Pi Chnam Howie!!! (Two Years Already!)

For the anniversary of my 2nd year in Cambodia, I have decided to attempt to re-start a blog. Now for those of you who know me too well and are inwardly groaning, knowing that I only wrote SIX blog posts in my first TWO years.... well, yeah- that was pretty bad and I can't really write a justification! I'm not sure I can really give a guarantee that such delinquencies will not happen again... BUT I really want to make this work!

Here is the vision... I want to introduce you to all of the things that I LOVE about Cambodia. Honestly, the longer I have lived in Cambodia, the more that I have grown in my love of this country. Not that it isn't ever hard. Actually, much of why I love life here is that it feels so much more REAL. Pain and chaos and suffering and uncertainties of life are daily experienced and become a "normal" part of life. Yet in the West, these realities of life are so often masked as we create for ourselves a sense of control over our lives through building walls of self-protection and avoidance of suffering. Yet in masking the realities of suffering and pain, I think that we (or I!!) have so often missed out on experiencing joy and hope that is sustained in a world where I do NOT have control and MUST be utterly dependent on God.

So, while life in Cambodia brings the experiences of pain, it also has held great joy and depth for me. It is a beautiful country. There are amazing people. And I really hope to introduce you to a glimpse of my world. I'll admit that you might pick up on a few sarcastic posts along the way... cultural differences that just make the living experience even more fun, and have me laughing on a regular basis. So enjoy reading! And if you become inspired to come visit, I would absolutely love to host you!