Five months later, I can't even remember what I got my home-stay family, it turns out it actually gets cold in Australia and tank tops aren't acceptable articles of clothing for 50 degree weather, and I'm extending my stay to remain in Australia longer. Who knew?
You know when something in your life happens, and it's so big that you begin describing things as 'before this happened' and 'after this happened'? Other then Jesus and the work He has done in my life, Australia might just be that thing for me.
I've fallen in love with the country. With the people. With the location. With the history. Everything. But I've already been through that a few times in older posts.
These past five months have changed me. I see the world in a new light and see the Lord in a whole new light. I've been able to experience what a relationship with Christ looks and feels like when the only support system you have is the Father. Since I've become a Christian I've always tried to constantly be in the scripture but during the past five months I've seen what that actually looks like.
I've also begun dating a boy here. His name is Rhys and he is really great. He loves Jesus, has a great family and makes me laugh more then anyone I know. Things will be hard when I move back to the United States, but both of us know the Lord is good and He will use this to teach us patience. We'll both hopefully grow closer to Christ while we are apart and offering it up to Him daily will be the only way we can survive. How lovely. (P.S. he is the good looking one on the right in the photo)
Since I've been in Australia I've constantly been on the move. With school, or AIFS stuff we are always busy. To be completely honest for the past few months I've been praying for a way to stay here, to finally do my own things. I originally looked into changing my flight and it was going to be around $2,000 so that was out of the question. I then thought up a million different ways I could stay....the airport closing down, a freak snowstorm keeping all the planes on the runway, you name it, I'd thought of it. But I knew I couldn't put limits on God and so I continued to give my desires to stay in Australia to Him daily. This went on for months and nothing changed but in my heart I knew I wouldn't be leaving Australia on the 29th of June, I just didn't know how I was going to stay.
About 2 weeks ago I was in the laundry room and ran into another AIFS student, we got to chatting and she randomly told me that changing our flights was only $80 if we go through Qantas. I was shocked. How had I overlooked this? Regardless, the Lord was giving me the exact thing I'd been praying about for months. Just on a silver platter. I called up Qantas the next day to verify before I got my hopes up and they confirmed it was only $80. After long talks with my mom and even more prayer we decided to change my flight allowing me to stay a few extra weeks. I called Qantas to officially move my departure date and while most flights were full, I got a spot on a flight on July 20th at 1pm (arriving in Dallas at 5:40pm on the 20th). Whilst I definitely miss everyone back home, this seems to be a once in a lifetime opportunity and I hope I have the support from the friends and family.
So there you have it. New boyfriend. Extended stay in Australia. The Lord's faithfulness. All wrapped up in a little blog. Hope you enjoy. Can't wait to see everyone in a month from today!
