Goodbye home, Portland and America!

I am currently sitting on the slick black chairs in PDX airport, waiting for the first leg of three flights to Bangkok, Thailand and wondering how I got here!

It seems like just a day ago that I spontaneously decided to apply to the Fulbright Program. I had no idea what the next step in my life was going to look like and I didn't feel peace about jumping straight into a career. No, no...not quite yet!  I have much adventuring and traveling to get out of my system before then :)

As I scanned the list of countries that you could apply to be an English Teaching Assistant in about one year ago, my eye caught on Thailand.  Why, you ask? I seriously couldn't tell you, other than the fact that my family has sponsored two children there for years and I have had countless friends go and come back with amazing stories about beautiful people with smiles that will melt anyone's heart.

But as I sit here, looking out to a year---365 days full of the unknown, different, scary, challenging, and hopefully fulfilling---I know this is where I am supposed to be going with my life.  I can't quite tell you why, but I hope that God gives me direction and continues to guide me through this new turn my life has taken.  I pray and hope for new understanding about who I am supposed to be and how I fit into this thing called the world.

I would also covet everyone's prayers or good thoughts as I fight jet-lag (due to my recent return from a month of backpacking through Europe with two college girlfriends...I know, I know, I'm crazy!) and transition to a new culture, life and job.  Please stay in touch with me the best you can, if only to send little updates about your life via Facebook or Email...a little bit of home always makes life better :)

Until then, sawadee kha!