The Little Things

Anyone who has ever been a missionary, or been away from loved ones for awhile, knows that homesickness can be a big part of the experience. The stress of lesson planning and grading, on top of missing family and friends, tends to bring one down. Fortunately, however, God always puts people in our lives to help us through the rough times. Today I was feeling somewhat overwhelmed with all that I needed to accomplish before tomorrow. The guys had a basketball game and, although I really wanted to go watch and support them, I decided to stay behind and work on class preparations. When my roommate, who had gone to the game with a couple of the other girls, arrived back at the apartment, she brought in a bunch of groceries that she had bought. Among the things that she purchased, her and another one of the SM's had thought of me and decided to buy me two of my favorite things on the island. Tears of thankfulness started to fill my eyes and roll down my cheeks. It truly is the little things that make the biggest difference in life. 

Who Would Have Thought?

Time seems to have flown by since I started out on this new adventure. It has already been three weeks since I got on an airplane and flew over the ocean, leaving everything I knew and loved behind. Between meetings and preparing for classes to begin here in Palau, I almost forgot what today was. I post something every year on this day, August 14. But this year, things are completely different. I always say that I wouldn't be the person I am today if I hadn't experienced what I did, now 8 years ago. That statement still remains true, but this year I was able to turn an insecure 15 year-old's dream into a reality. Allow me to explain. A couple years after my accident, I wrote about my experience and it was later published in the insight magazine. Before the story was published, however, I was asked some questions such as, what is my favorite animal, what are my hobbies, and what I want to be when I grow up. I had completely forgotten about that part of the article until this summer when my sister asked me for the link to the story. (If you would like to read the story, you can click on this link: http://www.insightmagazine.org/cover/index.asp?issueID=20111623)  I skimmed over the page before I copied the link and the last few words caught my attention. In the bottom corner, at the end of the story, it says "Kim wants to be a missionary." I couldn't believe it. As I stared at the words, tears came to my eyes. How could a young girl, who had experienced such personal tragedy, still be so on fire for God? Who would have thought that 8 years down the road, after many speed bumps and detours, I would actually be bringing those words to life? I no longer want to be a missionary. I AM a missionary! I have been stressing so much this week because I don't know how I am going to teach when I have no idea what I'm doing. I am by no means qualified for such a task. But, now that I think about it, God has been preparing me for several years to do this job. I don't have to be "qualified" when it comes to working for God. The only requirement to being a missionary is having a willing heart. Who would have thought that I would end up being a missionary? God not only thought, He knew. I'm thankful that, regardless of my countless mistakes, He never gave up on me. He knew that the 15 year-old girl, who had enough faith to move mountains, was still inside of me. 

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4