Thoughts over Japan...

It’s hard to believe that I am flying over Japan and that we are 2 hours out from landing in Seoul… Dusk is hitting the skyline and casts a glow across the cloud layers. I had forgotten how beautiful it is up in the air. To think that this is happening is so surreal for me. 9 hours ago, I was sitting in the Seattle airport waiting for my flight to arrive. I must say that anxiety did set in somewhat once we began to taxi for take-off. The thought of flying over thousands of miles of ocean was a bit overwhelming. But I’m happy to be here. It has given me perspective on life and faith and trust in God and reminds me that all things through Him are possible.

We are about 850 miles outside of Seoul and you can feel the plane bank in the direction of South Korea. I haven’t been able to check my email and at this point in time, I have been able to sleep for a few hours off and on. I am thinking I may place my things in the hotel and go see the city. If it’s possible and if time allowed, I am hoping that my friend and sister Ji-eun received my email and will be able to meet me at the airport. I would really love to spend some time with my longtime friend before I leave tomorrow.

It’s meal time on the plane. I slept through the first one about an hour after we left Seattle, which was fine since I ate before we left. I am having chicken and rice with veggies, salad and fruit. I can see Japan below us… snow dusts the landscape and it’s funny to me. I’ve always wanted to see Japan, and well, I guess I get to. It looks like I’ll get to experience the sunset from up here tonight. I’ve always enjoyed that more anyways.

I miss my family. I wish that I had been able to speak with them before taking off. I really wanted to tell Iszac I love him and that I would see him soon. I know he knows that I love him, but it still would have been nice to hear his voice. I will send him a short video when I get to the hotel so he can at least see and hear me. I see and hear children on the plane and it makes me wish he were here with me. I would let him sit next to the window so he could look outside. He would really like that.

I’m trying to think about what it will be like away from friends and family. I know I’ll be in another place for a time, but I keep thinking about the opportunities I am gaining, the knowledge to put on a resume and the experience of putting into action what I have been working hard to learn. (Sidenote… this shrimp and crab salad is delicious. It has carrot, dill, a small bit of rice vinegar and baby shrimp with crab pieces… yum. ^_^). I even brought 2 of my applied anthropology books to refer to while I’m here. I figured I might need them when I go out and about and it would be good to have Van Willigen by my side to share with haha.

So I think that’s going to be it for now. I may write again tonight. I know that I still have some catching up to do from the last few days as I’m sure everyone is curious how I got to this point. It’s really an amazing story. So for now, Sleep well friends and family… I love you all.

Ges

Oh my goodness... It is beginning!

Wow... So i honestly wondered if this trip was going to happen. From the beginning there have been so many problems... From ticketing... To financial aid... Travel dates... And simply put, my own doubt. But here i am now, waiting for a cab to take me to the airport. I havent had much sleep... Maybe 7 or 8 hours in the last 3 days. Partly due to stress... Partly trying to alternate my sleep schedule. It's funny that as each day passes, im doing ok without the sleep. So the plan is to get some rest on the plane, read and study the word, and start to expect God's awesomeness to come through. It's beginning and 20 years couldnt have come soon enough.

Feeling completely backwards...

Today has been a disheartening day. I still don't have any word about my financial aid and I am supposed to leave on Monday. I don 't know what else to do and it's it showing emotionally.... For anyone out there willing to pray for a miracle...  I am going to need it.

That's about it for now. I just don't feel like writing today...

trying to stay positive...
Gessika

5 Days to go...

So things are coming down to the wire... I'm still waiting for grades to be posted in order for me to get my financial aid so I can finish paying for this trip. I'm going back to Missoula on Thursday to try and get everything pulled together before I am supposed to leave. Emotionally and mentally, things have been getting difficult. I'm struggling with things in my heart and in my mind, and even though I am trying to stay calm and prayerful, myself has been getting in the way. I don't like feeling like I don't have a plan. Especially for something this big.

I am missing family incredibly and I don't know that I'm going to spend Christmas with anyone. At this point, I almost don't even feel like being around people. For someone that doesn't have many friends, it would seem as though I should spend time with people during this season, but I almost want to make some coffee and wrap up in a blanket and do nothing. I didn't realize things were going to be so tough. It shouldn't surprise me, but it does a bit. Maybe that just means that when all this is over, I'll appreciate it more? Maybe God is testing my faith and my patience? Maybe this is just a time for me to focus solely on him and trust... something I have always had a hard time doing. But I'm trying to stay faithful to Philippians 4:6, 7 -

"do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

I'm still working through the do not be anxious part... I know that if I can just learn to trust Him, he will supply my every need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. I just have to get to this place. You know what it is? I have been let down before when I thought I was going to be going somewhere and I'm scared of being let down again. This time, I have my ticket, I have what I need to go; I feel like I have put so much of myself in this, maybe in too early, but in faith as well, that I don't want to lose everything I have because I didn't have it in the first place. I don't want to be disappointed again...

Well, that's it for now. I'm going to go work on my Chinese for a little bit...

In Christ,
Gessika

6 Days and Counting...

     Well folks... it's 6 days to go before I board for Taiwan... It looks like I'll be staying in Seoul and missing my connection to Ho Chi Minh City and flying out the next day for Taipei. I'll have a layover in Shanghai, China and arrive on the 30th to start work and the learning process of being overseas. 

     While it's all very exciting to think about being in a new country with new people and new things to learn, it's still very real in knowing that I will be 10,000 miles away from family and friends and the comfort of home. I will be away from the food I'm used to, the town I'm used to, the friends I bug (haha), the stores and restaurants I know and all the things I know on a daily basis. I'm going to miss my son, my family and all that is important to me here in Montana and that is a very real and very scary feeling.

     I'll be leaving at 7am on Monday to fly into Seattle then across the pond to Seoul. I'll get to stay with my friend Ji-eun Lee and her family for the night and then leave early on the 29th for Taipei. I should be arriving the afternoon of the 29th to meet up with the team I'll be spending the month with to get settled in and taken care of. There is so much that will need to happen once I get there. I'll need to cover my rent for the month, my food, my travel card to be able to use public transportation and last but most importantly, getting hooked up with my instructor to learn Mandarin. So much to do and it all seems so overwhelming.

     But for now, I am focusing on getting packed and taking care of my rent and utility bills before I leave. Sushi and Sashimi will need to be fed and a schedule written up for my Community assistant to take care of them for me while I'm away along with Spike and his food and water. So, thank you friends and family while I prepare not only emotionally and mentally for this trip, but spiritually as well. I am hoping and praying to receive all that God has for me during this time and that he not only changes my life, but the lives of those I meet.

     Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts during this time. I love you all and am glad you are able to share this adventure with me!

In Christ,

Ges