One Week Down...

103 to go!!! :)

My first week in Thailand has gone pretty well! I adjusted to the time change relatively quickly since I didn't get any sleep got very little sleep while I traveled. I'm adjusting to the heat & humidity a little slower, but it hasn't been too bad - although I can't wait to take a shower & not immediately feel like I need another one :)

I don't have much to write about because this week was just time to adjust & get settled. I talked with Stephen about a tentative schedule for my ministry. (I say tentative because you never know if/when it will change here :) ) I'll be going to language school on Mon, Wed, & Fri afternoons. The way things look now, I'll have clinic time on Tues & Thurs mornings & teach English on Sat. I'm excited to get to work!

One other thing that I was able to do this week, that I had failed to do & stick with in the months I was home, was to set aside certain times during the day for devotionals, Bible study, & just spending time with God. This was something I desperately needed to do & has been much easier to do here without all of the distractions...yet. (I know distractions will be coming!)

One of the many books I'm reading right now is "Captivating" by John & Stasi Eldredge. As I was reading this week, something they wrote jumped off the page at me:

"He (meaning God) often takes us aside from every other source of comfort

so that He alone can have our heart's attention."

This statement hit the nail right on the head of why I am in this season of my life. (one of the reasons, anyway) It was such a poignant reminder to me this week at a time I needed it most! Lord, you have my heart's attention!

Another excerpt from "Captivating" that spoke to me this week:

"Jesus says the first & greatest commandment is 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart & with all your soul & with all your mind.' (Matthew 22:37) Jesus wants us to love one another, yes. He wants us to serve one another, yes. But first & foremost, He wants our utter devotion & love for Him. It is from hearts filled with love for Him that all good works & acts of love flow."

Again, another reminder at a time I needed it most, that as I prepare to start this new ministry, I need to always keep Him first!

I may not have accomplished a lot in the eyes of the world this week, which at times was frustrating me; but I accomplished a lot in the eyes of God this week, which to me, is worth more than anything!

Serving & Loving Him
Alicia

I Made It!

I'm currently sitting at my desk in my bedroom looking out my window at palm trees, rice fields, & mountains! Yes, I'm in Chiang Mai :)

My almost 36 hours of travel to get here went really well. All of my flights were smooth & I got all of my luggage when I landed!

Since I've been here (2.5 days now), I've been getting settled & adjusting to the time change & weather...it is hot & humid! I'm not doing too bad with the time change. I didn't sleep much while I was traveling, so I've been able to sleep at night since I've been here. I'm kind of tired today, which is why this post will be short & just the basics...no deep stuff in this one :)

Yesterday (Sunday), we went to church at The Gathering. It is an English-speaking church where a lot of missionaries go. It's held in a conference room in a mall. It was really great! Today, Mary, Becky, John, Isaac, & I went to another mall to get some things I needed. John has been talking about Big Macs since I've been here, so we ate at McDonald's for lunch - I haven't been here 3 days & I already had McDonald's! I was NOT missing it :)

That's about all I've done so far. This week I'm just going to be resting up & getting some things done before my work begins. I'll start language school, teaching an English class, & clinic around the first part of November.

Stay tuned for more updates :)

Serving Him,
Alicia

The Time is Coming...

In just 9 short days I will be leaving for Thailand! I fly out of Chicago on Thursday, the 20th. While I have been waiting for this day for over 3 years now, it still seems almost unreal that it is really happening! But, it is!

I am filled with excitement as I think about what God will do in these next 2 years - how He will use me to show the people of Thailand His love, how He will strengthen all of my relationships, and how He will continue to mold me & shape me & guide me on this journey. It's so awesome to think that God has planned this season of my life since before time began and that I am about to live it out!

As excited as I am, I do have some anxiety. I'm not anxious about living & serving in Thailand - I know that God has called me to do this work & that He will be with me every moment of every day. The only thing I'm anxious about is saying all of my "good-bye"s. It will be hard saying good-bye to my family & friends not knowing when I will see them again. But, even in that, I know that God will be with me. And He will be with them.

Thank you all for your continued support & prayers. I greatly appreciate you all!
Stay tuned for updates from Thailand :)

Serving Him,
Alicia