Alot of things have been happening and as per usual, I haven't been able to update my blog fast enough.
As I have mentioned a few entries ago, I attend a small group on Tuesday and Thursday nights. It was brought to my attention in early November that I may wanna share my testimony in small group. I was like yeah that's fine. About a week later it was "Nathan what do you feel about sharing your testimony at Large group" (Friday night - Youth service approx 100 College students) I then was knocked back as it is something that I have never fully shared before. But I said yes - as I knew it had to be done.
So I agreed and began to write my testimony out. You know when God places something on your heart and you begin to work towards it - He provides. So in about 3 days I had written my testimony, read it to a few friends back home in Australia and felt ready as I ever would be. So I was then told I would be sharing on the last Large Group of the semester, before everyone started their finals and then began they journey back homes for their Christmas break. NO PRESSURE!
Well come the day, I began to stress alittle too much, but as I said earlier when God places something on your heart - He provides. I met with a friend before the service where we spoke about it and she prayed over me. I then had my small groups sitting 4 rows from the front in full support for me (which really helped settle the nerves) but then someone said to me. No one is going to judge - It's your journey, this is Your story of how God has worked.
As a performer whenever we stand up in front of a crowd or people we are judged on what we look like, our talent. It is something that I have gotten used to over all the years. But this time I wasn't performing, I wasn't hiding behind a "character song" or a "monologue" - This was all ME. So the time came for me to share, my mate Jordan prayed over me before I began - which is where I felt the nerves disappear. I then opened up with some word differences between the Australian language and the American language and that again settled my nerves.
I then quoted the last line of a song and at the moment - I looked at the room of people in front of me and I thought, Why was I scared?? these are not just "people" these are FRIENDS. The amount of love and support that followed was crazy. Hearing how my story/my life has helped me in their last weeks of school, to thanks for reminding me to never give up. That stuff is crazy to hear and I give all glory back to God - who has continued to work in my life and through people who have impacted my life.
I will say it again, my move to the states - I thought it was for performing, yet how I am being changed. Don't get me wrong I am still aiming for that performing experience. Yet I am learning so much about myself, personal growth, spiritual growth & living in another country is remarkable. I count my blessings daily. I am so thankful to be able to experience this.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Let it Snow
Well from the heading of this blog I think it will be quite easy to see what this is about!
So I heard that it was going to be snowing on Sunday (but that being said we were also told a week ago it was going to snow but never really did) as I was getting ready for church I thought I would wear my thicker/warmer jacket just in case. As I walked out of the apartment to the car I felt a little bit of snow fall on my face. Made me smile but that was about all I saw fall.
So I got in the car (this week my friend Jordan was driving) I always enjoy the drive to church its firstly such a beautiful drive around the woods & secondly the conversation is great all the time! We arrived at church and it just felt like a normal Sunday.
After church had finished Jordan said to me - "wait until we get outside Nathan it's snowing." I just began to smile and I just couldn't wait. So we then headed towards the car - and I stood outside and just was in amazement of how much snow there was.
This is the first thing I saw when I walked out of church. It was stunning, breathtaking! At this stage I wasn't that cold - I think because I was just so excited to finally see it and to see if all still falling. We then walked to the car (very carefully - it was abit slippery) and began to remove the snow from all the windows so we could actually get in the car, to then begin our (what usually takes 20mins) journey home.
We began driving and at this stage the roads were slippery and we had seen some people spinning their wheels as they went up hills - so Jordan was extra cautious.
What happened next shocked us all! So with a trip that usually takes 20mins - it took us 2.5 hours to get home and this is why! The first way we went we were trying to not go up all the big hills to save us from spinning out as well. We sat in traffic for approx 45mins (That pretty much was not moving) After some further investigation as we began our U Turn we believe their was an accident further up hence the traffic not moving. We began to take another route home and we were actually moving, we then decided that now was a good time to pray and be thankful for the safe journey thus far and to prayer for safety over the other cars and us as the snow was not slowing down.
We were going so well until we hit another set of lights! We then sat here for another 30mins with out actually moving, so what do you do when you spend so much time in a car with friends? Well we did a devotion and then we played "Heads Up" by Ellen! It was very interesting to play this in the car but all 3 of us (Jordan, Kyle & I) were having fun. What was stopping the traffic this time was 2x 18 Wheeler trucks stuck and blocking the whole road on a hill. This is when we first saw a car go up the opposite side of the road and then mount the median and go in front of the trucks - another 3 cars did the same and then we were like well lets try it!
So we followed a line of cars who did the same thing & our little beast of a car made it and we were then moving and on our way. Here I am in the back smiling still putting my window down and taking photos as we continued driving.
Our next mission was going down a hill were on the left side were cars stuck in snow. We had people who were crossing on to our side of the road trying to get up the hill and get past those who were now stuck in the snow, yet whenever we braked our wheels spun out. So this is where i give kudos to Jordan and his awesome driving and one car got very close to us - yet Jordan knew how to handle it (here I am still in the back of the car smiling looking at these cars stuck in the snow)
We finally passed the above hill and began our journey again. We had one last hill before we were home straight! (This being said most of the time we were travelling at like 20mph) Yet this time we got almost to the top of the hill and began to spin out. So Kyle & I got out and pushed the car just until the wheels weren't spinning out! (again I was smiling as I was happy to be standing and walking in the snow) We then got back in the car and began the last part of the journey until we got home!
I have been told that Delaware has not had this level of snow fall in a long time - several years! Makes me smile even more as I have been praying for a white Christmas for some time haha!
Jordan & I then began our walk back to our apartments & the main street was full of snow! Jordan then taught me how to slide down the main street and that was alot of fun!
Later that afternoon I made a snow angel, went sledding down a mammoth hill - that had a jump, with some good & new friends (Spencer, Brendan, Jordan & Andrew) we also made snowballs and threw them around!
I am very thankful for the protection that we had whilst driving home & the guidance that Jordan had whilst driving.
I am very thankful for my American friends for making memories with me and making my time over here so swell and always challenging me and blessing my life at the same time!
I am thankful for the snow, it really is a beautiful and breathtaking thing for me to see. It falls softly on your face as you walk or standing outside with you mouth open as it falls on your tongue - to it falling so beautifully on the trees and houses. It is something that I will forever remember and I just wake up and look out my window and smile at His beautiful creation.
So I heard that it was going to be snowing on Sunday (but that being said we were also told a week ago it was going to snow but never really did) as I was getting ready for church I thought I would wear my thicker/warmer jacket just in case. As I walked out of the apartment to the car I felt a little bit of snow fall on my face. Made me smile but that was about all I saw fall.
So I got in the car (this week my friend Jordan was driving) I always enjoy the drive to church its firstly such a beautiful drive around the woods & secondly the conversation is great all the time! We arrived at church and it just felt like a normal Sunday.
After church had finished Jordan said to me - "wait until we get outside Nathan it's snowing." I just began to smile and I just couldn't wait. So we then headed towards the car - and I stood outside and just was in amazement of how much snow there was.
This is the first thing I saw when I walked out of church. It was stunning, breathtaking! At this stage I wasn't that cold - I think because I was just so excited to finally see it and to see if all still falling. We then walked to the car (very carefully - it was abit slippery) and began to remove the snow from all the windows so we could actually get in the car, to then begin our (what usually takes 20mins) journey home. We began driving and at this stage the roads were slippery and we had seen some people spinning their wheels as they went up hills - so Jordan was extra cautious.
What happened next shocked us all! So with a trip that usually takes 20mins - it took us 2.5 hours to get home and this is why! The first way we went we were trying to not go up all the big hills to save us from spinning out as well. We sat in traffic for approx 45mins (That pretty much was not moving) After some further investigation as we began our U Turn we believe their was an accident further up hence the traffic not moving. We began to take another route home and we were actually moving, we then decided that now was a good time to pray and be thankful for the safe journey thus far and to prayer for safety over the other cars and us as the snow was not slowing down.
We were going so well until we hit another set of lights! We then sat here for another 30mins with out actually moving, so what do you do when you spend so much time in a car with friends? Well we did a devotion and then we played "Heads Up" by Ellen! It was very interesting to play this in the car but all 3 of us (Jordan, Kyle & I) were having fun. What was stopping the traffic this time was 2x 18 Wheeler trucks stuck and blocking the whole road on a hill. This is when we first saw a car go up the opposite side of the road and then mount the median and go in front of the trucks - another 3 cars did the same and then we were like well lets try it!
So we followed a line of cars who did the same thing & our little beast of a car made it and we were then moving and on our way. Here I am in the back smiling still putting my window down and taking photos as we continued driving. Our next mission was going down a hill were on the left side were cars stuck in snow. We had people who were crossing on to our side of the road trying to get up the hill and get past those who were now stuck in the snow, yet whenever we braked our wheels spun out. So this is where i give kudos to Jordan and his awesome driving and one car got very close to us - yet Jordan knew how to handle it (here I am still in the back of the car smiling looking at these cars stuck in the snow)
We finally passed the above hill and began our journey again. We had one last hill before we were home straight! (This being said most of the time we were travelling at like 20mph) Yet this time we got almost to the top of the hill and began to spin out. So Kyle & I got out and pushed the car just until the wheels weren't spinning out! (again I was smiling as I was happy to be standing and walking in the snow) We then got back in the car and began the last part of the journey until we got home!I have been told that Delaware has not had this level of snow fall in a long time - several years! Makes me smile even more as I have been praying for a white Christmas for some time haha!
Jordan & I then began our walk back to our apartments & the main street was full of snow! Jordan then taught me how to slide down the main street and that was alot of fun!
Later that afternoon I made a snow angel, went sledding down a mammoth hill - that had a jump, with some good & new friends (Spencer, Brendan, Jordan & Andrew) we also made snowballs and threw them around! I am very thankful for the protection that we had whilst driving home & the guidance that Jordan had whilst driving.
I am very thankful for my American friends for making memories with me and making my time over here so swell and always challenging me and blessing my life at the same time!
I am thankful for the snow, it really is a beautiful and breathtaking thing for me to see. It falls softly on your face as you walk or standing outside with you mouth open as it falls on your tongue - to it falling so beautifully on the trees and houses. It is something that I will forever remember and I just wake up and look out my window and smile at His beautiful creation.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
THANKSGIVING
I have had many awesome memories and experiences that I am so thankful for and I have had days and nights where homesick kicks in and there is not much you can do...yet my beautiful friends from Australia just know how to fix that! Over these past 6 months I have learnt so much about myself
Thanksgiving was last week, pretty much all you do is EAT & sleep & then EAT.. then repeat the cycle. It was very good...but it got me thinking what am I thankful for. I began to write a list it. This is just a few things that I felt I needed to share.
Thankful for: safe travels
Thankful for: inspiring friendships
Thankful for: supportive family (even though my decisions are crazy sometimes)
Thankful for: a place to live
Thankful for: music
Thankful for: God's hand over my life and his continuing work
Thankful for: smart decisions (some a risky but I am safe)
Thankful for: laughing & memories
Thankful for: this opportunity
My list can go on and on. I am sure we have alot to be thankful for & I feel we need to share it more with others who have impacted our life. So what are you thankful for??
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