Wrong Side!

While driving to Atlanta today, I stopped by to pick up Rachel in South Carolina. She was an intern in Thailand for a year with me, and is a good friend of mine. We're going to debrief together and spend some days together here in Atlanta. As I pulled out of her neighborhood, I naturally pulled out to the left side of the road. So calmly, Rachel said, "Melanie, you're driving on the wrong side of the road." Aah! First time for everything today. First time to drink American milk today. First time to pay tips at a restaurant again. First time to eat at Chili's again!

Debriefing at the Mission to the World headquarters is tomorrow.

Melanie Sightings

July Schedule
16th: off to Atlanta for a health physical
17th: debriefing in Atlanta with Mission to the World
18th: shopping, I need clothes!
19th: visiting one of the churches that came to Thailand for a short-term trip
20-24: Readiness Evaluation Week with Mission to the World--to see if I can go back to Thailand as a longer-term missionary
25-31: helping my Mom to be a 1st grade teacher in Charlotte
August 1: headed to Asheville

Please pray for my week of evaluation with MTW. Pray for God's wisdom for the assessors, as well as my flexibility and openness during the week. I will know by the end what my future has in store. I'm feeling tired and overwhelmed with all that's happening, so pray for good time with me and God as I transition here.

This morning, I read Psalms 60-63, where David is running out of his home away from his son who took his throne from him. While David had nothing and was quite confused, he wrote some amazing prayers to the Lord. Psalm 62:8 being my favorite. Pour out your hearts to God. He is our refuge!

Home Sweet Home

I'm home safe. The plane ride was fine, just long. My calves got all swollen which reminded me of a bad episode on Grey's Anatomy when they had to cut his legs open while he was still alive. But thankfully I didn't have to do that to myself. I sat beside a Vietnamese-American from my hometown of Charlotte. I had a hard time figuring out what language to speak with her.

First impressions of America:
-a lot of English! I turned my head in the Chicago airport anytime someone screamed something. I looked like a crazy person.
-coldness! I have been so cold inside my parents' house. Even the toilet seats are cold!
-carpet! I love this invention. It's so soft and warm.
-air conditioning! I don't have to turn it on when I go in my bedroom. It's always on. That is so strange.
-driving! I love it and it is easy to remember how. I've only had one incident of almost being run over by a semi, but that was because I was talking on the phone.
-my family! It is just like a dream to see them again, but also normal at the same time. My nephew was so excited, he cried when he saw me coming down the escalator at the airport.
-I miss Thailand.

Please be praying for my aunt. She's in ICU after not recovering well from back surgery. I may have to drive my mom to Raleigh to see her tomorrow.

The Goodbyes

The goodbyes happen tonight at my goodbye party. This morning I walked around to tell everyone at Mahathai I was leaving. The people were so encouraging to my sadness. One lady said, "Don't worry, we won't go anywhere. We'll be here when you get back." And another lady said, "We feel better about you leaving knowing you're being a good daughter going to visit your parents." Just at the points of tears, their words help ease the leaving. Yet I'm sure tonight, the tears will fall. It has been a blessing to be here. The challenges and learning have been an uphill journey, but that must be how we reap the most. Thank you for tracking my blog during my time here. I pray that it has blessed you by seeing God's kingdom across the world as well as seeing life as a missionary. See you on the other side soon!

The Faces I'll Miss

These are the small fruits I leave behind here to change their families' lives with their growing ability to share the Gospel, pray, and sing Christian songs.








I'm faced with two days left for blogging and so many pictures to share. So, I think picture sharing will last long after I leave here.

The Bags are Packed...

For those counting, I have five more days before I'm on American soil. Crazy wierd feeling. Yep. Wierd.

Teen Night

While the short-term team was here, we had an awesome teen-to-teen night. The American teens spoke with the girls about their testimonies, about inner beauty from the Lord, and about boys! Then we all went out to a karaoke restaurant together to eat, fellowship, and sing!The whole group on one long table together. I am on the far end.

The teenagers singing together.
Singing some Thai song with Name.

The sea- food menu!