Traveling Mercies

Today is the last full day I will spend in Australia = so many emotions for one girl to handle.  So in order to calm some of my nerves I decided to go to the beautiful Christ Church Cathedral next door to me and have some prayer time.  I need some one-on-one God time to prepare me for my long journey home and to set my heart at ease. 

Here is my prayer:

Dear Lord,

I pray that you allow me to return home to my family and friends safely and under your watchful eye. 

I pray that you allow everyone else travelling on my flights to reach their destinations safely. 

I pray that you give me peace in knowing it is ok to leave this beautiful place, and that I have made the most out of my time here. 

I pray that my family remains safe and healthy during my journey home so I am able to see all of their beautiful faces so very soon. 

I pray that you watch over all the wonderful people I have met on my journey and keep them safe throughout their lives, and to let them know your light. 

I pray that one day I will be able to give my children an opportunity like this, like my parents have so graciously given me. 

And finally I pray to never forget your love, and how you guided me through this amazing adventure and kept me faithful.

Amen.

Here are some pictures of the beautiful Cathedral:

Cannot wait to see everyone at home!!!

Leaving home to go home

So, here I sit with only one day left in Australia. It have been quite an awesome ride these past four months and I can’t even begin to try and express everything I feel as I am about to leave.  All I can really say is this has been the opportunity of a lifetime, and I really do consider this one of my “2^nd homes”.  So crazy that I can call somewhere home that is 10,000 miles away from Clemson football, sweet tea, and Bojangles, but this country has taken a little bit of my heart. 

I have grown as a person throughout this experience without a doubt.  I have made lifelong friends, learned valuable lessons, and made memories I will always cherish. 

Newcastle will always hold a special place in my heart, and I know one day I will find myself back here, reminiscing about everything I did during these past months. 

I am so excited to get back home though; I am not going to lie.  I have missed my family and friends more than I could have ever guessed. 

I am so very thankful for everyone that supported me through this whole experience and made it possible.  I am so fortunate to have been able to do this, and I defiantly do not take it for granted. 

I cannot wait to share all my adventures with everyone at home and get back to the good ole US of A! 

Brisbane -- last trip!

Last weekend Xanna and I took at spur of the moment flight to the city of Brisbane, with is an hour flight north of Newcastle.  We had the opportunity to do many "adventures", so here they are!

View of the city from across the Brisbane River

The "Blueberry".   I actually drove on the left side of the road the whole weekend! 

Kangaroo crossing!

First stop was the Australia Zoo, the zoo that Steve Irwin started.

CRIKEY!!! This is a replica of a REAL croc that Steve found.

I decided I needed to get up close and personal with one of these awesome animals.

Prehistoric croc replica.

Hanging with the Kangaroos, and yes, they just happened to be laying like thatt!

Kisses!!

Holding "Maximus" the Koala at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary!  

Mom and baby Koala at Lone Pine. So cute.

Riding on the Wheel of Brisbane

We took a day trip to Moreton Island, the second largest sand island in the world. 

4-wheeling on the dunes of Moreton Island.

Finally went to a Rugby game, Brisbane Reds!

We bought jerseys!

Brewery tour of XXXX, a very popular beer in Australia! 

Free beer, wahoo!

AND.... I found Brooks Street!!!

New Zealand Adventure!

I just returned from my trip to New Zealand and all I can say is wow, just wow.  This is by far one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in my life, and I assume there aren’t many places that would top it in the world.  Xanna and I took a week off of classes (don’t worry, we completed our assignments before we left) and toured the whole south island.  We booked our adventure through the Kiwi Experience, and they planned everything for us, so we were truly able to squeeze everything thing the south island had to offer in the short 12 day period we were there.   It is so hard to describe how beautiful this place was, the pictures give a glimpse but could never do it justice.  The best way I can describe New Zealand is that is a very spiritual place.  Not one of the sights that took my breath away was a building or man made; everything was nature in its purest form.  Most of the places are protected under law, so man literally has never touched them, and it is so awe inspiring to see God’s creation exactly as it has always been.  With that being said, I think pictures are the best way to get a glimpse of this amazing place.  I took over 800 photos while I was there, but here are some of my favorites! 

Baby seals in Kaikora

Lake Rotoiti

Lake Foulwind walk

Lake Matheson, with the reflections of Mt. Cook and Mt. Tasman 

Fox Glacier 

Milford Sound

Waterfall at Milford Sound

Milford Sound

The Top 5

 So as of today I have been in Australia for exactly 85 days.  In my opinion this is long enough for me to be able to take a step back and see what I really love about this country, as it now feels like a new “home” for me.  I am going to give you a look into the top 5 things I love about Australia, as well as the top 5 things I miss about home.

Top 5 things I love about Australia:

1) Weather

The weather in this country is absolutely perfect.  It allowed me to skip winter and enjoy more sunshine.  It rains just enough, and it’s starting to get a little cooler, like the perfect fall weather.

2) Sparked my love of Travel

I have always loved to travel, but until now have I haven't actually taken the time to plan trips and go to places I am always dreamed of seeing.  I have seen so many beautiful places in Australia, and I leave tomorrow for New Zealand where I am sure to see even more.  I have already begun planning lots of more trips for when I get home!

3) Other than school, I can do what I want

In my life I have never had the luxury of being able to do pretty much whatever I want.  Other than the two days I have class, and making sure I complete all my assignments, how I spend my time here is completely up to me.  Throughout my life I always had outside responsibilities, but while I am here I am free to do what I want.  If that means sleeping in until 11 and then walking up to the cliff and starting at the ocean for a while (which has happened) then that's what I do! Am I spoiled or what.

4) You are always near water

No matter what city you travel to in Australia, you are always near the ocean.  I have always loved being near the water; I think I get this from my Mom.  Something about the sounds water makes is the most relaxing thing possible for me, and it always provides beautiful scenery.

5) The people

Throughout my few months here I have made some incredible friendships with both my roommates and Australians.  We have made a great group of friends and it is so cool to know we will stay in touch for a long time.

Top 5 things I miss from home:

1) My family

Anyone that knows me well knows how obsessed with my family I am; they are my everything.  So needless to say I miss them so much while I am gone.  This is longest I have gone without seeing my family in my entire life, so it has been a challenge to overcome for sure! I am so lucky that my Mom go to visit for two weeks during March and to share this adventure with her was a blessing.  I am so thankful for technology as I am able to FaceTime my family whenever I want to.  In case anyone was wondering, yes, Sydney and Abby fit into the family category and I talk to them everyday! I cannot wait to see all of my family when I return in July!

2) My friends

Wow, I cannot event begin to describe how much I miss my friends.  I take for granted all the fits of laughter I have with them over absolutely nothing.  It is very hard looking at pictures of sorority functions and everyone being together, and I have experienced a lot of what we call FOMO – fear of missing out.  But, I know they are just as jealous of my adventures.

3) My Church

My church has always been a constant in my life, but to be completely honest I did not think I would miss it as much as I do.  This year was the first time in 10 years that I missed Easter Sunday and it was very hard for me.  I cannot wait to be in my favorite sacred place again.  Although, even though I miss my Church so much, my faith has grown through this trip.  Through prayer, reading my Jesus Calling devotions, exploring God’s beautiful creations, and receiving encouraging Bible verses from my Aunt Ashley everyday (isn’t she awesome?!?) I have grown closer to Christ while being here.

4) Clemson

Go Tigers!!!! I miss my second home so much.  Clemson holds such a special place in my heart that I cannot wait to return for my senior year and go out with a bang.  Being surrounded by all my friends, having another football season, and just being in the best place on earth.  I don’t even love Australia as much as I love Clemson!

5) FOOD

So, the food in Australia turned out to be a lot more different than food at home than I expected.  I am a fast food girl, and boy do I miss my Bojangles, Zaxby’s and Chick-fil-A.  Those will be my first three meals when I get home, I can promise you that.  But, with that being said I have learned to cook many new things, and have been eating a lot healthier over here, so that is a plus of not have fast food places on every street corner!

I'm Back!

So.... I have committed the original sin of blogging: waiting a month and a half in between posts.  Oh well, here is my “make up” post to catch everyone up with what I have been doing!

Let me rewind to the month of March since I completely neglected it.  The highlight of March was that my Mom came to visit for two weeks!! We had an amazing time.  I was able to show her around Newcastle, as well as travel to Sydney and Cairns for a little pre-birthday celebration! Here are some pictures of our adventures while she was here, including the Great Barrier Reef!

The other big event that has happened over the past month was last week when I went on my big “spring” break trip (even though it is actually fall here).  We traveled to the amazing Fraser Island where we were able to drive our own SVU’s around the island and explore all the freshwater lakes and spectacular views.  We then headed north to the Whitsunday Islands where we were on a huge sailboat for three days going from island to island. It was incredible to say the least.  We meet some amazing friends on these adventures and truly had the time of a lifetime.

I had my birthday while on this trip, and while in some cases it was a typical 21^st birthday, it others it was one I can guarantee no one else has experienced.   We were in Rainbow Beach, a tiny coastal town where we stayed in between the two trips.  My roommates and I went out for a pizza dinner, where they surprised me with champagne, cards, a brownie and singing (so sweet!).  We then headed out to the beach with all of our new friends and had a bonfire.   In a nutshell, as the clock turned to midnight officially making it my birthday, I was sitting by a fire, on a beach in Australia, looking up and the amazing stars and moon having friends old and new sing happy birthday and give me hugs.  It was a night to remember for sure.  I am one lucky girl.

Here are some pictures from my trip!!!