Hey All, April here.
Right now I am slightly irritated because the internet that I am currently using keeps on failing... so I'm actually typing this on a word document and then gunna copy and paste it to the blog when the connection works. Unfortunately I was talking to my good friend Wyatt at the same time and now I abruptly left because of this internet. Oh the life of Outreach and expensive crappy internet.
Alrighty, well we are in Takaka (Super sunny!!) which is at the top of the south island, and this area (Golden Bay) will be be our home for the next few weeks. On the 8th we are starting our 4 day track across the Abel Tasman, which is one of the Great Walks in New Zealand. Apparently it's one of the most popular, and it has a marine wildlife reserve on it so it is possible I'll be able to see Penguins in New Zealand... there should be dolphins and seals there as well. The Track is a easy walk mostly along the coast. Unfortunately for myself doing the track might not be possible. I can't remember if I mentioned this in my previous blogs but I pulled a ligament in my ankle just over a month ago, well the ankle is still swollen and to make things worse I stepped on it wrong 4 days ago and it is quite sore again. Unfortunate! So we will see how it goes when we get there; I will do the best I can, and when my ankle has had enough I'll most likely hop a ride with a water taxi to the next campsite. On the bright side however, I am super excited to get going on the track! I can't wait to see what God has in store!! I did the bookings for campsites for on the track and most of them are quite full which equals lots of people!!! Yi Yeah!! or in Kristoffer's words “Yee Haw!” Bring on the opportunity! Should be great!
Some of you may want to ask me “April how are you doing?” and I would answer “Oh, _(insert your name here)__, I'm doing splendid.” Outreach isn't at all what I expected it to be... Well it is and it isn't. I called my mom last week when I was having a rough time and she told me to let go of all of my expectations because that's what is holding me back. I had this unfortunate out of proportion view of what Outreach was going to be for myself, and it has been a struggle to get my mind around it. God has been growing me and stretching me so much through this season, and as much as I think I can't handle any more there is always something new. It has been hard... really hard, but at the same time it has been fantastic! I got asked the other day what I was thankful for, and really the only answer I had was that I was thankful for the struggles. Whaaa??? Yeah that's right I'm thankful for the struggles, I'm thankful for the weakness, I'm thankful that I have to be dependent on God in order to survive. It's through the struggles and weakness that we are stretched and grown, which deepens our relationship with him. Oh my lanta! This is so freaking awesome! We should rejoice through times of trial and hardship! Soooooooo yeah... this is how I am doing. Outreach is hard.... it's so freaking hard, it's a roller coaster of emotions, it's exhausting and draining, and sometimes I feel like just going home.... BUT all these things are normal... it's whether or not we dwell on them, or fight through them. Well all y'all know me so I'll let you answer that question on your own.
I have a month and a half pretty much until the time will come for me to return home, as much as some of you may be looking forward (or dreading) this time it will happen, and fortunately unfortunately I am looking forward but mostly dreading this time as well. I'm at the point where I'm use to missing you guys at home (as bad as it sounds), and am really missing my friends that are on their own outreaches.... it's hard. You become so tight with people in such an intense environment and time then you are separated.... then eventually will be brought back together then separated again and then you probably won't see most of them ever again. AHHHHH! So if any of you don't want to see an April that has lost complete control of her emotions then I advise you to not come to the Airport when I come home and to not see me for about the first... week... month... year... who knows... as long as it takes really. Anyways I've had enough of rambling on for one blog sesh so I'll catch ya on the flip flop and see you when this journey is coming to an end.
Oh and if you could keep me in your prayers that'd be super! Especially for my team, and for my ankle to heal. Awesome.
Much Love
April
No comments:
Post a Comment