I think I was in heaven... !

I’m back!

Fraser Island was nothing short of amazing, hootttt, but amazing. [My apologies for no pictures... I tried at least 7 times!] At one point I was certain I had died and gone to heaven! Aqua-blue freshwater lakes with white sand, humungous sand dunes, tropical bush [a.k.a. ‘woods’] with sand trails [walking through the woods in bare feet, no problem], driving Land Cruisers on the beach listening to country music :) … definitely two thumbs up to God for creating such a naturally beautiful place.

… for all the not-so-good feelings of jealousy, there were also; wild dingos [aggressive, sneaky little buggers- they actually almost ran off with someone’s bag- clothes, food and all!], enormous horse flies [the size of a quarter at least!], and constant perspiration [we glistened all weekend!].

All in all I think God gave me a small reminder that when I’m obedient to what He’s asking, He’ll make it worth my while…

This week’s lectures are on RELATIONSHIPS. Gooooooooood stuff. [I know I keep saying it’s all good. But seriously- it just keeps getting better!] Rob and Trisha Hensser, our base director and his lovely wife, are just sockin’ it to us. Everyone is like so blahhh at lunch ‘cause our brains are just overflowing. It really makes for some awesome and intense conversations.

On day one they shared their amazing/hilarious/crazy story:

He was an agnostic British man who moved to Texas after high school… major culture shock. She was a native-Texan, shall I say, a “southern bell’ and they met at Target. Romaaaantic. Well after a few dates, she broke up with him because he didn’t know Jesus…which Rob tells us he was glad about at first. :) [when these speakers tell these stories in accents, especially cynical British ones, they are certainly 20 times better] But anyway, Rob was pretty much relieved about their “break up”. But He was also actually inspired by the fact that she was the first person who claimed Christianity and actually stood up for something.

Needless to say, he became really curious. Being from England, Christianity was something from the past. Cathedrals and religion were all that he thought of when he even heard the name Jesus. God cleverly jumped on his British fundamentalism and saved him in an awkward, funny, and fitting spot- on the toilet. Yes, on the toilet. He was actually reading a Bible he had “dug up”, and God just rocked his world while he was going to the bathroom. [And we get scared to tell our stories!]

After this crazy experience, Rob called Trish and told her [add British accent] “I think I’m a Christian.” I think you can assume her response. But Rob was persistent and Trish is just incredibly sweet and they got engaged three weeks later…!!!! …then married just five months after that. They just celebrated their twentieth year anniversary. :)

As all you married people know, it wasn’t sugar plum and fairytales, but they honored God through the good, the bad and the ugly, and for that have sooooo much experience, knowledge, and humor to share with us.

This week’s major thing:

EVERY PROBLEM IS A RELATIONAL ONE.

Crazy to actually put that statement in perspective.

But Jesus fills us in on it when He sums up it allll up for us:

“'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."


<3 <3 <3
Jade

p.s. I’m praying for you Team Katrina! Rock on. :)

p.p.s. To answer the question I’m sure you’re all asking, No, I have not seen a kangaroo yet! Soon enough…