While I sit here on my comfortable, bare mattress in my murky, dim basement, I keep reminding myself why I created this blog(I must. I may forget.). As the name of this curiously-named website(Blog. Who comes up with these names?!) might suggest, I intend to tell you about abnormal occurrences in the life of an abnormal teenager. I'll try to stick to the point(while babbling on about my life, posting some pictures, and writing about my transition into American culture).
My Expository Writing teacher tirelessly taught us students how one might write an introductory paragraph in an essay. Among others, one method is to tell the reader how you came to write the paper. Since this may or may not end up like an essay, I thought I might give it a try. I came to write this paper as a personal challenge. Scared yet?
Experience #1*
*(Experiences listed from here on are not in chronological, logical, or any kind of order. They appear as I think of them.)
A lot of people see the world and wish to change it. I am no different. In a single day, I may wish to be the President of the United States, a volunteer at a homeless shelter off the streets of Hong Kong, CEO of a massive corporation in the Middle East, and kindergarten teacher in the heart of Africa. I wish to be all of those things with the incentive of doing the best possible work I can do. After all, how many times have I told myself "The world needs someone who will do a good job", who will give it their all, who can be dependable, who can be trusted? I'm one of those people who sees a need and wants to fill it. This statement would be the reason why I've wanted to be 100+ people "when I grow up" in 50+ countries before the age of 10. I'm most certainly not trying to brag about my hyperactive, over-imaginative childhood callings. I'm trying to prove a point.
If you walked up to the person next to me and started talking to them about your amazing experience in Venezuela as a dorm parent for about 25 minutes, I would want to know where to sign up. I would make plans. I would figure my whole life to revolve around my year in Venezuela as a dorm parent. My path would be planned for me before my 9th birthday. Surely, those who are always willing, always go. False.
I have been telling God I would go "there" since as long as I can remember. I have also changed my mind and had it changed for me. I've heard long, powerful testimonies about individuals who had battled God for so long and then finally gave in to "the call" of world missions. Once that was over with, they were off to China in a giant leap of faith, all expenses paid for. I was determined I would skip the first step and save God the trouble of dealing with a rebellious, proud youth, who wouldn't succumb to "the call." In truth, the problem isn't getting me to go, it's getting me to stay put and learn what I need to know, before shipping me off to Only Lord Knows Where.
Now I am praying for patience. Instead of praying for direction (I'm praying for that too), I'm praying for the patience to wait until God tells me where I'm to go, the endurance to finish whatever He starts me on, and a good memory to never forget why I do what I do and for Who.
If you were to ask me what my plan is, besides the sitting tight part, I would have a convenient list for you. Enjoy (If you can decipher my hieroglyphics).
My Current Plan:
Complete Nursing Assistant Class. Check.
Apply to Nursing Program. Check.
Be accepted into Nursing Program. Check.
Complete Nursing Program, Credits toward RN, and High School Diploma the same semester.
Apply to RN Program.
Be accepted into RN Program.
Complete RN, ADN Program.
Apply to RN-BSN Program.
Complete Program.
Apply to School of Anesthesia.
Be accepted into 27-month program.
Complete program as a CRNA, MSN.
Go to Bible School for at least a year.
Save for mission field.
Go to mission field.
I look forward with great anticipation to how God will change this plan to make it more like His.
In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. -Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
