“What are you thinking?”
“Why on Earth would you go to Korea?”
“Are you sure you're doing the right thing?”
And my favorite, “I wasted some of the best years of my youth in Korea. You shouldn't go.”
I'm sitting here in O'Hare Airport waiting for my flight to board, and these are some of the comments that are running through my head. What am I doing here in the airport? I'm about to embark on the journey of a lifetime. Ever since I came back from teaching in Spain, I've had the desire to head back overseas to teach again. The problem was that I became too comfortable in my lifestyle. I had a great apartment, a good and secure job that I enjoyed, a church that I've been going to for my entire life and a church family that I was getting to know again, and friends and family all around me. The problem? I wasn't listening.
Long story short; God shook up my world. I started to become frustrated with everything around me. I've experienced this before...the last time I chose not to listen. I knew the frustration was rooted in the fact that God was gently beaconing me back to the other side of the world and into the classroom. I've been looking at the Footprints program for almost ten years now, but last July, I finally clicked the “Apply” button and changed course. So, here I find myself in the airport, anxiously anticipating what I will see, hear, taste, touch, smell, and experience in the next twelve months. Twelve months! That's 365 days! Holy cow! The temptation to listen to the comments I mentioned at the beginning is the current battle, but I know that everything I do is a choice, and I choose to listen to the people in my life that are an encouragement to me. Maybe you're one of them! This is what I will fix my mind on:
“Amanda, we're so proud of you!”
“I wish I would have done that when I was younger.”
“You go, girl!”
“You'll do great! We'll be praying for you.”
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
Enjoy the blog, and I'll see you soon! (I'm opting out of “goodbye.”)
Disclaimer: This was actually written at O'Hare but posted in Korea because my internet wouldn't work at O'Hare
Hooray! You are here! I can't wait to show you around :-) I hope you have a good week of training. I'm sure you are a bit overwhelmed. Remember to breathe, haha...but too much because the air is really polluted :-) Okay, so I await your emails and the making of our plans. Love ya!
ReplyDeleteI am very proud of you, Sunshine! Most of all for answering God's call, but also for stepping out of your comfort zone, facing situations, and being confident in who the Lord has created you to be. You have made some bold decisions lately and should not look back to question them! I can't wait to read more, and see your face soon on oovoo. Love ya!
ReplyDeleteAmanda. I am proud of you, and excited for you and living vicariously through you! LOL. You were born for this... any many other trips to come. I miss you. I'm sad I didn't get to say goodbye, but I'm glad I can read and see all that God is doing in you and I know you will change a lot for the better. Love, Shannon
ReplyDeleteThat's so awesome- I'm excited for you! I wish there was a program like that for the Deaf. We want to GO somewhere but haven't seen an open door yet! :-)
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