After a little over a year of fundraising, we headed to our down under adventure on June 20, 2014. I won't attempt to recount every detail as it was an eventful 18 days of travel. Some highlights included learning about the Maori culture of New Zealand, eating meat pies, holding a koala, feeding kangaroos, throwing boomerangs, cracking whips, surfing, snorkeling and visiting the Sydney Opera House!
Even as a little girl, Hannah faced new experiences with a sort of fearless, can-do attitude. As she grew we learned that it didn't mean she wasn't scared or nervous. She had just decided to stifle those feelings, grab life by the horns and conquer it. She used this same determination and zest for life with each new experience on our trip. It was such a joy to watch as she felt the soft fur of a kangaroo for the first time, faced down waves and hopped on her surfboard, and beamed with pride at her ability to "conquer" a big city like Sydney all on her own. I pray she continues to approach new experiences with such verve - even as she faces nervousness and homesickness.
