The Beginnings

So, I've decided to try and write at least once a day, maybe more depending on time. But I just want to record everything that happens. And especially how I'm feeling and what I see the Lord doing. I won't necessarily post every single day, but I'll be posting often. 
Anyway, the following is a few updates from the past couple days and earlier this morning. 


Blessings 

5/31/12

8:00am-California time

So, yesterday was my first day of this adventure, I guess. I started my travelling toward American Samoa, so I guess you could call it the technical first day.

Everything went really well. The flights were all uneventful. I was a little crowded on one because the guy I was sitting next to was invading my personal space. But, no big deal. I survived.

I also had to wait a good 30 minutes for a shuttle back to my hotel, which was not very fun. But I eventually made it, and I soon passed out on the bed because I was so tired.

But through it all, it’s been good.

I’ve gotten to spend some extra time with the Lord. Amazing. J

And, I started a Bible study the other day. And yesterday I read about King Saul and his disobedience of the Lord’s command to destroy Amalek in 1 Samuel 15. One thing I was reminded of was that sometimes the Lord may tell us to do something, even though we think we could be wiser to do it a different way. When we choose to go against the Lord’s commands, we are being prideful and arrogant and saying to the Lord that we are wiser than the God of the universe. I know I do this often. And this story of Saul is a sad reminder that if I allow my pride to take root in my heart, my heart will harden towards the Lord, and I will not be used by the Lord to do great things. The Lord no longer is able to use Saul, but He turns to a new king, David, to lead Israel into battle.

Anyway, I want the Lord to use me in great ways. I want Him to change my heart, to mold me more into His image, to see Him move in great ways. I want Him to be glorified in me. And most of all, I want my life to make much of Him. He is the reason I am living today. He is the reason I can move. He is Lord of all, including my life. And it is a privilege to serve Him. I am so unworthy to be sitting in the LA airport waiting for my flight to HA so I can then go to Pago Pago and serve Him. But He has bestowed much grace upon me in allowing me to be a part of His great plan of the nations hearing the Gospel.

I am humbled.

I am thankful.

And I am waiting expectantly for Him to move.

Blessings.

12:00pm-Hawaii time

So, I am now in Hawaii. And it’s pretty nice. I’m not going to lie. It was perhaps one of the most beautiful landings I have ever had the privilege of seeing. The water was such an amazing shade of blue. And, yeah, it was just wonderful.

THERE ARE BIRDS IN THIS AIRPORT. Let me correct that statement.

There are PIGEONS in this airport. They are just wandering around this gate with absolutely nothing to do. They’re coming so close to me, and it’s kinda freaking me out.

Anyway, the flight was wonderful. I actually got some sleep…which basically never happens when I fly. But I slept for like an hour, and it was good. I got a lot of reading and other things done as well. So, yet another good thing.

And now I’m just here in the airport. For another 5 hours.

Yay.

But it shouldn’t be that bad, I don’t think. I have a book to finish, some studying to do, I can always text people, and talk to them on the phone, I can maybe sleep a little bit…maybe.

And I can also wait for the people who I’ll be working with. Maybe I’ll have the courage to talk to them…maybe not. Haha. I’m so lame and shy. This is the time when I need a super outgoing person around, like Rachel or Colby. They talk, I listen and get to know outsiders through that. It’s perfect.

Anyway, as I did my Bible study this morning, the Lord offered me another reminder that I most definitely needed. He reminded me that it’s not about the way I look or what others think of me. He sees my heart. And as long as my heart is soft and ready to serve Him in whatever way He chooses, then that’s all that matters. I was reading through 1 Samuel 16, when Samuel anoints David—such a great passage. It was just so wonderful to be reminded that I have the Holy Spirit of power living in me. And it is only through the Spirit that I am able to do anything worthwhile. He is worthy. He is powerful. And if the Lord chooses to do great things in me and through me, then I will be humbled and thankful.

So, I think that’s it right now. My need for talking is coming out through this…because I really haven’t talked to anyone since I left the Ballews yesterday afternoon. So I feel like I’m just rambling on and on—which I totally am.

God is good.

I’m almost to American Samoa.

And there’s a Starbucks about 50 feet away.

I’m pretty sure I can make it.

Haha.

Blessings.

6/1/12

8:21am-American Samoa time

So.

I’m here in American Samoa.

It still feels surreal. It really does. I’m still trying to figure out which way is up at this point. Lol. I’m still super tired. I’m sore from having sat in the same position for so long. My back hurts. My shoulders hurt.

But the Lord got me here in one piece, my luggage got here in one piece, we landed here pretty much on time, and I didn’t have any problems going through customs. So I would definitely say that prayers were answered for safe and smooth travels. Thank you all so much for praying.

On a lighter note, I met someone on my final flight to American Samoa. She’s a local girl who just graduated from college in the States. She went to Samoa Baptist Academy—which is where I’m staying—when she was in high school. This is the first time that she’s been home in two years. Anyway, she’s coming back home to teach in a school on the island. She’s a Christian. And she wants to hang out with me sometime. So, I’m going to try try try to meet up with her a least once before I leave. I had no idea I would be meeting Charity on my flight here and end up talking for hours with her about her family, her schooling, the culture on American Samoa, and the Lord. It was a true blessing that came straight from the Lord. He is so good!!

Anyway.

I’m sitting in the living room of the apartment I’ll be living in for the month. And it’s so cute. It’s nothing fancy by far, but when have I ever needed something fancy? I’m sharing a room with my friend Sarah, and there’s three of us girls sharing a bathroom. It’s pretty cozy.

There are some rules about American Samoa and our apartment that I’ve learned over the past half day that I’ve been here:

1. Don’t try to pet the dogs. They are generally not friendly. They are NOT pets. What do you do instead? you might ask. You throw rocks at them. Or you kick them. They will bite.

2. Leave the bathroom light on in the apartment. (It won’t turn back on.)

3. Don’t close the front door to the apartment all the way. (I’m not exactly sure why, but I don’t really want to find out.)

4. Don’t drink the tap water.

5. Don’t ride the bus system by yourself. (Especially if you’re a tourist and a girl.)

So, I think that those are all the rules I’ve learned….there are probably more, but I just can’t seem to think of them right now. Haha. My brain does not want to wake up.

There are so many chickens here…and the roosters have all been crowing since about 6am. I now have something to look forward to every morning. Haha. But I really don’t mind it. It reminds me of living out in the country. And I guess I technically am doing just that…I’m living out on an island…so it would be kinda like living in the country, I guess.

But anyway.

In a little while I’ll be going to breakfast with Pastor Elise—the pastor of the Samoan speaking church, Happy Valley Baptist Church—his wife, Mrs. Lucy, and the other missionaries who are here. So should probably go get ready to do that and face the day.

I will have internet access more often than I originally thought, so that will be very helpful. J

Anyway, time to get ready!

Blessings.