Back To School!

Yes, that is correct! Today is Brian's first day at Hillsong Leadership College! He was so excited! And so was I. I think I got a glimpse at motherhood today. I felt as if I was sending my firstborn off to school for the first time. I made him a hearty breakfast, packed him a sack lunch, and got him on his way! I was so PROUD! I even shed some tears after he left. I can't wait to see what the Lord has for my Bri. Here are some other goings on in our world...
*We celebrated our first holiday, Australia Day, in Sydney! Australia Day is the day the country was founded. However, Australia is NOT a completely independent country. They are a commonwealth of England. We had a great weekend of celebration complete with: a great dinner at a quaint cafe, trip to downtown Sydney, a trip to Darling Harbour (AMAZING), BBQ with friends, pool time, and movies! A great weekend.
*Internet. Still don't have it in the flat. Getting frustrated...grr! We rely on quaint cafe's and internet cafes near our place to get connected.
*There is a hole in the ozone above Sydney. I've been told this by heaps of people. However, I am now experiencing it, first-hand, with the burn I got laying out.
*Coffee. Coffee is divine. No exaggeration. I've never experienced coffee like it is here. However, there is NO such thing as "drip coffee" its all specialty. Just a note on how good it is...Brian has become a coffee drinker! And if you know Brian, you know just how great the coffee is here!
*J-O-B. I've applied to heaps and heaps of jobs. I'm an expert at the whole application/resume process now! There are lots of great opportunities out there. Please pray that I find a job that I enjoy soon! Brian cannot begin work until he has his school schedule which will be after Wednesday.
*Church...so much to say on this subject. In the short time we've attended Hillsong, I've learned SO much. As a matter of fact, I'm STILL processing. I am going to devote a WHOLE post on this later this week. Lets just say, God is at work in this place!
So good to be in blog world today. We love you all heaps and heaps!

Australian Dictionary:
Rubbish-Trash
Arvo-Afternoon
Sunnies-Sunglasses
I reckon-I believe, I think
Tomato Sauce-Ketchup
Take Away-To go
Lollie-Candy

A Taste of Sydney

Sorry our posts are few and far between since we've arrived, but we don't have internet in our flat yet.  Internet service is very different here.  You must pay by download and not a flat fee each month.  Crazy.  So we're trying to find the best package for us.  In addition, we are waiting on our debit cards to arrive, and can't set up internet until they do.  So we're crossing our fingers to get wireless by the end of the week.  So bare with us till then!!!  However, we do have some pictures of the city.  And can I say its beautiful here?  Since we've arrived we've spent most of our time finding appliances and furniture for our flat.  So we haven't had lots of time to explore the city yet.  Most of these pics were taken at Rose Bay.  Tomorrow we are FINALLY going to the beach, so we'll have heaps more pics later.  So start the drumroll......here is Sydney:

This is us next to Rose Bay on our way to our friends' place.  We had so much fun with them!!!

This is the view from our balcony in our room.  Unbelievable!

Well, that is going to have to do for now.  We'll post more after we visit the lovely beach tomorrow.  Words can't express how much we appreciate your prayers.  We love you all SO much.  And miss you heaps!!!

Australian Dictionary:

Flat-apartment

Heaps-lots

*Thought you might need this, so you can learn the Aussie way too!!!

G'day from Sydney!

Hello All!

We arrived safe, sound, and with all our luggage here in Sydney on Thursday (our time). While I'd love to tell you about our journey so far, we don't have phone or internet hookup yet. It is one of our top priorities so we can start communicating regularly. Just wanted to say we're here safe, LOVE IT, and will be up and running with internet soon!

Thanks so much for all of your prayers of safe travel over us! We felt them. It was such a smooth travel.

More soon!!

erika.

Bon Voyage!

Tomorrow is the day!  The day we've known about for 9 months!  This journey leading up to tomorrow has had the highest of highs and lowest of lows.  Nothing has stretched my faith like this process.  Through all of the laughter and tears, God's hand has been evident in it all.  I've witnessed miracles.  Like I've never before.  And I can't wait to see what he has in store.  I know there will be more laughter and tears.  But I know we'll see our faithful heavenly Father through it all. And for that I'm excited.  I'm excited to see even bigger miracles than I've witnessed already.  

As we travel, we'd love & appreciate all the prayer we can get!  Those of you who have ever gotten on a plane and experienced delays know what I'm talking about!  Here are a couple of requests:  

*Weather-It is supposed to snow a considerable amount in Chicago, and unfortunately we are flying through O'Hare.  Please pray that we will not experience any delays and arrive to Sydney as planned.

*Luggage-On a mission trip to India my luggage was separated from the plane.  I went 2 days without anything but the clothes on my back.  Terrible.  However, this time we are traveling with ALL our belongings.  Please pray that our luggage arrives at the Sydney Airport WITH us.  

*Smooth Travel-Alert Pilot, safe travel conditions, etc.  A gracious friend in Sydney has agreed to pick us up from the airport when we arrive.  We also have a "welcoming team" waiting at the church for us.  I would HATE to miss this due to a delay.  Please pray that we won't experience any significant delays that would push our arrival in Sydney back. 

*Sleep-I don't sleep much on airplanes.  Our total travel time is 31 hours.  Enough said. 

*Health-No sleep.  Close quarters.  Winter.  Time change.  Again, enough said.

*Arrival-Pray that despite all the LONG hours traveling we won't be so overwhelmed when we arrive that we miss out on enjoying our first day in Sydney!

Thanks so much for your prayers.  There are no words to describe our gratitude for you all.  We truly have felt such a blanket of prayer over us.  We couldn't have done it without 'em.  

Last, but not least, travel details.  We will leave KCI at 9:55am tomorrow morning and fly to Chicago, LA, Fiji, and then arrive in Sydney Wednesday night at 7:30pm (your time).  It will be 12:30 pm Sydney time.  FYI, we are 17 hours ahead in Sydney.

Next time we blog we'll be in the land "down under"!!!!

XOXO

erika.

9 Days

Bandy/Opperman Family Christmas'

Bandy Family

Opperman Family

 9 Days, oh my goodness it is so close.  It has been a long time coming, but has gone so fast.  We have had so much fun through this whole process so far.  We are so so so very grateful for all of your prayers and support.  We have heard from so many of you, words of encouragement and that you are praying for us, and believe me we can definitely tell.  God is blessing us so much with everything that we need.  We have made contacts there and people that we are so excited to meet in person.  

We had such a fun Christmas and last few weeks with our families.  Please pray for us in this area.  Erika and I are very family oriented and will miss our families very much.  We had the Opperman side of the family Christmas on the 23rd, and we had the Bandy side of the family Christmas on Christmas Day.  Attached are some pictures of the fun that we have had with our families.   Thank you all so much again for being a part of our lives and investing in us.  I cant wait to take a lot of pictures when we first get there, and share them with you. 

Tidbits

Sorry it's been so long since we've updated. These past few weeks have been a whirlwind, and I have a feeling our last few weeks in the States will not be any less crazy! But its a good crazy. Our next weeks include spending as much time with family and friends as possible while squeezing in last minute preparations. Brian and I are savoring every second. Not taking anything for granted. A lot has happened since the last post, so I'm going to give you the reader's digest version. I promise our next post will include pictures of all the fun we're having with family and friends.

• We have an APARTMENT. I know this was included in the last post, but I'll go into some detail. We will be living in the on campus apartments for married students. However this is not your momma's normal campus apartments. Hillsong leases a complex of apartments from a large company in Sydney. They are located in Waterloo, which is in Sydney, next to campus and church. Very convienent for Brian to walk to class. We're right there with the heart of Sydney at our fingertips which is great for job opportunities and transportation...and shopping(not that I would EVER dream of such a thing)....hehe. Our apartment consists of a master suite (bedroom and bathroom), kitchen/dining area, and a living room. Here is the link for you to take a virtual tour of a similar apartment. Ours won't come with all the decor and such but it will give you an idea of the layout of our place. http://www.realestate.com.au/realestate/agent/meriton+sydney/mhdsyd/102589302
• I'm DREADING packing. Brian and I are taking 3 suitcases a piece, however, we were informed by our international flight that none of the suitcases can exceed 66lbs... or else. Or else we have to LEAVE something at the airport. No fees, but if it the weight is over the limit you CAN'T take it with you. The kind lady with the airline informed us that with international flights they have to put a strict policy in place or their won't be enough luggage room for all the passengers. This means I'm gonna have to master the art of packing. We have some tricks up our sleeves. I have a blueprint of our suitcases and I know what is going in each suitcase! On the up side, this has made me get rid of things I NEVER wear. It also helps that we won't need a bunch of heavy sweaters or coats.
• We're on the job hunt. Brian already has an interview lined up shortly after we arrive and a lead on another job. Please continue to pray that the Lord provide us with jobs. On the job note, tomorrow is our LAST day of working here in the States. I am going to miss Commerce so much. When I started I just thought it would be a good temporary job, but nothing more. I never imagined I'd make such great relationships with my coworkers. What a blessing these people and job has been for me. My last day will definately bring tears. But they're throwing me a party, so it will be a day of laughter as well!
• It SNOWED in KC...TWICE. As it was coming down I was thinking about how much I'll miss snow in Sydney. That was until I had to drive in it...ick! It nearly doubled my commute time.

T minus 27 days till take off!

Happy Thanksgiving Eve

I write to you on the eve of our last Thanksgiving in the States for awhile. Bittersweet. I am determined to absorb and cherish each memory this Thanksgiving and weekend holds. The smell of turkey coming out of the oven. Cooking with my mom and mother in law. Sounds of laughter around the table. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. The book my dad reads to me each year about the pilgrim's voyage. Just the feeling of love this day brings. But most of all I cherish, at the risk of sounding cliche, the selflessness and thanfulness that comes with this holiday. This year I am especially thankful. I have so much to be thankful for: my near perfect husband, amazing family, friends...I could go on and on, but this year I am most thankful to be adopted. Thats right adopted.

" 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.... Ephesians 1:1-5.

Let me be real and painfully transparent with you. This week has been rough. And when I say rough I mean rough. I've spent many moments with the Lord weeping and longing. My mind has been a battleground between the Truth and lies. Satan has tried, and sometimes, conquered my thoughts this week. Somedays I felt extremely defeated. Alas, I knew this was coming. My faith has been increased ten fold through this process of leaving, and I've seen the Lord work in ways that would leave your mouth on the floor. And when God moves, Satan isn't far. So he's trying everything in his power to get my mind off of the Lord and shake my faith. You name it and he's used it. Heartache in relationships. Dissapointment from friends I thought would ALWAYS be there. Not feeling good enough. Fear. Missing my family. He hit me in areas most precious to my heart. Ahh but TRUTH prevails. And it finally pierced the darkness this morning. As I was reading Ephesians this morning in my time with the Lord, ADOPTED nearly lept off the page. The Lord gently whispered in my Spirit, "I've adopted you, Erika. You belong to me. You are not of the world. This is not your home. You don't belong here. You were made for much more." This Truth hit me like a load of bricks. I've known this for a long time. But it wasn't until earthly things I once held dear have been ripped from my grip, did I begin to realize they don't bring true contentment. It wasn't until I HAD to cling to Christ, did I realize those things and relationships will always dissappoint me. They will never bring TRUE contentment or satisfaction. Why? Because I was made for Christ. Period. Things of this world can't satisfy a soul that belongs to Christ and heaven bound. These earthly treasures and relationships are blessings that the Lord gives to us as gifts for here on earth. They were never meant to fill us. Or be held higher than the Giver. However, so many times we exalt and lift them higher than the Lord. Only to find we are left dissapointed and empty no matter how great the relationship or thing. I know this is a Truth we are taught very young in Sunday School, however, knowing it in your head and experiencing it in your heart are very different.

So this Thanksgiving as I sit around in good company of the best family one could wish for, I will be reflecting and thankful for the earthly blessings and relationships the Lord has given me, but I will be MOST thankful for adoption. Adoption by Jesus Christ whom my heart belongs. Thankful for the only One who brings contentment to my weary soul. Longing for my true home where I get to spend an eternity with my Savior face to face. Now thats something to be thankful for. I leave you with some lyrics that describe my heart exactly. The song is called "The CS Lewis Song" by my favorite Brooke Fraser.

If I find in myself desires nothing in this world can satisfy,I can only conclude that I was not made for here. If the flesh that I fight is at best only light and momentary,then of course I'll feel nude when to where I'm destined I'm compared.

Speak to me in the light of the dawn. Mercy comes with the morning. I will sigh and with all creation groan as I wait for hope to come for me

Am I lost or just less found? On the straight or on the roundabout of the wrong way?Is this a soul that stirs in me, is it breaking free, wanting to come alive? 'Cause my comfort would prefer for me to be numb. And avoid the impending birth of who I was born to become

For we, we are not long here. Our time is but a breath, so we better breathe it. And I, I was made to live, I was made to love, I was made to know you. Hope is coming for me. Hope, He's coming.

erika.