Can I have another Tim Tam Slam?!

Some things I find interesting about New Zealand:

- It is basically the most beautiful place anywhere EVER (and that is with cloudy skies, I have yet to see it with clear skies, but I can't wait)!

- I asked a Kiwi girl doing the same DTS with me about when schools are in session here. She explained that they have 9 weeks on and 2 weeks off (4 times) and then 3 months off. Someone tell Obama this...I don't think he knows.

- College is known as University

- I tried a Tim Tam Slam today. I don't know if I am at liberty to explain this, but it is melt-in-your-mouth goodness.

- You have to ride a bike or motorcycle with a helmet or you get a BIG fine.

- Don't ever make a peace sign and turn it to face you!! That is like giving someone the finger!

- Their accents out do the USA always.

- The toilets have two options for flushing.

- They like to say "Bro" a lot.

I have been surprised to find I have more time for blogging and skype than I expected. With that said, I want to use my time wisely and soak it up.

Also, we got to hear the vision for the Backpackers' DTS today and I am so pumped, I want to jump around. This is the perfect DTS for me. I will get to rock climb, slack-line, mountain bike, etc. and while doing these things I am passionate about (specifically rock climbing), get to know others. I will get to be myself and share how God has impacted my life.

Kia Ora? Hello!

Well I have finally arrived and I feel like I should run around like I am crazy! It is hard to describe the past 24 hours.

It is 39 degrees here. Thankfully, we have a fireplace.

The plane ride from Los Angeles to Auckland was a trip.

Auckland to Christchurch was the most stressful part. It involved me running/sprinting from one part of the airport to another. I missed my flight, but they had me on the next one.

I was greeted like family at the gate and we headed off to the base.

Erin- it looks a lot like Northern Cali! You would love it.

It is beautiful here. The foothills of the Southern Alps are nearby. I feel I should go up them and start singing "the hills are alive" like Julie Andrews.

You should know that I am not a writer, so I hope this isn't too confusing.

I have met so many people, whether in line for security or seeing Harry Connick Jr. in the ridiculous customs line, or the wonderfully nice people sitting by me on the plane.

They have food here which sounds like it came from Harry Potter. Lolly Mix? And the safety video for the plane was a skit. I think Shepherd's Fold must have rubbed off on them somehow.

Katie Day-they serve coffee for everything! B-e-a-utiful!

P.S. If you haven't picked up Donald Miller's new book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, go buy it. So great.

Times they are a'changin'

After an incredible goodbye to all my best friends, I am ready to go off to the unknown with some amazing support through prayer and encouragement.

I am so pumped!

“You never really leave a place or person you love, part of them you take with you, leaving a part of yourself behind.”

The next time I will write on here I will probably be in New Zealand.

13 days...

Less than two weeks until I am in a very beautiful country.

It is never safe to look into the future with eyes of fear.

I am very excited for New Zealand. It is one of those experiences you know will be one that will change your life forever, and make you into who you are to become. Yeah, this is gonna be good. I would not be opposed to leaving tomorrow. With that said, there are 18 days until I am there.

-fearless

If I got to pick three sisters...

I can't get this song out of my head and I love it!

You belong with me

Anyway, I just wanted to write about how great this last weekend was. I got to spend some much needed time with three of my favorite people in this world. I mean I have a long list of favorites, but these people top the list, they take the cake, they are incredible and I feel so blessed just to know them. We talked a lot, shopped, made nobake cookies, and mai

nly enjoyed one another's good company.

here's a few old picture that will brighten anyones day...

Love you guys and am so glad to be your punk little sister.

"Because with fear comes hope the same."

Currently Listening on repeat: Songs that Duke Wrote by Ben Rector

I have been home for less than a week and so far it has been incredible. This past weekend I had the great opportunity to visit Norman and all the incredible people there. I stayed the night with two Fold friends Liz and Amanda. I got to watch OU get beat by BYU in the midst of OU fans and it was so hilarious. I couldn't believe it was happening. Haha I was the only OSU grad in a 50 mile radius. I'm pretty certain that if anyone actually reads this knows about the Univ. of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State rivalry, if not, it is big in football. The best parts of the weekend, other than seeing so many people I love, was going to Celebration at Norman Community Church and having dinner with a very dear friend Kristin. It truly is amazing how NormCom's Community works. Worshiping, praying, and encouraging one another is something I have missed and seemed to only have found at Shepherd's Fold. I loved it and wish I could get involved there, maybe someday...

Everyone I talked to was so pumped to hear about New Zealand, but let's be honest...I don't know how you couldn't be. This might be one of the coolest things I have ever done. I am stoked and cannot believe I am doing this. Sometimes I get scared, but knowing the Lord will be holding my hand, never leaving my side, gives me boldness and Faith. Bring it.

"And you find you're holding on to everything you know, but the strength to move beyond is found in letting go." Ben Rector

This is where I am. I have to leave the memories of college and California for the past. I cannot hold on to things that are no more. My best friends have/are moving on to different things and trying to hold on to them will get me nowhere. There is no doubt we will always be friends, but will never be the same. We can't stay in the same place forever, and things change. That's life. We can't hang on to the good or the bad, we just move on.

My big goal for going on this Discipleship Training School (DTS) is to come home not looking like me. Having given my life to Christ, I submit to Him making me more like Him. Loving like Him. Seeing, feeling, playing, talking, encouraging like Him. I want to change lives and allow myself to be changed.

To end I will leave you with quite possibly one of the greatest songs of the 90s.

MMMBOP