We're in the Land of Oz!

So we've arrived in Sydney, Australia this past Wednesday aboard the new Qantas A380, the much talked about jumbo jet. The flight was uneventful and there were no hiccups whatsoever, unlike the very first time the A380 flew from the U.S. to Australia (we know a couple of "culprits" who cost the airline thousands if not millions of $s).

We were over jet-lag in a couple of days and Jim was running non-stop from the get-go. We were so blessed that our dear friend and teammate let us stay in her apartment while she's in the U.S. for the entire month of March! We love the spirit of community and family that we have among our church-plant team, as well as with our circle of friends here. The apartment is in the city, with an awesome view of the Sydney CBD's skyline and Darling Harbour. It's also very close to the very first place we stayed in when we first landed in Sydney at the end of 2006!

Right now, a couple of things are our number one priority for us during this early stage of transition back into Oz: finding a place to live, and finding a good maternity hospital and doctor for myself. The last couple of days I've been busy researching online, making phone calls, etc.

Today (Saturday) we spent all morning visiting potential rental homes in/near the area we lived before. It was a hot and long morning, but because we had done it before, it wasn't so bad. Actually, we ended up really liking one of the places which we feel would suit us, and we're are putting together all the paperwork so we can turn in the application on Monday. Please, pray we us so that the owners/agents may look at our application favorably. Also, please pray that I may be able to find just the right doctors/hospital. :)

Tomorrow is our very first worship service with our church family. We are so grateful for how the Lord is leading us. Despite the hurdles and trials we face, we feel His hands in so many areas of our lives. We may be bummed about one thing but then realize that He's granted so many of our other wishes and dreams. I am also looking forward to re-joining a ladies Bible study I've been attending about 6 months before I left for the U.S.

One of my biggest prayer requests as I have returned to Oz is for the Lord to show me day by day how He wishes me to glorify Him by my serving others and by my letting Him known through my life. It is shameful to admit that somehow I feel it is easier for me to think of living my life that way here than it was while I was in the U.S. Thinking back, I remember being busy moving around from place to place and being flooded with things to do and people to see (not to mention being sick and uncomfortable for the first two months while I was going through morning-sickness). Did I serve others or let God be known to others in my daily life in the past four months?... Can't say for sure.

But I am grateful for and cherish all the face to face time I've had with many people, including some surprise visits with people I hadn't seen in years, and encouraging new friendships! I am grateful that we got to spend a lot of time with family, especially celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, the New Year, and many birthdays together! I am grateful to have found out we'd be parents and were able to share the news and celebrate in person with family and friends! I am grateful that we were able to see and hear about the amazing things the Lord is doing in and through the lives of so many of our loved ones!

In the end, God loves me so much more than I love Him! This is a great lesson I learn everyday. :)