old man side hugs, tiny hands, tornado's, road trips and my drivers side door.

There is nothing quite like the experience of being woken up in panic. 

It was 1:39am, and I woke immediately to the sound of, "Bec, we need to get to the basement, right now."

As my eyes flew open, the siren in my dream matched its reality; the city-wide wailing of a tornado siren.

I've been living with a lovely lady named Linda for these past three weeks, and as I pulled the retainers from my mouth and grabbed a sweat shirt (yes I still wear a retainer at night, and yes I just said "sweat shirt"), I was filled with what could only be described as real, and genuine fear.

 We moved chairs into the bathroom of the basement, and we sat. Going back and forth from the TV, to watch the live updates as the storm - threatening tornado formation - we waited. We watched as the storm approached, and different parts of the city were put on, and off watch. 

When the potential tornado was down-graded to just a severe storm, about an hour and half later, we climbed back into bed; with the sounds of roaring winds, heavy rain and deep thunder lulling us back into early morning sleep. 

It didn't eventuate into anything, but it could have. And I don't understand.

Two of my new best buddies drove down to Moore Oklahoma yesterday to help out with the debree, these are some of their photos from today. Again, in Omaha, it didn't eventuate into anything, but it could have. 

Tornadoes have never been a part of my potential reality before. They have never been a part of my world. In Sydney, the worst I really have to worry about is drought, or bush fire, neither of which is going to come without warning, and neither of which will probably ever kill me.

I feel... kind of out of place, in this place.

Everything is new. 

Working at Outback Steakhouse with an accent (which, for any Aussies is a hilarious "Australian themed" restaurant chain here in the USA) means that I get to 'tell my story' at least a couple of times a week. 

People have any number of reactions; some are a barrage of questions, most people ignore it, some are sweet and kind, some are mean and frustrated, and some I fall in love with. 

I served two ladies last week, who were very old, and very adorable. Another old man, when I told him I was from 'Australia' somehow heard 'Chilli' and our conversation went astray from there. 

Do you ever hear truly stupid things come out of your mouth? This is my most recent example:

Him (being a 25ish male who is sitting in a booth with his girlfriend): "Can I get a miller light?"

Me: "Sure! Would you like a 16 or a 22 ounce?"

Him: "22 please"

Me: "That's my man!"

...

..

.

'That's my man?' 

^ I don't know who was more shocked, him, me, or his girlfriend. Either way, it was incredibly uncomfortable and completely inappropriate. I covered it terribly with a nervous laugh and a 'I'll just get that right away'...

Anyway, last night, I had a beautiful set of four. All old (so it seems I have a thing for old people...), all hilarious. They asked me all sorts of wonderful questions and encouraged me in my relationship. Afterwards, one of the men came up to me and gave me a great big side hug. The kind that only genuine, old men can give.

"You were delightful!" he said, "but let me give you a tip. When you give change, give it in smaller bills, that way people will leave you more". And with that, he gave me a wink and a nod and let me tell you; that kind of kindess and I almost cried. 

Truth be told, I'm starting to miss home. 

And not so much home, as routine. And things which are familiar. And a consistent income, and people who know me well. 

But that's part of the adventure right? 

It's not about being there, or being here. It's not about being anywhere, really. Change is the sign of life's existence, with life comes change - that's part of the package deal.

God, on the other hand is the same yesterday, today and forever. Jesus is my constant, in this world of chaos. 

And so in that way, I have peace, when everything is new, and hope; in a fear-filled tornado-producing mid-Western state. 

God is doing so much here. 

Four or five years ago, I met my man in Townsville Australia. I moved across the world to pursue that kind of world-defying love.

Last Sunday, I heard him preach in person for the very first time. 

It, and he, was awesome. 

I tell you, for a Jesus-loving heart, there is nothing more attractive then a man at the pulpit; with the open word in hand. 

I can't tell you how great it feels to sign cards like this.

wedding gift!

To celebrate, I'm getting kind of crafty for the first time in my life. 

one for my room. 

& one for his. 

Four or five years ago, I met a different man in Townsville Australia. He's from my favourite US state to say; Wisconsin. We spent many an afternoon playing canasta, and even ventured out to Papua New Guinea together. His name is Jacob, and he is great.

us in 2009.

This weekend he drove the eight hours it took to come and visit me, we hung out, played canasta, went to church and threw a frisbee. 

It's great to have friends all over the world and once again I re-learnt the lesson of true friendship, that really truly feels natural and picks up where it left off. 

Oh boy. Where else to start.

How about with a car accident?

The 365 got a little beat up this week. Somebody backed straight into her,  and up until this morning I couldn't open my drivers side door. And so, being the comic relief for the entire of Omaha, I have spent the last 7 days crawling across my car in my work pants, dresses, and summer-inspired skirts. 

She's back in working order now though, which is wonderful. What's an extra dent in a car that truly fabulous?

I heard in a sermon last week that said "God rarely uses something for great purposes, which has not first been put through great trial". The 365 lives testament to that. 

And I guess that just paves way to my new reality here, that is - living as an adult. 

For the first time in my entire life, I'm actually deemed responsible. I work not just to save, but to pay real and actual bills. 

If I don't buy something, it's not going to be in the pantry. 

If I use up an entire tank of petrol in three days, I'm the one who has to pay for it.

If I use a dish, I have to clean it. 

If my car gets dented up, I have to take it to the mechanic.

Like everything else, this is all new to me. New country, culture, city, job, food, routine, people and independent  far away from home reality.

Speaking of which yesterday I finally, FINALLY moved into my apartment. Sort of.

And by sort of, I mean I'm in the apartment, just not in my room. That will happen in a few days, and until then, I'm parading around by myself (not going to lie - sometimes almost naked, just because I can), with two inherited cats, and a fridge full of almond milk and pudding.

In other news, I ate 7 bagels and an entire tub of cream cheese in 24 hours. It's a serious problem and with bagels? I have zero self control. 

But yes! My apartment. Want to see?

living room.

a simaid calander. of course.

I will be without a bed for a couple of days, but who needs a bed right? Who needs a bed when I have my own space. And netflix. Life is good.

God is also good. 

SO good. SO good sometimes I just can't simply handle it. 

Here's two reasons why.

1. Last Sunday I was a little stressed about my job. I had tipped a glass of water on somebody, I'd forgotten a salad, and I'd worked my butt off for hardly any tips. I wasn't being scheduled full time and I was exhausted from the late nights. I wanted a new job, or at least another supplement. 

To be honest, I've been struggling for a while now with working as a waitress. Working as anything really, other then my dream. I'm twenty two! I shout at myself, I have two degrees! Why aren't I working in ministry? In missions? In aid and development? With the homeless and hungry? At least, in writing? 

Why aren't I working in any job really that doesn't involve me getting on my hands and knees and scraping cheese off the floor at 11:30pm, for $2.13 an hour?

Two points. First, God is teaching me about the meaning of mission and constant joy in Him beyond circumstance. 

Second, He is good. Sunday I met a man who heads up the organisation Christ for the CityInternational. 

In three words, they are phenomenal. 

Not only do they head up inner-city down-town mission in Omaha, and across several other American cities; working with local not-for-profits to expose youth group aged kids to the realities of need within their homes. But they also support local missionaries all around the world, mainly Latin American, and facilitate trips and adventures, long and short term, for teams who want to go.

So I meet him Sunday, interviewed Monday, and started my new job Tuesday. It's part time, super flexible hours - which fit in perfectly with a constantly changing waitressing schedule - and as my role develops, I will let you know more. But can I just say, wow! This is my dream job, and once again; Gods goodness and provision falls into my little lap when I'm not looking for it, and whilst I'm still complaining, about things like late night cheese.

re-took the strength finders test for my new job.
I agree. 

I am blessed. 

This weekend I'm heading into Omaha with a team to feed the homeless and meet need with the love of Christ head on. 

And then 2) On Friday, I had the absolute privilege of meeting with the Director of Involvement at Tiny Hands International. Over salad, we shared each others stories, and talked about the issue of human trafficking and child sex slavery around the world, like Cambodia, and Nepal. I an Australian and he an American, talked about this in the middle of a cafe, in the USA.

You know I found out about that organisation because last year, in the car, I heard somebody mention the name in passing and it just kind of stuck?

"God works all things together for my good" kind of comes to mind.

You know I only have my US visa because many, many years ago - at a youth camp - an older leader I didn't even know told me about a US sponsorship program? And years later, I just so happened to recall the name of that organisation when I needed it?

God. Works. All. Things. Together. For. My. Good.

In complete honesty, I don't know what my involvement with Tiny Hands will be as yet. But keep me accountable  I must do something. 

And finally, you know that in America, you can turn right even if the lights are red? Granted, you have to check traffic but if there is none - you can just go. It's so smart and makes so much sense.

If I sound emotional and all over the place, well that's because I am. It's week five, and here's to drinking out of an owl mug, using African coasters, and being home; wherever God has me.