Just Trust

In the past few days, I have run into a stool that looked and felt like a tree stump, nearly pulled off my toenail playing indoor soccer, and worn myself out with the headache of preparing and organizing in ways that never occurred to me in my worst nightmares. In a nutshell, I am stressed out, overwhelmed, and exhausted.

This week, we've been doing orientation on Thai culture in the mornings and early afternoons, which has been interesting and sometimes even fun. Today, they taught us different hand positions for Thai dances and then took us to the cafeteria to make a Thai dish. My group ended up experimenting on several different versions. This past weekend, I ended up on a spontaneous trip to Chatachuck, or the weekend market, which is probably the largest market in the city. I had a good time getting to know the other new teachers, ate Thai stall food (meat on a stick), and walked around in circles getting lost. I did find some cool maps for my classroom, but mostly, it was a social outing for me...I need to remember to do that more. Often, when I get stressed out, I hole myself away until I feel on top of things, which doesn't always happen.

As far as school stuff goes, my classroom has finally been rid of algebra books, I've received the desk and shelves I asked for, got some good resources from previous teachers, put up simple bulletin boards, and started work on more specific preparations. I had a meeting with the high school principal today, and that was fairly overwhelming. It's like syllabus shock for teachers. Imagine getting informed of everything that you'll have to be doing simultaneously that you haven't even set up yet and knowing that you only have about a week and a half to get that in order along with all the other stuff that you already knew about. And we turn around and do this to students? Anyway, it's a start. One step at a time, right?

I think the biggest thing that's helped is knowing my problems all come down to trust. Do I believe God wants me here? Yes. Do I believe He loves me? Yes. Do I believe He'll help me get through all of this if I ask? Yes. Even if that means I have to fall on my face somewhere in this process? Most definitely yes. And that's the part I have to accept. It's not going to be perfect. I'm going to make lots of mistakes, but I'll get through and learn from them. This is the attitude I'm striving for...living like I actually believe everything I just adhered to is probably another animal entirely.

Day One

I'm in Bangkok! What a crazy trip here...although I was exhausted from not sleeping much the night before I left, it turned out to be a good plan for sleeping on the planes. I slept most of the way, but I was still able to find the humor around me in my seat-mates: the alcoholic, the woman who chewed on a stick, and the Vietnamese nun from Louisiana who's teaching at a Catholic international school in Bangkok. Apparently, we play her school in sports, so I might actually see her again someday. She was hilarious.

In Tokyo, I met a couple of the other new ICS teachers, and I helped one of them get through the airport in Bangkok when we landed. Mostly, traveling was uneventful. I found some familiar faces in Bangkok, and everyone was really glad to see me. That was nice. And I had so much sleep on the planes that I was able to stay up till 2:30 a.m. Bangkok time to Skype people back home.

Today, day one, I got unpacked and went over to the school to get my ID, see my classroom, and get my keys. I missed the van over to the mall because I took everybody literally who said that they weren't doing anything at any set time. So, I grabbed a taxi, did my shopping, and got a taxi back, thankful that I could remember just enough to Thai to get that far on my own. Of course, I did accidentally answer one of my drivers in Khmer first. Oops. I'm sure that won't be the last time. I met another new teacher when I got back, so that means there are still about 5 I haven't met. All in good time.

Days like today, when I miss the group, make me thankful that I've been here before, have connections, and can get around on my own without it being a big deal. So, that's my big praise for the day...that, and looking forward to seeing some of my friends from last year. As far as prayer requests, please be praying that I'll be able to get my room and lessons prepared in the next couple of weeks without missing out too much on the social activities and that I'll be able to start with confidence. Please also be praying for me spiritually, that my relationship with Christ will grow again and be refreshed while I'm here. I'm sure the spiritual dryness hasn't helped my settling in process.

Well, that's the scoop for now. Thanks again for following me on this journey:)