Coffee, Live Music, and New Beginnings.

This month has been far different from any month we have experienced.

Not only am I in love with this country…I love our ministry….we are BEYOND blessed. 

If you all are keeping up with my blogs…you probably remember my breakdown just a month ago after finding out what ministry we would be doing. Although I had a peace about it…I was unsure how God could use me in this setting. I love coffee shops, smoothies, and live music…but let's face it…I dropped out of school years ago and was far from confident in my abilities to tutor a student from one of the biggest colleges in Thailand!

I have had the opportunity to tutor two amazing girls. They are both so different, but I have learned so much from each of them…and surprisingly enough…I have been able to teach them too!

After my very first tutoring session, my student told me that I was a really great teacher and asked how long I had been doing this! I giggled as I told her I had never tutored before! I love when God surprises me and shows me something I didn't know about myself. I was actually not too shabby at helping a student study and understand English. I truly enjoy it too!! Getting to spend quality time with these girls just got me so excited!

I was able to help my first student prepare for a job interview, type up a résumé, and practice answering interview questions in English! She is about to graduate and start applying for jobs as a hotel receptionist! 

My next student and I hit it off immediately. She is full of life and might be the most driven 22 year old I've ever met! After our first meeting, I learned so much about her! After she graduates in march, she is going to live in Hawaii and work at a restaurant for three months! It's so cool that God can use my past random jobs to help other people! I have been able to help her study the menu, read her orientation packets and explain them, and teach her everything I know about waitressing!

The best part is that we are slowly becoming great friends 🙂

I am so amazed at how God is using me here…in ways I've never expected!

I'm surprised to say that I've loved visiting the college campus everyday and reaching out to the students at lunch! I knew I had a heart for girls this age…but there is just something about this atmosphere that just feels right!

This month a few girls on my team and I have started insanity! In case any of you is wondering…It is correctly named…it's insane. BUT it has been such a blessing to be able to work out every day and have some sort of routine. We are working hard to get fit and hopefully keep our bodies healthy and strong for the rest of the race. I've always wanted to try insanity and it's exciting to be doing something that requires discipline! This is something I'm working on in my life 🙂

We also regained our seventh team member Shawna this month!! After two months with her being at home recovering from an injury..we are so excited to have her back. It's not easy having had our team change each month…but I have a feeling team Redemption Valley is becoming stronger than ever!

This month I also crossed a bridge that I had burned many years ago. I've always loved live music…and music has always been a part of my life in some form or fashion! But this week at open mic night, I decided it was time to open my mouth and sing. It was the first time I've sang in public in five years…it felt pretty darn good!

This month I have crossed multiple things off my bucket list including sending off a floating lantern, riding an elephant, and floating down a stream standing on bamboo!!

God has been establishing this new identity in me over the past four months…but this month it has really set in and the excitement of who I am in Him has overwhelmed me.

I wouldn't have come to this realization without THIS month…in THIS ministry…and at JUST the right time. With that said…Gods plans are better than mine and His ways are absolutely always better than my own.

(hammocking on campus with good music, a book, and iced coffee=best afternoon ever.)