January 19-26, 'The Hills', Sydney

I leave tomorrow for the airport...back to a very cold Ontario winter!  It's 38 Degrees...hot & sunny here in 'The Hills' of Sydney.

Brittany and I have spent the last week here at Brittany's new home with some of her housemates...the first 3 that welcomed us here were Americans, then another returned on Saturday from Ohio, then Brittany's roommate Ali (from our hometown of Uxbridge) arrived on Monday, and the final housemate from the US arrives on Thursday.  That will make up a full house of 7 girls - 2 Canadian & 5 Americans!  Brittany is the only 'freshman' in the house, and the girls have been wonderful getting her up to speed and welcoming her here.

The first few days were spent shopping & cleaning as Brittany settled in, and then I was invited to attend the 'Frontline' annual summer camp themed 'Renaissance'.  Although I was afraid that I didn't qualify to be there (I'm not really between the ages of 25 & 35 - in case you didn't know:), I was made to feel very welcome and met so many wonderful people.  'Frontline' is not a college group, but is the name of the church's 'connect groups' (small groups) in that age range that meet between Sunday services.  There were some students, but most were young professional individuals, couples & parents.  There must have been 1500-2000 people there?! One the first day I attended the conference, Brittany spent the day at the beach with one of her housemates and her friends.  The second day she attended the conference with me, and really enjoyed it too!  The funny thing is that most everyone that she ended up talking to, I had met the day before, so they would say to her "You must be Kim's daughter!"  Yikes...I think it's time I went home :)

Sunday we enjoyed a Sunday morning & Sunday evening service where guest speaker Louis Giglio continued the talks he was sharing at the conference...all about the year of new beginnings (1.1.11), and The name we carry with us as we do what we do everyday...everything...from the mundane, to the things we are passionate about.

Attached to this post is a CBN report on Hillsong.  The video footage is taken in the main auditorium here at 'The Hills' campus where Brittany is attending the Hillsong International Leadership College for this year. She has the opportunity to attend the college for at least 2 more years if she choses to, but at this point the plan is that she attend just this one.  She started today with Orientation and auditions (to determine band/group placement), and this school year is done on November 29th.  I am so happy that she has this opportunity and although I love what I do everyday and I know I need to 'go home', the thought of spending a year here is really tempting!  I wonder what Joe would say?  Can I run the business from here?  What do you think??? :)

I have had a wonderful month here in the 'Land Down Under'!  Brittany and I have enjoyed more beaches than we can name, enjoyed experiences we've never had before, witnessed a national disaster (the floods) and we've met some amazing people.  Australia is a wonderful country and I hope to be able to come here again.

Although this is 'the end' of my vacation and a very special time with my one and only daughter, it is a new beginning for Brittany as she makes this land her home for a while.  It is also a new beginning for Joe and I as our children begin to make a life of their own, and as we plan ahead to our next travel adventure to Ghana Africa for the month of May...an experience that we know will change our lives.

Thank you to everyone that helped me make this trip of a lifetime a reality for me!  Thank you Joe & Ren for letting me go and for keeping the business & home fires burning.  Thank you to Mirella, Marion & Mark at the office...not one project concern came my way (do you really need me there at all?)  Thank you to our friends and family that followed Brittany and I on this adventure.  You covered us with your thoughts and prayers and we never felt alone or forgotten.

Love, Kim (& Brittany)