Part ONE: God Has a Plan for You – Canberra to Darwin: A Road Trip of a Lifetime!
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God Has a Plan for You – Canberra to Darwin: A Road Trip of a Lifetime
One evening in Canberra, while juggling bedtime routines and wrangling the kids, my husband walked through the door after a long day at work and said, “It’s time to put in my preferences.”
Without hesitation, I blurted out,
“Anywhere but Darwin. DO NOT send me to Darwin.”
We prayed so much over this first posting. The anxiety was heavy, lingering like a cloud. The waiting felt endless—days dragging by like weeks.
Eventually, Ben was allocated Military Police as his third preference. When he came home and told me Brisbane was no longer an option, we were left with just two choices:
A. Townsville OR B. Darwin.
And right then—I knew.
It was as though the Holy Spirit had gently placed it on my heart. I felt it deep in my spirit before it was ever officially confirmed: we were going to Darwin.
Ben’s mate, who also received an MP posting, had his entire family and support network based in Townsville. In a moment of incredible selflessness, Ben chose to step aside so his friend could be near loved ones.
He said, “If we ever had a chance to go back to Sydney, we’d hope someone would do the same for us.”
Knowing we were being sent to the one place I didn’t want to go was more than I could handle.
I broke down in tears.
I told him I was going unaccompanied—even though we both knew I wouldn’t.
I half-joked that he’d have to drag me there kicking and screaming.
Truthfully? I was not keen. Not one bit.
From Dread to Surrender
I spent so much time dreading the move. I felt low and disconnected. I started reaching out to other military families who had been posted to Darwin. I quickly learned one thing:
You either love Darwin or you hate it.
It turns out, families with children tend to thrive in Darwin, while those without often feel isolated.
I cried on the phone to my mum for days.
I cried to my sisters.
I vented in the neighbours' group chat.
I told my friends how I didn’t think I’d last long.
But then, my husband graduated—and within days, we were on the road.
We stopped in Sydney for two weeks to spend Christmas and New Year with family and friends, and then we were off—heading north.
The Prepping (Thanks, Mum!)
Oh, my mum. She’s the best. She doomsday prepped us like we were crossing the Outback with no roads or rules.
She planned for every unimaginable situation:
❤️ Dehydrated food (just in case we got stranded)
❤️ A satellite phone
❤️ Emergency kits
❤️ Plans for carjackings (yes, really)
Low-key, she prepped us for the apocalypse.
Prayer on the Road
During the road trip, Ben and I would pray together, listen to sermons and audiobooks, and talk for hours. Somewhere along the way, I turned to him and said,
“I think we’re going to be in Darwin for more than two years.”
He nodded and said, “I felt the same way.”
We have no idea what God’s full purpose is for us in Darwin—but we know He has a plan. And we’re waiting patiently (some days more than others!) for Him to reveal it in His perfect timing.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
That verse reminds me that nothing is accidental. Everything is part of a story God has already written, perfectly and intentionally.
Letting Go of Bitterness
I won’t lie—it took time to adjust.
I held onto bitterness and resentment. I resented my husband for taking me to the other end of Australia, only to leave me to settle in with the kids while he worked.
But once I let go and surrendered to God's plan, something changed.
I began to see beauty where I had once seen bitterness.
I started to look through a different lens—one with clarity and grace.
A New Perspective, A New Season
I’ve fallen in love with the nature here.
My children are thriving.
I found a beautiful church community.
I’ve made incredible friendships—true, lifelong connections.
And it all began with surrender.
The moment I trusted God’s plan instead of fighting it, everything shifted.
Words of Wisdom for Fellow Military Mummas
If you’re facing a posting location that you didn’t want or expect, here’s my advice:
✨ Pray on it.
✨ Surrender it to God.
✨ Focus on the beauty, the people, and the opportunities to grow.
This journey we’re on as military families is wild. It’s not always easy.
But how blessed are we to meet people all over the country—and the world—who become our lifelong friends? We get to experience places and seasons we never would have chosen for ourselves… and sometimes those are the most beautiful ones of all.