That’s a question that few people ask, and fewer people mean.
How are you really doing?
It’s almost instinctive to wonder if people are asking because it’s a common greeting and if they truly care. It’s an amazing and sometimes shocking experience when someone cares to know how you’re doing and truly mean it.
This month, I’ve been living in Phang Nga, Thailand with 5 crazy girls who really got this. I learned very quickly that I wouldn’t be able to hide my feelings and not contribute to conversations. I felt seen and heard –something that everyone should consistently feel. Many times throughout the month, these women of God asked me how I was really doing and meant it. They cared enough to ask and that meant the world to me.
Our contacts motto is “work hard, play hard.” So we did just that.
We rode elephants, visited waterfalls, went to countless beaches, learned about Buddhism through a creepy ceramic heaven/hell tour, got a Thai massage, touched James Bond Island, and drank a lot of Amazon Coffee (basically the Asian Starbucks). We lived up to our name ‘Team Vacation’ by seeking adventure, trying new things, and resting with friends.
We also painted a house, loved on the cutest Thai school kiddos, acted out the story of creation/fall/Jesus’ birth multiple times, cooked, cleaned, was ministered to by the sweetest missionaries, painted a mural, won a soul for Jesus in a coffee shop, and encouraged the family we are serving with.
I’ve enjoyed this month with Team Vacation so much that I wrote a little something about each of my teammates:
Esther takes out the trash everyday, wants to be a mom, loves her leaf, got tiger balm in her eyes countless times, and sometimes like to “dwell in the negativity” (it sounds like a bad thing, but it’s really a good thing). I can always count on her to speak her mind and lock the door at night. She’s been my teammate since day one and I love her Dutch self! Dankuvel Esther…hat es hoot.
Anna likes talking about movies, being awkward, and really wants to see a sloth in South America. Sometimes she forgets to tell our host when we need more food and sews my Thai pants that I happen to rip bi-weekly (you da real MVP). One time this week, we were both sitting in the back of the truck smiling to ourselves, then we noticed each other smiling, so we giggled and smiled some more…it was a moment.
Jill is cool. You can tell she’s from Tennessee as soon as she speaks. She has a sweet Mufasa scar, is constantly creating, and chases her dreams. She speaks the truth and the smell of cooking pork makes her want to vom. I believe that she will encourage many people through her awesome testimony…look out world!
Hannah Jones is the sweetest. She has a pure heart, sweet voice, and does this weird thing with her hands when she’s uncomfortable. She’s known for her joy and has challenged me to be bolder and sing louder. She’s also been arrested before, through a rather unfortunate misunderstanding, so that’s pretty cool.
Hannah Menzies is from South Florida, so that’s all you really need to know. She has a lot of life experience, believes in “walking barefoot,” loves people so well, and really sucks at showing her angry side. We both bought “cheesy island shirts” here with the full intention of wearing them in the Keys together.
Team Vacay did an incredible job loving each other well and then kicking butt during the day’s work. It’s been a month with friends and short-lived. I’ll miss the rides in the back of the truck screaming Christmas carols. I’ll miss laughing about silly drama and not having time to go scuba diving. I’ll miss yelling Phang Nga in the most Asian accent we can muster. Thailand, you’ve been so good to me!
In summary, I hope everyone has someone to ask them how they’re really doing like I did this month. So just in case…let me ask you, how are you really doing?
