Back in Sydney

Here are some pictures since I have been back in Syndey

First off, a little story to go with the pictures. Jen, who I met on the Contiki tour, and myself got a job working at a motorbike show over the weekend. We worked selling a product that waterproofs leather. It was so boring, but it was work, so we put up with it. On the Saturday we were told that we could go for free Harley rides. Why not!? So, on our break, we went out and got to ride around Olympic Park. The show was held at the Olympic Park which was cool in itself because we got to walk around the venues that held the 2000 Summer Olympics. The Harley ride was awesome!

We decided on Friday that we would head downtown Sydney to see if we could watch the Australian Idol Finale that was going on on the steps of the Sydney Opera House. Tonight we got down there and there was no way that we would be able to see anything because it was all gated off and you needed a ticket to get in. We were kind of bumbed out, but it was all good. At that point a man walked up to us and handed us two extra tickets that he happened to have. So, in we went! We kind of felt silly since we had no idea who any of the contestants were. Needless to say, it ended up being a great show! It rained off and on, but it was bearable.

My favorite moment was when the top 12 contestants along with a choir and full orchestra, sang Viva la Vida by Coldplay. This being one of my favorite songs, I was pretty excited. On top of that, when it got near the end of the song, loads of fireworks went off behind the Opera House. It was a beautiful moment between the fireworks, singing, orchestra, and of course, a great Coldplay song.

It was a great night and here are a few pictures from the night,

Job Update

Okay, so when I went for my interview, it was actually an open interview and there were many people there. Most of them immigrants not speaking much english, then I chuckled to myself and realized that I am too an immigrant, at least shortterm. The HR Rep told us all what they were looking for and based on that alone, half the room cleared out of people. Next, she told us what she was looking for. I didn't quite fit the requirements, but I talked to her anyways. She got my to fill out an application and she looked over my resume. She loved my resume and told me that if the interviews that she had today didn't work out, she would call me as early as tomorrow to arrange something.

So, I don't feel defeated and continue to pray that she will give me a call and that a job will come through here.

One job that I really wanted didn't work out only because I don't have the right visa, otherwise he said that he probably would have hired me! Oh well... I continue to pray that God will provide and I trust He will.

Cheers

Prayer/Address

So.. I have a job interview tomorrow and I would love it if you could prayer for me! I really need a job here and am trusting God to provide for me.

Some of you have asked for my address while I am here so here it is. I will be at this address until late January.

369/8 Lachlan Street
Waterloo, NSW 2017
Australia

Will update more later!

Pictures...

Here are just a few pictures thus far... I only have time to upload so many!


Sunset while sailing through the Whitsundays
Lake Mackenzie
Kangaroos at the Steve Irwin Zoo
Ayers Rock
The Twelve Apostles on Great Ocean Road, Melbourne

Update

Wow... what a ride the last few days have been.

Since coming back to Sydney life has been a whirlwind once again.

I have learned more about God and grown closer to Him in the last week that I have since being in Africa. The reality of me being away from home for a year hit me really hard, on top of the fact that there were only bad news coming from back home. Needless to say the first few days here were filled with my tears and prayers.

One thing that has hit me is that even though I have friends down here, ut is down to me and God. Him and I. This is more comforting that I ever thought it could be. I have been so blessed to have Kira open up her home to me for a few weeks and this is just one of the ways God is providing for me.

As some of you know, the original job that I came here for, fell through. I haven't heard from my workplace so I kind of gave up on that idea. I feel that God is calling me to stay in Sydney. I have friends here and a solid church family. I am falling in love more and more with this city and it feels so right to be here. So, I have started job hunting here and as of today, I also found a place to live at least until February. I will still look for a place to carry me after that, but for now, it will do. I am rooming with 3 girls from Hillsong which will be a great foundation for me to continue to grow. I am so blessed.

For now, its back to job hunting. I don't like the process and find it exhausting and frustrating, but I know that God will provide a job for me. Everything will work out, because God called me here for a purpose that I do not know, but look forward to learning, even if I don't find out what it is until I return to Vancouver.

Well... I'm off to the young adult service here at Hillsong. Life is good.

Sydney

Well.. the holidays are over and I am not back in Sydney. I am staying at Kiras house until I get my work stuff sorted. Hopefully I will be working by the end of the week. Its pouring rain and it is kind of a comfort from home.

Yesterday I had to say goodbye to Kim and it was tougher than I thought it was going to be. She is my best friend and I love her to pieces. It will be hard to be away from her for a year, but I know that they year will fly by and soon enough I will get to see her again.

I tried uploading some pictures on to here, but it doesnt seem to want to work. For those of you who have me on facebook, I posted them there. I will try again on my blog when I have some time.

Now I'm off to run some errands. Hope all is well!

Post #200 from Cairns

Wow...

Yesterday we got to go snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef. The trip there was rough and left me at the back of the boat leaning over the railings, but in the end, it was all worth it and I would do it again.

I did a snorkel tour and got to see many colourful fish, including Nemo, a 80 year old clam that was the size of a small car, and the highlight was playing with the sea turtles. They were hanging out with the scuba divers, but they came up for air and I got to feed them and play with them. It was awesome!

Today is the last day of our tour which is hard to believe because I felt like we just met them all. We became a small family and its hard to see all of us go our separate ways. One is on her way back home to South Africa while another guy is on a plane back to Afghanistan to fight for our country.

Thats all for now. Kim and I are just hanging out for the next few days then I will head back to Sydney.

Cheers.

Blessed

Where to begin! Warning.... this might be a long post since it has been a few days and I have done and seen so much!

Okay.. so after the farm we headed to Airlie Beach (which is beautiful fyi) and boarded the Condor, the ship that we would be sailing on for the next few days. We rushed to get everything sorted and were out of the harbour before we new what bunk we were going to sleep on.

We cruised a long for a little while then we hoisted the sails. What a rush! We sailed into the sunset and it left me breathless and in awe of God and how amazing He is. We anchored for the night and then the heavens opened up and it poured rain! This made us all head to bed by 9:30.

We were up the next morning around 5:30 and were sailing soon after 7:00. (Yes Mom, I really get up early over here!) The winds were strong and brought us into a harbour around 11:00am. This was the awesome part. We took the smalled motor boat to shore and walked up to the view point where we overlooked Whitehaven beach. The beach feels like you are walking on baking flour as it is so fine. Bliss. We got to hang out at the beach for a few hours. There were some shallow areas and we got to swim with the reef sharks and the sting rays! It was awesome!!!

From there we headed back to the boat when it decided to downpour again. I was on the second boat which meant I was drenched by the time we got back to Condor. The first group was nice and dry. On the way we got to see a huge sea turtle so I guess it made up for it in the end. :)

We continued to sail on to the next location which was another highlight. We got to go snorkelling and see some beautiful coral and fish. It is so hard to believe that there is a whole other world underneath the sea.

We set anchor that night and the weather played in our favour and stayed beautiful. We got to watch the sunset once again and marvel at the stars. What a great night.
The next morning we didn't think there would be enough wind but there was so we sailed. Before we sailed we got to go snorkelling again at a different location which wasn't as great, but still cool. We just ended up doing flips and dives off the boat instead. :)

We arrived at our resort by lunch time and said our goodbyes to the crew. Our resort was beautiful! There was several pools, glorious beaches, and good company. It made for a great night to say the least.

Yesterday we headed to Cairns which was a 9 hour drive in the bus. That sucked, but I took some gravol and slept most of the way like I usually do. When we got in last night we got settled and went for a swim at one of the three pools here. (Life is rough, I know)After that we all got dressed up and headed out to do pub crawl. Let's just say that the night was highly entertaining for me as I stayed sober and everyone else was drunk. Good times for sure.

This morning Kim and I took a scenic train up to the town of Kuranda up in the rainforest. It is a cute little town and we had fun looking through the markets. We also went to a butterfly sanctuary which was beautiful. We had huge butterflies landing on our backs and everything. Now, we are just hanging out and will probably go for a swim.

Sorry this is so long.... Im almost done. I realize how blessed I am to be having this whole experience down here in Australia and I want everyone to know that I don't take one minute for granted. I am in awe of God's power, especially through creation. I have seen koalas, kangaroos, exotic birds, humpback whales, dolphins, sharks, millions of fish, sea turtles, and so many other amazing creatures all in the wild. Tomorrow I am snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef. I would be crazy if I didn't see Gods craftmanship in everything down here. It is hard to put into words what the last few days have brought me. Many mixed emotions and the primary one is happiness. Someone once told me that happiness is circumstantial and joy is a lifestyle. I feel both immensly right now in my life and there is only one thing that I can say:

I AM BLESSED