It's amazing what journeys life can take you on. I have been on a crazy one this year. I have experienced so much, learned a bunch about myself in the process and I'm ready for this crazyness to be over. I came here last spring to be here for my cousin as she was going through some things. I got a job, met some great people, saved some money and now I'm ready to come back home. It's weird to think about Oklahoma as "home", and my home country as not being home. I feel like an outsider here. I mean, I speak the same language, I was born here, but it's no longer my home. I miss my family and friends most of all. More than I thought possible. I have grown closer to some of my friends while being gone and made some new ones both here and there :) I have rebuilt one friendship, something that I thought would never happen. Now, I'm wating on news about my visa and that has been one crazy, emotional ride. I'm normally not a very emotional person, but this has just got me on edge. I don't think the people at work notice because I try not to let it affect my mood or how I act around them. But, when I'm at home in the apartment all by myself, I strugle with the emoitions of loneliness and frustration. I know all will be well. That God perfects that which concerns me. That no weapons formed against me shall prosper. That the testing of my faith produces patience. That if God is for me, who can be against me? I am more than a conqueror. This is just a portion of what I'm feeling right now, the other part I'm not sure I can even put words to right now. It might take me a while to process everything that has happened this year. Ciao!

I haven't blogged in a while, but here is a little update on my life.... I was hoping to be flying out tomorrow morning with my new work visa safely inside my passport, but no such luck. I'm still waiting to hear from the Embassy. Yesterday I tried to get my flight changed, but I guess it was a restricted ticket so no changes allowed... Today I bought another ticket for next Sunday and hopefully my visa will come soon. I really want to be in Tulsa with my family for Christmas. I can't wait to have some girl time with Meghan, Tina, Jolie and Abby again... and to see everyone else of my friends too... According to my attorney I should be getting my visa, he says there's no reason for them not to give it to me. So why are they taking so long...? I have no idea, but I'm doing my best to keep my spirits up and keep being patient. James 1:2-3 says: "My brethren count it all joy when you fall into various trials. Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." This has for sure been a testing of my faith, it still is... Hope to see y'all very soon ;)

26 out of 99....

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain (hiking)
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

I am the disciple whom Jesus loves.....

I've also been thinking of God's love for me lately. Faith and love go hand in hand. One can't happen without the other. God loves me so much, he wants only the best for me. I was thinking about this all day at work and I had such a great day. God's love is amazing. When God is for you who can be against you?

I came across this in Faith - catch it! by Scott Webb....

"You also know that anyone or anything that crosses you is crossing God! Those who oppose God usually end up at the bottom of the Red Sea or under the walls of Jericho. And those who love God and know His love for them will live out their lives in His protection. Obviously, it is a good thing to know God's love! There is nothing like it."

I've been thinking a lot about faith lately. Most of you know that I'm in the process of getting my visa and that my visit to the Embassy didn't appear to go so well. I'm still believing for a miracle and that God will make a way where there seem to be no way! The hardest part about it, for me, is having to wait..... To still be happy and to stay focused on my job while I wait... Not knowing is always hard for me. I don't like to wait. I like knowing. I like the security of knowing what's going to happen and when it's going to take place. I'm very much a "on time" person and I like everyone else to be the same....

But faith wouldn't be necessary if there was no waiting involved... right? So, I'm working on my patience... I'm determined to win this fight. I will stay in faith about this. I will not allow any negative thought or scenario to dwell in my mind. God knows I have had a few lately, but I'm casting them out. No doubt or fear is allowed! So, with this I'm encouraging myself. I choose to believe the best and that it is now my turn. This is my year for new beginnings! And I refuse to give up no matter how things look or how I feel about it. How I feel has nothing to do with it. Because we walk by faith and not by sight! I serve a big God who is also my father. Who created the heavens and the earth and everything in it. Who's yo Daddy? :)

It's Sunday....

and the rain is coming down pretty hard....which it has been doing since I left work Friday afternoon.... I was planning on running down to the gym for a workout, but I think I'm gonna skip it today and just stay inside and read where it's toasty and dry :) Running in the rain is fun as long as you have adequate clothing to wear which I don't at the moment....

US Embassy visit!

Didn't go quite like I had expected.... I was missing one form that my dad will have to fill out and send back to them. I was told it will take about 4-6 weeks to process.... The lady also doubted my qualifications to do the job as operations manager for my dad's business. Even though I have a Bachelors in Business management from TU and have had my own company for almost 4 years....

I had entered the country under false pretenses while I was a student at TU, which I didn't know until today... so I guess that explains why I kept being held up at the custom/immigration everytime I entered the country. My student visa was for Tulsa Community College and not the University of Tulsa... Anyhow, that's not a major issue, but it's forever in the system :(

I do belive, though, that God is the way maker!!! He can make a way where there is no way :) and I'm still expecting miracles to take place for me. Please pray for me right now. I need it! I'm doing my best to stay positive and to keep a smile on my face :) A person in faith is a happy person!!