Honey, I'm home!
A love letter to Sydney
Hi Friends,
Well, I’m back in America! After a whirlwind two months, I’m so happy to be home and spending some time with my family in California.
Last week, as I was getting ready to leave, I had a moment where I thought back to the girl who landed in Sydney in March, and I literally thought, “Wow… she was so young.” Which made me laugh, because I was only there for two months (although I did age up). But the feeling had some credence. A lot happened in two months.
If you’re really itching for an opportunity to grow in humility, resilience, patience, and trust, might I suggest leaving your entire world behind and doing some challenging work in a brand-new city for two months?
So… what did my time in Sydney teach me? That will probably take some time (and maybe a few long walks and journal entries) to fully unpack.
But here are three things I’ve learned for sure:
God’s providence is abundant.
One of my favorite songs on repeat while I was in Sydney was The Lord Will Provide. I love the early lines:
“Some way or another, the Lord will provide.
It may not be your way, it may not be my way…”
And wow, that was true for me. There were so many places I expected the Lord to provide... and He didn’t. But in the places I least expected? He did. Every morning, I’d pray, “Jesus, I give You permission to love me today. I give You permission to show me how You love me. I give You permission to surprise me.” And every day, He did.
I can’t tell you how many days went completely differently than I planned. How many people I met by surprise. How many moments of laughter I didn’t see coming.
There were so many little moments of providence, each one showing me how deeply God knows me and knows exactly what I need, exactly when I need it. I think it’s hard to really experience God’s providence unless we’re in a place of needing it desperately. And let me tell you…. I brought Him my lack and my loneliness over and over again, and He far surpassed anything I could’ve expected.
I am so, so grateful for the universal Church.
I could find a daily Mass at almost any hour in Sydney, there was adoration available nearly every day, I could make friends at church and in church communities—none of those things I take for granted.
On my last day, one of the clients asked what I was doing over the weekend, and I told him I was seeing a few friends I’d made here. He was shocked I had made any friends (Australians have a reputation for being a bit insular), but I told him they were friends I met through church.
I’m so grateful for our universal Church. I spent the final weeks of Lent, the Triduum, and the beginning of the Easter season in Sydney. My faith was fed through masses and adoration and a retreat and friends. All is gift.
I’m also so grateful for the little things.
Before I left for Sydney, I was in a bit of a funk. Life felt… stagnant. I was struggling to feel gratitude for all the blessings I had in DC. Well—nothing makes you grateful for your life like being dropped into a completely different one! I cannot tell you how excited I am to get back to Trader Joe’s, Anthropologie, Nuuly, GoMacro bars, Solidcore, iced coffee, Chick-fil-A, and my friends!! It’s so easy to take our lives—and all the little gifts in them—for granted, until we experience what it’s like not to have them right at our fingertips. I feel like Ebenezer Scrooge waking up on Christmas morning, suddenly seeing all the blessings that have been in front of me the whole time.
When I was debating whether or not to take the opportunity in Sydney, I was terrified. I knew it would ask a lot of me. But I also knew that I wouldn’t regret it. And I don’t — not any of it, the good, the bad, or the ugly. It’s a chapter of my life that I will forever hold close. It’s one I am profoundly grateful for. If you’re on the verge of something, and it’s a little scary, ask the Lord to give you the courage and show you the way. He provides where He leads!
To my new Sydney friends on the newsletter — thank you for making me feel at home while I was far from mine. I’ll be back to see you soon :)
In Christ,
Jane
What I’m loving lately
Hope does not disappoint podcast
This was SO good. I highly recommend, especially in our Jubilee year of hope!
Rainy walk
One of the most famous Sydney tourist activities is the Bondi to Coogee walk. I had done parts, but never the full walk, so I set out to complete it on Sunday morning. Well, God had other plans. It was MONSOONING. I thought it would be a peaceful sunrise prayer walk but instead it was me laughing at myself as my umbrella turned inside out and passers-by and I commented on the “gorgeous morning.” On the upside, no one was out there, so I got the path pretty much to myself :)
I’m Still Here movie
I watched this movie about 1970s Brazil and the military dictatorship/disappearances on the plane and it was SO good. I cannot handle scary movies, but I was totally fine in this one (you don’t really see anything!). A beautiful testament to motherhood, family, courage, community and standing up for truth. I highly recommend!
Try praying on your knees!
My friend Erica told me that she’s been trying to pray on her knees, so I felt inspired to join her! I’ve been praying my intentions on my knees and it’s wild how much our posture can impact our prayer. Highly recommend if you’re looking to change up your prayer routine!
A pitch for little prayers
I was feeling a little discouraged about a few things before leaving Sydney, and I brought them to the Lord in prayer. He responded in such beautiful and redemptive and personal ways. I truly believe my faith has been built on tiny, continuous prayers, allowing God to love me especially in places that are hard for me to surrender to Him. Two friends recommended this song to me this week, and it made me weepy on the beach. Bring him your prayers!! And don’t forget that flowers grow in the valley.
Prayer intentions
For two special intentions