A month of change

So much has happened in the last thirty days! I apologize for not blogging more, but the upheaval has not been conducive to establishing any kind of schedule for writing-something I hope to change, now that I'm largely settled in. I can't believe I have been here for a whole month already! Time has flown-like I knew it would.

If you've been on my Facebook page, you've seen the photo uploads I've been dumping there-again, sorry things aren't labeled-same excuse. No more excuses! Here's a description of things so far-starting with the physical environment:

Australia that I have seen looks a lot like home-well, not MY home, but someone's--probably in L.A. or San Diego. Actually, my neighborhood looks a LOT like the neighborhood I've just left in Rancho Santa Margarita, where my friend Christine lives. The climate is temperate-almost daily rain, but loads of sunshine, too-with temperatures in the 60s, for the most part. I love it, but if this is winter-the dead of winter-I'm sort of dreading what summer will bring. Maybe it will be an UNSEASONABLY COOL summer?? Please, Lord? The houses in this suburb are large with somewhat Spanish hacienda-style influenced exteriors, creme stucco walls and terracotta roof tiles, and all kinds of tropical palms and huge ferns, Bird-of-Paradise plants bigger than my car (which I miss desperately!), and roses still straggling out winter blooms. The streets are wide and comfortable, and everyone seems to drive at maniacal speeds. Crossing the main road (Norwest Blvd) from my neighborhood to church/school is like playing a daily dose of Frogger-only it's much more fun on the computer than in real life!

Sydney is lovely-kind of like New York meets San Diego meets the Outer Banks, with a gorgeous Harbour thrown in, and about a third of the people that are walking the streets of NYC. Everything is ridiculously expensive, but SO much fun. I know why I'm at the Hills campus and not City-I'd run out of my savings in about a week, with all the great stuff to see & do. :( The Hills area is about 35 km northwest of the CBD (Central Business District) of Sydney-so just a little closer than Leesburg is to DC-like, maybe Reston to DC? There's lots of shopping, suburbia-style, but not much culture going on, as far as I can tell. Unless you are at Hillsong, or live in my HOUSE. There's culture out the wazoo around here...

A little snapshot of my roommates for you, starting with a non-roommate, who's pretty significant.

Tiph-is a second year pastoral studies student from Brisbane, in Queensland. She no longer lives in my house, because she gave her room up for me to live in. Literally, the Lord said go, find this American woman here, gave her directions, and she contacted me. It's the most expensive room in the house, but it's still cheaper than any college housing would've been, AND I get my own bedroom and bathroom. Pretty sweet deal-thank you, Jesus-and Tiph. She's built my faith in a way I hadn't known it needed building, especially after this last year. The first thing she said to me when I met her and thanked her for the room was, "Well, God says jump, and you say how high, right?" Wow...just, wow.

Sara is the "other" American in the house-from Buffalo, NY. She's 21, did two years of pastoral studies, and now has a lovely Aussie boyfriend (he works in a bakery and brings us treats), and a job at a local restaurant waiting tables. She plays the cello (I love it when she practices), has the same musical taste as me, loves her youth group girls that she leads, and has a new car (well, old/new) that was an anniversary gift from the boyfriend. She is immensely generous about sharing the car by running errands for us, and she's a total foodie. I love her. :) She's also got a nutty sense of humor and a funnnnky sense of style.

Jillayna is Canadian, and the next one closest from home-she's from Ontario. She studies worship leadership, and has just decided to finish her second year in December and go home after that. She's hilarious and sweet as can be, and resembles a lovable Barbie doll. Jillayna loves to work with kids, and she wants to do something with kids worship and curriculum writing.

Felicia is the other Canadian-from Winnipeg, Manitoba--just north of where hell freezes over in Minnesota, or something. (Brr!) Felicia has one more semester after this to finish her bachelor degree in Contemporary Ministry (apparently it was Theology when she started, and they switched it on her in the middle of the program. She is NOT happy about this.) Felicia is one of those wonderful people who knows how everything is run, and who gets called upon to do everything no one else either can do or wants to do because she does it right. She's also pretty feisty, and won't hesitate to tell you what's on her mind. She's smart and funny, and loves British comedy. I think she's a trip.

Elisabet is the Norwegian of the house. She did worship studies last year, and is doing pastoral studies this year. She's also a sweetie, fairly strongly opinioned (I think it's a Norwegian trait), and I don't see a lot of her. I like her, though-as I do all the girls.

Christine is the last of the housemates-for now. She just moved in last week, and she is Sri Lankan by race, and Swedish by nationality. She's a third year worship leadership student, and very sweet and fun. She loves fashion and wants to open her own design shop when she goes back to Sweden. I'm hoping that she'll cook a bit of Sri Lankan food for me before she goes!

My room in the house is the largest-the bed is a fairly uncomfortable twin, but there is a huge window, and hardwood floors and a huge closet with mirrored doors. I have a small bookshelf beside my bed, and a larger one against the wall. I bought a cheap/small Ikea-style desk, lamp and chair, and a wonderful red velvet corduroy lounge chair off the local version of Craigslist, and an art print from a Sydney gallery that completes the look. :) Very fun. I wish the bed was comfier, though-but it was free, and we all have our crosses to bear. :) Oh-I also bought an adorable knit covered water bottle that keeps me cosy warm at night. WHY do we not do water bottles at home? I am SO taking it home with me...

Speaking of the hot water bottle...I have resolved to get to bed at a decent hour this week, so I'm off. To be continued in the morning...

Traveling-Cliff's Notes update

Sorry about the non-posting. I get overwhelmed if I let it go too long, so here's the Cliff's Notes version, just to catch everyone up to speed. More detail forthcoming, I promise!

June 18--last day of school. Stayed at school to finish grades & packing till 8:30 pm.

June 19--packed and jammed my car till &:30 pm; drove home from Virginia for the last time. Arrived 2:30 am.

June 21--Bon Voyage party at mom & dad's with some amazing friends and family.

June 27--Cleveland to Chicago-delayed 2 hours due to lightning storm. Chicago to LA.

June 27-30--three wonderful days with a wonderful high school friend and her family, and a surprise visit with the Feldmans. I love Germans and South Africans. :D

June 30--LAX to Auckland, NZ--had to repack and rearrange my luggage because it was too heavy. Checked an extra bag and didn't get charged for it-praise Jesus!

July 2--Land in Auckland for a four hour layover; love this place-at least from the air-it's SO gorgeous, and apparently Auckland is on the "ugly" island! Sat next to a guy on the flight who was 6'5"-got an extra seat between us to stretch out in. Hooray for Qantas! Had my first "flat white" at the coffee shop. Yum.

July 2--Auckland to Melbourne--again, with an extra seat between. Alice in Wonderland on the flight and some turbulence in the air. Melbourne airport is nice-the Aussies are lovely. Walked right through customs without any difficulty at all. Had my first Gloria Jean's...I'm going to like it here!

July 2--Melbourne to Sydney. Sat next to the nicest lady from Melbourne who chatted the entire 50 minute flight. She offered to take me around if I come to visit Melbourne. Woohoo for locals!

Diane and her husband picked me up from the airport with no difficulty at all. I was SO tired-and felt SO grungy after all that time with no bath. Slept like a baby after a shower.

July 3--went to a friend's birthday party with Diane-so nice to meet some local people. Had an amazing steak dinner for $10 at the Bull and Bush (that's really the name, not kidding).

July 4--took the Parramatta catamaran to Darling Harbour and had my first views of the Harbour bridge and the Opera House. After lunch at the Rocks and a stroll through the Sunday markets, came back and moved into my new place and met the other girls. Diane was SUCH a blessing-took me grocery shopping before dropping me at the house.

July 5-9--HILLSONG CONFERENCE. Incredible. Amazing. SO glad to be here, so SO glad I came to the conference to start m time here. People are lovely, God is good. The rest of that for another post.

July 10-18--a week OFF. Church four times last weekend. Twice this weekend. The Harbour/Opera House and the Featherdale Zoo during the week. Lots of sleep. A bit of shopping.

July 19--ready to start school!! Here we go...

Counting down

Ohio on Saturday...California the following Sunday...Sydney TWO WEEKS from tomorrow! The time has just flown. It seems like just yesterday it was a year ago and I was thinking about Australia. I still have to pinch myself to see if it's a reality...but it is!

The last few weeks I have been so blessed by my friends in Virginia. It has been a blur of sending-offs, parties, tea luncheons, and one-on-one dinners. (This won't surprise those who know me well, but) I won't much miss Northern Virginia, but I will miss my friends! Thank God for Facebook...

This week is just nuts-trying to fit in all the "last times" with friends and coworkers, finishing my grades, packing up my classroom, packing up my clothes and books, dissecting squid. That's right-squid. I always save them for the last week of school-the kids LOVE it, and it creates a great memory-albeit a horrifying smell. It's satisfyingly disgusting for seventh graders. :)

A few goodbyes I just can't say. I think it's hardest to leave the folks I know are going to grow and change the most. These are bittersweet days-this is going to be an amazing ride, but tinged with sadness, too. Life will go on, in Virginia, Ohio, and Sydney...as it should. But things will never be the same. As they shouldn't.

It's really happening!

Dearest Friends,

I can't believe I'm doing this, but I'm really going to Australia! This year has been amazing-just the highlights for now-

I've been granted free housing this year-which has been an amazing blessing that has allowed me to save for my tuition, pay for unexpected car repairs, pay for a RIDICULOUSLY long illness, and take a few short trips home through the year.

My dear, sweet, wonderful friend has blessed me with a free ticket to Sydney-one way (yikes!).

I've been connected with several wonderful Aussies and friends who've visited and/or lived in Oz. They assure me I will love Sydney!

I've got the wholehearted, albeit somewhat tearful, support of my entire family as I head out.

I've had so many confirmations along the way on this journey, I can hardly express how incredibly affirming it has been...

God is SO good, and SO faithful!

Along the way, a few people have asked if they can help contribute to covering the costs of my studies for ministry at Hillsong. I have had such a hard time considering this-I loathe the idea of soliciting money. However, I'm humbled by the support of my friends, and the work I will be doing is for a greater cause than just myself.

Since I will be going as a student, and unemployed for an indefinite period, it would be a tremendous blessing to me if you would consider a contribution. (The cost of studying at Hillsong will be not less than $30-40 000 for the two years I'm there.) I have been saving for a year, and hope to find employment as soon as possible, but the expenses are still pretty high. Please message me if you are interested in helping me cover my expenses .

It's not been easy for me to come to a place where I can ask this, and if you don't care to contribute,*please* don't feel pressured! I've prayerfully considered this request, and appreciate all your prayers as I go.

It's getting late, and I'm still packing, so...

Love to you all-this has been, and promises to continue to be a great adventure! <3 <3 <3

My Trip To Australia, Part One

So for those of you who are interested (and of course you are, or why would you be reading this?), I'm posting the following blog post from last summer for context to my decision to go to Australia. Keep in mind, this was written a year ago, but it's fascinating (to me) to see how long this has been coming and how far it's come…

 

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Justice and Worship

When I was about eleven years old, for a church girls program, I was required to find the story of a missionary and do a book report on him/her. I chose to read about Mark and Huldah Buntain, and their Mission of Mercy in Calcutta. Not to sound trite, but my life was changed forever by this story. The biographer presented such a vivid picture of the absolute despair of the lost in the Third World, I think I spent the entire book in tears. In my little Midwestern farm community, there was nothing that even came close to this. I don't recall how or to whom I expressed my feelings, but I think (though I don't quite remember) that I was essentially patted on the head and we went on with our lessons and Bible memory verses.

Several years later, when I was about 16, I found myself at a missions conference at my church with a broken heart for the nations of the world...not unusual, I suppose, for a church kid-but unlike the missionaries who were planting churches and preaching the Gospel, I knew that somehow I had a different calling to be involved in missions. I knew I wasn't a preacher, and Heaven forbid I would be a teacher...(ha.) With no strong direction, my understanding of how to be involved in missions faltered, and I put it on the shelf. With a heart for worship and a love of music, I went to college as a music major. When faced with the reality of my choices there (concert pianist-not enough talent, sacred music-not interested in church music leadership, music education-forget it), I checked out after two years, and took some "time off" to figure things out.

When I was about 26, I first was introduced to YWAM and their Mercy Ships ministry, and I thought, "Aha! Here's a practical way that I can become involved in missions, at last!" I went back to college as a premed, and was determined to serve as a medical missionary and give people tangible love and a true introduction to Who Jesus is, and His love. I was quite motivated and excited about the possibility of finally doing real missions work, and I loved medicine and the prospect of a medical career.

Do you know how easy it is to get distracted from your goals by impossibilities? Well, I do. And the long and short of it is that I got distracted by how impossible it would be for me to go to medical school-at my age, with my grades, thinking of all the time away from my family, thinking of all the loans, etc, etc...Bit by bit, the dream was snatched away, and with it, the opportunity was lost. Oh, I suppose not lost entirely, but lost enough that the trade-off for the dream now comes at too great a price, mainly to my family and finances. I've consciously decided to lay down the medical dreams, and to find other ways to work out my passions-and though it has been extremely painful to do so, I believe it is truly for the best.

So here I find myself-three states away from home (since there's essentially no life for me there, to speak of), teaching a subject I care little about to rather spoiled children at a school in a wealthy community where I can (even on a strong salary) barely afford to live, in a metropolitan area known for its ambitious and materialistic population, and wondering what to DO with myself. I know I am called to a great purpose-a global purpose- and I know that my heart is for the nations of the world to experience Jesus and to understand the joy that comes with true worship, but what on earth does that look like? I've always felt torn between my love of worship and my desire for the nations, and haven't understood how to reconcile those two areas of my life. Until now.

(Allow me to interject here: as I'm writing this, I am overwhelmed by how much more there is that I'm NOT writing down that contributes to my life and worldview. My only hope is that without too much more detail, this will still attain some level of coherent thought. If not, oh well-at least I'm getting it out of my system.)

I have been thinking about attending the annual HillSong Conference in Sydney, Australia for about eight years, I think, off and on-maybe even longer. I'm so intimidated by the cost of travel TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PLANET, that it hasn't ever actually happened-yet. My desire has always been rooted in the love of worship, and inspired by the dynamic praise that flows out of this massive church (of 20,000 +), and the incredible leadership they exhibit. This year is different.

It all started on MySpace, actually. I happened to be googling the conference, and I found a link to the HillSong United Youth Band's MySpace page. Here they present the impetus for their latest project, The I Heart Revolution. What begins as a worship album recorded around the world, continues as a feature film chronicling the global situation experienced by the band as they toured recording the album. A snippet from Joel Houston's blog:

"It (the movie) takes off exactly where part one left off.. We have literally hundreds + hundreds of hours of footage.. We've documented the entire journey, and we're putting it together in a way that captures what we've been so blessed to experience; The passion, the hunger and the urgency of a generation across the earth desperate to live the life God designed for them... We've talked to the people.. We've documented some of the best and worst the world has to offer and have told the story in a way that inspires, but also challenges us all to live the worship life that goes beyond just the confession of our lips, but would direct us toward action - Reaching out to the lost and the broken.. Helping the poor and oppressed.. Pursuing justice and fairness for all people.."

And finally, the third part of this project, the movement. This is where the project takes a wild leap away from the usual artistic social awareness campaign, and gets personal, which I LOVE. Set to launch later this year, iheart//the movement is meant to be a global online collaboration to help alleviate injustice in the world, and to truly be what Christ has called the church to; that is, to be LOVE.

If you'd like to read more about the leadership's heart for this revolution, you can find more from Joel Houston here. There's my plug, now here's where it gets personal again.

My head has been spinning for about two, maybe three months as I have attempted to assimilate the iHeart with my own heart. This resonates so deeply within me, I don't think I can effectively describe what has been going on in my head and in my heart. I can only present what I am beginning to understand as an outworking of my calling in Christ.

You see, in addition to the iHeart project, HillSong has centered this year's conference (which has been playing this week on Godtv) about the theme of justice. Last evening, they broadcast Mike Pilavachi speaking of the inseparable connection between worship, evangelism and justice. Today, I was listening to Joel speak what is clearly HIS passion for the church to get involved in social justice as worship. I love this man's heart and passion-here's the relatively young, incredibly gifted and creative leader of what is arguably the most recognized youth worship band in the entire world, and he is using his position, not as a platform to promote himself or any agenda or pet project of his own, but solely to further the cause of Christ-that is, love of the Father and love for our brothers. It's commendable on a level I don't even think I can express.

What I love about this movement the most I think, is that the church (at least in some parts of the world) has picked up on the understanding they are presenting; that in order for the church to be Christ in the world, we have to care about what's happening in the lives of the people in the world. HillSong has put its entire support network behind this revelation and the teaching is fantastic. While I do realize that my excitement about this may be largely due to the fact that this is my passion as well, I truly believe that it is the calling of Christ to the Church right now, for such a time as this.

I loved Mike's teaching this week, and I actually received a book he's written on the subject of worship, evangelism and justice in the mail a few days ago. Th gist of the message is this: worship comes out of an expression of love-when you love someone, you tell him. Evangelism is the language of worship-no one makes you talk about your beloved to everyone in sight, it naturally flows out of your love. Worship without evangelism is self-indulgence (ouch), and evangelism without worship is legalism. However, Amos chapter 5 says essentially that, if you worship God without considering the poor, the oppressed and the broken, He will essentially plug his ears and not hear you. In other words, it's not enough to say you love Him, and tell the world how amazing He is...you must put actions to your love, and show His love to the world by caring for them, just as He does. This, then, is true worship.

So after meandering all over this post, what exactly is my point? Well, it's this: the Lord has called me to worship. He has given me a heart for the nations. He has called me to service. He has put eternity in my heart. To whatever end, He has given me skill to teach and a love of languages and the ability to communicate joy in song. He has given me a heart for the oppressed and the broken, and he has given me the intelligence and creativity to find ways to share His love in tangible ways with those who are hurting. He has given me the ability to encourage the hearts of His people, and to encourage the hearts of those He calls to Himself.

I have finally found a voice for the calling God birthed in my heart 25 years ago. Now is the time move out of the impossibilities and do something about it. It doesn't matter if I'm a doctor or a musician or a teacher-or all three of these. What matters is that it is time to take action, and show Jesus to the world in a language they understand. It's time to speak in the language of LOVE.

I heart.

 

The news from the last year or so...

I'm moving to Australia. God only knows why, but it's under the guise of studying music at Hillsong. It will be interesting to see what happens while I'm there. I have received nearly unbridled support (exception: Gramma Little, who does not get why anyone would want to move to the other side of the planet), and several people think I'll (finally :P) get married there. Who knows? I really need to write more about this move, but I'm a bit overwhelmed by the whole thing at the moment. Like, first I have to find a place to live, which involves telling my landlord that I'm going, AND finding a place.