Growth is such an interesting thing, often you can’t see it happening until
you look back and see how far you have come. I’m moving back to New Zealand in
a few weeks after 8 years in Australia and it’s really made me think about how
far I’ve come.

5th January 2014 we moved as a family to Australia, I was a completely
different person to who I am now. I was trying to learn to love myself, but I
didn’t know if I ever would. I questioned if I would ever be able to get a
proper job, be truly happy in my own skin or ever be able to purse my dreams. I
moved to Australia with the family because I didn’t really believe I had any
other options. 8 years later I’m so incredibly amazed where I am in life now.
God has blessed me so much.

The growth I see in myself makes me so proud. I have seen so much of the
world, had so amazing jobs, meet so many awesome people, I truly love myself
and the person I am becoming. I have learnt to be brave, pushed myself outside
my comfort zones and take daily steps of faith. Covid, job loses, and health
struggles, I have been able to continue to push forward to the places I believe
God is leading me and always aim to seek growth in the good times and bad. I
have become braver in speaking about my struggles and reaching out to those who
are struggling around me.

I have learnt the value and power of speaking encouragement and have become
less caught up in worrying about what others think of me. The last 8 years have
brought me to such a beautiful place of freedom to be radically me. I thank God
for all the work he has done and is continuing to do in my life and all the
amazing people I have in my life. I am blessed beyond measure.