This weekend as I rode through the mountains of western Thailand rain forests on my motorbike, I was reminded why I wanted to come to Thailand.  Yes, I love being able to teach and serve at GES, but this weekend while up in the mountains and waterfalls, I encountered God in a very real and tangible way.

I knew coming here that because I was going by myself, there would be potential to feel really alone, and to feel like I didn’t really connect with anyone.  I sill prayed for good friends, and people to confide in and a community to be apart of.  BUT, because of the potential for loneliness, my prayer was that this year would be a year of being on a journey with just God and I.    God answered that prayer, ten fold and I was thrown into a wonderful community of caring believers, and have made some great friends.  The only “problem” is that I continually find myself surrounded by people, and we are constantly making plans, and constantly keeping ourself so busy.  The past year wasn’t at all a social year for me, so having this many great people in my life that I spend almost 24/7 with is slightly overwhelming at times.

Anyway, this weekend reminded me of my hope and prayer when I left for this strange, far away place.  My prayer was to draw closer to the LORD, seek his heart, serve his people, and discover what his will is for my future.  The scenes were breathtaking this weekend, I can hardly put it into words.  I encounter the LORD in creation, almost as much as I encounter him worshiping to music.  It’s just another way I worship him, and find rest in his presence; because his creation was everywhere around me.  It’s much easier to “be still” and know he is God when you allow and create space for silence and reflection.

So now we’re at it again.  Another week that is (thankfully) flying by.  It’s already Wednesday.  Crazy how time flies.  Things are good, don’t get me wrong, but it would be nice to have a break.  Looks like we’ll be headed full-steam until the end of the semester, which is thankfully only 30 days away.  

Oh, and along with the hiking, I also ran a 10k on Sunday as well.  It actually went pretty well, though I haven’t really been training for it.  Running here in the city can be a bit of a challenge, but thankfully there is a park nearby that I often run at.  Not only that, but it’s been so hot and humid, it’s difficult to build up the stamina to run.  This weekend, since it was up in the mountains it was much easier to breath (never mind that the entire first half of the run was UP HILL).  

Anyway, I title this blog “why” because it was a good reminder of why I want to be here, and why I need to be here.  This has been such an adventure already, and will continue to be.  It’s amazing to see that God has created this world and us for his pleasure, and as we see his creation, no matter WHERE it is, we can see him… all around he world.

Continue to pray for strength.  Some days are such a headache, and the duties of being a teacher far stretch me thin.  I’m still wondering and praying about the future.  I don’t feel any special calling to be a teacher, but it just seems like that’s all I will do with my life (not to say it’s not a noble calling, I personally just don’t feel called to it).  My desire is to serve the church with my gifts in worship, and I just don’t know what that looks like yet.  At this point I’m praying about Liberty University’s online MAT degree, which I can begin to work towards starting this January.  The program will give me a lot of mobility, as I don’t know yet what the “next step” in my life will be.  Anyway, God knows, and I know in the right time I’ll feel a peace about what is next.

I’ll leave you all with lyrics of an amazing song by Phil Wickham, “Beautiful” which I had stuck in my head all weekend as we drove around on our motorbikes in the mountains and jungle of Thailand.  Our God is everywhere, and if we will only look, we can see his face and his beauty all around us.  All creation declares the glory of God..

 

 

I see your face in every sunrise
The colors of the morning are inside your eyes
The world awakens in the light of the day
I look up to the sky and say… You’re Beautiful

I see your pow’r in the moonlit night
Where planets are in motion and galaxies are bright
We are amazed in the light of the stars
Its all proclaiming who you are… You’re beautiful

I see you there hanging on a tree
You bled and then you died and then you rose again for me
Now you are setting on your heavenly throne
Soon you will be coming home… You’re Beautiful

 

When we arrive at eternity’s shore
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more
We’ll enter in as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and we’ll sing… You’re Beautiful