Rounding the bend...

Dear Lord… I can’t believe how LONG it’s been since I’ve last blogged… but even more than that, I can’t believe how SOON I come home!! It’s OUTRAGEOUS!!! I think that might be why I haven’t wanted to sit down and write… because I know what I’m writing about is the conclusion of the year I’ve spent here… the year I anticipated for five, and at the end of a 6 year journey, it’s “done”. IT’S CRAZY!! I know it’s not done, but you know how you have those monumental times in your relationship with God and in your life? Well… being here was one of those monumental things for me, and it’s crazy to think that it’s kinda… done.

Anyways… more on that in a bit; Since I last wrote Max’s mom was getting ready to come. Well… she and her best friend, Darlene, made it and we had some of my favourite adventures since being here. God totally blessed our time together and gave us things we never could have dreamed. For those of you who don’t know, Max’s favourite animal is a penguin. Well after an adventure through “Kangaroo Valley” (where we didn’t see any roos) we drove from the mountains down to the beach to watch the sunset. So the four of us got out of the car and were walking… Max and I were racing to the water (it was low tide) and mid-run, we freeze because there is this thing… and we were trying to figure out what it was without scaring it and getting to close when we both realized IT’S A PENGUIN!!!!!!!!!!! It was a sick penguin and we actually took it to the vet, but we got to pet it, and it was so weak and tired it waddled up to Max’s foot and laid it’s head on his foot. It was one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen and was totally nothing we expected to see. It’s one of the many highlights I have of our time with here.

We had lots of other adventures but I won’t spend the whole blog talking about them… because I totally could! :)

So, other than that... what’s gone on? We had a college break and I worked 50 hours during that week… it was a bit hectic yet rewarding in the end. I also… have officially been marked Competent on all of my assessments at Hillsong International Leadership College, as well as finished my last “real” week of classes as of 12:15 this afternoon. These next two weeks we have “conference intensives” and the week following is then the 25^th Anniversary celebration of Hillsong Conference. I’ll be serving in the kid’s ministry doing “events” which is all of the running behind the scenes making sure venues are set and ready to go, communicating with the venue and the team. It’s gonna be a full on next 3 weeks but so good.

It’s so weird getting stuff packed up and thinking about moving back home. I remember getting ready to come here this time last year… and it’s over. SO weird. I don’t feel like I’m done with Hillsong yet, not clear about College, but I do know God’s directed me home for at least the next 6 months. I’m not sure what’s in store but I know it’s right, I could be back in January… but I’ve decided I’m only making 6 month plans at a time right now. So… home… here I come at least until Jan. :)

I really can’t believe how long this year has felt but so quick at the same time. The people I’ve met, the friendships I’ve made, the work God’s done. It’s unreal. Still, thinking about it feels fake. You think it’d become more real the more time you’ve had with it… it’s still a dream. God’s done so much… even now He continues to. It’s been an adventure and will continue to be because it’s more than just being here… it’s my life. It’s who God is to me, real and alive and moving. Taking me places only He could dream of… it’s so cool. I can’t even think right now about what all He’s done because He’s still in the midst of doing it.

It’s a bit crazy… Who know’s what exactly comes next… all I know is I’m still not quiet done here… 3 more weeks! I’m going to try and update you all again before I come home, and if it’s not then… I’ve got 20 hours on a plane before I get to ya’ll so I should get something done then! :)

Please just pray for packing to go smoothly, my last bit of finances, and what God’s doing as He is preparing me to come home. As myself and the whole of Hillsong gets ready to head into conference and the craziness it’s going to be, just as for strength and ability and for God to prepare all of those who will be in attendance. It’s going to be incredible.

I love you guys and miss you, but not for too much longer! :) I’ll talk to, possibly see you before, soon! :)

Michelle

Such a time as this...

Hello!!!! :)

I hope everyone enjoyed they’re Easter and that God moved in similar ways to how he did here.

It was a powerful morning and weekend! We had over 300 people at our city campus alone come to know Christ! It was incredible! :) The month building up to Easter morning, the way we were inviting people to church was with a little “invitation” card that had the image “cross = heart” on one side, and on the other it said “This is love, find out why” with a web link that would take you to a page where Australia’s head pastor, Joel Abel invited the people to join us for our Easter services. Our job as the church, was to give them out with a random act of kindness. It was so much fun! A lot of people bought the coffee for the people behind them in line and gave them a card, I actually made some earrings and punched them through the cards and handed them out to women throughout the city. It was such a fun thing to do, and was so cool to actually be a part of making church happen, aside from behinds the scene stuff!

It was an incredible Easter morning that followed into our evening service.

Just so everyone is aware, Beau (whom I asked everyone to pray for in my last update) was made whole in the presence of our Savior the day after my last post, April 8th. So in saying that, we rejoice that he’s now healed and alive and well, but we don’t forget that his wife and family are still here learning how to do life without him. SO continue to lift the Slocumb’s up in prayer, as well as all of Beau’s friends and other family. I actually avoided church the entire weekend apart from serving in Kids before I heard the news. The first service I attended was my Tuesday morning chapel service. I had been having it out with God the whole weekend and into the week. Was finding it really hard to focus on worship when I had so many questions running through my mind and was just talking to God about it. Decided He’s still worthy and worshiped out of knowing I needed to, and even though I didn’t understand He was still good. During the second song, I totally felt God start talking to me. We were singing one of the new songs coming out on the new Hillsong Live album, and the lyrics just hit me. “There’s nothing in this world that could take you away.” The words just resonated with me, and I felt God saying you guys have it all wrong in seeing it as the end of something when really it’s the beginning. Not even death can separate my children from me. We see death as the end, because all we can see is physical, however, not even death can separate us from Him, as His people, death is our hope, and it's the beginning!! Beau is now living in God’s promise! He is alive and well!! Which God just concreted even more in the last song we sang. All I’m going to say is that I stood there weeping because all I could feel was Beau singing that song not as a hope anymore, but as His reality.

On that day when I see

All that You have for me

When I see You face to face

There surrounded by Your grace

All my fears swept away

In the light of Your embrace

Where Your love is all I need

And forever I am free

Where the streets are made of gold

In Your presence healed and whole

Let the songs of heaven

Rise to You alone

No weeping no hurt or pain

No suffering You hold me now

You hold me now

No darkness no sick or lame

No hiding You hold me now

You hold me now

In this life I will stand

Through my joy and my pain

Knowing there's a greater day

There's a hope that never fails

Where Your Name is lifted high

And forever praises rise

For the glory of Your Name

I'm believing for the day

Where the wars and violence cease

All creation lives in peace

Let the songs of heaven

Rise to You alone

For eternity

All my heart will give

All the glory to Your Name

It’s been an insane busy/challenging month. I can’t believe it’s almost May. That so much has happened in the last 10 months of me being here. That this time last year I was getting ready to come here, and now I know what day I’m booking my flight home. It’s out of control! There’s so much God’s done and shown and I know he still has a heap to do. It’s been a challenge and been a road I never thought was gonna look the way it has, but God’s known from the beginning of time! How cool? :) I love him! Even in the midst of feeling like just a face or just a being, He knows what he’s destined me to do, What he’s purposed my life for. In the midst of not getting the hours I need at work to pay bills, he’s gonna provide, because that’s His character! He doesn’t leave His children stranded anywhere. We’re never alone and never without a way, even if we can’t see it or feel it, He’s there and has gone before.

I can’t wait to be back home with you guys, for however long it may be!! Love you all so much and am praying for you constantly!! I’ll update soon!! After the next 2 weeks, because on Friday, Max’s mom and best friend get here for 2 weeks!! AGHHH!!! :) can’t wait to have a piece of home here, Max and I could not be more excited to have them here and to be able to get out of the city with them!

I love you guys and miss you!! Thanks for all of your prayers and financial support you guys give me!

Side note, if you do want to help support me in the last 2 months that I’m here, I have the “Donate” button on my blog page, up at the top!

Love and miss you guys SO much!! Praying for you!! I’ll talk to you soon, but more importantly, I’ll be seeing you soon! :)

Michelle

Whirlwinds

So, first things first! I don’t care who you are or where you’re from, I want you to take moment to pray for my friend Beau Slocumb who is 26 years old, and to put it as politely as I can, is battling cancer right now and it doesn’t look like he’s winning! BUT in JESUS name, he stands victorious! Its been a roller coaster medically and emotionally for him and his family! Many of you know who he is, but some of you don’t and to be honest, know him or not you need to be praying! It’s time for us to see a miracle and I’m believing God for one, I’d love to know you’re partnering with me in that belief! One thing my principal says often during Chapel when we pray is “lets petition heaven” and I’m asking you guys to do that with me! Lets bombard heaven with an expectant faith!! You guys are amazing and I believe because of YOU, we’re gonna see Beau be HEALED, in Jesus name!!

Now that that’s taken care of, how are you guys?? I miss you all more than you could know, but can’t deny that this place and these people have become family and home away from my family and home!! I could not be more blessed, not that that’s the song I’ve been singing the whole time, but what they say a lot here, and God’s made it more than just a saying in my life is “It’s all about perspective.” God’s been teaching me so much in this area lately! For a while there I couldn’t see the light in what God was doing… until I finally came to the realization that my attitude and perspective doesn’t change my circumstances of the people in my life, but it does change how I let them effect me. God is GOOD!!!!! A truth he’s been sure to have me learn about Him this year. I LOVE HIM!!!!!

What’s gone on??? Let me think for a minute… the new Hillsong United album is out, titled “Aftermath” it is incredible! If you haven’t already gotten your hands on it, I recommend you do so. It has a newness and freshness about it, and as usual, the anointing of God on it. I can’t WAIT for the Hillsong Live album to come out for you guys!! I still can’t get over the leadership I’m under!! I seriously sit under some of the greatest most inventive worship songwriters in the world… only God could bring me here! I love it!! You think after 9 months it would wear off however I think it’s actually taken me this long to understand and appreciate the leadership I am actually under. Seriously, little me, from Macon, GA in Sydney, studying under some of the greatest leaders of our generations… ONLY GOD!!!!! :)

So… apart from constantly having a revelation of where I am and how I can’t be anywhere but in the grace of God because I’m here… we had Colour Conference which is the women’s conference they have each year. We meet as “Sisterhood” every Thursday, and then gather conference style every March. I served in Kids which was AWESOME, except for the fact I lost my voice the very first night of the conference and had 2 full days to go. I serve in kids on the weekends and absolutely love it, and wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else for conference!! :) I actually was blessed with the privilege of getting to watch and take care of Sam, Stephen and Joy, who are Craig and Amy Groeschel’s youngest three children. Craig Groeschel was one of the key speakers for the conference and Hillsong wanted his whole family (of 8) to come, and provided them with chauffeurs and nannies. It was an honour to be asked and I was so blessed by the family. How cool is it that my first trip to the zoo since being here was with the whole Groeschel family…ONLY GOD!! It was so much fun! For those of you who don’t know who Craig Groeschel is (I didn’t until I met him), He pastors Life Church in Oklahoma! He’s an incredible speaker and man of God, and His wife is absolutely PRECIOUS, along with their six children! So for conference I was half with just the Groeschel’s and then with all the other women’s children. I do have to say… one of my favourite moments was listening to all the children years kindergarten to 5^th grade proclaim in worship “The same power that conquered the grave lives in me, Your love that rescued the earth lives in me.” Talk about a sobering moment… how often do I walk my daily life without that revelation?? His SPIRIT lives IN ME!!! He’s with me… all the time… the SAME spirit that was with Jesus on the day he raised from the dead, is with me today!! WOW!!! Challenges God gives you from those younger than you… Yeah… it was WAY cool! I love how God does that… you’re serving or giving of your time/money/energy/knowledge… and he blesses you when you least expect it and challenges you in a way you WANT to be challenged… it’s a challenge… but living my life with the revelation that His Spirit, that same power on that day 2000 years ago is with me still… They’re more than just words but a reality in how I should work life out daily. He’s equipped me for all the challenges and circumstances he’s placed me in, because that same conquering power is inside of me… he’s already risen above it, in me!!! (THE SAME POWER IS IN BEAU!!!) HOW COOL?!?!? AGH… I just LOVE Him!!

So… yeah!!! School is back to normal, for the past week now and I can’t believe my time is almost up and the peace I have about that… but I plan on utilizing the time I do still have, and not checking out mentally prior to July 10^th! There’s so much vision and passion God’s been stirring up and placing inside of me and Max… it’s unreal! And We are SO blessed to be here!! What God’s doing in us individually and together is not something we could have fathomed in deciding for him to stay, and we know it wouldn’t have been the same elsewhere! I can’t WAIT to see what’s in store!! We’re surrounded by some of the greatest people in the world and couldn’t have asked to be someplace better! To clear up any questions though, we ARE coming home in July! :) We hope to be back someday, and don’t necessarily feel like our time here is done, but there has been clear direction that says for now it is. We’ll see what God does!! I have no idea… Its going to be so hard to leave this place and these people, but what God’s been doing in all of us as a group and individually and sharing in that, not even seas or continents can separate us!!

I love you all so much, and have no idea how much I appreciate you guys and can’t wait to be back home with you all, but if you’re worried about me being too ready, don’t be!! I’m ready to hit the ground and run with whatever it is God says for me to do, but I’m not ready to leave this place and these people that I’ll never be in the same place with all at the same time again! I’m learning to anticipate the future, but not loose sight of the present! It’s a good lesson to learn now I’d say! :)

I’ll be in touch SOON!! Love you all so much and praying for God’s presence and blessing in church as Easter comes up! I’ll tell you guys about that here in a bit! It’s already been so cool preparing for it! BUT, I’ll save that for next time! :)

Michelle :)

P.S. I dyed my hair… it’s dark brown/auburn! No more blonde… for those of you who were curious! Don’t have a good picture of it yet but as soon as I do, I’ll get it up for you guys! :)

"Hello hello it's me again, it's me again..."

Hello everyone!! :)

So… I counted it up the other day with some of my friends here… and I can’t believe it will have been a year in 4 months!!!!!!! CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously…. It’s ridiculous how quick the time has flown by! I can’t wait to be back home with you so soon, but I also hate knowing the rest of my time here is so limited!
It’s been unreal since I last updated you all. I’ve officially started back because I had my first 2 assessments due yesterday! I absolutely love being back for real!! It’s great! My tutorial group is great, my teachers are amazing and there’s just so much to get! I feel like I’m more open this semester than I was last semester, and more aware of the classes and what they have to offer.
I think my favorite class has got to be Old Testament. All the first years have it together, with our principal, who is AMAZING! She’s huge into the Old Testament, and is actually learning Hebrew now. She’s been to Israel heaps of times, and is so knowledgeable and good at imparting her knowledge. She manages to turn every class (a 2 hour class once a week) into a sermon.
There’s just so much to take from it about how to read it and apply it, but how to keep perspective that it was written as a history log… just SO much! I love it! I walked out of class this past Thursday, just mind blown and ready for more.
I feel like this semester, and even talking with some other students, we’re much more receptive to what’s being taught because we’re not so new anymore. We’re not the newest intake; we’re not new to the culture; we’re not new to church life, we’re just much more settled and comfortable and can focus a little more.
I just love this place. I seriously have heard God this semester giving more direction than anything else and it’s quite exciting! I know he covered a lot last semester on the tedious internal details of me, but this semester I feel like he’s still working on that however He’s trusting me with more of his vision for my life. It’s been so great just to be with him and talk to him. Not always easy, hearing what he’s got to say, but he’s softening my heart to be capable of carrying all that he’s purposed out for my life, and knowing that is really cool!
I promise to blog soon, and give some more nitty gritty details, but for now… this is what I’ve got! :)
THE NEW HILLSONG UNITED ALBUM IS OUT!!!! “Aftermath” is AMAZING, and if you haven’t already, you should check it out! I love it, and it’s so cool that we worship to a good number of those songs every week! :) It’s quite nifty! :)
Also… one last thing, I’ve been informed that some of you have expressed interest in supporting me but didn’t know how to get that money to me! Well, here’s the link to my paypal account where you can donate whatever you would like! :) Thank you so much in advance for your help! God is so sovereign and good to provide, all the time. If you haven’t thought about it, I ask that you do pray about and consider it now. Thank you SO much, you have no idea how much it means to me.
Even if you can’t or don’t feel led to support me, please partner in prayer with me about my finances for the rest of my time here. I was given 4 hours at work over the last 2 weeks, I pay rent weekly, and was making mends meet prior to the lack of hours. I know God will bring what’s needed, and ask that you believe in prayer with me for that.
Thank you all so much for your prayers and thoughts!! I am so blessed to have the family and friends that I do!!
Here’s the link to my pay pal account, and if that doesn’t work, the link to the right, there is a “donate” button that will take you to the pay pal screen the first link is suppose to take you to! :) The donate button will always be there so even if the post doesn’t have the link, the blog will always have it to the right!
Paypal link:
https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=E63gEX8gaU61g-Yi2XcNX6QGO-cNEyg4kZs9MsHO48LbybC461o8SWYOIHC&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8d61ec37c409b56235bed2ddf64505aee9


Miss you all and am praying for you and what God’s doing constantly!! Love you all, and I’ll see you sooner than we all think! :)

Michelle :)

This thing called love

Oh how I miss home!!!!

I LOVE this place, but wish so bad the people I love could be in the place I love with me!

It’s been RIDICULOUSLY too long since I’ve last posted and I am SO sorry!

I hope everyone had a GREAT holiday season and has had a wonderful start to this new year!!

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY WEEK!!!! :)

I seriously can NOT believe it’s already the middle of February!! I’m back in school, officially more than half way done with my time here!

We just finished our first two weeks of classes, which are called intensives. They’re different classes than the ones we’ll take on a weekly basis and they last for all day of every day basically.

I can’t explain to you how good it feels to be back in school. Seriously, the anticipation and sense of a new season has been in swing since last semester ended, and now its here, unfolding! I’m SO PUMPED!

Seriously, I couldn’t have asked for a better Christmas break, but I can’t wait to get back into the swing of things, in a new way! :)

Just so everyone IS aware, some of you have heard, the boy who has my heart is currently residing in the same hemisphere, country, city, and apartment complex as me! :) Max, is staying! Our break and the time we thought we had was wonderful, but God totally made it clear and opened the doors for him to be able to stay here for this semester.

Honestly, can I just take a moment to tell you guys WHY he’s so amazingly wonderful and God knew I needed Him here this semester?

I’ve been super homesick the past 2 weeks, just missing my family and wanting to be back in Georgia with an actual winter! SO, knowing this Max didn’t make plans for Valentine’s day… or so I thought when I’d spent all day making him Cupcakes and made it down to the courtyard to meet Him 2 hours after we were first suppose to, and he asks me what I want to do for the night. Frustrated doesn’t even begin to cover how upset I was! I didn’t want to have to make plans, or decide anything and when his schedule had been what I’d known it to be on Monday, I was not a happy girl when he asked me what I wanted to do. However, I was VERY wrong when we let me out on the balcony to see where he’d set dinner up for the two of us along with his laptop and my new favourite black and white movie “Adam’s Rib” there as well. Come to find out he’d been in the kitchen all day and skyped my mom to figure out how to cook my favourite dishes of hers. Seriously, could I be more blessed?!? God knows… all the time he knows what we each need, and for me, in order to make it through this semester and NOT getting on a plane, He knew I was going to need him here if it was even only for valentine’s day! Oh my gracious… I love that Boy, but I love God even more!! Because its God who’s given him to me, and has made him the way he is!! I’m so blessed! :)

It’s been so cool already to be here with Him, and serve together! Honestly, what better place could I ask to be apart of and have the man I love with me. Serving alongside and being poured into by this place I’ve come to know as home.

Honestly, I really feel like God’s about to do a lot of new things. I’m still serving in all of the same places, still working HEAPS!! But I’ve decided to be diligent with what’s in my hand. This is a new thing for me! I’m going to be content and give where I’m serving all that I have to give of my best. My dreams seemed to be much bigger and not connected to serving in choir on Sunday’s, going to nursing homes every Saturday and serving as basically a Crowd control leader for all of those at Northway, but I’ve come to realize this is the crucial time. I’m never going to be 100% ready for what’s in my heart, but not honouring God in the meantime, doesn’t make me more capable. I’m not too good for these things… it’s a privilege to begin with to say that I’m apart of God’s family, and I’ve come to realize that while I have a huge desire for worship and to see the nations in worship, my heart is to see God’s kingdom come and expand here on earth and the big picture is made up of the small things.

I can’t even begin to explain what all God’s done in the last two months while I haven’t even been in school, but it’s just the beginning! Hillsong isn’t the dream, it’s the beginning of the dream, and the Lord knew it was going to be needed in the process of me being more healthy and capable to carrying the dream he’s entrusted to me!

Part of what he’s entrusted to me is keeping you all updated and posted on what’s going on in my life! And I promise, to try and do better! I just get so behind that I feel like there’s SO much to catch you all up on, I don’t have time to catch you up unless I sit down and make sure I have uninterrupted time!

I miss you all SO much!!!!! Praying for you all constantly! Crazy that our God is big enough to move here in my life, and move in your in the other hemisphere on the completely opposite side of the world. I LOVE OUR GOD!!!!!

This semester is going to be full on with our Women’s conference and Hillsong Conference, along with song-writing classes! It’s going to be so good though! I’m pumped! Full on but so good and full of God’s presence and spirit!

I love you all, and thank you all for your prayers! I promise to have another update soon! :)

Also, I moved. I’m pretty sure I told you all in my last update, but my new address for any of you who feel led to give or just want to send a letter , is:

373/8 Lachlan St.

Waterloo, NSW 2017

Australia

Love,

Michelle :)

Tis' the Season! :)

Hi everyone!!!!!

I MISS YOU ALL MORE THAN YOU KNOOOOOOWWWWWWWW!!!!! I’m sorry it’s been so long, been wrapping up the end of the semester, DONE! I’m officially done with my first semester over here at Hillsong International Leadership College! CRAZY!! My how it’s flown by!!

I hope everyone had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving and ate a portion of turkey and green bean casserole for me! :) They definitely don’t have thanksgiving over here, considering it was something formed due to the colonists and the Native Americans!! :) However, I was able to get a little taste of it thanks for Brian and Bobbie Houston (Hillsong’s senior pastors) for having all the American and Canadian students over to their river property for Thanksgiving! It felt more like the fourth of July, but was still such a nice treat to get out of the city and feel like home!

UGH!! So, school’s done, I’m moved into my new flat with new girls and I LOVE it!!!

I’m now living with 5 other girls instead of 3, but my rent in cheaper and the view is MUCH better from my new place! :) It’s awesome, and I love all the girls I live with!! One’s from New Zealand, and the rest are American!

I can’t believe how long it’s been since I last updated… OUTRAGEOUS!! Just SO busy!! I’m still not completely settled in from moving, but it’s all-good!!

MAX GETS HERE IN 2 DAYS!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :) :)

He’s coming here for Christmas and New Years and his birthday!! :) It’ll hopefully feel a little more like the Holiday’s when he gets here! Probably as much as it can feel like Christmas in 90 degree weather… haha! I attended Hillsong’s “Christmas Spectacular” last night, and it so made me want to be home! But, I’m here! And it’s going to be AWESOME! :)

Even though classes are done God’s still up to so much!! I FINALLY got a job! About a month ago… but still haven’t been getting all the hours I really need to be able to live, so it’s either get another job, or believe God to provide the hours I need! Just be praying for guidance in that!!

God’s just still revealing a lot about Himself to me!! It’s been so cool! I’m not exactly sure what next semester holds but I know it’s going to be good! He’s about to reveal a lot about what he’s got in store I feel like and I’m super pumped!! :) It’s gonna be cool! It always is when He’s got His hand in it!

I’m sorry this isn’t more full. I attempted to write one about two and a half weeks ago, but then got busy with moving and people leaving that I wasn’t ever able to finish it.

In the time Since I’ve last updated, I got a job!! :) PRAISE JESUS!!! I’ve have graduation ball, which would make you want to stay at college another year, just so you can attend it again. I’ve had graduation, which was so much fun, but so sad all at the same time. People leaving who’ve helped make this place home for me!! I’ve moved out of my old place, and into my new! (I’ll post pictures of the view soon) And I’m not getting ready for the best boyfriend ever, to get here! :) It’s been so crazy and so fast, people going home for good, people going home just for Christmas, everyone moving out and around! It’s just crazy, but it’s so good!! It’s my life here!! :) I love it!! You can see all my tagged pictures from Graduation and Grad. Ball and just life here on my facebook! :) http://www.facebook.com/rosa.michelle.garrett

I love and miss you guys SO much!!!!!! Praying for you all the time!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I’m not able to post before!! Enjoy the smell of your tree’s for me and the cold and the decorations!! Take care of my family those of you who already know how hard it’s been, esp. for momma!! :) You all are my family!! And I miss you SO SO much!!!!!!!!

Michelle :)

P.S. My new address is:

373/8 Lachlan St.

Waterloo, NSW 2017

Australia

You’ll notice not too much changed about it except one number!! I’m in the same building just on floor 15 and not 10 now! :)

"I will see this season through, I will fix my eyes on you, Only You!"

HELLO AGAIN!!! :)

Here’s what’s going on…… I’M IN AUSTRALIA!!!!!! Seriously?? I’m studying at Hillsong… in Australia… I’m HERE!!!!!!! Ugh… I think it finally hit me for REAL last night… it’s so strange. This is my REALITY!!!!!! Not some dream anymore… it’s my life!!! It’s SO CRAZY!!!!!!! We’re getting ready for the new album recording this Sunday night, and we had rehearsal last night, which basically just ended up being a time for the choir to worship to the new songs before everyone else… and I just was with Jesus. Right there… loving on Him, but being loved by Him more. It’s always Him loving me more! There are two songs particular that have resounded with me and where I am right now. One of them is a scripture that God has SO been sharing with me, first in my own quiet time, then from the platform, and then in one of the new songs. Oh my gracious… I just love Him!! He absolutely overwhelms me!! We were in the middle of the song, and I was talking with my friend Lindsey throughout the entire thing because we were both just being consumed with His love, and I just looked at her with tears in my eyes… and felt drenched in love. I’m here… I finally felt like I belonged. It had NOTHING to do with album or because it’s Hillsong, but I was so worn out already, but there was still work to be done… and all I wanted to do was take a quick nap in the chairs and then get back to work. It honestly felt like home, and like family! Like working on all of the vacation bible schools and other events at the church always felt, late nights trying to get stuff done before the date. It sounds weird… I know, that last minute chaos is comforting… but it is! It felt like home, and God totally just loved on me. This is my home now, for the next 8 months at least… this is where I’m suppose to be belonging, and putting in the late nights and feeling like it’s home. I loved it! :) It’s so surreal, that Darlene Zschech was 20 feet in front of me, and I’m part of the team that gets to help her lead worship. HOW CRAZY?!?! :) Joel Houston, Rueben Morgan, Ben Fielding, JD and Jad… ha!! You’ve got to be kidding me. The place I use to you-tube just to get a taste of their worship and see what they do, is now the place I’m calling MY church, my HOME, and I’m apart of making it happen. Not even close to a “big” part, but still!! I get the privilege of being apart of the team that will lead people into worship with these songs all around the world. The same videos I use to watch, I’ll now be in… Our God is a just God. I can’t believe I’m here! :) It’s like a fairytale!!

Anyways… yeah… just needed to share that moment with you all!! :) I hope everyone is have a WONDERFUL first week of November, and had a GREAT Halloween. I can’t believe it’s already November… CRAZY!!!

It’s really weird being here in what I’m use to being fall! Australian’s don’t really celebrate Halloween so there weren’t any Halloween decorations out or candy bags… instead they already have Christmas stuff up, and that’s even weirder, because it’s warming up… I’m going to have a HOT Christmas… WEIRD!!!!!!!!!!! And what makes it worse is I won’t even be with my family… thankfully Max is coming to see me and will be here so I get to spend Christmas with him… In AUSTRALIA!!! Which… is pretty cool for sure! :)

God is so good!!!!!!!! That word, “good” had just resounded with me for the last few weeks and continues to. There’s such a sweetness to it and I love that it’s part of His character. Goodness is not what God has… but who He is!! AGHHHH!!! I love it! :)

Anyways… Just some updates… For those of you who didn’t see my facebook status a few days ago… if you remember me blogging about receiving a random $400 under the door of my flat two weeks ago, God gave me another $340 the same way this Sunday evening!! I now have enough to pay bond and the first two weeks of rent to move out… I’ve been saving the first $400 waiting because I know I would need it for sure at some point, so I now have $740 to go towards the $760 needed in order to be able to move into cheaper accommodation!! :) How cool… haha!! I didn’t even know what to do, humbled doesn’t even begin to describe the place God’s taken me to through all of this. SO GOOD!!!!!! I love Him… just do!! He’s lovely!!

AGHH!!! So… yeah… I’m getting teary eyed again as I’m writing all of this!! Just reflecting on what God does and how it’s so His character!! He is love, and He is blessing!! It’s who He IS!!!!! He is!!! I love it!!

For those of you who are wondering what exactly it is I’m getting from Hillsong, and not just what God’s doing, there is no separation or distinction between the two. Hillsong, is just a church, what’s distinguishing about them from others, is their desire to let God do as He pleases through them. It’s the healthiest church I’ve ever been apart of. I’m under one of the greatest leadership teams in the world, and it’s a lot to swallow especially coming from growing up as a minister’s kid, in multiple churches. It’s just healthy, for the leaders individually, for their families, for the congregation. If I’ve gotten anything from “Hillsong” it would be a healthy image of what to look for and what’s needed for me. But honestly, even that has NOTHING to do with Hillsong, it has to do with their sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to guide them as a fully rounded church. What I’m learning here isn’t what you learn with your typical college course, it’s what I’m learning because God’s in the midst of it and is changing the way I eat the apple and drink the water and put on the garments, there’s this whole other level he’s revealing of himself to me, and of our relationship. It’s BEAUTIFUL!!!! And while I haven’t LOVED every minute of it, there’s this peace that I can barely swallow it’s so overwhelming! I honestly can’t describe what I’m getting from Hillsong, because what I’m getting is from God, and I can’t let Hillsong take the credit for what the Lord has orchestrated and is having His spirit work out in me, while I’m here.

UGH!!!! I just LOVE Jesus, and His Father, and His Spirit that he’s allowed to rest with and in me DAILY!!! He is absolutely overwhelming!! :) There’s this whole new level to Him that’s tangible, and it’s something that I’ve always heard, but never really understood, but I’m starting to!! :)

ALSO… I got a call back from Deon, the manager at E-Spirit, they filled the position, however she spoke with her regional manager and they want me to come in for another interview and see what store they can get me into and trial because she said they definitely want me!! :) God is SOOO GOOD!!!!!! UGH!!! I know that it’ll work out the way it’s suppose to, I’m suppose to hear from them tomorrow, Thursday to schedule me for an interview and trial with the regional manager! :) So please keep that in your prayers and I will keep you updated throughout!

I love and miss you guys so much!! I’m sorry this is so long; it’s just a busy season, and God’s doing so much!! It’s definitely not a “be still and know” season! :) but I’d be ok if it was!! I’d love to hear from all of you at some point!! I’m sorry if the longer this goes on, the less sense I’m making! I’ve had to write it in intervals because I was babysitting all day, and wrote during the naps, and now finishing it up at home! :)

You all matter so much to me, which is why I want you to be fully aware of all the details as much as you possibly can be!! I’m praying for you all!! Thank you for your prayers!

Michelle :)

333/8 Lachlan St.

Waterloo, NSW 2017

Australia