So, over the past few days I have been busy cleaning the house for our real-estate inspection (which is today)... Most of the girlies are on holiday - so, for the most part I did the majority of the cleaning... which is totally fine for me... I love to clean...

But - while I was cleaning, I found myself dreaming about a place of my own...
I am so thankful for all of the furniture that we have been given, and I completely understand that I am a poor college student with no job, living in college housing with 6 other college students (who also happen to be poor as well!) But I really want a place of my own...

I am an artistic person who is always dreaming and scheming up plans for my dream home... I may be a dork - but I have a journal full of pictures, floor plans, and ideas... Blame it on my talented and creative mother...

I want to be able to see all of those ideas that are jumbled in my head (or on a piece of paper) come to life...

I don't have words that can describe how amazing the past few weeks have been...
All I can really say is God is SO good!

Last week (July 7-11) was Hillsong Conference located at the Acer Arena... 20,000 believers from all over the globe together under one roof worshiping, learning, growing, and meeting with God...


In the video below you can see part of the conference opening celebration... think the opening ceremony of the Olympics... I had the great privilege to work alongside the creators of the opener... I spent many hours in rehearsals and run-throughs... just take a look... it about sums up the whole week...


How I WISH you all could've been there... I would try to explain it to you... but, again... No words...

This may not make any sense... my head has a lot of stuff rattling around up there... but I felt like I needed to share this!

Today I heard a wonderful quote from an incredible man of God...

"We need to live in the present - not the past. Because by living in this day that has never happened, gives us the opportunity to do things that have never been done."

I’m not sure why - but I got really fired up… The past is there to reflect upon and learn from… The future is there to dream about - but we are not living in it yet! We are given today!
AND we shouldn’t be wasting the days we do have! We are not called to just float by in life… we are here with a mission...

We are called… called to be a generation that rises up. A generation that isn’t afraid or ashamed of the gospel. A generation that is going to change the way the world sees the church of Jesus Christ. This generation is not one to be trifled with. We are an unstoppable force… a monsoon of love and justice with a passion to see the masses reeducated about who God is, what true love, mercy and forgiveness is…. and what it means to be a devout follower and disciple of Christ.

Oh, how I need this… Why is vacation so stressful, and NOT relaxing? Ok, don’t get me wrong, I really, truly enjoyed my time in the Blue Mountains (pictures to come!), it was wonderful to get out of the Hills districts and see what Oz has to offer… but still, I came away from break feeling more stressed out & anxious than I did when it began!

I do love being able to travel. I love living out of a suitcase… it took me 3 months to finally unpack my bags here, because I love the feeling of being able to jet off to any part of the world in an instant… I think these past 5 months have been the longest I haven’t traveled via airplane… But once I have settled into a routine, it’s hard to leave it!

Anyways! I feel at home here now… I am surrounded by amazing people, I have the privilege of attending and working at one of the most influential and well-know churches in the world… So, what’s my deal? Why can’t I relax and rest?

Is it because I am still struggling with surrendering my life? I look at it this way:

I’m a puzzle. A big, 1000 piece puzzle that is strewn all over the floor… My Creator is putting me together piece by piece, but I as the puzzle, thinks that I’m able to complete myself without the help of the Puzzlemaker! I’m the little pieces that are hiding under the sofa, and behind the floorlamp, trying to survive all on my own…

Oh, dear... Well, when it comes 'Vila' I am working on that. I'm gonna try to take a breather & enjoy my week.
And trust? That is between God & I... and we are getting there!
Xoxo

Over this past weekend I have been really melancholy, and depressed all because of a stupid thing called:
I am currently living half-way across the world from the security and love that family and friends provide. I am so thankful for this experience, and I know that I am here for a reason, but it is so difficult to give all control over to God, and to trust him with everything… everything!

I know that my being in Oz is the first step of many that God has in store for me - but nevertheless, it is so hard being so vulnerable.


I’m still trying to figure this out… because for SOME reason, I still think I know what I want and what I need more than the Creator of the Universe! Which is bull by the way…

Anyways, my being here in Australia is am amazing opportunity but definitely God’s choice to make sure that I rely on him over anything, or anyone else.

In the car on my way to my performance this morning, I knew that there was something missing. That despair that I was feeling all weekend was not from Christ . So, right then, I was led to this lovely verse:

The entire time that I was worrying about how I was going to make ends meet, or how I was going to get a job etc. God was not a part of it. I was focusing more on me, myself, and I. Pathetic right?

God is good. God is great. God will never, EVER fail us.

I am still weak, and vulnerable, but I serve an awesome, loving, and capable God who has me in his hands.

I am so sorry that I have been so bad at updating you with pictures and stories... I promise that they will be coming in abundance... But please be patient with me!
Here are a few images of the past month or so... Something to keep you coming back for more!