I'm Home!

After almost 4 years at YWAM Perth, I have left staff and come home for about 6 months.  I am in transition now from living/working in Perth, Australia to working/living in Southeast Asia.   

After a sad goodbye to my Perth family, 36 hours of traveling, rough jet-lag, upper respiratory infection, and ear infection.....I think I'm now ready to spend Christmas with my family.  

As I ponder on the past, present, and future, I've decided to highlight some things from Perth that I miss and the things from America (the South) that I've missed. 

First! Perth

Before I start with the pictures, I must say that I truly miss the laid-back attitude of the Aussies.  I felt so relaxed and as soon as I hit the States, everyone seemed crazy and stress.  Let's take a lesson from Australia: 

"she'll be alright"

(this is slang for it's all going to be ok....relax)

 My kitchen

I spent many stressful and relaxing times in here......enjoying the comforts of a small round table being my ONLY counter space

I did discover that when I'm stressed, I bake

 

The back porch

It use to be walled in until we found Asbestos in the walls.  The owner knocked out the walls and left everything else up.  SO, what did we do with our lemons? made an outside sitting area 

When someone leaves staff at YWAM Perth, the base gives that person a nice table, with extra goodies and you can have your friends with you for dinner.  However, when I sat down at my good-bye table, I was surprised by 2 of my friends with a spread of my favourite snacks: cheese, olives, jalapenos, and pickled onions

They honor the person leaving by telling the whole base how great that person is and then they prayed for me :)  I loved it

The two that surprised me and some of my closest friends

At my table were all those that have led me over the last 4 years.  The bald guy has been my main leader.....thanks Cliff!

For my going away party, I held a Christmas-themed party.  A few people had arrived at my house and the Christmas music was blaring (thanks to me!).  The song "Rocking around the Christmas Tree" came on and my guest took it literally

NOW! 

Things I've missed from America

Yes!  not ONLY have I missed the sweet tea, but also the free refills!!!

Now, to explain for my non-American friends, when one says "barbecue" they mean a specific kind.  There are 5 official types of barbecue.  One of the barbecues is a pulled meat (in this case pork) covered in a nice spicy, slightly sweet tomato sauce.  Then you have the green beans and mac&cheese. 

All of this was only $9......unheard of in Perth

My mountains....I've missed my mountains

The Christmas decorations......MAN! America goes all out for the decorations!  I never realized how over the top we can be sometimes :)

And last, I'd like to correct any misunderstanding about us Southerners.......

some of you are under the impression that we fry some things......

CORRECTION:

we fry EVERYTHING!!!!!

Like I mentioned above, I will be in the States until June next year.  If you'd like me to come for a visit or even to talk at your church about missions, I'd love to come!  Just let me know.