Neener's Travel Blog

On Friday, November 29, 2013 I was officially accepted to the CARM DTS in Bangkok, Thailand!  I saw the email and said, "Huh."  A little underwhelming of a response, I know.  But I had just been so stressed out for so long, being unable to make plans for my trip and frustration had been building.  So seeing my acceptance was more of an exasperated "Finally!", than a "Yay, I get to go!".  Of course, the news started to sink in throughout the day and I began to get excited about going to Thailand for five months.  At least I was excited when I wasn't looking at the overload of information and extensive lists of things to do, sending me into full on panic attacks. Then I had to figure out how and where and when to apply for my visa.  We conveniently have a Thai Consulate right in Edmonton, so the how and where was very simple.  The when on the other hand - not so much.  My work schedule, which includes three respite families and Famoso, is difficult t

Ark International emailed today saying that my complete application, references and all, had been received today.  They're sending it off to the leadership team today and will be speaking to me within the next few days about their response.  They said they've already been praying for me.  Which is very touching.  We could all use a little more prayer in our lives, I think. So I guess I'll know for sure in a couple days whether I'll be heading to Thailand in January or not!  I've been talking about it for so long like I'm definitely going; I'm a little nervous to hear back.  Right now I'm just praying for the wisdom of the leadership team in their selection of DTS students and their response to me.  It's all in God's hands from here.

I finally sent in my application yesterday!  Filling that thing out was quite the process.  Besides all the expected personal information, there was the infamous Question 12... Questions about my past, personal life, and my faith. 12. Questions Please prayerfully answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper:   (a) Please describe your conversion experience and your present relationship with God (no more than one page). (b) Describe your childhood and growing up years. (c) How would you describe the relationships within your family? (d) Does your family know of your desire to do a DTS/apply for a DTS? Are they supportive of your desire to do this school? (e) What areas of your character are you presently seeking God to further develop and improve? (f) What do you perceive are your greatest strengths and your greatest vulnerabilities? (g) Have you ever served cross culturally? When and where? Please share how this experience was for you. 

Well, hello my old blog.  It's been a while.  Over three years.  THREE YEARS.  It is incomprehensible to me that it's been that long since my trip.  I met some of my all time favorite people on that trip and I am so happy to say that we still (sort of) keep in touch.  And when we see each other, it really is like no time at all has passed. I'd recently been considering starting up this blog again just for kicks, because sometimes I like to rant about things and why not share that with all you lovely people?  Also because recently I've been going through a lot of things - growing up and becoming an adult is hard.  Lots of things happen.  Lots of decisions are made.  And most importantly, lots of things are learned.  More than ever, life has felt like a journey now, and it's interesting to take a moment to look back and see how far I've come.  It hasn't always been forward motion, nor has it been a walk in the park, but it's my journey.  This past year e