: )

I'm not even sure if I'm going to be able to say everything that I want to about this weekend... hmm... where to start?

This weekend was incredible. I went out with a young adults group for tacos and games on Friday night, which was a good time. The group was mostly couples, mostly married and so although I had a good time, it wasn't a perfect fit. It was really great though to meet people who were my age (give or take a bit!) and just hang out, and to see what Aussie young adults do for fun!

On Saturday morning, my aunt and I made our way to the Gold Coast. Ohhhh my goodness! Absolutely breathtaking. The whole day worked out perfectly. There was a lot of traffic on the way, as we were initally going to go to Byron Bay which is further than the Gold Coast, and so we decided to just stay on the Gold Coast for the day and see what it had to offer us! Well, we stopped about 1:30 pm and went out for lunch, where we got hands down, THE most delicious lunch we have ever had. Mine was a spinach and feta fritatta, which was soooo wonderful. I honestly did not eat until about 8:00 pm or so that night! haha.

Anyway, clearly you don't want to hear about my food choice, so I shall move on!

We made it to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, which is located in Currumbin (duh!?), which is a part of the Gold Coast. I was pretty excited to make it there, and I was really looking forward to see the animals that you don't see in Canada, like dingos, kangaroos, all that jazz. Well, I got to see koala, dingos, kangaroos, crocodiles, tazzy devils and a million other things. It was awesome!

I actually got to get a picture of me holding a koala, which was sooo cool! I know that they're really vicious in the wild, but this one, Dooda, was SO cute! He cuddled right into my neck when I picked him up and he was so soft and sweet. Apparently koalas sleep 19 out of 24 hours each day, and so it was quite exciting that I got to see him awake, as well as a number of the other koalas, awake and eating.

Right before we left, we went to the lorikeet feeding. My aunt was saying how neat of an experience it was, so I was also looking forward to that. Anyway, I fed the lorikeets and they sat all over you! They would land on your head, arms, all over, and just hang out even if you didn't have any food! It was so funny, and all of the kids there loved it!!

At the end of that, we went back to the beach just in time for the sunset, where I took loads of pictures. I can't even explain the beauty of it all. It's really something spectacular. My aunt and I were talking about how we find it so hard to understand that people can see the ocean, and the sunsets, and these incredible animals and all of the beauty of nature and NOT believe that there's a higher power... a powerful and wonderful and creative God who brought it all into being.

I think looking at the ocean and the gorgeous skies above it can give you such perspective... I mean, if your head is ever getting too big, or you're feeling like such a hot shot, just step outside at sunset, and look around you, and you'll see you're nothing but a tiny little critter, in the midst of a huge world... and yet God, for some reason that you really can't describe as anything but love, was willing and did give up his son as a sacrifice for our sins. What an incredible God we have! I am so thankful to be here.

Well, on Sunday, I went to church with my aunt and uncle, and I was feeling a LOT better than I was last Sunday, so it was great meeting new people and talking to people I've already met, and getting to know them. After every Sunday service you can stay for a "cuppa" and a chat with people from the church. A "cuppa" is basically a "cuppa" tea or coffee, or whatever, but they just leave out the "tea or coffee, or whatever." : )It's a pretty familiar phrase around here!

Sunday afternoon my aunt and I watched Pride and Prejudice (which I LOVE!) and then I was off again, to another church in the area. I went to their evening service, which is for youth and young adults, and it was absolutely incredible. The worship service was fantastic, and then the fellowship after was perfect. I felt right at home right away, and I've made some friends from the group already! I'm so thankful that God has been and continues to open all of these doors for me, allowing me to have such a wonderful summer break! I really couldn't ask for anything better!

I especially got along with a girl named Jas, and she and I will hopefully be hanging out at some point this week. She's a regular in the group and so she'll be introducing me to a number of other people, and so hopefully in no time I'll be the social butterfly I am at home, here. : )

Well, I think that's about all I had to say! I thought I'd get it out while it was still fresh in my memory! I've uploaded some pictures from the Gold Coast onto Facebook, so check them out! : )
I haven't put the captions on yet (it's after midnight and I'm exhausted!) but if you're interested in seeing some pics, go to:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2612&l=b0b2d&id=507133874

It should work! If it doesn't, let me know and I'll figure something else out!

Love,

Bec*