Fraudulent Charges.

Yesterday, I officially applied to Hillsong Leadership College.
Officially.
And then about 2 hours later BB&T called me about "possible fraudulent charges".  
I appreciate your awareness, BB&T. Thanks.

So let the discouragement begin...at least that's what it feels like.  
I know it's going to be a financial burden. It's college; it's expensive. But praise the Lord that I have my half of tuition in savings.  Estimated living costs in Australia are about $350 (AUD) per week.
PER WEEK?!
Yup.
I don't even make that in 2 weeks at Starbucks!
But I trust that this is what the Lord has put on my heart, so I've just got to be better with my money. Which means no shopping for myself for a while, getting crafty for Christmas, trying to drive less, and pick up some extra jobs. And maybe I can find some scholarships or sponsorship...with boldness.
If this is where He wants me, He'll provide.
I know that.
I trust that with confidence.
So we'll wait and see what happens next.

Last night was The Unhappy Hour at the Edgar Allen Poe museum in Richmond.

Poe Museum

Crystal and I went together. I just love her!
She's so much fun and such a gift to me :)

The weather was perfect, the parking was crazy, and the band was terrible. 
But we still had a great time! 
Jamie read "The Masque of the Red Death" and honestly it was boring and poorly read.  So after complaining to a few of the museum workers, Jamie performed "The Tell Tale Heart", like he did last year which was the main lure for returning this year, and it was wonderful! He does such a good job at...being creepy. Which sounds awful, but that's what makes the performance so worth while!
It was just really great to get out of the area. I love the 757, but sometimes it can feel so small.
I'm too young to have that "settled" feeling; especially without being settled!

Jesus,
I know You're doing great things; that's what You're about. What a romantic characteristic :)  There's peace in my spirit knowing you're in control, but these worldly concerns are robbing me of joy. The thief is coming to destroy (John 10:10). I refuse to be a victim.
Continue to fuel this journey. Put your Spirit of peace in knowing whether or not to keep pursing Hillsong.
Provide financially from sources unexpected. And if I need boldness to ask for help, infuse me with that.
I trust You, Jesus.
I trust You.
I trust You.
Your will be done.

She don't got a lot to say.

The next week is fixin' to be pretty brilliant.
Tonight is our Halloween Party and I'm super excited! I'm mentally preparing myself to start getting things ready.

To where I think the Lord is leading me: Australia.
Weird, right?
Sarah and I put Australia on the "do not visit" list due to rumors of vicious kangaroos and the impending death known as sharks. But over the past few months I've been working on knowing God' Word better.
I know I love Jesus more than anything, but I'm not confident in my knowledge of the Bible. And I want to be!
If I know nothing else, I know I want more of Him.
So I've been researching Bible colleges, locally and not-so-locally. Which is how I got to Australia: Hillsong International Leadership College.  Their values and beliefs align with what I believe, the church is similar in size to Shores which is something I was hoping to find. So after a few emails with the admissions people, prayer, and some financial research, I've decided to keep pursing this possibility.  I'm still praying through the whole thing, but whilst working on my application.

It's just been so long since I've really made a new friend: someone who doesn't know anyone in my family, is from a different place, and is over the age of 20. That's what I love! I love meeting new people. I love discovering things about them. I love making memories and I love adventure. It's not always easy and it definitely gets lonely, but in those moments I discover new things about my heart.  One of the moments when I was closest with God was the first month in Austria.

The only person I could consistently run to and without judgement was, and very much still is, Jesus.  It was great. There's no reason I can't have that kind of proximity in everyday life, but something about being forced out of comfortable areas really reminds me of how "made to be with Him" I am.
So we'll see where this goes.