Hello, friends!
Tidings of comfort and joy to you.
A lot has been going on pre, during, and post holiday season. The biggest thing was my sister's visit! There's plenty to talk about my I'll highlight my favourite (now) memories:
Lex coming to visit for Christmas was so special. We did so much while she was here; it was really fun living as a tourist. We started things off with going up to Mt Coolum, Queensland to visit the Australia Zoo aka the Crocodile Hunter's Zoo.
A few weeks before we found this amazing family on Airbnb. We had so much fun and felt so welcome even though we were with them less than 2 days. From there we went to the zoo and had a blast! It was quite warm, but not unbearable.
We pet kangaroos.
We held a koala (Ellen).
Lex won an animal imitation contest.
And saw so many native Aussie animals (cassowaries, dingos, etc)
Then we came back and started living the dream in Sydney!
We went to beaches (Manly, Maroubra and Coogee) and swam in some of Australia's beautiful water. It's still very surreal to swim in crystal clear water, but it was even better to see her experience it. Lex doesn't normally enjoy just chilling at the beach and relaxing, but she did a great job and stuck it out for my sake :)
It was really special. A Christmas day to remember for sure :)
For the rest of the (too short) time, we hit the Sydney hot spots: Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Botanical Gardens, aquarium, Madame Toussaud's, etc.
The grand finale of the trip was a dessert night up in the 360 Bar, a rotating restaurant in the tallest building in Sydney. We got dressed up in some new attire (her dress and my shoes) and had a really sweet time together. We chatted about life, played some silly memory games, and reminisced over the dream we had been living the past 13 days. She's really quite special; so smart, incredibly capable, hilariously adorable, and an all around babe.
Sissy, I know you'll read this so this bit is especially for you:
Tidings of comfort and joy to you.
A lot has been going on pre, during, and post holiday season. The biggest thing was my sister's visit! There's plenty to talk about my I'll highlight my favourite (now) memories:
Lex coming to visit for Christmas was so special. We did so much while she was here; it was really fun living as a tourist. We started things off with going up to Mt Coolum, Queensland to visit the Australia Zoo aka the Crocodile Hunter's Zoo.
A few weeks before we found this amazing family on Airbnb. We had so much fun and felt so welcome even though we were with them less than 2 days. From there we went to the zoo and had a blast! It was quite warm, but not unbearable.
We pet kangaroos.
We held a koala (Ellen).
Lex won an animal imitation contest.
And saw so many native Aussie animals (cassowaries, dingos, etc)
 |
| our Mt Coolum family! |
Then we came back and started living the dream in Sydney!
We went to beaches (Manly, Maroubra and Coogee) and swam in some of Australia's beautiful water. It's still very surreal to swim in crystal clear water, but it was even better to see her experience it. Lex doesn't normally enjoy just chilling at the beach and relaxing, but she did a great job and stuck it out for my sake :)
Then we had Christmas, which was so special. I had to work from 11-5 so we woke up early-ish and Lex made us french toast which we ate while watching our favourite Christmas movie, Muppet Christmas Carol. I went to work and when I came home she made us Spaghetti Bolognese for dinner while we watched some Disney Christmas short films.
It was really special. A Christmas day to remember for sure :) For the rest of the (too short) time, we hit the Sydney hot spots: Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Botanical Gardens, aquarium, Madame Toussaud's, etc.
The grand finale of the trip was a dessert night up in the 360 Bar, a rotating restaurant in the tallest building in Sydney. We got dressed up in some new attire (her dress and my shoes) and had a really sweet time together. We chatted about life, played some silly memory games, and reminisced over the dream we had been living the past 13 days. She's really quite special; so smart, incredibly capable, hilariously adorable, and an all around babe.
Sissy, I know you'll read this so this bit is especially for you:
You are incredible!
I'm convinced that if you actually realised how extraordinarily talented and gifted you are you could do anything! There's so much more to you than just random facts, corny jokes, medical knowledge, and cute stubby toes :)
Don't be afraid to learn new things; teachability is one of the greatest qualities anyone can have. Being teachable doesn't mean you're dumb, it means your wise enough to keep learning :)
Don't waste time "warming up" to people, new and old. Just go for it!
Your spirit is too precious to keep from others.
Keep telling "terrible" jokes and laughing at them; your laughter invites us in to your life. It is warm, and sometimes all it takes to draw people out is a little warmth :)
You're a great big sister and I love you.
Sincerely.
I've now commenced my final semester at Hillsong and man, is it crazy. It's crazy to think the end is near; not quite in sight, but approaching. God has been so kind in reaffirming His timing and has wholly-whelmed me with His peace. I'm taking it all in. Keeping my eyes open. Staying focused. Being fully present where you are is something I don't think you can ever master, but I'm doing my best. The next season, stage, job, opportunity, move, etc will come naturally whether I'm looking for it or not so why miss where I am now?!
Plus, there's still more of Australia to see before I leave!
