A-hoy mateys....

Well... the compulsive blogging begins once again...

I'm going to ATTEMPT to take you on a journey for this next season of my life. I am stepping into a SHIP world... you know... Maritime... that i've never dreamed of being a part of but now i am here and i want to take you with me... The "YWAM Australia and PNG Ship Tour" has finally begun!! ... This is a major part of my ministry and I am full on, front-row and literally, on-board of the MV Pacific Link ship! ... As of February 23, we have begun the 16 port tour of Australia, with the purpose of bringing awareness of Papua New Guinea and bringing a message to the youth of Australia that they can make a difference with their life... and opening the door into missions is just one way...

And so here i am... like i said, im going to attempt to bring you on a journey on all the highlights of the ship tour as i am in a different city in Australia for the next 10 weeks... so come along with me, and bare with me as i try to update you as much as possibe as i try and find free internet at McDonalds or wherever i can... a-hoy mateys... i am sooo excited!! ...

an aussie chrissy & the charismatic carolers

You know those little baby jumpers that say "My very First Christmas?"... well i wish someone got me a onesie that said "My first Aussie Christmas"... because thats what it was... as much as i did have my heart set out on going home to chilly california as i do every year, i must admit that i had a pretty amazing time celebrating the holidays with friends... my family... here in townsville! ... We enjoyed each others company, stuffed our faces with the best food and continued with cookie gluttony, sat around and watched movies in the air conditioning, opened our overflowing stockings with goodies and presents and sang the most horrid off-key christmas carols... all these things were fun and made it all special, but one of the best things was knowing that I wasn't 'alone'... not only am i talking about a physical presence of people... but a deep deep joy of knowing that the Birthday Celebrant Himself, the One who I am in relationship with, knows everything about me and knows everything that I needed to make me feel rested and happy... and He gave that to me... and that... is a priceless gift.

The Charismatic Carolers from joanna orpia on Vimeo.

... and now just for fun... and speaking of something priceless.... This is how we ended our Christmas Day... and yes, we literally went door to door and surprised our friends with our oh so wonderful rendition of carols... until next year...

uncontrollable weather & jumping castles

If someone told me i'd be a wedding photographer more than once, i'd laugh... im laughing now... I just recently photographed my friends' sisters wedding down in beautiful Byron Bay in New South Wales (2 hours from Brisbane)... Despite the lack of SD cards, evident pressure and working under uncontrollable weather (boo for a bit of rain, but whoo-hoo for the overcast), it ended up being quite fun & enjoyable... it was a farm wedding & they hired a jumping castles for the photos! ... doesn't that say enough? ...

Australia & PNG Ship Tour Video.... done.

So why did I go to Papua New Guinea back anyway?... Well, long story short... our centre is getting ready to bring in a medical ship next year that will provide medical aid to the people of Papua New Guinea. So working in the media department, we were given the task to create a video that would give people an overall picture of what we are trying to accomplish and how people can be involved. So I went to PNG to photograph and gather video footage, came back and edited, my genius friend nick did the motion graphics, and our brilliant friends did the soundtrack ... it was a 4 month journey getting this all done (and trust me- it wasn't the easiest) ... but yet... it was all worth it and very rewarding seeing the finished product. And we know that this tool is going to be multiplied for more purposes that one ...

twenty seven and counting...

Its pretty big to say... but... i may have had the best birthday celebration this year ... well, it goes pretty high up on the list... me and my friend sam had the same birthday week so our friends planned a camping trip for a couple of days out at Bagal Beach... it really is who your surrounded by when you blow out the candles that makes it so special and memorable... and i have been so blesssed with some good mates to bring in the new year... happy 27 to me...

a Kelowna destination wedding ...

I made a trip last summer up to Kelowna, Canada for a couple of my best friends' Stephen and Amanda's wedding. Yes, my crazy partner-in-crime-for-years Stephen got married! ... It was a sweet honour being a part of their wedding party and though the visit was too short, it was heaps fun and weddings are a great excuse for reunions. i reckon they should just call it a 'wedunion' or a 'unidding'.... okay maybe not...
check out more photos of the wedding here