Tourist Time

Blog two- July 16th

What a week this has been! I feel so incredibly blessed to have had this opportunity to come early and discover the city of Sydney with the Abourched family. They have helped me feel safe and welcomed into their family and allowed a smooth transition into a new life and country by giving Madelline and I an understanding of where we will be staying. The love they have shown me has truly been a testament of the power of the body of Christ and the generosity of their time and finances has given me memories that will last me for the rest of my life. I am so grateful for their open arms and can lovingly call them family.

We have done so much in just seven days! We have visited many beautiful, well known locations as well as discovered cute little Sydney secrets. The first day started by visiting Darling Harbor (which I found out is named after one of the governors of Australia in the late 1800s) where we dined, visited an aquarium which had the largest crab I have ever seen, and saw The Amazing Spiderman on the largest iMax in the world. Oh and in 3D. Early in the week we visited the Circular Quay which is home to the famous Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge which are beautifully majestic. It is also a harbor where many ferries leave and enter from to go to all different beaches and harbors. We went to Watson beach on one of these ferries which was absolutely wonderful little beach with a restaurant right next to the sand. We also used the ferry to visit Taronga Zoo just today which didn’t just have sea animals and land animals like in the states but also Koalas, Kangaroos, Wallabees, and Tazmanian Devils. Mid-week we spent the day at Bonzi Beach which is a beautiful beach with the softest sand I have ever felt which is saying a lot. Sunday we were able to visit Hillsong church which was a blessing to be able to worship with them and felt welcomed there the minute we stepped in even though there were tons of people there. It has truly been an incredible week full of many adventures. Needless to say, Madelline and I will be returning to all of these places many times throughout the semester.

As much as I have enjoyed being a tourist and discovering all the places to visit in Sydney, I am reminded that I am much more of a small town/ suburb kind of girl. So when we were able to visit our school for a quick walk through mid-week, I fell in love with the little town of Drummoyne almost instantly. It is much smaller than Sydney but still had many places to go and people traveling through it. The word that stood out to me to describe it was quaint due to all the brick walled buildings and homes. And the school was the same way with a grass courtyard in the middle of the four main brick buildings. So I am definitely excited for orientation on Wednesday to meet all my classmates and begin living in the adorable town of Drummoyne.

Thank you again for all your prayers and taking the time to read my simple blog. I have recovered from my cold and am happy to say I am healthy again but I am afraid I have passed it on to the family I have journeyed with so please continue to keep our health in your prayers. I am truly blessed to have such an opportunity to get to know the people and city of Sydney, Australia and cannot wait to see what else God has in store as week two begins.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always.