Last Post

October 15th is here. My last day of blogging. It's already October 16th in Thailand, and my church there will start within the hour. I have been in the USA for two months. The purpose of this blog was to help all those connected with me to keep up-to-date while I served in Thailand. I hope that many of you of all ages (I have some young readers) have learned a lot about being a missionary from me. And more than that, I hope you have learned about Jesus Christ, what he did for us, and how wonderful it is to tell others about him. From one child of God, I hope you have heard how God is working to grow his kingdom across the world. In addition, I hope all of you have been part of something so much larger than yourself by praying for people across the world that you don't know and seeing God answer those prayers.

I invite you, as you come back to my blog with sadness that this journey is over, to take some time and read over my past blog posts. How God has shown himself mighty these last four years! Or start following the other teammates of mine that are still in Thailand. You can find their blogs on the right-hand panel.

I am confident that where God has me is right where he wants me to be. I do miss Thailand and I still tell God that often. He knows. He reassures me everyday that he is working in my life and in that country too. Last night, I cried out of grief for all the friends I have left behind. I didn't feel like I could understand why these seasons of life make me lose contact with so many friends. God reminded me of Abraham who probably left a lot of friends to follow God. Then I told God how hard it has been to return to the US a different person, confused about how to be as I reunite with old friends. God reminded me of Ruth's mother-in-law in the Bible who returned home. God gave both Abraham and Naomi great blessings of seeing His provision, knowing him deeper, and being part of his plan so others would know him. I am reassured he will continue doing these same things in my life too.

May God bless you and the rest of all of your lives. Thank you for being part of my life. I look forward to running into you in the future to share with you how God glorifying himself continues in and through me. I look forward to hearing your stories too.

What is Most Exciting?

Thailand- What was the most exciting thing in Thailand was seeing someone come to know Jesus and trust and believe in God. Going anywhere with the college students was really exciting. Riding on the back of a motorcycle taxi was always exciting. Eating something really sour or spicy or both was always pretty exciting.

Here--Since coming back, what's been the most exciting? Hmm...renting my own house, seeing the fall leaves, and playing soccer at recess with my students has been exciting.

My Half-of-a-House

Ok, I confess, this is a silly picture of where I rent taken from Google Maps. BUT, I can't find my camera battery charger. And I need to end this blog soon but I want to show you where I live!

I am grateful for every little thing God has given me. I will try to share more of that tomorrow. As for today, here is my half-of-a-house. It is the house on the right. On the left is a house split into lots and lots of apartments. I took the snippet from this angle because that tree in front of my house is beautiful. My half-house has two floors with two bedrooms and one bathroom. There is no fence in the yard, though the picture shows one. I have a nice couple my age living next door. They have a dog which is fun to visit. The house is down the street from a cute bakery and I have some nice friends in the neighborhood.

The house is not really full yet but tomorrow I'm hoping to get a cute used red sofa moved in here. As for the rest, it will come. So, no housewarming party anytime soon. :)

Crossing Legs and Wearing Shoes

I woke up late today by a phone call from my co-teacher asking if I was okay. Late to school! It had already started! Oh, the hazards of an alarm clock. I jumped up, got ready, and headed to school.

Once I arrived, I greeted the students and sat them down for reading small groups. As I sat with my group, I thought to myself, "Something's not right, but what is it?" Then I realized it was my shoes. I was wearing shoes! Just like the Thai sleep-talking, once again my brain reverts back to Thailand. I couldn't wear shoes inside when I taught there. My brain was telling me I was doing something wrong today too.

And then during the staff meeting today, I kept sitting with my foot on my other knee. But my brain kept telling my leg to come back down, that was impolite. In Thailand, we never show the bottom of our feet to other people. So many changes. :)

"Pray for Thailand"

Many of my college friends in Thailand who are not believers are posting "Pray for Thailand" on their Facebook statuses. Oh, I wish they would really come to know the God that sits on his throne, accepting our petitions that we can bring confidently through Jesus Christ. Please pray for them to know Him as you pray for the present condition of Thailand.
the extreme flooding situation

even the elephants in Ayutthaya are struggling

People are being creative in these tragic days by making their own rafts.

When are you Fluent?

Are you fluent in Thai? Many people ask. I have asked in reply, "How do you know when you are fluent in another language?" Some people say it's when you think in the other language or dream in the other language. Well....I'm going to one up you.

Saturday night, while sharing a hotel room with my friends at that conference, I talked in my sleep IN THAI! Yes, I am a sleep-talker and even a sleep-singer, but I didn't know that I spoke in Thai! Now if I could just sing in Thai in my sleep. :)

Women's Conference and Purses

Life has been going at warp speed, so I gotta say I didn't go into the women's conference this past weekend with a positive attitude. Yet, God met me there as he always does. I went to share a hotel room that a friend has generously paid for so four of us ladies from church could attend the conference. I also went to carry some Napada bags to sell at a booth there.

As the conference started and I stood at the booth, people walked by to buy purses and ask about who made them. Instead of being stressed and fragile, telling stories of my friends was soothing. As the conference continued on, God provided people to walk into my path that could speak into my life. One former missionary came by to buy a bag and told me about how she left the mission field before she had expected. She encouraged me in how I was feeling and I just wanted to hug this complete stranger in front of me. Another guy worked at a booth selling handicrafts from Uganda. He encouraged me in the Lord's path for my life now too.

Two ladies that work with MTW's home office helped sell our bags this weekend. They sacrificially gave of their time to help the Thailand ministry. I'm grateful for them. They showed me grace in my fatigue and fragility, helping me rest and enjoying my stories from Thailand as well. So, I'm done with the weekend with gratefulness from God for his gentle hand of mercy on my life.