"We're just people"

When I was saying goodbye to my grandma before I left the States, I told her I'd miss her, and she said, "We're just people. There are people everywhere." Hmm. It's hard to think about the ones that hold chunks of my heart in their hands as "just people," but the more I travel, the more He provides people to love on me and encourage me. It blows my mind that He uses "just people" to remind me of His love over and over again. 

"Just people" sent me out and promised to love me forever. 

"Just people" do life with me.

"Just people" come visit me. 

"Just people" let me live with them for 6 weeks in Thailand. 

"Just people" Skype in just to say hey. 

        

But, you know what? They're just people. It's true, but the One who sent me on this journey is with me every step of the way. 

"It is God to whom and with whom we travel, and while He is the end of our journey, He is also at every stopping place." 

— Elisabeth Elliot

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.  

Foreign to Familiar.

It just takes one step to go from foreign to familiar. One step off a plane into a country you call home. One step into the arms of someone you love. And today, one step into the local Starbucks. 

One second, I was in Thailand, and the next, I was somewhere so familiar that I stopped dead in my tracks. From tuks tuks, elephants, and idols to muffins, mugs, and the sweet smell of coffee. The menu was the same... well, except for "Coffee Jelly"... ? ... and the barista greeted me in Thai, but everything else was the same.

I've never loved franchises so much in my entire life. For a second I felt like I was sitting in the Starbucks on Kingwood Drive... just 5 minutes from home. Home. Familiar. Not foreign. 

Oh, by the way, Foreign to Familiar is a legit, practical book that has nothing to do with this post, but is a must-read before spending time overseas. 

Oman. Oh man.

I know, I know. Not many people would choose to vacation in the desert of Oman, but not everyone has friends who live in Afghanistan and jump up and down at the freedom found in this particular Middle Eastern country. After living in India for a while, this less-populous land was just what I needed to detox and process the last few months of my life.   

From overcrowded to desolate.

From endless colors to sand and sea. 

From to-dos to sweet vacation-induced oblivion. 

My heart raced as I rushed through the Dubai airport to find my sweet friend Allie Brill. Along with some of her fellow teachers from Afghanistan, we rented a sweet minivan... I mean, megavan... and headed down into Oman. Armed with a roadmap and somewhat keen sense of direction, it took about ten hours to conquer a six hour drive.

Mountains. 

Castles. 

Camels.

Dunes. 

Beachfronts. 

We arrived in the quaint little village of Fins that we called home for the week. A legit front porch. A five minute walk to a secluded beach. A ten minute drive to an intense sink hole. Surrounded by 'wadis' that are perfect for hiking and swimming. Sweet Omani fishermen share their day's catch as a "Welcome to Oman." Therapeutic walks along the shore looking for fun shells and dying of laughter as Al was "crab hunting."   

Refreshing. 

Delightful. 

JustwhatIneeded.

Safari.

This morning...

I rode an elephant out into the woods. 

And got to see dozens of rhinos. 

I discovered that elephants have these cute little hairs. 

I got to hang out with these crazy girls. 

And chill on the back of this Dumbo. 

 

I'm one happy camper. 

Random.2010.Highlights.

I'm not going to lie, this year has been full of ups, downs, and everything in between. I haven't really been good at processing my life lately, so I don't have any inspiring thoughts or reflections about the year, but I know that it was full of change. I've seen things I could have never imagined. I've heard stories that I could have never made up. I've encountered brokenness & seen heartbreak. I've also experienced true joy and had life breathed into me day in and day out. HE'S ALWAYS LEADING, AND I'M LEARNING TO FOLLOW. 

Here are a few random highlights from the ole 2010:

Climbed a mountain.

Played with fire. 

Rolled around in wild flowers. 

Goofed off all summer with my incredible baby brothers & sisters.

Got to spend some time with these ladies. 

Treasured every second of sweet friend time.

Photoshoot with my beautiful sister. 

Graduated from the ole SFA.

Spent some time at the beach with these people. 

And with these people... an absolute blast.

                     Then I left home for a while and got to prepare for overseas life these people. 

Then I said bye to these people.

And met these people. 

And here I am today. Living it up in South Asia. I don't know what this next year holds, but I will never be the same. 

Here we go again.

Transition is becoming the new norm. 

Home is where the heart is, right? haha. Over-spiritualization. I'm learning that my earthly home is wherever my head hits the pillow.

These are a few things that help me to feel 'settled.'

- knowing where the bathroom is. 

- spreading out my little teal blanket over my bed. 

- taping a few pictures to the wall. 

- looking out the nearest window and taking a deep breath. 

- going for a stroll around the neighborhood. 

Tomorrow, I'll be headed to my new home on the other side of this sweet country. 

To learn a language I've never heard. To live with people I've never met. To know my Father in a way I can't imagine. 

Typical Taxi. Welcome to my life.

First Impressions. 5 senses.

Touch.
Dirt. Grime. Naan. Stacks of fabric. Rupees.

Taste.
Rice. Curry. Spices. Chai. Dust.

Smell.
Fresh flowers in the market. Fart and gasoline. Diarrhea. Chai Tea. Incense. Train squatty. Intense BO.

See.
Color. Faces. Idols. Worship. Ganges River. Christmas lights. Fresh veggies. Creepy mannequins. Traffic.

Hear.
More car horns than I ever thought possible. Foreign languages. "T.K." (it means okay). Chants. Call to prayer. Eager market venders repeating the three English words they know over and over.