Stop One and Request

I left Asheville today. My apartment is empty. My storage is stored. And my luggage is packed but not yet weighed. I had a good drive down to Charlotte with my dad. Now, good time here at my parents' house with family for the next two days. After laying down for a while, I start realizing what all I have left behind in Asheville. Man, its still a dream. Not many tears yet.

Side note, please pray for my knees. I fell in the parking lot on Saturday after a youth group rafting trip. It was loose gravel, downhill. My knees don't like me right now and its hard to bend and unbend them. I'm concerned about them with the whole LONG airplane flight coming up Thursday. Thanks.

Did You Know...

...if you travel from the US down to Nicaragua and then start digging through the Earth, you'll reach Thailand? It's kinda like how people say you can dig to China. (I spend too much time staring at world maps.)

Bye to Thai Friends Here

I know I'm going to see all my Thai friends when I get back to Thailand. But tonight, I had to say bye to my Thai friends here--the ones who work at the restaurant here in Asheville. They all are giving me the contact information for their families in Thailand to visit while I'm there. It's too sweet. I can't believe how blessed I have been to have them as friends. I don't like leaving them here without more people to take care of them. Please pray God continues working in their hearts. Pray for one of the women working there to find a new place to stay. At Christmas, I get to see the owner and her husband when they go back to visit their family in Thailand. I feel like I'm part of a big extended family now!

Spice Girl

This little assortment sits in front of you at all Thai restaurants. Once you've gotten your plate of food, you can alter it. It's like seeing salt and pepper on your kitchen table, just better! Would you like to make your food sweeter? Add sugar (foreground). Would you like to make your food spicier? Add dried chili pepper (right). More sour? Add vinegar (left). Or saltier? Add fish sauce which is their version of salt (the back container).

How does Thai Currie enjoy her Thai food? I choose spicier and more sour most the time! As a side note, do you remember that music group called the Spice Girls? Well, one of the members' names was Mel C. She was Mel C, Sporty Spice. So, you should know that I am a Spicy girl!

Just Keep Walking

I think of Dori* from Nemo when I type that, because she says "Just keep swimming." As I read the book of Joshua in the Bible, the Israelites are finally entering the Promised Land. Joshua is all freaked out, so God has to tell him like three times to be strong and courageous, all in the first chapter. How much of what happens do the people do and how much does God do?

God: makes enemies scared
People: walk into the new land
God: stops the Jordan River from flowing
People: walk through the dry riverbed
God: makes the Jericho walls fall down
People: walk around the city

So the theme of the story, just keep walking. Their fathers and grandfathers never got to walk though because they spent too much time scared and complaining. So, walking does take faith. As another book of the Bible says, "Just as you came to believe in Jesus, walk in him, being strengthened in the faith you were taught and with thankfulness."(Colossians 2:6-7) I remind myself as I get ready for my service in Thailand to just keep walking.

*Leah, thank you for reminding me that Dori is the fish and Dora is the explorer. :)

From 7 to 22 yrs old

Yesterday at church, a young Frenchman gave his story about becoming a Christian through Child Evangelism Fellowship. The retired missionary from our church had met him at 7 years old, while she was serving in France. Through her children's ministry, he became a Christian. He stood up at the pulpit with her as a 22 year old man. What a testimony of God's faithfulness! And through his interest in the Bible club, his family have come to know God too!

As I sat there listening, I prayed that the children I know in Thailand would have similar stories. I look forward to knowing them at 22 years old and seeing how God has directed their lives. For now, I will have known them 3 years when I get back. Can't wait to see their faces.

Goodbye to Ellie

My car is nice and clean and ready to be sold. I do have buyers, but they are still trying to figure out how to get here. Would you pray the selling would go smoothly and communication between the buyers and I would be clear? Thank you.

Ellie is the first car I've owned on my own, right after college til now. My brother cared for her while I was in Thailand. This term however, I need to sell her. My brother and I thought of some funny pictures I could take with her as a farewell. Enjoy laughing with me at my silliness.














1) both of us were tearing up
2) blowing our noses together
3) a goodbye kiss
4) a big hug
5) the supermodel pose
2)

Signs and Sacrifices

Signs of the Times...an empty bookshelf and an open suitcase.

Yes, I have begun packing. The books have been divided---some to Thailand, some to give away, and some to store.

Sacrifices being made...my niece's silly bandz

Caution, this story will break your heart. My 4 yr old niece offered her whole silly bandz collection to me this past weekend. She said, "Because I'm going to miss you so much." So endearing, my heart just broke in half. Being a former teacher and knowing kids, I know that was a huge sacrifice. She was giving away her greatest possessions. Somehow, I talked her into keeping half. So, here's my new silly bandz collection. Goodbyes are hard.

My Prayer as of Late

It's probably good for you to hear a little more of what's going on in my head. Reading the book of 2 Thessalonians in the Bible gave me words for my recent prayers about returning to service in Thailand. (Paul was praying these words for the church of Thessalonica and I pray them for myself.)

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ. -2 Thes. 1:11-12

More Lizard Dancing

My last speaking engagement...to the cutest preschoolers ever. I shared about my work in Thailand and finished with the lizard dance. In Thailand, when we play games, those that lose must stand in the middle and dance and sing for everyone else. It's super fun. So, I taught the preschoolers how to dance like a lizard!
First the lesson on how to look like a lizard.
Then we dance around like lizards!
And lastly, a big group hug!!

Ate the Frog

My friend uses the phrase when she has to do something she doesn't want to do. She says its better to just get up in the morning and "eat the frog." Don't avoid it all day. Just get it done.

So, today, I ate some frogs. The car shop. The bank. Talking to people about things I have no earthly clue about. Yet, a lot more was checked off the list and the frogs have been eaten.

Just Two Things

Two things David asks God for in his song, Psalm 27 verse 4...

"To gave upon the beauty of the Lord and
to inquire in his temple."

What if those were the only two things I asked for as well? I'd like to see all the beauty of God. Be astounded at your snow-capped mountains of Alaska, your deep canyons on Arizona, your amazing elephants in Thailand, and your far-reaching oceans off North Carolina's coast all the days of my life. And I'd like to sit at God's feet and learn from him. Ask all the questions I can imagine. Marvel at the mysteries yet to be revealed. Worship him for all he is.

Those are two good things to ask for, David.

Already There in my Dreams

Last night, I dreamed I had already left for Thailand. The problem was I didn't pack! And I left behind all the last minute details back in the US (for which I have to do in the next two weeks). What an interesting predicament. The last few nights, I have been back in Thailand already in my dreams. A couple nights ago, I was hanging out with the team and laughing. What a good dream.

Speaking at the church last night went really well! God used me to encourage many people for which I am grateful. I was able to meet folks who have been on a short-term mission trip in 2004 to Bangkok. They marveled at how God has grown our work there. I am grateful God put that church on my calendar this week as well. It was good to be reminded of God's hand. And it must have made me so excited, I decided in my dream to just ship off yesterday! :)

Lasts

Speaking...Tomorrow I head to Atlanta to speak to one last supporting church. I haven't gotten to meet these great folks yet, though they support one other family on my Thailand team. How exciting to meet my prayer and financial support partners! Then, I've also got one last speaking engagement to some cute preschoolers next Thursday. I think I will miss sharing with kids. But, I'll get to see my Thai kids instead!

Visit to Mission to the World(MTW)...If I haven't said yet, I'm so grateful for the great care and communication I have from my mission agency. I'm stopping through the office one last time for my pre-departure visit. Then, communication will be from a distance. My emails will wait 12 hours for a reply because I'll have to send them before bed and read the answer when I wake up. Phone calls will happen in the evenings. Yet, I will be where the Lord is calling me to go next.

My Visa is In!

My Thailand visa has been approved! Thanks for your prayers!

Visit to Seattle and Mt. Rainier: Missionary on Vacation

While on vacation, and after my duties as bridesmaid for my friend's wedding were completed, I stopped through Seattle for a few days. I had always wanted to see the great city. Favorite things--the underground history tour, the hike to Mt. Rainier, and the crazy weather where I hardly ever saw the sun!

The first Starbucks is found there at Pike Market.


The famous gum wall, where people kept sticking their gum. Finally, the gov't stopped removing it and let it be a famous landmark.


Amy, my friend from Asheville, met me for the vacation in Seattle.

Disclaimer: Ok, so my preconceived ideas of Seattle included people throwing fish on the dock and seeing the beautiful waterside market. Yet when I got there the market and fish looked just like the market and fish in Thailand. Not worth pictures since it wasn't a first time for me, yet great to be in again. So, sorry, no throwing fish pictures.

Mt. Rainier is like the largest volcano mountain in the US or something like that. Sadly, due to the rain and fog, I didn't see the peak. But, the glaciers, trees, and wildflowers were awesome.


I have to say that though I travel a lot, my photography skills are limited. So, here's my attempt to take a picture of the wildflowers, the Magenta Paintbrush.

Blog Siesta

Gotta take about a week off from blogging...

I'm off to my friend's wedding where I get to be a bridesmaid. It'll be great to see her and celebrate with her.

I'll update all of you with good pictures afterwards and continue on the countdown.