When two plus two is greater than four...
Before you freak out at the title of this post, let me reassure that you are not going to have to perform calculations in your head as you read along, or listen to me contradict something you have been taught is true since kindergarten. Fear not, as this post really has very little to do with math. Colton, I am sorry if this disappoints you. The math is simply an analogy God gave me to express what I was feeling, because He knows I am a math and science nerd.
In the weeks leading up to my departure from the US everyone had been asking me "Are you excited about moving to Australia?" To be honest the answer was never really 'yes' even though I likely gave some form of an affirmative reply. Then again, the answer was definitely not 'no'. Handing over responsibilities and tying up lose ends at a job I worked at for six years was my sole focus during the day, only to be followed by trying to find renters while cleaning and packing up my house in the evenings. My brain spent almost all of my mental and emotional energy as it was busy processing all of the details that had to be done before I could board the plane. My body never slowed down enough to let my heart reflect. So now, here it goes.
While some people only learned of my move to Sydney a few weeks before I left, it was actually a nine month journey for me. With the reality so far off for so long it never seemed quite real. Dan and Robyn (the church plant's lead pastors) first presented the idea in June 2012. I told my roommate that same night that I thought this is what God was prompting me to do, but I thought, prayed, and discussed the possibility with family over the next 5-6 months. In December I realized it was time to commit one way or the other so I sent in my passport for renewal. Once it came back I applied for my visa. After that it was time to book plane tickets. At each step I gave God the opportunity to close the door if this was not His will. Instead it was green lights all the way as the paperwork was approved and returned much quicker than I anticipated and the tickets were on sale.
As my remaining weeks whittled away, I heard the auto-pilot response "...because I am moving to Australia" leave my mouth dozens of times only to have my brain catch up a moment later trying to process if this was the truth or just a memorized answer. I felt like I was answering the teacher's questions "What is 2 + 2?" I would answer "4" simply because that is how I have been trained to respond. But then I started to question do I really know it to be true on a deeper level? Quitting job + Renting out house + Leaving behind family = Moving to Australia?
The first glimpse of true excitement was like a door opening just a crack so you can start to see what awaits on the other side. The joy came with the first major answered prayer. A lovely couple, Chris and Eliane, graciously agreed to let me live in their guest bedroom. While there was relief that I was not going to be homeless or have to hand over a large stack of cash for a hotel room, it was far more than that. The hospitality and welcoming that came through the words in their emails made me want to cry. I realized I felt cared for, safe, and had a sense of belonging. It was then I knew that Sydney was going to be more than a cool place to live, it was going to be home.
God had been quietely whispering the word 'home' to my spirit before I left. This brought His supernatural peace that truly surpassed any worldly understanding. I know that moving to Sydney was His idea and I am walking in confident expectation that He will supply all my needs. Additionally, I believe He has several surprises just waiting for me, because He loves me and He can.
My last Sunday morning at Catch the Fire Raleigh, my pastors and friends surrounded me with prayer as I was commissioned to go with their blessing. This was the moment when it finally all caught up with me. I had a clearer vision of the future and the full weight of my decision hit me. I identified with the disciples when Jesus told them to leave everything behind and to follow Him. While I did not sell everything, reducing my life to the bare necessities was not an easy task. It made me carefully evaluate my priorities. I left behind a lot of clothes and shoes so that I could bring my camera and photography equipment, dance shoes, and study Bible.
After one week here in Sydney I have already fallen in love with the city and the amazing people that God has placed as my community. Chris and Eliane have been nothing but supportive and have gone out of their way to help me settle in. Our personalities have really clicked. They have even enthusiastically adapted the dinner menu to fit my dietary restrictions. Tomorrow is the pre-launch service for Catch the Fire Sydney. I'm excited to see what God has in store for our blossoming church.
The great news is two plus two not only equals four, it has proven to equal so much more.
Before you freak out at the title of this post, let me reassure that you are not going to have to perform calculations in your head as you read along, or listen to me contradict something you have been taught is true since kindergarten. Fear not, as this post really has very little to do with math. Colton, I am sorry if this disappoints you. The math is simply an analogy God gave me to express what I was feeling, because He knows I am a math and science nerd.
In the weeks leading up to my departure from the US everyone had been asking me "Are you excited about moving to Australia?" To be honest the answer was never really 'yes' even though I likely gave some form of an affirmative reply. Then again, the answer was definitely not 'no'. Handing over responsibilities and tying up lose ends at a job I worked at for six years was my sole focus during the day, only to be followed by trying to find renters while cleaning and packing up my house in the evenings. My brain spent almost all of my mental and emotional energy as it was busy processing all of the details that had to be done before I could board the plane. My body never slowed down enough to let my heart reflect. So now, here it goes.
While some people only learned of my move to Sydney a few weeks before I left, it was actually a nine month journey for me. With the reality so far off for so long it never seemed quite real. Dan and Robyn (the church plant's lead pastors) first presented the idea in June 2012. I told my roommate that same night that I thought this is what God was prompting me to do, but I thought, prayed, and discussed the possibility with family over the next 5-6 months. In December I realized it was time to commit one way or the other so I sent in my passport for renewal. Once it came back I applied for my visa. After that it was time to book plane tickets. At each step I gave God the opportunity to close the door if this was not His will. Instead it was green lights all the way as the paperwork was approved and returned much quicker than I anticipated and the tickets were on sale.
As my remaining weeks whittled away, I heard the auto-pilot response "...because I am moving to Australia" leave my mouth dozens of times only to have my brain catch up a moment later trying to process if this was the truth or just a memorized answer. I felt like I was answering the teacher's questions "What is 2 + 2?" I would answer "4" simply because that is how I have been trained to respond. But then I started to question do I really know it to be true on a deeper level? Quitting job + Renting out house + Leaving behind family = Moving to Australia?
The first glimpse of true excitement was like a door opening just a crack so you can start to see what awaits on the other side. The joy came with the first major answered prayer. A lovely couple, Chris and Eliane, graciously agreed to let me live in their guest bedroom. While there was relief that I was not going to be homeless or have to hand over a large stack of cash for a hotel room, it was far more than that. The hospitality and welcoming that came through the words in their emails made me want to cry. I realized I felt cared for, safe, and had a sense of belonging. It was then I knew that Sydney was going to be more than a cool place to live, it was going to be home.
God had been quietely whispering the word 'home' to my spirit before I left. This brought His supernatural peace that truly surpassed any worldly understanding. I know that moving to Sydney was His idea and I am walking in confident expectation that He will supply all my needs. Additionally, I believe He has several surprises just waiting for me, because He loves me and He can.
My last Sunday morning at Catch the Fire Raleigh, my pastors and friends surrounded me with prayer as I was commissioned to go with their blessing. This was the moment when it finally all caught up with me. I had a clearer vision of the future and the full weight of my decision hit me. I identified with the disciples when Jesus told them to leave everything behind and to follow Him. While I did not sell everything, reducing my life to the bare necessities was not an easy task. It made me carefully evaluate my priorities. I left behind a lot of clothes and shoes so that I could bring my camera and photography equipment, dance shoes, and study Bible.
After one week here in Sydney I have already fallen in love with the city and the amazing people that God has placed as my community. Chris and Eliane have been nothing but supportive and have gone out of their way to help me settle in. Our personalities have really clicked. They have even enthusiastically adapted the dinner menu to fit my dietary restrictions. Tomorrow is the pre-launch service for Catch the Fire Sydney. I'm excited to see what God has in store for our blossoming church.
The great news is two plus two not only equals four, it has proven to equal so much more.
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I'm so happy for you Britt :) Love the pictures and remember I still miss you. Joyce