September has come...

...and I want to write about it. I so missed the changing of seasons during my time in Thailand. I loved perpetual summer, it is my favorite season after all. But summer is not the same without the changes of autumn, winter and spring to prelude it. It is a rainy September evening. The leaves are beginning to change into their beautiful colors. The sun comes up later and goes down earlier. I feel like I should be buying new clothes. I am going to class everyday, doing homework and making new friends. Tonight I am eating a crispy, green apple (by no means fresh...probably grown in Washington or something but it's the thought that counts). I am sipping tea, wearing slippers and doing homework. I am so thankful for changing seasons!

The lovely place I live now...

Here are some pictures of life lately...

The neighborhood

Sasha taking her photo of the day

Sasha's Dandelion

Graduation!

On August 14th I graduated from college! Which felt a little funny since I’m not actually done with all of my classes until November 5. But since there were only four of us needing to finish off our final credits they allowed us to walk in graduation along with the rest of the graduating seniors. Enough details - Pictures!

Thanks to my Momma here are some pictures from the day…

This event made me realize that I am very soon entering a new season of life. I feel as if I’m standing on the edge of a cliff, the edge of which I will be required to jump off of in less then three months time. As of right now, after November 5 I have no solid plans. But I am reminded of a similar cross-roads when I graduated from High School. And as I look back at that season and all that has happened since then, I am filled with a quite confidence in my shepherd and leader. You see, when I gave my life to Jesus, really surrendered myself to Him at the age of 17, I had no idea how that would direct my life so radically. Or how wonderful following Him would be. Yes it has been hard but like Paul says in Philippians 3 “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead…” God has used those hard times to mature me and complete me (James 1:4). I rejoice in looking back at the faithfulness of God and so I rejoice in looking forward to the faithfulness to come!

Being Back in America

Since my return from Thailand a popular question has been:

“how is it being back in America?”

I have been trying to figure out my thoughts and feelings to answer that question. In many ways it almost feels like I never left. Many things are the same, exactly as I remember them. My family, for example, doesn't seem that different. We kept in contact well while I was gone, so I know what has been going on in their lives and it has been so good to see them again.

But in other ways it feels like I’ve been gone for years and some things are almost shocking. Like Wal-Mart for example. Now Wal-Mart is a very normal thing for Americans and I grew up going there almost weekly for all the little things necessary for living life. But coming back from Thailand I was overwhelmed by the size, the shininess and just the general Wal-Mart-ness of it. There are large Wal-Mart type places in Thailand but they are not as big, they have Thai people, the Thai language and Thai food in them. Wal-Mart is very different. Why do we need a whole aisle just for Shampoo and Conditioner? It took me a long time to figure out which shampoo I needed for my hair and which one was the cheapest. It was a rather overwhelming experience that nearly brought me to tears.

So how is being back in America? It is good, refreshing and exciting. But it is also hard and overwhelming at moments.

San Fransisco

I have now been back in America for a little more than three weeks. These weeks have been full ones filled with family, traveling, a wedding, traveling, graduations, and more traveling. I miss Thailand but I'm so happy to be back too. Currently I'm living in Minneapolis Mn finishing my last semester of college.

My first day in the States was a 12 hour layover in San Fransisco California which I spent with Jarred's parents. I love San Fransico! Here are some pictures I took while I was there...

Make the Most of Every Opportunity

One of the biggest lessons I have been learning during this internship is faithfulness. I have learned to be faithful in the things God has asked me to do even when I don't see results. But this week the Lord taught me a new lesson and I am in awe of Him.
Four days a week I spend two hours teaching an English class as an outreach to women. One girl, we'll call her Mary, has been coming for about a month now. On Wednesday after class was over, my Thai co-teacher, Keh, suggested we take Mary out for coffee and share the gospel with her. So at a little coffee shop around the corner, I shared the simple message of Jesus Christ and His work on the cross while Keh translated. After asking a couple questions Mary said she wanted to follow Jesus! Keh lead her in a prayer right there in the coffee shop!
In Colossians 4, Paul talks about being wise in the way we act and making the most of every opportunity. We never know what God is doing in the hearts of those around us but we can always be ready to share Him with everyone. Keh and I decided to make the most of a chance to talk to Mary about Jesus and she was ready to follow Him! Much of missionary life may be just faithful obedience but if we are always ready, we never know what God is going to do! God showed me that faithful obedience doesn't just mean plugging away at the same thing day after day, it is an actively seeking to be part of what He is doing in the hearts of those around us. I am in awe of what God did in Mary's heart and the fact that He used me in the process. God is so faithful, so gracious, and so amazing!

A Ride Through India

I took this video as we took an Auto (public transportation in India) to visit the women at the sewing center.