Hello everyone! As you probably know..I am here safely in Brisbane, Australia and I am LOVING IT. We are all still battling jet lag..but other than that I am truly enjoying it here and it's only been a week since I left! On Wednesday we arrived at the Brisbane airport at around 5 AM. There were 5 of us girls that were on the same flight going to YWAM. I flew with my good friend Lesley and Rachel who we met a few times before we left because she lives in Lancaster, and then we recognized Jaeci and Paige in the airport in Dallas.
The 15 hour flight to Brisbane was actually bearable for all of us. There were a TON of movies and shows to choose from and the food was actually fine. We all sat together and it was very comfortable but the most shocking part was that all of us 5 girls slept for the first 12 hours. Then the next 3 hours flew by. Traveling was definitely a breeze so that was definitely an answer to my prayers.
It was around 6 when we got to the base. We were given a tour and got to set up our computers and unpack all of our things. There are 12 people to a room ( bunk beds) Our rooms are actually nicer than I expected! Theres a good amount of space and its carpeted. The bathrooms are a few doors down on the top floor-we have to share with another room of 12 upstairs but it never get really crowded. Well it hasn't yet!
The rest of the day a few of the girls just went to the Brookside Mall to buy some necessities and look around. The mall doesn't look too different from mine at home except I don't recognize a lot of the stores and its more expensive. They have a Target so I'm happy!!
The next day more people arrived and we got to know everyone a little bit better. I am SO THANKFUL because all of the girls in my room get along so well. We're all so different but we all just click so perfectly. There are a few photographers, a few dancers, and a few musicians in the room. We all woke up pretty early again because 6 am in Australia is 4 pm in the States. A bunch of the girls and 3 guys went to Brisbane city by train. It was pretty cheap and easy to get there. The city was beautiful! We got to have our Starbucks and see the fake beach and pretty bridges and fountains! (If you saw any pictures on Facebook, thats basically where we were for all of the pictures I've taken so far)
Thursday was Orientation day. It started at 830 and went until about 3. There was a lot to learn- about the school, classes, schedule, government, wildlife, culture, food, places, and money. There was a lot to learn, but to keep us awake we had random focus shifts where we would get up and dance and do random activities like arrange all 35 of us in order according to our age. (without talking..we failed) Finally after we got all the details figured out we got to relax. Plus we had a break at 1030 for morning tea. We have morning tea every single day with fruit and pastries. It's such an awesome tradition..we just snack and socialize for like 20 minutes every day!
Friday was the beginning of testimonies. We all sat in a circle from about 9-5 with breaks for meals. Everyones story was so incredible- we were all SO honest and open about all of our mistakes and struggles. But of course in the end it was all about where we are now and where we want to be in the future with God. I was super nervous to tell mine but in the end it doesn't matter about what we did in the past or how different we are. It's about how we can all encourage each other to be in a better place with ourselves and God. It brought us all so much closer to each other.
Saturday we finished testimonies in the morning and then had a break until 230. At 230 we put on our athletic clothes and all took a bus to the park. The leaders organized capture the flag.. (or capture the soccer balls) and we had an awesome few games of that on a soccer field. We also played Ninja, The Question Game (where you stand in a circle and ask the person next to you a random question but can't laugh) Terradactyl, and soccer. We had a barbecue (well spaghetti haha) and then some ice cream. Random fact- there are so many bats here! They're huge and kinda scary..i'll have to get used to that. Right after the park we came back to the base and had free time. About 10 of us went right to watch fireworks in the cemetery. They were going on in Brisbane city but we didn't have time to get closer by train so we sat on a hill and watched. We couldn't hear them but it was still such a beautiful view! The city lit up at night looked AMAZING and I definitely want to go at night some time.
In closing of my first blog- I just want to thank everyone who brought me here and thank you for your prayers! I wouldn't want to be anywhere but here in this point of my life. I know God is going to do amazing things here with me and the amazing group of people I'm here with. Thank you thank you :) I'll try to write again this week!
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