number 9 and 8

NUMBER NINE//

these really cheap fake glasses at a discount market...



NUMBER 8// CHRISTMAS IN THE SUMMER!!! SO FUN. went to my favourite place on earth [the beach] with friends, and had an amazing time during the holidays. There were only a handful of us that stayed over the holidays as most people went home to be with their families. So, the group that stayed got pretty close. We went to the beach Christmas day. BUCKET LIST CHECK! And, it was just beautiful weather. My friend Nastassia and I made french toast for breakfast and smoothies... nothing like the amazing breakfast I am used to at home : ) We both decided to push through the disappointment that we couldn't be home, and went with it. And ended up having a ball. Who couldn't have fun at the beach?

my 10 most favourite moments in Australia. [in no particular order] : )

NUMBER 10...
Finding myself where I was at, at Manly beach.
I had recently arrived to Australia about a month earlier and was having a real homesick moment. I remember thinking when I got to the area that I would be staying in all year, “I didn’t sign up for this.” It was no where near the beach like I had anticipated. Sydney was a much bigger place than I had pictured in my mind... I decided to head off to Manly Beach to explore, and while my first choice is definitely to not be alone, I decided to venture off. I found myself boarding the bus, train and ferry by myself with only a backpack of belongings. I was literally pretty full of fear. So, I get to Manly beach and don’t know what to do. I have a semi freak out moment like, “what did I actually just do and why am I at this beach alone?” It was starting to get dark... so I made the decision to stay over night [because I hadn’t even seen the beach.] I was praying that God would kind of take me on an adventure, so when I walked up to a hotel right off the beach I figured it was all full for the night. But no, there was one room available for one person. I took it. I enjoyed a slice of pizza for dinner and then sat in my hotel room and prayed, and just let God love me, it was just me and God and I was writing in my journal and singing...and wow what a special night of God just speaking into my heart...Every unmet expectation that I had experienced over the past month, every unplanned moment, every planned moment, the good and the bad...

Such a monumental moment for me in Australia. I was finally able to get away and be in the quiet and I don’t think I’ve ever been quite the same since that moment. A very real moment of God saying, “I see you, I brought you here, I know you...I won’t leave you.”

Yeah.

even if to just write upon my heart; i know that you've come now.

Dearest Blog Readers,

well, it has been a whole entire year since I left for Australia.
what a full year it has been. Sometimes not even enough time in the day to get everything done... so, blogging has taken a back seat. Apologies.

so many things are different in me. in all the best ways possible.

I really believe that LIFE is only getting better from here.
so excited to see what is next on this journey of life.

I have learned such a valuable lesson of living life with no regrets.
I don't have to rush life, it just happens. God is never late...
I have learned the importance of being intentional, passionate, planning things out [massive step for me], goals, practicing, and spending time in the Word of God... it really is the only way we are going to make it out alive.
I used to get bogged down about what i should be doing, and not what i was actually doing...but, my focus has slowly shifted to just being satisfied with what my hands are doing in every season.


God isn't as interested about my comfort as much as he is interested in my character...

I still have these massive dreams that I can't seem to shake, but my conviction for the seasons and journey of my life is greater. God is building a home, a place that He is quite comfortable in... and there is still a world that needs to hear about WORSHIP and JUSTICE.

So I'm not done.
[Even though I have wanted to quit life more this year than ever in my life.]
God's not done.

As for the next season...

Not quite sure.
Exciting days ahead.

Thank you so much for all the prayers you have prayed over me this year. I took this massive faith step coming to a different country...and have felt supported every step of the way. I am so grateful for my family and friends who have had such an amazing impact on my life. I am forever indebted. At the end of the day everyone needs someone to believe in them... and I am so blessed to have people that believe in me. Please be praying for the next steps I need to make. And that the resources to make these decisions would be made known...

xoxo with my WHOLE heart,

Amanda Blackwell