I have been back for a month now, the trip was way more than I could have ever expected and way more than words can describe. Thru the repelling to the traveling to the amazing adventures, God was with me holding my hand and letting me know I was safe thru it all. I was fearless....and taking the traveling all in. "This is an adventure of a life time that will always stay with me...forever!"
First I'd like to start off with one of the most amazing experiences I had that started my trip off with a BANG!!! The first official day in Australia I got to escape normal life and step out with a group called "Full-on". Full on is a group specificly for people to people and is to show us how far we can really grow by stepping out of our comfort zones. We started our day by talking a little bit about "emotions". They talked about how when your scared you cry of fear and when your Excited you can have tears of Joy. Sounds the same right? Well when your scared or excited your body doesn't know the difference, so what you do is you reset your R.A.S. (Reticular. Activating. System). So instead of being afraid you can be excited!:) Afterwards it was time to take a step off the edge of a 180ft cliff. So we all got our gear on and headed out. We split up into evens and odds by our numbers that were assigned ( before we left Amarillo). My number was 17 so it was decided that the Odd group be the first group to repel. When it came to my turn the full on leader helped me by guiding me on two ropes...one for him and one for me to control. On the way down the cold breeze spun me around to see all of the pretty mountains surrounding me.... I think that was Gods way of showing off His beautful creations. When we got back I was shown my true strength by breaking a board in half with my wrist. By the end of the day I was truly amazed with God and myself. Him for showing me true bravery, strength and promising me that not even a hair on my head would be hurt.
Second of many wonderful and great adventures on the trip.....The Great Barrier Reaf!:)
On the way out to the reef was an adventure in itself with all of the bumps we hit and the people who got sea sick during it. When we finally got there we ate lunch and prepared for some snorkeling. One of two tickets we all recieved on the boat was for a wet suit. Wet suits are for protection from electric eels and coral ( in case you accidentally hit it), plus i think they are comfortable. After I got my flippers, goggles, a snorkel and wrapped my water camera around my wrist I was ready to go. The first time I took a look down into the reef was amazing...I couldnt believe my eyes. It was a cloudy day so the reef wasnt as colorful as you would imagine but that didnt suprise me knowing that it wouldnt be as bright and colorful from my project specificly about the Great Barrier reef. The marine biologist lead our tour and dived down to point at something specific or to bring something back up for us all to touch. I was amazed at everything in sight. After wards I quickly got into my normal clothes just in time for the "half submarine". In the Half submarine it gave me a chance to take a breather and let it all in. The half submarine had glass all the way around it and never went down because of the shallow parts of the reef. On the way back our path was interupted with a friendly visitor.....a whale of some sort. We all could see it just enough to see the water gasp out of the sea and into the air, far off from where we were.
Stepping into the unknown was hard at first. Because you can never expect but hope for the best to come. I think thats what makes the journey enjoyable though... I never woke up knowing every detail about the day ahead of me, but entered it with a knowing that God had everything in control.
"Life's a climb but the view is great" a quote from Hannah montana the movie. A quote we can all live by thru life and never know what's coming at us. So live life with its bumps and bruises and, live life to its fullest.
here's a short message from my delegate manager rob!:)
Wild at Heart
"when it feels like the road has been slipped out from under you call the one who lights the path and makes it straight"- my own quote
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| My friend Lizz, Delegate Leader Paula Rarden and me:) |
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| Aussie wallaby |
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| Holding a baby Ausie Croc |
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| Sydney Skyline |
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| Me in front of this beautiful water fountain |
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| Finally in Australia |
