🎵I'm coming home, I'm coming home, tell the world I'm coming home🎵

I never thought I would say this.... but I don't think I've ever been so sad to book a flight. I have offically booked my flight back to Texas on October 5th.

To be honest, I thought at this point in my journey, I would be more excited to come home but I have very mixed emotions about it. Of course I miss my family and friends a lot, but I finally reached a point in Thailand that it was beginning to feel more like home. I finally feel comfortable getting a taxi and exploring on my own, eating alone, and just trying to figure out things in my daily life. I have made more friends, fallen in love with my coworkers and students, and have loved exploring Bangkok on my own.

I'm sure many of you are wondering what my plan is when I come home but I'm wondering the same thing you are.... Haha! Many of my emotions I'm feeling right now come from the uncertinity of what lies ahead of me when I come home.

A few weeks after I return home, my brother will be getting married. After that, I will celebrating my birthday in Boston with a few close friends and then head to Chicago to spend some much needed time with one of my best friends! Once I return home from Chicago, the holidays will soon arrive and we all know that time of the year is so busy! My best friend will be getting married in January as well so January will be quite busy!

With that being said, I will not be looking for a full time job until the end of January. I was fortunate enough to save quite a bit of money during my time in Thailand because we were on lockdown for so many months. I feel confident enough in my finances that I will be able to take some time off and spend it with family and friends I have missed the most.

After teaching in Thailand, my eyes have really been opened and I have decided that I do not want to return to the traditional classroom when I arrive home. (Another blog coming soon about that topic). I do not know where God will lead me next. Since I've been little, I've always wanted to be a teacher so it's a very weird feeling not knowing what my career path will look like next. I have quite a bit of anxiety about it because there are so many options out there and I don't even know where to begin looking. I'm extremely passionate about kids and want to continue working with children but I don't know what that will look like yet.

Many people have asked if I would return to Thailand or teach abroad somewhere else. I would in a heartbeat. I wouldn't even think twice about it. In May, my little sister from Big Brother Big Sister will be graduating from high school and we will be taking a senior trip together. That limits my options for teaching abroad because I will need to be back for those events and many places ask for a year contract. I have looked into many options but it is quite overwhelming.

There was a point in time that I was feeling so anxious to come home and was dreading it because I didn't have a plan set up. I had to take a step back and remember that God is always in control and His plan is always far greater than our own. I'm confident that he will provide for me and lead me down the next path.

For those that know me, know that goodbyes and change are so hard for me. I would love if you could pray for me as I begin saying my goodbyes and prepare for another big change. Also pray that God shows me a sign of what path I need to take for the next season in my life. I'm confident in God's ability to provide and that His plan is bigger than mine. Pray for peace and guidance.