New Blog and My Life Right Now

I know it has been a long time since I have posted on here! Like a really long time!

I got back from New Zealand, Australia, and Tonga, and have been trying to seek the Lord on His next step for my life. I will be totally honest and say I still have no idea what I am supposed to do and what His will is but I am taking one day at a time.

When I first returned to the US I had major culture shock. It was so weird adjusting and I had some major meltdowns. The day I flew in I went to Target to pick up some essentials (shampoo, toothpaste...). I stood in front of the toothpaste for 20 minutes trying to figure out what kind to get (there are so many options.)

The following days had more moments of being overwhelmed and a few meltdowns because I simply didn't know what to do next.

When I first got back I decided i was going to fast from leading worship and playing my guitar to just seek the Lord and His will for me for 40 days. It went great and I feel more in love with the Lord and excited for my next opportunity to lead worship.

I came to Spokane to visit my sister for Thanksgiving, which was amazing. I was supposed to stay until December 8th but because of some family stuff, I am still here!

Spokane is beautiful and very cold. I wish I owned more real winter clothes! I have seen the Lord's hand moving so much in my life the last few weeks. I have come to see that this is the reason the Lord did not allow me to stay in New Zealand and that reason that I came to Spokane when I did. I have no idea how long I am staying but praying the Lord would open doors for me to be used here while I am.

I will hopefully be posting pictures and a video from our Tonga trip soon (just waiting on pictures from another team member!) Other than the Tonga pictures I will be moving my blog to jessynelson.wordpress.com for all future posts. I figured since I am not in New Zealand any more I should probably use a different Blog :) Like this one you can follow it by email as well just type your email into the follow thing on the right!

Please continue to pray for the Lord's leading in my life! I am completely surrendered to His will.

Brisbane, Australia

 

I have been in Brisbane, Australia for over a week now and have enjoyed my time here so much! The weather is like Orange County Summer nice and warm and has been so relaxing.

Last Sunday I was able to attend Church with Phil and Talia. It was a great time in worship and the word. I really enjoyed the church and it was so nice to have Sunday off and be able to enjoy the service. That night we went to church again. The evening service is more of a youth service. It was great to worship together with young people! One of the girls Jema was getting baptized that night and shared her testimony. It is such a powerful testimony and awesome to see all the things the Lord has delivered her from. He has truly changed her life. After church we went down to the waterfront and had some time in worship down there. I loved just sitting around with the body of Christ and worshiping the Lord together!

Monday Phil and I went to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary! I got to feed Kangaroos and cuddle a Koala! It was epic! I loved just watching the koala’s they are so chill and I could watch them for hours! I also loved chilling with the Kangaroos. I definitely wanted to take one home with me. They are so cute and cuddly. They even loved getting their neck scratched like my dog.

Phil feeding the Kangaroo

Joey hanging out of it's pouch

They look so funny sometimes!

sitting on the grass with kangaroos

 

The rest of the week I spent exploring the city! There was so much to see in the city! I went through the Museums and Art Gallery, I strolled south bank, I took the ferry to all the stops, I walked Kangaroo point, I walked to all the major historical sites, I did it all. Friday I rented a bike and did a bike tour around the water front and through the city. I had such a great time seeing the city and just relaxing. Brisbane is beautiful!

I found a Target!!!

On the Ferry

Chillin by the pool

Bike around the city

Jets doing their practice runs through the city

These huge lizards are everywhere!! I almost ran over one on my bike

Streets beach in the middle of the city

Looking at Southbank from the ferry

Saturday night was River Fire. Every year there is they do River Fire and it is a huge event. The jets pass through the city and the helicopters and then there is a huge fireworks show up the entire river. We were fortunate enough that Phil’s niece works in one of the tallest buildings in Brisbane and we were invited to hangout with them on the building. Halfway up the building is this huge balcony area that wraps around the entire building. We were eye level with the jets and the fireworks. From where we were standing we could see 5 different shows down the river. It was amazing! The whole night was epic and we had such a great time!

Talia and I at Riverfire

 

 

Saturday and Sunday we took apart Phil’s Taj Mahal Lego set, washed it, and put it back together. It was quite the job but we had a great time doing it!

I am so thankful for the time I have been able to spend in Brisbane and looking forward to this week in Sydney!

My last week in New Zealand

Saturday I went on a walk and hung out with Ellen all day! We had a fantastic time just hanging out on my last Saturday in New Zealand! 

Sunday was my last church service. After church we had a shared meal (potluck) and just spent time together! I really enjoyed the time with people and the sad goodbyes.

 After church I went out with Amy! We went or a walk, ate fish and chips and ate deep fried Moro bars at the dam! I will miss her so much

Monday was my final day at the spca it was sad to leave but I had such a fantastic day playing with the puppies and walking dogs! 

Tuesday I went to visit the lovely Priscilla Pyle! Her and her family have had a really crazy year and I have been wanting to hangout with her one on one for ages! Finally we made it happen. There was a new born lamb on their property so naturally we want to play with it!

This is Priscilla with the neighbors horse

Made some sunrise painted shoes a while ago!

Thursday night I went to a friends house and we recorded a song together. We had been singing this song together at her parents country folk night once a month and really wanted to have a memory of it. It was such a great time hanging out with her and recording it!

My last few days I was housesiting and decided to put googly eyes on random things throughout their house! Hopefully they enjoyed the surprise!

Saturday morning Ellen and I drove to the airport so I could head to Australia. We left at 4am! As they were hoping it would be the last day of America's cup racing everyone in the airport was gathered around the TVs watching the America's cup race! I can't believe it was abandoned and we are still waiting for racing! 

I will miss New Zealand so much but Australia is shaping up to be fantastic!