Well, here we are… month two is coming to a close! It's been an amazing month full of the Spirit moving and teaching, laughing, dancing, and serving.
So without further delay, here are ten of my favorite memories from this month!
1. Walking Zorro
For the most part, our ministry has been the split between the YWAM base and Vinnies, a men's homeless shelter. On this specific day, we mixed it up a bit. When we arrived at a new ministry site, we were already exhausted from doing yard work at the base all morning. The pastor's wife walked us around and showed us what needed to be done… basically, more yard work.
I told myself, "You're here to serve… have a good attitude and let's just get it done." As we followed her to a shed by their house to get some tools, I saw him. A beautiful border collie fenced into their yard. My eyes instantly filled with tears. In the states I worked with dogs every single day… and the weight of being away from them (and more specifically my dog, Rudy) hit me like a brick wall. I said a little prayer… "Lord, if I could get in there and just pet him… please." As we stood said to the woman, "Your dog is beautiful." She said, "Oh, do you like dogs?" I told her how much I love and miss dogs. The next words she said filled my heart with so much joy…
"Well, he didn't get a walk this morning… would you like to walk him for me?"
The next 45 minutes Morgan and I walked Zorro down the street and back. He had amazing leash skills, and it felt like I was back home walking my own dog. I know this may seem tiny to you all… but it was one of the most refreshing things for me. As I walked all I could do was praise God for the little ways He loves on me and the fact that He knows me better than I know myself. I had no clue that walking a dog would have the effect on me that it did. It renewed my joy and gave me so much peace. A little dog therapy is just the medicine I needed at that moment.
2. Watching a movie under the stars
We attended a fundraiser for one of the ministries we worked at this month. The fundraiser was at "Deckchair Cinema" It was an outdoor theater! We enjoyed some amazing dessert and watched and Australian movie called "The Sapphires" under the night sky. It was a great night.
3. Singing and dancing in the back of the troopy
This happened multiple times… and I would just sit in the moment, wishing that I could freeze time and remember it forever.
4. Learning to swim
It only took 21 years, but this month I learned how to swim without plugging my nose. Honestly, the pool used to be only okay. Now that I can actually SWIM… it's so much fun. "The pool used to be a place of sorrow, now I can't wait to get back in tomorrow."
5. Worship on the beach
This night was great. We got together with the other teams in Darwin to celebrate Zach's birthday. We all came together to worship around a camp fire on the beach…. which was something on my bucket list. Check.
6. Quiet time in my eno
This month I've spent a lot of time in my hammock. I've had some pretty amazing solo worship sessions in this thing. I plan to have an Eno in my life forever.
7. Diving deeper into relationships with my teammates.
I love these people. God orchestrated something pretty amazing when He put us all together. Don't get me wrong, it hasn't been all roses. We've had our moments, as would be expected. But we've worked through them and come out so much stronger because of it. We've also had a pretty good time together.
8. Eating my first Aussie Burger
This definitely qualifies.
Beef, Canadian Bacon, a fried egg, pineapple, and beet root.
Mmm… tasty.
Mmm… tasty.
9. Litchfield National Park
We had a day off to spend at this national park. It was beautiful there and we had an amazing day. We hiked and swam under waterfalls… it was a great day to enjoy each other and the beautiful Australian outback.
10. Vinnies
We spent two days a week at St. Vincent de Paul Society's (or Vinnies) men's home. We did a lot of different things, including cleaning, yard work, cooking, and working in a warehouse that ships to all of the discount clothing stores in the area. The people at Vinnies are great! I didn't realize how attached I had become until we had to say goodbye. We had the opportunity to form relationships with some of the men living there and had some pretty interesting conversations with them! here are ten of my favorite memories from the month!
G'day mates!
Love you all!
