Good Morning Sunshine!

I love waking up to a fabulous view - let me tell you how I got here.

We left Sydney yesterday after our traditional morning trip to Starbucks --- ok - not really a tradition if we only did it twice, but I see it as 'every morning I was in Sydney, I went to Starbucks'! :) Flew in to Brisbane again by 1:30 in the afternoon and Jimmy correctly navigated his way back to the city where we were able to meet Rick and Debbie (friends from America, who've lived here nearly 2 years working at the church) for lunch. So great to catch up with them - then, we caught the late service at the church where the Pastor who married us is currently leading. He wasn't there (he's on holiday) - but we were able to watch Aaron and Becky Lucas, two more former youth-group kids of ours (who now have their own baby boy) do a fabulous job leading worship. The last time I saw both of them on stage leading worship was almost 5 years ago --- and i couldn't believe the transformation that has taken place! I was really proud of them - just seeing how far they'd come. They were just so in love with God and really demonstrative about it. I even teared up thinking about the difference these last few years have made in their lives. They're barely over 20 years old, but they seemed so "grown up" from the last time I really saw them on stage.

After church, we made some connections with a few more people... either they're moving to the States or have similar ministries like we have. It was funny - I was talking to some folks, just kinda having a nice conversation when I looked up and there was Jimmy - surrounded by a bunch of guys! It's amazing! He has this ability to attract young guys and it doesn't even matter what country we're in!

After coffee, we drove to the Gold Coast and Surfer's Paradise for our hotel. We didn't check in 'till about midnight and could see we had a great veiw - even in the dark. But now that it's morning - the view is KILLER! We're on the 30th floor of a huge skyrise, overlooking the whole coastline which is full of similar skyrise hotels. And just to the right of them all - is that crazy ocean again! Except this time, I'm 30 flights up and it's even more massive than I'd orignially believed! We have our own balcony overlooking the whole thing and I'm thinking, we've obviously saved the best for last.

We're gonna explore a bit today - there's lots of "glitz" and "glamour" in this area --- a little like Vegas without the theme-specific hotels, but all of the grandeur of Vegas. We're joining the parents of the groom tonight for their favorite seafood buffet in the area... apparently the prawns are the "biggest you'll ever see". I'm hungry just thinking about it.

That - and I have located another Starbucks. Guess I'll blog again tonight to tell you all about it.

Toodles - :)

Carrie Rose