Starting is sometimes saying "Yes"

Text today at 11:22 am:  "Amy!!! I'm going to China!!!!"
(Amy is handling my application and stuff.. She's such a helper!  I'm blessed!)

Yes, =)  I am.  (She screamed, haha!)

I have sent my formal commitment off and and am committed to spending 11 months in China next year!

I've felt very strongly this week that I would be going but I knew I was waiting for something before I could say yes for sure.  That something came this morning when my Dad woke me up this morning to tell me he would be happy to support me in my trip, and that he thought it would be a great experience for me. :)

This was a very unexpected and wonderful answer to prayer.  I didn't know if I would go having the complete support of my parents and I'm so glad that I do and have waited for it. :)

I'm so thankful this new chapter is beginning.  I'm thrilled to look ahead at what's to come!  Also, I am loving reading all the blogs of the teachers who are in China now!  So much to look forward to!!

Now for what comes next IRL... get my homework done before Thanksgiving break..

One day until my birthday!!

You always have to start somewhere :)

I am writing my first blog post tonight.  This is a significant moment in my life right now. I am about to make one of the biggest decisions I have ever made and I have just passed one of my biggest milestones to date.

This past week I heard that I was accepted to go to China for a year to teach!!!  (!!!!!) I'm planning on letting them know soon whether I'm committed to spending a year teaching in China.

And just yesterday I successfully pulled off my senior recital. :)  So much excitement!!  So much is happening!!

I also made Chai for the first time in my life yesterday.  :) We loved it so much that we made it again today!  Crockpot Chai, :) So good!  Fresh ginger, cardamom, cinnamon sticks, and cloves!  :) so yummy =)

I am stepping into a new place: A place I'm trusting Him to continue to work in me and through me and touch the lives of the people I meet.

Part of understanding His will, for me, is evaluating my motives for making a certain decision.  I was challenged in this area by one of my lovely roommates who wanted to know WHY?  "Why do you want to go teach in China?"  I responded thunderously:
(I did not respond thunderously, I responded 'thusly' but I was shown that that was not a word.  Thunderously was another option in the spellchecker and I liked it.. :P)

I have a great passion and love for China and the people there.
I love people and want to impact their lives.
I love to teach!
I love Chinese food.
I want to share my love with others.
This is the time in my life when I can do something crazy like this and I don't want to miss it!
I love the idea of serving on a team of committed, loving people who will challenge me and help me grow.

I said all those things and a lot more that I can't remember right now. :)  Soooo,
I know that Chinese food is a totally selfish reason!  But, when you read understanding that I LOVE American food and will miss it terribly, it doesn't sound SOO selfish, does it?

So, aside from the strange desire to do something crazy.. most of those motives were healthy. =)
That has been a reassuring thought I've reminded myself of when I've doubted that leaving the country for a year is a good idea.  I've also remembered that this is something I've been prepared for through my study and my previous visit to China.  It's not going to be easy, but I'm well equipped to proceed with this decision.
Another thing that has helped give me peace is the knowledge that I didn't apply to teach in China on a whim. It's something that has been stewing around in me for a good long while.

It seems like everything in my life is coming together and building up to this moment.  :)

Fill me up and send me out.

That's all my thoughts for now.  I have to focus on the present and finish writing.. I mean start... my paper that's due tomorrow!
6 days until my birthday!