As a missionary kid, I have had many different experiences that I can look back on and say that I am truly grateful for. After all, how many American teenagers in 12th grade can honestly say that they’ve ridden on camels, gone dog sledding, caught lizards in the Gobi, drunk gallons of ‘salty milk tea,’ eaten uncountable types of animal meat and survived a temperature of minus 50 degrees Celsius (60 degrees Fahrenheit)? At the time of some of these incidents, I would have laughed if anyone had told me I was lucky; but I have now realized that all of them are actually pretty awesome.

There have been countless times when I have looked at the lifestyles of my cousins or friends back in America and wished that I could have had that instead. However, like it or not, our experiences shape who we are.

Growing up in Mongolia has really helped me to see the bigger picture beyond my own life, including an understanding of a beautiful culture other than mine – and I wouldn’t trade that for the world.