My first post from Sunshine Coast, Australia

Well, I was not planning on doing a blog, but now I think it will be fun for you all to come check in on what I have been up to, to hear about what God is doing here and to see some pictures I've been taking.

I got here on June 29th after a long long long plane ride.  The flight went pretty smoothly until I got to the airport in Brisbane and realized that I was not going to be able to exchange money.  I wasn't sure how I was going to be able to pay the cab driver to take me to my hotel, but luckily he took credit cards. However, he way overcharged me... but by that time, I was so over it.

I stayed at a cool backpackers place/hostel the following night and met people from all of the world.  It was located in a part of Maroochydore called Cottontree which was adorable.  I wandered around for the whole day and discovered a couple little spots that I loved, especially this place called "So Delicious" which had great veggie pastries (I know it sounds weird). 

There are 12 girls in the discipleship training school (DTS) and 2 guys lol.  It is really fun getting to know everyone and I am rooming with three girls, Stephanie from Santa Barbara, Ali from Michigan and Cassie from Brisbane Australia.  This week has mostly been lectures and orientation.  Yesterday, we had a speaker come and lecture on the cost of discipleship...it was amazing and I was super blessed.  We will find out next week where our options are for outreach, but until outreach, we will mostly be listening to speakers, getting ready for outreach, and doing local outreaches.

One last thing...a couple of days ago, Lyndzie and I went to the beach with a couple other friends.  We were going to surf, but we ended up just playing in the waves (which were huge by the way).  The other girls went into the beach, but Lyndzie and I stayed out for a bit in the waves.  Going under the final wave, I dove deep and bashed my head on a sharp rock.  Luckily I didn't hit it too hard though.  As I got out of the water, I told Lyndzie that I hit my head, and we didn't think much of it.  Then I was like "hey, am I bleeding?"  When she looked at the other side of my face, there was blood running all down it.  A really cute lifeguard took care of me (patched me up) and now I am good to go...no stitches..thank God.

More to come, love you all!

Aussie word of the week: fringe = bangs (hair bangs)

Verse of the week: "I am the vine, you are the branches.  He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing" -Jesus  (John 15:5)