What a Year!

The 7th of May marked a year that our family has been in Australia.  Throughout this journey, long before our arrival here, God has directed our path in unexpected and sometimes surprising ways.  We put our faith in Him then, choosing to trust in his steadfastness, content in where he leads, and striving to become who He's created us to be wherever we are.

It's been a remarkable year, full of highs and lows just as each year is.  Through it all, we've been blessed.  Thank you to those of you who have prayed for us, encouraged us, and walked along side us during this past year.  You are a treasure to our family.

Here's some of the highlights...

meeting new friends, and reacquainting with former ones...

Darian checks out the medical system...

(thank you for the prayers and emails!)

Trying new things...

Blessed by new schools and new friends there...

A first connection w/ the Cancer Council at Relay for Life... 

Exploring our community...

Special visitors...

Enjoying time together...

And much more...
(but I think I should stop somewhere!)

Thankful Thursday - flowing water

Sounds silly, I know.  But these 'thankfuls' are for the little things, or maybe the overlooked things... and they're for me, and I do like a bit of silly now and again.  :-)

Last week, we had busy day of meetings and events.  Brenna was invited to go shopping with a friend in Sydney.  :-)  Good fun!  One meeting took us a bit more north than we normally venture.  And, since it gave me some free time, I went exploring and rediscovered some streams and waterfalls.

I love the sound of flowing water.  The way it moves, trickles and rushes is peaceful and calming to me.  I could sit and listen to the sounds for hours. 

I'm thankful that God created not only beautiful sights, but also some wonderful sounds.  Sounds of creation that bring peace and joy. 

a slow trickle...

a fiercer rush

Me and my exploring buddy for the day. :-)

Wish I had sound to go w/ the pics... but that just didn't happen.  :-) 

Thankful Thursday

In the rollercoaster that is life, the ups and downs are more tolerable when shared with friends.  When we moved to the other side of the globe, I wondered how that journey would change, would I be taking those ups and downs alone, or isolated? 

I am thankful beyond words, and amzingly blessed, to discover that although I may be far away, I'm still surrounded and supported by friends.  There are still many hand offered to celebrate the good with us, or hold our hands through the difficult.  God is good.

Thanks to all the friends who shared in the excitement with us when Brenna was elected female School President for next school year!  Yes, I am extremely proud of her!  And thankful that she can see so many other excited for her achievement as well.

Thanks!

Overflowing....

The past year has been a time of waiting. But more importantly, it has been a time of growing. God in his infinite wisdom placed us in a loving community of fellow believers who would encourage, listen, teach and direct us in reflecting Jesus and his love in our lives. The year we spent among the Skyline family has helped me to grow in so many ways. And for that I am thankful. Deeply thankful.

Some special friends, Jeff and Ashley, who were a great help and comfort to me.

Some of the folks at our send-off party. Thanks for your support!

Love, kind words, and hugs after the elders' prayer for us on our last Sunday.

Gathering outside the host home just after putting suitcases in the car.

(i didn't have to carry one outside! wow!)

Getting in some last minute love and hugs from our loving Skyline family.

Our cups were filled and overflowing.



~~~~~~~~~~

God has blessed us with amazing support and love. I am humbled by his provisions. God is good.

a moment

this morning i woke up a little sad and discouraged. I knew it was going to be a rough day ahead. So, during a little chat w/ God, i told him that i was gunna need some love today. As i prayed, my thought was a little child sitting w/ me during our preschool chapel.

well, i continued to get ready for my day without much thought of my silly request. Before i even reached the door to leave, i had a little blessing.

as we were getting the twos ready for chapel (it's very low-key), we had several children come in. I ended up w/ two boys who needed some snuggles. And by the time i started to sit down (on the floor), there was a sweet little girl wanting my lap.

I knew i needed one snuggle to get through the day... God sent me three.
Thanks, God.

may you see God in your lives today.

peace...

My teammates leave in less than a month. That's such exciting news. God works and has blessed them to depart in January. What a glorious event! truly.

My last post i was sad to be left behind. Honestly, i was frustrated, heartbroken, and resentful as well. Sure, i wished them well, but it should be me too, shouldn't it?

And then i realized that my actions, my comments were saying that i would willingly follow God (didn't i too say, "here am i, send me" ??), BUT only if it were according to my conditions and expectations.

How absurd! If i am truly going to let God lead me, then i need to follow Him. Not just where i think i should go, but which ever direction He goes.

It's definitely not the easiest thing i've done, more likely one of the hardest. But i am now at peace with that, with letting God lead and being (or trying to be) content following.

for God to be in control of my life, i have to totally and completely let go.
even if that means i may not head the direction i planned.

Rejuvinating Weekend!

This weekend the Aussie Team got to be together for the first time in several months! After months filled with discouraging news and disheartening wait, having the team together refocused and re-energized my spirit and reminded me how much i love these people and want to serve God along side them.

We were blessed in so many ways over the weekend.

Corey and Emily loving on Ella, our newest team member. Don't they look great with a baby!

The guys talkin' strategy. You can't really see it, but Corey is diagramming something on a notebook he's holding in his hand.


Time with our Kairos church planting coach, Amos Allen, and his wonderful wife Anne. Thanks so much for coming down to see us!

Gathering to sing a bedtime lullaby, "Jesus Loves Me", to Ella. Jerry and Cindy Southern, Jason's aunt and uncle, and their liason from Round Rock, blessed us with their presence this weekend as well! So glad you were here!

Enjoying a lunch and wonderful fellowship with our team and some of our Skyline family.

Shawn presenting at Skyline's Interactive Prayer for Missions evening. It was such a joy for me to have our whole team at this event.

Overlooking a small section of the auditorium after the closing prayer. There was an amazing group of people there. What a wonderful event.

Chocolate Pizza!

Thanks to everyone who helped in anyway this weekend! I hope you know who you are and how appreciated you are! My heart is touched by the love, support, and giving spirit that was displayed in making this weekend wonderful!

a bit of fall...

some shots from our day at Chickasaw State Park...