My princess... I will redeem the time for you.
I know that sometimes you look back on your life with anguish and regret– so much time wasted on things that didn't matter. But take heart, My love. I am your Redeemer, and today is a new day. So start now by seeking My plans, which are to give you hope and a future. Just as I used hardship in Joseph's life to lead him to a position of leadership, influence, and blessing, I've also called you. I will use your past to carve into your character everything you need for the here and now. I want you to let your past experiences teach you and not torment you. Remember, My princess, I will always turn into good what others meant for harm. I will redeem what was lost and place you on the narrow road that leads to everlasting life.
Love,
Your King and your Redeemer
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
[A letter from Sheri Rose Shepherd's "His Princess: Love Letters From Your King"]
25 May, 2010
13 May, 2010
Angels
On a lighter note.. these people have been true angels in my life while on this whirlwind of an adventure here in Australia!
Sheri and Laura: These two girls have been fantastic! My residential college experience would not have been the same without them. While I've been blessed to have met a considerable amount of Christians in B&G, these girls have gone above and beyond to show me the love of Christ. They are so honest, considerate, and wise which just goes to prove that age is only a number maturity-wise (they're only 1st years!). We do everything together: cook dinner, bake yummy goodies, study the Bible at the B&G Bible study, walk to Crossroads for church, and get into deep, heart-felt conversations about the true things that matter in life! Thanks for being wonderful! I'm going to miss you two, but I wish you the best of luck and many blessing in your time at uni! If you're ever in the U.S., you know who to call ;)
Owen: Owen is a great man of God who is always positive, inclusive and who never tires. He's been my Bible study leader at B&G for the past 10 or so weeks while also leading the CIF group that meets every Sunday afternoon. On top of that, he's married with 4 sons! I'm not sure I'd be able to handle that many boys, good on ya! Thank you for creating an environment that I've felt comfortable enough in to call it home. It has been such a blessing to come live in a foreign country and have the family of God usher me in so welcomingly. I can't imagine being able to do this whole study abroad thing without God. Truly, He knows what I need and provided me with you. I wish you and your family many blessings and much love!
Skype: I'd like to thank the inventors and developers of skype for making the world seem a little bit smaller and a foreign country seem like home! It's been truly amazing to communicate with people from back home and the be able to see my parents! Though I cannot hug them, I look forward to the day that I'll be able to again, and skype has definitely made that wait a bajillion times more bearable! I am so thankful to live in a such a technological age!
Jimmy: Our conversations have been so delightful and insightful. Thank you for the reminders to be appreciative to those around us, those we love, and those who have helped us along the way. I wish you the best on your journeys around the world and look forward to remaining great pen pals! I always look forward to checking my mailbox anticipating the next letter, card or postcard. You've been great! And thanks for making back home seem a little more accessible by keeping me up to date and demonstrating to me how important it is to reconnect and stay in touch with old friends. See you this summer- fingers crossed!
Lauren: I love you! I love that you are my best friend and mom all in one! hahaha You have cared for me sooo well and I just don't think there is anyway I could possibly say thank you enough, let alone trying to use words. I think you are a gorgeous girl and I've really enjoyed getting to know the real Lauren. I've loved every minute we've spent together shopping at DFO, going to "Fishes", discussing how much uni work we still have to do, facebook chatting, planning our grand road trip, girl talk, getting lost in translation, pub day lunches, chilling with your cat and having dinner at your place, and even those minutes we've spent in the car at ridiculous hours of the night because you are kind enough to pick me up from the bus depot. In my mind, anyone who experiences Australia without you in the equation, isn't really experiencing Australia! Thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you do and for just being you! Can't wait to have you visit the US in 2 years! Woo! :) xoxox
Rhiannen: It's as if we are two completely different and unique sculptures, cut from the same block. I <3 us! God definitely had it right when He put us in the same share room in the hostel 3 months ago. You have been a fantastic blessing and I love you dearly. You have made me feel so strong and at home and you've really given me the ability to open up and be myself. Thank you for not laughing, too hard, when I try to do crazy ridiculous things or say silly foreign words and phrases, but for having the patience to teach me about Maccas in Australia, an Australian grocery store, an Australian sweets game, how to use the bus system, the cool places to shop in the mall, and how to talk Aussie slang. I've laughed more with you in the last 3 months than I've laughed in a really long time. You are soo funny, witty, creative, silly, smart, confident, independent, spirited and free. You are a breath of fresh air! And you get me so simply. I couldn't ask for a better best friend ever! You've made a foreign country, home. I'm glad we could make Canberra our home together and realize that we are not alone on this wild and whacky journey. I will always thank God for you and remember you in my prayers. Can't wait til Christmas!!!! <3 xoxox
Mom: You have been my wonderwall, something solid to lean on in times of frustration and sorrow. You are constantly there for me and ready and willing to help in whatever way possible. You have "saved the day" so many times and put my feet back on solid ground. You know how to cheer me up, make me feel special, love me deeply, care for me, and make sure that everything is going to be alright. Thank you for being a voice of reason, a song of comfort and a of love when I need it. I don't know what I would do without you. I don't know how this whole trip would be possible without you. Frankly, I don't know how life would be possible without you. You're the BEST! You have been so supportive and sacrificial and selfless in this whole process. Thanks you for putting up with the awkward time difference so we can still see and talk to each other on skype. Thank you for putting up with my resquests to see the cat each time! lol Thank you for filling me in on what's happening in the world when I'm too busy and out of the loop to watch the news. Thank you for being faithful in prayer. Thank you for being my eyes, hands and feet and working out my housing fiasco while I am helpless to do anything but watch from the other side of the world. Thank you for planning a fabulous vacation to New Zealand while I threw a bit of a tantrum. Thank you for bringing all my weird food requests upon visiting. Thank you for everything. Thank you for being you! I'm so thankful for this experience and thank you for listening and letting me come. Thanks for being my mama and for being strong enough to cope with me being soooo far away from home for so long. Thank you for trusting me. I can't wait to see your bright smile and warm eyes when I get home and give you a big hug! I LOVE YOU!!!
Sheri and Laura: These two girls have been fantastic! My residential college experience would not have been the same without them. While I've been blessed to have met a considerable amount of Christians in B&G, these girls have gone above and beyond to show me the love of Christ. They are so honest, considerate, and wise which just goes to prove that age is only a number maturity-wise (they're only 1st years!). We do everything together: cook dinner, bake yummy goodies, study the Bible at the B&G Bible study, walk to Crossroads for church, and get into deep, heart-felt conversations about the true things that matter in life! Thanks for being wonderful! I'm going to miss you two, but I wish you the best of luck and many blessing in your time at uni! If you're ever in the U.S., you know who to call ;)
Owen: Owen is a great man of God who is always positive, inclusive and who never tires. He's been my Bible study leader at B&G for the past 10 or so weeks while also leading the CIF group that meets every Sunday afternoon. On top of that, he's married with 4 sons! I'm not sure I'd be able to handle that many boys, good on ya! Thank you for creating an environment that I've felt comfortable enough in to call it home. It has been such a blessing to come live in a foreign country and have the family of God usher me in so welcomingly. I can't imagine being able to do this whole study abroad thing without God. Truly, He knows what I need and provided me with you. I wish you and your family many blessings and much love! 
Skype: I'd like to thank the inventors and developers of skype for making the world seem a little bit smaller and a foreign country seem like home! It's been truly amazing to communicate with people from back home and the be able to see my parents! Though I cannot hug them, I look forward to the day that I'll be able to again, and skype has definitely made that wait a bajillion times more bearable! I am so thankful to live in a such a technological age! 
Jimmy: Our conversations have been so delightful and insightful. Thank you for the reminders to be appreciative to those around us, those we love, and those who have helped us along the way. I wish you the best on your journeys around the world and look forward to remaining great pen pals! I always look forward to checking my mailbox anticipating the next letter, card or postcard. You've been great! And thanks for making back home seem a little more accessible by keeping me up to date and demonstrating to me how important it is to reconnect and stay in touch with old friends. See you this summer- fingers crossed! 
Lauren: I love you! I love that you are my best friend and mom all in one! hahaha You have cared for me sooo well and I just don't think there is anyway I could possibly say thank you enough, let alone trying to use words. I think you are a gorgeous girl and I've really enjoyed getting to know the real Lauren. I've loved every minute we've spent together shopping at DFO, going to "Fishes", discussing how much uni work we still have to do, facebook chatting, planning our grand road trip, girl talk, getting lost in translation, pub day lunches, chilling with your cat and having dinner at your place, and even those minutes we've spent in the car at ridiculous hours of the night because you are kind enough to pick me up from the bus depot. In my mind, anyone who experiences Australia without you in the equation, isn't really experiencing Australia! Thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you do and for just being you! Can't wait to have you visit the US in 2 years! Woo! :) xoxox
Rhiannen: It's as if we are two completely different and unique sculptures, cut from the same block. I <3 us! God definitely had it right when He put us in the same share room in the hostel 3 months ago. You have been a fantastic blessing and I love you dearly. You have made me feel so strong and at home and you've really given me the ability to open up and be myself. Thank you for not laughing, too hard, when I try to do crazy ridiculous things or say silly foreign words and phrases, but for having the patience to teach me about Maccas in Australia, an Australian grocery store, an Australian sweets game, how to use the bus system, the cool places to shop in the mall, and how to talk Aussie slang. I've laughed more with you in the last 3 months than I've laughed in a really long time. You are soo funny, witty, creative, silly, smart, confident, independent, spirited and free. You are a breath of fresh air! And you get me so simply. I couldn't ask for a better best friend ever! You've made a foreign country, home. I'm glad we could make Canberra our home together and realize that we are not alone on this wild and whacky journey. I will always thank God for you and remember you in my prayers. Can't wait til Christmas!!!! <3 xoxox
Mom: You have been my wonderwall, something solid to lean on in times of frustration and sorrow. You are constantly there for me and ready and willing to help in whatever way possible. You have "saved the day" so many times and put my feet back on solid ground. You know how to cheer me up, make me feel special, love me deeply, care for me, and make sure that everything is going to be alright. Thank you for being a voice of reason, a song of comfort and a of love when I need it. I don't know what I would do without you. I don't know how this whole trip would be possible without you. Frankly, I don't know how life would be possible without you. You're the BEST! You have been so supportive and sacrificial and selfless in this whole process. Thanks you for putting up with the awkward time difference so we can still see and talk to each other on skype. Thank you for putting up with my resquests to see the cat each time! lol Thank you for filling me in on what's happening in the world when I'm too busy and out of the loop to watch the news. Thank you for being faithful in prayer. Thank you for being my eyes, hands and feet and working out my housing fiasco while I am helpless to do anything but watch from the other side of the world. Thank you for planning a fabulous vacation to New Zealand while I threw a bit of a tantrum. Thank you for bringing all my weird food requests upon visiting. Thank you for everything. Thank you for being you! I'm so thankful for this experience and thank you for listening and letting me come. Thanks for being my mama and for being strong enough to cope with me being soooo far away from home for so long. Thank you for trusting me. I can't wait to see your bright smile and warm eyes when I get home and give you a big hug! I LOVE YOU!!!
ambivalent feelings
Approaching the end: of adolescence while entering adulthood, my 21st birthday is 18 days away!
And approaching the end of my time in Australia: 47 days left!! :(
Anxious: I guess all of these feelings are stemming from the fact that I'm living with an ever ticking clock counting down the remainder of my time here. It's always been there since I knew my return date before I even left, but it seems a lot more imposing now, and no wonder! Only 47 days left! Yikes! I'm beginning to get nervous about my uni work and going home. It's so bittersweet! I wanna go home, but I don't want to have to leave Australia and all my friends! And in the midst of getting anxious and nervous about everything, it's still so great to remember that I'm in Australia and what a blessing it is!
Acquainted with lost: Unfortunately, life doesn't stop just because I'm someplace new. Life back in California and at USC goes on and I have to keep up with it. This kind of double life has been very difficult to lead as it's hard to physically be here in Australia and aware, while also being responsible when physical presence is impossible in more than one place. I've had a lot of difficulty arranging housing for my final year at USC, planning my course schedule, purchasing a student season football pass and also just being bummed at missing all the wonderful things that happened this semester at USC. While each one of these things was frustrating and drawn out, they all could have been (probably) solved swiftly had I been able to house search, meet with my advisor, and go to the ticket office in person. And I'd love nothing more than to have been at USC for all the fun greek events, dance shows, softball games, birthday parties, engagement surprises, Cru meetings, Afters at Wendy's, and so on. And graduation! I'd looooove to be there to hug and congratulate and celebrate with so many dear friends. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. I am becoming quite acquainted with lost on account of me being away, not that me being there would have any difference on the situation, it'd still be nice to say "good-bye" properly. So here's the list of lost: 1) Steven B. Sample, President of USC is passing the torch to Dr. Harris Pastides. 2) Greg Triplett, Director of Campus Crusade for Christ is getting married (congrats) and his stepping down to focus on his new role as a husband. I don't know who the new replacement is yet. 3) Trina Litwin (and her husband Paul), who was my discipler, is changing focuses within CCC to head up all the Destino movement in the LA area. 4) Christina Carey, my Bible study leader for 2 years, is graduating!! 5) Pete Caroll, Head Coach of the USC Trojans has left to re-join the NFL as the coach for the Seattle Seahawks. What. A. Bummer. 6)Dean Ruth Weisberg of the Roski School of Fine Arts is stepping down to return to teaching and will be replaced by Rochelle Steiner. 7) The Menlo house which I've lived in for nearly 2 years will no longer be ours come May 31st because we couldn't find enough girls to replace those that are graduating. Major bummer! That place was home and those girls were family! 8) Speaking of family, my brother Campbell and his wife are moving to North Carolina on May 20th. I haven't seen them since I left February 2nd and who knows when I'll see them again and for how long that visit will be. [tear, sniffle, sniffle]. 9) And my grandma is soo frail, I'm just praying to God that I can see her again when I return home!!!
Pretty hefty list, huh? Though they seem trivial, I could go on for hours about how much these changes will personally affect me and how I wish it wasn't so. C'est la vie, this is life. I'm just hoping maybe I can add "10) weight" to that list. Lol, we'll see how it goes! And I don't blame any of these people. Change just happens and most are great changes and I congratulate them, but it doesn't make it any less painful. But you know what, there are some major things I haven't lost. I haven't lost God's love.
"Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died– more than that, who was raised to life– is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: 'For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughter.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." ROMANS 8:34-39
"Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." PSALM 73:5-26
And I still have my mom and dad and many wonderful friends who love me. And either way, none of this will change my endpoint because my citizenship is in heaven and I can't take anything with me. Paul says,"For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). I think he's got it right. I will miss all these wonderful people in my life; know that I love you!
Again: On the bright side, I fell in love with Australia all over again! :) I had just walked to get lunch with the intentions of taking it back to my room when I thought, "Why? What's so special about my room? Do I really enjoy my room that much? You're crazy Andrea!". I agreed. So I picked a bench, sat down and enjoyed the sun, the ever-changing colored leaves and the fact that I was alive, well and in Australia. I can't say what it was exactly, but it just reminded me to appreciate the small things in life, like a sunny day, clear bright blue skies, benches in the grass, and someone else's cooking! lol Take some time out today to be grateful for the little joys in life. :)
Avant-garde: Brown hair! :) Yup, I dyed it! I've always kind of wondered what I'd look like with proper brown hair instead of the gold/caramel/honey/light brown/dark blonde thing that it was for so long! Last year I dyed my hair red and that was fun! But it just wasn't the color for me. I don't have that feeling this time around. I LOVE IT! I actually feel more... myself. I feel more free to be cooky and quirky and goofy. The whole "Blondes have more fun" is just rubbish in my mind. I feel more.. blonde, if you will, now that my hair is Golden Chocolate. And doesn't that just sound yummy!? teehee!
And approaching the end of my time in Australia: 47 days left!! :(
Anxious: I guess all of these feelings are stemming from the fact that I'm living with an ever ticking clock counting down the remainder of my time here. It's always been there since I knew my return date before I even left, but it seems a lot more imposing now, and no wonder! Only 47 days left! Yikes! I'm beginning to get nervous about my uni work and going home. It's so bittersweet! I wanna go home, but I don't want to have to leave Australia and all my friends! And in the midst of getting anxious and nervous about everything, it's still so great to remember that I'm in Australia and what a blessing it is!
Acquainted with lost: Unfortunately, life doesn't stop just because I'm someplace new. Life back in California and at USC goes on and I have to keep up with it. This kind of double life has been very difficult to lead as it's hard to physically be here in Australia and aware, while also being responsible when physical presence is impossible in more than one place. I've had a lot of difficulty arranging housing for my final year at USC, planning my course schedule, purchasing a student season football pass and also just being bummed at missing all the wonderful things that happened this semester at USC. While each one of these things was frustrating and drawn out, they all could have been (probably) solved swiftly had I been able to house search, meet with my advisor, and go to the ticket office in person. And I'd love nothing more than to have been at USC for all the fun greek events, dance shows, softball games, birthday parties, engagement surprises, Cru meetings, Afters at Wendy's, and so on. And graduation! I'd looooove to be there to hug and congratulate and celebrate with so many dear friends. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. I am becoming quite acquainted with lost on account of me being away, not that me being there would have any difference on the situation, it'd still be nice to say "good-bye" properly. So here's the list of lost: 1) Steven B. Sample, President of USC is passing the torch to Dr. Harris Pastides. 2) Greg Triplett, Director of Campus Crusade for Christ is getting married (congrats) and his stepping down to focus on his new role as a husband. I don't know who the new replacement is yet. 3) Trina Litwin (and her husband Paul), who was my discipler, is changing focuses within CCC to head up all the Destino movement in the LA area. 4) Christina Carey, my Bible study leader for 2 years, is graduating!! 5) Pete Caroll, Head Coach of the USC Trojans has left to re-join the NFL as the coach for the Seattle Seahawks. What. A. Bummer. 6)Dean Ruth Weisberg of the Roski School of Fine Arts is stepping down to return to teaching and will be replaced by Rochelle Steiner. 7) The Menlo house which I've lived in for nearly 2 years will no longer be ours come May 31st because we couldn't find enough girls to replace those that are graduating. Major bummer! That place was home and those girls were family! 8) Speaking of family, my brother Campbell and his wife are moving to North Carolina on May 20th. I haven't seen them since I left February 2nd and who knows when I'll see them again and for how long that visit will be. [tear, sniffle, sniffle]. 9) And my grandma is soo frail, I'm just praying to God that I can see her again when I return home!!!
Pretty hefty list, huh? Though they seem trivial, I could go on for hours about how much these changes will personally affect me and how I wish it wasn't so. C'est la vie, this is life. I'm just hoping maybe I can add "10) weight" to that list. Lol, we'll see how it goes! And I don't blame any of these people. Change just happens and most are great changes and I congratulate them, but it doesn't make it any less painful. But you know what, there are some major things I haven't lost. I haven't lost God's love.
"Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died– more than that, who was raised to life– is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: 'For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughter.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." ROMANS 8:34-39
"Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." PSALM 73:5-26
And I still have my mom and dad and many wonderful friends who love me. And either way, none of this will change my endpoint because my citizenship is in heaven and I can't take anything with me. Paul says,"For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). I think he's got it right. I will miss all these wonderful people in my life; know that I love you!
Again: On the bright side, I fell in love with Australia all over again! :) I had just walked to get lunch with the intentions of taking it back to my room when I thought, "Why? What's so special about my room? Do I really enjoy my room that much? You're crazy Andrea!". I agreed. So I picked a bench, sat down and enjoyed the sun, the ever-changing colored leaves and the fact that I was alive, well and in Australia. I can't say what it was exactly, but it just reminded me to appreciate the small things in life, like a sunny day, clear bright blue skies, benches in the grass, and someone else's cooking! lol Take some time out today to be grateful for the little joys in life. :)
Avant-garde: Brown hair! :) Yup, I dyed it! I've always kind of wondered what I'd look like with proper brown hair instead of the gold/caramel/honey/light brown/dark blonde thing that it was for so long! Last year I dyed my hair red and that was fun! But it just wasn't the color for me. I don't have that feeling this time around. I LOVE IT! I actually feel more... myself. I feel more free to be cooky and quirky and goofy. The whole "Blondes have more fun" is just rubbish in my mind. I feel more.. blonde, if you will, now that my hair is Golden Chocolate. And doesn't that just sound yummy!? teehee!
10 May, 2010
Appreciation
HAPPY "MUM'S" DAY (as they say in Australia)!!!!!!!
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXXOXOXOXOXOX
To all the moms out there: You're awesome! Thanks for doing what you do day in and day out! The world would not be the same without wonderful, loving, and caring people like you! Thanks for putting up with all our diapers, tantrums, eye-rolls, busy and demanding schedules, not-so-desirable boyfriends/girlfriends, and everything else we put you through. Truth is, we love you and would be lost without you! ;)
To everyone else out there: Take a moment to reflect on everything in your life and the impact your mother has made in shaping you to be you. Now go call up your mom and tell her you love her and appreciate all she's done for you!
Mom, this is for you! You may not think it, but I hear everything you say all the time whether it's condensed into 2+ minutes or not! lol I love you sooo much and appreciated all you've done for me! You are such a blessing in my life and I am sooo fortunate to have you as a mother! Thank you for all your sacrifices, all your wisdom, love and care. You are awesome! You've been a great model for me and I can't wait (well, actually I can, but I'm excited for that day nonetheless) until I am a mom and I can "pay it forward" to them! Thank you for loving God and for loving dad, and of course, me! I LOVE YOU SOO MUCH! Happy Mother's Day!
Love,
your daughter
Andrea
xoxoxoxoxoxxxxxxx
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXXOXOXOXOXOX
To all the moms out there: You're awesome! Thanks for doing what you do day in and day out! The world would not be the same without wonderful, loving, and caring people like you! Thanks for putting up with all our diapers, tantrums, eye-rolls, busy and demanding schedules, not-so-desirable boyfriends/girlfriends, and everything else we put you through. Truth is, we love you and would be lost without you! ;)
To everyone else out there: Take a moment to reflect on everything in your life and the impact your mother has made in shaping you to be you. Now go call up your mom and tell her you love her and appreciate all she's done for you!
Mom, this is for you! You may not think it, but I hear everything you say all the time whether it's condensed into 2+ minutes or not! lol I love you sooo much and appreciated all you've done for me! You are such a blessing in my life and I am sooo fortunate to have you as a mother! Thank you for all your sacrifices, all your wisdom, love and care. You are awesome! You've been a great model for me and I can't wait (well, actually I can, but I'm excited for that day nonetheless) until I am a mom and I can "pay it forward" to them! Thank you for loving God and for loving dad, and of course, me! I LOVE YOU SOO MUCH! Happy Mother's Day!
Love,
your daughter
Andrea
xoxoxoxoxoxxxxxxx
09 May, 2010
ANZAC Dawn Service
ANZAC day was a while ago, but I haven't written about my experiences yet. Better late than never, in my opinion! :) ANZAC Day is the 25th of April and it's celebrated in Australia and New Zealand as a public holiday, similar to the United States' Memorial Day and Veteran's Day (interestingly enough, ANZAC Day is also celebrated in the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tonga, according to Wikipedia). It's a day to remember, commemorate, thank and bless the soldiers of Gallipoli and WWI. ANZAC stands for "Australian and New Zealand Army Corps" and the soldiers of those country came to be known as ANZACs. Today, the celebration/memorial includes all men and women who have/are serving in the armed forces of those countries.
My parents and I flew back to Australia after our grand tour of New Zealand on April 20th. They stayed in Sydney for a few days and I returned to uni. But on Friday the 23rd, they came down on the bus to visit me in Canberra for the weekend and the three of us visited the Australian War Memorial the later part of the day so we could experience the moving "Last Post" ceremony at 5:00pm and enjoy the sun setting over Canberra from a slight elevation. The museum portion of the Memorial is fantastic and my dad and I enjoyed the "Of Love and War" exhibit. I wish we had had more time to see The Hall of Memory, the Roll of Honor and the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier. I'll have to go back. But the "Last Post" was preformed by a young kilt-clad man on the bagpipes and it was pretty amazing. That's when my love of bagpipe music was solidified. It's just always soo moving! I'm really glad I got to see the War Memorial before ANZAC Day and I'm glad I was able to see it with my parents. The next day my parents took the bus back to Sydney so they could catch their plane early on Sunday. I didn't have an early plane to catch, but I was up WELL before the sun on that Sunday, which was ANZAC Day. The reason? "After the First World War, returned soldiers sought the comradeship they felt in those quiet, peaceful moments before dawn. With symbolic links to the dawn landing at Gallipoli, a dawn stand-to or dawn ceremony became a common form of Anzac Day remembrance during the 1920s" as explained by Wikipedia and 2010 marked the 95th Anniversary of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli. Some friends had asked if I wanted to go to the Dawn Service with them, so being the patriotic woman I am, I said yes. I went to bed at 9:00pm the night before so waking up at 4:00am wouldn't be as difficult and it actually worked wonders! I made sure I was dressed warmly since ANZAC Day is known to kind of mark a change in the weather towards winter, and of course I had to wear red just because of it's symbolism and presence in the Australian flag. Earlier in the week I'd bought an ANZAC badge by donation to wear, so I pinned it near my heart. Even though I am not Australian, I can still appreciate the sacrifices that men and women worldwide have made for their countries and it's still moving. When we got to the service just in front of the entrance to the War Memorial, I also purchased by donation a "candle", red poppy and service program. If I was going to do the Dawn Service, I was going to do it right! :) Everyone sang the hymn "O Valiant Heart", "Abide With Me", "O God, Our Help in Ages Past" and we also sang the Australian National Anthem, said the Lord's Prayer, listened to the ANZAC Dedication (given by Mr. John King), prayers (given by Senior Chaplin Catie Inches-Ogden), the Ode (given by Mrs. June Healy), a recital of "In Flanders Fields" (by a little boy named Chad Amrein), a Commemorative address (given by Senior Chaplin Catie Inches-Ogden), and the Benediction (by Senior Chaplin Catie Inches-Ogden). The Last Post was also sounded by bugle's call and we observed a One Minute's Silence. It was a beautiful service and all done before the sun really came up! Afterwards, the three of us went out to breakfast and I enjoyed a delicious crêpe (cafes and restaurants were only open that early because it was ANZAC Day and they knew there would be many hungry people waiting between the Dawn Service and the National Service later in the day). And despite already having slept 7 hours that night, I went back to sleep for another 3 or so once I got back to my dorm room! :-p
I'm sad I missed seeing the Roll of Honor dotted with red poppies left as tokens of love, pride and thanksgiving next to the names of the men and women who gave their lives. I'll have to go back and hope that the wall still has a few that haven't been taken down to get a couple of my own cool pictures. The red poppy has become a symbol of military remembrance since the flower is actually a weed and flourished in war-ravished wastelands. They serve as a vivid reminder of the blood that was shed in these areas. A single flower is indeed beautiful, but a growing field or crowd of people each possessing one is an overwhelmingly powerful image. So now you know and next time you see one or many.... "Lest we forget!"
I hope Rhiannen doesn't mind that I'm using her photograph! I didn't attend the service with her, but she went up afterwards and found her relatives name in the Roll of Honor. How special is that!!! Thanks Rhiannen! :)
The Australian National Anthem
Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We've golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is grit by sea;
Our land abounds in nature's gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history's pages, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.
"In Flanders Fields" by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, May 3rd, 1915
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely sing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall no sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
My parents and I flew back to Australia after our grand tour of New Zealand on April 20th. They stayed in Sydney for a few days and I returned to uni. But on Friday the 23rd, they came down on the bus to visit me in Canberra for the weekend and the three of us visited the Australian War Memorial the later part of the day so we could experience the moving "Last Post" ceremony at 5:00pm and enjoy the sun setting over Canberra from a slight elevation. The museum portion of the Memorial is fantastic and my dad and I enjoyed the "Of Love and War" exhibit. I wish we had had more time to see The Hall of Memory, the Roll of Honor and the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier. I'll have to go back. But the "Last Post" was preformed by a young kilt-clad man on the bagpipes and it was pretty amazing. That's when my love of bagpipe music was solidified. It's just always soo moving! I'm really glad I got to see the War Memorial before ANZAC Day and I'm glad I was able to see it with my parents. The next day my parents took the bus back to Sydney so they could catch their plane early on Sunday. I didn't have an early plane to catch, but I was up WELL before the sun on that Sunday, which was ANZAC Day. The reason? "After the First World War, returned soldiers sought the comradeship they felt in those quiet, peaceful moments before dawn. With symbolic links to the dawn landing at Gallipoli, a dawn stand-to or dawn ceremony became a common form of Anzac Day remembrance during the 1920s" as explained by Wikipedia and 2010 marked the 95th Anniversary of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli. Some friends had asked if I wanted to go to the Dawn Service with them, so being the patriotic woman I am, I said yes. I went to bed at 9:00pm the night before so waking up at 4:00am wouldn't be as difficult and it actually worked wonders! I made sure I was dressed warmly since ANZAC Day is known to kind of mark a change in the weather towards winter, and of course I had to wear red just because of it's symbolism and presence in the Australian flag. Earlier in the week I'd bought an ANZAC badge by donation to wear, so I pinned it near my heart. Even though I am not Australian, I can still appreciate the sacrifices that men and women worldwide have made for their countries and it's still moving. When we got to the service just in front of the entrance to the War Memorial, I also purchased by donation a "candle", red poppy and service program. If I was going to do the Dawn Service, I was going to do it right! :) Everyone sang the hymn "O Valiant Heart", "Abide With Me", "O God, Our Help in Ages Past" and we also sang the Australian National Anthem, said the Lord's Prayer, listened to the ANZAC Dedication (given by Mr. John King), prayers (given by Senior Chaplin Catie Inches-Ogden), the Ode (given by Mrs. June Healy), a recital of "In Flanders Fields" (by a little boy named Chad Amrein), a Commemorative address (given by Senior Chaplin Catie Inches-Ogden), and the Benediction (by Senior Chaplin Catie Inches-Ogden). The Last Post was also sounded by bugle's call and we observed a One Minute's Silence. It was a beautiful service and all done before the sun really came up! Afterwards, the three of us went out to breakfast and I enjoyed a delicious crêpe (cafes and restaurants were only open that early because it was ANZAC Day and they knew there would be many hungry people waiting between the Dawn Service and the National Service later in the day). And despite already having slept 7 hours that night, I went back to sleep for another 3 or so once I got back to my dorm room! :-p
I'm sad I missed seeing the Roll of Honor dotted with red poppies left as tokens of love, pride and thanksgiving next to the names of the men and women who gave their lives. I'll have to go back and hope that the wall still has a few that haven't been taken down to get a couple of my own cool pictures. The red poppy has become a symbol of military remembrance since the flower is actually a weed and flourished in war-ravished wastelands. They serve as a vivid reminder of the blood that was shed in these areas. A single flower is indeed beautiful, but a growing field or crowd of people each possessing one is an overwhelmingly powerful image. So now you know and next time you see one or many.... "Lest we forget!"
I hope Rhiannen doesn't mind that I'm using her photograph! I didn't attend the service with her, but she went up afterwards and found her relatives name in the Roll of Honor. How special is that!!! Thanks Rhiannen! :)The Australian National Anthem
Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We've golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is grit by sea;
Our land abounds in nature's gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history's pages, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.
"In Flanders Fields" by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, May 3rd, 1915
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely sing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall no sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Another reminder
This song is soo good! I've really been loving JJ Heller's music as of late, especially this song! Considering I've only got 51 days left in Australia, I've had to ask myself, "What have I done here? What kind of memory am I leaving? Have I been pleasing to God and a responsible representation of Americans to Australian since I've been here? What can I still do with my time left here in Australia? What impact can I make?". The same can be said of your life; are you considerate and caring, or does the world (and your schedule) revolve around you all the time?.. Who are you putting first?... What are you living for?...
Those are BIG questions, but worth asking yourself... Try it! And try living for someone other than yourself today! You might just experience the freedom you've been searching for! ;)
"When I Leave" by JJ Heller
Am I too busy chasing a temporary fortune
That my priorities get lost along the road
The seasons bring their moments
They linger for an instant
They never wait for you to pay the debts you owe
When I leave I want to leave a memory filled with love
The kind you don't forget
When I go I want to be known
As one who lives with no regrets
If life is like a flower
Am I doing all that's in my power
To leave a fragrance behind
It's time to count my blessings
Forget about my savings account for a while
I want them to say
What a glorious day
She had so much to gain
But she gave it all away
And I want them to see something different in me
And that I'm going to be free
Some glad morning when this life is over
I'll fly away
To a home on God's celestial shore
I'll fly away
When I leave I want to leave a memory...
Those are BIG questions, but worth asking yourself... Try it! And try living for someone other than yourself today! You might just experience the freedom you've been searching for! ;)
"When I Leave" by JJ Heller
Am I too busy chasing a temporary fortune
That my priorities get lost along the road
The seasons bring their moments
They linger for an instant
They never wait for you to pay the debts you owe
When I leave I want to leave a memory filled with love
The kind you don't forget
When I go I want to be known
As one who lives with no regrets
If life is like a flower
Am I doing all that's in my power
To leave a fragrance behind
It's time to count my blessings
Forget about my savings account for a while
I want them to say
What a glorious day
She had so much to gain
But she gave it all away
And I want them to see something different in me
And that I'm going to be free
Some glad morning when this life is over
I'll fly away
To a home on God's celestial shore
I'll fly away
When I leave I want to leave a memory...
08 May, 2010
Admiration
After our trip to New Zealand, my parents stayed a couple nights in Sydney. Unbeknownst to me, they visited Ken Duncan's Gallery there. So Thursday night I'm sitting in my friend's living room checking my email on her laptop and I start freaking out! "Why do I have an email from Ken Duncan?" I asked to no one in particular, and in my head I'm thinking "THE Ken Duncan? Do I know any other Ken Duncans??" The answers turned out to be, yes, THE Ken Duncan, and no, I don't know any other Ken Duncans. But You might still be wondering why this Ken Duncan is emailing me, who is he anyways, and why in the world was I so excited to be getting an email from him. Well, Ken Duncan is amazing. He's an Australian "panograph" photographer who's work I'm so utterly in love with. Knowing this, my parents looked up his gallery, went there, bought me a gorgeous book of his work in Australia, and signed me up on the VIP email list!!!! I have the BEST parents in the world!!!
I discovered Ken Duncan no more than 2 years ago when I found his book "Walking With God in America" at Sam's Club. Actually, at first I was soooo disappointed because in this book was my life goal and what I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing; photographing state by state all 50 of the uniquely magnificent United States of America. Darn! Someone stole my dream! Now what!?!!??... Well, naturally, I bought the book, 1) for it's sheer beauty, and 2) so I could show and complain to my dad when my mom and I got home from our shopping. I was amazed that someone else had the same passion and patience for the United States that I had, and on top of that, he's Australian! Already at this point in my life, I wanted to and was planning on studying abroad in Australia. So there you have it, that's the story of how I came to know Ken Duncan.
(Since purchasing the book, I haven't been able to find it, even on his site, so I've linked the title of the book to a different book of Ken's panographs of America, just so you know.)
Fast forward 2-ish years. Now I'm studying abroad in Australia. He went to America to photograph her, and I came to Australia to learn about photography. Imagine that! So, my parents were in Sydney and they're just so darn tricky! hehehe! When they came down to Canberra on Friday the next day, they brought with them "Australia Wide: The Journey, Panographs by Ken Duncan". A "panograph" "is a panoramic photography by Ken Duncan- a wide shot capturing the essence of a place at a particular point in time-inviting the viewer to share in the moment of its original inspiration" as described by the front cover of the book. He takes the most beautiful shots I've ever seen, and they don't point me to his artistic genius, but to God's artistic genius in fashioning this earth from His imagination and using only His authoritative voice to bring it into existence. The more I learn about Ken Duncan, the more I love him. It seems he has the same dream that I do: to travel this one-of-a-kind earth and reveal its beauty to those who are unaware and unable to see it, for the glory of God. So, please spend some time enjoying his wonderful shots and contemplate how BIG and BEAUTIFUL our God is to have created such diverse splendor. :)
One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple. Psalm 27:4
I discovered Ken Duncan no more than 2 years ago when I found his book "Walking With God in America" at Sam's Club. Actually, at first I was soooo disappointed because in this book was my life goal and what I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing; photographing state by state all 50 of the uniquely magnificent United States of America. Darn! Someone stole my dream! Now what!?!!??... Well, naturally, I bought the book, 1) for it's sheer beauty, and 2) so I could show and complain to my dad when my mom and I got home from our shopping. I was amazed that someone else had the same passion and patience for the United States that I had, and on top of that, he's Australian! Already at this point in my life, I wanted to and was planning on studying abroad in Australia. So there you have it, that's the story of how I came to know Ken Duncan.
(Since purchasing the book, I haven't been able to find it, even on his site, so I've linked the title of the book to a different book of Ken's panographs of America, just so you know.)
Fast forward 2-ish years. Now I'm studying abroad in Australia. He went to America to photograph her, and I came to Australia to learn about photography. Imagine that! So, my parents were in Sydney and they're just so darn tricky! hehehe! When they came down to Canberra on Friday the next day, they brought with them "Australia Wide: The Journey, Panographs by Ken Duncan". A "panograph" "is a panoramic photography by Ken Duncan- a wide shot capturing the essence of a place at a particular point in time-inviting the viewer to share in the moment of its original inspiration" as described by the front cover of the book. He takes the most beautiful shots I've ever seen, and they don't point me to his artistic genius, but to God's artistic genius in fashioning this earth from His imagination and using only His authoritative voice to bring it into existence. The more I learn about Ken Duncan, the more I love him. It seems he has the same dream that I do: to travel this one-of-a-kind earth and reveal its beauty to those who are unaware and unable to see it, for the glory of God. So, please spend some time enjoying his wonderful shots and contemplate how BIG and BEAUTIFUL our God is to have created such diverse splendor. :)
One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple. Psalm 27:4
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