creepy at night, but the view of the city lights was gorgeous. We climbed onto one of the ledges under the cross. It was so wonderful sitting at the foot of the cross singing worship songs and looking up at the beautiful night stars. Seriously- God has just put some amazing people into my life here.