I crossed the street and . . .

FELL.  

Ok, let me back up. Today is day 1 in Hanoi, Vietnam.  It is unreal to finally be here.  There is SO much to take in, and it is funny to think that after a while, this place and culture and people will be the new 'normal.' Here's a sampling of the MANY observations from day 1:

• it was a mistake to be chewing gum while going through customs
• the land is SO green
• when you walk outside, your clothes stick to your body almost instantly
• motorbikes are the main mode of transportation, and just about everyone has a helmet (cars and buses also fill the roads)
• there are many things that remind me of Latin America- like constant beeping on the roads, the buildings, the signs, the supermarket 
• when the check-out person at the store doesn't have enough change, they give you a special little treat instead- like a packet of tea or candy! :)
• brides usually rent their wedding dresses
• when going out for a bite to eat with a group, only one person should pay- it makes no sense here to split up a bill . . . 
• jet lag stinketh REALLY bad

Oh, yes.  And the fall.  So I was pretty proud of myself for walking across the street.  I know, you're supposed to conquer that skill as a young child, but it is truly an art here.  Once you start going forward, you need to continue at a steady slow confident pace (never stepping back) while staring at oncoming traffic to go with it's flow.  So I crossed the street a few times today to practice (with others who are more experienced- don't worry mom)... and was pretty excited about that accomplishment.  Then while walking along the sidewalk, I stepped on a slanted part and my foot totally went out from under me and I have a big red bruise to show for it.

As I got up and kept walking, I realized this was a great picture of the days ahead.  I'm sure I will have moments of excitement like crossing the street- such as thinking I have finally understood something cultural or succeeded with the language or taught a really good class.  And I will have moments of total failure like falling on the sidewalk- when I make a cultural faux pas, fail to get the hang of chopsticks, or just bomb a class.  Whatever the case, I'm so thankful there is One who is constant!!

introducing...

my team (minus our team leader Karen)!  Jenny is on the left, Maren in the middle, and I am on the right :)  It was our first time to eat at the famous CA burger place.  We leave tonight for the airport to catch our flight to VN.  Please remember my sister-in-law Deb who is in labor today!!!!  And on a smaller note, I am sick with a cold, and would appreciate your thoughts for the LONG trip ahead.  Next time I post, it will be from Hanoi, VN!

The Button . . .

Yes, the button has played an important part in these days of transition.  You see, I carefully picked out all of my clothes to take for the year in VN since I could only bring 2 suitcases.  The other day I wore on of the tops I had chosen to bring to VN.  In the middle of the day, I noticed a button was missing.  Not a big deal- a button could surely be replaced quite easily.  I checked our button supply at home and could not find any small navy blue buttons.  So my mom checked at Wal-Mart, and can you believe- even Wally World didn't have a small navy blue button!!!!  We decided we would go to a fabric store in town.  However, yesterday (Sunday), the day before I was to leave, we still had not made it to the fabric store.  We were telling a friend at our fellowship about the remaining things on my to-do list before leaving- including the purchase of a button.  Our friend asked us what kind of button, and we described the small navy blue button we planned to buy.  She then proceeds to tell us that she picked up a small navy blue button on the street outside of our house a week earlier.  She said she remembered thinking, "Why am I picking this up?" However, she took the button home, and brought it over to our house Sunday afternoon.  Would you believe, it was the EXACT button from my shirt!!

Our Father cares for every little detail.  What a great reminder that He goes before me and is with me in EVERY matter as I go to Vietnam... even the minute detail of a button did not escape Him!!

I flew to CA this morning and began orientation.  One suitcase was 51 lbs. and the other 53.  The ExpressJet ticket agent said she would allow the 51 lb. bag, but would charge $50 for the 53 lb. bag.  Of course, I was already emotional and started crying as I pulled out 2 lbs: ant traps and body wash (I figure I can get some version of those things in VN- I hope)... this brought the bags down to 51 lbs. each and she let me through.  PHEW!!!  I may have to transfer 2 more lbs. to my carry-on for the flight to Asia later this week.

There are about 25 people here- going to various countries with various programs(and many of whom I've found connections with).  We are all staying in a Best Western hotel :) There are 6 of us going to Vietnam with the Teaching Fellowship (1 year) program.  3 are going to Hanoi, and 3 (including myself) are going to DaLat.  It was so great to meet two of my teammates today- I am excited to be journeying with them!!  I hope to post pictures of all of us soon!  Oh, and to top off the day, we were treated to ice cream tonight- does it get any better than that?!

On Thursday evening/Friday morning (1 am-ish) we all leave on Cathay Pacific airline on a 15 hour flight to Hong Kong, and then continue on a 2 hour flight to Hanoi, VN.

Those are the details I can think of to share for now.  I am encouraged and looking forward to the week ahead.  And I hope my nephew Sam decides to enter the world before Thursday night :)

How SWEET it is...

to be loved by YOU!  Ok, a bit cheesy to steal words from that old song, but true.  As I am in my last few days and hours of life as I know it here in Colorado with family and friends, the word that keeps coming to my mind is "sweet."  It has been sweet to connect with so many people these last few weeks- random visits, notes, e-mails, and phone calls.  It has been sweet to feel overwhelming support in so many ways- I truly feel covered in love and 'thoughts' from SO many.  And yet, the time is also bitter-sweet as the tears come at unexpected moments, and the anticipated goodbyes are becoming realities.  Sweet are the little details that have come together in the nick of time: my laptop got fixed a few days ago, my checks arrived from the bank today, my webcam was set up just this week, my chacos were exchanged for a new style that fit much better, etc.  And sweet are the ways our Father is preparing my heart for this new journey.

Here are a few more sweet details many have been asking about:

-Timeline Recap: THIS Monday (21st) I fly to CA where I'll meet my team and participate in orientation.  On the 24th I fly with my team and several others to Hanoi, VN for a month of TESOL training (Wheaton course). Then at the end of August our team of 4 will go to DaLat to begin teaching!!

-Subjects my teammates and I will be teaching to the University students in DaLat(who have already taken several years of English classes) include: English for Journalism, Business English, English Pronunciation & Practice, and Speaking & Listening.  Ask our Father to orchestrate just the right classes for each of us to teach.

-My sweet team consists of: 

KAREN (team leader from Iowa, Trinity International Univ. grad, we happen to have several mutual friends from The Alliance Academy!)

MAREN (also from Iowa, recent Univ. of Northern Iowa grad)

JENNY (from Minnesota, recent Wheaton College grad)

Please ask that our hearts would be of one spirit- that our unity might be good and pleasing in His sight, and a great challenge to our students and fellow teachers at the University.

-My suitcases are mostly packed. SWEET! I am taking two 50 lb. bags plus a very full carry-on... I sure hope the airport scale is the same as my scale at home because I'm using every pound allowed :)  Trying to decide what to pack for a year was quite the experience!  For those that know me well, you know the hardest part was probably determining what shoes to bring!!!!

-Many have asked how I am feeling. I am not really nervous yet- I think that will come my first day of teaching :)  I mostly feel excitement for what's ahead, but I also mourn the goodbyes.

-I am not sure what my address will be (a few people have asked about sending care packages).  I'll try to post it once I know.  Also, if you have SKYPE, you'll have to send me your Skype name :)

There are so many unknowns yet to unfold, and I can't wait to share this sweet adventure with all of you!!