What day is it?

Today is the 30th of June...but you may be thinking Heather I am reading your blog on the 29th (if you are actually doing that).  The reason for that my friends is the fact that I AM IN AUSTRALIA.  God has totally provided and been faithful in this whole process.  Praise and glory be to Him.  I am in Perth, safe and sound and only a little chilly (it is winter here and is especially cold in the AM). I will do a quick run down of what has happened since LA.

From LA to Melbourne: It was a super long flight. I think it was 15 or 16 hours.  I sat by two very nice high school graduates who were going to go visita a friend/former exchange student in Melbourne.  I watched way too many movies: The Rum Diaries, We Bought the Zoo, Mirror Mirror, and Big Miracle.  I was trying to stay awake and only sleep when it was night time in Perth.  That was easier said then done, but I was pretty successful.  It turns out that I was on this flight with a Music DTSer from Green Bay, WI.  His name is Luke and I thought he looked cool because he had tattoos.  We finally figured out we were both going to YWAM Perth, when we were in Perth and went to the girl with the YWAM sign.  The flight was overall pretty boring, but I enjoyed just relaxing, doing Sudoku, watching movies, listening to music, and trying to sleep.

On the flight from LA to Melbourne

In Melbourne: I had to go through customs.  The line was long and I was worried about missing my flight since I had only 2 hours to make the next flight.  (spoiler alert: I make it)  The customs officer was super nice and I could have talked to him longer.  It turns out the my name did not match my passport exactly (only my middle initial and not my fill middle name).  They were so nice and just said (basically), "Oh I will just go change this on the computer and get you on your way." So it was such a blessing and I know that God was removing barriers.  I made it to the gate pretty much no problem.  I got my bag for customs and dropped it off with Qantas again.  I then went through airport security, which is way more relaxed compared to Chicago and LA.  I even had time to rent some internet and check my email and post on facebook.  I also got to change my clothes and freshen up...I was feeling gross by this point.

From Melbourne to Perth: This was only a 4 hour flight.  It was a pretty empty flight and I tried to sleep and just relax.  The most difficult part of my journey was over.  The food on Qantas was good, I enjoyed it.  I had an empty seat next to me and the guy on the other side slept the whole time.  So uneventful.

Thursday in Perth: I got off the plane and headed to baggage claim.  I met Ariel, which is on staff and helps run the Music DTS.  She is from CANADA!  This is where I met Luke.  We got our bags (turns out I packet pretty light compared to some, that's what Ariel said).  We went out to wait from Nathan, who was driving the car and is also the July DTS staff.  He is cool and so excited for what God is doing here and in the leadership training.  We then went to 228, which is where most DTS students will be staying.  It reminds me of a mix of a cabin from camp (tons of bunk beds) and an apartment (fun hangout areas).  We put our stuff down and went to the base.  I met way too many people and was kind of jet lagged, so I had to ask names later, again. The base is so cool and new.  It is so open and beautiful.  I love it.  I got to meet my team leader Matty and his wife.  He kind of does remind me to Ture, which is good...I need that to keep me real.  I then went back and unpacked.  This is where I met Brittany.  She is also 26 and will be doing the Sport DTS.  We hit it off right away.  We have been hanging out every day.  She has been a good friend.  That evening we went to dinner, used the internet, played some cards, and hit the sack around 8.  

This has gotten long, so I will post more another time.  Ask questions or let me know what you would like me to post about next :)

Hello from LAX International Terminal

I am so sorry that it has been a while since I have posted, but this has been a crazy few weeks.  I have been getting ready to go and today was/is that day.  I have been blessed to spend time with friends and family.  I have had every meal under the sum with co-workers, family, friends, youth students, (you name it I probably ate with them); running errands with my sister, friends, and youth students; had a missions team meeting; been prayed over by ladies bible study, the missions team, and the church; and a bunch more (a few parties and a youth conference).  I also finished reading the Bible all the way through.  I started on September 19th and I finished June 25th.  I feel it is a real accomplishment.  I barely thought that I would be ready for today...but I am...I hope.  

On Sunday, I also got to baptize two of the high school kids from church.  It was such an honor for them both to ask me!  I was blown away.  If you have facebook you should check out the photos!  They are awesome.  I might have left the church picnic with tears in my eyes, but that wasn't all bad.  Part of the reason for the tears was the idea of not seeing these people who I have come to love.  I have so felt at home with NorthBridge and currently it is hard to imagine my life without them (even if it is just a season).

Yesterday was family day.  It was so nice to just enjoy time with my family, even if at times we were just running places or sitting together.  My sister blew me away.  She gave me a HUGE stack of letters.  Some from family and friends, but the most from here (one for every 3 days).  I felt/feel so loved and it blows me away that she took the time to do that.  I have also gotten a bunch of letters from other family and friends, so thank you to all of you!  I so was blessed by all of this time with people.

Today, I got up early and started to get a bunch of last minute things done: laundry, cleaning, getting my car sorted, having coffee/chai with Emily and Natalie, and spending time with Hilary and Dakota.  I cannot believe that today is actually here.  The idea of not sleeping at home for such a long time blows me away and I can't get my head around it.  Carolyn ran by for a last might goodbye and drop off of even more letters.  My Dad took me to the airport and it was hard for me to say goodbye.  I made it through security and sat by my gate.  I opened a letter from the Rikers.  There was a picture of LT with his Starbucks :) and there were the words that I needed to read to push the boohoos away and bring in the excitement.  

The flight over flew by (no pun intended) and was uneventful.  Shout out to Jessica for the Sudoku book...that will keep me entertained :) Now I just had the weirdest dinner at the LAX airport (caved into my cravings): Sushi and Pinks Hotdogs.  It was good though.  Now I am doing to watch some Masterchef Australia (another guilty pleasure) and then head off to my gate.  So, so long for now.  Thanks for all of the prayers.

YWAM July DTS video

Here is the promo video for my trip (it was recently made).  I am the July DTS.  SO EXCITED!

Oh Canada! My home and native land! and so much more.

Wow it is late; I did not even realize.  So this wont be too lengthy.  I got back from visiting family in Canada on Wednesday.  It was a great trip.  I got to see little Gabriel (my cousin Eli and his wife Tawny's son). He is beyond cute!  I also got to spend some time at my cousin Nathan and his wife Alicia's new home (also so cute).  It was so great to also see my Oma and Opa.  They watched my Mission Journey video.  I so enjoyed really getting to talk with my family without needing to run around for a wedding, which has been the past two visits.  It is amazing how time has changed all of us.  We are real people and not the same old cousins that tormented each other.

I also had time to really sit and relax.  I have been go, go, go since I can't even remember when.  So I had time to not think about work, since I am done till 2013, and realize that I have so little time till I leave.  AHHHHH from this moment I leave in 18 days.  I can hardly believe that.  I am speaking with Matty, who is our team leader for the July DTS.  He seems cool and I saw in a photo that he has a hat like Ture's which made me happy.  He has a wife and daughter (I believe 10-11 months old).  I will let you know more about my team mates as I meet them.

Since coming back things have been a blur.  I am starting to move things around and consolidate my things.  I got the dog groomed, my teeth cleaned, hung out with friends (Hey Tiffany and Anthony), and met up with my sixth grade social studies teacher, Dr. Gold.  That was such a blessing.  It was so encouraging to talk to him and show him pictures.  He has always been a teacher that has inspired me and who I have tried to model myself after, hence part of the reason I have my students act out Romeo and Juliet with props.  Tomorrow will be a blur too, time with friends (Casey and the ladies of my book club). So if you want some good ole Heather time let me know ASAP via email, call, or text :)

Please be praying that I get everything done that I need to and see as many people as possible.

PS I broke down and re-opened my twitter account...here it is if you want to follow https://twitter.com/hkuhl21