MIA

Sorry for being missing in action!

Here's an update: I spilled a cup of water on my MacBook Pro a couple of weeks ago. Tragic, I know! It's been harder to get internet access as of late. Right now, I'm using a computer at the school I work at. Thankfully, we have them!

Anyways, my posts will probably come less often because of my little mishap with H20.

SOCCER UPDATE!

Some exciting things have happened lately, though! My soccer team got to play a legitimate soccer game on a really nice field in town. One that you have to rent out to play on. It was fake grass, goals with nets, and lights for playing at night. They looked so cute with their matching uniforms on, and we had the biggest group of girls we've ever had show up at one time ALL show up to play on the cool field.

The British Ambassador came to town for the weekend, and he was there to watch us show off our lack of skills. I must say, though, the girls are improving greatly! I remember the first time I made them practice dribbling around cones... Disastrous. But now, they can actually pass and know what the layout of the game looks like. I'm one proud coach!

After our game, we all went to eat fried rice together. About halfway through the meal, the girls started chit chatting about wanting to go skating. See, recently, some people inherited a bunch of really old, really smelly, and really used 4-wheeled skates. They poured some concrete, smoothed it out, and decided to charge a dollar for people to skate all day. All my girls are about 15 years old and not a single one of them has ever worn a pair of skates. They wanted to go.

I couldn't resist their eyes that were swimming with excitement, so we went! I was the only one who didn't fall. I also had to take turns trying to explain to each of them one on one how to skate, and I'm no professional skater myself. Each girl took a turn clinging to my left arm for about 15 minutes each. I held up their entire body weight and helped them balance, and friends, it almost killed me. My back and left arm were so sore the next day!!! Gosh!! But it was worth it to see a few happy faces that managed a nice cheesy smile even when they fell flat on their butts. Too cute.

LIFE UPDATE!

I'm almost to the point in my term where I'll start to count the months down until I leave. In October, the countdown from 12 to 1 will begin. Last year at this time, I was heading off to training and royally freaking out inside. I cannot believe it has already been a year since then. Time flies by, it really does. Life is short. Next thing you know, I'll be thinking of what I'm going to do when I get back. The thought is scary. But, more than the thought, the pace of life is rapidly speeding as of late; the speed is more terrifying than anything else. Does it feel like I'm racing? Or do I feel like a turtle who's getting bypassed by all the other runners? Honestly, I don't know how to feel most days. I just know that somehow, I have a year left in Southeast Asia. And two facts cease to remain:

1. This one year has been so filled with events, changes, growth, hardships, struggles, healing, and being turned upside down that it feels like 10 years versus 1. (Fast)

2. My life has significantly slowed down and is pretty turtle-paced and relaxed to a point that is un-American enough to make me feel like the world is racing by me. (Slow)

Such a conflict of speeds meet at a weird point for me. I feel like molasses and Jeff Gordon at the same time. Maybe this is what happens when you get older. Don't hate me for using the term although I'm only 23. I'm always aging, just like those of you who are 53 and a bit ahead of me. The feeling is just strange. What I really hope is that upon my return to the states, people won't have changed so much that I cannot find some way to relate and fit in again. The flip side of that hope is that I hope to never really fit in again. I have such a strange combination of ideas that contradict each other at the core, but hopefully an ounce of sanity will remain.

 

A Father to the fatherless....

That moment when sharing one water bottle and one soccer ball with random kids is the highlight of your day... 

Most of you know that I coach a girl's soccer team. For the past couple months, soccer practice has been a hit or miss because of rainy season. Nobody wants to get struck by lightning or swept away by a torrential downpour. Plus, nobody cut the grass for like 3 months... And, aint nobody got time to tread through knee high grass!!!!

Anyways, someone finally cut the grass! So, yesterday we got to resume or Saturday practices. Score!
And then one girl shows up... Oh boy! What on earth do I do with one girl? The field that we play on is pretty ghetto, but it works. And there's a school and an orphanage right by the field. Kids usually climb the brick wall and sit on top/watch the big kids play.

WELL!!!! Guess who got to play on my team yesterday??? A bunch of shoeless kids. We had a blast! They had a basketball with them, so they were pretty excited to play with a nice soccer ball. Overall, I consider the whole thing a big blessing. The joy in seeing kids play and giggle washed over me and soaked down to the bone.

There is a father for the fatherless in this world. Thank you, God for sending your children my way to play. 

Distractions

This morning, I decided to ride my bicycle around for some exercise. You have to seize the opportunity to do so when the rain lets up! I usually ride with my backpack and just soak in the sounds of the town: chickens, dogs, cows, local language, and stares! But, today I was thinking... I really just wanna listen to some music. I brought my iPod with me. This is the first time I've been on a bike ride and not had to listen to the sounds of the town. I could see things, but I couldn't hear anything but Maroon 5.

When I got back home a few hours later, I got my journal out and started writing down some thoughts. I was thinking about how easy it was for me to tune out the world around me. Just pop in my headphones and escape for a while. Here, versus America, it's kind of hard to escape from things. You can't just go to the movies, malls, and entertainment centers that are on every corner in America. Everything is on the front porch of your mind, and there's no running from it. I started to think about times back home when I'd be somewhere with my friends and they'd all be glued to their smart phones. We were together physically, but not mentally or emotionally. So much for quality time!!

So, what am I going to do when I get back to America? Will I get distracted? Will I constantly fill my mind with things other than what really matters? I'm no fortune teller, so I cannot say what I will or will not do, but I am concerned about going back to that world. It seems so detached and scary. It seems inauthentic and robotic. Yet, I know all the people glaring at their screens are thinking something... They're feeling something... When they lay down to sleep at night, things in their world get quiet. I know this, because I've had many a night when I'd do the same thing.

What if we purposefully threw our distractions out the window in light of something with more purpose?

What if we hit the brakes and dealt with ourselves, our sin, our past, our hurts, our offenses against others, and the things that hold us back?

What if we choose to stop being detached?

Things could change. We could change.

And I believe the fire would spread relentlessly.

Friends, I've been forced to change. And that is an understatement! Haha! Living here has made me open up my eyes to a whole lot of needs that not only I have to take care of for myself, but needs of others around me. If I could make some prescription glasses that shared this new vision so easily, I'd do it in a heartbeat. All I'm asking the father is that he changes my eyesight so much that it cannot go back to what it used to be. And, I'm starting to take full responsibility for the way that I chose/choose to distract myself.

This is just what I've been chewing on lately. Now, you can chew on it too.

School's Out!!! Just kidding...

This is my first week of term 2 teaching ESL. On Friday, I got to meet my students and make them do crazy ice-breaker games in class. This week, we're hitting the books!!! It's hard to believe that my students from last term have gotten their certificates and moved on to the next level up of ESL!!

I have 27 students so far this term. Some I already know. Some are brand new friendships that will start. Either way, it will be exciting to see what the father does this term.

Good News:

• Of my returning students, two of them are seeking truth still. Ask for good opportunities to love on and share with them. 
• We have a hand-full of local monks studying at our school this term. This is a great great opportunity for good conversations. 
• Schedules make me a little weary and tend to exhaust me, as well as all of the other teachers I'm sure, so asking for strength for this term would be great! 

There is no bad news, but some other information is... I've been in country for 7 months and some change. This little fact makes me think: Really? Has is really been that long? And then again... Really? Has is only been 7 months??? Some days go by quickly, some days feel like frozen molasses, and others feel like putting salt in a wound. Regardless, 7 months is pretty long! I am amazed that the father has helped me to make it this far. He is my strength. This is the longest I've ever been away from home. This is the longest I've been overseas. This is the most I've ever been stretched, pulled, poked, and molded. And, I'm loving every bit of it! Keep changing me, God. Keep working on me. 

KITTENS!!!!! Inspired by: KITTENS!!!!!

I  LOVE CATS!!!! <3 

As most of you know, I'm quite fond of felines. Well, I moved out of the house I was living in (which came with 2 cats). They were my roomie's cats. I really miss those guys! Just to cuddle with and love. So, the new house needed a cat... big time! 

WELL, Here she is!!!! Say hello to Rosie! 

This, my friends, is a genuinely happy smile :) 

Rosie is very sweet and friendly. She's a teenage cat I guess. Caught somewhere in-between kitten and adult cat. There are no vets here since most animals are considered the main entree, so she's not fixed. Which means.... MORE kittens!!!! Haha!  There are already two different male cats roaming the vicinity waiting for her to come of age. This makes for a chorus of different cat noises throughout the day. Anyways, I wanted you to meet this furry bundle of joy! 

Geeze, I'm getting old...

My 23rd Birthday!!! 

Well guys, July 28th was my birthday. It feels funny celebrating it in Southeast Asia! Usually, I'd plan some kind of crazy event in the States that involved cookie dough ice cream and flash mob dancing, but they might kick me out of the country for the latter! So, this year is different. 

It means I've been here for 7 full months. 

It means I'm holding onto my prime. 

It means I'm growing up. 

Really, this past year has been a steady flow of growth spurts like I've never had before. Most kids get growing pains, breakouts, and grow 6 inches in one summer. Those moments are cool, but they're all ways that we physically grow up. From 22-23?? I feel the pain of emotionally, mentally, and spiritually growing. Not to say that I've learned it all and have loads of life experience... But! I certainly feel the stretching and molding that's been going on this past year like never before in my life! 

I attribute this pain to a whole lot of soul searching, healing, forgiving, and being humbled in way more than one way by God. I think he might possibly have a sledge hammer, drill, and saw inside of my head and heart, but that's OK. Keep on working on me, God. I'll never be a completely finished piece of work, but I'll keep letting you change me. God's been reminding me of the purpose of my life... It's to bring glory to him and his kingdom. Hands down. Throwing off the sin that easily entangles and striving for holiness and righteousness found only in Christ. Furthering the kingdom. Letting the work that GOD has done and continues to do in me be seen by others and being a witness for His g0sp3L.

This 23rd year of my life will be the only year so far that I've spent solely overseas. The first half of 22 was spent in America, and the last half of 24 will be spent there as well. 23 is going to be pretty interesting to say the least. Lift me up to the Father please during this challenging year. I ask for strength, grace, peace, and wisdom for the journey.

Me and some of my local friends as well as some other workers celebrating my 23rd over one of my favorite meals: Sine Dat. Or... Grilled meat & soup. 

Thankful & Blessed

Can anybody say traveling?

I've been on the go for a few weeks now. Border hopping, friendship bridges, night busses, and planes!!!! Lots of walking, and man it's not over yet!

I got to see some great friends of mine this past week, and let me just say that that was a total blessing. Also, I got to make some new friends! You can't beat that. I was in dire need of having a community of people around me who are on the same page and can speak the same language as me. It's a plus... Haha. But, I finally got a few spare seconds to write a new update while overnighting in a guesthouse with wifi.

Funny story from my many trips. My roomie and I took the night bus on our trip. The night bus drives all night long and then dumps you at the bus station in a state of deliriousness. This wasn't my first time riding on a bus all night long, but it was my first time riding on a sleeper bus. So, this bus has 2 levels on it. And, I'm only 5'4, but it was made to accommodate tiny Asian people. Everyone has a pea-sized area to sleep in. I was on the top level. You have to climb a ladder to get up there. So, it's basically like having super tiny sets of bunk-beds in a bus. If you can imagine. Three rows of sleeping pods. Wow!

So, we get on the night bus and it looks like a party bus with all these neon lights! Quite the adventure.

THIS GUY was sacked out beside me on the plane. Sweet Dreams, buddy! 

And, THIS LADY was squidgy-ing the mirror in the movie theatre. Barefoot. 

Welcome to Southeast Asia! 

And, THIS MONKEY was staring me down, so I gave him some fruit before he decided to forcefully steal it from me. Monkeys.... 

In Malaysia, I got to see one of the largest Buddhas that I've ever seen. The pics don't do justice to the monstrosity of this statue. Really. It's super tall. But, the altar faces the idol. And you have to offer incense and prayers towards it. For blessings in life... I watched person after person do this. 

I had a blast in Penang. And, it's called the food capitol of the world for a reason. I ate so much while we were there. Including a bottomless sushi buffet that we spent 3 hours at. I'm still repenting for my gluttonous week :) However, it was so delicious. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. While on vacation, I got to go to the movies in a theatre! Also, I got to get lots of Starbucks, eat legitimate ice cream, Karaoke my heart out, and even drink Vanilla Coke. It was really nice to get a break from rural society for a while and enjoy some Western things/city life for a little while. I feel SO REFRESHED! Ready for the next round of life here.

By the way, I have some really awesome friends who I think the father for all the time. Feeling encouraged, thankful, grateful, and blessed right now!!!

Shout out to the folks in P-City! You know who you are :)