G'Day All!
An appropriate greeting from the 'Land Down Under'. If there was ver a time to be immersed in all things Aussie, now is it! As we go about our daily life here, which can often be very similar to our Canadian home, we are shocked back to the reality that we live in a sunburnt country, when the strong thick twang of an Aussie accent hits you. We have had a lot of fun with this!
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| Yep, we're in Sydney. |
Our journey here was no lack of fun and adventure, as we found ourselves in situations and gorgeous tropical lands along the way that will forever be in our memories. Our precious daughter Israel decided that to make things more interesting, a hearty puke in Bernie's car, all over her and her car seat, was necessary just before arriving to begin our long haul flights from Vancouver. Yes, we travelled with a pukey-smelling baby and that car seat all the way to Fiji. No less than 20 hours later we arrived in the South Pacific humidity for a short vacation pit-stop in Nadi, Fiji, where we promptly washed every item of clothing, including the car seat that had come in contact with puke. A sigh of relief as our washing aired in the balmy breezes of Denari Bay. Fiji was stunning, and indeed a second and longer visit back is on our minds for the future. It was magical watching Israel play in the ocean and pools, carefully investigate the sand on her feet and smile at all the Fijian 'mama's' that she met.
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| Water Babies in Fiji |
After a warm goodbye with a well-rested family, we travelled onward to our new home of Sydney, Australia. We were greeted by Dan, our current housemate, Lindsay, a dear and new friend and our immediate host upon arriving and Dan's Father in Law, John. All of whom made us feel quite welcome over a quick espresso at the airport - yes, the coffee here is as good as you hear. Sorry Starbucks.
We had only one last stint of living out of suitcases left - before moving into our new home! This was a long-awaited stage of our life that we had anticipated.
It definitely took a little longer to get into the 'swing' of things than we thought. Israel was an absolute champion traveller and adjuster to her new world. It helped that we had landed in what probably seemed like the jungle to her - birds and trees and wildlife everywhere! And of course she could play outdoors all the time in shorts and a t-shirt! Heaven!
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| Izzy and The Harbour Bridge |
Our new abode is still being fleshed out with the necessities but gradually looking more and more settled. We have been so blessed to find awesome free stuff and have people give away items that have become our new home's furnishings!
We have also celebrated our birthday's and 4-Year Anniversary in the throws of all this - what a season of life!
Pregnancy with Friesen Jnr #2 is going well. For those of you who don't know it's a boy - little Judah David. Only another 11 weeks until we get to meet him and induct him into the family! We are getting very excited and it's going to be quite special for Israel to finally have a sibling to fawn over and talk about. Please pray that labour and birth go well for Mum and Bubs and that Dad and Israel are rested and prepared for the next stage of life.
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| Post Anniversary Dinner in our new home. |
Last but not least, the Church Plant that we came to be part of, has been a new and exciting experience. Our official launch is at the end of June and we are busy preparing to reach out to the community and be a light to the world. For the core group of people it has been a getting to know you last few weeks, as we have all come from different places and walks of life. But this is also one of the richest rewards in building community - growing in relationship with one another. Already Kev has been invited and is now on a Basketball League with one of the guys he met. Too cool! He was hoping to play ball in Sydney, and this opportunity was better than expected.
We look forward to giving you more updates as the weeks unfold here,
Be blessed and keep looking up!
Kevin, Amy, Israel and Judah Friesen
