Day Four- Monkeys and Boys.

I might end up just posting early in the morning from now on, since no one is really scrambling to use the WiFi here then. No one except the New Yorker who cant seem to stay asleep past 4 am.

We woke up to a brilliant red sunrise yesterday, which I expected to mean bad weather, but instead we recieved a gorgeous sunny day! Schoolwork with the kids started at 8 and went very well, we were able to get extra work done and finish ahead of scehdule too. Thank you for your prayers!

News for the day:
The kids and I saw our first wild monkeys! They were hanging off an electric wire just outside the hotel property. I was so bummed I didnt have my camera with me at the time, but maybe they'll come back again today. We were so excited.

Also, around 11 am yesterday two buses pulled up in front of the place we are staying, and began unloading passengers. We watched out of the classroom window as more and more people piled off... every single one of them boys. Yes, our hotel is now currently the home of between 150 and 200 teenage boys. It seems like a group from an all boys school, but I'm not sure. Its crazy.


The sunset was so beautiful last night...I'll see if I can get a picture up to share. I'm anxious to see what God has to teach me today. Learning to be flexible and loving even when I don't understand completely seems to be the lesson I am learning for now. Please continue in prayer for me!

Day Three- Beautiful Rain

I wasnt able to post yesterday because the internet connection was poor, so I thought I'd write something quick since I have been up since 3am working on schoolwork and could use a break:)

Covered walkways

Yesterday was great, waking up to a beautiful rain drenching the world around us with new life. There are very few times I can think of a rain being so lovely. All of the walkways at the place we are staying are covered by tin roofing, so no one had to worry about getting too wet, although if you did happen to, the water was warm enough it felt wonderful.

Egg/pancake dish and cook

Last night for dinner a group of us walked down to the outdoor mall again and had real local food which was so good! I liked the fact that since we are not in a touristy area, that we truly ate just as the locals do, no special treatment. My two favorite dishes, which a friend told us were things you must try when visiting Asia, were "pulled tea" and a sort of egg-pancake dish they made by frying on a huge hot slate. They made both dishes right in front of us which was like watching an artist hard at work. So great!

Alright its almost 7am here so I gotta head to breakfast. Today is the first day of schooling with the kids, so if you could pray for that going according to Gods will and bringing Him glory, I would appreciate it so very much.

Day Two- Noodles, Crabs, and Sleepyheads

"It is not great men who change the world, but weak men in the hands of a great God."

Today has been great. It really flew by quickly! This morning we had delicious noodles for breakfast (which I loved) and then hit the beach for a while. I wasn't too tired in the morning, having slept very well, but after lunch I felt so wiped. I know the jet lag will wear off soon enough so I am not worried. However my brain feels kinda fuzzy now as I write so this, so if this entry comes out a little bit askew, that would be why.

Oh one thing that was really neat today was a group of us walked down to the local shops down the street to look around. I haven't exchanged money yet so I couldn't buy anything but there was a 7-Eleven and another convenience store, a few clothing shops, a photography store, a tech shop, and a couple resturants which smelled soo yummy. Hopefully I'll have a chance to eat something there during our stay!

If Liam (my brother) gets a chance to read this, I wanted to tell him that there are some pretty sweet plants and animals here. Last night when we went down to the beach at sunset the beach was simply covered with teeny crabs (not like VA crabs) and one of them even sliced me on the foot! I was so surprised I squeaked and jumped. Learned my lesson that although sunsets are beautiful, its best viewed from the rocks, not the sand.

God is really pouring knowledge into me already with the modgepodge of cultures I am encountering here. I can't wait until this brain-fuzziness wears off and I can really begin to absorb it all:) But goodness, do I feel so blessed.

Day One

"So open wide the arms youre given,
You're too alive to just stand still
Open wide your heart as you breathe in,
You're too alive to just stay here."
            -'open wide' by Future of Forestry

SO happy to be here! Everything went smoothly today-thanks to God!-traveling was safe and even fairly comfortable, I met the family at the airport no problemo, my luggage made it successfully to me at my final destination, and every square inch of this place that I can take in thus far is GORGEOUS...I keep catching myself staring, enraptured by my surroundings over and over again. As I strode off the plane this afternoon simply beaming, I laughed to myself and said to Jesus, "You really get so much pleasure out of doing things like this through your children, don't You?.." 
He is so great:)

I had alot of caffeine on my last, short flight, so when I walked out of the airport with loads of energy I believed myself to have conquered jet lag and not be in its grip this time around. I was happy and energetic and proud of my seemingly incredible adaptability skills.
I was mistaken.
I am determined to stay up till at least eight tonight. I'll let you know how that goes. Dinner is at seven so that will help for motivation. For now I gotta get off this bed or I'm done for. ttfn!

Safe and Sound

Just arrived here safe and sound, praise God! I'll hopefully be able to write more later (I wrote TONS in your journal today Ash) but we're looking to find a taxi right now and I just had a few quick minutes on the free WiFi here.


Thank you all for your prayers! God has taken care of me!

Life Most Alive

"Beloved, a Daniel life - out there and exposed to God's glory - quickens every nerve ending. It's not the pain-free life. It's not the safe-at-a-distance life. But Beloved, it is the life most alive." -Beth Moore

I am gradually becoming more excited at the same time that I am more loath to leave. When I left in January I didn't realize the amount that I would miss my family and my home while I was away, and coming home it felt as if years had passed. Every spare moment that I can, I've been spending with my siblings these past few days. The moments feel precious and at the same time, rapidly speeding away.
I'm also becoming nervous as my journey draws closer. I have confidence that God will hold me in His hands and keep me physically safe, but it is the being alone that I feel unprepared for. God is teaching me though. He seems to be finding every opportunity possible to teach me more faith and utter reliance on Him lately. It may be scary and uncertain at times, but as Beth Moore put it, "it is the life most alive."

My God walks with me. I have nothing to fear:)

" The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." -Deuteronomy 31:8

"I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
   he delivered me from all my fears." -Psalm 34:4 (thanks Mrs. R!)

Blessed by the Body of Christ!

Our God is SO good. I will never be able to say that enough times or enough ways, but He truly is.

Tonight I was priviledged to speak at my grandparents church in Vestal, NY about my trip in January. It was a night full of fellowship and praise to the God we all come together to glorify. I was told I would have a full 20 minutes to speak, (far longer than I've ever spoken publically before) so last night and this morning I spent quite a bit of time learning how to put together a powerpoint presentation to share. It was quite the crash course.
God truly answered my prayers in giving me the words to speak as well as the boldness to speak them tonight. I had been feeling light headed all afternoon for some reason, but the moment I began to speak God gave me physical strength and an emotional peace. I am not exaggerating...even as I walked up to the front I felt so faint. But God truly stood there beside me! It was such a blessing to me to be given the opportunity to share some the wonders that God has worked in my life lately, and I hope the people there were blessed even half as much as I was.

Just as I was finishing my presentation, the pastor stepped up and announced that they wanted to take a love offering in support of my trip. I was honestly suprised and so grateful! They asked how much I had left to raise, and I said about $150.
By the end of the night I had more than double that. $325.
HOW INCREDIBLE IS OUR GOD?!

To all those who came and fellowshipped, shared, and gave of their precious time and money tonight. Thank you! I have truly been so blessed by your touch on my life.

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. " -Colossians 3:15-16