c a r e F R E E d: kingdom of cambodia

Vacation is over...already?! This past month has flown by. Vacation was exactly what I needed to escape the cold, dreary weather of our city. I am already missing the warm, sunny air of Thailand. It was difficult walking off the plane to the gray, smoggy sky in our city.

I want to recap some of the things I learned during my vacation around Thailand and Cambodia. The Lord was trying to teach me to relax and listen to him. I usually love to relax- just ask any of my friends- but this past month was tricky with so much on my mind. I wanted so badly to clear my mind but I had different relationships and future plans weighing on my heart.

During our first week at the midyear conference in Cha'Am one of my favorite people spoke to all of the women. Her name is Sandy and she is a counselor/lifesaver. She spoke to us from Isaiah 30.

This is what the sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel says: "Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved, in quietness and confidence is your strength, but you would have none of it."

(vs. 15)

Sandy said that in the midst of chaos, we often defend ourselves, not just trust God. I had to ask myself, what does my chaos or pain look like right now? When I feel anxious, it's because of the loss of control.

RETURN REST QUIETNESS TRUST

Yet I often say "No! We will flee on horses" like verse 16...as if I can run from God.

"So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help." (vs. 18)

I am thankful that the Lord reminded me of this truth. He longs to be gracious to me and he wants to show me compassion. And right now, I will just wait for his help. I am anxiously awaiting his voice.

Considering I don't have many pictures from Cha'Am, I'll start with Cambodia. We drove from Cha'Am through Bangkok, to the border of Thailand and Cambodia. We got out of the van and rolled our suitcases across the border and through customs. I got a new stamp in my passport and jumped into another van that drove us to Siem Reap.