Serious

I've done some amazing things in the past week. So far, I've been to Bondi Beach and climbed on the rocks. I've walked around the city of Sydney and eaten great gelato as well as see the Sydney Opera house (which is absolutely GORGEOUS). I've walked home singing in the rain. I went to an incredible retreat for young adults with eye-opening speakers and thick, powerful worship. I ate more fruit than I have in my whole life. I've gone to an insane crazy dance party. I've met students from several nations. I've watched fireworks from the Sydney harbor. I've slept on the beach for a few hours (before being rained out and having to sleep in the car. Sort of a bust, but I still saw an amazing sunrise). I've had incredible conversations with my wonderful, faith-filled housemates. 

But besides all this, it truthfully has been really hard. I knew it would be, but as much as you can brace yourself for something doesn't mean you won't feel the full effects of it. My emotions have been on an extreme roller coaster. I miss my family terribly. I miss laying on the coach at home. I miss my church. I miss my best friends. I miss it all. I hate talking on the phone to my parents because I practically break down in tears each time we speak.

However, in the transition and insanity and adjustments, the Lord has already started to work so much on my heart. The retreat was so huge for helping get my mind on Him and off myself. The moment I got to college and started meeting students, I became extremely insecure. Every outfit I regretted. Every hair do wasn't enough. I felt like a dork having to wear my glasses constantly to let my eye heal from a flame-up last Sunday. 

But as I let the Lord minister to me at the retreat, I really felt him telling me how much he valued me and how he hated when I compared myself to others. Because I can't be compared to anyone else. He loves me just as I am and wants to use me just as I am. His plans for me are so much bigger than the ones I have for myself and I can't put him in a box.

I made a promise for this year that this is the year I'm getting serious about the Lord. Serious about him being in every aspect of my life. Serious about depending on him more than ever before, despite what I feel or the circumstances that present themselves to me. 

In Job 42:5 it says, "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you."

The Lord is taking me to the next level in our relationship, but that means I have to go to the next level in my devotion. To see his face, I must seek it. Above all else, I have to continue to establish time and intimacy with him because that is the only thing that keeps me grounded and secure.

I don't know what the year holds or what the future brings, but I know who holds this year and who brings the future. I will hold fast to his promise and his word. I know he will never leave me, nor forsake me.

"God is good and will only ever do good." -Steve Penny 

Every day I'm here, God confirms more and more that he wants me here and things get better and better. The Lord has only GOOD things planned for me and I am open to whatever he wants to do. To him be ALL the honor and glory and praise and worship.

"Take the world, but give me Jesus."

xx

L

First Day at Hillsong

HERE WE GOOOOO! 

Gosh, what a whirlwind! God is so good. And he truly has been with me every step of the way.

So, I arrived around 9:30 am today and took a shuttle to the church. It already feels like home. I got my arrangements for housing and met a ton of new people. Everyone is so inviting and friendly!

One of the best parts was seeing my friend, Sarah Combs, who is also from Tennessee. She is an amazing friend and has been a total Godsend helping me with everything. She took me to the closest shopping center where we got food and I got a phone. It's a step back from an iPhone, but I think I'll manage. Not trying to be too picky here.

After that, I was taken to my house and there wasn't a housemate in site! All the rooms were filled except for a bed in one, so I assumed that one was mine. I unloaded my monstrosity of clothes and the like and then got a good shower. I felt completely gross and that shower was amazing!

The weather here is completely gorgeous! It's summer of course. There'll be a time of day where it gets pretty hot, but then in early morning and as it gets towards night it cools down to the most wonderful windy weather. I love it! 

After getting settled for a few hours, one of my roommates arrived with her friend. They're both gorgeous and Australian so it was so amazing to connect with them. They took me to coffee at Gloria Jeans where I got a Long White (is that right Stephen Rohrer?). SO GOOD.

So now, I'm waiting to meet all the rest of my wonderful housemates. I think only one other is American. The rest are Australian, Canadian, and British. What a blessing!!

I wanna cry right now. Out of some serious joy. Because I've been prepared for this. I've been gearing up for this and I'm taking it all in. God is making my dreams come alive before my eyes. I have such peace about being here and I feel at home even in the first day. 

I'm so completely excited for what lies ahead. I'm letting God write my story and I couldn't be more thrilled and humbled.

The sun hasn't even set yet and it's almost 7pm. Oh Australia, could you be more lovely?

xx

L

Detours

Being on the adventure of a lifetime doesn't always go as planned. We make out this map and we wanna stick to it and be all grown up, but we forget that God is the one who directs our steps.


Proverbs 20:24
New International Version (NIV)

 ²⁴ A person’s steps are directed by the LORD.
   How then can anyone understand their own way?


I'm on my way to Sydney, and I feel like my course has been redirected a thousand times. Therefore, it's like my emotions have been redirected a thousand times. Worried, anxious, confused, settled, content, confused, worried, anxious, settled, content, and on and on it goes.


Okay, it's not quite that dramatic. But anyways, I feel like in all of this, the Lord just wants to show me that no matter where the waves and wind toss me, He is the anchor of everything and he's actually steering this ship exactly where he wants it go. I always like to say he is constantly working behind the scenes, and he's definitely doing that in my situation.


These days are a whirlwind, but I'm overwhelmed at how constant his presence and reassurance and hand are just right here. He's brought me such peace and joy through all of this. I haven't even had a meltdown! HaHa!


Out of the other 7 billion people on this earth, he chose me for this adventure. And he'd planned this since the day I was born. Sometimes I can't believe this! It's incredible. I'm so grateful and in such adoration for my savior. He not only saved me from the depths of Hell, but also wants to give me heaven on earth?! An abundant life, yes!


And it's the same for you! No matter where the Lord is taking you in this new 2012 season, he wants to give you an abundant life. He made us for abundant lives (i.e. the Garden of Eden)! If you don't quite understand where you're going and your detour seems completely out of place, maybe you're exactly where he wants you to be.


Just trust.