From Sarah

God has changed me so many different ways since I moved to Asia. Living in a different culture, having to seek out friends, being the misfit, teaching, living by faith and just growing has been some of the ways God has changed me. On this page I will talk about a few of the way's God has changed me since moving.

One of the first things that changed me was having to seek out friends. Here in America there are so many people; and you can often find people like you. And because our nature draws us closer to people that are like ourselves, often times if you would make a list of friends they would be similar to you in one way or another. In Thailand we don't have the liberty to choose from people. If we want friends we have to step out and be okay with people that are different. Even many of the other missionary's are different.
I was outgoing before I left; but moving to a place with few American's has stretched me. Everyone wants and needs friends; so did I. But instead of looking for people like me; I became friends with anyone who I could communicate with and that I enjoyed being with. I got rid of the "picky" nature we have when we look at people.

Being a misfit is never easy; when you are a misfit it can either strengthen or destroy you. When my family and I moved to Thailand we were all misfits; that drew us together. If the only people you know in the room is your family, you will naturally talk and stand by them.  We all made friends together.
Being a misfit allows you to look at people differently as well. I enjoy people watching now, as I people watch I pray. I pray about things I see on there face. Sometimes people look angry, other's sad, some happy, and yet some are just having a bad day. Having that constant communication with God strengthened me.

Teaching, I like to say that my students have taught me as much as I taught them. I have learned to be patient, to show them love, I learned when to show compassion and when to apply discipline. I learned how much the little things are worth. How much a smile can help, or a hug. They taught me to be flexible, to be okay with having my lesson plan messed up. They have taught me responsibility. They taught me to give up things so I could fill my obligation. They showed me joy. My students are my kids, I love them so much. Each time I walk into that class room I am reminded of how much I love them.
God has given me fulfillment in teaching. He's revealed an amazing passion I have for teaching. He has blessed me with wonderful kids. Each one is unique, each one is special, their definitely not perfect and teaching is not easy. I have my tough days, and not all my kid's are obedient. Some love learning while other's have short attention spans. But everyone of them has shown me something special and unique. Each one has blessed me in different ways.

Living by faith, not always knowing what will happen has also changed me. Some of the things I have been most blessed with I was terrified to start. In certain cases I prayed "God please, please, show me a sign that this is NOT your will. I don't want to do this." But God knew that I would be blessed if I just stepped out and obeyed Him. And I have been blessed in so many ways. Things I would have missed out on if I hadn't listened.
Always praying about your decision is so vital. Sometimes I think God doesn't really care about that. It's such a small thing. But if you really think about it, that's ridicules. He knows the hairs on your head; He cares about the little things. He cares when I'm having a bad day or when I really need a brake or when I need Him to comfort me while I cry. God is your Dad, He's there for you, cheering you on, holding you, helping you, waiting, watching, and guiding you in life.

My parents have helped me in many ways as I have grown and as I continue to grow into a young woman. I live life, I am far from perfect -God's not done with me yet.- I don't have it all figured out I have days just like you, days when I want to scream, and days when I want to cry. I have the same feelings that you have; I suffer from loneliness, sadness, and anger. There are day's when I don't want to get out of bed. But God is with me, helping me through it all. Yeah I struggle sometimes and I want to give up, but God always seems to throw something amazing into the chaos.
It's like a rainbow in the storm. We just have to look. It's in the simple things; God's still teaching me to see it but look around. It may be a simple smile, hug or encouragement from someone. Or it could be as simple as a some of your favorite desert, or the fact that you found your phone, the fact that God gave you something to laugh at.

Those are some of the ways God has changed me. Although there are a lot more; I would probably bore you to tears; if I haven't already. But before you exit I have two challenges for you. Like I said before I don't have it all figured out, but maybe you could follow along with me as I learn.

The first challenge is to talk to God about the little things. Tell Him that your frustrated that your keys went missing right when you wanted to leave. But also watch for His blessings, there all over. And once you start looking you'll see more and more of them. The more you look, the more you will find them. JUST STOP. Find one thing that wasn't terrible that happened and thank God for it. As you continue to do that you'll start seeing it more and more.

The second challenge is to GO, step out in faith. So many people say, "I'm waiting for God to show me what to do." And that is vital, but while you're waiting do something. Unless God gave you a clear sign to stay -A sign as clear as you would want Him to give you to move.- go do something. God can use you while you wait. Be affective for the kingdom of God.
Don't be afraid, "God doesn't always call the qualified; but He always qualifies the called." You may not have those gifts now to do that task; but pray, ask God to give them to you and HE WILL DO AMAZING THINGS THROUGH YOU. He's God! He can give you those gifts, He can use you.
He created everything around us; HE CREATED THOSE GIFTS. DO NOT LIMIT HIM. God is the same today, tomorrow and forever; that means the God that raised the dead is still the same God today. He can easily give you that gift for that job, right now. JUST GO. STEP OUT. HE CAN USE YOU NO MATTER WHAT.