countdown.

20 days until we step on US soil.  How insane is that?  I cannot believe we've been down under for a year!  Time flies...  However, we've been crazy busy and have LOTS to do before we make it home for our visit.  I think its time for one of my infamous lists...

1.  We had a Hillsong Album recording on Sunday.  It was one of the most incredible worship experiences I've ever been apart of.  I am constantly blessed by such a phenomenal church.  Be looking for the new album around July.  It will NOT disappoint!

2.  Brian only has 3 weeks of class.  I can't believe he's nearly done with his first year.  Its been an amazing ride for me to watch the Lord mold Brian into an incredible leader, musician, singer, and husband.  I'm such a blessed wife.

3.  I'm extremely psyched for Brian's Graduation Ball.  Each year of completion, there is a Graduation Dinner & Dance for the students and their dates.  Its a formal occasion.  Fancy dinner, dancing, and most important FORMAL ATTIRE!  I'm on the hunt for the perfect dress to wear at the perfect price (cheap)!  Ha!  Brian has a, how do I put it, unique style on the dance floor and I'm thrilled for all his fellow classmates, instructors, and Hillsong staff to experience it!  Don't worry, we'll post heaps of pics.  Oh, and its on Thanksgiving!  So while you're eating Turkey, think of us as we'll be boogying down!

4.  I haven't started listening to Christmas music-yet.  And for those of you nearest and dearest to my heart, I know you are shocked.  But its hard to listen to Winter Wonderland when you are sweating from 100 degree heat!  I'm not complaining, I love my weekends at the beach but its not looking a lot like Christmas.  But I'm gonna give it a go next week.  I love me some Christmas music!

5.  I love my job.  I know heaps of people say this, but I really mean it.  We had a boy come to us who could not read and he was in 5th grade.  At the end of 4 weeks he is reading at a 1st grade level.  How amazing is that?  Not to mention, his confidence has gone through the roof.  Don't get me wrong, its a lot of hard work but so worth it!  And kids say the darndest things.  For instance a boy today did not like my curly hair, "Erika did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?"  "No, why do you say that?"  "Your hair looks like you did!"  Heehee.  Okay men, you can ONLY get away with this if you are 9.  After that, you WILL get slapped.

6.  Jillian Michaels is kicking my butt.  Into shape that is.  As most of you know, I am a fitness nazi (as my sis affectionately calls me).  I've really gotten into fitness and working out the past 5 years or so.  Its my stress relief!  And normally I HATE workout dvds.  I normally view them as "sissy".  Until now.  Jillian Michael's, she is the trainer for Biggest Loser, is one of the HARDEST workouts I've ever done.  She does a circuit workout and I'm feeling it!!!

Thats about all for the Opperman household.  We are so looking forward to our visit home, and reacquainting ourselves with all things "American"!  

xoxo

erika

face-lift and eats

Our blog got a new look! I have a habit of picking the girliest, well, anything. All things pink, leopard print, frills-I LOVE it all. However, the mister does not appreciate a girlie blog. So it was time for something new. This is the product of a two hour compromise! Ha! My pick that I designed was pink and cheetah print. Brian gagged. So we changed it. And this is what we came up with...not too shabby. I like it.

In other news, Brian and I are trying to eat extremely healthy. We ate at a Christian owned Organic Restaurant and learned a lot about our bodies, how they were created, and how & what we were intended to eat. It was very interesting. So we immediately went home and did some research. No, we are not on a diet. And no we are not doing this for weight loss. Just to make wise choices when we eat in order to live an even richer life! We are eating according to our blood type. Each body is different and needs more and less of certain foods-this is based on the chemistry make up of your body. Pretty much we've adjusted certain foods and increased our veges and fruit intake. We have been doing this for 3 weeks, and we have both noticed a huge difference. We have more energy, don't suffer from bloating, and feel better all around. On top of that, we've found some yummy healthy alternatives to our naughty favs! This afternoon, I baked banana carrot bread-wheat and gluten free! Seriously, it was AMAZING. I was concerned B wasn't going to like it-but it got two thumbs up!!

Well, that is about it! Not too much to report, but I'm trying to get into a routine of blogging so this is what ya get this week! This coming week is quite full, so we'll have more for next week. We have a birthday party of one of our dearest friends here, Gemma, on Tuesday; Connect Group on Wednesday; and I have an Open House at work on Thursday! Geesh, I'm tired just talking about it! On that note, I'm off to relax for the remaining of my Sunday evening.

xoxo

erika

**the BIG 2-6 in photos**

My sweet hubby and friends threw me a mexican fiesta party!

Gem & I

Brian & Corey are REALLY excited for my party!

The ever popular jumping photos

All of us girlies at the party

I don't know why that number is on my cookie cake. I'm not THAT old.

Brian & I being silly on my special day!

Brian took me for a day of shopping and dinner-PERFECT-O.

It down-poured, but that didn't stop us from having fun!

As you can see, I was extremely blessed on my big day! I also was showered with birthday love from friends and family back home! My parents, sis, and soon to be bro-in-law sent me a package and I got to open it with them on Skype! How fun is technology?! A big thank you to you ALL who made me feel so loved. I'm a blessed girl!

xoxo

erika.

embarassing//

The Market

Centennial Park

Its absolutely embarrassing how long its been since we've updated. Life has been a whirlwind since July, and I feel like Brian and I are finally sitting down and catching our breath a bit. Through all of the events of the past several months, I feel like I've learned even more to TRUST. Maybe when it doesn't make sense. Or when it doesn't seem possible. I feel like a cliche or like we say this a lot, but God has done some incredible, mind blowing, phenomenal things in our life! I know its not the most personal, but to catch up on the highlights during our absence in blog world!

1. I GOT MY VISA!!! thank you, thank you, thank, you for all your prayers. Nothing short of a miracle. I am working full time. And I've never been so thankful to be at work from 8:30-5:30! I truly love what I do, my boss, and coworkers-it really is a pleasure to go to work each day!

2. WE HAVE OUR OWN PLACE! Yep, that is right, Brian and I are in our 3rd place since we've moved to Sydney in January. But this time its just he and I. And its so beautiful. Each time I walk in from a full day at work (yippee), I feel so blessed. I cannot begin to express how wonderful it is! Its domestic BLISS!!! Pictures to follow:) We just are just putting some finishing touches on the decor!

3. Brian is getting some incredible opportunities at church. He has started playing/singing in the worship band at church for ALL church events. He's like a kid in a candy shop. He's learning so much. Its so amazing, as his wife, to see him achieve his dreams and get to do worship from some the people he looks up to most! I can't begin to tell you how much Brian has grown, not just as a musician, but as a leader. I'm so proud of him.

4. Spring has arrived in Sydney. Its time to get out the swim suits and hit the beach! I'm so excited! For the first time in my life, I get to celebrate my birthday in the Spring. On that note, Brian has something up his sleeve and, for the first time, I can't crack him. I'm clueless as to what he has planned for my birthday. I'm ridiculous. I'm giddier than a kid before Christmas! We will have pictures of our celebration next week, I pinky promise:)

**Above**I couldn't figure out how to get our pictures below. And its late. And I need to go to bed. So the pictures win. They stay at the top. They are pics of Brian and I on a lovely Spring Saturday! We went out to brekky at one of our favourite cafes, went to the park, and then hit the markets. It was a GREAT day!

pity. party.

well, this week is probably the biggest week in the life of our church. hillsong church. its hillsong conference. some of the world's best and well known leaders, pastors, and worship artists gather for one week in acer arena. its huge. i mean a REALLY BIG deal. everyone who is anyone is there. as apart of the college's requirements, the students are required to serve. so brian and all of the other students are there. serving. experiencing. and loving every second. our housemates are there. experiencing and loving it. and where am i, you ask? i am sitting on our couch with a blanket watching tv. not at conference. and feeling sorry for myself. and why am i not there? well, i am blessed with an incredible job. i really do LOVE my job and feel so blessed. however, we are in the midst of an extremely busy season/translation: i work until 5:30pm-6pm. the evening session of conference begin at 6pm...just in time...right? well, its an hour and a half train ride. i would get there as it was wrapping up. boo. so that is why i'm on the couch during the biggest week in church life. okay, enough with debbie downer. as i was sitting on the couch feeling sorry for myself i realized how much i have to be thankful for...

*time to relax after an insanely busy day

*an incredible job that keeps me insanely busy

*amazing housemates who i love living life with

*incredible friends who will fill me in on every detail of conference

*a PHENOMENAL husband who puts up with my pity parties and loves me through them and teaches me what true serving is

*an incredible heavenly father who i get extra alone time with this week

so thank you for allowing me to get all that out. i feel much better. you never thought you would be my therapist, did you?!

xoxo

erika//

life in photos.

Hey everybody, we just wanted to share these with you so you could be a part of our day out in the city. We love you all so much and hope that you have a great fathers day in the U.S.

Driving in Australia and other things!!!

Hey everybody it has been a bit since I have blogged so I am here to tell you a little bit of what has been going on here.  I got to drive yesterday for the first time in 6 months.  It was so nice to be in a car and driving around, that is until I pulled out onto the street and cars were coming at me!!! Oh yes out of such habit I started driving down the right side of the road, and good thing it was on a side street.  There was no danger and I quickly went to the left side of the road, and had no trouble the rest of the time.  I was quickly reminded of all the comforts of having just a mode of transportation and how nice it is to just get in the car and go.  Most of the time we are waiting on busses and trains.  While it wasn't our car and we are back to the public transport which is really good here, I had so much fun driving!  Can I just start this post out by saying God is so good.  I am learning so much through him and all the classes that I am taking. 

I am learning in songwriting that when you get the most cliche thoughts, write them down, then go back and figure out new and fresh ways to say that same thing.  I have learned so much about leadership and communication as well.  I could write a whole wall posting on just what i have learned this semester, but will spare you a really long post.  

Erika and I are doing really well.  We are loving the new place and love our new flat mates.  They are such a huge blessing in our lives and really enjoy having a friendship with people that are our age and in a similar place and situation that we are.  

I have just about finished a song that i have been working on since we arrived here.  I know that it's a really long time to work on a song, but I heard some of the best advice and wisdom about that from someone i just met today.  He said "It's funny how you can spend months and months writing a song, and then there are the times where a song comes to you in about 3 minutes.  The really frustrating part is when people like the song that took 3 minutes better than the one that took months.  The good thing is that the 3 minute songs come through the learning and frustrations that come from a song that takes months and months to write."  That was such a great revelation and help to me.

I hope everything is going well at home.  I hear and see on the news that things are difficult in a lot of the country.  I want to leave you with this verse John 14:27, which was also a great inspiration to the song that I am writing.  Jesus says "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."  

We love you all and thank you for your support through prayers and finance.  You are such a blessing to us and we are forever grateful.

brian