28 February, 2017

Summer Favourites and Iconic Australia








Today marks the end of our Australian summer – well, according to the calendar. The weather normally has a mind of its own, so we can only wait and see.

The photos are from our way over to Western Australia, while we were still in South Australia – about halfway across the continent. I think this is one of the places that is so Australia, and when people think of Australia they think of this – flat treeless land, dry scrub, never-ending straight roads, dilapidated roadhouses, that sign with the kangaroo, wombat, and camel on it. But really, it’s only a small part of it. The straight road didn’t last forever, there were shining new facilities right next to that old servo, we only saw about two kangaroos and nothing else, and there were surprises. Next time I’ll show you what was on the other side of the road from that last photo. 

Three months is a long time to review. I’m going to miss lots, because this was the fullest summer I’ve had. I was away for eight weeks, hanging out with wonderful people and reaching out to other wonderful people. Since getting back, it’s been full of other things, things we call normal. But it’s been full in another sense too. I’ve been reading some of Ann Voskamp’s material, and it’s reinspired me to count gifts, to look for the ways God blesses me. And that makes each moment full. So here’s a list of my favourites from this summer:

The trip – traveling with friends, getting to see more of Australia, working together, sharing about God and seeing Him work miracles daily (I shared one here), learning more about life, making new friends, inside jokes and lingo, and finding joy in God’s service

This quote which sums it up perfectly: Why do you go away? So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colours. And, the people there see you differently too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving. Terry Pratchett

Seeing my family again after so long

Random trips with the siblings down to the river to pick blackberries and go crazy in the water

Another sibling outing involving planking for seventy-five seconds, climbing a steep hill, taking in the view and goofing around with photos, and then eating lunch by the creek in front of the waterfall, talking about life and all there is to learn

Climbing a hill with friends at dusk, watching the sun set above the green hills around, and the reflection in the creek below, and observing the blue moon

Camping in the mountains, going through the narrowest cave I’ve ever been in (literally, sliding through the mud on our stomachs), catching up with lots of friends, and extra time traveling with friends, talking about everything

Quiet days at home where I realise that each day is a gift, and full of so much potential, and it’s up to me to end it satisfied

Getting together with friends and singing and making music together

Running in the rain for the sheer joy of it (which apparently the driver of a passing car didn’t get)

Seeing God’s creation out my window every day, hearing birds sing as they sit on our veranda rail, watching the sun rise as I lay in bed

Having my first hot drink of the year

Getting back into music lessons

Seeing what I learn in studying counselling help me in my own life

Cooking a stack of biscuits for my brother’s lunches, and thinking about the fact that cooking is art

Ethan’s post which explains everything I’ve been trying to live and meaning to say

Jordy’s post which turned around my definition of a step of faith, and hit me right where I needed it

Reading familiar blogs and being blessed, finding new blogs and being surprised, receiving comments on this blog and being amazed and humbled and grateful to God for you all

This illusion which made me wonder what else I’m missing (seriously, try it, and let me know how you went!)

The fact the music videos from the camp we went to last year are out. You can see them over on YouTube, but here are my favourites:





I’ve also been enjoying this video (apparently the guys who sing are creepy, my sister says, so watch out for that)

Finding so many quotes that fit in perfectly with my previous thoughts on enthusiasm, such as Nothing great was ever acheived without enthusiasm. Ralph Waldo Emerson and, Catch on fire with enthusiams and people will come for miles to watch you burn. John Wesley

Memorizing Psalm 63 and Isaiah 55 with my sister – those passages are so good. It’s been encouraging those mornings where nothing is going like I meant it to, and I can’t even focus on Bible study, to just sit down and say those words, and hear my sister say them to me. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is…

~

How was your summer/winter? What were some of your favourites? Do you memorize scripture? Have you been blackberrying? What did you think of the videos? How did you go with the F illusion? That’s too many questions, but hey – I want to know how you’re all going, and what you think, and what’s been happening for you. You are a fabulous lot of readers. :)

37 comments:

  1. oh my word! The kangaroo crossing sign! love that!
    Here in the southern states we have barely needed a jacket with this cold season.
    Loved looking at all your photos

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    1. Yes, I liked it too! It's kind of a classic Australian sign. :) Wow, so it's been unusually warm for you then?

      Thanks, Morgan. I really appreciated your comment! :)

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  2. Your summer sounds absolutely amazing!! I'm glad that you had so much fun. I'm wishing it were summer right now haha

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    1. It was! I can imagine.. Well, it's spring for you now, so hopefully it will warm up soon! :)

      Thanks heaps for your comment, Vanessa! It's nice to hear from you.

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  3. Hehe, love the kangaroo crossing sign! Also, what's that small, bear-like creature in the sign next to the kangaroo?
    Love the Finlandia music vid. So beautiful!

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    1. Yes, I had to take a photo of it. :) That's a wombat.. they are like a heavy set small bear-like creature. They're cute, but they're a pest because they can do damage if you hit them in a vehicle, and they dig tunnels everywhere.

      I'm glad you like it! It's one of my favourites. :) Thanks a lot for reading, and commenting!

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  4. Are those...camels, wombats, and kangaroos? *displays my complete ignorance of Australian animals*

    Haha it's just funny that it's summer in Australia while we're freezing up here in the northern hemisphere XD

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    1. Precisely! Don't worry, I'm sure you guys have animals I don't know about. :)

      Yes, we're always opposite, haha! Thanks for leaving a comment, Hanne! You're a blessing.

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  5. Those photos exhibit exactly how I picture Australia...so lovely!

    What great thoughts about living life fully. I have been thinking the same things while reading 1,000 Gifts. What if our "lack of time" was merely a mislabeled lack of thankfulness? The book has challenged me to see life with new eyes and appreciate the little, hidden blessings around us.

    I watched the music video The Love of God... ♥ May I ask if you were in it? =)

    I'm glad you're back in the blogging world...we missed you! And although I didn't comment on your last post about enthusiasm, it was very encouraging; enthusiasm is something I often fail to exhibit in my own life. I wonder if enthusiasm is related to thankfulness? If we are thankful for the blessings around us, won't we also be enthusiastic about every aspect of life? You got me thinking. =)

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    1. Yes, it's kind of classic Australia, isn't it? Not all of Australia looks like that, though. I like how varied it is - and I have hardly seen any of it!

      I was reminded of that too, reading the devotional! It's a powerful thought.. There's always more to be thankful for. And yes to your last paragraph! It has to be linked somehow.. Because like you said, being thankful gives us things to be enthusiastic about! That is so good. I get excited when things link up like that, so thanks for sharing your thoughts! :)

      And yes, I was in the video! I'm playing violin behind someone else though, so you can't really see me.

      Thanks so much for your encouragement. I always appreciate your comments, Hosanna!

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  6. Your summer sounds like it was wonderful! And I really enjoyed those music videos. Are you in any of them?

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    1. Praise God, it was! That's good to hear! Yes, I am in both of them, but you can't see me really well. :) Thanks for reading and commenting! xx

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  7. What beautiful pictures. I would love to visit Australia someday. :)

    ~Ashley
    creatingpreciousmoments.blogspot.com
    http://ashleysyarnworks.etsy.com/

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    1. It's a wonderful place. ;) Of course I'm biased though - I'm sure your country is nice as well.

      Thanks for reading, and leaving a comment, Ashley! :)

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  8. Sounds like you had a full and fun summer :)
    It's nice to read about it, thanks for sharing more.
    I love the photos.

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    1. Yes, it was - I think I made more memories than any previous summers. :) I'm glad you're finding it interesting; sometimes I wonder if people are getting sick of me talking about it! Thanks heaps for your faithful reading, and this comment. xx

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  9. Wow, you are so right; those are definitely the kind of pictures I imagine when I think of visiting Australia. I realize the entire continent does not all look the same, and kangaroos are not necessarily frolicking about at every turn, but nonetheless that is right where my imaginations take me! Fills me with a bit of wanderlust.

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    1. It's kind of the stereotype, isn't it? Haha, well, hopefully one day you'll be able to satisfy your imagination! Actually, we barely saw any kangaroos on the trip, despite the signs. Thanks for your comment, Skyeler. I appreciate it! :)

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  10. Jessica,

    Wow, your photos are BEAUTIFUL. I am completely captivated - I just want to stare at them.

    It sounds like you've had a lovely summer. Do you live in Australia or are you visiting? Thanks for checking out my blog and leaving such a sweet comment! It looks like we might have a lot in common. :) I loved reading this post. I'll definitely be coming back to visit soon!

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    1. That's such a compliment! Thank you, and praise God for His awesome creation! :)

      Yes, I live in Australia! I just recently traveled across Australia though, and saw lots of new places, so that's where these photos are from.

      Oh, I'm honoured! Thank you for blessing me with a comment, and following as well! xx

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    2. Wasn't there a plan to use camels for the military or something? I seem to remember that this one really clever guy imported a bunch of camels, but he forgot to also import the Bedouins to handle them. So the camels made a tremendous nuisance of themselves with their famously bad tempers and were eventually turned loose because no-one wanted to bother with them. I could be wrong, but I seem to remember reading about that somewhere or other.

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    3. Hmm, I hadn't heard that before, but I looked it up, and I think you're right! The internet even says Australia has some of the largest population of camels. Thanks for sharing that! There's something new to learn every day. :)

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  11. That is definitely the idea I had in my mind of Australia. I had no idea though that camels were common there!

    I don't know why, but it was so relaxing reading through this post about your summer! Inspiring too though, as that one about "Quiet days at home..." was something I needed to hear today. :)

    -Mary

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    1. It's funny to think that's how everyone perceives Australia. But then, I've only seen such a small percentage of my country, I'm sure I still haven't got a balanced idea of what Australia's like. Hmm, well, we didn't see any camels. I think they used to be more popular..

      I'm glad it had that effect! And praise God that could speak to you. Thanks for all your lovely comments, Mary. xx

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  12. The videos were awesome! Australia looks so beautiful (almost as pretty as Texas, lol)! ;)
    My winter is going great, but I'm ready for summer. I bet you are, too though. But then I think everyone is!!

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    1. They were fun to be a part of! Haha, there's no place like home - I'm guessing you're from Texas? Yes, winter gets long sometimes.. but it makes spring sweeter. I hope some warm weather comes your way soon, and thanks for reading and commenting! :)

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  13. Been stalking your blog for a little while now, and Jessica? YOUR POSTS ARE GOLD. YOUR BLOG IS GOLD. THIS POST WAS GOLD. YOU ARE GOLD. <333
    I had this whole long comment planned out on your last post...but then somehow it got away from me!!! *sobs forever* Well, now that I'm here, I'll just tell you how much I LOVED IT. “Enthusiasm comes from the Greek word entheos. En means in, and theos refers to God – literally possessed by God, or God is in them.” So of course, enthusiasm comes from God; it comes from God living and working through us. No wonder He can give it, and no wonder it makes life so much better. It’s how He made us to be." Whaaaat?! That is amazing...I truly believe God has given you the gift of words, Jessica.
    Oh, and btw, I would LOVE to hear more about your canvassing trip--what were some of the most fruitful conversations that you had? What were some more things that you learned on your trip? I want to be a missionary when I grow up, so I'm pretty interested in that sort of thing. =)
    You're awesome, Jessica--loved this post! =)
    -Ariel

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    1. Ariel - this comment! You're so encouraging and sweet and enthusiastic! And it came at the perfect time, honestly. I praise God this could be a blessing to you - it's only because of Him!

      Those are great questions! :) Actually thinking about it, I might do a post with more details and share some experiences, etc. Thanks for the prompt because I never know how much to share - I don't want people to get bored and sick of me talking on, you know? And that is so great you want to be a missionary! Do you have any particular field in mind? I'm sure God will bless and provide opportunities for your desire.

      Well, thanks again for your comment! (Especially seeing as you had another planned and it didn't work out - that can be so annoying!) You are a blessing. xx

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  14. Oh my goodness..Australia is beautiful! Amazing photography :-) I hope to go there sometime but the flight is 24 hours and I can barely sit on a plane for half and hour egh

    ~ Rukiya

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    1. I second that! ;) Yes, that is a long time to sit on a plane.. I'm sure there are many beautiful locations in your country too though! Thanks a lot for reading and commenting, Rukiya!

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  15. i have family in australia!
    i hear it is beautiful but very hot and humid.
    it was such a pleasure to visit your blog for the first time!
    everything here is so lovely!

    i pray you'll be blessed,

    ashley
    www.likenootherjourney.blogspot.com

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    1. Wow, maybe you'll be able to visit them and see the country one day! It can be hot and humid yes, but it depends which part of Australia.. I really dislike humidity, so I'm blessed to live in an area that's not too bad!

      Thanks for your kind words, Ashley! Blessings to you too! :)

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  16. Iconic Australia is beautiful! Reminds me a lot of the American West, actually.

    I'm so glad to hear that you've been enjoying life. I've been reminded lately that enjoyment is a choice. Sometimes, lately, when I'm feeling really down, I have to sit down and write a list of all of the things I have to enjoy. :) It really helps me get my focus off of myself and my private miseries and on to the goodness of God.

    I will watch the videos once I have internet. I got halfway through one, and then it bogged down and I had to quit. But I shall return. :D

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    1. And now that I've watched the videos...I liked them both, but especially the creativity of the first one. Well done!

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    2. Janie! It's nice to hear from you. :) Thanks for reading and watching and commenting! I'm glad you enjoyed the videos. The first one was the most fun to be a part of too. :)

      Yes, that's so true! It's a pity we forget often, and wait for enjoyment from other places. And that's a great idea! I should try it next time I've got the blues. I'm glad you've found a way to refocus your thoughts and help you get through those days!

      Thanks again for your comments! Blessings!

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  17. What a very full, full summer! Your post seems bursting with goodness and things to be grateful for; it makes me rejoice with you! Thank you for giving us this opportunity to share in these good things with you. It makes me want to be more attentive to the many blessings in life that I surely overlook. And thank you, too, for mentioning my post. It was very sweet of you.

    Of this winter, my favourite thing was probably the precious fellowship I experienced with my friends of the Torchbearers Japan community. It seems like I rarely experience such sweet fellowship, but I imagine that God intends it to be more integral to the Christian life than it is in reality. It makes me wonder how I can better serve and love my family and the people of my "normal" environment.

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    1. I'm glad it makes you rejoice! Praise God. :) And you're very welcome - your post really spoke to me.

      Mmm yes, I can imagine that would have been lovely. I've been thinking about God's intent for fellowship recently too! Good fellowship is such a powerful way to draw closer to God.. together.

      Thanks for your comment Jordy! It surprised me in the very best way. :)

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When you comment:

1. My day will be brighter, my face smiling, and my heart blessed.

2. I’m likely to immediately go and explore your blog (if you have one) to find out more of your amazingness, and return the blessing.

3. I will then attempt to craft a response to you that will somehow fail to convey how much I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness and kindness. I’m grateful for every word of encouragement you give, and don’t be afraid to share some constructive criticism also; there’s always more to learn. In short: thank-you! :)