My Idea

Last June, I went to Vietnam. I'm trying to find words that aren't cliche to describe what that trip was like. I want to say "words cannot describe..." but that's so overused. I want to talk about how it "changed my life," even though just about everyone who goes on a missions trip says that when they return, and really, for how many is it actually true? I want to tell you all about how it "opened my eyes" to so many things I'd never seen before, but again, so many people say that.

I returned from Vietnam on July 3rd. The very next day I celebrated American freedom with a patriotic service and our traditional family outing to Excelsior to hear the the Minnesota Orchestra and watch the fireworks. And the day after that... life took off again. Every night as I fell asleep, I promised myself I would start writing about the trip... tomorrow. Days became weeks, and weeks months. And here I am a solid 5 months later, with not one word written about this incredible experience. (Well, I take that back. I think I did write one journal entry about the elephant I saw in Thailand, but that doesn't count.)

So my idea is this: to write about Vietnam in a series of posts on this blog. My reasons are these: first, typing is faster than pen-and-journal; second, if some of you get interested in my stories, and I quit, you might complain, and that would help me to continue writing. And I really want to get these stories out. I've said them several times, but not for several months, so it may take several attempts to get them all out accurately. So please bear with me.

I promise it will be worth it, at least to me, but probably to you, as well. Because (I might as well come right out and say it) words really can't describe how amazing this trip was, and it really did change my life. It honestly opened my eyes to a world I had never before encountered. And I never want to forget why.

So stay tuned. Vietnam Chapter 1 is on its way.