It's hard to know where to start when writing this. Looking back on this past semester, it's amazing for me to see how evident God's hand was, and is, in me embarking on this adventure. I am going to be spending 76 days or about 11 weeks in Thailand. Until recently I never thought I would be spending my summer in Southeast Asia, let alone Thailand. After attending Urbana, a youth missions conference, over Christmas break I knew I both desired and needed to use this summer as a sort of "stepping stone" for continuing to discover the Lord's path for my life. After seemingly failed attempts to connect with missionaries supported by my church, my friend Hannah suggested I come to Thailand with her for the summer. Her parents are missionaries there, working at a Christian school. So, after many emails and much prayer we bought our plane tickets to Thailand.

We will be living with Hannah's family in Chiang Mai, a large city in the North. In the mornings we are planning on taking language classes in order to try and learn Thai. Our afternoons will be filled with helping out at an orphanage. We are still unsure of many of the details regarding our exact activities, however I know it will all become clear. I'm trying this new thing where I don't worry over things I can't control. I'm excited to see what God wants to teach me through the Thai culture, the missionaries we will be working along side, the Thai people I'll come into contact with, and the opportunity to become involved in a local church.

Through out my time there, I desire to always remember to be a learner. To listen first, rather that being quick to offer my input or advice. If my Anthropology classes have taught me nothing else, they have taught me the importance of entering a new cultural setting ready to listen. I desire to seek whether working overseas in full-time ministry is something I can see myself loving and something God wants for my life. And I desire to more fully learn about the Thai culture in order to better understand the people I'll be meeting.

This entire road leading to Thailand and recent past disappointments have taught me that we have no right to decide where we should be placed, or to have preconceived ideas as to what God is preparing us to do. I'm ready to see what He has to teach me about Himself and His world through this adventure. I'm waiting in anticipation.