Warning: This post is not for the refined literary palate.
I’m currently sitting on my shared king-sized bed, in an air-conditioned room, in the dark at 2:30 AM local time because I am probably slightly jet-lagged…AND I’M IN THAILAND!!!
To be honest, I don’t have anything in particular that I wanted to write about. I just thought that maybe I’ll be able to sleep, knowing that I accomplished something (i.e. posting a blog). So, if you are going to read this, I assume that you are a.) Bored at work, b.) Bored at home, or c.) You just really love me 
Come take a ride on my (kind of choppy) stream of consciousness as I unload some stuff so I can sleep…
> At present, I am feeling the most content I have ever felt on the Race. I don’t know why exactly—maybe it’s the relief of being at debrief, or the fact that we only have three months left, or maybe it’s the Thai iced tea that I had earlier today (YUM!).
> I’m not saying that I want the Race to be over right now. True—I am excited for what’s to come post-Race, but I am, at the moment, more excited for what the next three months will bring.
> I’m relieved that my time in Africa has come to a close. Again, don’t misunderstand; I enjoyed all three months in Africa, but the last two weren’t among my favorites of the year. I think the African countries were just ill-fated in having to be the hump months of my Race.
> And the Parent Vision Trip! Long story, short, it was hard and good. Between the pressure and fear of discussing things with my dad that I was always afraid to talk about/reveal about myself (like how much my relationship with God is actually infused into my life, how I want to pursue full-time ministry after the Race, how the hardest part of my life ministry is talking to him and my mom and the rest of the family about my faith…that kind of stuff) and having some extra responsibilities as a team leader during the PVT, I was on the verge of tears almost the entire week. Ultimately, though, I’m SO glad that my dad came, and I know God unlocked something in him and opened up our relationship for more potential depth. (And I know he’ll probably read this, so I feel a little self-conscious in my writing, but this blog is just kind of me getting out all these thoughts, so…glad you came, Dad!). In the end, God lifted some weight off of me that I’d been carrying for a very long time.
> Pheww…I may be getting tired.
> I don’t feel like writing extensively on any one topic, right now.
> I’m ready to enjoy debrief.
> I’m going to need bug repellent, again.
> This month, I will keep a tally of how many Thai iced teas I consume.
> Thailand reminds me of Japan.
> I love Japan. Therefore, I love Thailand. (Hmm…there’s a future blog in there somewhere.)
> I feel guilty as I write this blog because it seems very uninformative, sloppy, and surface-level. But I remind myself that blogging isn’t a call for me to perform or please people. Ugh…why can’t I just learn and retain that lesson???
> It’s raining outside. A lot. Praise God for this air-conditioned , not-tin-roofed room.
> “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul…” (Pslam 23).
Good night, everybody!
