Small Town Kid

My whole life I have wanted to live in a small town. I blame it on the fact that I grew up visiting my grandparents in their sleepy little town of 1,500 people. A place filled more cows than humans and getting to the nearest mall takes half an hour. Visits to Apache, OK coupled with my early indoctrination of country music and my love of trucks, living where there were wide open spaces and less people seemed ideal to me.
But, I did not grow up in a small town. Not even close. As of last year, the population of my hometown of Arlington, Texas was 380,000 people. I grew up in a place where shopping centers pop up overnight, and you sit in traffic from 3-7 pm everyday. High schools have 4,000 kids, and there is a Sonic on every corner.
Oddly, it took me moving to Australia to get my taste of small town living. Though the population of Gosford is 160,000 people, it still feels like a little community. The sidewalks practically roll up around 6 pm every day, and nothing is open later than that besides McDonald's and the grocery store. I can't go to the shopping center by our Ministry Centre without running into at least one member of our church or someone I know from the community.
And I love it! I love that I ran into a lady I volunteer with at the soup kitchen a few weeks ago and she already knew that I was engaged before I could tell her. I love that the Wednesday night Macca's crew knows Gosford church is coming after mid-week study. I love that everyone has bumper stickers boasting the new Central Coast footy team (rugby) on their cars. I love that I can see trees, mountains, and a bay on my drive to work. I love that the guy at subway knows my regular order. Though there are times when I would kill for a 24 hour Wal-mart or only a 20 minute drive to the airport (opposed to the hour and half it takes me), I wouldn't give up my two year stint as a small town kid for anything.

Melbourne Mish

I never know how to explain or tell you about some of the things I get to experience in Australia. My words seem insufficient to capture the moments of pure joy, the moments when frustration almost leads you to knocking someone out, the moments when the work of the Spirit is tangible. I will attempt to share with you about the amazing week our teens spent in Melbourne, working with the Belmore Road congregation...through some photos and a top 10 list, of course.

10 Best Moments of Melbourne Mish

1. Open Mic Night: We do Open Mic nights in Gosford and have a lot of success with them being outreach activites. We did one on the last night in Melbourne, and it was awesmoe. So many people volunteered to perform. We even had 2 guys from the community, that some our teens met in a train station, come and perform. My favorite acts were Amber playing acoustic guitar karokee and Laura and Evan singing 4 chord songs.

2. Growth: one of the highlights of my week was watching our Gosford teens step up and serve. There was little to no complaining about the work we were asked to do. Through leading prayers and devos, I was so blown away by the maturity of these 13-17 year olds. I'm so proud of them.

3. Kids Korner: we did a play group for any kids in the congregation the last day we were in Melbourne. The kids were awesome and really cute. Our teens planned the whole activity and interacted with the kids so well. Plus, I got my teaching fix for a few more days. 4. Tuesday Night: We. along with all the Belmore Rd youth, were invited to the Carpenter's house on Tuesday night for a pancake supper! We had American lemonade and delicious chocolate chip pancakes with strawberries! Unbelievable. After dinner and a couple of rounds of Apples to Apples, the whole gang headed down to Brighton Beach. We spent a few hours playing ultimate frisbee on the beach with downtown Melbourne in the background. Before we left, we sat on the beach and praised God in song, with waves crashing in the background and the sky painted red.

5. Sharing a room with the Crazies: The housing situation worked out for Amber, Anne, and I to all share a room at the Drews house for the week. We had such a good time, and definitely did not get enough sleep. Without these two, I would not have made it!6. Hanging Out: With the busyness of the holidays, it seems like forever since I got to hang out and catch up with a few members of our youth group. This trip was a great way to rekindle and strenghen relationships inside our group, and with friends who live in Melbourne.

7. Church Picnic: On Sunday following worship, we had a church picnic at a local park. We had a great time sharing a meal and spending time with the congregation. The best part was the youngies (under 18s) vs. oldies (over 18s) tug of war competition. Sadly, the youngies had youth on their side and beat us 2-1.

8. Gardening: We did more gardening that week in Melbourne than I have done in the last 5 years. Even though mowing lawns and weeding flower beds isn't my idea of fun, it was still one of my highlights because everyone had such a great attitude while were doing it. Each person found a project or task and worked so hard that we finished so quickly. 9. The Bus: We crowded 14 people into our 14 passenger bus for the 12 hour drive to Melbourne. You better believe that we were riding three across in the front seat. Then we spent a week driving around the greater Melbourne area in it...lots and lots of bus time. Even though it's a little bit uncomfortable, it was also the sight of so many hilarious moments, like Tim singing Mika songs (yes, he can hit those high notes) and nerf gun attacks. 10. Sister Sara: On the Thursday of the mission trip, Sara (15 years old) called me outside and said she needed to talk about something. I was a little bit nervous because we had had a pretty emotional girls' devo the night before. When I went outside, she told Amber and me that she had decided to be baptized on Sunday when we got home!!! I have been studying with Sara for about a year, and it was so exciting to watch her die to her old life and be raised as a new creation on Sunday. God's timing is always perfect!
Looking back over this list, it is a poor representation of everything that happened that week. It's just a glimpse of an awesome experience where God worked on us and through us. Melbourne Mish is definitely one of the highlights of my time in Australia.

Tell Me A Story...

Because international candlelightings are hard to plan on short notice and in an effort to fill everyone in on THE Story of the Century, I thought I'd blog about the details of January 4, 2011--the day I got my bling bling and a great fiance too!

Alex arrived in Australia on December 31st to spend 12 glorious days. Before he got here, I had myself convinced that there was no way he was going to propose. Since he had been here, he kept making comments about how we weren't getting married for 2 years and tried to pull me into every jewelry store in the mall to look at rings. He tricked me. He's in PR, so he's pretty good at "stretching" the truth.
Tuesday, January 4th was a normal great day. Alex and I had a double date with some of our great Aussie friends, Laura and Cristiaen Van Der Meulen, which ended in a giant nerf war (awesome double date activity, by the way). Laura and Cristiaen left my apartment about 10:30 pm and Alex said we should go sit out on my jetty (dock) and watch the boats in the dark. I didn't really want to go because it was chilly and I was tired from play nerf guns, but I agreed anyway. We were sitting on the dock talking about our New Year's Resolutions, individually and as a couple. Then, we started slow dancing, still talking about life, having a nice romantic moment. Before I know it, Alex has pulled away from me and is down on one knee!! He said a bunch of really sweet things, none of which I can remember, and all the while I am thinking, "I can't belive he is ruining this great moment with an engagement fake out." Though he claims otherwise, he has faked me out before. All I can say is "Are you serious?? Alex, is this real? That is really not funny!" (I always thought I wouldn't be one of "those" girls who says "are you serious?" but I definitley was! It's impossible not to say it.) After asking if he was serious about 7 more times and seeing him pull out this gorgeous ring, I knew it was for real. I did finally say, "Yes!" and he promised to be an amazing husband, a spiritual leader, and to love me until the day he dies. Sigh. It was like heaven, just the two of us sitting on the dock, starting our lives together--it was perfect. So there's my sweet little story about love! (that's a shout out for you Jill Nichols)

The Ring: Taking a good picture of a ring is really hard, which I'm sure some of you know. So there aren't any good close up ones yet, but you get the idea from these pics. The middle diamond and its setting are from Alex's Grandmother's wedding ring, so it's over 65 years old! He took her diamond and put it on my band. I feel so honored to have such a precious piece of our family's heritage.

The Plan: no dates have been set yet. I will be in Australia until mid-June like I already committed, then I'll be moving back to Edmond. The earliest we would get married would be in October, but nothing is concrete yet. Just letting everything sink in. I'll keep you posted!

THE spot where he got down on one knee

Just a little bit excited!!!!

MFEO

Did you know the Griswold's lived in Australia??

I can't believe that Christmas is two and half weeks away! And despite the 85 degree weather and tank tops, I am trying to get in the spirit. Last Saturday night, I put on my favorite Christmas movie, White Christmas, and did my favorite Christmas activity, put up my tree. The beauty of being a HIM worker is that you get lots of hand-me-downs. Case in point, my leaning Christmas tree with random decorations, which I inherited from former HIM Workers Jamie and Sammie. It's a modge podge of old baubles and colored lights, but I love it anyway.

The leaning tree of Pisa.

My favorite Christmas decoration. It didn't make the top of the tree this year, but it wouldn't be Christmas without Alex's 7th grade face smiling at me.

Christmas lights are not as common as they are in the States, but they starting to take off in Australia, and especially on the Central Coast.A local radio station does a contest each year for the best decorated house. (A group of young adults from church will go check out the best ones on Christmas Eve.) Somehow, I don't think this one is going to win...

The Aussie Griswolds

I hope you are having a great holiday season!

Beyond Blessed

I have experienced my second Thanksgiving in Australia, and it was even better than my first one. In my family before you can eat Thanksgiving dinner, you have to say what you are thankful for (or read your thankful acrostic if my Grandma is in charge of the festivities). This is what I would have said if I would have been standing in that circle among the Jackson Family:

I am thankful for other HIM workers like Anne and Joe and Tiffany Buck who I can share American holidays and all the other crazy things that come our way on this adventure.

I am thankful for my Australian family and friends who love and accept me, even my weirdo American ways.

I am thankful for a great HIM supervisor who let me take a day off in the middle of the week to celebrate.

I am thankful for those people who have gone before me in working for the Lord in Australia.
I am thankful for skype, which allowed me to talk to my entire extended family on Thanksgiving Day, including my 78 year old grandma and my 6 month old niece.

I am thankful for the Sydney Blue Sox and the Australian Baseball League, who provide a little slice of home for me.

I am thankful for old friends who know me and know I need extra encouragement when I am away from home on my favorite holiday.

I am thankful for my family, who love me unconditionally and support me. If they didn't believe in me, I couldn't be here.

I am thankful for my great boyfriend who just gets me and doesn't give up on me, despite the 15,000 miles that separate us.

I am thankful for the way God works and His timing that has brought me to this point in my life.

I am thankful for the church that unites people of different countries, languages, and backgrounds.

I am thankful for God for being a faithful father; for Jesus for being the perfect example and sacrifice; and for the Spirit for guiding me daily.

My first (of many) Sydney Blue Sox games. Watching live baseball is good for the soul.

Thanksgiving feast with the Bucks.
Anne, Tiffany, and I enjoying some good ole sweet tea on Thanksgiving Day.
We tricked Jude into taking a picture with us!

Cornicopia of Goodness

Bring on Thanksgiving! I am now officially ready to celebrate my favorite holiday after coming home to a lovely brown box from Arlington, Texas sitting on my doorstep. I was giddy as I ripped open the box to find my treasures. Nestled against about 20 snack size boxes of Hot Tamales were the Thanksgiving must-haves you cannot get in Australia: cornbread mix, stuffing mix, and french fried onions. Yummy! Oh how I missed cornbread! The box also included a Texas Rangers American League Champions t-shirt (finally!), an order from Gap (despite what they say, I don't really think they ship internationally...), a new necklace (my mom has good taste), a Texas shaped cookie cutter (gotta represent), and a note scrawled by my Grandma Jackson. It was like heaven. THANK YOU, THANK YOU JGray Sr and Slick, you are way too good to me and I love you so much!

Beyonce and Kelly

My good mate (no, I am not Australian enough to say it, but I can type it), Amber Drew, turned the big 2-0 two weeks ago. Though I am late, I still wanted to comemorate her day of birth (in 1990! she is such a baby) with a list of 20 things I love about her!

What I Love About Amber Drew:

1. She loves the Ninja Turtles more than anything else.

2. She practically lives at my flat.

3. She would marry Jack Johnson in a heartbeat.

4. Her family talks about poo and farts at the dinner table.

5. She has seen a grand total of five movies in her life: Shrek, The Mask, Mean Girls, Baby Mama, and Into the Wild (I'm working in this one, don't worry).

6. She moved 12 hours away from her family and home to do STAMP (Short Term Australian Missions Program) and learn more about God and serving others.

7. She has been to the great state of Texas, and knows the beauty that is Sonic.

8. She lets me tag along on family holidays to Tasmania.

9. She has a small crush on Tina Fey, and can't stop quoting her movies.

10. She is a talented guitar player.

11. She rides shot gun in my car, and is starting to like Lady Antebellum.

12. She hates to make decisions...about anything.

13. Her guilty pleasure is Destiny's Child.

14. She is a great listener, but also tells me when I need to get over something.

15. She challenges me to be a better person and to live more like JC.

16. She is a proud owner of Toms Shoes.

17. She dreams big in terms of what the Kingdom can and will do in Australia.

18. She makes a mean lasagna.

19. She forces me to experience Australian traditions like ANZAC Day Dawn Services.

20. She keeps me up all night long laughing so hard, I almost cry.

My favorite moments with Amba:
Amber's parents and she stayed at my house when they were visiting Amber in June. We had so much fun sharing my flat and seeing the sights on the Central Coast.

We do this everyday.

Beyonce and Kelly

Driving two hours to Campbelltown and two hours back in one night.
My first rugby game, supporting the Sydney Roosters.

Going to a million camps together.

Freezing our tushies at the Mariners Game.