Strawberry Sour Straps

So I am back in Brisbane and I have mixed feelings about being here. On the one hand I am extremely excited because I am going to meet my new neice/nephew (very soon I hope). On the other hand I am very sad because this is technically my first visit to Brisbane...that is, I realise I now live in Sydney and I will be returning home in just under three weeks. Now, I know that sounds like a long time, but considering that I don't have any plans to come back until Christmas it seems very significant.

It was just the other day that I realised that the most time I have spent apart from my family is maybe a couple of weeks on my honeymoon. Apart from that I have been able to see them at least once a week over a meal, or more recently as we moved into the neighbourhood, at least once every other day. I'm beginning to realise the magnitude of this move to Sydney. No more Sunday lunches. No more mum saying "do you want to stay for tea?" No more having Dean drop in on his way home just to say hello. No more hands on assistance from my very handy father and brother. No more running into the grandparents at mums. No more invites to "tag-along" as the neice or nephew experiences something new. No more sneaky chocolates shared with my sister. No more sweet gentle kisses from Ever, no more rough 'n' tumble moments between Steve and Ben. And those are just the things I am going to miss about my actual family, never mind the loving church community and cherished friends we have left behind.

So I am feeling torn. I am excited to be here but that excitement is being poisoned as the clocks ticks down to the next lot of goodbyes. I feel as though I am constantly eating strawberry sour straps, things seem so sweet yet they are sour at the same time! (Love them by the way :P)

New Directions

It is no secret that my life has taken on a new direction in the last 6 months. The house we built only a year ago is now home to a lovely family of 4 and I am now sitting on the floor of our small, empty flat in New South Wales - ah! I must say, there have been a few moments where I stopped and wondered how on earth did I get here?

The obvious answer is that I love Steve (surprise), I love his talents and I support his dreams 100%. The not so obvious answer is that I have learned over the last couple of years that life can be an unpredictable, wild adventure in Him and that this is the life I want to live.

Those who know me well will tell you that I am far from unpredictable and wild. I like to plan things and I like to know exactly what is going on. For as long as I can remember I have had life "planned"...1. marriage, 2. a home, 3. a few kids, and a bit of travel and a lot of craft along the way. I am not ashamed of these traits as they have served me well, but I have learned over the last few years just how much they have stripped me away from the big story, the wonder of life, and from learning to rest in Him.

So here I am, literally embarking on the biggest adventure of my life - holding on to His promises - nervous and excited for what this new direction will bring.

The dawn of our new adventure!