Love

"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died." - 2 Corinthians 5:14

Hello friends and relatives! As it turns to spring over here in Australia, my thoughts are being brought back to my friends starting college in the United States. I've been praying for each one of you to be surrounded by mentors and friends who will bring you up rather than pull you down. College has been incredible for me so far and I can only hope the same for you.

This week, I've been learning about sacrificial love. Christ devoted his life to serving us and accepting the punishment meant for our sins. The commandments that he gives to us are to first love the Lord God with all heart, soul, and mind and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

On Saturday, I volunteered once again with Hillsong Maintenance to paint lines in the car park. The place where I was painting is affectionately referred to as "Siberia" because of it is incredibly far from absolutely anything. During which I received many lessons from Ariah and Clayton as we talked about everything from theology to chemistry and everything in between. It is a huge blessing and answer to prayer to have such strong christian mentors to help prepare me for the next stages in my life.

This week, after serving at Macquarie running the monitor board and setting up stage, I was given the opportunity to help a woman move from her house to another. The woman is in the middle of going through a divorce and her husband has decided to suddenly move away and leave her with a house which she can not pay for. So, Sunday afternoon, I spent 8 hours loading boxes and carrying furniture into a moving van. It was seriously the most rewarding experience that I have had in Australia. Not only was I able to connect with the music director for Macquarie, Derek, I was also able to connect with Simon from Switzerland and Tim from (Idaho?). The labor was entirely worth it just to hear the miracle story of the new house and God's provision.

During this past week, this woman has needed to sell her old house and completely move into a new one with her 3 children. She also has had other family stuff to do in Brisbane. So, for the past week, the church family here has been gathering around her in love. A contractor named Al has been working for the past week to completely renovate her new house for free. An all-volunteer crew has gathered around him to rework the plumbing, electrical, and outdoor area. When Al has been shopping for materials, he has had most things simply given to him for free. A brand new display kitchen was given for an incredibly low cost. Basically, this project has been a miracle work from the very beginning. I thank God for allowing me to take part in being a miracle for someone else.

Thank you all for praying for me and blessing me so that I can be a blessing to others. I hope that you can all be compelled by Christ this week to love as you have been loved.