My bonus life

In my plan book of life, I never--ever planned on moving to Thailand. I never had a desire to live on the other side of the world, to be in a country where I don't speak the language. But, the Lord told me to go so I am here. I was talking to Katie as we were walking the other day and I told her, "My life in Thailand is kind of like a bonus life -- this extra blessing that is a gift from God because this is nothing that I would have planned on my own!" It was such a neat realization for me that every person, student or friend that I meet are gifts who the Lord wanted to place in my life -- because it wasn't in my plan book. I would challenge you to look at your situation and maybe if life isn't going as you have planned, it's your bonus life -- your chance to see the gifts the Lord wanted you to have that you wouldn't have chosen on your own.
Today for example was such a gift -- I walked to a coffee shop and spent some time journaling in the sun (I got my first Thai sun burn). Then I planned out my next two weeks of school, walked home and stopped and chatted with Kate at school. Kate, Katie and I then took a motorbike train (Katie and I on one bike, Kate leading the way on the other) and went shopping and to an early dinner. And then right when I was pulling into my apartment -- two other teachers Lori and Renske were walking out saying they were going to grab a bite to eat and then go to the night bazaar. I hadn't been to the night bazaar yet -- so I went along. Little did I know that Lori had just found out she had a few thousand dollars in her account that she didn't know about and was going out to celebrate. She ended up taking us to the most beautiful restaurant/hotel that I have ever been to. My jaw was dropped as we walked through the open-aired candle lit space that was classy and under the stars. Some how the noise from the city was left outside the gates. It was such a treat -- and a blessing to have this beautiful meal as a gift from a teacher who I met just 2 weeks ago. I decided while I was eating there, amazed by the beauty that it would be the perfect back drop for a wedding someday --- just there needs to be a man in my life first!

After walking through the night bazaar and purchasing some Thai pants -- they wrap around and tie -- I am completely but beautifully exhausted. Such a full day, a day were I woke up with no real plans and the Lord decided to bless me immensely. Each step I take I feel his hand holding mine, in this life that I never would have dreamed for myself...

I even forgot to tell you about how precious my class is. I will just share a short story -- as my eyes are falling closed -- I was reading a journal entry from a little guy in my class (the boy who wore the IU shirt) and it was about his summer. He was writing about how he had jet lag when he flew back to Indiana this summer and he couldn't fall asleep -- then he prayed, and God let him sleep. I know it is so simple -- but some how reading those words on a page written by a nine year old brought tears to my eyes. I said, "Lord, why me -- why do I deserve to teach these precious kids who already love you." I have realized just in these past first four days of teaching that as of now, this is who the Lord designed me to be. A teacher for 16 ten-year-olds where all I care about at the end of the day is if they walked out knowing that they were loved that day. What a gift...

"If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly father give good gifts to those who ask him." -- Matthew 7:11