Molasses. . . What's that?

No one here knows about Molasses! What a disappointment as I was planing to make my favorite cook from my favorite recipe. After scourging the isle of a crap grocery store I couldn't find it so I asked for help only to get the reply of what is that? Then after asking someone else I was told it was on isle 6 which would make sense because it is the baking isle. But, nope. No molasses. And this made me almost cry because sometimes Australia is so close to being like home, but than you find out it really is so different.

Sorry

The pictures have been delayed as something is up with blogger. I'll post them as soon as the bugs get zapped from their program. Hopefully it will be soon.
Peace out!

Tantalizing Tea Tree Treatment

Me and one of my housemates,Phoebe, at a local beach.

Ruthie and Me at our friends garage sell.

A view in Byron.

Tygar Hanlon who I babysat for every day for two months. His mother was the makeup artist for a tv series being filmed in Byron Bay. This is him playing with his best friend Sasha.

My and Tony at a cafe in a local town nicked named "Meeting place of waters."

Mali the little five and a half year old I nanny for. He is always smiles and giggles . . . unless he is hungry.

Tonight I am going to update some of my pictures from Australia. Well, let me correct that. I'm going to put my first ever pictures from Australia up on my blog spot.

Today I had a lovely day full of adventure and relationship. It started with a birthday party for Simons sister Phoebe. It was a vintage surprise party complete with tea and delectable dainties. It was women only except for an occasional appearance of Phil, Simon's dad.

After that Ruthie and Tony and I drove to a little town called Lennox Head. It is only about 30 minutes away but it feels like a grand adventure because of the surrounding country side. There is a beautifying lake surrounded by tea trees. That is why it's beautifying. Not only is the swimming good for your heart but the natural oils in the brown water turn your skin smooth and your hair shiny. It felt ahhh so good.

This was a good break as I have started school this week and it has made my schedule full on now. Each day we go to classes starting at 1:00 and ending around 4:30. This week we learned about the spiritual disciplines. For me the timing is impeccable as this past month has been one of tearing down my faulty foundations of who God is and what does Christianity look like. The approach to these spiritual disciplines of prayer and fasting and etc. is very grace based with the opinion that we can only be stirred to the disciplines by the Holy Spirit. And we can only keep the disciplines by the grace of the Holy spirit. It's been a great first week and I can already feel the process of reconstruction happening.

I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Humor of the Holy Spirit

I'm not sure if you know the story of me and Simon breaking off our engagement and ending our relationship. It happened almost four weeks ago. It is crazy that this time has passed so quickly. I wanted to let you know how I am doing.

I'm completely broken, every day, almost all day. I can't even explain to you the deep work God is doing in my heart. It is like the standard has hit the roof and He is really stripping me of everything that would keep me from that. This break up is just a part of this stripping. I'm welcoming it because I know the fruit of it will be closer intimacy of Jesus, a heart of grace and love towards others, and an increased sensativity to spiritual matters in general.


Some more stripping happened last night because I went to a different homegroup because Simon is going to continue to go to the other and he needs space. It was so difficult. It is my housemate who is leading it, but it was just the added newness of not knowing the procedures. There was a new girl who is just visiting from New Zealand. I didn't feel like talking and knew I was breaking all of these social expectations but I couldn't be outgoing and charming. I was mopey and sad and silent. I could tell it was making her feel awkward.

I came home from group and Megs commented "home sweet home" and this just made me want to go upstairs and cry because I don't feel this is home or sweet. This house feels expansive and lonely. I did go upstairs and cry. After I changed into my pjs I got into bed and just cried and cried and cried. I begged God to let me know him as a friend. I sang about him being closer than a brother and more intimate than a mother. I just so badly need Him. I have nothing! NOTHING! My housemate came and prayed for me and I felt peace and after she left I heard the Holy Spirit say " Look at you, you are wearing a bag on your head." And I was. . . along with two layers of pj pants. And I started to laugh! I had the the bag on my head that Ely lent me to help my dreadies form. It is a wool bag and doubles as a hat. I stuff all of my dreadies into them at night to help them form. Isn't the Holy Spirit sweet? He really does comfort and this time it was with humor. I so needed to hear that. Even now it makes me smile.

I'm lonely and really wanting to be known. My biggest cry right now is that I would know the intimacy of Jesus. I am so needy of it! I guess I'm in a good place. I'll continue to throw myself at him and cling to him with a death grip. I'm declaring that he has an everlasting love for me and that he swirls, dances and delights over me.