Justin Timberlake is going to be downtown! Guess where I'm NOT gonna be

Wow, I haven't updated this in quite a while. I've been here four months now and most days it only feels like two. So what do I have to say about four months abroad? It's definitely an experience. I'm only now to the point where I barely notice the accent anymore and I'm still learning heaps about the culture. I'm really excited about traveling over Christmas, to see some new places and gain more knowledge of these crazy Kiwi's.

I've had thoughts about my trip home as well. There are things I don't look forward to...finding a job, finding a place to live, getting used to being back in the States, etc. However, there are many things I look forward to about returning home...time with my family, seeing my friends, being back at the Charlotte Church.

I made a promise before I came that if I started struggling spiritually, I would go back home. While I'm not on the verge of walking away from God, but I've felt disconnected. I've realized how easy it is to be selfish and I have the ability to do what I want when I want without being held accountable. Yes there is a church here...which I am very grateful for. I'm so thankful that God put it on my heart to go only where there was a sister church, yet it's different. It's nothing against the church, it's just that people back home know where I come from and how I am. The fortunate thing is that I feel like certain aspects of me are changing that needed to change....and I hope that continues.

I say all this because I want people to know that I am fighting to come back different...one who always sticks to her convictions no matter where she is in the world, someone who tries to encourage others no matter what and one who lets go and forgives. God has been teaching me a lot about forgiveness. It's amazing to see how my prayers are changing. I don't feel as bitter as I once was towards situations in my past. I also pray for good things to happen to those who walked away from my friendship. I still have a long way to go, but to feel God heal my heart slowly is such a comfort.

Coming back to Charlotte won't be easy. In two years of being a disciple, I hurt people, held grudges and was completely selfish. I will always struggle to be selfless but I want to come back a compassionate, forgiving loving woman of God.

The situations I have found myself in whilst abroad have been real faithbuilders. I can't go into detail on all of them, but I needed this. Right now, I'm not sure when I'll be coming back to Charlotte. It could be March or it could be June. Either way, I want to come back when I've learned everything that God wants me to learn and I want to have grown in every way possible.

So if you've been wondering what I've been up to, I've been having fun, working heaps and growing in my relationship with God. I have no idea if any of this makes sense to people back home, but it had to be said. I haven't been ignoring this page or anything. I just need to be more consistent in updating it. :)

Send me an email if you wish to chat. I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Until next time...this crazy wannabe Kiwi (for a year anyway!) is signing off.

I will gladly call you back?

So I think I have the worst luck ever with anything computer related whilst abroad. Our router is broken and we're sending it off on Monday to get it fixed. It rarely works and when it does, I take full advantage of it (such as right now). So I apoligize for any delays to responding to people. I'm hoping we get a new router in a week. Email me and I will try and check my email at work on my break.

I hope everyone is doing well!

Every girl loves a good mo <~~~ (actual advertisement)

What have I been up to lately? Well, I've been sick and it's been loads of fun. Actually, I think I'm on my second cold right now because my symptoms are completely different from last week. I went home from work early on Wednesday and didn't go in at all on Thursday. I was feeling like a whole new person on Friday, but Saturday I woke up and had a raspy voice and was coughing. Today it's gotten worse.

Being the smart one that I am, I didn't let my cold get in the way of some fun. One of the brothers here who is working abroad like me is going back to Japan on Thursday so for his last weekend here, we went snorkeling.

When Kelly and Mo came to pick me up, Mo informs me that Kelly just had two wisdom teeth pulled. (WHAT?!?!) Anyway, so we drove about an hour and a half to Goat Island. It was quite beautiful but cold! I actually saw a stingray which freaked me out and caused me to scream. Ha ha. I was freezing the whole time and when we finally got out of the water, I think it took an hour to get the feeling back in my toes. I suppose it was dumb to go snorkeling while being sick but I couldn't pass up the opportunity. I also tried to keep my ears above the water as much as possible just in case.

Anyway, I am still sick and I need my sleep but I wanted to quickly update to let everyone know I'm still alright. Pray I get well soon so I don't have to miss more work. :)

I'm Cameron, not Ferris

On our way to Rotorua, we stopped at CandyLand.

Hehe, my dad owns a Nissan dealership here.

Zorbing in Rotorua. Yes I went down this in that sphere twice. It was awesome!

Walter and Stephanie's cats think they own the place.

Chocolate covered fruit and chicken nuggets...what more could a person want?