21 days n’ (not counting)…

Can’t remember if I’ve ever said this here… but I find that during a time of transition, everything seems more ‘meaningful.’ It’s as if your senses become heightened. Sunsets and sunrises appear more beautiful… Greens look greener, blues look bluer… And the presence of your friends?… SO precious!!!

Tonight I had the privilege of having dinner with a bunch of amazing people that I serve in church with (actually my last Connect *sob*). We had a feast (totally should do this more often!!!) and then a time when everyone just said the loveliest things to me. Everyone encouraged my heart and many spoke words that God knew I needed to hear.

I have to admit I was a little ‘nervous’ going into my first ‘farewell’ as I was sure I’d be a soppy ‘wreck!’ But ha! thanks to my crazy counterparts, there were many laughs all through the night! From the crazy game we, a competitive bunch of “only-winner-wannabes” played… to someone’s description of me being ‘multiple!!!’ (It was s’posed to be ‘mouldable’), it was just madness all around.

So I just need to say this… I am SO THANKFUL for all the VERY AMAZING people that God has put in my life thus far. I have been blessed with the FINEST friends and leaders all around and I am truly honoured to be able to do life with all of you. YOU! have totally helped me become who I am today because of your love, care, wisdom, guidance, prayers and JUST BECAUSE we are a team… and teams sharpen each other!

I am glad that I am ‘not leaving’… but just ‘extending the family!’ It’s heart-warming to know that my family now spans three continents *Yaay!*

I like the Wallabies new coach already…

“You can see with the Crusaders, no matter what the personnel, every year (we) have always moulded, believing in the same thing.

“The team comes first. The Crusaders are there to succeed, not individuals. Then individuals come second and they do succeed because of that.

“That’s the thing I’ve learnt the most being in the Crusaders playing under Robbie.

“And I think that’s been from day one and a big reason for the Crusaders’ success and I’m sure that will be exercised (at the Wallabies).

“It will be interesting.”

McCaw said one of the best qualities Deans had spread throughout the Crusaders camp was treating each other as equals.

“No matter who you are as a player, whether you’re a 50-Test All Black or a first-game Crusader, you’re all treated the same and you all live by the same values,” he said.

“You go out there to play for your mates, play for your jersey. We always say it’s better to have a champion team than a team of champions and that’s the sort of ethos that runs through the team.

“Because of that, you buy into what you do and it makes it fun.”

-Robbie Deans [Excerpt taken from Sydney Morning Herald]