Before Jordan and I left for Australia, Pastor Kevin gave us a truth to hold on to:
"It can become difficult to focus on God when things get tough, but even harder when things go well.
Remember, each day you are there, why you took this step of faith and who you are following."
The truth is, in the midst of all circumstances, I know that my God is for me and not against me. I know that He is with me and He is guiding my steps. I know that He is worthy of glory and praise, not just in the good times, but in the tough ones as well.
And so, I give thanks.
Thanksgiving:
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| Lobbezoo Thanksgiving Dinner. We may not have celebrated with the family, but we are certainly thankful for our family! |
Thanksgiving has got to be one of the best celebrations of the year. Christmas and Easter also top the list, yet there is something very special about a thankful spirit immersed in the fall weather. It's the colouring of the leaves; the perfect season for hiking; the turkey dinner; the house filled with family laughter and memories. For both Jordan and I, Thanksgiving is one of our most treasured days with our families.
For us this year, there was no colouring of the leaves, no hikes along escarpments and rivers; there was no turkey dinner; no house filled with family laughter. Instead, we saw Jacaranda's begin to bloom purple; we rode waves in the ocean and tossed a ball on the sand; we ate chicken together on our small kitchen table and reflected on the year.
Albeit a very different Thanksgiving this year, it is perhaps a more significant celebration than years past. Sitting at our tiny kitchen table with the smallest, turkey-less thanksgiving dinner we have ever experienced, Jordan and I took the time to reflect on this past year and to highlight the top three things for which we are thankful.
Jordan:
1. Med School: Thankful to be studying medicine, and having the opportunity to work towards the career that I really feel God has led me to.
2. God Providing: Somehow, even with the little work we have been having, God makes a way and continues to provide everything we need.
3. Jen: I couldn't do this without her!
Jen:
1. The Journey
This journey to and in Australia has been filled with mountains and valleys. It hasn't been easy, but I am really thankful that God has used it to grow me. When you are in the valley and not sure why, it is easy to question God and let those moments take me further from Him; but God has been faithful in reminding me who He is and drawing me close to Him. I would not be growing in God to the same degree if it were not for this journey.
2. Provisions
God amazes me with how He provides. There are days when I don't really know how we will be able to pay for groceries or rent (which is how I am exactly feeling right now!!), but God blesses me with a day of work or unknowing help from friends. God has been so faithful to us here, undeservedly so, and I am thankful beyond words that He cares so much for us. Even when we are lukewarm, God shows His love.
3. Jordan
I am forever grateful for Jordan. There is no way I could do this journey without him. He picks me up when I am down; He makes me laugh like no other; He redirects my focus to what truly matters. There is no doubt, I have an incredible husband! He loves me, how amazing is that!
Term 3
On the topic of thankfulness, God provided me with full-time teaching contracts for the full 10 weeks of Term 3 (July-September). Right before my birthday, I received a call from Milpera State High School offering me a Maths/Phys-Ed teaching position for the term. I was both fully stoked and stunned! At the beginning of the year, I walked from school to school in Brisbane introducing myself to staff and submitting my resume. When I walked into Milpera in February, I was immediately told that I needed ESL teaching qualifications since Milpera is an English intensive school for refugees and migrants. 5 months later, I did not have these ESL teaching qualifications but it appeared that my minimal teaching abroad experience did the trick.
Milpera State High is unlike any other school in the state. The entire school is made up mostly of refugee students and the goal is to develop their English language and core subject skills in order for them to attend a regular school. Some students are at Milpera for two years; other students are at Milpera for a few months; but all the students have a story to share and trauma to work through.
There were nights I cried myself to sleep knowing the hardships particular students were fighting through. I cried for them to be safe. I pleaded that I could be the light in their day. I don't know what my impact was, but I know they impacted me.
One particular day, when I was feel down and uncertain that I could make a positive difference in the students' lives, one of my beautiful students, also a Christian, made this yarn pencil cover for me. This small act was a HUGE encouragement!! It reminded me that day to persevere, and it will forever remind me of the students calling me "Miss Lovely".
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| Milpera Girls AFL team about to score a try. They played well! |
I have so many stories I could share! Of the wonderful opportunities that have opened up at church, of the local adventures and experiences Brisbane has to offer, of the ways God has been so good. To keep it brief, here are the photo highlights of the past couple of months.
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| Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens. Beautiful place and a great view! |
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| Paintballing. A great study break! |
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| Roma Street Gardens in the heart of the city. |
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| This view reminds me of the presence of God. A road paved gold and this would be heaven's gateway. |
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| The flower is the size of my head. Stunningly gigantic. |
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| Brisbane RiverFire. Helicopter pre-show. |
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| Brisbane RiverFire. Fireworks at the Story Bridge. |
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| Fellow choir members for the INC Conference. A great night down at the Gold Coast: "Let's start a wave!" |
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| Young Adult Night @ Citipointe. We love this group! |
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| Aaron Gillespie, lead singer of The Almost and drummer for Paramore, shared a message on "It is well". A muchly needed message for me! |
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| Coolangatta Beach for Labour Day. These coniferous trees reminded me of home :) |
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| Jordan and I are loving the opportunity to serve in the church. This host team is absolutely fantastic! |
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| We bought a car!! A great story of provision to go along with this one, but let's just say the opportunities for work and church involvement have multiplied. God is good! |
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| The Jacaranda Tree. It's raining purple in Brisbane this month!! |
I must admit that this week has been a challenging one. During days of discouragement, it is easy to look at others and covet their blessings. Social comparison is an absolute weakness of mine. I was in this exact state of mind when I tied up my shoes, put my earphones in place, tuned in to a message by Pastor Kevin, and set out for a run. In this state of mind, Pastor Kevin's preach on "Faithful To Give God Praise" turned my head to a new perspective.
"If we focus on the blessings of others, we lose sight of our own."
Last week, I was Skyping with my beautiful, encouraging, and inspirational sister when she said, "Jen, I wish I was like you. You are so inspirational." I needed to hear this. Not to boost my self-esteem, but to change my perspective. You see, I so often look at others, see their blessings, and wish I could have what God has given them. Some people pray with great boldness. Others are extremely creative teachers. Michelle has an amazing talent in all things related to food and craft. I do not often see myself as being talented or inspirational, especially on that day skyping with Michelle; but Michelle helped me to see that God has blessed me in ways that are unique to me and I need to be praising God for that!!
Praise Reports:
- Jordan has nearly finished his first year of med school!! Post-exams, he will be interning with paediatric surgeons for the summer. Exciting times for him!!
- Jen's visa process is now beginning to move as meetings have taken place and paperwork is starting.
- God has provided a great car at a great price - the car has opened up more work opportunities for Jen and more church involvement opportunities for both Jordan and Jen
Prayer Requests:
- Success in Jordan's exam, that he would be motivated to study and effectively retain and recall information during the exams
- Speedy progression of Jen's visa, that the school would be able to gather appropriate documents and the department of immigration approve it quickly
- Development of a lifestyle of trust and praise ... whether times are good or in the rough
- Continued provision for work, food, and finances so that Jen can properly support Jordan
Thank you all for your love and support. For all you Canadians, keep posting fall photos please - I am missing that Canadian landscape!
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| Sending you our love from Brisbane! |
