Sunny days :)

Things are taking a turn for the better here at the Sunshine Coast... the clouds and the rain are less frequent and the skies are finally the most beautiful color of blue. As the winter fades away, my life is also becoming more sunny. It's been a long, cold few months. God has felt distant. I've felt tired and discouraged, but this is just another season in my life. I'm grateful for it because it makes sunny days like today so much more wonderful, so much more appreciated. God has taught me many things in the past few months. Not all of them have been fun lessons, but my relationship with him was definitely strengthened during this time. There were many days when life felt hopeless. All I could do was cry out to him... for encouragement, for reassurance of his love for me and his plan for my life. I wanted so badly to be home, to be in China, anywhere but Australia. But God is so good. He's given me awesome friends during this time to encourage me and keep me sane. I have learned so much being involved with the July DTS. I have taken all sorts of new roles such as managing the school budget and taking on the role of house leader. It's been so stretching. I think the biggest thing I've learned this winter is to be content in the in-between periods. I don't always get to travel and keep moving. There are times when I simply have to be still before God. To be with him in the highs and the lows.

As the spring comes, it brings hope. I have so many things to look forward to... SBS in September, possibly leading the Around the World DTS next year, then heading to China soon after to learn mandarin. It's going to be an insanely busy few years. I am so grateful for this time of rest and quiet with God. As things start to get busy again I don't ever want to forget to find that peace before God. I should never let my ministry or my life to get in the way of my time with God. I MUST be still before God.

I am so overwhelmed by the love and grace of my God. Of the hope he brings. All I want to do is be in his presence. He has blessed me so much here and to think that I have any excuse to be ungrateful is absolute rubbish. I truly feel as if my life here has become more established. I have made new friends, I feel ownership. Australia is home. :)

Praise God for all he's done. His love endures forever