This is my monthly post written for my supporters that have faithfully helped me make this year a possibility. I am thankful for each one of you that helped me both financially and prayerfully.

One year ago most of you were hearing about my decision and pursuit to go on The World Race. It was going to be an 11-month mission trip in various countries around the world. When God put his foot down and shifted things, I ended up here at Crown. I’m thankful so much for that. I’m learning more than I believe I could during the World Race and God has and is challenging in a variety of ways. With Crown I’ve been able to travel already to more countries than I would have on The World Race and at the same time still have a somewhat “normal” life here in the States.

One thing I’ve learned from our most recent trip to Asia, is that it’s not good to be gone for such a long extended period of time. Matt and I were gone for 25 days and the last couple weeks I was definitely homesick. I know this is mostly due to missing my girlfriend, so I can’t say the same thing would’ve been true if I had been single and gone for 11 months. But I did miss my family, and my friends, and a normal routine. As much as I dislike waking up every morning to come into the office, it also brings a certain stablility to the day.

I’m learning about a lot of the social and cultural prejeduices I have in my head whenever I go to another country. Everytime I meet someone new, I usually find myself being surprised. I’m finding that other cultures are more welcoming than I expected and that they’re more normal than I would expect.

It’s amazing what only seeing China in the movies will make you picture what China is like. I honestly didn’t have much expectation of what it’d be like, but I definitely pictured it more of a rural setting, with all of the buildings have the clay-tiles, dirt streets, and ninjas flying over the rooftops. This is in fact not true. The major cities we went to were much larger and technologically advanced than Atlanta. The architecture was remarkable in most of the skyscrapers and the enormity of the Beijing Olympic Park was overwhelming.

China..

I actually got to see that crazy building, and today it is completed. It’s the CCTV building (only major T.V. network in China, government controlled).

I’ll end with saying I’m very thankful to God for where I’m at. I can say with 100% confidence that I believe I’m where God wants me to be. That is a major blessing in itself. All of my basic needs are met, I get to travel the world, and when I’m home I get to work in the area that I love (design and photography). I can’t ask for much more.