First Home Game

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to write you guys a quick note to keep you updated on life in Western Australia and basketball.

Stacy and I have continued to keep busy with work, training, and meeting new people.  Stacy has started work at the local surf shop in "the mall" (the main street with all the shops, not really like an American Mall), and she is enjoying her time there.  She ended her work at the nursing home; the surf shop will be a more chill job, and she is enjoying doing some of the displays for the store and whatnot.  My work is also going good.  I am currently working on the Buccs website and am hoping to have that up this week sometime.  The address is www.geraldtonbuccaneers.com.au, so be on the look out for that.  I am enjoying doing that part of the job, I just recently oversaw the production of the game programs for our first home game last night.  They came out pretty well, maybe i'll try and email a few copies to some of you guys.

The team has gotten off to a good start.  We are 3-0.  The team is looking better each week as we get to know each other more and more.  We are looking forward to some new additions to our team too.  This week a 7 foot Aussie big man arrived who is planning on playing with us.  He actually was drafted by the Boston Celtics and played about 15 years in the top league over here, so obviously that should strengthen the depth of our team.  Also another American (also has Aussie citizenship)  will join the team as well.  He is just working out his work schedule, but he will ad really good depth to the guard spots.  So as we get into the heart of our schedule and start facing some of the better teams, we are glad to have some extra help.

Last night's home game was really fun.  Its a crazy atmosphere here, probably the best in the league.  We usually get about 500-800 fans at a home game, can get up to 1000.  Its a good time for everyone and it is great for the team.  I've been playing well.  The Lord has been really good.  I actually scored 47 points last night which is my career high ever.  I am amazed at what the Lord is doing over here so far through basketball.  I don't think scoring 40 points each game will be the normal but I am looking forward to see what the Lord has in store for me and my team this season.

well there is a bit of an update.  Its been hot here so far and hasn't rained at all.  Should start cooling down a little and we should get a little rain coming up as it heads into our winter here.  Everything will be green!!  Stacy apologizes for not bringing our camera last night to the game to get some photos.  She will get some next week.  IN the meantime maybe we can get some more shots around town and put them on.

Love and miss you all.

Ryan

A Month in Geraldton

" Be Holy for I AM Holy." 

    This past week was an awakening experience for the both of us and it showed us how we need to live our lives for Christ on a day to day basis. To be holy means to be set apart. In both of our minds, without saying anything to each other, we felt this was our theme for the week.  There were challenges that we both faced that put us in obvious right and wrong situations; easier for us to discern. But we also realized  that on a daily basis there won't always be a huge separation in discernment. As Ryan and I discussed later in the week, living as witnesses for Christ in the small random acts of kindness may not immediately catch the attention of others. It is through a LIFESTYLE of obedience and faithfulness to Christ that they will see something different in us. Consequently, we have the dream opportunity to show our obedience to Christ  every day in our time at work, with our roommates, with basketball and other activities.

Ryan had a pre-season tournament down in Perth last weekend. The team was able to play four games in two days against league competition. They won 2 out of the 4 games. Ryan averaged about 21 points per game. Considering they only had like one practice as a team before the tournament the team didn't do too bad. There are obviously some kinks that need to be ironed out before the season starts, but I think they will do well. 

    Both of our jobs are continually doing well and we are both staying busy with much work each day. It is nice because it makes the days go faster. For Ryan's job he is almost finished with the Bucc's website and it should be up and running within a week or so. The address will be www.geraldtonbuccaneers.com.au. Our jobs have both given us the opportunity to meet some people that we can spend time with. It gives us some family away from home besides the Buccs. My boss has been particularly welcoming to the both of us and her daughter and soon to be son-in-law both work with Ryan. Each of them have invited us over for dinner several times; they have taken good care of us. 

    While Ryan is trying to stay fit with basketball, I've been invited to do a Triathlon and to play in a season of Netball. I've never seen or played Netball in my life so we will see how it goes. Apparently there are no backboards and no dribbling. Might be fun:) 

Anyways we miss you all and we always love to hear from you whether its facebook, email, or skype!

Yes, We're Still Here!

Hello everyone! Sorry I know it has been a while since we have written anything on our blog. Unfortunately our free time shrunk this past week getting settled in with all the little work details. But I am here to say we did not fall off the face of this earth:) 

This past week was quite eventful and we daily saw glimpses of God's goodness to us. Ryan started his job this past Monday and right away he was put to work. He is working for a company called Market Creations. They help other business's promote themselves better by setting up websites and designing logos and other things:) So far he has really enjoyed working with his co-workers. One of his many jobs right now is to create the website for the  Buccaneer's. He will pretty much oversee the whole thing, write most of the articles, update information throughout the season and just make it look spectacular!!:) It is a great company to work for and it will give him great international business and public relations experience! Not only is he working hard at Market Creations, he is also working hard practicing for basketball- the reason we came out here! The team practices about 3-4 times a week and Ryan does his own workout everyday to continue to work on his game. 

    He is enjoying getting to know his teammates, coaches and co-workers. They both have been extremely helpful as we are settling in but we have also learned that these next few months will be a great challenge in our faith. None of the players or people we work with are believers, so we understand that we must constantly be aware of how we are living and acting. We are both praying for those moments where we can share the gospel verbally, but we are also praying we keep our testimony pure as we daily interact with each one of them.  

    Like I said earlier, we have really seen glimpses of God's goodness in the last week. When we got here, I had a job at a local surf shop lined up for me. A little over a week ago I met with the owner of the shop and they told me they were not able to get me work for about another month due to their store moving across the street. They were remodeling  and expanding. This wasn't really something we expected, but it wasn't the end of the world either because Ryan was starting work on the next Monday. 

    Meanwhile, Ryan had a work dinner the Saturday before his first day at work. A girl that he would be working with overheard a conversation we had about me not working for another month. The next day we get a knock on our door and this lady from who knows where comes barging in our home. She told us that her office needed a secretary since their recent admin just left and they needed me for about a month until they hire a new admin. In other words, I would be considered what they call a "casual" worker. It turns out that this lady was the mother of the girl who works with Ryan!---If I haven't told you before, the people here are extremely helpful and will spread the word to anyone to make sure you are getting what you need!---Apparently she had received my resume from a line of people from the surf shop. Long story short, I have a secretary job at the Geraldton Nursing Home until I start up at the surf shop!...Like Ryan none of my co-workers are believers, so we covet your prayers and we try and be Christ-like examples to those around us.

    For those of you who didn't know, we are living with roommates. This is another witnessing opportunity that God has put in our path. We have 3 other people in our home; a local import and his girlfriend and another American import from New Jersey. Although it would be wonderful to have our own space, we are so excited about this opportunity to share what a Christ-centered marriage/relationship looks like to each of these people. God has truly been good to us and has provided for us in so many ways. We have no reason to complain! He has even given us very clean and organized roommates and we are very thankful for that:)!! I might be the cleanest house you'll ever see for 5 college age people:) We were also given an extra refrigerator because of all the big-eating men in our house; we didn't have enough room for all the food in just one fridge!:)

    These first few weeks have really been tremendous and we feel challenged in our faith in all different areas! We are excited to see how the rest of our time here goes and how the Lord will grow us! This is a bit longer than the other blogs but I hope you read it all and enjoyed our update! Thanks for all the birthday wishes too! We will tell you all about our birthday trip in Kalbarri in the next blog. It truly is beautiful here!!! 

And yes I know you are all waiting for those pictures!:) Due to the slower internet here, we are experiencing technical difficulties:) Hopefully we can figure it out soon!!

As for now, we want to hear from all of you!!! Our email is RSZamroz@gmail.com or find us on facebook!