Travels

There is just so much to update.. I'll have real updates when I'm back in China next week, but for now...

We started in China and ended up in Thailand via Vietnam and Cambodia. We spent about a week and a half in Vietnam going down the coast. We took an open tour.. so basically we got to get off the bus where we wanted and then catch another when we want. It was a really great way to travel.

Vietnam as a whole is an interesting country. The history is interesting with the war and their development. They don't hate Americans.. or have any anger towards us. We got to go to the DMZ and the tunnels and the military cemetary. It was a great learning experience. Other parts were the drugs and partying and foreigners. I felt like I was in a completely new World.. and everyone was so much A Part of the World. It broke my heart and drove me to this breakdown of sorts. It's not like innocent China. It's corrupt. It was really hard to be apart of.

Cambodia was by far my favorite. I was reading "First They Killed My Father" while we were going through this country. It was a great way to experience the country and see part of the history. The children just captured my heart. There was a cute little girl who sold me a bracelet. She was 6 and so smart. Her English was so much better than my students. She also knew the capitals to lots of countries.. that was her sales tactic. She won me.. Then there was another girl who also was 6 years old. She got a dollar for 10 postcards, my necklace, and my heart. Her name was Saren. She was beautiful and precious. I just adore these children.

We went to Angkor Wat and looked at the temples. We did the short tour and saw about 10 temples. Amazing. Largest religious structure in the World. I had so much going on in my heart about it. We all signed a paper and wrote Matt. 24:2 on the paper and hid it in the walls at one of the temples. It was such an incredible day.

The bus to Bangkok was interesting today. We started on one bus that was packed and luggage all over us. It took them an hour to situate us and the luggage. To get off the bus we had to climb the seats to get on and off. When we got to the border we were standing in line, and they decided it had too much order.. being asia.. they just told us to move up and make a mass. haha. then we get through and they tell us to wait on the Thailand side. Our group has been split at this point. We wait and finally just walk past the officials and end up on a bus. A little worried, but we end up in Bangkok and meet up with the boys again. It was an all day affair.

It's been an amazing trip with lots of emotions tugging on my heart. I will have pictures and updates when i'm home mid-februaryish. i still have about 3 weeks of travels left. So much... I'm homesick for my friends and family and people that understand me. It's difficult to be with people who don't understand me or give me hugs..

I also got to watch the Inauguration. It's interesting the Global interest on the topic. So many people want to talk about it when they find out I'm American. It's so interesting their views..

Way Up High or Down Low

I'll go wherever you lead me. I'll do whatever your will is.

This week has been busy and stressful. I have had a bad China week. They happen sometimes.. They are very rare for me, but this week was the ulitmate. I am just so ready to be outside for a while. I am excited about the next month and being away. I'm hoping less people smoke down in southeast asia.

I have been a little sick too.. so. Needless to say, I am ready for holiday. I am finishing my grades tonight and tomorrow is packing and cleaning. Saturday we are leaving. We have had to revise our travel plans a little, but I know it's all going to work out for the best.

Please just keep me in your conversations with DAD. Special requests are the traveling that is going on this month in China.. it's holiday. My health, patience, understanding. It's going to be an amazing trip, but it's going to be long and there are 5 of us going.. which will be interesting. I'm sure I will have so many stories to share when I get back.

New Years

Good Friends

Ringing in the New Year

Pool and Balloons

Staticy balloons

It was really fun to be with some good friends to ring in the new year. We had a good time playing some pool and people watching. There was a great live band and just some good fellowship. It was a blast. now 2009 is here... I've never been one for resolutions. I know that I'm not in complete control of my life. I do control some things, but this year I am making one.

I am breaking away from my independence. I don't want to be independent from DAD. I want to just be completely submitted in that relationship. I still have a few steps to take to get there, so that's what i'm going to work on this year. My life committment is in the right place, and my talents are not being buried. I still have to get out of the independent mindset. I need to be completely dependent on that relationship. I need to stop thinking for myself and be completely consumed by that relationship.

Happy New Year!!