Tasmania ... Home!

Thinking on this...
I have been listening to an album from Bethel Church this morning. While I was singing along to the Lord, I heard Him speak to me. He said, "you are to imitate me"... I want to be so much like God. His love never fails, never runs out, never ever ever gives up on us. So many times, I sing those lyrics and fall at His feet unworthy. But, this time, He wanted me to remember that I am supposed to look like Him. If His love NEVER gives up on me, my love NEVER needs to give up on Him or His people!

We have been in Tasmania for a month & a half now! Getting here was a story in itself. To be honest, God deserves all the glory for everything that has happened in the last few months & I hope that what I say will somehow produce praise & thanksgiving!

A few months ago, our dear friend Jess (& her family) offered for us to travel using a Delta buddy pass! -- Back track: on the day that they offered this, we were wondering how God would ever get to me to Australia. Considering the fact that neither of us were working full-time, in fact we were volunteering all of our time, we had no idea how we would afford to travel all the way across the world. Thankfully, Callum already had his ticket booked, from months before we were ever married. God kept telling me, "the money is on it's way"... and as much as I didn't know how to trust God, He allowed me to cling to that promise-- So, we rejoiced and agreed to use the buddy pass! With tears & gladness, we could feel God's hand and we knew He was using their family to fulfill His promises! The next day, Callum & I were sitting in Starbucks enjoying delicious coffee! While we were just enjoying the day, still unsure of how we would face the next couple of months with no secure income, Callum started to smile really big! He looked at me with such happiness and security and said, the money came through! His bank account went from a little under $100 to a few thousand more than what we would need to pay for my VISA (a spousal visa is roughly $2400). His tax money came through & let's just say, it was WAY more than we expected. God is our provider. So, in just a matter of a few days... we started to see everything changing for us! We started to see that God never ever speaks without fulfilling His word. The verse that says, "no word of God will ever return void," started to become a common theme! God is with us; He is with us, and we will never be able to deny that. All to say, everything was looking up.

We spent everyday preparing for the big transfer to Australia. The day that I was supposed to leave, I went to the airport and left my family (Callum included). My flights were going to take me from Alabama to North Carolina to Atlanta to Los Angeles to Sydney to Tasmania! So, in case you didn't notice... I had to fly all the way across America before I ever left! To me, that was amazing! The way the buddy pass works is, every customer that pays full price is going to get on the plane (duh) -- but, every person on a buddy pass gets put on a standby list. On the flight from Atlanta to LA, my name was roughly number 11. Thankfully, I got on. Then, in LA everything changed. The first night, I was pretty high up on the list; everyone got on the plane, except for me. The next night, there was one spot left; the couple in front of me had the choice to leave the ticket to me or to separate and let one of them go; after thinking about it right before me, they decided to separate. I started crying, hysterically. They told me that I was most likely not going to get on the next night either. After letting myself cry for a while, I started to realize just how perfect God is. Before leaving my mom, Alex & Callum, I asked God why I had to go into the promised land before my husband. I wanted him to go before me; I needed my husband to lead the way. The second night that I was in the airport, Callum wasn't allowed on his flight; they moved him to the next flight out, which had some delays and did not leave until 10 minutes after the plane that I was trying to get on left. So, all to say, God gave me peace; He showed me that Callum was going before me to make a way. How perfect & awesome is our God? That third day, I stopped thinking about if I would get on the plane or not. Instead, I found ways to bless God. I looked for opportunity to bring praise to Jesus in the airport. On that day, I talked with so many people. As often as I could, I shared the story of Callum & I. Everyone that I shared with said, "You need to write a book, your story is really amazing". It blessed me to know that God would allow me to share and inspire so many people after such a sad day full of tears. He always restores us & uses us, because He loves us. That day, an older woman (who was going to be flying to Sydney on the flight that I was hoping to leave out on) said that she was very cold (with broken english)... and so, I decided to let her borrow the quilt that my mom gave to me (you have to understand, the last quilt my mom gave me "disappeared" and so I am very attached to this new quilt). She was overjoyed and made a pallet on the floor next to me; she slept for at least three hours. While she was sleeping I looked over at her and the Lord spoke clearly to my heart by saying, "Just as you have covered her, I will cover you". How amazing? At that point, I did not care if I would get on the plane or if He was just promising to keep me safe. I was just glad to hear His voice so clear! Just a little while after, I went to the Delta desk & asked if there was any chance that I would be getting on the flight that night. The lady at the desk, who had become very familiar with me, said, "No, I am sorry, there is an over booking of 10 and you are already so far down on the list". As much as I wanted to cry, shout and explode right there- peace covered me and reminded me that God would be protecting me! So, I sat down & decided not to look at the standby list the rest of the night. Around 10:50 when the flight was about to leave, I went up to the desk and asked again. This time the response was totally different; the young woman said, "Actually, yes, you should be getting on Chynna. Because we were overbooked, we had to send a lot of customers to another flight. You should be getting on shortly!" I was so excited, I could hardly wait! I grabbed my backpack & walked right back to the desk. My smile was bigger than it had been in days and tears rolled down my cheek as she said, "LEE". I brought my ticket to her, and ran to the line. Wow! The one flight I definitely SHOULD NOT have gotten on, God made a way. All of my friends were praying. My husband was praying in Australia. God heard the prayers. He made a way when there was no way! Our God is good.

You better believe I was the happiest person on the flight that night! I didn't stop smiling the entire time (that's a long flight too, hehe). A few girls asked me why I was so happy- they were tired, and not wanting to be heading home- when I told them, they were also happy. God is good. He can use us to change the atmosphere, He can. If we are willing, God will use us.

Well, I got to Sydney the next day & hoped to jump on a plane to Tasmania. Unfortunately, while I was standing in line to book the ticket, the flight that I needed to get on went from being "open" to "closed" right before my eyes. This is when I started to cry again. Another night without my husband? Another night alone? All I knew was that I would not be spending the night in the Sydney airport. After ten minutes of trying to figure out how Australian phone numbers work, I called my husband and told him that I missed the flight out. It was all okay. He booked me a hotel very close by (a nice hotel- a very nice hotel). I went straight to the hotel, took a long long long bath, changed into clean clothes and fell asleep until the next morning! I woke up very early that morning & headed to the Airport earlier than I needed to be there. On the shuttle over, I met a young woman named Jo. She was so pleasant and offered to help me to get to the flight, because she also was headed to Tasmania. We both needed to weigh our bags, because we were not sure if we packed too much or not- so, eventually we were sent to a counter that was empty. The lady who was checking our bags asked if we wanted to go ahead and check in, which was such a blessing! We said yes with so much joy. She then asked if we wanted to sit next to each other! Jo was so happy to answer, saying that would be great. When the young lady got to me, she was super glad! She said, "you're American, what are you doing here?" I told her that my husband was Tasmanian and I would be visiting with him for a few months- I briefly told her my story and she was so happy! She said that earlier that morning she was praying that God would speak to her directly that day & that He used me to do so- she has a heart for America & desires more than anything to be married. God is so sweet. Well, she ended up giving Jo & I REALLY good seats because Jo had recently been bitten by a spider and needed extra leg room! It was awesome! Jo & I enjoyed each other the entire flight over. Once we made it to Tasmania, I was so ready to see my husband! When I saw his face, my heart started to beat so fast. I couldn't think about anything else! God was so sweet to let me be with my husband!

I met his mum & dad face-to-face. Apart of me felt like I knew them my entire life, probably because we've kept in touch over the last year, but apart of me felt like I had no idea who they really were. I still feel that way. They are great people and I am glad that we are all family now.

Within the last month, a lot has been happening. At first, Callum & I spent some time relaxing and enjoying the town together. Then, Callum was called back to work at Cash Converters. He has been hoping for full-time work and his job has been very good to him. Although many days are hard, he is able to work and provide for us! God is good.

Most days lately, I knit while Callum is at work. Recently, I have spent time with some new friends (which has been really good for my heart). I also take long walks to town and just enjoy the city.

The truth is, I am so happy to be here with my husband. I wouldn't trade anything in the world for this. Callum is the most exciting, gentle, precious, genuine, humble and honest man I know. He is constantly finding ways to make my stay here more comfortable. Being with him is the best gift I have ever been given.

One thing that was overwhelming us, and making it hard for us to think about getting our own place, was the thought that I had to leave Australia in January (because that is when my ETA expires). But, just this week we found out that I can extend my stay & it will not interfere with my Partner Visa!! This means that when my Partner Visa is about to be approved, the government with notify me and I will leave the country- when I leave the country, they will approve me and I can go back to Australia with a more permanent Visa! How good is God? Instead of being separated from my husband for months, I will only be separated from him for a few days! We may not even be separated for a few days, because we have considered going on a vacation during that time! :) So, all is really good. God is answering every prayer and making a way for us to be together.

If any of you are wondering the hardest part so far, it is being away from my family. I have the most precious mom in the world; she is gentle, patient, very quiet, and polite in all that she does. My mom fears God; she never assumes herself above anyone and always finds a way to be an example of humility. I have a lovely mom. Being away from her is VERY hard, but I am thankful that God is with her. I am thankful that God keeps reminding me that there is no distance in the spirit. Another important one that we miss is Alex. Alex is the most intelligent, wise, forgiving, hopeful, quiet young man we know! We have been blessed to know these two & being away from them is hard. Every day, it does get a little easier. God is giving both of us peace by reminding us that we can pray for them & that we will always be family- no matter how far we travel.

We are currently staying with Ms. Deb, Callum's mum. Ms. Deb is lovely. She really does give as much as she can to make sure that we are comfortable. It is not every day that you find someone willing to let two 21 year olds live with them. We are thankful to God for her.

Our hope is to find a place in town! We want to find a home with two bedrooms, so that we can have guests from the States come and stay whenever they can! If we can, we are going to rent for a little bit. Once we know for sure that this is where we will stay for a while, we are going to look into buying a house here.

Please pray for us in this season. Everything is new, but all is good. We are more than blessed! Thank you to all who have been so supportive in this change! To our friends & family back in the States, we love you and thank God for you all.


<3 Chynna Reece