Geography Lesson

Many people have stated their confusion between Thailand and Taiwan. In my mom's words, if you don't know the difference, you'll pray for me in the wrong place. So here you go, may it clarity and not further confuse.

Thailand:
-country in SE Asian Peninsula
-Thai language
-Constitutional Monarchy
-formerly Siam
-"Land of the Smiles"

Taiwan:
-island East of China
-Taiwanese or Mandarin Chinese language
-Democracy
-formerly a Chinese republic
-people known as "Children of the Sweet Potato"
(shape of island)

Living in a Tent

Moved out of my apartment on Saturday. Went and read in my Bible about when Abram left all he had, packed up the rest including his tent, and went where God sent him. I liked the chance to identify with someone else that God was calling to leave his family and friends, live in temporary housing (like a tent), and go in obedience to the unknown. I love how God directs us to passages that really give us encouragement right where we are. In Hebrews 11, it talks about what Abram focused on that helped him in his transition. He kept God's promise in his mind of God's eternal foundation ready for him as His greatest designer and provider. I wonder how Abram felt moving along in his tent, with his sheep, and Sarah past all the walled cities of permanence as He went where God called him.

Moments in Kentucky

Silly SisterChicks

Melissa needs the pedicure!

Holly trying to hide from us!

Melissa smooches her sweet dog, Wilson

As the countdown to departure continues in my head, it was nice to take a few days off and visit my two best friends since college. Melissa just moved to Kentucky, so Holly and I took a road trip to visit. Amidst my head being full of anticipation, we had a good time exploring the Purple People Bridge of the Ohio River, seeing Noah's Ark at the Creation Museum, and talking about all our life transitions. Hopeful in transition...good encouraging words to live by now.

Being "Put Out There"

While celebrating my nephew's third birthday today, the subject once again was approached of what I was doing in the future. Why wouldn't I be excited to share my missionary plans with anyone? Honestly, I'm a people pleaser. A great strength and sinful tendency that desires me to say things to please others. Therefore sharing that I want to be a MISSIONARY definitely has its touchiness and tenacity. Of course, God knows that about me. And I have repented countless times and asked for help in changing. You know how He does it? With these countless conversations about me becoming a missionary.

Just the last few months alone have brought such amazing conversations about God and my interest in serving Him thanks to being "put out there." I am grateful. Grateful for every day until the end of school that I had to talk about it. Grateful that my mom wants to share with the people getting pedicures beside us in the nail salon about her daughter's plans. Grateful for the Muslim guy at my birthday party who wanted to know why Asheville wasn't my permanent home. Though each step in life is scary, the outcome of learning to share about how much of Jesus affects my life is so worth it. Thanks God.

My Support is Raised!

My support has been raised! The Lord has provided for the service He has called me to! All almost $83,000! Very excited! Now I can buy my plane ticket (hopefully today). It also looks like I'm going to have friends along the journey. A family from my church will be flying over with me! Seriously, one of the images in my head was flying over alone. Crying so much over leaving the known, I wipe my tears off with the sleeve of the passenger beside me. But, now thank the Lord, I'll know the passenger beside me. And they'll be so sweet I'll be laughing with them. Woohoo! The fun continues!

What It Takes to Leave the Country

Today marked the first weekday where I didn't have to wake up at 6am and think about my lesson plans for the day. Instead, I am going through a list of what I must do to leave the country. I am writing my Visa application. I have gotten my dental records in case of death, I may be identified (morbid, I know). I do also have to make a will. Appointments are being made with every possible doctor to check me out between now and departure.

By the way, I was propositioned to enter the profession of face painting in case this doesn't work out :). On Friday at a local minor league baseball game, I was acting really silly. Mostly it was delirium from cleaning out my classroom. I, and my coerced followers, asked the balloon man to make us all balloon hats, mine being the most embarrassing of them all. The balloon man, through our conversation, gave me his card and said if I ever seriously thought of face painting as a career, he'd get me connected with birthday parties. So, I smiled, returning to my seat, and absentmindedly watched the baseball game while poking all fans around me with the six balloons poking out from my head. No worries, still pursuing missionary work. Just thinking of balloon making and face painting as side hobbies. :)

At the Drop of a Hat

After many hugs, snapshots, and speeches, my fifth graders walked out of the school yesterday graduating and starting a new life for all of us. And I didn't cry. I survived the "Ready to Go" graduation song without a tear visible on my face. Until last night, while going through which of the four corners of the state will my belongings be sent to at the end of this month, I cried. My mom said I might want to throw out that old mattress I've slept on since I was old enough to have a full bed. I just started crying over that mattress I don't want to give up. But more, crying because I'm giving up a lot right now and I'm not sure how to do it.

So, in the coming weeks, I expect crying at the random drops of a hat. But as a friend said last night, now's the time to "lean on the Lord." So, that's what I'm doing. And I'm just letting myself cry and be nervous and be excited as my departure for Thailand approaches.