So, here you have it. New Year’s Eve in Seim Reap, Cambodia. I never in my wildest dreams ever thought I would see a new year’s like this. I never thought I would want to be home before the ball dropped either.
The streets are so crowded you can’t walk. Its like being inside of a club that is offering dollar beer and shots all night and underage drinking is encouraged so every minor in the world is there. Everyone is dancing and spraying beer everywhere. We were soaked by the time we made it to the spot to have dinner.
Funny story how things change when you come to Christ. It doesn’t happen over night, but when it does happen, you get this crazy revelation. I was sitting there in the place we stopped to have dinner when me and my new team leader started to talk about how insane it is that we once enjoyed this life so much. That we once would spend money on the perfect outfit and then spend hours getting ready while we got completely hammered. Or at least pretty close to it, so that the bar wouldn’t be so expensive. We would be so self conscious and trying to get any guy we could. It was ridiculous to think about the way I lived in the past.
It was so nice to sit in the little restaurant having a burger and just enjoying a good time. We came to Pub Street to have a good time and hang out with our friends.. not to hook up with random guys or see how drunk we could get. It was amazing. By the way, they had Tabasco sauce.. I almost lost my mind.
Then, we went upstairs to dance and to see the view of the crazy party street from the top. At this time, its about 11:30 and we are convincing ourselves to at least stay ’til midnight. I never thought that would happen either. I mean, we had been up since 7 that morning traveling all day, but it was New Year’s Eve in a new country.. we were bringing it in.
So, we just danced and had a great time together. Partying it up like there was no care in the world.. without the worries of how we looked or who we would leave with because we know who we are. Daughters of an almighty King who sees us as the beautiful women that we are.. Well, and Greg he was with us, too. But, the thing was that we really were there to just bring in the new year.
Then it happened, the count down began 10….9….8…7…6…5…4…3….2…..1… HAPPY NEW YEAR and then all of a sudden this guy taps me on the shoulder. I turned around and he says I have to kiss you and grabs my face… In a split second, I was like OH CRAP!!!! I then said “Oh God not me!'” He then kissed me on the cheek.
Last year, I cant lie.. that isn’t how that may have went down. Last year, I still had no clue who I was in Christ. Last year, I was still battling so many hidden things. I was more insecure than ever before in my life. I was going through so much stuff that I would have fallen right into that kiss and who knows what else.
I’m so excited to say that this year I am a new woman. One of dignity and of security in my identity. I know who I am. I know how I am viewed in my Daddy’s eyes! I’m beautiful and God will send me something way better than some drunk, sloppy boy in a bar wanting a New Year’s Kiss! 🙂
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