17 more days in Asia! :O

This past week and a half has been amazing to say the least! I didn't really know what I was getting into when agreeing to "babysit" TCKs (Third-Culture Kids (their parents are from one culture + they live in another culture = their third culture)). I just figured it would be something to do in between ending the year and Vietnam and I also p**yed that I'd get some kind of insight from God while I was at it. I wasn't expecting too much from it in the least.

But dang, it was amazing! First of all I was apart of a International Team of TCK workers. After hanging out at the dorm, Emma, Peter, and I walked from our dorm to the Riverside Hotel a little before we were to meet for dinner. I came in extremely hot from the walk just in time to put my stuff down and exchange the slightly awkward hellos. It's interesting to look back at your first impressions of people and see how they have developed into such amazing friendships! Our TCK team consisted of 23ish people from 8 different countries! I now have so much God-family from Australia, New Zealand (of course), England, Switzerland, The Philippines, Korea, Canada, and in different parts of the US! If nothing else, it was amazing to meet these people and come together under a common purpose. We rode elephants, bamboo rafted, went to a Thai cooking class, went to some training, and met with our age groups to go over the week! There were quite a few of us around 20 years old or a bit older so we partied it up! ;) It was really fun getting to know all those wonderful people from different stages of life! There was even a couple on their HONEYMOON! haha! That is what I call dedication! ;D But I don't feel so bad because now they are on their way to Hawaii (to do a bit of other things then vacation but still)! =P I'm so thankful for Facebook because I would hate for these new friends to leave my life for good!

That was just a third of the wonder that this week consisted of! I absolutely LOVED working with the 3 and 4 year olds. I secretly think they are the best age because they are getting to the point of understanding and being able to have full conversations with you but they still hold that sense of innocence. It's hilarious to be with them! They showed me beauty in the hidden things this week and I tried hard not to have favorites but a little Korean boy stole my heart...I wanted to keep him when it ended!

We also got the opportunity to listen to Ms and eat meals with them throughout the week. It was inspiring to hear stories and testimonies of all that is going on where they are and how they got there. I have more p**yer purpose when I go back to mundane America ;D. It was extremely encouraging to see such youthful and alive workers representing the harvest in each place. It dawned on me that each child we worked with represented a min***ry somewhere in Asi*. It's making me pumped for whatever He calls me to as I keep moving forward. I've realized that I have a heart for mobilization as well...I'm not exactly sure how that's all going to play out but I'm trusting He's got it all. He's gotten me and my crazy self this far after all! :)

Tomorrow morning we head off to Vietnam! I still have to pack and make sure everything is in order. ;) We're staying with two HA Alumni for the first night which is crazy cool! We're backpacking from the north to the south and will be there until the 30th! Please p**y for us and that He would move and His will would be done! Next time I blog I'll either be back in Chiang Mai about to fly home, in some airport somewhere, or back in North Carolina! :) Ah, I've experienced so much bittersweet feelings as each season comes to a close far too soon and as each new season begins! There's beauty in it all, though!

In Him,

Amanda

One month later...update! ;D

Wow, I officially did what I said I would try my hardest not to do!

Fail at updating.

;) Where did I leave off? I had just come back from Suphanburi & the two week holiday in Central Thailand. Well, in the little more than a month since I've blogged tons of life has happened as I'm sure it has for you! I basically hung out with the kids and got to know them more! For someone who's love language is quality time, it's not such a bad deal! ;) Week to week it's always a bit different but we would go to their after-school things, play a ton of games, and just share with each other!

Spiritually, the Lord has been teaching me a lot! I remember Him teaching me a lot about not taking myself too seriously. If you know me, you know I can be very silly! I find joy in the littlest things & I'd much rather laugh like a kid then grow up :) But when it comes to the way I think, I think in terms of feeling (phlegmatic) & depth (melancholy). I have come to learn that I go deeper with a person if I feel that I can give my trust to them. But that's another lesson entirely. ;D Anyways, because I tend to think deeply, I also tend to take MYSELF too seriously. If I'm failing in an area I tend to be too hard on myself and all I can see and think about is my weaknesses. He has been showing me that the joy I see in the world can also be seen in my weakness! The little quirks that I find annoying or weak, others find humorous and love me for them (ex: no sense of direction). Plus, His strength is made perfect in our weakness, right?! :)

The other huge lesson He's been teaching me is about selfless love. As I've looked over my life and my friendships, I have realized that when I was a child, I acted like a child. Hah! 1 Corinthians 13 is where I'm going with this! The verse continues to say, "but when I became a man I put childish ways behind me." The part earlier in the passage that says, "love is not self-seeking" was brought to me through a fiction book I was reading. It really stuck out to me and has been sticking with me since. Love that is not self-seeking is looking for the other person's benefit more then their own. They would rather the other person be happy or have God's best or whatever you want to call it then anything else. To me, selfless love means not thinking about myself first but rather for the good of others. I pray that I would be able to have that played out in my friendships from this moment forward.

So that is somewhat of what the Lord has been doing in me. I've been having such a great time here in Chiang Mai! It's going by so fast! Today, as I type this, is graduation! It is such a bittersweet time! I love these kids so much and I will have to say goodbye to them very soon!

Tomorrow at 2pm I leave to join with the other volunteers for the Mekong Reunion! The Mekong Reunion is basically this week where all of the tribal OMF Ms come together and go to classes and sessions and enjoy each others company after being away for a year! We will be doing some team building exercises like going Elephant riding and river rafting! We'll also be cooking a thai meal so that will be interesting! :D I'm in a team of three and we will be teaching the 3s and 4 year olds at the Reunion.

After that I will have a day to gather everything together and then the next morning Emma, Peter (the dorm assistant at the other dorm) three others, and I will fly out to Vietnam! We will be backpacking, p***er-walking, talking with the Ms, and helping out where we can! I will truly learn what roughing it looks like! (ESOAL was a bit more than roughing it in normalcy ;D) We will be traveling through north Vietnam all the way down to south Vietnam in a time period of two weeks! So a lot of it will be traveling and walking but I'm excited it!

THEN, I come home on the 30th of June and then fly out THAT NIGHT and come home! It's so crazy to think that this time next month I will be flying up in the sky watching my third movie or conked out. =P

This has been such an amazing experience. If I would have known what it was going to look like, I would have been here ages before I did. It just goes to show you how much harder living forward is in faith. Thankfully, He is gracious and merciful!

I pray you guys are doing great! See you soon!

In Him,

Amanda

Confirmation through the Valley Update

I figured I should update tonight before things get a bit crazier!

Yesterday, Emma and I came back from two weeks of "Holiday". I use quotations because it wasn't exactly restful for us, nor did we need or want that restful time! On the 5th we took a 10hr drive from Chiang Mai to Chiangnat in Central Thailand. There we helped at a Children's camp with crafts. I have pictures on Facebook if you'd like to see!

It was an interesting experience for me. I've been to Ecuador, the only other country I have been to in which I can't understand the language around me. While in Ecuador however, we had constant translators. Being in Central Thailand surrounded by a little over a hundred kids was tough for me. That week was the first time I experienced actual culture shock. In Chiang Mai I had experienced little culture shocks but nothing like at the camp. There was one night I went back to my room while the kids were having their evening session and I just sat and cried out to God in prayer, absolutely helpless. I asked God if He was for real, I told Him that I don't think I'm cut out for this....I was basically being a Moses plain and simple. I'm such a relational person...my most favorite thing in the world is to have heart to hearts with people...to get into their way of thinking, to get into their mind and see where they come from and meet them there while possibly bringing them up. And I LOVE kids! So those two things being denied from me was very tough for me. I sat and watched these kids and couldn't say more than hello to them!

I have read that it is extremely important for a person to KNOW they are called to the mission field before they go because it's extremely tough and would be easy to leave when it gets tough. I was feeling that the very thing night I was pleading with the Lord. I was doubting that He even called me, I was doubting that I have what it takes, I was missing home, it was just a tough time with no one to confide in but God (which is the best thing because when He brings you out you can only give the assurance to Him!).

And I received that assurance! After the camp we went with a missionary couple, the Robertsons, and their daughter Gracie who have been on the field for ten years. They have older children who are already out of college and Gracie who is ten. They are from New Zealand so I was officially surrounded by all Kiwis! A bit of a culture shock even with just that! ;) But as I talked with them and with another new missionary, Gaeron who is from Holland, I received such sweet confirmation!! I shared some of my prophesy and my story of how the Lord has brought me from a little kid at Mars Alliance responding to a missionaries prayer to the ATF...landing on Thailand, to the HA, to the missionary kid from Thailand telling me about what his parents do and coming here. It's hard to go into all the details but I received SUCH confirmation as to Thailand being the place He has called me. In the prophesy, he said that I'll speak to people that are rich in things and that are pour in spirit. When Gaeron took us to breakfast he said that Thailand is one of the richest countries in Southeast Asia but probably the poorest in spirit...less than 1% of the country is Christian! It blew my mind...I had guesses but didn't realize. I'm always open to God changing what I feel confirmed, especially with my heart to write and to go to many places and I feel like He might do that, but I do know that He put Thailand on my heart for a reason and He has confirmed it.

I learned so much about Church Planting and the different ways to go about it and just so much wisdom and daily ins and outs. OMF has a heart to church plant to church plant to church plant! As I have been praying if God is calling me with this organization I have been praying what He is exactly calling me to do. I feel like I want to get some kind of journalism degree or something at a Bible college and then go from there. And I haven't received confirmation, but human and sex trafficking continues to be on my heart. Sometimes I feel silly but every time I see a white man or even a Thai man with two or more girls wearing inappropriate clothing my heart jumps. I, of course, don't go and judge the man for I have no idea the truth but there is a tug on my heart each time and my heart asks what if and longs to respond in anyway I can. I actually look around in surprise at the people with me and wonder if they see what I see, feeling slightly embarrassed to even bring it up or question it. I also still have such a huge heart for the church of America and it's ungodliness in different ways: false prophets, lawlessness, etc and I have a heart for people coming back to Him.

So I really don't know what He has for me but I do have confirmation that He has brought me this far. It's so beautiful, really...even when my heart cries out to Him and longs for different things I am reminded of His steadfast faithfulness and must cling to that through the doubts and insecurities. I've never liked doing things alone no matter how much I've jumped to do anything the Lord asks but I feel like I'll have to do more things alone. But, I'll have Him so it brings me a deeper peace than what's on the outside.

I pray you guys are doing well! I also ask that you guys pray for me on something specific! There has been an opportunity that has come up that I have been praying a ton about whether to take or not! It may also be a little bit more in the funds department so I am praying very hard about what God has for me. Pray that God will provide if He is calling me there and if not, that is fine too...both opportunities are good ones...I just like knowing exactly what He wants! ;)

I love you guys!

Amanda

two weeks down, two ahead!

Hello friends and family,

Well, I wanted to share with you a bit about what these last two weeks have looked like and what the next two weeks may entail! :)

I've begun to really get into the swing of things! I love these kids and love the family atmosphere I feel in this dorm! I have also enjoyed the times when I have explored the city and tried new things with the other dorm assistants! :) Sometimes I'm prone to feel bad because Chiang Mai truly isn't "roughing it" by any standards! It's a wonderful city, definitely different than the states, but truly "Americanized" at the same time. The culture is definitely different, full of day and night markets with everything from trendy clothes to arts and crafts made my the thai, they drive on the other side of the road (very scary when you tend to forget to look the OTHER way when crossing a busy street (you must also remember to look for fast motorbikes because they are numbered the same as the cars)), and the language gap can be a little disheartening. So many times I want to talk with people and hear about their life when there is this language gap between us. But I have loved to talk with other foreigners that are here on vacation or have lived here for years! It's awesome to hear their stories and share life and hopefully bring hope into theirs.

I've also begun to feel the oppression that is here. In America the oppression is clear in a lot of ways, we've just become numb to it. Here, it feels like the oppression is a little bit harder for me to see because I don't communicate & speak their language, and yet very easy for me to see in how they interact with each other and go about life. Thais seem to have this "whatever happens, happens" feel about them. That's perfect for me because that is my personality in a nutshell but it has caused me to see a differentiation between us. They say that when a Thai gets into a car accident they are VERY slow at getting it solved. And it's because they go through life as if they can't do anything about their circumstances and what is dealt to them can't be changed because of a past life..all they can do is give a little bit here and there and hope it helps them in the next one. It's basically "you reap what you sow" but slightly distorted. They feel like the cards given to them, what they have to sow into this life, can't be changed because of what they reaped from a previous one.

It's very interesting to observe and take in....and yet I love it so much! These past two weeks have been an amazing time and yet a relatively easy time. Starting this weekend the kids are leaving for their "spring break" which is more like a summer break because this is the hot season. So they are going back to stay with their families while that leaves two weeks for me to fill! I have a chance to give of myself in a harder way, a chance to maybe deserve some of the praise I've been hearing from all of you ;) (that was a joke) I have an opportunity to go down to central Thailand for a children's' camp they have. Thai children from all over the city down there will come to this camp and do games and activities and hear the Gospel! A lot of them get saved in the process, it is just tough because when they go back home the Buddhist parents do not want them to stay Christians. They are happy that they are going and everything, they just don't want them to change.

So I'll leave on Tuesday morning and take a 8 or 9 hour bus ride there and arrive and jump right into the camp, along with Emma. The camp will last until around Saturday and then it just depends on what we want to do from there. They have their Thai New Year the following week which is fun in Chiang Mai because they basically have a NATIONAL WATER GUN FIGHT! But it would also be a good experience to have it down in Central Thailand because we will get to see how the church has incorporated it with a prayer of blessing from the elders. So it just depends on what we are feeling up for after the camp. I'm excited to be able to travel some and see more of Thailand.

The place I would be going to is also the place they have OMF long term missionaries go for language and other schooling so I'll be able to see where it is I'll go if I feel that's where God has me and if OMF is the place to go through.

As far as costs, it won't be too much more than what is budgeted plus I have been here for two weeks and I haven't even touched the money set aside for this trip. Basically, living in Thailand is SO much more cheaper than living in the States by leaps and bounds! And I haven't been doing much extra so Jen said not to worry too much about it. I'm learning trust in more forms than one with the Lord and it's so good. Do not be anxious about anything, but with everything, with prayer and thanksgiving, make your requests known to the Lord and the peace that surpasses all understanding with guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

So I ask that you please pray for me as I go on this trip. Please pray that I will be able to serve in every capacity and that the Lord would give me extra strength (I have been feeling a little weak in just the day to day things which makes me wonder if my iron continues to be low) to pour out in this next week! Please also pray for the children that will be going and that their hearts would be open to what these counselors and leaders have to say. Just renewed strength and open hearts all around! :)

I love you all and I appreciate everything! I'm not sure if I'll be using the computer much but until then...

In Him,

Amanda

It's only been FOUR days?!??!

Has it really been ONLY 4 days since I've been in Thailand?!?! (minus the traveling) It feels like it's been weeks and yet like it's passing way too fast already! I'm loving it so much! Could it even be a better fit??? ]I'm full of such peace...being where the Lord has me for this season! Living through Him instead of myself....being my quirky self but allowing it and letting it flow and not trying or striving but being and I'm starting to mesh more and more! :)

I'm learning so much! I have so much more respect for missionaries who sacrifice and missionary kids who go through so much! I don't think people realize the sacrifice that it takes and yet it's such a beautiful thing to see....such a beautiful thing to hear testimonies of the Lord working and the harvest that is Thailand and in other countries! This morning's message was a good reminder to never be ashamed or feel guilty for walking in obedience to Christ and putting God first.

The Lord works so funny sometimes! Sunday before I left a guest speaker came to church and spoke about Rebekah and Isaac and their story and being faithful in the daily things, etc. Well, this weekend at the church I went to this morning, half way around the world, the pastor spoke on Rebekah and Isaac...and picked up RIGHT where the other pastor left off last week! I think He's trying to tell me something! haha!

There are so many parallels to the story of Isaac and Rebekah. Obviously, you can take the parallel of God bringing two people together in such a God way but I don't think that's what He's trying to show me in this season. :) I've gotten a ton more than even just that! Last week I got a ton of revelation in the first part of the story. (If you'd like to read their story you can go here.) Rebekah was just being faithful in her daily life...she wasn't striving or doubtful she was just going about her life and going the extra mile in the daily things. We know that it was God that gave her the nudge to give Abraham's servant's camels water but she chose to obey and be open to what He had.

This week the pastor began when the servant wanted to leave with Rebekah. In verse 55 the parents want Rebekah to stay with them longer but the servant asked them not to delay him because it was the Lord that orchestrated the entire thing! They then asked Rebekah what she thought and she said she would go. She caught the vision too! Something the pastor said this morning was to not prolong what God has set up. I feel like in preparing for Thailand there was a lot of prolonging...I knew this was what God had called me to deep down but I was in part unsure and anxious and putting it off. But time and time again I would get signs that He wanted me to continue forward and even convictions that kept me going forward.

There are so many more beautiful parallels I can take from this but one thing the pastor hit on really touches deep. He said God partners with us to fulfill His promises and we step out in faith when we are actively engaged in Him. Rebekah allowed God to work in her life and was open to what He had...Isaac was likewise and the servant had the faith that the Lord was high above it all! The message I listened to tonight, Journey's service, hit on things similar! It was just amazing to hear! I feel like my entire life, each step of the way has been obedience by obedience and leap of faith after leap of faith. I may not know what's next and it may not be exactly what America thinks works or what is ideal for the regular young adult life but He has been so faithful to me in the past that I am trusting in Him to lead me in my future.

I'll be sure to post more soon...especially about what goes on every day and maybe even a video or two with pictures if you don't have facebook! :) Tomorrow there are two birthdays in the dorm and half the kids are off from school! I'm having my first Thai language class tomorrow morning and then Emma, the other dorm assistant, and I are having a scavenger hunt with the birthday girl Sue and her friends who are spending the night tonight! :) Uncle Scott (they call them Uncle and Aunt...and I'm Auntie Amanda ;)) is the other birthday tomorrow so we're celebrating his too! :) Quite a busy life! Tuesday is my day off so I'll probably hang out with the other dorm assistants in the other dorm! :) Another guy from New Zealand is coming at the end of April to help in the other dorm...they are losing one of their dorm assistants this week and another when the new guy comes.

So that is a little of what is going on! I hope you braved reading the entire thing! If you'd like to skype just contact me in some way! Nights (your time)work best for me because my shift is basically from 3-10 plus weekends so mornings are best. I'm becoming quite the morning bird whether I like it or not! I don't know what's up with me but I keep waking up around 4:30am then making myself go back to sleep, then waking up around 6 or 7 & staying up. And I'm getting so tired at night time...jet lag? I don't know! :D

I love you guys and will update soon! :)

Amanda

Airport Update!

Hello friends!

I have to make this short because I'm in the Korea airport & I don't quite understand how to work the plugs! :D Plus, I don't know if I'm extremely coherent enough to make a blog, not to mention I have no idea the current time & how long until the flight. =P But I'm here and alive!

Well, traveling has been quite an experience! I think it made it extra special because I started out with next to no sleep! Yesterday (I think...?) was kinda a blur right now. I walked around the dulles airport a lot & ate chipotle and met a dude from Cambodia and paid for my internet and had many phone conversations with my parents and fought annoyance and sat surrounded by all Asians which I LOVED! I loved the variety that their were...so many different looks, all beautiful! :) Now I'm sitting with a different feel....a smaller group..and all with Thai...possibly the majority living in Chiang Mai It feels like they all know each other...even though I don't think they do. It's kind of neat to watch. I'm surrounded by a bunch of Thai women chatting away and the men are on the other side chatting! :)

The14hr flight was interesting. I sat on the window seat, watched a ton of movies...started watching True Grit but I think I was too tired to follow it and hear every word they said so I never finished. I felt like I ate a TON! I fell asleep every here and there but couldn't sleep for long so I have no idea how long I actually slept. The couple that sat next to me were from South Korea...that was interesting...telling people what I'm planning on doing in Thailand. I realized I don't know exactly what to say. It's one thing to tell people in the US that I'm going to help missionary kids and missionaries but I just don't know if that is the right wording to use with people in other countries. I think it's something I'm going to talk with the Tibbetts about :)

So cute! I was sitting typing this & lady beside me motioned her fingers all up and kinda motioned to my laptop...I thought she was asking how old I was but she was trying to say the sun was in my eyes. I finally got it when the lady across from us patted the seat next to her. :D Aw, they lookin out for me even if we can't communicate! :D

Well, the battery is getting low! Maybe I can update soon I should try to figure out what time it is & if I'll have time to grab something to eat....I think I'll get dinner on this 5 hour flight but not sure. Next stop, Chiang Mai! Oh my! It's happening! :)

Love you guys!

Till next time,

Amanda

Oh, it's starting to hit!

Hello friends and family! :)

Well, as you can tell, this blog will be a place to come to see updates and thoughts of my time in Thailand! I hope I blog a bit more over these next three and a half months than I did in the 12 months I was in Texas. (Oops! :O)

I can't believe that in 10 DAYS I will be on a 14 hour flight to Korea then a 5hour flight at 4am our time (4pm there) to Chiang Mai!! It feels surreal...especially since I'm just in the very beginning steps of packing! Yikes!

I wanted to take some time to thank you all who may read this blog for praying for me & helping me get to this place in more ways than one! I continue to be blown away and blessed with all that He provides in each season and the joy it is to follow Him step by step! It has been quite a road spiritually, emotionally, and physically to get here (if you'd like to read a bit of my heart on that, you can read it here.) but it has been mind-blowing to see how God proves Himself so faithful in every season!

I know this new season is going to consist of a lot of pouring out and serving and I pray that I never stop going to the One who fills us up so we can pour out. I'm excited for what's ahead & I pray He guides me and shows me what's next from season to season.

I will probably post before I leave as the nerves begin to sink in! =P I love you all! God Bless!

Amanda