Changes

One of the only constants in our lives (besides the presence of the Lord, hallelujah) seems to be the presence of change. In the course of about 4.5 years of marriage *wow* we have moved five times, lived in four different cities, and held many different jobs (Amy: Whitworth campus visit coordinator, full-time student, club vb coach, Starbucks barista, 3rd & 4th grade teacher, summer nanny, high school vb coach. Jonathan: Whitworth tour guide, athlete, construction worker, full-time student, ski instructor, running coach). We've gotten pretty good, I guess, at rollin' with the punches; how could life in Australia prove to be any different? Here are two major changes that have taken place recently.

Change #1: The Job...
I (Amy) am no longer working at the coffee shop (*sigh). Okay, so this is kind of old news but I haven't blogged about it. After being "hired" and working a shift at Rivers Cafe, I repeatedly called the manager for my hours, only to be told to call back later. This cycle continued for a week or two and my little hunch proved true eventually. They decided they were in need of a weekend cook and not a weekday Barista, thus I was sacked (does it count as "sacking" if you only worked one shift?). Of course, it would have been great if they were honest up front, but what can you do? I spent the weeks after looking for work, enjoying a long period of "rest", and running into a lot of dead ends (no substitute teaching, it would take 4 months to become "Queensland Certified" - no childcare, 1.5 months to get a "blue card" -etc...).

Last week, however, things changed. Thanks to a connection we made with an awesome couple at church, I am now employed as.....(drum roll, please)....a cleaning lady. Yes, you read correctly. I, Amy (Mrs.) Hook, am now scrubbing floors, cleaning toilets, and making impressive "hospital corners". It's true. The funny thing about it is that I am actually really enjoying it. Sounds kind of crazy, huh? Yes, it is definitely making me miss those precious 4th graders in Evergreen, CO, but I am just so incredibly thankful to be working and doing something productive. I think it helps to know that it is very much a job for the short term. Still, it is a huge blessing and I am even learning some new techniques:).

Here is a picture of the resort I clean for: Reflections

Change #2: The House...
We are moving on Sunday. Yes, we've only been here for a little over six weeks. Yes, we signed a lease until our departure in May. Yes, you probably think we're crazy. However...an incredible couple from church (we need to include a blog update about our church - we'll do that soon) has offered for us to stay at their home until we depart. They are going on a six-week trip to Europe and want us to "house sit" while they're gone. Since their place is pretty large, they want us to stay there, even after they've returned, until we depart in May. The whole thing was entirely unexpected but will be such a blessing! They also are letting us use their car, their surfboards, and basically anything we'll need. We've met with our landlords and they are letting us out of our lease, praise the Lord! In two days we'll be residents of Buderim, QLD instead of Cotton Tree (Maroochydore). Although we will miss living so close to the beach, we are excited to have our own space again. We'll post pictures of our new "home" later, but here is a picture taken from Buderim (its on a hill overlooking the ocean):
Thankfully, Jonathan has been splitting time between the Maroochydore and Buderim clinics, so we'll still be close to his work two days a week. We're not entirely sure what the internet connection will be like at our new place, so hopefully the blogs will keep coming. We'll do our best!