The Eagle Has Landed.

Hello Family/Friends.

I finally made it home to the good USofA.  Although, the flight(s) back were a bit interesting, overall, I am glad I am finally able to sleep in my own giant bed.  

This summer has been the best one yet and has been completely life changing in so many different ways.  I was able to see God in a new light and perspective.  What an amazing Lord we follow.  I mean seriously.  Not only does He love us to the ends of the earth, He loves every single person on the planet just as much.  Now to me, that is a heck of a lot of people; close to 7 billion I believe, which means that is a heck of a lot of lovin'.

Here's the thing, we are able to see God working extensively in our own lives and in the lives of others close to us, but He does just that much work in others all around the world.   I think we get so stuck in our own routine and bubble that we can forget about the massive God we serve.  We are so caught up in our own relationship with God that we can almost forget the omniscient being we call Lord.  And why is that?  Why do we allow ourself to put God in such a small box?

This is what I have learned.  God has always been, is, and always will be.  Not only to me, but to the entire world.  He has died for each and every person who has been, is and will be, ironic.  He cares about each of us individually yet has eternity in mind at all times.  He has saved us from the most horrible thing we could ever imagine by experiencing it Himself.  He sent His son Jesus Christ to die for our humanness so we didn't have to go through it because He loves us that much.

So, we have a model of what true love is, so the question is what do we do from here?  We should take the model of love that has been shown and try to duplicate it in our own lives.  We must strive to love every person on this planet just as He loves.  Just think, if everyone truly strived to give others love the way Jesus loved, this world would be a completely different world.  But with any change, it starts with one person and has a domino effect from there.

If we want to see change in our lives, we have to decide to be the change.  We can't always expect people to come to us for solutions.  We can't always expect God to just hand us the answers.  We have to work for it a little bit.  We must be the change if we want to see the change.  

But in order for us to truly love the way Jesus loved, we must learn and spend time with God.  Read His Word.  Pray.  Be in constant conversation with God.  And once we do that, then He shows us how to love the way Jesus loved.

This summer, I was able to witness people who have allowed God to show them how to love and that's what they do.  They simply love.  Yes, people sin.  But Jesus hung out with the sinners.  He may not have loved their sins, but He still invested in them.  He loved on them, and that is how they came to know Him.  Being Christian means showing Christ through your life and striving to be as Christ-like as possible in your lifestyle and in everything you do.

So, that is what I am going to do.  I am going to try to be the hands and feet of Jesus in everything I do.  Will you join the challenge?

Thank you guys for supporting me this summer, and just know...

This isn't the end, but the beginning of a life full of adventures.

Enjoy the adventures God has you on.  They are pretty rad ya know.

Love,

Ang

Coming Up To The Finish Line.

Fellow People of the World,

I have 25 hours until I hop on a plane and make the long journey back to the big state of Texas.  There's a mixture of emotions that go with this.  So, I shall express some to you since I know how interested you are.  ;)

I love the people here.  It's that simple.  So, saying goodbye to them is kind of a drag because I really don't want to say bye.  Saying bye I think is way overrated anyways.  I think I am just going to make it a "see ya soon".  Because in all honesty, there is no doubt that I am coming back soon.  No doubt in my mind.

I also love the people back home.  I haven't seen them this summer (obviously) minus the two or three Skype dates we have had over the past two months and it is going to be nice to see them.  So, hanging out and being with the people that I care about at home is going to be way too fun.

I am not too sure if I am truly ready to go home.  I miss my family/friends but I could easily spend another month here and completely be okay with it.  But ya know, reality hits in and obligations begin to pile up, so home it is.  So for now, I am going to say, "See ya bye Australia." And just know that in a short while, I will be back.

This summer has been an unforgettable one and this place and these people hold a very special place in my heart and I can't wait to see what happens in the future because of my trip here.  God has shown and taught me so much and I am just blessed beyond what I deserve.  God is way too cool for me.

Thank you everyone for supporting me this summer as I have fully enjoyed this adventure.  If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be here and I wouldn't have experienced what I have.  So, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Can't wait to see everyone!  Hope you're having a great day!!  :)

Love,
Ang

Jumping Whales and Floating Lanterns.

Good Lookin' Family and Friends,

My time in Fingal has been amazing and luckily it isn't over.  But I did just want to update you on life here in the land of Oz.

This past week has been full of firsts.  I tried fish eggs, skurfing (wake boarding but on a surf board), and paddling on the ocean.  And that is only the beginning of the things I have done. There are dolphins and whales that have been visiting the beach which I am not going to complain about the company.  We also have been trying to make floating lanterns which are way cool.  Who knew they actually existed?  I sure didn't. At any rate, I just have one request, don't tell my mom that I have been swimming in shark infested waters.  She might ground me for life.

The end of the summer is near and I have 5 days left in the place that I have called home for the past two months.  It is a bittersweet feeling really.  I have missed my family/friends back in the States, but I now have a new family here and I am hesitant to leave.  I just wish I could combine the two worlds, but I guess this is reality right? 

All I know is that I am going to make these last 5 days the best last 5 days ever.  I hope everyone has a great week and see you all very soon!!

Love,
Ang

My Heart is Melting.

Hello Hello!

I am up the coast for the week and not only is it warm during the day, but it has completely stolen my heart all over again.  Today, I took a tour around the Gold Coast and it is simply amazing.  I am falling more and more in love with this place, and it is coming to an end soon (for now anyways).

Today, I swam in the Pacific Ocean in the dead of winter and it was warm and an absolute blast.  We all just went to the beach and kayaked, swam, paddle surfed, and boogie boarded.  It was one big hang out and it was awesome.  I kayaked in the ocean and attempted to boogie board to the best of my abilities.  Today was full of laughs and good memories.  I also got to see dolphins and whales!!!  Who knew that I loved the ocean so much?  Maybe I was born to live on the beach.  Actually, I know I was born to live on the beach.

I go home in a week and a half, and it seems as if the summer has just flown by.  I feel like I just arrived and just started to explore this beautiful country that I have been calling home for the past two months.  Man, I sure am going to miss this place.

One thing I do know, I am learning how to play the banjo when I get back.  No ifs, ands, or buts about it.  I am going to learn.  Simple.

I hope everyone is doing well and I will see you all very soon!

Love,
Ang

Glimpse of my Adventure.

G'day Friends and Family!

Here are a couple of pictures for you to enjoy from my adventure in Australia.  :)

Israel Houghton & Darlene Zschech at Hillsong Conference 2011

Hillsong Conference 2011

Blue Mountains

Blue Mountains

The Three Sisters (Blue Mountains)

World's Steepest Cable Car

That's Me!

I hope everyone is doing well and I will see ya soon!  :)

Love,

Ang

Israel Houghton + Hillsong = Unreal Experience.

Hello Hello!

Here is an update for you all.  :)  Finally, right?

I went to a service at the Hillsong Church Conference this past week, and man.  It was seriously unreal.  The Hillsong band played and Priscilla Shirer spoke and it was amazing.  After that, Israel Houghton and Darlene Zschech did a worship service at night and it was a great way to end the night, let me just tell ya.  My friend and I were right in front of the stage and the energy of the people worshiping God was absolutely amazing.  Having thousands of people just worshiping is an amazing feeling really.  Ah, gives me chills just thinking about it.

Other than that, I have been at the YWAM base hanging out with the teams that are  here and what not.  Very fun stuff going on.  I went to the Blue Mountains and saw the Three Sisters and went on the world's steepest cable car.  Life here is fun and crazy, but I only have less than three weeks here, so gotta make the most of it while I can.  Adventures are stinkin' fun, seriously.

God is good and completely present and I hope that you all are getting to experience the blessings and joy in Christ the way that I am.  All of you who are doing B90, shout out!  I hope you are all getting to know God so you can make Him known to others.  That is our purpose for life ya know.  :)

Pictures are coming soon, don't fret my friends!  :)  For now, here is a song for you to enjoy.  This is what I have been listening to the past couple of weeks.  My Dad will be proud.  :)  I just might be looking to invest in a banjo or a dobro guitar.  I could be a bluegrass player or somethin'.  Oh yeah.

Well Well Well by Ben Harper

Love and miss everyone!

Love,
Ang

Head Over Heels.

Living the life.  I couldn’t ask for more.  Spending a few days working in churches, evangelizing, and chilling at the beach.  Seriously Gold Coast is my new favorite place.  Not even kidding.

Hope everyone is doing well!  :)

Love,

Ang