In Dreams...

In the midst of packing, farewell parties, a voice recital and a little trip to BC, I find I haven't had a moment to process all that I am going through...or that Australia is a very near reality.

Seriously, in the world of technology, almost everything from my acceptance to Uni to my plane tickets have been online. I realize this is that world today, but it doesn't make it seem real. I find myself oddly calm for someone about to leave behind all she knows and embark on such a big adventure.

As friends and family experience the strange combo of sorrow and excitement, I sit here as though nothing has changed. Sure, I have sold, packed or stored all my belongings, closed up my beloved rented basement suite, said goodbye to dear friends and to a great job...yet I feel like I'm merely on holidays. It is as though my brain hasn't registered that I won't be returning to Cochrane next week. Nope, I am moving onward!

So for some assistance to my little head, I thought I should reflect on the things I will miss the most about my 4 years in Cochrane. So here's my little "ode":

• the beautiful mountains and all the adventures that lie within (believe me, I will miss all the hikes, snow shoeing, and x-country skiing trips!)
• walks along the river (more so that many great conversations and good company that have accompanied those walks)
• the "down-home" atmosphere and being part of such rich community
• Being part of a team...even though they knew my quirks and mocked me mercilessly, I will miss the endearment, the vision, the discussions, the purpose that I got to be a part of.
• Time spend with friends who know me well and dive in deep (these are not over, of course! They have merely taken a new path...but I shall miss the old path)
• I think I will be fiercely aware of what I have taken for granted in being on staff at a church...being known, easily having a well-defined role, having a say in how things are run...now I will be unknown, finding my place, supporting others in leadership, etc. This will be so good for me...but I will miss what is familiar.

Dearest Cochrane, you were once but a dream as I drove past your mountain view over 7 years ago. I told God, "I must live here one day!" And 3 years later that dream became a reality and was rich in blessing and in preparing me for what lies ahead. Thank God for you.

Australia....more so studying the voice...is perhaps one of the biggest dreams I have had to date. I look forward to seeing it become reality and to keep the dreams coming!

This CuryGirlDesigns pic is what flipped up on my calendar for June. Pretty timely, I think! It has been an incredible few weeks as so many things have come into place for me to go to Australia.

This past week, I had the opportunity to share my life journey with a group of people who have been a part of my life here at Cochrane Alliance. It was a really special time and I walked away feeling loved & supported on this next leg of the journey and very much in awe of my God. His ways certainly are not my own; His thoughts so much higher. It is always amazing to look back and see how much I have learned and how each step of the way has prepared me for what's next.

I have booked my flight!! I leave on July 4 from Seattle after visiting some family and friends on the west coast.

1 week left @ CAC, only 2 more times that I lead worship (at least for 2010!), and 3 weeks left of teaching voice.

Then I guess all that's left is the packing up....and finding those cute pair of shoes! Hmmmm....shopping anyone?

I'm moving to Australia!

Since I am about to embark on an exciting adventure, I decided to get blogging again.
So to catch everyone up...I am heading off to Brisbane, Australia! I have been accepted into Griffith University to get my Master of Music Studies in teaching voice (officially: Vocal Pedagogy in Contemporary Music). I am VERY excited about this opportunity!
I head Down Under in July and will be there for the next year and a half.

It's been amazing to see how God is leading me and providing for every step of the way. Being accepted into a university at a Masters Level in an area that I am most passionate about, seeing the funding come together...it's overwhelming!

A few things to wrap up still as I finish up 3 more weeks at CAC and 4 more weeks of teaching. I am also spending as much time as possible with my friends and family...even if it DOES help me procrastinate from packing...ugh. And then it's OFF TO OZ!!!!

Prompted to Pray

So yesterday I hear yet another sad story of a pastor resigning due to moral issues...I'm so sick to my stomach that there are more stories than I have fingers to count and that I even know some of these people personally.

I was talking to my mom this morning and she told me of a time when she was at a Women's Conference and the speaker lady had just been on a plane, sitting next to a Satanist. He told her that his church prays for the destruction of pastors and their families so that the Christian church will fall apart.

That not only freaks me out (we truly have an enemy here) but makes me realize that my prayer life sucks. I am so heavily burdened today for the church and am ashamed that their are people praying more fervently against my church than I am praying for it.

God help us.

The Revolving Door

A Pearson trait that I have always hoped I would carry on...and this month, I definitely feel like I've accomplished this. 10 days of company, almost consectutively, with a trip to Abbotsford in between...yes, I am a Pearson. I have great memories as a kid of sharing my house with many different people...and I hope that never ends. So come visit me anytime...just not in the next 10-20 days. I need a break!

Auntie Julie

Ah, I loved hearing that all week. Such sweet words...according to a 3 year old boy in Abbotsford, my name is NOT Julie...it's AUNTIE Julie. I think he's had some prompting from his mother. Well, I gladly take on the role and had so much fun with my little boys. What a crazy thing to see your old college bud being a mom and being so settled in her different life and being SOOOO GOOD AT IT! I'm so proud of you, Jess. You are wonderful. And I love my Levi and Casey. Thanks for a great week.

A new discovery

Thanks to my wonderful friends, Greg and Carla, I have discovered FACEBOOK.COM. There are so many people on there that I know! It's almost as good as msn...only I can find people I would never think of. My social life is turning into technology. Not sure I like it, but I sure like keeping in touch with everyone.