HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I can't believe it's the new year already. So much has happened. This time last year, I was working a 9-5 job with benefits and everything. Now, I am doing the thing I have felt called to do since I was 17 years old. So much has happened and I can't begin to thank Him enough for where I am at.....right smack in the center of His will.

Overview of 2009

January-March: working at Biogen as a Chemist

March: quite my job and leave for Moscow to visit my sister and her family

April: begin the School of Frontier Missions

May: my school is canceled

May-June: work with a group who help local immigrants and refugees

July-Sept: take the School of Frontier Missions (again)....this time, successfully

Oct-Nov: live in Lombok, Indonesia doing things from teaching English to learning the language

Dec: come back to Perth to work with another group that helps Indonesians with discipleship and growth

The other day, as a new year begins in my life, I was asking Him about this year. Was there anything He wanted me to focus on or to know? He said that He is going to stretch my faith. I will embark on some big adventures that will only happen if He steps in and provides. As you can imagine, this both excites me and makes me a bit nervous. I will be stretched. But, in it, I know I will grow closer to Him and I will understand His love even more. So, in this, you can remember me in your thoughts.

So far, this year is starting off great. I already know I'll be heading back to Indonesia for a few weeks next month then another month or so in October. I will remain busy but I think I prefer it that way :)

Ok! time for pictures

Here in Australia, Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) is as popular as Christmas Day. Every year, my base goes to the beach for Boxing Day. This was my first time going to the beach here and man! is it beautiful!

As a tradition, there is a massive sand wrestling tournament (one for the guys and one for the girls). Being of the competitive spirit, I couldn't resist in joining in. Here, we're getting ready to start (they're drawing a circle in the sand with 2 referees standing by). The objective of the game is to get everyone outside the circle and be the last one in it.

In the beginning, we have to affirm our friendship to one another because once the wrestling starts, all bets are off

We had about 4 matches. This is match number 4 and it got down to Sykes (a good friend of mine) and me. Skyes is the reigning champion, so of course I had to try to take her down. So, I fought and at first was winning.

but.....in the end, uh, I thought I would let her win

Also, for the first time, I visited the kangaroo park. This little guy was the bravest of the bunch since he was the only one that came up to us. Of course, it might have something to do with the fact we gave a little of our pizza

For New Year's, we had a few friends over

We played games like Mafia and Apples to Apples

We also made sushi. We had a blast since it was the first time most of them had ever made sushi

Happy New Year! Actually, by the time we all got outside and lite our sparklers, it was a few minutes past midnight. So, we just did our own countdown. It was also weird to think I was celebrating New Year's 12-15 hours before most of my family and friends.