I’m back at home (i.e. McMinnville, Oregon), after a hectic day and a half of packing up my room in Eugene. After getting rid of some of my larger possessions (bed, dresser, stereo, keyboard, espresso machine *tear*) I still have an impressive mound of boxes and bags in my room here. How I’m going to decide on what gets my limited luggage space is a task I’d rather not think about.

An update on the visa situation: tomorrow I travel to the Portland Thai consulate and apply for my non-immigrant “O-type” visa. With much prayer and an innocent smile I’m hoping they will be lenient enough to grant it to me, despite not having a required letter from the Thai government. Keep that in your prayers, if you think of it.

My departure date will probably be a bit later than I originally anticipated. The visa craziness might necessitate that, but I’m also slowing down my pace and taking an opportunity to spend two weeks in LA visiting my future teammate Jen and other Servant Partners people. I will return September 20, and play it by ear after that. I’m guessing early October, but we’ll see.

I’ve been getting to see a few friends that I haven’t talked to in months or years, and my grandma is here from North Carolina. My church just commissioned me this morning, and I have just felt very blessed in my preparations.

More soon, once I have a visa story to tell. My second letter, which I have put in the mail (and will soon email to you folks on my email list) will also be posted soon.