Hello all! I realize it's been a month since I last blogged... Wow! Sorry about the lack of update for all you faithful followers. I appreciate your support and prayers so much!
The last month has been hectic -- finished up classes a week ago, and then last week and this week we are all prepping for Hillsong Conference (which is next week!). This is the biggest, busiest time for church: everyone gets involved. This weekend we had Heart for the House which is Hillsong's big offering weekend. Through this offering they are supporting numerous initiatives around Australia and overseas. One of the things we are supporting is the A21 Campaign which is an initiative to stop sex trafficking. The focus area is Greece at this time, and it is something that God has really laid on my heart. I directed my giving towards this campaign in the hopes that it would go directly to that aspect. If you want more information or are interested in getting involved, take a look at the website: http://www.thea21campaign.org/
As I said, last week and this week we are getting ready for conference. For the students, this looks like helping to get our church ready for guests, etc. and also helping in our specialized areas that we are doing for conference. A few days have been a lot of cleaning/painting of the church as well. It has actually been really fun (surprise!) and a good bonding time for getting to know other students that I don't get to interact with on a regular basis. The area I'm serving in for conference is JAM -- the student conference. It is being held at Luna Park which is Sydney's theme park! Basically I get to go to all the sessions at conference, hang out with the students, and ride rides :) It is going to be awesome. I'm so excited to see what God is going to do next week!
Personally, I have been growing a lot over the last month. I've realized a lot of things about myself that I never really thought about before, and God has been working on my heart a lot. I am learning that I need to get my worth and my value from GOD and not from people. I am such a relational person, and I often allow my relationships to define my emotions, feelings, and how my day/week is going. God has been using people in my life (Mom, Dad, friends - thanks!) to help point these things out. And He's been working on me like crazy. It's hard at times, but I know the end will be very rewarding. I'm excited and open to whatever God has for me in this time. I feel like my attitude and perspective on serving has changed so much since I've been here. If nothing else, that is something huge that I can take home and apply to my life.
Oh, by the way... I COME HOME IN 16 DAYS! AHHHHHH :D
