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Aussieland

Here I am in Australia. My friend's family blessed me by including me in their family vacation to Australia. They have a daughter who lives in AUS, and we are staying with her family, so we are two families in one.
On my plane ride to meet up with the family, I read for my current coursework. I'm reading about rest, care, and honoring the Sabbath in Ministry. My professor explained the often false conception in ministry leaders minds of serving at a risk to one's health. He exposed the reality of pride behind many leader's exhaustion. The need to be needed brings one into a place of superiority and out of a place of humility. As I read, I was convicted at my thought process and how I make decisions. Often, I function on the potential productivity in individual actions, never allowing myself to rest truly. In the plane seat, it felt as thought the Lord whispered, be still and rest in my presence. Rest in the care of my arms. Allow Australia to be a Sabbath trip. This whisper horrified me because it juxtaposed my typical mindset. Arriving in Australia opened the door to experience proper rest and care in a way I never expected.

Spring blossoms in Aussieland. The flowers burst with color; the city stands decorated with beds of bright tulips, and Kangaroo Valley is a lush green emerald of mossy trees and rainforest shrub. Pausing to listen to the sounds of the area welcomes the songs of little birds, popping in color and sweet in song. A dense fog creeps in at night, so the patio disappears, and it seems as thought you step outside onto the nothingness of the gray air. The morning is similar, but as the sun rises, the fog disappears, and games of cricket, frisbee, and adventurous explorations ensue: on the hunt for wallaby, kangaroo, and the rock-like wombats. The beauty of creation sings God's glory and the warmth of the families playing together honors His love. As I blogged previously, John 13:35 reads, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” I know the love of the Lord a bit more because of these families. The inclusion and child-like play present within the hearts of these individuals brings me into a new understanding of God's love for me. As we sock wrestle, dance, play tag, and laugh until our stomachs hurt, I know the Lord's love and feel rested, in the child-like fun of being in this family.

May the Lord gently remind you of your place in His family. May he hold you tightly as His child.

All my love,
Gennavieve

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