A whirlwind of grocery stores, butchers, trolleys (shopping carts), produce stands, order forms, and more order forms is what our life has quickly turned into. Nate and I are "house parents" to 22 college students at a Uni (university) called Wesley Institute. And while the free housing and food is a great blessing, the job comes with its challenges...like multiplying all my cooking by....12. (and we questioned our 3rd grade teacher why we needed to know our times tables that high) The students have moved in and classes have begun, and so has our fun! After being married for a mere 4 months, Nate and I have gone from quiet evenings alone after a quick 15 minute meal...to chopping veggies and meat for and hour and then cooking for another hour and trying to figure out if 17 lbs of meat will really be enough...which it wasn't; dropping students off at school and picking them up, filling numerous grocery carts full of food, and cleaning up after all is said and done. But there are many joys to the job as well. The students are tremendous, very helpful and kind. We all live in a big house and hostel, eat meals together, watch movies, play games, and function- so far (it's only been a week)- with no real problems. All in all our new job is a great new ministry and really a blessing straight from God.

We have had a couple of wonderful days without work. After going to Manly Beach once, Nate insisted on finally spending his long saved graduation money on a couple used surfboards. Last weekend he got his first shot of some Aussie waves. Do remember seasons are opposite and it is dead winter here. Which is why you could find me, the "supportive wife" on sitting on the shore with three layers on, reading a book. But the weather is looking more beautiful each day so we are looking forward to a nice Aussie spring. We miss all you guys back home, and love reading your comments!