Returning Home With More Than a Suitcase

I'm consolidating my suitcase (for the 5th time) and it's beginning to hit me... only two more days left in Australia.

I had a lovely (freezing) day at the beach, watched movies with some of my favorite people, and am now wide awake at 1:45am trying to figure out how to put my life for the past year into two 50 lbs. bags... or as Aussies would say... 23 kilos.

Although very excited and expectant to return home, right now I'm feeling the sadness of leaving my life here. Of departing from the people I've grown to love. Of leaving this home.

Okay Lindsey, you can do it! Enjoy your last days. Tomorrow, (technically today. Remind me again why am I awake?!) clean your little heart out... Thursday spend a wonderful final day with your housemates and finish packing... And Friday, well Friday... board a plane and begin a new chapter. Sometimes it's so difficult to turn a new page when the one before it is still gripping your heart...

Obviously being metaphorical and mushy isn't going to help. My bad :)

So basically, I'm rambling. Yup, I think I'm done for today. I've got a to-do list to conquer!

This quite possibly could be my final post from 'Down Under.'
If so, it is with much gratitude that I write this. My heart only hearts because it's been so wonderful.
The best and worst year of my life... making it the BEST year of my life! (Disclaimer: by worst I mean challenging. Challenge=change. Change=good!)
So much growth, so many incredible opportunities and so many wonderful experiences and people I've met along the way.

With a tear in my eye and a smile on my face, I bid you adieu.

For the joys of tomorrows...
Lindsey Noelle

P.S. There is no way that my suitcase could contain everything I've accumulated over this year...
All of the laughs. All of the letters written along the way! All of the early mornings and late nights. All of the Oreos and peanut butter eaten for breakfast... (don't worry Mum, I only did that once!) All of the instant sunburns. (Even when I was wearing SPF 30+) All of the broken mugs. (Random, right?) All of the books I must leave behind. (For someone who would like to someday have a library, that's like putting TacoBell sauce in an open wound...) All of the incredible teachings and sermons I've had the privilege of hearing. All of the amazing, wonderful, incredible, awesome people I've met. (They can't all come to America at once...)
So, I'll just have to accept...  I'm returning home with more than a suitcase. :)

I'm Letting Go

I didn't come this far to give up!
I'm declaring that the last 2 weeks will be the most amazing conclusion to this season.
For the past eleven months I have seen God do miracles in my life and in the lives around me.
I came to Hillsong International Leadership College as a girl who loves Jesus, and I'm leaving as a woman who is passionate about seeing His Kingdom established around the world.
I am better equipped, more focused and extremely expectant for the seasons to come.
Even when circumstances are giving me every reason to back down, I will not!
My God is my my protector, provider, comforter, counselor, and best friend.
He is the beginning and the end, and so present in the in-between.
I've been changed. Changed so deeply that I myself cannot comprehend.

I feel so overwhelmed with a hunger for truth. For complacency to be shaken off, thrown away, and never chosen again. For believers to rise up and live according to the Word. For justice to become reality in every corner of this planet. For love to be spread unassumingly and selflessly across the globe. For families to be restored to their ultimate design. For churches to worry less about the method and more about the Message. For peace to reign in our hearts. For grace to capture us once again. For wisdom, compassion, and humility. For Jesus to be the center of it all.

So I'm letting go... 

"I’m Letting Go" -Francesca Battistelli 

My heart beats, standing on the edge
But my feet have finally left the ledge

Like an acrobat
There’s no turning back

I’m letting go
Of the life I planned for me
And my dreams
Losing control
Of my destiny
Feels like I’m falling and that’s what it’s like to believe
So I’m letting go

This is a giant leap of faith
Trusting and trying to embrace

The fear of the unknown
Beyond my comfort zone

Giving in to your gravity
Knowing You are holding me
I’m not afraid

Feels like I’m falling and that’s what it’s like to believe
Feels like I’m falling and this is the life for me

Love you all very much. Thank you for being a part of my life. I can't imagine it without you.
For those of you who I will see in 2 short weeks, I am so excited!
For those of you I will bid farewell, you'll always be my Australia family.

Most importantly, thank you Jesus. I can't do anything without you. I am so in love with you.