somethings coming...

So... I thought I'd try for while, I'm away at least, to keep this up to date.

I guess I'm using my trip for 2 purposes, 3 actually.... 1. A REALLY big rest cos I just need a break!! 2. To see so many people who I love and who mean so much to me but God, in all his wisdom, decided that we had to live on the opposite sides of the planet. and 3. I'm going to spend my trip (having a ball) but really seeking God and the next step for my life...

For about 18months now I've been getting words like over and over and over again saying that 'change' is coming, something big and I need to reposition myself. And I really had no idea what that meant. So I just left it... cos I dont need to make God's word come to pass, he does, I just need to be open and willing.
It was actually weird for me because in the past whenever God has had something to do with me he's more put the 'action' on my heart not the stirring. Like going to Africa it wasn't like I felt God going "I've got something big for you"... it was "I'm going to Africa". And I knew that was God and I knew that was his plan, but there was no longing beforehand no seeking him "what do you want me to do?"

But particularly over the last 6 months I've just had this building building building in my spirit that there is something just beyond my wildest imaginings that God has for me to do... and that shouldn't be a surprise because I know that's what God desires for all of us- a supernatural life... and I've had words spoken over me since I was just a kid that God had a specific job for me and it was big and only I could do it. But you know what it blows my mind that he would use me!! It really does... who am I? Nobody!! I'm just this girl who came from a broken family who was never very popular, who was ALWAYS picked last in sport, who was kind of average at most things... heck I cant even ride a bike... I really am this average person... but I'm so glad that when I was 13 years old I decided that my whole life, no matter what was going to belong to God... that he could use me for whatever he had to do!! And so now I have people wanting to write newspaper articles about me and I'm No-one... I just have an incredible amazing God!!

So this feeling... this longing... this desire... it's like half the most horrible thing I've ever felt and half the most amazing!! It's really bizarre!! It's like this terrible ache constantly in my gut, just never really going away, always just hurting a little... but there is also this joy I don't ever remember feeling... a buzz, butterflies all the time... so I have aching butterflies!! haha!!

And over the past few weeks I have developed some thoughts about what I think I might do... but I have committed to not making any decisions until I come home from my trip... I'm just going to relax... try and clear my mind of all the drama's which flood my everyday world and I'm going to have a chat with God!!

So all my beloved friends... and even some of you who just follow along because of some of the other journey's God has taken me on... please be praying that God's plan for me is clear... that the people who are supposed to be around me are and that I can be faithful in all he has for me!!

I will also let you know who AWESOME my trip is too... SO EXCITED!!

Living like Mary... John 11

So reading in my devotions this week about Mary and Martha after Lazarus died... and I just thought I'd share some things I got from that...

So their brother has died, they had faith that Jesus could heal him... they loved Jesus... but all hope seems gone now as Lazarus has been dead for 4 days... most people would tend to focus on the miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead but something else stood out to me...

In verse 28 Martha goes to Mary after seeing Jesus and tells her that Jesus wants to see her it says that "As soon as Mary heard this, she got up and went out to Jesus"... and then when she see's him she falls her feet and says "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died".

Firstly I guess what stood out to me was that even though Mary was hurting, she was upset with Jesus (who was her friend) that she got up immediately and went to him. There was never a moment where she thought I'm too hurt to go to him... she responded to this man whom she loved.

And Secondly she didn't try and be all holy... she didn't do the super spiro thing of "your will be done Lord", she said it's your "fault and I'm ticked off at you"...

I think sometimes that we think as Christian's we are not being good followers if we are not being these quiet little submissive "yes sir no sir" people... but that's not what God intended at all... he intended us to be in relationship with him... so while we need to have faith and trust that he is God and he know's best we also don't have to hide away what we are feeling. He knows anyway!! It's ok to go "God, I really wanted that and I'm upset that it didn't come through for me"... But in saying that we have to look at the first thing Mary did... she went to him... The other side is that people get angry at God and so they close off... God is still God, he loves us, he is everything... so we still need to go to him... we need to respond immediately when he asks for us... but respond in our honesty...



I pray that I can be the sort of person that no matter what is going on I respond to the call of Jesus... that I don't let anything hold me back from answering his voice in my life... but I also pray that I am always first and foremost in relationship with him... that I don't ever want to just do what is "culturally" acceptable but that I am completely open with my God!!

Such a long time...

So it's been a while... life either gets too busy to post or I don't feel like I have enough exciting going on to post!!

But I'm so excited now because I have just booked in my tickets to go and see my best friend in 6 weeks time!!
I fly out of Australia on September 1st and will spend a week in South Africa with Steph and my South African family. I will get to meet some of her babies who she has been talking about for so long and I have been praying with her...

Then her, her mum and I will fly out to Holland for about 6 days then Germany for 3, then on to her home town of Canada for 2 weeks, then on my way home Im stopping in New York City where I will meet up with one of my girlfriends when my teen days for 4 days... SO amazingly excited it's crazy!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Wow I really did forget to post this year!!

Here's my Christmas Letter!!

Dear Friends,

Well I can’t believe a whole year has flown by since we were last adorned in tinsel and counting down the sleeps until a certain fat man comes to visit… but here we are!! And 2009 has certainly been a busy year!!

As you may recall from last years letter I resigned from the hospital at the end of 2008 due to my back injury. While the back has improved a great deal, I do believe it’s because I'm no longer on my feet so much. I always have some pain and some days it is worse than others, but overall I'm doing much better!! Which is really a miracle. I was told at the end of last year that I would never improve and that my only option was increased pain medication. While I still reach for the codeine at times I manage most days drug free. I do miss nursing sometimes. Without appearing full of myself I was a good nurse. I had like a sixth sense, sometimes I could walking into a room and see a patient from the other side of the room and know something was wrong. I was good under pressure and I miss that, almost adrenaline rush. I don't miss the 5:30 starts, late early shifts and cleaning up people’s messes. I have been looking at different options to return to some form of nursing, even a day a fortnight, that doesn't require any manual work.

Also at the end of last year I was on my final placement at the Migrant Resource Centre. I completed my Social Work degree in January this year (although due to a mix up I only graduated last week– I think I did because I graduated in absentea). I have been working at the Migrant Resource Centre ever since. I started out as a Family Support Worker, working with refugee families on parenting and other family relationship issues. Now I am a Complex Case Support Case Manager. I went from about 13 clients to 3 and am so much busier now. While the work can be really stressful and leaves me with a headache its also totally rewarding. I get to go to work everyday and make a difference in the lives of truly vulnerable people. People who have been horrendously persecuted in their own countries and ridiculously marginalised here in Australia. I also get to form bonds with people who don't really trust anyone anymore and cuddle really cute babies, which doesn't hurt!! I have had clients from many different countries including Burma, Afghanistan, Kosovo, and Iran but my favourite clients are the Africans. And some days I feel I'm back there (and it’s not just because sometimes driving through Dandenong it’s hard to spot the Anglo). The African cultures are all around me and the people are just a wonderful as they are when you experience them in their own countries. So while if God told me tomorrow he was sending me back to Africa I’d head out and buy my ticket, I feel more than satisfied with my work.

I have continued my work with the church youth group. I organised a camp back in March, which wasn't without dramas I can assure you; but lives were powerfully changed. And I also had the chance to connect with some of the more isolated and the difficult to get to know of my girls-and that is the whole point!! After 8 years in leadership I still feel challenged and inspired to be making a difference and building a connection with my girls, it really is such a privilege to be investing into such amazing lives. I am finishing up the year a little sad but excited as to what 2010 holds in the way of youth group. I have been with some of my girls since they were in year 7 (because I changed my age group when they went up), but now they are going into VCE and I still feel called to work with the 9-10 girls. So while I will definitely maintain my relationship with them its difficult to hand over. I am also very excited to have a new bunch of girls come up and the have the opportunity to share my life with them and just show them the love so many of them crave.

As always a huge chunk of my life consists of my role as big sister-to all my sisters but mostly to Tiff and Krys.

Tiff has had her fair share of challenges and I am so incredibly proud of how far she has come this year. At the beginning of the year there was all this talk that she might never learn to read… but she, with all her determination, can now read full children’s Novels. She has actually tackled all the Roald Dahl novels– which is more than I ever did!! She is certainly becoming a young lady… she is so tall and only a shoe size off my clodhoppers!! She has a very distinct sense of fashion and style. It’s amazing how much my heart swells and my instinct is to protect her and help her grow into the amazing woman I know she is becoming

Krys is crazy!! She has more energy than the energizer bunny., But she has more character than any other kid I know. She makes me laugh about every minute. She is so smart and is VERY bossy. But for all the energy she takes up chasing her and making sure she stays out of trouble she gives back double; triple in the joy she gives by watching her grow and develop. She is a sweet little thing who always wants to be everyone’s friend.

2010 looks like I will continue working at the Migrant Resource Centre with maybe a day or so with some sort of nursing job on the side. Getting to know my new year 9 girls and investing into their lives. More of being a big sister. And whatever else God decides to throw my way!! I am also hoping to get over to Canada about August next year, when Steph is home for her yearly break.

Wishing you all a very safe and blessed Christmas. Please remember to take time to tell those you love that you are thinking of them. Remember this very special time of year; that Jesus was born to come to bring love into the world-Don’t forget that in the midst's of wrapping paper and turkey!!

Praying you all have a very blessed and experience new dreams in 2010!!

Love Always
Jo

Me, Linda and Sare at the Footy!!


Linda and I with some of our year 9-10 girls at a dessert night we had!!

SOOOO LONG....

Wow it's been so since my last post...
So what have I been up to for the last 6 months...
Work:
I have been working at the Migrant Resource Centre since the start of the year. I did my final uni placement there last year and I've gone from a one day a week casual position to four days a week as a family support worker and a case manager. My contracts have only ever been small... a couple months at a time but just keep getting extended. I will however be finishing up in that role at the end of September. There are a few tenders for programs the MRC are putting in for which I would love to work with into the future. I love the MRC. I love that I am making a difference to some of the worlds most disadvantaged and vulnerable people. My clients needs are often very complex and rooted in culture, settlement, past experiences of torture and trauma etc. So there are many levels to their problems. I love it... and pretty much all of my clients have babies so going to work and cuddling babies isn't too bad!!
Youth:
I'm with the year 9 and 10 girls again which is fantastic but also has presented a fair share of challenges. It's sort of the age where kids start to get serious their parents aren't forcing them to come anymore... that's not to say that there isn't a range of reasons why people come along to youth!! But most of them are really trying to go after God and helping them develop is a real honour. Its also a time where most girls are under a lot of pressure to be beautiful and fun and smart and cool and so many things... its also a time where things from the past and insecurities come to a front so there are a lot of challenges... but they are good challenges and I pray that all the girls will grow through their trials and continue to strive after God.
Family:
My two littlest sisters are going great guns and take up so much of my time. I love them both heaps!! Kerrie just brought another puppy a pugXcaviler called Hurley and Tracey just brought her first puppy a jack russelXcaviler called Molly. Mum is always the one to carry the load and she is a great support to us all. I took her to see Chicago last weekend that was fun!!
The Future:
At the moment... I'm loving the MRC but there are parts of nursing I am missing... so I am hoping to get into a day procedure place or something towards the end of the year. I am hoping to balance social work and nursing without causing havoc to my body!! (My back is bearable without the pressure of being on my feet all day but I still experience pain constantly). I would also like to try some teaching, nursing or social work because I have my cert 4 in training and assessment now... As for heading overseas I'm hoping that in 2010 I will be able to travel to Canada to see Steph in her home country... I am also not ruling out more international work... I have looked into Doctors Without Borders and some other things but am not sure that's where God wants me for now!!
So in a nutshell that's me!!!

Black Saturday

Victorian Bush Fires

As I sit in my room listening to the swirling winds which could bring another round of devastation on my state I am touched yet again by the tragedy which has faced my nation. On Feb 7th I went to see a movie with my mum, a friend and her mum. It was a lovely afternoon, we all said so. But as we drove back home mum and I both felt an eeriness. We knew it was the hottest day ever recorded in an Australian Capital City-over 46 degrees cel. But there was no one on the roads and sky was glowing. It was the strangest feeling. Little did we know over 200 Australians were perishing, and over 5000 homes were being destroyed. The next week that followed was so exhausting, so devastating. As hour after hour we watched the death toll rise and we heard people tell their stories on the TV and radio. How could they possibly get through it? I just couldn't imagine the immense trauma they were enduring. I cried many, many, many times a day. I felt almost as if I shouldn't be so touched, I didn't loose my home, I didn't even loose an acquaintance, I didn't personally know anyone who died. But for some reason I felt connected to this. These were Australians, they were just like me.
I also saw an outpouring of love and generosity. And I am so proud to be an Aussie. Millions of dollars raised, more blood donated than needed, and countless material donations... Thanks-not just from me or the fire victims, thanks from all of Australia!! Show the world what a brilliant nation we are!! And to the fire fighters who risked their lives, some loosing their own homes and families while they were saving others-You are our HEROS!!!
Thanks for your prayers and thoughts...its not over yet, today we are having intense storms which could cause and fan more fires, not to mention the damage the actual storms could do... I just pray that God will have his hand on the wonderful country!!

I realised I never added my 2008 Christmas update...

Its time for a Christmas UPDATE....

Ok so last years Christmas update stupidly finished up with something like “hoping 2009 will be less chaotic” HAHAHA!!! I think I was jinxing myself. While there have been no overseas trips or major milestones, this year -especially this past few months- has been FULL ON!!
So here goes...…
At the end of 2008 I injured my back at work. After several painful procedures and a fight with work cover. It has just recently been determined that my definite diagnosis is damage to the costo-transverse joints (where the ribs attach to the spine) and there is nothing they can do about it, except pain management. However I know that my Jesus can do more than just pain management and so I'm still hanging out for my miracle!!
Due to my back I have been working less and less at the hospital. I started on light duties and then I completed Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and a First Aid Certificate with the aim of becoming a first aid trainer for non clinical hospital staff.

I have also been hard at work completing the final year of my Social Work degree. I have done very well with a distinction average (and a few High Distinctions thrown in as a bonus!!). I started my final placement in September at the Migrant resource Centre in Dandenong. I will be there until the end of January. The MRC work with refugees in their first 5 years in Australia. AND I LOVE IT!! Some days I feel like I'm back in Africa!! I have particularly worked with 2 families from Africa. Both have several children and both have had babies while I've been working with them!! So it has been great. I feel like I'm making a difference in people’s lives. I have already applied for some causal work and if anything more permanent comes up I will apply for that too!! I am looking forward to starting my career as a social worker as I really feel I have found something I love. I come home feeling satisfied with how I spent my day and not just happy to be getting paid. (Although some money would be nice!!)

Otherwise I have kept very busy with my family. My littlest sisters Tiff and Krystal are now 9 and 2 respectively. And take a lot of time. Tiffany has had her fair share of challenges, but I have been very proud of her as she slowly overcomes them. She has just a loving nature and is a real joy to have in my life. Part of me wants to take her back 9 years and protect her from everything that happened to her before she joined our family. But I know God has a journey for her and she will be a mighty woman of God. I love hanging out and taking her shopping, although most of the clothes I pick for her she wont have a bar of!! She loves our Gloria Jeans trips!! Krystal is just a bundle of energy. She is constantly running and yelling!! She is hilarious!! She is very naughty but I think that’s just her very cheeky and
inquisitive nature. She makes me laugh all the time. She is very smart and is always amazing me with what she says and understands!!

I have also remained in youth ministry at my church and although with all my other commitments and dramas I have felt as if I let the team down a little, however I have really worked on developing relationships with the girls in my small group and some I have become very close to. I had to step down from singing due to my back, which was something I really loved. I did organise a camp for like 116 kids back in March, which went off without a hitch and lives were powerfully touched!! Sometimes I feel as though I don't have as much to contribute but at the end of events such as camp where God really comes and changes hearts I feel like maybe I am helping to do Gods work.

So anyway I'm sure there are hundreds of stories I could share but I want to keep this a short and sweet overview!! I pray that you have a blessed Christmas-and a Christmas where you reach out and bless others!! I hope to catch up with all of you sometime in the new year!! LOVE YOU-Jo

Merry Christmas!!

I am just wanting to wish everyone a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!! I already know its going to be very happy in our house. Krysie is SOOOOO excited, its very cute!! Catch you all in 2009!!