Well today is the official 11n11 day, November 11th. This time last year I already knew I would be going on this adventure and thought I had a decent idea of what it would be like. Boy was I wrong. I knew it would be hard, the Lord would teach me things and that I would go on the best adventures of my life.
What I didn’t know that all of those things would happen in the most intensified ways possible. The hard days are super freaking hard, the Lord is teaching me beyond incredible things and the adventures are indescribable.
Here are just 11 of the best things that have happened yet:
1. I fully relinquished my life to the Lord. Not much more needs to be said…
2. My birthday happened in Thailand and it was the best day ever. Went to the biggest market in SE Asia, JJ Market, with my team and two of my favorite Thai people. Then got all gussied up and ate at the second tallest building in Thailand and had an awesome buffet for dinner.
3. Went to Langkawi and saw one of God’s most beautiful creations, aka the beach on this island. We rented scooters and rode around the whole island. Ended up on the north side on a beach right next to a nice resort’s private beach. Then we swam to a huge rock island thing like a mile away from shore. Missed a huge rainstorm and saw a beautiful sunset. This day I a really close second to my birthday.
4. One of our last days doing ministry in India. Instead of going straight into our prayer time a million kids rain up to us and wanted us to play cricket. So that’s just what we did. Until dusk we played in a huge field with all the kids (and some adults) of this village. We danced, rode a bike, played cricket, played ring around the rosey. The love exuding from those few hours was a loveonly the Lord can give.
5. Our last of ministry with the girls in Cambodia we had a nail painting party. The girl who really had my heart painted my nails pink and put glitter on top. She didn’t know I loved both of those things a lot but Jesus did.
6. A hard day in Nepal when I wasn’t so nice to my team made me realize I had an easily offendable heart. With strength only from the Lord I came to my team apologetic and vulnerable. They treated me with such grace, love and kindness. They encouraged me daily to help me walk out of that. Slowly but surely I am. Praise Jesus!
7. Ibaco ice cream shop in India. The first time I had real ice cream since leaving the states. Our 3 contacts had never had ice cream like that. We were able to bless them and experience the joy that ice cream brings to every heart. Even though everyone got sick from the huge amount of sugar and dairy we had it was well worth every bite.
8. When I left the States I didn’t like the beach very much. The beach where I come from isn’t the best beach ever. Pretty much my whole team was close to obsessed with the beach. So when they wanted to go to the beach in Cambodia I hesitantly went. Seeing Otris beach changed my life. The Lord can redeem even the small things. He revealed real beauty in a huge way that weekend. I even swam out and went shell diving with a teammate! Who am I?
9. Worshiping through music and praying on a hillside with my entire squad in Nepal for hours.
10. A simple conversation with a squad leader. “Hey! I am so proud of you for using your voice last night. It was a really beautiful thing to witness. Plus, what you said was awesome. Where is that girl I first met in India?” -Her “I don’t know but I don’t want her back.” -Me
All of these things and many many more have drastically changed my life. Thankful that the Lord is molding me to look more like Jesus ever day. Some days are hard, like really hard, but these moments make it worth it.
