Exciting times

I think this time of year is exciting! Looking back on the year that has been, seeing all the successes, struggles, blessings and areas of growth that have occurred! Its that whole, ‘hindsight thing and I love it because you can see where you have walked and where God has been with you. For me, I have so much to be thankful for and I suppose, knowing I am leaving soon (11 days in fact!) these things are more heightened! I have had the privilege over the past few weeks to see all that I have been blessed with and how God has answered the prayers of my heart all throughout this year. Even areas where I thought, “I’ll pray, but I am not sure if it will do much!” standing here at the end of the year, I can see HE HAS done so much and I forget sometimes His strong, faithful and faultless love and promises.

So, since this is my blog and well I can do what ever I want on it, here are some things I have realised I am have been so blessed with! (yes it will be long, but worth it!)

My family; who are all together at present with my sister over from Japan for a whirlwind tour. Talk about full house! My brothers are awesome guys who I am so proud of. Bradley, my little yet BIG brother, graduated year 12 last week and starts his apprenticeship in carpentry in 2007. Brad is so kind and such a joker! Ryan is kicking butt working hard laboring, using his skills earlier this year to work of “Habit” building houses in Mongolia. His heart is still there to bless that place, with plans to go back and I so respect that. They are the funniest people and I always love to have a laugh with them. My sister and brother in law are the bravest people ever, living a whole year away in Japan! They are so committed to Gods call on their lives, to teach English and be a light in Japan. They are a beautiful couple who I have a lot of respect for.! And my parents wow. Celebrating 28 years of marriage, as their kid I couldn’t ask for a better example of love. They together are the most welcoming and serving people I know, and separately each has the most brilliant gifts that they daily offer in their personal and professional worlds. I love being able to tell people “these are my parents!”

My extended family also rock my world, I have cousins coming out of my ears and each of them is a total gem. I love each of them muchly and pray for them lots as they grow! My aunts and uncles offer much support, love and example in my life and I treasure all that they put into me in words, prayers and deeds. And my grandparents. There is something so special about grandparents. You don’t get to see them much, but you just know they are always there praying for you and cheering you on. Mine, are some of the most Godly, serving people I know. I am completely privilege to come from a family who loves and honors God.

My friends: Last week I was sitting at a table with 3 of my old school friends and I was so overwhelmed with Gods goodness. In each of our lives we have struggled and grown and God has faithfully keep us on track. Bec, Kel and Bek have done a significant part of life with me and I love them to pieces. We are all at different places in life, but get us together and we still laugh our heads off like we are still in year 9! Go the stanians!

And what a privilege it has been to celebrate the last month of wedding festivities with my closest friends Davinina, Kyla, Tanya, Cassandra. These girls are the one who share my every day and they are the best! The ones that help me laugh and deal with stress, the ones who help me keep on track and who believe in me. I will miss them a million times over!

My job; working at Fusion has been one of the best gifts God has given me I think. It has been a place where I have just had the space and love to find my feet. After finishing uni things were all up in the air personally and professionally. Fusion has grown me, challenged me, loved me and helped me get an awesome perspective on life which allows me to ‘build people up and help people grow, because people matter!’ (well at least try to!). The people I work with (especially Adam and Rose) with have been so encouraging, trusting and inspiring and I am truly thankful for them! Add to that the brilliant live in staff who make up the Hillview Team (Adam, Jeff, Keren & Thirza)! They the most amazingly giving, reliable, welcoming young adults I’ve met. They are the glue of the Fusion Student Housing Service and I take my hats off to these guys. I couldn’t have asked for a better team to serve, they truly are brilliant! I will miss my fusion family muchly!

Add to this mix my very fabulous boy Dave who is out trekking the depths of Peru as we speak. Clearly he is one special guy and I love him lots! But I am not going to tell you all about that coz its private lol!

And then there is a mix of amazing people who I would not be the same without! They have walked with me through life, helping me grow and always standing by. My amazing friend and second mum at times Jill, my youth pastor Grant who I just love!, Emma who ‘just gets me’, Hazel and Richard who have totally welcomed me as I am, Pat Davey who has been a Godsend to me this year and so many others.

This is starting to sound like a speech, but as you can tell I am just so thankful for Gods faithfulness to me through these people!

Also financially with just money for my trip, my car still survivin after 7 years! (Go Effie!), the chance to move out this year into an awesome house etc!

So, with 10 days to go for me till I start something new, and for you who is reading 13 days till the start of a new year, I just want to totally echo to you that God is good, and faithful! Look back this year, see all that He has done and know even if there are still things that aren’t quite there yet, that he will complete the work!

May you find so much joy in knowing He is good and faithful and may it be something that resounds for you all of 2007!

Much love

Melissa x