Friday night started off with hanging out with a couple of friends, Rachel and Lauren, at their house for dinner and tea. I spent the night as well because we had to get up super early for the Easter Egg Hunt/Pancake breakfast we were helping out with on Saturday morning with the church.
Saturday came quickly and early. We arrived at the school where we were doing the Easter Egg Hunt and started setting up. I mostly helped with filling up about a billion balloons with helium.
I love helium.
Then I busted out my camera and became the official photographer for the event, which. I. Loved. I never quite feel like I do when I am behind a camera. I love capturing people in the moment and having fun or doing whatever it is they are doing. It is sheer enjoyment for me.
In between pitcha snappin’ I was talking with Andy about plans for the weekend. He mentioned that he was heading to Easterfest (a music festival) in Toowoomba (about 2 hours away from Brissie) after the egg hunt and asked if I wanted to go. I asked how much tickets were, but he didn’t have a clue. Then he said, “Is money an issue?” I mentioned that I was on a budget and I haven’t started working yet, so I’m trying to watch my pennies. He replied, “I’ll pay for your ticket, come!” I didn’t really say yes or no at that point.
As we were cleaning up and the event was pretty much over, I found out that Rachel and Lauren were also planning on going to Easterfest, but weren’t planning on getting tickets, just wondering around the free parts. We later found out that, there were not any free parts this year and you had to pay $50 to get in. The pastor overheard us talking about this and asked, “If you could get free tickets, would you go?” We were all like, ummmmm yeah! He mentioned that he knew some folks that might have some extra tickets and would call us back in a bit.
We received a call about 20 minutes later from the pastor saying that he scored tickets and to come pick them up. Lauren, went to pick up the tickets while Rach and I were putting together a slide show and got some stuff together for the day. Lauren comes back with three little blue envelopes with what appear to be cards for each one of us. We open them up and they were thank you cards from the pastor and his wife for helping out that day. Also enclosed in the cards were $50 each to get into the festival. We were all shocked and a wee bit humbled by their generosity.
When we were finally ready we headed over to Andy’s place and rode up to Toowoomba with him and his roommate Matt. It turned out to be a really nice day and we had a lot of fun. I was just tickled by people’s generosity and joy to just give so freely and without a second thought. This group of folks from the church have been so helpful and kind to me since I’ve met them. They help me out with rides since I don’t have a car every once in awhile, a place to crash if I need one, prayers, meals, friendship and plenty of laughs and smiles. Genuine. Open. Hospitable. Loving. Loving without expecting anything in return. I mean...that’s what love really is anyways, right?! I guess I just haven’t experienced anything like this in awhile and its...refreshing. Its also neat to see it in a different country too. I don’t know why, it just is. Its neat to meet an extended family you never knew you had as well :)
Today, Easter Sunday, after church Rachel and Lauren had lunch over at their house for whom ever wanted to come. It was a pretty good gathering. A nice relaxing day with the family. Good food and great company.
Throughout this weekend, I really felt like I learned a lot about myself through a few simple situations, and I really felt like God just started to restore and heal some hurts from the past and begin a new work in me. I can’t quite describe it in this already long blog entry, but one thing I can say is that I have truly learned a thing or two about the love of Christ and how unselfish and beautiful it really is.
I also have realized how much of a jaded, cynical person I have become towards christians (even though I am one,) and the christian community. I have grown very cold. But in just a few simple ways, not just this weekend, but the past month, those thoughts and walls have begun to crack and crumble just a little bit. I feel like I am able to grasp just a teeny-tiny bit, a portion of the grace of God and that is, well...humbling.
I debate sometimes talking about my faith and God in certain situations and company, but I feel like I really just need to get over that and not be ashamed of who I am. I am not the type of person to be in your face about anything. I have my beliefs and you have yours, I respect you and your beliefs and I appreciate the same in return.
It is funny how all of this has transpired over Easter weekend. As Jesus died and rose again, I feel as though a part of me has died and a new restored part has rose in its place.
I don’t know if any of these ramblings are making sense, but I am just trying to express but a small portion of what is going on in my life. It feels like much bigger things are going on that I can’t even begin to describe.
I would like to end this blog with a couple of lyrics from a Pearl Jam song entitled “Amongst the Waves.”
If not for love I would be drowning
I’ve seen it work both ways, but I am up
Riding high amongst the waves
I can feel Like I
Have a soul that has been saved
***
Love ain’t love until you give it up
Riding high amongst the waves
I can feel like I
Have a soul that has been saved
I can see the light
Coming through the clouds in rays
Gotta say it now
Better loud
Than too late
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