New Zealand

Hey! Missing you all so much... 

Couple of pictures of my last few weeks in Melbourne!  I am a melbornarian 

 so I've not posted in a while the lack of posting has been due to trying to find out what's happening next in the explorations of Rosie. News is that I'm now In New Zealand. Due to fact I couldn't renew my visa and my brothers in New Zealand and I wanted to catch up with him. Upon reflecting on my time in melbourne and Australia. I had the most epic 2 years of my life exploring and not exploring a country that I came to love and melbourne became my home. I spent a lot of time with the family I was Au pairing for got to see Victoria spent time on a olive farm did a few hikes with friends learnt to skate board. Enjoyed seeing 3 children grow up and seeing friends grow closer to God see a church grow closer to God it has been truly amazing 2 years. Queensland New South Wales and Victoria I plan to go back very soon in November and see more of Victoria that I haven't checked out and if money I plan to take a trip to Sydney for a weekend. Not sure just got three weeks to see friends and see more of Victoria and Australia. I wanna now hope that I left a few legacies behind in melbourne/ balwyn these are Praying about everything, being transparent we all struggle so let's struggle together, intentional relationships let our time with friends be a time of accountability and growth together, lastly hugs & enthusiasm about desiring God more and more. I learnt so much of what it means to be loved and accepted by God through my brothers and sisters in Christ God really blessed me with a family in Melbourne but I guess for now it's on wards and to New Zealand. 

I really felt blessed to have a massive group of my brothers and sister in Christ say goodbye to me in the airport. 

I arrived in New Zealand with no real plan I guess that God wants for me and for me I felt God wanted me to spend time with my brother I feel like it was time to reconnect with him. I arrived at the airport on Saturday morning at 5am and waited with the idea of going into Auckland when it was a more human time but my brother had other plans as I turned around he was crazy as ever hiding behind a old man I swear the guy had no idea. I was so surprised to see him there my brother smiling and happy to see me and I was super chuffed as ever to see my Derpy brother it was really good to spend a couple of days together in Auckland walking around the city catching up meeting his friends and seeing how much he's changed as a person wow. So proud of my little brother though he's bigger than me ha. He's grown up so much and become so much more independant so awesome to see. 

I had to do something else while I was in Auckland and I decided that I wanted to check out one of my favourite movies set. I took a trip to Hobbit shire in Matamata was the best day I just couldn't stop smiling seeing imagining all the Hobbits running around and re living scence from the movie. Ending the tour sitting by the fire in the green dragon enjoying a cup of ale and a steak & ale pie. 

For now I'm current on route to Taupo South of Auckland which is a 5 hour bus ride here I will be Au pairing for a lovely family 2 boys 5 and 8 & a mum & dad. I'm super excited for the adventure ahead and what is in store for me. 

Pray 

for safe trip, 

Strength 

Closeness to God 

Find a good church 

Contunie to be thankful daily... 

Comfort feeling pretty home sick and confused leaving my home in Melbourne. 

Will keep you updated on my adventures but for now off to Lake Taupo and the hot springs.. 

Been nice to have a few days to chill and rest hopefully will have more adventures soon.. 

Miss Melbs peeps! 6 weeks till I'm back to visit. 

Heaps of Love, Prayers & Hugs! 

Rosie 

Agape (Valentine's Day)

Maybe tonight you've got a date a romantic dinner, chocolates, note from a partner or maybe you glad your single because it means for another year your wallet or purse is still full and you don't have to spend the money tonight on all those things or maybe you hate this holiday with passion because every year your single and you've never got a card or anything. 

Truth is as much I hate the commercial side of this holiday and yes another year has come and I'm still single but truth is what is this holiday really about? Originally the day was about courtship but Truth be told it was said that Saint Valentine was a bishop and was martyred. This day originally name after this Saint Valentine who was martyred on the 14th Feb 273. 

 to be martyr what does that mean you ask? Martyr according to Wikipedia: is somebody who suffers persecution and/or death for advocating, renouncing, refusing to renounce, and/or refusing to advocate a belief or cause of either a religious or secular nature. This is what Saint Valentine did when he renounced his faith his belief in God. He was then killed for this he refused to give up on what he believed to be true and was sainted because of it. Jesus himself was a martyr he died for us he refused to say that he was innocent, He died for us on the cross. 

If Valentine's Day is a reminder of love actually Saint Valentine gave up his own life and so did Jesus. That's love true love? To give up yourself for something or someone because you love them So much you don't care what happens to you. 

What would you do for the one you loved? What would you do if putting yourself in danger meant making them stronger, how far would you travel to be where they wanted to be. How far would you go to help the person you love? How much would you sacrifice for that love. How much would you give to make sure they were happy. 

Quotes: 

The Calling 

'If I could, then I would, I'll go wherever you will go! Way up high or down low, I'll go wherever you will go And maybe, I'll find out, The way to make it back someday, To watch you, to guide you, Through the darkest of your days If a great wave shall fall, It'd fall upon us all, Well I hope there's someone out there, Who can bring me back to you.'

Greater love has no one than this, to lay down ones life for ones friends. John 15:13 

It's a little bit funny this feeling inside, I'm not one of those who can easily hide. I don't have much money but boy if I did I'd buy a big house house where we both could live.' Elton John Your song 

'I don't need you anymore! All my life you made me believe I was only worth what someone would pay for me! But Christian he loves me he loves me Harold. And that is worth everything! Moulin Rouge Satine to Harold.  

'What does love look like? It has he hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has the eyes to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That's what love looks like.' Saint Augustine. 

Is words and gifts enough to show us what love is really like what love really means. I know I love a lot of people and care heaps about each other them but I know that I would find it really hard to say truthfully that I would do anything for them but I hope that I would. And I don't know if you know what that is like I don't know if you would go as far to say you know the love that has not limits to what it would do. 

But I do I know what that love is like I know that love that would lay ones life down for ones friend and truth be told we don't have to go far. Jesus is that one he loves us so profoundly he loves us with a love known in Greek as Agape this love is unconditional and not only have them die for you but they would die not caring what you've done. This love doesn't have limits to how much it can give and how deep it goes. This love is what Valentine's Day so should be about and it some ways from the sacrifice that Saint Valentine did when he martyred his life for his belief in God and for the church. 

Today I reminded that everyday of my life since the day I gave my life to Jesus and even before that God was never far away from me and he loves me so much so relentlessly, passionately, tenderly, intensely and this Valentine's Day I celebrate that love I celebrate I'm truly thankful for what Jesus did on the cross for me when he died in my place for all the crap I ever did and will ever do and he's always there fore me no matter what and I'm challenged again how far would I go to not only show that love to Jesus but to show that love to my friends even to my enemies. 

 “The greatest disease in the West today is not TB or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for. We can cure physical diseases with medicine, but the only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is love. There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread but there are many more dying for a little love. The poverty in the West is a different kind of poverty -- it is not only a poverty of loneliness but also of spirituality. There's a hunger for love, as there is a hunger for God.” 

― Mother Teresa, A Simple Path: Mother Teresa

Today I'm challenged and reminded of one the love that Jesus has for me and two the love that I need to show others. 

I end by saying this do you feel loved ? Do you know a love that does t have limits to what it would do? How far would you go to show love to someone? Would it be Agape love ? 

These are just some of my thoughts and some quotes I found I hope you enjoyed reading...

Today I thankful for the Love that doesn't have limits and that is the love that Jesus shows me. 

 

White flag!

I've been thinking a lot lately about what I need to surrender to God to the things that are weighting down on me and burdening my heart. The things I don't need to carry I'm sure I've surrendered over and over again. Sometimes just got down on my knees wanting to surrender to God. Truth is do we know what we are saying when we surrender to God. 

I think from description of the word surrender is to stop resisting. For example in a fight someone would raise the white flag to surrender but when we surrender its means submitting to control, to relent to back down. If I'm surrendering to God I'm not giving up but when I surrender I'm admitting to God that I'm not gonna stop him from doing what he can. Relinquishing my own control expecting that I can't do as good as God can! 

Stop fighting resist in what God wants for me. In proverbs 19:21 it says:

And in Isaiah 55:8,9 

God is bigger than our circumstances so why wouldn't we surrender it all to him. To surrender it all to him means trusting that not only is he able to deal with all that we surrender to him but to also trust that within us yes I want this, I have this desire, I'm going through these challenges and trials but if I give it to God he knows what's best for us! 

The bible is full of proof that God knows best so when you surrender your trusting your admitting everything and every responsibility on All that you surrender and giving it to God. 

Because he knows best and he is big enough! 

To surrender goes even deeper it opens the way for us to be more like Jesus that if we surrender we hand God the reins to change us to give us only what he feels we need. 

Hillsong wrote a song called I surrender: 

Here I am down on my knees again surrendering all 

Find me here Lord as you draw me closer desperate for you 

I surrender 

Drench my soul as mercy and grace unfold I hunger and thirst 

With arms stretched wide, I know you hear my cry speak to me now. 

I surrender I wanna know you more 

Like a rushing wind Jesus breathe within Lord have your way in me 

Like a mighty storm stir within my soul Lord have your way in me 

This song is a powerful personal prayer of surrender to surrender means to let go. To allow God to have his way. That you trust in him that you don't care what happens because you trust that he has it all under his control. 

I'm taking this to say once again God I surrender all to you knowing that you know best. I'm not fighting for control I'm not fighting to push you away because God you know best. 

I end by challenging what is that you need to surrender to God right now. 

Maybe it's your future, your health, your family, your own desires, your studies, 

I'm challenging you to relinquish your own control on these things and surrender them to God because he is big enough and loves us relentlessly that he only wants what is best for us. He can do such a awesome job with all that we surrender. 

Let his love take hold of you. 

 

Throne of Grace!

Every year people make New Years resolutions whether it's to loose weight, stop biting nails, learn something new, I personally stick to the same one every year. That is having the attuidide that I want to get closer to God, grow more in faith and understand more of Gods love in my life so I can be more like him and more of the person he has called me to be. 

Every year God never fails to teach me more of his goodness 2014 for me was a year that I won't forget. It was a year of transformation and I know that it, sorry without a doubt it was the best year of my life.. But that's a so far, because I know that God has a heck of a lot more in store for me. Specially in melbourne what that is I'm not sure but the exciting thing is I'm trusting that with Gods plan and his will it will forever be a transforming one. 

I started a photo album on facebook called 365-2015 this photo album is a collection of a photos a day for 2015 I started it because I want to be more thankful and to remember and praise 

God for all the goodness and blessings that I have in my life. However today I'm truly greatful for Gods grace and the freedom that we have to approach the throne of grace with all that we have all because of Jesus and what he did when he died on the cross for us. The fact that I have the freedom to come directly to God with all that I am in my sinful state and speak directly to the God of heaven to the king of kings. 

I'm reminded of this through this passage; When Jesus died on the cross one massive thing that happened that showed this was: 

 

"And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom" mark 15:38 

Before Jesus death we had to go to God through the highest priest in the Jewish temple, but before he could go to God he had to go through ceremony and confession of sins before He entered the place called the holy of Holies the only place that God was said to be and we didn't get to go there directly. Separating that place from the rest of the temple was a veil. Massively high that was so difficult to reach the top of and not only that but was made of thick clothe. The moment that Jesus died that curtain was torn in two. 

Because of what's Jesus did this made the way for us to come directly to God no longer do we have to go through someone else more "holy" than us. Jesus made us good enough to come directly to him. Today I am reminded that Jesus death has made me good enough to speak and spend time in God's presence as I am. Not only that but I'm blessed to be in a country that I can freely read his word. 

I'm humbled that I'm not worthy to stand in his presence but because of the free gift of grace because of the death of Jesus I am made holy. 

Let us then approach Gods throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 

This year I want and pray that people will be reminded that you are Good enough because of what Jesus did, I know I need to be reminded everyday. 

Updates...

So I'm case you don't know already I've now started my second year in Australia and I'm still residing in melbourne right now. I love it the culture, the coffee, the brunchs, the weather four seasons in one day, the countryside and best of all the amazing people. I've very much fell in love with the place. Still though I plan on never returning for more than a visit to the UK. Watch this space :) 

I've not enjoyed many adventures in terms of the litral sense but I have had some adventures in terms of what doesn't kill you makes you stronger journeys and just having fun with my friends (Family) here all been they've all be great fun and loads of joy to be had. 

For six weeks during in July and August I went on a different adventure okay it wasn't full on two weeks but it was great fun and a experice. I went into the country to do some farm type work I worked on a olive farm with a lovely family one child which I got to spend some great time with as well as pruning oil trees and mowing aches of land around the farm using a hand held mower. Markets, Going to a ball in a small town, children's parties and just having fun in the light free country of gippsland. It was great to get some head space and do something different staying in a cabin wearing layers of clothing at night and watch jimanji in shed with a four year old girl and her mum. Was great fun to spend time with a different family in a different part of Victoria. 

Another Adventure was looking after the two young children by myself for 3 weeks that was a challenge but let's just say I dont want to be a single mum. Luckly I have some amazing friends who came to help me out a few times which was a amazing blessing you know your loved with a friend takes you and child out for lunch for the afternoon or when best friend play's just simple games with the kids that generally then make the person unforgettable to the kids. Those weeks where pretty joyful to just enjoying the company of two of the best kids I know laughing, making crafts together, playing at the park together, walking to school together and being ill together deffo a unforgettable journey of love and patience. 

My young brother arrived in melbourne in June I think so I've been able to catch up with him. I've seen a change in him after not seeing him for 9 months I think and to see how much he's the same and how different he is was really great though I found it funny the first time we caught up how weird it was for him that we were both of the otherside of the world together. 

I've also had the chane to be invited to some wonderful events of friends birthdays and weddings 

Some of my great sisters at Loreens 21+1 

Loreen and myself at Loreens 21+1 birthday dinner party. 

Loreen's birthday dinner was great I got to learn even more about what a lovely wonderful person she is though I knew that already. (You have speeches at 21st birthdays in Australia. 

Even though I've only known her for 5 months I feel like I've known her forever my wonderful sister Loreen is a inspiration to me. One of my bestist friends she's a Godly women. 

Over the weekend I got the pleasure to attend the wedding of my first melbourne friends Mabel and John. The day was inspiring and full of joy and love, I was so great to see these two wonderful friends of mine get married. There love for God is so inspiring and there love for one another is beautiful. 

Me and Mabel 

John, Mabel and myself. 

Cutting the cake whilst looking at each other with so much love. 

Photo booth at the wedding 

First wedding I've been to with a bouquet toss and yes I caught it. 

Also I've been just enjoying my life having autum in August and spring in September have been strange. I'm looking forward to this new year to my journey as I make a leap into this new adventure. 

Right now as God keeps me here and I know that means he has amazing plans for me here. What he has in store for me just watch this space. 

Thanks for Reading my blog 

Love Rosie xx 

Bigger than

I'm just siting watching the burning red and purple and pink sunset over the buildings in the city. A plane soo small in the sky flies over even from such a distance the plane is so small yet when you get up close its big to and the amazing things there are so many things in creation that are so much bigger than we are. The sunset, the mountains, the trees, the clouds, the sun, the universe farst and massive. Then it gives me a humbling feeling that I am so much smaller than all these things. It says in the bible that God determines the number of stars and calls them each bye name. (Psalm 147:4) that is mind blowing I'm so small and God is so big. Then how about this: By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses. (Psalm 33:6-7 ESV) but the awesome thing is he created us to he didn't choose to speak us into being no get this yes he said let us make man in our own imagine. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27 ESV) actually that's only one way we see the way God created us we also see that in Gensis 2 that God actually took his hands his handiwork his physical self into making us everything else he created he spoke into being where as with us he formed us. As we read here: then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. (Genesis 2:7-8 ESV) so the way I see it is this though he created everything else with just speaking he chooses to get on his hands and knees get fully involved in making us. He grabs some dirt from the ground and forms us forms Adam and then after that from man from Adam he creates with his hands women eve from Adams rib. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. (Genesis 2:21-22 ESV) but better than that he breaths his life into us breathing into Adam breathing into Eve his breath his spirit his energy and you know that saying save the best till last this is that saving the best till last. So if he formed us he knows us completely right he knows all there is about us he knows what's best for us what we will need. Psalm 139 says all this that he knows us and I believe that someone who loves us so much and knows us so much is in control of everything. 

There's so much thrown at us in the bible of his wonderful promises for example: What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. (Romans 8:31-33 ESV) God doesn't let us leave his fold and if God is for us God will hold us all together and give us wonderful things. 

And because he's bigger than us he's bigger than our circumstances he also knows our circumstances and he will bring us through because he's big enough to be there for each one of us in everything that we need he will hold us together. Whatever you find yourself in right now God is bigger enough that he can deal with all things and bring us through it all in a way that is only gonna bring not only Glory to him but the good for us and that won't change dispite what we may think about ourselves because God works for the Good of those who love him and are Called accourding to his purpose. Romans 8:28, God knows the plans he has for us plans to not bring us harm but to bring us good. Jeremiah 29:11. I pray that whatever I face or you face give all of it too God and I pray that in our hearts that we would trust in him for his love for us is relentless and he's big enough to deal with how big or how small our circumstance is. 

Don't tell God how Big Your Problems Are Tell Your Problems How Big Your God is... 

God is in Control just let him.. He's big enough to handle all our lives.. 

Relentless Love....

I feel like I'm so completely great at doing silly things saying the wrong things and all around being a bit impulsive but I see that in those times God has always shown me that he doesn't care and that actually it's part of who I am. I feel like so often I've felt completely weak and crumbling in on myself. sometimes I feel like I've really just wanted to curl up and go back to sleep. Maybe there's been times when I just never know what to say or what to do and I make a mess and get it wrong. But every time over these last few weeks I really learnt so much about who I am and who God is and who he created me to be. I know I've learnt largely that. In all things God works for the good of those who live him romans 8:28 and God will use our weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 but he said to me, "my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

Gods love is so amazing so many times have I realised this so deeply in my life, to know Gods love for us is relentless nothing can stop it nothing can take it way or distroy it. That the truth is in Gods eyes we are good enough for him whatever we do what ever mess we make God turns it into good and whenever we feel weak more so in our weakness God is strong. I feel like if we didn't have moments like these we wouldn't grow and learn more about God and ourselves. I've had a fair few struggles in my life time if you've read my testimonie or spoken to me I would tell you that I've know hardships but now I know Joy. But one of the most interesting and true song lyrics I've hard about life. 

Is Kelly Clarkson: 

"what doesn't kill you makes you stronger"

I see now that if I wasn't going through what I went through I wouldn't be the person I am today and I wouldn't be able to do what God is equipping me for. 

How do you see your struggles right now? Maybe right now they look so awful and you don't know how you will get through even if your a Christian or not I think it's true to say that what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. Think about the person you will be at the end of this hardship and think about what you've learnt before and see how you've changed. 

But I know that I constantly have something better pulling me through my trials and I know that God will turn everything bad into good and as he transforms us and shows us who we are we know that even when we feel on the edge I will always be pulled back by something stronger than me. 

If Gods love is relentless it's:  unceasingly intense, it's unending, it's unchanged, unceasing, unbroken, endless, unintrupted, sustained, lasting, continual, everlasting... That means nothing can stop it nothing can contain it. If someone that loving loves me nothing is impossible for him nothing but the best for us!! 

All I feel is Joy!!!