June 18th - August 29th

wow, two months goes by FAST!

Jerrod left on Monday and on Thursday we started our road trip to Queensland. Ten of us went in a van and my car. We stayed the night in Sydney on the way there and back. It took us about 12 hours to get to Sydney and then over 15 to get to the conference. We had a great time. very inspiring and educational. We met heaps of awesome people. We arrived there Fri night and the conference went until noon on Sun. We then drove into Brisbane and stayed the night in Westend with Vonney Andrews and fam. They were brilliant. Imagine putting up 10 people. We began the horrible drive back on Monday. Note to self, "fly"! three of our crew stayed on in westend to do a course with Dave Andrews. It's a hell of a drive for a weekend. But was worth it, and I've now seen much more Oz country side including New South Wales and Queensland.

Got home and went straight back to work at the cafe making lates' to fill in for someone for two weeks. Then Shane and his mom arrived. We spent 3 or 4 days doing the whole tourist thingy with them. They are beautiful people. Full of grace and a strong southern drawl. Shane was very humble (specially for a super star ;) ) It was very encouraging to hear about how they do community in Philly. He's a very unassuming kinda guy, and then he got on stage at the Surrender conference and blew my socks off, and then his mom gave me a pair of socks before they left. Thanks Pat! (not that she would ever see this) He did several speaking engagements and I got to be the driver and then listen in. Most of what he talked about either came from his book or the "Schools for Conversion 12 Marks of a New Monasticism" book. The surrender conference was good. I spent most of my time making coffees (theme of my life in oz). My help didn't show up and I worked my ass off :) Didn't hear many of the speakers. I was at this time kind of over the whole conference thing (as I usually am). Did have a few nice moments and revelations on my own, I'll share those another day. A good friend of mine gave me a book that I'm reading right now it rocks about Julian of Norwich.

We were supposed to have a break after Surrender, but life does have many breaks right now. I've been working at the cafe on and off. The week before last, I did have a week off and it was nice. I had a great day of fasting and had such a rich time with God during some much needed peace and quiet. We have another visitor right now Ciaron OReilly. He's hear from Brisbane. I'm getting too tired trying to explain people :) http://www.peaceontrial.com/
He's a catholic worker Christian anarchist pacifist.... to me he's a cool guy. He's down to earth, funny and I would now consider him a friend. Maybe a future husband for one of my catholic friends in the states ;) (he regrets not marrying)

Aug 13th was our 19 year anniversary... I've now been married more than 1/2 my life... weird at 37. Adriahna has decided to move back to the states to start her uni education towards becoming a Dr. Cheyenne is stressing over what to do with her life. Both want to go third world. Our visa is still in flux. Waiting for approval for the next two years. Planning to move back after Cheyenne graduates in two years. But may be sent back in May when our current visa expires. I'm sure some of you will have your fingers crossed, some not ;)

I have so much more to say, but alas have been called into the cafe to work lunch :)
I'll wrote more soon, promise!
Love,
Raquel