I write this post on the other side of my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving. Despite it’s origins in unsavory American history, the heart and meaning of Thanksgiving is a beautiful one. This year left me with probably more things to give thanks for than ever before in my life. Let me count off the ways God has blessed me, leaving out the basic things one should always be thankful for like life, limb, and soundness of mind.
1. I was recently blown away at the honor bestowed upon me by my home church, Elevate, in San Diego. You never know how God is using you, even when you feel useless, a failure, or forgotten. Being a church planter for 6 years was a trying, but great, experience for me, and the things I have learned will remain with me for life. To have the church rally around and pray for me and give so much support for what God is calling me to was such a blessing and really encouraged my heart! I am thankful for a church family to send me instead of “lose” me. 
2. I am so incredibly thankful for all of the San Diego Korean Language Exchange friends in San Diego who banded together and threw me a 4-hour Karaoke Party (??? ??) recently! I had a blast, and your donations funded the purchase of several key items I needed for my trip. I have you to thank for my tent, backpack, and other odds and ends I needed. You all mean so much to me, and I will try my best to stay in touch during the length of my trip.
3. I am thankful for this month to spend with my family before I go away for a year. I hardly ever get time to spend with my niece and nephew, or my brothers and my father. I am thankful that God warned me not to leave my job earlier this year and for the promotion that came which allowed me to afford to take a month off before leaving. He made it possible!
4. I am thankful for the many ways God has shown me that He is always, always, always, at work behind the scenes, especially when we think nothing is going on. His workmanship is so fine and detailed, when you finally see it, you can’t deny what He did, and that He did it! He has been constantly assuring me saying “Yes, I chose you”, “Yes, we can”, “Yes, I love you” and “Keep moving forward”. My life has been a series of huge doubts and worries about my ability to be used by God, but like ANY tool, broken or not, the skill of the hand it is in determines the final product. I am so thankful for a season of God reassuring my heart that brokenness does not stop Him. Brokenness even glorifies Him when I submit it to Him to be used. AMAZING freedom is in that!
5. I am finally thankful for direction in my life, but enough mystery to make this one big adventure. I can look back and see how very far God has brought me, how He has sustained, and how He continues to lead me forward. I am so thankful that God sent Jesus to die on the cross and be raised again so that no matter how dead I think my life situations are, God can swoop down into the middle of them and bring life. Abundant life. I am blessed beyond measure.
At the writing of this post, I am 41% funded for the Race. The remaining need is $9,500. If you would like to support me financially, feel free to use the links and the top of this page and to the left that say “Support Me!”. I am so thankful for your following my journey and I hope you have been encouraged on your own journey. Stay tuned for more posts. Launch date is January 4th in Thailand!
