I knew this was coming

So, I have been back in the states for almost a week now. It has all really just been a whirlwind. I went to the doctor and found out my foot is only badly sprained, unpacked, cleaned, saw some friends and family :), enjoyed many great "American" things, repacked, drove 6 hours to Minnesota, unloaded, unpacked, saw Kari, Will and Hayden :), went to my new school where I start teaching on Monday to get my I.D. and see the school, went grocery shopping, met the Bristol girls :) and went to the Crown football game in downtown St. Paul...whew! What an crazy 6 days it has been. I have hardly had any time to process not being in Thailand so now as I lay here on my bed, although it feels so good to be back to Crown and I could not be more thrilled, I am hit with this realization that I am really not in Thailand anymore. To be honest, it is very hard to describe in words. I really miss my students. Seeing them on the background of my computer just isn't enough. I think that I am finally starting to process, which is a good thing because I really need to process this [whatever 'this' means. not quite sure yet]. I totally have to rely on God to help me know how though...I am completely clueless on how to do this...It was hard coming back from Haiti, but that was so different in so many ways...

As I lay here on my bed typing away my thoughts, trying to process through them, I look at my lights I bought in Thailand. They are so soft and beautiful and remind me so much of Thailand. I can't tell if it makes me happy or sad...I am so grateful that God blessed me with the opportunity to go and learn so much by teaching in Bangkok. Yet, I am so grateful to be back here in Minnesota with all my friends! I am not sure how I should be feeling right now. No one has really told me and I guess no one really can...I think maybe I should just go to bed because I am just in the mindset right now of just going in circles. Please keep me in your prayers as I adjust back and am missing many people in Bangkok.

All I am for Him,
Katelyn

I serve a GREAT God!

So, I just wanted to blog quickly about how amazing and wonderful God truly is. This morning I was really struggling with doubting how things were going to be okay if my ankle is fractured. I was talking to my family and my mom kept telling me that God has a plan, but even though I knew that I had a hard time believing it. (She also helped me focus on the positive instead of the negative) I spent time with God today, since I can't leave my room because I am on the 4th floor, and he really spoke to me and reminded me that He IS with me ALWAYS and will be my strength when I literally have none. People have been coming by left and right since school got out to bring me food and drinks and check on me. The school (ICS) has given me stronger medicine and a pair of crutches. They really do care about me. It is such an amazing school. Elsie also helped me set up for wheelchair assistance at all the airports so I will still be able to get home!:D The girls have been lifting me up with their words, laughter and sweet treats :) Actually, if something were to happen, right now is the best. (Not that I wanted to fracture my foot, but I am just saying) I am done teaching and actually have the time to rest and not walk around. God really is faithful and I refuse to focus on the negative anymore. Yea yea, I am not as mobile as before, but I am not dying and I will be just fine in time.

Get behind me Satan! God is with me and nothing you can do to me will stop me from praising His HOLY name! To God be the glory, forever and ever! Thank you for your continued prayers. Please keep praying! I can't wait to see you all soon!

To God be the Glory!
Katelyn

the unknown

So last night, the girls took me out for one last night of fun before I head home on Saturday. Little did I know what was going to happen. As we were walking down the freakishly small steps in Bangkok, to get on the bus, all of sudden I fell. To be honest I have no idea what happened and am kind of embarrassed because I do not know what I really did. What I do know however, is the fact that I landed on my left foot/ankle and heard 3 loud cracks. I almost passed out because of I thought immediately, I just broke me ankle. This is my weak ankle, always has been since I was 9 and played soccer. I would always twist, sprain and roll this ankle so it has been weak and giving me problems ever since. I sat down on the steps as the girls and Grant, one of the husbands, tried to get me to move my foot to see if it was broken. Well, I could move it, but it didn't feel like it always does when I hurt it. I wrapped it, iced it, and kept it up all night, but had to still do some walking to get home. When I woke up this morning, I could hardly move it, but I was expecting that since it had been still all night. It isn't black and blue, but definitely hurts a lot. This just adds to everything and makes traveling home all that much harder.

I don't know what to say. The unknown has happened. I would have known that I would do this with only 2 days left, right before I have to sit on a plane for 24 hours and rush around an airport. Believe me, I don't understand why God allowed this to happen right now. I mean, I know, I am a clutz and this really isn't out of the ordinary for me, but right now, really? COME ON! I can't afford to stop walking, there is so much to do. I am frustrated and a little scared about how this really does affect everything in the coming weeks. BUT, God is on my side. He is with me. I cannot forget that. I would really appreciate your prayers right now. I love you all.

when one door closes...it is difficult.

[[When one door closes...it is difficult!!]] I know, I know, you are thinking, that's not how it goes, but it is the truth! My adventure teaching in Thailand has come to a close. [I have begun to pack!!] It has truly been an amazing experience and I have learned so much from this experience. I have learned things I don't think I would have ever been able to learn in the states. God has been so truly faithful to me while I was here, providing every step of the way. I was able to pour into the lives of these children and have really grown attached to them. I am going to miss seeing them, spending time teaching them, getting frustrated with them, laughing with them, seeing them grow and learn. I am also going to miss all the friends that I have made while I was here. These teachers are great! This school is so wonderful!

Leaving...it is hard. However, it is different leaving here than leaving Haiti. I know that these kids, even though that 80% of them are Buddist, they have a good home and I know they will not go hungry. It is still hard though. They need Jesus just as much as the orphans do. I am suppose to leave now, God is calling me to something more in the states and I know this, so therefore, I will go with a good attitude. It is about the Lord, not myself. I do have, possibly, the chance to come back and teach at this school (and get paid for it) next school year in second grade...(it was thrown around loosely by the principle that there will be at least a 2nd grade teaching position open, and more position will open closer to December for next year)...so, who knows, maybe God will lead me back here...I wouldn't mind it if that is what HE wants for me, but yea, that is a lot to think about...I will overwhelm myself if I think about it right now. It is time to get on my knees and pray. God will show me where I am suppose to be! I trust Him!

I am very much excited to see everyone in Minnesota again though. Although, I am not really looking forward to winter quite yet, but hoping for some nice autumn weather when I get back! [fingers crossed!!!] It is going to be strange though, being back in the states. I really have been outside of America for a decent amount of time! I know God will help me transition back...it is going to be insane though! But with my God, I can scale a wall :)

Pray for me though, I really do not enjoy traveling. Pray for safe travels with no mechanical issues on the planes and no delays! Pray that my luggage arrives on time and that I can get SOME sleep on the planes, although I think that is highly unlikely...it is the inbetween times and not knowing if I will make my connecting flights that I do not like about flying, not necessarily the flying itself. Other things that have been creeping into my mind have just been little things like will my bags be under 50 lbs, what will immigration be like coming back? will I run into problems? It is just all of the unknowns I have trouble not worrying about, but I have talked to several people who have helped me find peace with traveling back to America. (Many who have just made the trip to America and back to Bangkok recently) Pray for me also as I process all of my emotions. It is strangely more difficult than I thought it would be. I may never see these people again...that is hard to wrap my head around. I have had a lot of trouble falling asleep lately because I am just thinking and processing everything...my head feels like it is spinning 24/7. I know God is with me, but I would really appreciate your prayers. I will keep you updated and look forward to when I land in Minnesota and can use my phone again!! Oh happy day!!

All I am for Him,
Katelyn

change.

All is well in Bangkok! I enjoyed a nice time with Jessica doing touristy things yesterday.


I am excited for church this morning too! I love worshipping our great God with other believers around the world! God is so amazing! I love him so much! He is the reason I can breath right now and type this blog to you all. I will adore HIM!

Being with these girls is so much fun!

I now have only 2 weeks left here in Thailand. That is just absolutely insane! The time has just flown by! I just finished my schedule for my last 2 weeks...I have so many emotions right now that I am trying to process. [hmm, sounds familar...] Change [in general] for me is always hard. Although I am learning how to work through change, while God reminds me that he never changes and is leading me, it is still hard. I have loved it here in Thailand so much, much more than I ever thought I would. I mean besides Haiti, this is one of the first places I have been outside of the US and it sure has been life changing. I have fallen in love with these kids, the school, the staff, the community, the country, the culture...even though I may get frustrated at times, it is wonderful! BUT then half of me is so excited to get back to Minnesota and see everyone again [but I am not excited to enter back into maddness]. God keeps reminding me of everything he has helped me through in the past and I am assured that I can do anything with him. That doesn't mean it all of sudden gets easy. It is tough. I do still have 2 weeks here and will be soaking in all that I can! And you never know what God has planned in the future...maybe I will be back...maybe not. It's up to Him.

Me in front of the Grand Palace


Something else that I have been processing in the past few days has been...Haiti. [Shocker] What is really crazy though is that I am really not sure why all this has been coming up in my path lately. (It's been more than usual) Let me explain. As most of you know, God has really placed Haiti on my heart [although, lately I think he hasn't just placed Haiti on my heart, but all the poor and lost people in the world, but that's another topic!]Anyway, Haiti, but more specifically, Anaika. She is my little girl (who I wish so much I could just adopt now, but God is saying no) She is my joy. I have been thinking about her recently, so much. I know she is always in the back of my mind, but lately she has been more in my head than usual. I can't help but miss her. In chapel yesterday we talked about adoption and how when we ask God to come into our lives and take control, he adopts us into his family. One teacher shared a story about how her sister adopted 2 children from Africa and about how when you adopt a child it is not about you, but about that child. You do it, not because they can give you anything in return, you do it out of love and sacrifice. WOW! I don't know why this hit me so hard, but I was sitting on the floor trying to keep my self well-managed, since I was with my class. Anaika was pressed hard on my heart, but I knew that God has been telling me no to adopting her because let's face it, I am in no position to adopt a little girl, no matter how much I may want to. I am not sure why this all has been going on, but I just wanted to share it with you and ask you to pray for me as I deal with my emotions and such. Then also, please pray for Anaika, her safety and health, her learning, Jasmine and Greg who take care of not only her, but 44 other children. Remember to pray for Haiti. Do not forget the lost and hurting people!



Thanks so much for you love, prayer and supports as God takes me on adventures with him. And even though this adventure will end, I am excited to see where God leads me next. I just want to be with him, be where HE leads me! I will keep you all updated as I enjoy my last few weeks in Thailand!

Blessings,
Katelyn