July: God is Good!

God is good!! As of July, Jordan and I have been in Australia for 7 months now. It's strange because I feel like so much has happened, yet we have not done much per se. The main purpose of us being here is for Jordan to study and train to be the doctor God has called him to be; so with his head buried in the books, pretty much all of our time has been spent in Brisbane.

At this point in time, Jordan is leaning towards becoming a paediatric surgeon. A beautiful endeavour with a beautiful purpose, but if I am correct here, it is a field so small, delicate, and detailed that it will take over 10 years to reach a fully qualified position. But already for Jordan, doors are opening as he has been approved for a summer internship with paediatric surgeons at the Children's Hospital. If God is calling Jordan to this specific role in medicine, then we are believing that God will open the seemingly closed doors, that God will widen the narrow pathway - He will make a way!

Jordan practicing skills at a Surgical Interest Group conference.
Love to see him in his element!

To be quite honest, this blog was really designed for Jordan and I to share OUR journey, but it has become more of just mine. The reality is, being in Australia has had different effects on the both of us. The big transition has really challenged by faith and made me deeply reflect on my actual dependence on God, rather than it being just a Christian cliché statement. I can tell you without a doubt that my faith has grown to new heights because of this move, and I believe that the same would not be true if we remained at home for these past 8 months. That's not to say that I haven't had my moments of break down and wondering what God was up to; but I have experienced Him 'come through' when I needed him and am continuing to learn how faithful He is.

1. Work Opportunities

I am so humbled to announce that I have accepted a job offer to teach Junior Secondary next year at Indooroopilly State High School!! I say humbled because I know that this opportunity is all God's doing. Let's be real here. The very day after introducing myself to the school staff and submitting my resume in February, I received work to supply teach at their secondary school. I am not even qualified to teach all secondary year levels. Keep in mind that a significant portion of the students look older than I do!

Several months into supply teaching at ISHS, the deputy principal approached me and asked me to apply for a teaching position. For me, this was the confidence boost and the confirmation that God was opening doors for me.

Despite the interview for this position being the first of its kind for me, I felt a strong sense of peace while waiting to be called in, like God was reminding me that He has it in His control and that it will all work out regardless. Walking out of the interview, it was one of the few times in my life, if not the only time, where I did not reflect back and wish I could/should have added or omitted anything. That in itself is a miracle and testifies to the fact that God really was with me in the interview, because I always look back and think of all the things I wished I had done differently.

When I received the phone call regarding the job offer, I couldn't believe that two answers to prayer came in one phone call! Not only did ISHS offer me a teaching position (Prayer 1) but they also offered to sponsor me for a permanent working visa that would allow me to stay in Australia while work for them full-time (Prayer 2). Hallelujah!

I am beyond excited to start teaching full-time, to be able to develop relationships with each student, and to care and love them like Jesus does. While I'm nervous about having the responsibility over kids' learning progress, my goal is to make a positive difference in EVERY student's life by shining the light of Jesus. If the Spirit is dwelling in me - full-on, every day - then I suppose I am more than suitable for this position :)

2. Anniversary Adventures

Lucky Jordan was cooped up studying for and writing exams on our anniversary so when we both had the first week of July off together, we took the opportunity to celebrate.

The Kookaburra, a hilariously-sounding bird!

Perhaps one of the laziest animals, sleeping 80% of the day
away, but certainly one of the cutest! 

Tis a joey!!

I now understand the phrase "boxing kangaroo".
They do literally box. This one roo was having too good of
a time taunting the other!

After a few light punches, the other roo replied with a quick
punch, knocking him over. Priceless to watch!! 

As if siblings, a mediator roo rushes to the scene to dissolve
the fight and separate the brothers.  The whole interaction
was quite hilarious!  

Mt Coot-tha, overlooking Brisbane CBD

Jordan and I took on the challenge of biking up Mt Coot-tha
with some friends. Needless to say, it was quite the
workout! Jordan was a great support :) 

3. Holiday Programmes

Even though I had two weeks off for semester break, God provided me with work at North Shore teaching for the holiday programme. I can't believe how intense some parents are about their kids receiving the best education, but I'm happy to have some work! 

The holiday programme is all about examination prep, so during day one, in one of the tests, there was a passage the kids had to read and answer questions regarding fish in the Bible. While taking up the test, one of the girls asked me, "What's the Bible?" What an opportunity! After asking the other students, all of them, except 2 of the 15, had absolutely no idea what the Bible was or where to find it. The question really caught me off guard, but I was grateful for the opportunity to openly share since it was a student-led question. I promised the class I would bring in my Bible to show them if they were interested. Some weren't too interested, but when a few came to look through my Bible, it brought such joy to my heart. Five of the students told me they wanted a copy of their own, so I went to Koorong, the Christian bookstore, and purchased Children's/Easy-Read New Testaments; I wrote a note in the NT to each of the students who wanted one, praying that the Spirit would use the Word to store their hearts. I have no idea what will result from this special moment with them, but I can only hope and pray that its a link in the chain to their salvation. These kids are in Grade 5. The earlier they surrender their lives to Christ, the better :) One girl made my heart soar when she came to me at the end of class and said, "Thank you so much. I'm going to read it tonight." Ahh! So excited!!

4. There's a baby!!

My brother is a father, how crazy is that!! So excited for Jason and Carolyn as their little miracle has entered the world. Weston Anthony, he's a cutie! Thankfully he has inherited most of the Jonkman genes as us Lobbezoo's were not so cute looking those first years ... seriously.

This little man is much too cute!!

Super duper proud grandparents!! 

Jordan and I are beyond excited for our family back home, and looking forward to how God is going to use us in our distinct fields here! Stay tuned for more updates!

Much love,

Jen