This week I have really felt the weight of distractions as we continue to press on physically and relationally.  It has been a great week here where progress has been made and memories have been created.  But my heart has been greatly burdened for certain people and situations back home.  Some of this heaviness was from hearing last Saturday (our weekly communication day) about life at home and things that are happening—changes, decisions, and events.  But along with keeping up to date with my friends and family, the Lord has been putting specific people and...

I wake up the sound of a loud banging gong that has become so normal to me.  I roll over only to see my blue mosquito net covering me, which brings me to the realization that I am still in Cambodia.  I dress for the day and continue with my routine of spraying bug spray all over my feet, legs and arms.  This happens in a matter of seconds and I walk downstairs to morning devotions.  I flip my shoes off at the door (it is proper to do this everywhere in Cambodia, even at church) and pick a little stool to sit on.  Many mornings I am still half asleep at this...

This week as you’ll see my blog is a little longer than usual, but I wanted to paint you a detailed picture of what a typical day looks like for me:   The alarm clock goes off as Brittany routinely says, “It’s 6:00am y’all.”  I know it’s time to get up.  I open my eyes and notice the sun is already up and starting to come in through our window.  It’s the only time of the day I’m remotely cool so I want to stay in bed, yet I’m eager for our daily morning devotions.  I emerge out from under my mosquito net, get...

I want to introduce you all to a beautiful Cambodian woman named Siep.  After dinner last night, I asked her (her daughter Cindy translated) if it was okay to share pictures of her on my blog, but more importantly share her story that makes her the woman she is today.  I felt her rough hands grab my arm and begin to hug me…   Siep was born and raised in the small town of Cambodia where I am located this summer.  She was married at a young age and soon after was sold into the sex trade industry.  Siep’s husband used her for money and sold her to men for...

Hello world! FINALLY I'm updating a blog again! Sorry for the lack of updates, I've been having serious blogging issues. IN A NUT SHELL, last week was really, really hard. Extremely emotional. And I hope that when I get home, I can adequately describe it when I get home. But let me tell you a little story. I waited until the last minute to pack for this trip. Shocker, right? Well I did. And my bible was putting my over my luggage weight limit by like a solid 5 pounds. So my mom suggested I take an old Bible she had. I took it, but I was honestly really upset. My Bible and I have...

Yep.  Technically it’s not called “Ramen Noodles”, but, there’s this fascinating pre-packaged over-seasoned noodly substance that we eat here for breakfast sometimes.  And it tastes pretty darn similar to the beloved 25 cent college staple we all know from home.  Oh Ramen.  And sitting here at the breakfast table, my hands clutching chop sticks that put up a most heroic struggle against my steaming bowl of broth and noodles which in turn makes my face steamy and sweaty, I am filled with bittersweet emotions.  I think fondly of...

2nd Timothy 1:7:   " For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." Early on this trip, Satan tried to use something from my past to bring me down.  Instead of bringing me down, it empowered me.  God told me he wanted me to share part of my testimony with the women.  I was nervous but I also wanted to do it.  God told me he would let me know when it was time.  Last Sunday he told me it would be this week.  I was going to tell my leader Brittany that I wanted to share. Funny thing is, before...

 I have never been so excited for the Fourth of July in my entire life. With each day being similar to the others, something different and out of the ordinary is a big deal. We decided we would take the girls to the “Asia Hotel” aka the only place we can get fries and a “chocolate shake.” BP had ordered red, white and blue drinks beforehand and we were going to go and celebrate this glorious day. When we showed up covered head to toe in red, white and blue and were handed red, white and green drinks. I knew this would be the best-and only- Fourth of July these...