Quick update :)

Had crazy week. Am doing well
will blog more in morning about the week. Trying to have early night as I have day off tomorrow so lots to see and get done
love u all and bless u. Will blog and fill u in tomorrow

Love leah

Sunday in new York

Had awesome Sunday
went to time square salvos in morning. Was totally awesome. One of best church services and worship i've been to ever. Going there on Tuesday night for their awesome dancing and English ministry. Can't wait

Then I slept like no tomorrow. Slowly catching up
was going exploring but slept so long
then I went to combined salvos youth musical

Wore my new leather jacket - ok I know but I like it soooo much

The church was packed with all different nationality was awesome.
The worship was great. They did some in englsih and some in Spanish. Was awesome seeing commissioner and Dhq staff dancing and singing Spanish


They prayed half in English and half in Spanish. Was great

The musical was spoof incredible. Life changing. I was a blubbering mess :)
it was written by young girl here from the army. It was amazing
people were just flooding down the aisle to meet Jesus in the alter call. So cool. Felt like I was hearing William booth preAching. The church is massive old theatre. Was siooooooo awesome. Words can't describe how great jt was
you can watch it at sallytube.org it's so good. Not seeig it in person means u won't get full affect but one day she's hoping to have it all copywrighted so we can bring it to Australia
for those who have seen heavens gates hella flame. This is up there with that. So good
I hang around meetig some people

I was soooooooooo embarrassed when at the start they were welcoming eveyone they introduced me and asked me to stand. In front of like 1000 people. Me in my boots and massive earrigd and Leather Jacket. I got huge jeer was so nice. Everyone is great had chief secretary next to me and we had gorgeous Latino bubby in front we kept playing with. Was great nite all round

Then went wandering the streets to get some things and now gettig ready for bed

More touring the different centres tomorrow. Going to Bronx and HIV programs. Can't wait. Can't wait
then hopefully off to Washington for few days.
Miss u all
keep open to Gods spirit :)
love u all. XXXXXXXX

Saturday checking out ministries

Well what an awesome day I had
I had my very own driver pick me up
I envisioned someone in a suit or army uniform but he was a rapper :) so awesome. He was such a gentleman he opened my doors and helped up into car.
It was quite funny he drove me past where jay-z grew up. And where 50cent grew up.
Was really funny
The first place he drove me to was briarwood an awesome shelter for families. They house 91 families and run programs to help the families get back on their feet. Families can stay for up to 6-9months. They run a homework club. They have a daycare and English program. The families get a small but self contained unit. It is such a lovely place in a nice area of queens. They work hard to make it nice and Like one big family.
They have awesome big buddy system on Saturdays where selected college students get a little buddy from the shelter a child between ages of 6-16. Awesome program they go out each saturday morning and do fun things around the city
fantastic
it is such a safe shelter too. No alcohol or drugs anywhere as they search it often to keep it safe and loving for families
I also ended up being there on the day they were havin a coat drive where each person gets brand new winter snow coat and cloves beanie and scarf. They are brand new donated from public. Was totally awesome. They were so grateful as it's freezing here

Then I went to a home for severly mentally and physically disabled young people between 21-35
is fantastic
got to spend rest of day there they were such precious people. It is the best home I have ever seen. From outside it looks just like a big beautiful house. On the inside it's just like a home. Not like a hospital or institutions. And the best 2 things. U can feel the love all throughout the home and and u can feel God there and they also take them away on holidays. They take 3-4 at a time a their carer and they take them to amazing places. Niagata falls. Miami. Florida. They go somewhere different every year. It's amazing.

I had an amazing day. God moved and spoke to me so much. God called the salvation army to this. To be active. Not to be like other churches but to be who God called us to be. I have been feeling that it's time we stop comparing ourselves with other churches because God didn't call us to do awesome Sunday church ( although that can be part of it and we need it to refuel us) but Hes called us to be the hands and feet of Jesus everyday. Bringig people to Jesus everyday throught our acts of kindness and justice. Being Jesus to people and then leading them to the Lord.
Was awesome awesome day

After a rest and sorting through my emotions I went out for tea and went coat shopping. I've been freezing and afte 4 hours I found some I liked. Most shops don't close till 9pm everyday and others later. It's amazing. Awesome Saturday and more tours on Monday with my rapper driver :)
lov u and miss u all

New York

Soooo annoyed right now. It's 10pm and I just Spent 2 hours writing an updated blog and it's didn't send and I lost it. Arg so annoyed
so you'll get a brief one as I'm drooping :)

I have also realised the time change and my busy and emotional schedule makes me exhausted at end of most days and ready for bed so instead of blogging everyday I'll do every 2-3 days

Wednesday
flew to new York
new York is incredible
I would normally say I am a country person but I'd live here. In fact I would rather live here then Sydney or Brisbane
new York is now the safest big city in the world. Even safer then our cities
many Would remember it hasn't always been this way but they have worked hard

The people that picked me up on we'd nite were so cool they took me the long way and through time square
it's incredible. No movie or photos would do justice
it's so bright you feel like it's day time and few streets after it's pitch dark again
incredible

Thursday
SLEEP IN
trying to catch up on jetlag. Now 14 hours behind aust

I got up into the freezing cold 2 degrees and got a hot chocolate at one of the 200 starbucks in new York and then boarded my pre booked hop on hop off ticket
loved driving around looking at all the gorgeous Victorian homes and the arcitecturr is so beautiful.
Then. Went to the place I have dreamt of seeing my whole life. I would move here for this place
CENTRAL PARK. = stunning
autumn Here is just stunning it is breaktaki
I put some photos on face book and will try put some on here
just stunning
central park is like an oasis and it's so big that they say it would take months to see and spend time at everything
I got lost in my own world there for almost 8 hours. I will be going back lots only got a quarter done
I was in awe of the beaut my of the trees and Gods creation and was on utter bliss picnicing near the lake and then next to ice skating ring watching families and couples in love enjoy and laugh together. It is a joyous fun place. I actually felt it was a climpse of heaven. Probably sounds silly but it was just so peaceful and joyous
can't wait to go back in few days
I would love to bring all my family here for Christmas one day and whoever I marry. Already they are preparing for thanksgiving and Christmas and it's so beautiful
they are predicting snow soon. Pray hard it comes before I go. J would love that. Never seen snow
:)

I am loving where I'm staying. It's right in city near eveythjnb. It's a salvation army place for young girls (and few elderly) who move tk city for study or to start there career. It is a place they can be surrounded by godly influence and support and be safe
it's like a motel it's so pretty
the food is great and it's nice meeting people over brekkie lunch and tea

Friday
Friday was a big day
spent day with social justice workers from area
meet with foster program that is part of the salvation army. So impressed with how fostering is handled here. The army is helping to connect families or when needed to find loving adoption homes for children. Even teenagers. The government is doing great Here with fostering. They have seen what is best for the children and it's great. I learnt so much. Spent a lot of time asking God what I can do with that. Should I talk to our federal government ?? I don't know yet
was great
got to learn a little about the admin side of their HIV program and on Monday I'll be going around seeing the differnt programs. Can't wait. Really have a heart for those suffering HIV

Then I spent hours with social worker here at new York salvationarmy church. Was so good. Showed me through their clothing drive for homeless and their pantry for those in need. They are assessed and they give out hundreds of bags of basic groceries and necessities once a month. So cool. They do employment help and job training and finding epople home.they have a soup kitchen evryday where I'll get to go help next week
they really have a big need for help for the homeless during winter it's so cold that police have said there are times when a homeless person has frozen to death through the night. My heart broke over that and cried and have spent lots of time meditating on that and what else we can do

Was great and very emotinally draining and heart breaking day bit was sk great and eye openin. I am learning so much

So tired I will tell u about saturday (which is today) tomorrow
saw some amazing centrs and homes

Get to go around to all different churches yomortow
first is salvos in time square
love u and miss u all
get on facebook and check out photos and email me or MSG me. I miss u so much
u can send me an email too
robboleah@hotmail.com

Need to hear all my special peoples voices or words at least. Love u so much
blessings from new York

Awesome stuff

Well it's now Tuesday nite and I have done so much since I wrote last. I was way too tired to blog last nite
so let me fill u in
I told you about how beautiful the train stations are and how quiet they are
so I headed in to downtown la on train yesterday. It was great. Didn't feel unsafe ever
so I was picked up by an incredible lady Irene who works for the salvation army and runs a centre called the red shield centre. In one word - it rocks. Ok that's 2 but you get the point.
It's located in one of the worse areas for gun violence and gangs. Irene said you hear gunfire all through nite and day.
Right across from centre Is local school

The centre opened in that spot in 1950 which is so awesome as most programs like that didn't start till 80s. Though it really started on 1920s on smaller scale

So the centre has these facilities
full size basketball court (indoor) also used for indoor hockey etc
they have a workout room or a gym
they have 50metre indoor heated swimming pool
has aerobic class fitted with full length mirrors
has tap and r and b dancing class room again with mirrors
has computer room with 25 conputers
has library and home work club room
has outdoor court yard for netball etc
has games room - pool air hockey etc
has full length fake grasses soccer oval - worth 1/2 million dollar. Nike and American football league did it all for them to support what they do - both groups hold sports training days and stuff like that
and they have a big drama theatre amazin
they have kitchen and class where they teach healthy eating and cooking program
And My personal favourite A FULL SIZE Can I tell people now. Likr is it public knowledge STUDIO top range room. State of the art it's
incredible. They have a professional top of the country dance teacher too
it's amazing
so how it works is it's an after school program for the poorest of poor kids. All are welcome
it cost only $8 a year. Amazing
most kids Come every day straight from school for a lot of kids it their safe place. A place they are loved and feed and protected. They learn skills and ways to get away from all the crime etc in their communities. It's giving them positive skills like computers. Sports. Music. Dancing. Drama. And swimming and helping them to reach their full potential with their academics
so from 2.30-5pm kids from 4- 14 can come they come have snack time and then go to the activities. They have really great schedule so kids get most out of it. Most do homework first then have sports or dance or swimming training or do one of the many activities.
All children when joining have to sign a code of conduct which encourages right and postive behaviour and the kids love the program so much they stick to them
from 5-9pm is for over 14s. Adults come too. They do all lessons for teens and adults too swimming and homework included. They also do English speaking classes and they do citzenship classes. Helping people learn about America and what they need to kneo for the test to become a citzenship
the place is all about families too. Lots of parents or family members come and watchtheir kids at swimming etc
they do recitals and theatre productions that families come too.
Saturdays is awesome they are open from 10- 2.30pm and it's open for
all ages so it's family day. Incredible fun stuff so babies and under 3s can do dance and swimming parents can do assignments with their kids and just have great time
they are serving over 3,600 people. Amazing incredible program. Giving children are hope. It's like a beacon in the community. Irene is so well respected after being there for 18 yrs the gangs won't touch her or the kids. It's powerful
so many of the staff or volunteers are kids who came through the program. They share about how life changing gthr program can be. It's awesome

So I visited there all day. Got to teach the homework kids and just have a blast with the kids

I was soooo tired that day that I actually missed the last train for day .. I was so upset and my phone wouldn't work so a security guard let ne ring the family I'm with and eventually we found a train with another company. I was just so exhausted at end of day

Still suffering from jetlag

Today (tuesday) was so great as well. First thing I spend time at the corps Here seeing their childcare
and their plans for a red shield centre near them. Like the one above. So that's awesome

I then met with the leader of the salvos human trafficking taskforce for few hours learnt so much
then I went to a homeless shelter they have for families. Fantastic program. Too hard to explain on here. Will tell when home

Then went to Allegria. One of my favourite places. A HIV/aids home /apartment housing for families. Not just the victim goes in but whole families. And they get medical and childcare and food support another awesome program
it's the only one of it's kind in the world

I will write more on this tomorrow again I am so tired
had great nite with my US family and wish I was having more time here. Have done no real sightseeing at all but been so worth it.
Leave first thing in morning for new York it's going to be freezing. It's down to 4 degrees already.
Love you all
Leah

First day of seeing awesome programs and ministries

Hey all
well had great night last nite At church. Worship was great. Had Lots Of hillsong. Was great. Really great. Came home and then had tea and relaxed and went to bed.

Had best sleep. Then I woke up too early. Well it was according to my body clock and headed for train station. Wow no one uses public transported. It was so quiet but lovely. The train stations are incredible. They are like something out of a movie. Infact they are in lots of movies.
Then headed in to downtown LA to see salvos work in poorest part of LA. It's is incredible. So much too tell but I'm seriously starting to fall asleep

I will blog more in morning. So much on tomorrow. Meeting with lady regarding human trafficking and HIV. Can't wAit. May do bit of sightseeing too

God is so good. He reallly is

I encourage you to find more of God in your life each day. He is there doing little miracles just watch. He is doing them.
Till the morning when I blog again
i encourage you to leave me a comment too :)
bless you xxxxxx

First day in US - yah

Hey everyone
finally got This blog to work. Hooray!!!!
Well I spent 16 hours on board the plane today or yesterday for u. Had the window so had some incredible views but also meant I was busting half the time cause didn't Want to ask people to move :) hehehe silly me.
The food was awesome by the way ;)
I arrived in to LA at 7am on Sunday the 1st nov. Was picked up after I got lost but it all worked out.
Went straight to church. Was really interesting they had like Sunday school first which all people could come too. Parents too. It was like joined assembly. Then after 20 min the kids go to their Sunday school and those adults who won't to go to a small group. One for men and one for women. Then after a bit church starts. Was farely traditional but sermon was awesome except I was feeling so tired it was really 2am for me :) it was also awesome to see so many differnt nationalitites in the service. The church is incredible. They have childcare and community gymnasiam. Amazing

then went out for lunch with people I'm staying with and their friends. Now siting at their home which is nice but NO backyard NO GRASs at all really. It's like a compound lik of stepford wives. So weird but nice. I have a king size bed too amazing
well off for sleep and hopefully be awake to go to church tonight. Bless u each. Leah