So, I am writing to ask for your prayers as I begin my travels home. I leave Chiang Rai tonight at around 9:00pm and arrive in Bangkok at 10:30pm, where I will get a taxi ride to my hotel, Convenient Hotel, for a quick five hour sleep before I have to be up and back at the airport at around 4am to leave Bangkok for San Francisco at 6:40am. Then I am in San Francisco for about five hours layover time, and then I fly into DFW at around midnight on Wednesday morning. It will be a long flight, and I ask for prayers over each flight with grace and favor at each layover and connecting flight, especially getting from the airport to the hotel in Bangkok and back.
I am very excited about this trip home as I will get to hang out with my family and friends, sharing what all I am up to in Chiang Rai and what all God is doing in me. BUT, my best friend, Beth is also getting married, and it is a joyous celebration!!! I am SO looking forward to being there. After praying about going and the details, I feel it is a significant trip, so pray with me that I get everything out of each moment.
LOVE YOU!!! see some of you VERY SOON!!! YEHAHHHHH!!!!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
3 days in the mountains of Chiang Mai!!!
So I just got back from Hume Lake Camp Thailand 2007 (www.humelake.org - check out what these folks are doing), and it was amazing to spend three days in the mountains of Chiang Mai with over 150 high school aged missionary kids and international students. TALK ABOUT LIFE CHANGING!!!
The message was all on the Parable of the Talents, and for the first time I got a glimpse of God's heart behind that story. It has less to do with the actual TALENTS than it does to how they used them. I think every time prior to this when I read about the talents, my prayer was "God speak to me and tell me what my talents are." For the first time, it's not about me - sorry to say this online, but I have this selfish bent to think about me and how everything affects me. God is walking me out of that place to where it's all about HIM...HE IS ALL I NEED AND IS MY EVERYTHING. It's all about Him and doing things for Him, for His glory and for His praise. My entire perspective has changed, and it is affecting each and every part of my life. Things I've struggled with all my life are for the first time changing because it's all about Him. Please continue to pray for me as I walk into this fully, because I know the attack will come since I'm taking back ground that's been in enemy camp way too long. Also pray for the students who went to Hume Lake this year...the Lord broke into their lives, stepped into their boats and they were rocked!!
That's why it's been a week or more since blogging...I was parenting four kids, then went to a conference, and then 3 days in the mountains with God, the Hume Lake staff, and the most on fire kids I've seen in awhile.
Just a challenge - life your lives well!! Do everything to the best of your ability!! That's my desire too!!! Be contagious and spread life wherever you go...
The message was all on the Parable of the Talents, and for the first time I got a glimpse of God's heart behind that story. It has less to do with the actual TALENTS than it does to how they used them. I think every time prior to this when I read about the talents, my prayer was "God speak to me and tell me what my talents are." For the first time, it's not about me - sorry to say this online, but I have this selfish bent to think about me and how everything affects me. God is walking me out of that place to where it's all about HIM...HE IS ALL I NEED AND IS MY EVERYTHING. It's all about Him and doing things for Him, for His glory and for His praise. My entire perspective has changed, and it is affecting each and every part of my life. Things I've struggled with all my life are for the first time changing because it's all about Him. Please continue to pray for me as I walk into this fully, because I know the attack will come since I'm taking back ground that's been in enemy camp way too long. Also pray for the students who went to Hume Lake this year...the Lord broke into their lives, stepped into their boats and they were rocked!!
That's why it's been a week or more since blogging...I was parenting four kids, then went to a conference, and then 3 days in the mountains with God, the Hume Lake staff, and the most on fire kids I've seen in awhile.
Just a challenge - life your lives well!! Do everything to the best of your ability!! That's my desire too!!! Be contagious and spread life wherever you go...
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Thoughts on parenting...
So I've been a parent of four kids, ages seventeen, fourteen, twelve, and ten, for five days now and have seven more days until their parents return back from the states. And it has been amazing!! I have learned so many things while "parenting" these wonderful kids: family time is the greatest in the world, cooking for more than yourself is amazing, and the mundane things in life can still be awesome ways to please God.
Being single is alright with me for right now, because I am single and am confident that when it's time, God will provide me with the desires of my heart. However, being single, I don't cook dinners very often, because often I get tired of the same thing for a week at a time, but also because it costs too much money to cook elaborate meals for just one. I didn't realize until watching the Fish's kids that I miss family dinner time and being in a family. It wasn't just missing my community in CO and TX, but missing the intimate and loving interaction that happens when you set aside time to eat dinner together and talk about life. So I've enjoyed cooking and spending time with this family. More than just enjoying cooking, I've made things that I've never even thought of cooking before, like twice baked potatoes (which are OH MY WORD INCREDIBLE) and barbecue (later this week, I'll let you know how it turns out!!). The cooking part is something I look forward to at the end of the day while dreaming what I will concoct for the kids. They aren't the kind to rave during the meal other than a "that's good" or "I'm enjoying this," but I've heard from their friends how awesome they think my cooking is...best compliment in the world when your kids' friends want to come over for dinner...haha!!
During this time, I'm also realizing that parenting is such an incredible gift even with its most mundane activities like helping with homework and making sure they bathe themselves and get to sleep on time and wake up in enough time to eat breakfast and get dressed. It is also something the Lord has been using to teach me how to worship Him in everything by having an attitude of worship and making it a lifestyle. Not that it's been easy, but I feel so different when I do things with that attitude, like I am more joyous and energetic. I am able to do more when I am fully surrendered. That is my daily goal...to be fully surrendered and a slave to Jesus Christ.
And props to my friends out there who are parents and work - YOU ARE AMAZING!!! I am giving you a standing ovation and a shout out - YEA YEAH!!!
Love you all!! See you soon!!!
Countdown to being in the States - two weeks and five days till I leave for Bangkok, then fly out the next am to DFW, Texas arriving on October 30th at 11:55pm.
Then fly out from Texas to Denver, CO on November 7th at 8:00-ish am for BETH's WEDDING ON NOVEMBER 11th, a month from tomorrow!!
Being single is alright with me for right now, because I am single and am confident that when it's time, God will provide me with the desires of my heart. However, being single, I don't cook dinners very often, because often I get tired of the same thing for a week at a time, but also because it costs too much money to cook elaborate meals for just one. I didn't realize until watching the Fish's kids that I miss family dinner time and being in a family. It wasn't just missing my community in CO and TX, but missing the intimate and loving interaction that happens when you set aside time to eat dinner together and talk about life. So I've enjoyed cooking and spending time with this family. More than just enjoying cooking, I've made things that I've never even thought of cooking before, like twice baked potatoes (which are OH MY WORD INCREDIBLE) and barbecue (later this week, I'll let you know how it turns out!!). The cooking part is something I look forward to at the end of the day while dreaming what I will concoct for the kids. They aren't the kind to rave during the meal other than a "that's good" or "I'm enjoying this," but I've heard from their friends how awesome they think my cooking is...best compliment in the world when your kids' friends want to come over for dinner...haha!!
During this time, I'm also realizing that parenting is such an incredible gift even with its most mundane activities like helping with homework and making sure they bathe themselves and get to sleep on time and wake up in enough time to eat breakfast and get dressed. It is also something the Lord has been using to teach me how to worship Him in everything by having an attitude of worship and making it a lifestyle. Not that it's been easy, but I feel so different when I do things with that attitude, like I am more joyous and energetic. I am able to do more when I am fully surrendered. That is my daily goal...to be fully surrendered and a slave to Jesus Christ.
And props to my friends out there who are parents and work - YOU ARE AMAZING!!! I am giving you a standing ovation and a shout out - YEA YEAH!!!
Love you all!! See you soon!!!
Countdown to being in the States - two weeks and five days till I leave for Bangkok, then fly out the next am to DFW, Texas arriving on October 30th at 11:55pm.
Then fly out from Texas to Denver, CO on November 7th at 8:00-ish am for BETH's WEDDING ON NOVEMBER 11th, a month from tomorrow!!
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
40 days...
I never realized how significant 40 days was in the Bible until I started the 40 days to a Purpose Driven Life on Monday, October first, with my church, Baan Athitaan, here in Chiang Rai. All of us signed a commitment to do the devotionals and set aside specific time to really, and I mean REALLY lean into the purpose for which God created us. Funny how this started this week and the past two weeks have probably been my hardest here as I started reading Cure for the Common Life (CFTCL), which is based on the same criteria - finding your "bag" that God gave you and what's in it. As I was reading CFTCL, I began to get more stressed about my "calling" or purpose and what it is and what I should be doing...on and on until I realized I had been thinking a whole lot about "I" and not a whole lot about "GOD"!! So in a few days of starting this Purpose Driven Life, that has changed. It really has nothing to do with me, but all to do with a divine God who created me for a purpose and sent me to Thailand for a reason and He will accomplish great things in me if I stay out of the way and flow with Him.
So you can be praying that I do that...instead of being a rock in the middle of the river, that I would be a pebble floating along in the purposes of God and in the peace of God and in all the LOVE and goodness of my Sweet Abba who created me for something surely unique - I mean, it's me we're talking about...nothing normal here!!
Also - keep praying for Burma as Thailand is on the verge of closing their borders in case of major civil upheaval...pray that God's presence would be known!!
So you can be praying that I do that...instead of being a rock in the middle of the river, that I would be a pebble floating along in the purposes of God and in the peace of God and in all the LOVE and goodness of my Sweet Abba who created me for something surely unique - I mean, it's me we're talking about...nothing normal here!!
Also - keep praying for Burma as Thailand is on the verge of closing their borders in case of major civil upheaval...pray that God's presence would be known!!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
PRAY FOR BURMA!!!
For the second day in a row and against the orders from the military government, over 100,000 people marched on the streets of Rangoon today in Burma. The militia have been warning the crowds stating they have the right to use any force necessary, which brings up memories of 3000 people being slaughtered by the army in 1988.The crowds were led by 30,000 monks, who were crying, "Democracy, democracy," and "May we be free of torture, may there be peace in hearts and minds as our kindness spreads around the world." The elder monks are being threatened to keep their "charges" in line or face stiff consequences.
Please be praying as this country is facing rebellion which could end up in a huge loss of lives. Pray that God's presence would be known there!!
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Homemade bread and movies...
It's amazing what brings back that "homey" feeling: tonight my roommate, Jessica, made homemade white bread. It smelled the entire house up with the luscious and lovely yeasty smell. Oh it was wonderful! It is like driving past the Mrs. Baird's Bread factory on the trip from Fort Worth to Waco...good memories of many family trips!! We are all eating homemade bread toasty warm with melted butter on it and drinking hot milk tea (a Thai thing) and watching A Good Year. It is so wonderful being with friends, now more like family, hanging out, just being.
Some updates: Jessica and I are looking at buying a car together, which would be about $750 each. It would help out a lot with us being able to get around whenever we need to. It would end the long trips on public transportation to the grocery store coming home with huge buckets full of stuff and getting laughed at by the Thais who pretty much are humored by our very existence since we stick out so drastically. We could go downtown whenever we want instead of having to be there in the early afternoon so we can actually get a ride there. It would make a huge difference in our lives. But, I didn't raise the extra funds for that...so I'm putting the word out...if you feel led to give, the address and info is on the main blog page. I would greatly appreciate it, and am trusting God to provide. All my leaders here feel it's a good thing, and have a lot of peace about it as do Jessica and I.
I cannot believe that September is almost over...seems like I've been here forever and that my world could never be the same regardless of where I live, but then there are times that feel like I've only been here a second or two. I am taking Thai as part of my school schedule and have three classes a week with a lovely teacher, Kruu Dtum. She laughs at Jessica and I quite a bit, but enjoys our learning styles (I hope). I can now say "Sawatdii Kaa," "Sabaaydiima kaa," "Khopkhun kaa," and the responses. Basically, I can say hi, how are you, good, i'm good, thanks, see you later! I am learning my numbers too. It's really funny when you try to speak to a Thai person, the guy at the post office told me, "Oh you speak so clearly for a ferong. Good job...you speak thai well." I felt so proud of myself, but it is like a little kid that learns to say words, everyone gets excited and encourages them. That is what is happening with me.
This past week was busy. Every night we, the volunteers, had an engagement. Tuesday night - had dinner at the Haynes house - homemade roasted chicken, potatoes, carrots, and a sweet pumpkin roll. Wednesday night - the Penningtons picked us up and we went to a German restaurant, and I had Cordon Bleu, mashed potatoes, and salad (amazing)! Thursday night - the Fish's invited us over for meatloaf, mashed potatoes, broccoli, and sweet tea and IT ROCKED MY WORLD!!! Then Friday night was Mexican dinner night with the Tubbs.
Kay, the owner of Kay's Burritto Casa (as you can see in the picture below) had been to Chiang Mai to get the needed stuff to make margaritas and they were delicious!! It was a wonderful night to finish off a wonderful week!!! Then Jessica and I, in addition to the Fox and Fransiscus families all ate at Hamburger #1 tonight for dinner - a lovely cheeseburger and french fries to end the week with...ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!!
Love you all...check out the prayer requests that I added to my blog...if you want to know how to pray for me!!
Some updates: Jessica and I are looking at buying a car together, which would be about $750 each. It would help out a lot with us being able to get around whenever we need to. It would end the long trips on public transportation to the grocery store coming home with huge buckets full of stuff and getting laughed at by the Thais who pretty much are humored by our very existence since we stick out so drastically. We could go downtown whenever we want instead of having to be there in the early afternoon so we can actually get a ride there. It would make a huge difference in our lives. But, I didn't raise the extra funds for that...so I'm putting the word out...if you feel led to give, the address and info is on the main blog page. I would greatly appreciate it, and am trusting God to provide. All my leaders here feel it's a good thing, and have a lot of peace about it as do Jessica and I.
I cannot believe that September is almost over...seems like I've been here forever and that my world could never be the same regardless of where I live, but then there are times that feel like I've only been here a second or two. I am taking Thai as part of my school schedule and have three classes a week with a lovely teacher, Kruu Dtum. She laughs at Jessica and I quite a bit, but enjoys our learning styles (I hope). I can now say "Sawatdii Kaa," "Sabaaydiima kaa," "Khopkhun kaa," and the responses. Basically, I can say hi, how are you, good, i'm good, thanks, see you later! I am learning my numbers too. It's really funny when you try to speak to a Thai person, the guy at the post office told me, "Oh you speak so clearly for a ferong. Good job...you speak thai well." I felt so proud of myself, but it is like a little kid that learns to say words, everyone gets excited and encourages them. That is what is happening with me.
This past week was busy. Every night we, the volunteers, had an engagement. Tuesday night - had dinner at the Haynes house - homemade roasted chicken, potatoes, carrots, and a sweet pumpkin roll. Wednesday night - the Penningtons picked us up and we went to a German restaurant, and I had Cordon Bleu, mashed potatoes, and salad (amazing)! Thursday night - the Fish's invited us over for meatloaf, mashed potatoes, broccoli, and sweet tea and IT ROCKED MY WORLD!!! Then Friday night was Mexican dinner night with the Tubbs.
Kay, the owner of Kay's Burritto Casa (as you can see in the picture below) had been to Chiang Mai to get the needed stuff to make margaritas and they were delicious!! It was a wonderful night to finish off a wonderful week!!! Then Jessica and I, in addition to the Fox and Fransiscus families all ate at Hamburger #1 tonight for dinner - a lovely cheeseburger and french fries to end the week with...ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!! Love you all...check out the prayer requests that I added to my blog...if you want to know how to pray for me!!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
1/2 day of school today...
Today, we had 1/2 of day of school and you'll never guess why...
Yes, as you can see in the photo, that was our school parking lot! It was solid water from the street to the school (a distance of a block)! Students, staff and parents waded through almost knee high water at the street to about ankle deep by the school. After wading to the school, I heard that the water had small snakes (as some staff and students chased them around) in it and leeches (at least I now know what they look like)...HOW FUN, huh??
It rained from about 1:00am and continued to rain throughout chapel, when we had to turn off the electricity so no one was electrocuted. I went to my classroom and the air conditioner and most of the electric boxes were all completely submerged. As a result, we had to take 1/2 a day off of school. I know that I've never had school canceled for excessive rain and no electricity!!
This water continues from the street all the way to the school building (a distance of about a block or more) as you see here in the picture. Crazy, huh?
Only in Thailand...
Yes, as you can see in the photo, that was our school parking lot! It was solid water from the street to the school (a distance of a block)! Students, staff and parents waded through almost knee high water at the street to about ankle deep by the school. After wading to the school, I heard that the water had small snakes (as some staff and students chased them around) in it and leeches (at least I now know what they look like)...HOW FUN, huh??It rained from about 1:00am and continued to rain throughout chapel, when we had to turn off the electricity so no one was electrocuted. I went to my classroom and the air conditioner and most of the electric boxes were all completely submerged. As a result, we had to take 1/2 a day off of school. I know that I've never had school canceled for excessive rain and no electricity!!
This water continues from the street all the way to the school building (a distance of about a block or more) as you see here in the picture. Crazy, huh?Only in Thailand...
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