Indeed.

Welp, friends, it finally happened: I am 25.
As far a my quarter-life "melt down", it could very much still be on its way, but for now I'm soaking it all in. I've never been one to think, "when I'm ____, I'd like to have/be doing ____."
In the spirit of honesty, there's only one thing I've done that with and it's to be married before my 28th birthday. {feel free to join me in my prayer}
But for the most part I suppose I've just wanted to be in the Lord's will, doing His work, whatever and apparently wherever that means! And here I am, in Australia training to work out the ministry for which God has set me apart.
To everyone who sent me a letter, package, video, snap, or just said "happy birthday", thank you very much.  It's nice to feel so loved and remembered.

Side (but completely related) note:

In core tutorial on Thursday, Yammy had me sit in "the hot seat",

which is when your classmates, aka Hillsong family, says a few words about or to you.

What an overwhelming experience!

Having life spoken into me by brothers and sisters whom I respect and love...

there are no words.

It will be too easy to sound conceited in this moment, but I trust you know my character so I'll proceed:

The things they were saying about and to me were...amazing!

Kindness upon kindness. 

I even got a spontaneous poem (that was so special!!)!!

The woman they were describing is the woman I have been and am praying to be.  

the woman Satan and other voices from the past tell me I'll never be.

But those voices matter not and have no power, in Jesus' name!

I am so favoured and honoured to be in this season with my core tute.

I pray that moment in "the hot seat" will stay with me for the rest of my life 

and be one of the memories I'm able to tap in to when Satan's voice seems to get louder.

If this past weekend is any indication of what the next year is going to look like...oh yeah babe. Come on, somebody!

Some birthday highlights:

Coffee with my core tutorial ladies.

Dinner at Courtney's!

Package from Sarah!

God and His mercies are innumerable. Thank you, Jesus, that I can't comprehend it.

In my quiet time (which I've found to be more fruitful when I'm expecting and looking for fruit...funny how that works), God has been revealing to me so much about His love. 
Most recently through the song "Draw Near" by Bethel.
There are a few personal things I'm wading through and the way I listened to the song on Tuesday struck me in a new way! The verses "draw near to me for I have drawn near to you...I've made a place for You here, so come on" are what did it.
Tuesday morning, I was on my knees in the living room worshipping and as the song played I kept thinking, "draw near, Lord, for I have drawn near to You. I've made a place for You, so come on."  After about the seventh time of listening to the song, I realized I had been hearing it wrong.  
Oh, so clearly the Lord reminded me, "Draw near to Me, for I have drawn near to you...I've made a place for you here, so come on."
NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND!!!!
It just rocked my world and totally reminded me that God's love isn't a reciprocal love.
It's an initiating love.
Thank you, Jesus.
He reminded me that because someone can't love me the way I love them doesn't mean I should stop giving love. What if Jesus had done that?! What if He said, "oh well these people don't like me so I'm not going to like them." 
The cross wouldn't have happened. 
But it did (thank You, Jesus)! 
So my excuses just aren't good enough.  
Christ has given me a prime example of what it means to by 100% in, even when my love is not being received or reciprocated.
So just to be clear, I'm 100% in 100% of the time.

If love is only given when it can be taken, is it really love?

I know what some of you quote addicts are thinking, "you only accept the love you think you deserve."
Whomp whomp.
Come on!
Do we only take a sip of water when we're beyond parched?! Maybe at first but as soon as that cool quenching H-2-beautiful-O hits your lips you go for it!  You take as much as you can get. I believe that's how we are called to love; until the thirst in others is quenched.
That's how Christ loves and we are made in His image (Gen 1:27), so let's be Christians who love initially.
and sincerely (Romans 12:9).

I hope this all makes sense. I'm quite tired.
Off to JJ (Juvenile Justice) tomorrow to do some Zumba with the girls! Can't wait!!!!!
Time to break down some walls.

Here's to asking the Spirit for breakthrough and believing it will happen!