An Indian 2011.

Turns out, I lived in India for all.of.2011. And I will never be the same.

It's real hard for me to process through all I've learned and experienced this year, but I think I can come up with a list of some sort.

Hit up Oman, Malaysia, and the UAE.
Thought on my feet.
Danced with the tribes.
Learned some language.
Treated Thailand like a home-away-from-home.
Made some LEGIT friends.
Drew a little henna.
Took buses, autos, rickshaws, metros, trains, planes, and truckers like there was no tomorrow.
Trained some teachers.
Loved on some babies.
Hurt with the hurting.
Ate enough rice for a Chinese province.
Accidentally picked up on Indian English.

Will never be the same.

September Snippets.

It's pretty obvious that I've been a blog slacker, so I'm going to try to get back on board and post some little snippets of life here and random happenings. 

Here are a few fun facts about September. 

I went on a boat ride the other day and it was wonderful. 

I got to work with a group that does anti-trafficking dramas & learned so much. 

It's pretty normal to smash cake on everyone's face at a birthday party, so I couldn't resist. 

Spent some sweet time in the Word.

Got to see this scooter. So good. 

Umm... and I got peed on by a cow. Is that normal? No. Did it happen? Yes. 

ANNDD I got to help welcome this sweet baby into the world. Maddy's niece. 

And so much more-- come on over and check out life here. You'll never be the same. 

May: in journal snippets

5/1- A part of me feels like I just got to India, and the other part feels like I've been here an eternity. 
5/2- Because of His love: I'm changed. Different. New. Shattered. Altered. Transformed. 
5/3- Oh, let truth sink into my head and heart today. 
5/4- I was in survival mode- I definitely needed time in Thailand for restoration. 
5/5- If we're not having problem people attracted to us, we need to ask why. 
5/6- Our God id higher than any other. 
5/7- I learned to drive stick shift today. Right side of the car. Right side of the road. Right side of the world. 
5/8- I'm broken, yet you chose me. Me. It blows my mind. 
5/9- My Thailand visa expires tomorrow, my passport is still in the US, and I'll soon be jail bait, but I love it here. 
5/10- Ruth made it to Africa. I absolutely love her and wouldn't mind being attached at the hip from this point on. 
5/11- The amount of time I spend in coffee shops with a journal in my lap directly relates to my sanity. 
5/12- I currently have traffic lights painted on my big toe nails. 
5/13- Line dancing with Thais is freakin hilarious. 
5/14- Friends. Unstoppable. Though we're scattered, we stand together. 
5/15- "Are you ready to head back to India?" Yes. No. Yes & no. I don't know. Yes?
5/16- This is the day that the Lord has made. 
5/17- You carry me when my own steps would just get me in trouble. 
5/18- Transformation. 
5/19- Turns out, I just had a run-in with the Royal Thai Police. I'm an "alleged offender" for overstaying a visa. I don't recommend it. 
5/20- His creation declares. Proclaims. Pours out. Reveals. 
5/21- I sobbed on the way to my flat from the airport... mostly because I saw on the road as a soul who desperately needs Him. I'm broken to pieces. 
5/21- I want to be ready. 
5/22- Sunday. Free to breathe. 
5/23- I'm ready to follow if someone else leads. 
5/24- I press on. 
5/25- Forget not all his benefits. 
5/26- Early mornings in the Word. 
5/27- Stronghold of my life. Lifter of my head. What I seek. 
5/28- Noise is overwhelming.
5/29- The quiet. 
5/30- Strength. 
5/31- I want chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.

BAM. April Acclimations.

From India to the ole UAE, Oman, and Thailand... my ability to acclimate to new cultures has been officially tested and tried over the last month.  

Somewhere along the way, it hit just like that. The dreaded “wall.” I had been warned, but I guess I thought I could avoid the flow of tears and sense of paralyzation that comes with it, but no, I am not above the “wall.” 

Once I got to Thailand to apply for a new visa, I had enough time on my hands to process life in India, and honestly, thinking through my experiences was more overwhelming than the experiences themselves. The intense spiritual darkness. The heartbreaking stories. Poverty. Overcrowded streets, shops, homes, temples, and mosques. Beautiful friendships. Bold believers. Oppressive noise levels. Dysfunctional school system. Abundant need. 

I didn’t realize how worn out I was until I had time to rest. I didn’t realize I was holding my breath until I had time to breathe again. I didn’t really think I needed a break, but who is in control here? Good thing it’s not me. I’m SO thankful that “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.”  Though I felt like I came kicking and screaming (well, I’m not that dramatic), He is using this time to restore my spirit and to renew my focus. 

Why do I love Him? Because He loved me first. Why do I follow Him? Because He told me to. Why does he love me despite my flesh and pursue me even when I’m lost in my own world? I have no idea, but I wouldn’t trade this relationship with the King for anything.  

Monstrous March.

Let's face it. 


I'm 5'9", and I live in Asia, so I feel a lot like Elf some days.


Turns out, we have a lot in common.


When I wear my hair in a high bun (my personal favorite), I can't stand up all the way on the bus and my poor bun SMACKS into doorways. In my mind, I say, "High bun slapppp" every time it happens. 

I don't blend in very well... so I get stared at a lot... mostly because I'm white... and partially because I'm HUGE....

I have to concentrate HARD when conversing in my newfound language, so sometimes, embarrassingly enough, I bend down to listen. 

The owner of a guest house I stayed at last week was REAL worried because he thought the beds would be too short for me... "Sir, I'm big... but I'm not THAT big."

I don't take it personally. Really. But sometimes lately I have felt awkward... like there's no where to hide... or like there's a raccoon CLAWING at my face. 

So... I press on. Even though I'm taller than the next guys, and sometimes I sit in seats that are a tad too small...

...I love it here. 

February. In journal entries.

Here are some snippets from my journal entries this month... some are prayers, some rantings, some random thoughts or happenings. You can read the whole thing... when I die one day. haha.

1st. Love of God, overflow. Permeate all my soul.

2nd. I don't know what I'm doing.

3rd. 8 Indian women. 12 colors of nail polish. Countless laughs.

4th. I have a love/hate relationship with being followed. Leading is a huge responsibility.

5th. Sometimes our expectations aren't met because He has something better in mind.

6th. You're not bound by my weakness or inexperience.

7th. People here are desperate to know Him whether they know it or not.

8th. I want to ride an elephant real bad. Ki korim?

9th. Tasks and responsibility. Lists and opportunity. Lord, use my to-dos.

10th. I roll out of bed on my knees.

11th. My sufficiency is from Him.

12th. Earthy.

13th. Monkey temple. Legit coffee.

14th. It's Valentines. MASH and no-bake cookies? Yes please.

15th. Day of meetings. Feeling feverish. Hmm.

16th. There's no such thing as an ordinary day. Not here.

17th. ... the ultimate legacy.

18th. Fathom the unfathomable.

19th. Vision, mission, and goals.

20th. Friendships bridge cultural differences and language barriers.

21st. I'm packing up & moving across town.

22nd. Contextualization.

23rd. Establish the work of our hands.

24th. Today is much bigger than me.

25th. Without you, I am nothing. I will not survive.

26th. We, the body, will join our voices.

27th. "Just invest in those who have the greatest desire to spread the Word."

28th. He came through despite of me... He always does.

January Snippets.

In January, I...

Learned some traditional dances.

Got a big girl job working for an NGO. 

I love it, but whatever happened to chillin at McDonald's with your siblings and calling it a day?

Wanted to ride a bike real bad... but I didn't have one.  

Was in India at the same time as my sister. I didn't get to see her, but we sure did Skype. 

Made some West African food with Indian ingredients. 

Made a partnership with a school for kids in the slums. 

Started reading through the Word chronologically. Read it. It'll change your life. 


Walked in a line of nuns for a mile or two. (I was holding the same bag in the same hand.... so I felt like a nun too. I might be crazy.)

Learned a little about farming. Chillies!

Made some new friends.

(Some are on my team.)

(Some randomly invited me for lunch... and into their lives.)

(One is my new partner at the NGO.)

Saw 3 random elephants around the city. (I stole this picture from scoot)

Found a legit coffee shop across town. 

Brought the pancake breakfast tradition to India.

Found a legit fresh flower supplier. 

Got used to public transportation with negative personal space.