The day after Hillsong Conference 2018 I boarded a plane for my homeland, and what a jam-packed two weeks it was. Here’s some “journal entry” recap:
The past two weeks have felt a little like standing between opposing waves of the ocean. Emotions have included frustration, surprise, joy, disappointment, slight agony… let’s just say at this present moment I feel exhausted, but not as exhausted as I know some others in my world are, so I won’t complain.
A week before I left for Canada, to enjoy a family reunion and be part of a wedding celebration, my parents gently informed me of a diagnosis of bone cancer in my Mom. In all honestly, my initial reaction was faith-filled. I wanted to shrug and smile, “So what? Cancer doesn’t scare me. God is so much bigger.” I still fully believe He is surrounding every split second of this journey, and please keep my amazing Mom and Dad in your prayers!
Canada Recap [1] NATURE: Okay, Sydney is gorgeous, but I was enamoured again with the classic North American Summer sweetness during my visit home. It’s true I prefer aqua blue water and white sand, but the quiet deep blue hue of serene lakes… well, there’s nothing quite like it! Other favourites: roots that protrude a hiking path, sunlight seeping through maple leaf trees high over my head and squirrels (Aus does not have squirrels, okay?! So despite them being a pest, I get really excited when I see one now!). I think I get all this from my Dad, so it was an extra treat to go on a hike with him while home!
Canada Recap [2] FRIENDSHIPS: The “cool kids” are a group of friends that I have done life with (aside from my time here in Australia) for many years. Just a bunch of young adults hanging out, talking about life, discussing theology and going on many, many adventures. Two of them recently got married (to each other), one is off to Ireland, and another to Portland. The beautiful Emma VANIER (can’t believe this is your new name!) reminded me that although many of us seem to be going separate ways, it was such an incredibly sweet season to be close friends and do life together! I loved getting to go to Boston Pizza with them, and see some of them off to their exciting new journeys!
I got to connect with new friends as well! It “just so happened” that one of my housemates from my first year in Aus (who has since moved back to Canada) was driving through my home town with her boyfriend (whom Kevin and I travelled to the Great Barrier Reef with….you’re still tracking right? haha)! My brother and I made time to catch up with them and it was so SO sweet! All around I’m thankful for friends around the globe and Jesus allowing connections to happen at the right times and right places.
(Below: Kevin, myself, Tiffany & Emil)
Canada Recap [3] FAMILY: These people are my favourites, my hero’s, my friends, mentors and I am SO BLESSED that they are my family. These two weeks being home have been quite different from what anyone expected, but I’m so thankful that we were all together.
I also got my “kid tank” filled up, haha! I missed holding babies and hanging with all these nephews and nieces of mine – 17 to be exact – and one little girl who was just over a week old when I met her!
