Small Boat, Big Sea and Big Boat Aussie

A couple of things we've experienced thus far are a couple of interesting worship services. We were sitting on the steps of a huge library looking at a map the first day we were in Sydney and someone passing by asked if we needed help. We were trying to find where Hillsong Church was located. The woman helped us and then invited us to her church called Small Boat Big Sea in Manly. We just happened to be in Manly the next evening so we decided to seek it out as we were feeling the need for spiritual renewal. The church was like a house church. There were about 30 adults and a handful of kids. Everyone rotated with doing during aspects of church like praying, giving a message (more like leading a bible study discussion). They start every service by having a potluck meal together. Everyone was so incredible welcoming and engaged us and made us feel very welcome. People were offering their services and encouragement. They fed us even though we brought nothing (we didn't know). The coolest part was when they had someone share their testimony of sorts or just more like their background and what they are doing now. Then, different people piped up and affirmed them in who they were and how they saw that person sharing God's love (they called it "sending" the person). Very beautiful to witness. The second service we were part of was this last Sunday. We finally made it to Hillsong Church. Very Mega Church like and an exact opposite of Small Boat. It was cool to walk into the foyer and hear all of these different languages and people mingling from all walks of life. The service was almost like a theater production. The graphics and visuals were astounding. The worship was very good and there were at least twenty people on stage. At one point they went "online" with the other campuses for some announcements and I thought I was watching a news show with news anchors. The pastor's message was more like hearing a motivational speaker at a conference...not bad, just different. The people were once again very welcoming and accomodating. It was of course to fly under the radar there but we connected with a couple of people to get more info.

Anyway, Tara and I awoke with some tentative good news. A data entry temp job called me and asked us to come in tomorrow for an interview/typing test. We are trying not to be too hopeful but if it does work, we'd be very grateful. We don't know much about it. Sounds a little brain numbing but we are definitely NOT picky. We're still throwing out apps and calling places. Last night we went to the Opera House to witness the light show they are putting on. It was pretty and a good walk. Tonight we're thinking of going down Oxford Street, a funky/alternative part of town. We trying to keep it cheap and just people watch for the most part. We did get a free pass to go to the Sydney Aquarium and we did that on Sunday. It was fun to see Sydney's sea life up close and personal. Tara loved it, as she is a more passionate animal lover than I but I must admit I was getting into it a bit.

We continue to have crazy little moments. Like when Tara and I were crossing the street and a bus breezed by here and missed her literally by inches. As a delayed and dismayed reaction, I reached out and pulled her to me. Really if she had tripped or stumbled to her left at all she would have been laid out flat...crazy Sydney drivers!!!!