18 days and counting

I realized sitting in church yesterday just how close my departure is getting! I realized I only had two more Sundays at my church and then I'd be in another country. I only have 18 more days to spend with my nieces and nephews, friends and family. And then I got to thinking about all the ways God has blessed me in the last couple of weeks. I recently had a tooth break and my dentist said I was going to need a root canal... not on my top 10 list of things to do before leaving for Thailand. Not to mention the cost! My parents suggested I visit their dentist. They told me he would only do the root canal if I REALLY needed it.... and guess what, I didn't. He filled it and said that I wouldn't need a root canal... way less pain... faster recovery and hey... lower cost! God was watching out for me on that one. It's been little things like that where I've seen God work and confirm His hand in my life and His guidance. Thank you all so much for your support and prayers. I can see how, even in the preparing and planning stage God is working and I know that prayer is playing a huge part in it!

I Got a Ticket I Got a Ticket Hey Hey Hey :)

I am pleased and most excited to share that I now have my tickets! This week while visiting my parents in California I was able to purchase my tickets. I will be leaving on the 9th of January from LA and will return to LA May 12th. I can't tell you how excited I am to have this done. It makes it seem so real, the point of no return... which makes me so happy and feel so blessed. This means, I will be leaving in 42 days! Not that anyone is counting :) Please pray for me as I continue to prepare and pray for the country of Thailand. I recently heard about some unrest that has caused one of the airports in Bangkok to be closed and stranded more then 100,000 tourist in the country. Please pray that this will be quickly resolved and for safety as I travel there.

The FIRST!!!

Yeah!!! So you know how sometimes you wonder if your doing the right thing or making the right decision and then something comes a long and confirms that yep, you are right where God wants you and your doing what God wants you to do. Do you ever get excited about 1st? A child's first step, first words, your first A in school on a big test, a first kiss, first car... etc. They are all exciting and you never forget them. It doesn't mean what follows isn't equally amazing... I mean a first step is awesome, but then how awesome is it to see a daughter walk down the isle. Your first A is great, awesome is an A for the course, or the BA you receive. How about first words, which turn into vocalizing a relationship with Christ. First are amazing and you don't forget, today I had a first...my first support check came in!!! It's confirmation of how AWESOME and wonderful God is and how great it is to get my first support and how terrific that piece is to my trip! Gods plans are not our own! Isn't that the best?!? Hope you have amazing firsts today!

Dear Family and Friends,

I am so excited that you are checking in to see what's going on as I prepare to go to Thailand. Thank you for reading this blog and praying for me. I am currently working on raising my support for the trip and figuring out the best travel arrangements. I can't believe that my departure is just around the corner. I was at the store today picking up things for Thanksgiving dinner and realized...just how close the trip is! I still have butterflies as I think about leaving and being away from family and friends, but what greater joy is there then serving the Lord!!! Please pray for me as I continue to raise my support and prepare to go. I also would love if you could pray for me over the next couple months for a decision about school. When I come home from Thailand I want to go back to school but haven't decided completely what I'm going to study. I am debating between two different fields of study and I'm really wanting to do what God wants and what will work best for the mission field. Thanks for checking in! I'll update when I have more news
:)

Is this really happening?

I haven't written in quite a while. I think for a while I wondered if I was really going and if this was what God really wanted me to do. After praying and spending some time with God I realized this is for real. God wants me to go to Thailand and to serve the Chinese people there. I have been working hard on my letter and think it's ready to send out! I will try to post it... or most of it here on line for my online friends to see. Please pray for me as I trust God to work it all out and to get me to Thailand!!!

Driving

So this week I got an e-mail from a guy who will be leading the 'long term volunteers' (LTV's) during the Chinese New Year (CNY). I was so excited! He talked about what to expect and what our days would look like and that if we had any questions we could contact him and he would be more then willing to give us any information he could. Then the bad news...or at least to me...all LTV's should be prepared to drive, be a taxi service. Now to preface this, I have now been to Thailand twice, and each time I've said, "Thank you Lord for not having me drive in this!" In fact when I was talking to the translator on my last trip about maybe coming back as a LTV she got so excited and asked if I was going to get a car. I quickly stated that I had NO intention of EVER driving in Thailand and that I was completely content with walking, riding a bike(manual...not motor) and taking a baht bus. I should have learned from previous experiences NEVER say you'll do anything but one little thing....example....a little over 10 years ago I knew I wanted to be a part of missions, and I was completely open to going anywhere, and by anywhere I mean anywhere but Africa. Where's the first place God sends me? You guessed it....6 months in Africa. Don't get me wrong, I loved it and wouldn't trade my time there for anything, God knew best! So now it's the driving thing...I NEVER wanted to drive in Thailand, now it looks like God is going to stretch me, and stretch me in ways that have me freaking out. Please pray for me as I work through this and lean on God to help me with this fear. Thanks!!!!

Beginnings

So this will serve as my first offical blog! Yeah!!! I am going to Thailand and it's only 5 months away. God has blessed me with the most amazing oppertunity and although it seems like things keep popping up to get in the way, God is right there taking care of it all! One of things I've learned most from my trips to Thailand in the past is that prayer is the MOST important thing. God is faithful and He wants to hear from us. Please join me in prayer as I prepare for this trip. I am very excited and can't wait to see what God is going to do! Thank you for your prayers and interest in my trip. I look forward to sharing more!