Maybe because I missed last autumn (it was spring in Australia) or maybe because I am completely biased and absolutely, unashamedly adore autumn... but this year has been gorgeous. The colors, the sunshine mixed with overcast days. So pretty.

Loving it, like, more than a McDonald's commercial loves it.

Other than my tween girl crush on fall... life is weird, as per usual. I was able to pick up a seasonal position at Macy's- I'm the Visual Assistant to the Visual manager. Basically its the most wonderful job ever. We dress mannequins, arrange shelves, do signage, dress beds, decorate Christmas trees, floof ribbons and put up all the holiday decor... and I don't have to use the registers or really help customers, because I'm with visuals and I don't know any of those things. And my manager is hysterical and great.

Down-side is that its only 'til mid November, and its only about 20 hrs a week. Sigh.

I finally interviewed at Starbucks, and was offered a position... but I was waiting to hear back from Arhaus Furniture, and Starbucks had to go ahead and hire for the position I was offered.

Now I'm STILL waiting on Arhaus (its a full-time position with benefits so its a job I need to accept if they offer, plus I would be able to afford a cheap apartment, which I need as well) and Starbucks has said they potentially have another position I can have early November.

So while I adore autumn... this life season sort of stinks. I'm so ready for something to happen. I'm really not handling it all very well and am frustrated beyond belief. Its all just incredibly exhausting.

That's me being honest with you. I'm not a fan of the sugar-coat, unless its on M&Ms. (preferably crispy ones, which, have you heard, are FINALLY coming back. Even though they totally had them in Australia.)

Friday night was our program's graduation ceremony. I am now officially done with the program here at YWAM Brisbane. And, honestly, its not a minute too soon. I don't regret my time here in any way- its been a huge gift to be in Australia, to travel, to meet so many wonderful people and have some time to focus on God- but lately, I've been feeling my age. I am missing some of the wonderful connections I have back home (you all know who you are!) I miss my community, Apex, my family... and, lets face it, my clothes and bed.

As many of you know, I made the decision to stay on in Australia a couple extra weeks and help out at the cafe at YWAM. Yesterday was my first day, and it was great. I'm helping to take orders, serve and make simple things. I really enjoy service- I am, yes, an introvert by nature, but when presented with an opportunity to interact and serve others at the same time, I truly enjoy meeting new people and having conversations. (I'm hoping to learn some coffee making things as well. We shall see.) I'm also helping to paint/finish a mural on the wall in the cafe... which is kind of funny because I was just randomly asked if I paint, and if I had ever painted a mural... to which, I replied. "why yes, yes I have." So I get to be a little creative as well. I've missed that.

There are so many things I miss about being... settled. Access to things. Resources. Community. I miss art and having what I need to create. I miss my car and the ability to jump in and just drive. I miss my Apex community. I definitely miss the music community and the chance to play with the praise band on a regular basis. God has definitely refreshed my perspective on some things, and that has been great.

When I left Ohio, I never had any intention of coming back permanently. Now, that's still not my top choice, and I may not stay, but I am open to the idea if that's what God has for me. I'm pretty open to whatever. I'm praying about working in the art/design world for a bit- I really would enjoy that at this time, as well as being in a bigger city. Be that Columbus, or somewhere ever further away, we shall see.

I'm just enjoying these final weeks in Australia, the people I'm with, the coffee we get to drink, the photos we can take...

...and I'll take each day as it comes.

Can't wait to see so many of you again. I'll be back before you know it! ;)

Just looking through my iphone photos and remembering some good and happy times…
Also- all my photos make me miss my long hair and make me want to cut short bangs…
And also… I think I might be a hipster.





(at the Avett Brothers show that I got in free to with a couple of my favorite people!)


Avett Brothers inspired wall art…

This past week, we road-tripped to Byron Bay for a week of outreach with the organization Red Frogs. In Australia, when students graduate from high school, they have what they call "schoolies". They travel to a location (Byron Bay in this case) and drink, party, do drugs etc for an entire week. Similar to spring break in the States, but with 17 and 18 year olds, not university students. Eighteen is the legal drinking age in Australia, and you can drink and be drunk in public. Its kind of crazy. Working with Red Frogs meant hanging out with students, visiting them in their hotels, doing walk-homes if they were intoxicated or not wanting to walk home alone. Assisting them as they threw up, accompanying them to the ER if necessary (unfortunately, it was). It was a crazy week. But through it all, it was so much fun, and an amazing time. Red Frogs is a Christian organization. They believe in taking Jesus out into the streets, to people, serving them and loving them as Jesus does. We had so many good conversations with the schoolies, many people were able to pray with them.




Our mornings were spent going to their homes, hotels or apartments and making them pancakes just to serve them and show the love of Christ. It was amazing how receptive and grateful they were. It was a hard, long week. It started it with a crazy thunderstorm on the beach and torrential rain, and ended in much the same way. There were late nights and a lack of sleep. Sleeping on a church floor with a ton of people and cold showers. But there were also crazy dance parties on the beach (so much fun! Friends, I danced like an idiot all week with the schoolies and my team and LOVED it. I'm a new person!) Free time spent on the beach and walking around the artsy/beachy town of Byron Bay. Lots of pizza and Coca-Cola consumed. So much laughter with friends. Our YWAM team grew so close during this time. It was a great week, and makes me super excited for our week of outreach coming up over New Year's… and then Japan in February.

I have so many photos to share! We visited a lighthouse, the beach… the town was so pretty! I'll be posting more soon!

Its back to normal here in Brisbane- lectures and classes. Work duties, sleeping in our bunks again (gosh the mattresses feel so comfy now!) We have a few weeks of Christmas, then, over our Christmas holiday, I'm traveling to Sydney with two girlfriends to spend a few days traveling there! Excited to see the opera house, visit Hillsong, and lots of beautiful beaches.

Here's where I make a list of things I want to do before my next birthday... and guess what? I've already done some, and my birthday was just yesterday!

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