Another move

Hey everyone,
Just a quick update. I got a job!!! I will be working at a hotel in a little ski town called Methven. The hotel is called Methven Resort (so origional, I know)
Things are moving along fast. I pack up my stuff and move out there on Friday. It seems like it will be a great fit for a while. They are going to pay me pretty well ($3 above minumum wage, which is great for the hospitality industry) And they are going to provide accomidation at the hotel for free.
I will write more and add pictures once I get there. Thanks for your prayers!

Settling in

Its been a while since the last post and a lot has happened. Natalie and I got in to Christchurch fine and my friends cousin picked us up from the airport. It has been a Huge blessing to have a contact over here. Dennis has been more than gracious and has gone above and beyond the call of hospitality to strangers. In my few days with Natalie here we were able to do a bit here and there. It was mostly exploring the city, having a little birthday celebration and getting me settled into my place. We were however able to take a day trip to Hamner Springs, because of Dennis' generosity in letting us use his car. There we were able to take a trek then relax in the natural sulfur springs. It was fabulous! It was really nice to have a friend here as I started to get settled in.

As of right now I am living in a house that is a bit worn, but completely livable for the time being. I live with about 10 other people, but I have my own room and that is wonderful. I will be looking for a different place soon, just because this isn't really an ideal long term living environment.
As far as jobs go, I am on the search. I don't think working at a rock gym is going to work, just because there are not any steady full time positions open. But the YMCA wall is looking for volunteers, so I am going to try to do that in my free time. That way I can get free climbing, meet cool people and get experience at a wall. Now I am looking for a job at a hotel or a cafe. I have an interview with a Hospitality placement agency tomorrow morning and I have dropped off my resume to a few places. There is a really cute cafe that is interested in me coming in part time, and I think it would be a fun place to try out. I may end up getting 2 part time jobs, that way I can get experience in a few different areas. As you can tell things are still really up in the air, but starting to take shape.
It has been a bit hard since Natalie left. I am trying to find my place here, and missing home terribly. But I was able to go to 2 different churches yesterday, and that was really refreshing. Both were wonderful and so welcoming. I am going to try them out again next week before I make a choice on which to be a part of. The first church I went to was wonderful. The service was really nice and much different than I am use to. I met some people after the service and they took me along to a potluck lunch and also invited me to an afternoon trek. (I went to this in the morning, so I am very interested to see what the younger evening service is like.) The second church I went to was much younger and much higher energy. I really enjoyed it and the people were once again so friendly. I think I could settle in to either one, its just a matter finding my niche.
So prayers: Please pray for a job in a place that I will fit well and be able to love the people. Pray for opportunity to volunteer at YMCA. A new flat with people that I will get along well with. And finally that next week it will be clear which church I should be a part of.

I love you all and miss you. Please let me know how I can be praying for you as well.

All things Oz

The first few days of our adventure have been wonderful and eventful. It all started on Saturday evening when we went to go pick up our rental car. We got to thrifty cars on time but when we got there the lady informed us that our car was booked for pick up in Adelaide City… that’s about 7 hours away from Melbourne. The company botched up and not of the pick up city they were going to give to us is only made standard when I requested an automatic. Anyways, the woman there hooked us up big time. She gave us an upgraded car and more insurance coverage, for the same price as the other car and she didn’t charge us the under 25 or the one-way fee! God is good.
Nattie and I got on the road in our kickin Lancer at about 7 am the next morning. Both of us have adapted very well and quickly to driving on the other side of the road. The state of Victoria was really big on driving tired awareness. They had so many funny signs warning us that is we drive while tried we will die! But the road was beautiful and we made pretty good time. Once we got to the city we though we were going to stop in, it was still pretty early so we decided to drive on. This is when the evening started getting amusing.
We didn’t really know the area and it was a Sunday night so every town we stopped at was closed up and dead. We drove for about 3 or 4 more hours to a little coast town outside of Wollongong (about 50 miles south of Sidney) We knew nothing of the town other than the fact that it was on the coast and it probably would be cute. Like all the other towns was completely dead, but we followed signs to surfside beach keeping our fingers crossed for some kind of camp ground or even just a rest area. We had no such luck. We did however find a surfing school and an inlet to a little cove. So we decided to park and go walk on the beach. Even though it was dark we figured that this was probably an extremely beautiful area. So after some thought and deliberation we determined that since it was beautiful, in a safe looking little town, on a Sunday night and in a empty parking lot next to a cove we could just sleep in our car. We also assumed that if a cop had happened to stop by we could politely explain to him that we had been driving since 7am and sorta got lost and couldn’t find a hostel, and he might cut us some slack.
After a good 7 hours of sleep we woke up in time to walk the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. It was a small cove surrounded by mountains. We were able to see the sun come out and dig our toes in the sand for a while. Its winter here and the sand leading to the water was cold, but the water itself was Warm! It was a wonderful start to our day. We got re-organized and on the road pretty quickly to start our next adventure.


Nattie and I have had a wonderful few days on the Sunshine coast. We made our way up to a beautiful costal surfing town called Byron Bay and stayed at a hostel there that use to be a great old hotel. Since we made such a far drive (another 15 hour day) we had enough time to spend in the town the next day. After a little lunch and a walk around to see the beautiful beach we got in the car to make our way to Brisbane. We got to Brisbane and caught a 2-hour train ride to Maroochadore to meet up with Natties friends from the YWAM base up here. It was quite difficult to get all our luggage around and on the train but we made it in one piece.
The house that we are staying at is Beautiful, it looks like we are in the middle of the jungle and it has the most beautiful porch out back. Its just a short walk to the beach and that of course is beautiful. We were able to spend the day walking around and laying out on the beach. Its pretty amazing that it is the middle of winter here and we were able to get some sun. By the end of the day we were pretty tired but were able to make a good dinner and watch a movie.
Jermey (the connection here in Maroochadore) let Nattie and I use his Amazing van for the day on Thursday. So we took a scenic route through some cute towns. First we went and saw the world’s biggest ginger factory. Across the street there was a really cute coffee shop so of course we popped in. The owner was wonderfully friendly and gave the most wonderful coffee I have ever had for free. After that little adventure we made our way to a hiking trail through the most beautiful Australian Rain forest with Amazing trees that we could climb all over. Then to end our little tour we stopped at a vineyard and did a tasting. It had a great view of the land and again friendly people.
After getting back in town we just hung out with Jeremy and one of the guys in his group. They do a skater ministry, so we went out with them to the park. This week is their prayer week, so they have a group of people that pray for 2-hour slots at all times. Nattie and I went with them to their slot and it was wonderfully refreshing.
God has been so good to me in this trip. Not only have I had great adventures and met so many amazing people but also I have been able to share it with Nattie. God has also been continuing to open doors in NZ. I found a place to live, so I know have my very own room in a house on Barbados St!!!!! AND on top of that amazing provision, I met a guy here from Christchurch and he told me about the church he went to. It sounds like it would be a Great fit AND…it’s only a block away from my house!!!! I am completely Blown away by Gods provision and his blessings that he continues to pour out on me!

Here are links to all my pictures!
http://unt.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2140198&l=0f9e1&id=23902206

http://unt.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2140211&l=d9cbf&id=23902206

Adventure begins and Pictures

Last night Nat had her graduation and it was wonderful! Some Aus friends came in and we had a blast. We when out to a little bar in Melbourne and hung out for the night.



Nattie and I are going to pick up our car soon and then we'll get on the road 5am!
Here is a link to all my pictures so far. Not any beautiful landscape yet, but those will be on the way.

http://unt.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2138368&l=43eb0&id=23902206

Also, I e-mailed the rock gym yesterday telling them I was interested in working for them. I got a response today saying great and to come in with my resume when I get in town!!!! Please still be in prayer about that. I love you guys!

In the land of Oz

After being in NZ for 4 days I have made it to Melbourne. I am here with Natalie, one of my very closest friends from Denton. My flight was the most incredible flights of my life! It was an Emirates flight, which I had never heard of; I just picked it because it was the least expensive! I assumed that it wouldn’t be that great of a flight because it was a short one (about 4 hours) but I was wrong. I started to figure this out when the flight attendants handed out hot towels and gave all the children stuffed animals before we took off. They also had an absolutely amazing 4 course meal and free wine and spirits. The Plane was amazing, each seat had a foot rest and the ceiling had light up stars on it when the cabin lights went down. They also had over 500 movie and TV channels AND if you wanted to pay just a little bit you could have wireless internet. I voted on watching Becoming Jane (great movie) and an episode of Arrested Development! Maybe I am just a little over excited about this plane ride but I Totally wasn’t expecting such a great flight. I Absolutely 100% recommend flying Emirates if you Ever get a chance!

Right now I am at the YWAM (youth with a mission) base in Melbourne. It’s in an old orphanage and is so beautiful! Will stay here for Natalie’s graduation then we will start our Great Adventure on Sunday. We are getting a rental car and driving on the other side of the road all the way up to Brisbane! We are both extremely excited to see how God will bless us through this time. I am sure that this will be a trip I will Always remember. Once there, we will stay with a friend of Natalie’s at the YWAM base up there and explore the land for a few days. Then on the 19th Nattie will come back to Christchurch with me for about 5 days and help me get all settled in. Please be in prayer for a place to live and a job at a rock climbing gym there. I will be sure to keep you all updated on my adventures in Oz!

Auckland and ready to leave

I have been here in Auckland for about 3 days now. Things are going well but I am Very ready to leave. I feel as though I am in any US city and a bit stuck. I have meet a few nice girls and we were able to go out tonight. Most my time has been spent wondering around the city.
Tomorrow night I will meet up with a random contact and go to church then dinner with a few people. I am really looking forward to meeting locals and spending some time with them. Maybe I will get a few insider tips on the city and have something exciting to do on Monday afternoon!The church that I will be going to is one that I looked up while in the U.S. There is a branch in Christchurch so it will be wonderful to get a sneak peek!
My plans for here on out are pretty exciting. I get on a plane to Melbourne, Aus. to visit one of my closest friends on Monday!! Nattie is doing YWAM (youth with a mission) and I will have a chance to meet the people that she has spent the last 6 months with. Then we will rent a car and drive up the east coast and stay with a friend of hers there. I am SO looking forward to this time.
We will get back to Christchurch on the 19th (a day before my birthday!) and Nattie will stay with me a few days there. Please be in prayer for a job at the Roxx rock climbing gym there. I have a huge desire to work there and meet other people that share my passion for climbing. I will also probably look for another part time job at a hotel to make ends meet.
I miss all of you and hope all is well. Please keep in touch. I am checking my e-mail and facebook often so you can shoot me a message if you would like.

One long day

Hello friends,
I am here safe in Auckland. My plain got in at about 6am and i made my way to my hostel. I met a nice girl and the hostel from the States and she gave me some pointers but other than that and the fact that I am now on the other side of the world, nothing too exciting.
I left from Phil at 9:30 am on the 31st and got in to LA at 12:30. That flight was long and no fun. My lay over was 10 hours long so my friend Jamie picked me up. We walked around and got some lunch. It was so great to get out of the Airport for awhile.
Getting back to the Airport and checking in was strange. I talked to a few Kiwi's and it started to sink in. The past few days were really emotional with goodbyes and such so I was a bit numb, but still excited. The plane was of course huge and my seat was the Very last row there were only 2 seat and the toilet right behind me. I wasn't very excited at first but then i realized that no one was sitting next to me! So I got to lay down and i was able to sleep for over 5 hours straight. The food was incredible and the service was beyond excellent. The only bad part about the flight was that it was too hard to pick what movie I wanted to watch. We got in a little after 6am on the 2nd and I got through customs pretty easy.
I will have my orientation at 10am tomorrow, then figure out what I will do with my time here. The girl i talked to recommended I make a day trip to a local beach. Its a bit expensive but she said it was completely worth it.
Since I am not using my computer I cant put up any pictures for a while. But know that I will as soon as I can.