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.

Selling Napada Purses

Off to a women's conference for the PCA churches this weekend. I'm delivering three boxes and four bags full of Napada purses to sell there! I will be helping these two ladies who have already started selling! Remember you can learn more about Napada purses by clicking the link on the right side panel.

It's 6pm. Haven't even left for Atlanta yet. Crazy life. Looking forward to the road trip and the hotel room with some good friends from church too!

Teammate's Wedding

Thailand Mini-Reunion! This past weekend, I drove down to my great friend, Katie's wedding. She had been my housemate in Thailand the last 8 months of my last year there. Carolyn, another great friend and teammate who has already returned, and I went to the wedding together. What precious times!

Searching for the One

That is....searching for the one car. Decided against the Camry I took to a mechanic today. I would really covet your prayers. The search is arduous and I'd like to be done. I'm still really tired.

More First Visitors

Badly pixelized...but here's a couple more wonderful friends and their camera phone pictures of their visits to my house yesterday. These two gals became good friends the year I was home 2009-2010. Then one served in East Asia this last year while I was in Thailand and the other became a teacher. So you can see we have lots of things in common! Grateful for good friends.

Here I am in my living room. Don't you love how I've shown you only a pic of my porch, and now one room? I'm a tease. :)

First Visitors!

My first visitors to my new duplex brought the best housewarming gift of all, icecream! We ate ice cream on my porch (with no porch furniture) and enjoyed my new house. When I first came to check out this house, they came with me too. I hear that a neighbor asked, "So, how many kids are moving into that house?" None. But a LOT are visiting!


Notice that the Thai girl in this picture is already wearing a sweater, yet mosquitos were outside. Sweaters and mosquitos? I always imagine mosquitos in hot weather. Or maybe it's just me.

The End

The end of the Thai Currie blog is near. At the two-month mark (October 15), I'm going to sign off. Before then, I hope to put in a few pictures of my life now so you can visualize me here. It has been difficult to be so transparent these last six weeks with all of you. Yet I believe you all deserve it because you have been such valuable supporters of mine.

I'll miss having supporters to send prayer requests to. Yes, I know. I can always ask people to pray for me. But its an amazing feeling to know there are like 500 people who are invested in me and God's work through me. The other week at church, I had a woman volunteer to pray for my teaching and class. I thought about how much that sounded like what all my supporters have been doing for many years. Praying. Sincerely caring to know. Invested in what I'm invested in. Thank you all for answering God's call to pray for the nations, to care for your Christian sister, and to come before his throne with petitions.

Jalapeno Chips and Toto

I ate jalapeno chips yesterday. They were awesome. They had just the right spicy bite that sent me back to Thailand. Spicy food. :)

Random, yes, I know. In other news, I finally "moved into" my new duplex. I slept there for the first time, though my furniture has been there for a few weeks. I'm grateful.

Also, I test drove a car yesterday. A green Camry. It may be my next car. Taking it to a mechanic Wednesday to check out it's innards.

Thank you, everyone, for your prayers. I do ask for your continued prayers as I adjust. I went shopping yesterday for my own food. I slept in my own house. It's very surreal. I just keep saying to myself, "I'm not in Thailand anymore, Toto."

No Need for Speed

It's hard to recognize reverse culture shock, since I feel like adjustment has been completely difficult but I'm not sure what to blame it on. :) This morning, I think I've decided that the speed of this culture is a shocker for me. It's not just my inability to keep up because maybe I'm slow. It's also that the culture goes a lot faster than Thai culture.

When I lived in Thailand, I used to be surprised by how few things I could do in one measure of time. Everything took longer. Some of it was due to process--public transportation, language, unfamiliarity. Yet at the same time, Thai culture is just just really laid back. The people value quality of relationships over efficiency and productivity.

I'd love your prayers as I am in a turtle in a hare world right now. Because I am teaching too, it's hard to not get overwhelmed with the speed factor. Yet God is good even in showing me that this feeling is an effect of reverse culture shock.

State of Currie Address

5 Weeks in the U.S. as of today.

Eat, Sleep, Teach. That seems to be all I am able to do right now. When I add in any more to my list, I go into a tailspin kinda' like Goose in Top Gun. So, getting myself into the house that I have leased or test driving a possible car are difficult tasks to add in. Let's not even consider the possibility of keeping up any regular friendships at this point.

Would love your prayers. To add God into this address, I think of what I've been reading from His Word lately. I just started 1 Kings, where Solomon asks God for wisdom to be a ruler. Though this request is revered, the best request made to God by a leader is found in Exodus when Moses asks to know God or in Timothy when Paul asks to have fellowship with Christ. So, amidst this "State" I am in, I continue to come before our Lord refining my requests to the basics. I'm always and continually grateful that God knows me and desires to fellowship with me.

I Miss...

I dreamed about Thailand Saturday night. Then I woke up Sunday to a sweet message from my friend J. She took a picture with my young friend, S., and sent it to me. A heave of grief came over me. Every day, a different person finds me on Facebook to say they miss me. I miss them too. I do.

Please pray for Thailand. I know its hard for the church to see so much missionary staff turnover. I know God is still working there and the country is in desperate need of all of our prayers.

Please pray particularly for my friends and I as we continue going through this grief of losing each other. So many goodbyes. So much grieving still to go. I think the grieving process has only begun. I hate this part. I am tempted to just not make any more friendships because friendships always seem to have to end. I know that's not completely true and it's definitely not how God wants us to live. I'll get better. But I thought I'd share with you how I'm doing now.

Driving Instructor

I've become a driving instructor for my Thai friend. She needs to get her driver's license, so we're practicing together. She just needs to grow more confident with her driving. I won't let her pay for our Sunday afternoon drives so instead she's going to feed me Thai food at the restaurant she owns. Of course, I didn't object to that!

Unpacking

I started unpacking my things that have been in storage for four years. The newspapers between each plate read 2007. I thought to myself about where my life was going in 2007, and where it's now going. I didn't really know then, but I was going to be a missionary. What hopes were packed in those boxes. And now as I unpacked them, I thanked God for sending me on that journey. I thanked Him for His BIG dreams, making them mine, and making those dreams come true. And as I unpack those plates now, I thank God for the season I am in now, even if I don't know what's next.

By the way, my mom's talked me into taking all my heirlooms to my new place too. I've got a beautiful glass door cabinet my granddad made me. With hopes of filling it, I opened up boxes labeled in my child handwriting--"knick-knacks". Inside, I found lots of keepsakes that, as a child, I thought were very special. But now, I question if my squirrel made of tiny seashells is even good enough for a Goodwill.

I still feel like the same person yet I have changed so much over the years, and so has my perception of what's important, I guess?

I Dare You...

...to show me a fruit I haven't eaten!

A produce fair was hosted by our school yesterday with the objective of teaching about healthy food choices. A local farmer came and introduced the students to some cool fruits and vegetables, encouraging them to try new things like mangoes and zucchini.

After the speaker passed out the individual tasting trays of interesting new fruits, vegetables, and even an edible flower, he walked past the "teacher row." Glancing at me as I sat there nonchalantly, he asked, "Well, did you try anything new?" Trying not to brag, I replied that I'd eaten all of it before. So, thinking he was impressive, he invited me up front to try another fruit. A dragonfruit.

To his chagrine, as I followed him up front and saw the fruit, I recited as normally as possible, "I've lived in Thailand for three years and ate dragonfruit frequently." I'm such a shocker to people. I try to tell them about myself in a calm, slow way so not to sound like a show-off yet at the same time to inform them of my reality.

A Cross-Cultural Experience

I went to my first American bible study in a long time tonight. While everyone else is reading the book of Mark, chapter 1.....all these other thoughts are going through my head:

"This Bible is in only English. That means if they ask everyone to read a verse, I think I'll be able to."

"Hmm, John the Baptist mentioned sandals, I wore sandals everyday in Thailand."

"John the Baptist, the hermit in the wilderness. Buddha was also very much a hermit in the wilderness who acquired many disciples."

"I remember when I dressed up like John the Baptist and told the kids at Mahathai this story. Dave picked that cricket up from under the sink so I could have a visual for my lesson."

"Was that answer I just said too long of an answer? I don't know how to be a participant and not be a leader."

Wow. What a crazy experience. I enter into more re-entry shock at a bible study then when any other time in the day? I guess that's because Bible study is a LARGE part of what I've been doing the last four years.

A Better Teacher

I think about the many reasons God had me learn the Thai language. One reason that I know is useful now is that learning a language makes me a better teacher.

Tonight we had Open House at school. One parent was concerned with her child's reading fluency. She was reading but not able to remember or understand what she read. I thought about when I was learning to read Thai. I would have to read the paragraph at least one time just to decode all the words, recognizing the vowels, consonants, and how they work together to make a word. After that, we usually read it again to understand and then a third time to ask questions about meaning of sentences or phrases. Wow. That's a lot of times. That experience is what I shared with the parent and her child.

So, I'm grateful that I learned how to read again so I can be a better teacher. And I LOVE learning languages and really love speaking Thai...still.

1 Month

One month ago, I returned to the US. Today also marks a month staying with these fine friends of mine. I'm on my third borrowed vehicle (if you include the one below) and I've been to two car lots looking for a car to call my very own. I've got the majority of my belongings in one location.

Thursday, I drove a hunka'large U-Haul from Charlotte to Asheville with lots of furniture in it. I thought I'd try to take a picture for y'all looking like a truck driver. Don't worry, it's just a pen in my mouth. It was somewhat empowering to drive that big U-Haul.

Last Minute

For all those praying for that list I gave you--thanks.

Updates: I still don't have a car bought, but I did go to another used car lot today and learned a lot about the process. I prayed hard for another car to borrow and casted out email pleads to my church and school. I needed this answer to prayer in ONE day. This afternoon, two cars have been offered to me! I'm returning my rental car tomorrow.

God is good. Each day I ask, and each day he provides. Haven't lived this dependently for my daily needs from him in a while, I feel. At least not in this way. There was that time I ended up in Edinburgh, Scotland without a bed for the night, but God provided then too.

Tom Yam

No, not a yam named Tom. Actually, it's my favorite Thai soup. Got to eat at my favorite Thai restaurant again tonight. I had a friend tell me she wanted to go with me! That's all it takes to get me there again!

It feels like home for some reason when I visit. I just sat up at the bar and talked to everyone until my friend got there. Loved getting to talk in Thai today! I volunteered to help the owner practice her driving skills so she can get her license sometime. We start Sunday. :)

Tossing Up Prayers

A lot of my conversations with God happen along this one long road heading out of the city and to the house where I'm staying. I just keep throwing requests to God who has provided for me a job, called me back to the US, and has helped me make it from one day to the next lately. He is simply amazing me.

Asking God for things kinda feels like throwing a baseball at the sky and not expecting it to come back down. I must trust in faith that the things I ask God to help me with will not come back for me to accomplish with my own efforts. And in the same way, I must try to take them back and think I am on my own.

To keep you in the loop--I would love your prayers for the week ahead. I'm returning my rental car and need to find a car to buy. I need to drive to Charlotte and back with some furniture so I can get the last of things in and settle into the apartment I have leased sometime this month. I still need to do A LOT in my classroom before it is acceptable as a place of learning. Thanks for praying. None of this is life-or-death, but they are all day-to-day difficulties of a missionary who is trying to transition back to the US.

Multi-Tasking

I keep looking at the date, surprised that I haven't even been back in the country a month yet. I'm in the middle of so much! Today, I was furniture shopping and learning new teaching strategies at the same time! And you ask, "Melanie, how can you do those two things at the same time?" Well, since you asked, my friend graciously and sacrificially went to a second-hand store's discount sale for me while I was at a teacher workshop. She sent pictures of good deals to my phone, which I decided on, and texted back, "buy it". I am now the proud owner of a kitchen table and two chairs.

Without great experience with missionary transition, my co-workers are doing their best to help me. I'm asking so many questions that one co-worker stated questioning as my strength during the workshop. Haha.

What am I learning about God in all this? He can schedule and guide my life. I just share my obstacles with him and ask him to help with provisions. To my surprise, each thing does work out and I am reminded once again that God is both the Ruler of the World and our Personal Father.

Bringing Thailand to Asheville

That's the motto for my favorite Thai restaurant here in Asheville. I have a shirt (since I was an employee there last year for a whole four hours). I wore the shirt a lot when I first came back. I felt like it was very applicable. :)

Today, I stopped by the restaurant. Oh, I love to stop by. No one was there but the Hispanic cook, but he let me in before the opening hour because he knew me. I got "Como Estas?" out of my mouth, but stopped from continuing to converse in Spanish (like I used to with him) because all of the rest of my Spanish was being overtaken by Thai words in my brain.

Then all the other Thai employees came back to work. So fun to catch up with them and know they are here! I have Thai friends here! I'm going to help the owner learn to drive on Sundays. She's going to feed me in exchange for my help. (Some people, not mentioning any blog reader's names in particular, will laugh at the idea of me teaching anyone else how to drive.) I'm just glad to have them as friends to hang out with. One waiter has only been in the country for a couple of months, so he speaks Thai with me. Yay.

I picked up some food to bring home with me. The owner invited me back tomorrow because she's making mango and sticky rice!!!

You Call That Flooding?

There's a flood warning out for Western North Carolina right now. As I drove down the road thinking about getting stuck in some deep water, I remembered my last night in Thailand. I'm sure I haven't shared this story because life just went pretty fast after that.

So, it was about 2am, the normal time of leaving for the airport when taking flights to the US. My send-off party of nine people piled into my friend M's car. The 4 college guys took the back of the truck while the 4 gals and M. were in the cab. It was raining. (Poor guys.)

As we drove, my housemate shared with M. about a shortcut to the airport. We cut the sharp left to follow the underpass, going under the highway which was so low our truck barely fit under it. I turned my head around fast to be sure the guys in the back ducked. Then we hit the water--deep water. So deep it reminded me of the aftermaths of Hurricane Hugo in Charlotte, NC in 1989. I'm sure the water reached the top of the wheels of M's pickup. Yet, he calmly drove through it. I was praying underneath my breath the whole time that God would help us get through it.

We did. We made it around the curve, out from under the underpass, and up the hill onwards to the airport. In all my time in Thailand, I think we should have had more flood warnings. :)

Ms. Currie the Teacher

Here I am on a weekend afternoon, studying my math teacher's manual. I feel like a beginning teacher again this year, so I'm having to do lesson planning on the weekends to keep up. The great thing is where I get to plan! The house I am staying at now has a beautiful front "yard" with a comfortable red rocking chair under the trees. Their two big dogs like to visit me every so often as I sit and read. I thought I'd give you a glimpse as I try to keep you updated on me now.

And yes...those are socks you are seeing. Though everyone else believes it's hot here right now, I can still wear my warmest socks while sitting outside. :)

Where's Thai Currie?

Thanks for the prayers, friends. As you can read, it's been a hard week. I've jumped into school which has been supremely difficult. Amidst teaching kids how to walk in the hall, how to differentiate factors and multiples, as well as how to use capital letters at the beginning of a sentence....I feel like I've left Thailand behind. I don't like switching gears so fast. But is there another way to do it? I mean, with one plane ride, my life just completely switched around--from one side of the world to another. Is the me from Thailand still part of me? How do I incorporate Thailand into my life now?

With relief, I heard myself speak Thai accidentally to my students yesterday. I slipped up again today. All of Thai Currie has not disappeared. But I would ask for you to pray for me. It's hard to figure out how to incorporate Thai Currie with American Currie. Though amidst all this confusion, when I talk to God about it, I know I am where I should be...even if I don't know how to be here. So many questions...

Many Giants

While reading 2 Samuel 21:15-22, my devotion explained how the passage described how "giants troubled David right to the end of his life." [Search the Scriptures, by Stibbs] Wow, not only did David kill Goliath, but then Goliath's Philistine ancestors came against Israel to fight also. At least four more giants came to fight the Israelites. Why couldn't David's life just have one giant in it?

I ask that question of my own life right now? Was not the transition I just went through enough!? I know, that's not a good question to ask, and not correct theologically either. But it is a question my heart asks God.

Yet as I read on in 2 Samuel, chapter 22, David sings a song of praise to God. That song is so amazing, it is published in this book and the book of Psalms. David praises the Lord for being his rock, fortress, deliverer, shield, horn of salvation, stronghold, refuge, and Savior. (22:2-3) I don't have the answers to all my heart questions, as always. Life is still hard and I am facing more giants. Yet I strive to be like David as he nears the end of his life, praising the Lord. May these giants help me see that God fights them, not me. God will help me with each giant, and do it in such a way as to refine me and help me praise Him. Hallelujah.

Say What?

A co-teacher said something today in English, but I thought he was speaking in Thai. Man, I don't think I even realize all the transitions I am going through right now.

The Hit

Many people say grieving is a process. You won't show it when you are expected to show sadness-like at the airport, or the funeral, or on the blog. :) Yet when least expected, triggered by stressors that no one can expect or prevent, a faucet of tears is turned on. There was a tragedy that involved people at my school recently. The counselors explained grief like this.

I identified with their words because, yesterday, I felt like I'd been hit. Did anything bad happen? Not really, other than my car phone charger breaking. It was just all of life coming at me at the same time and I could no longer turn away. Kinda like when those speeding cars are chasing people in the movies. The people are running from them, but they keep running straight-forward. You know they won't outrun the car. Why don't they turn to the right or left and dodge it? I guess the answer is, they no longer have that ability, choice, reflex??

I am up again though. I had to be for my first day of school as a 5th grade teacher again. But I do expect more of these hits as I work my way through life.

Blue and Green

I have a Ukrainian in my class. She is so proud of her heritage that it makes me smile. In an attempt to make her feel understood, I told her I knew what the Ukrainian flag looked like, being two rectangles, one blue and one yellow. (I think it is a beautiful flag.) She smiled and asked if I knew the symbolism of the colors. With my "no", she went on to explain that the blue on the top is the sky and the yellow on the bottom is wheat. What a beautiful image.

Thinking about the Thailand, I remarked that the country would be blue and green. Blue for the sky and green for the rice fields. I love multiculturalism.

Barefoot and Teaching

That's how it used to be. Walk indoors. Take off your shoes. I walked into school today. I didn't take off my shoes. Just one small analogy for all the differences which are both normal for me but also distinctly different.

Missionaries always say grocery stores are big shockers for them upon returning from overseas. "The number of different kinds of potato chips", some say. Well, for me, it was that a bell pepper was cheaper than a cucumber. It was that with a "special saver" card, I could get a dollar off a vegetable. A dollar! I could buy a whole meal with a dollar in my old neighborhood.

I know...I know life would feel like this. But it is feeling like this. And I need to tell/share so all of you know it's not all easy coming back. But it is where the pillar moved and I did enjoy teaching today. But my heart also aches too.

Homesickness Begins with Food

What do you think of that idea? Today as I hung out with my friend who also just came back from serving in Asia, I realized I hadn't eaten one of my favorite dishes in Thailand before I left! (Yam Woon Sen with Mama noodles) Oh the horror! Then my friend started naming the foods she missed including the noodles. We had to stop ourselves before we missed Asia too much.

I do miss Thailand. Today I did miss the food. But I must confess that I have missed the people since before I even told them goodbye. I miss them all. The processing of this life transition will take a long time. Most of the processing hasn't even taken place yet. I just keep saying I'm so TIRED! I will continue giving myself grace to be tired.

By the way, today I did become an official employee of the local public school system here. I explored six possible rental properties, finding one particularly appealing. And I visited my school where I began preparing to be my class's new fifth grade teacher on Monday. Wooh! I'm TIRED!

De-Briefed

I made my last visit to the Mission to the World office this week. I talked and talked and talked to people about my time in Thailand, how I'm doing now, and what to expect with this transition. All good conversations. I psyched a few people out because of my haircut too. They didn't know who I was.

Right now, I feel like I have narcolepsy. All I feel like all I'm doing is sleeping. But I've had quite a six-week period, so I'm still on recovery. I am preparing for school to start soon. Tomorrow I head in to start hearing about my students and preparing lesson plans, etc.

My first five days back felt full of euphoria to be back. Anxiety just set in a bit yesterday. I tend to have dreams where I'm being chased when I feel anxious. Last night, a giant red, white, and yellow worm from China was attacking me in my family house. I was bitten on my left hand. My brother did somehow make him go outside and closed the door on him so he couldn't come back in.

There's a summary of Currie without the Thai. I did eat some Thai rice from my friend Yu's rice field tonight. So I don't think I'll ever stop being "Thai Currie". Thanks for your prayers. I am trying to keep you all updated.

A Change? Just a hair...

To go along with all the other changes in my life now, I cut my hair....SHORT! I have always wanted to. Plus, I've been on a mission to get all that crazy color drama done that started when I dyed my hair Asian Black. Cutting it this short returns me to my normal color. And it's fun. But it doesn't help with how cold I feel moving away from the Thailand climate! Anyway, I wanted to share!!!

Hermit Day

I know I promised that the blog would be a good place to "check in on me" still. How am I doing? Right now, I'm not thinking much farther than sleep, eat, sleep. :) It's day 3 of being back in the US. Why do I have these insane expectations of myself? I just now realized it's only day 3? I feel like it's definitely been like a whole week already. Each day involves so much.

Today was officially Hermit Day, named by a friend of mine who I had to reschedule with so I could be a hermit today. I haven't had a day like this in a few weeks. I needed a Sabbath Day in which I am a hermit. I did nothing but wander around the beautiful mountains, watch TV, sleep, and eat. And in that, God gave me rest in him. (I almost wrote, "rest from him". Haha, no.) God gave me reassuring words that He loves me and will take care of me. Now that is a good Hermit Day.

Back to the US

Well, in the last three days, I have...

-spent 24 hours on a plane. No complaints, smooth flights.
-talked to some fun Russian folks on the plane.
-stayed at my parents' house, had dinner with them and my brother's family.
-played with my niece and nephew.
-slept some and started experiencing the afternoon lull of jetlag.
-rented a car.
-driven to Asheville.
-met 16 of my 22 future students and their family members at "Meet the Teacher" day.
-caught up with all my friends at my former school where I am now going to be a fifth grader teacher starting Aug 29.
-moved my entire life full of suitcases from Charlotte into a rental car and then to guestroom at my friends' house in Asheville.
-ate rice that smelled more like popcorn that jasmine (which is how Thai rice smells).

New Favorite Color....

...Rice-Field-Green!

FYI: Heading for the airport in a couple hours.

Surprise?

Sorry for the surprise of the previous post. I do want to update you on my trip to my friend's hometown, but this was more important. (I have gotten back safely from that trip and had a great memorable time.) As you can read, I'm leaving August 15th. That's tomorrow! I couldn't post it on blog until my faithful prayer and financial supporters could receive their letters of notification first. Blessings to you all for your faithful reading and prayers.

The Pillar is Moving

GOD IS REDIRECTING ME

The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. (Exodus 13:21)

God guided the people of Israel to know he wanted them to remain where they were and when he wanted them to move on by these pillars.

For a few months now, God has been moving "the pillar" of my heart with a change of calling. I didn't actually know what it would feel like to be called away from missions, yet now I know he is clearly redirecting me away from Thailand and back to live in the U.S. While on break in the U.S. for the month of July, I took time to talk to good friends, mentors, and MTW. With their counsel and God's leading through prayer and his Word, my decision to finish my service in Thailand was confirmed. Surreal as it was, I resigned from my position as a missionary with Mission to the World.

As partners of my financial and prayer support team, I hope you know how much I have loved ministering in Thailand. My change of calling in no way changes my desire to see God changing hearts of the Thai people to know Jesus Christ and grow God's church in that country. During this last term of service there, God has worked mightily. I have had the privilege of answering friends' questions about the existence of God and the purpose of Christ Jesus's death and resurrection. Neighbors have asked for Bibles and small children have learned to depend on prayer when they face difficulties. Our church has grown from a plane by missionaries to a Thai-led growing church. Not only have I seen God's miraculous works in others and our church, but in my own life. I am eternally grateful for how God has used my time of service in Thailand these last four years to mold and refine me to look more like our Lord Jesus in humility, faith in God's power, as well as dependence on prayer.

I returned to Thailand July 31 to say goodbyes and pack, and will return to the U.S. on August 15th. My financial supporters may stop their support at the end of August.

Next Steps for You and Me

Future MTW Ministry in Thailand: God is raising up a new team of missionaries to serve in the community where I have been serving in Thailand. When they arrive this Fall, their roles will be facilitating the Thai leadership in the work of the Thai church there. Many of my teammates will be starting new works over the next couple years in downtown Bangkok and the south of Thailand. God is growing his church! How exciting!

Support: Thank you for your support over the last four years that I have been serving with MTW. You may stop your support for me at the end of August. If you have a desire to continue supporting God's work in Thailand, consider supporting some of my teammates who are raising support now to serve in the same area where I was serving and to start new works. Contact me if you or your church would like to hear more about my ministry or about transferring support.

Me: I have been praying about my next steps in the U.S. At this time, I would like to return to teaching. I will also be returning to live in Asheville, NC and be a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church. Without a new address yet, you can send letters to me in care of my church. I have a temporary telephone number to use for the first few weeks until I get my own number. I will still be writing my blog for a few more months, so you can check in on me there.

Prayer Requests:I have loved your prayers and covet them in this time of transition as well. Please pray the ministries I have in Thailand would close off well and that God would continue working on the hearts of the people I love there.

New Contact Information: leave a comment if you'd like it.

To the Countryside

Leaving for a two-day trip to visit my housemate's hometown and her family in Korat. I am looking forward to meeting her grandmother, her cows, her dogs, and see her rice fields. I have eaten very delicious rice from those fields. I would love your prayers for my energy for this trip as well as that I would be a blessing to my housemate and her family. Thank you!

Portraits at Mahathai

My best friend at Mahathai community, S, is also the photographer of most of these pictures. She was patient enough to walk around the community with me, listening to me talk to everyone, and take pictures. I love her.

S.'s grandmother is so sweet though she is very ill. She always allows me to pray for her and sit with her. I enjoy hearing about her long life and trying to encourage her.

These are my favorite ladies to sit with and talk to in the late afternoon. They take me as I am, which I am so grateful for.

These two gals give the best hugs! Their mom was sweet enough to be in the picture too.

Some of the loves of my life.

My ride home from Mahathai. S. and her mom, L. God is still working in their lives and I'm grateful to see it. Her husband has become a monk for a few months, which is allowing S. and L. more time to come to church.

The ladies in the Napada Handicraft Ministry

If you may remember, G. was in my small group for a while. G. has stopped going to school right now which is tough. The good thing is God has directed her to be part of Napada Handicraft ministries right now. As I stopped by today, I was surprised to hear her practicing some Christian hymns on the guitar. We sat and sang together for a while. What a special moment.

Karma

An old man who was a good friend of mine from the Mahathai community died today. He reminded me a bit of my granddad because he believed in working hard--always reminding me to water the plants in front of the community center. He didn't know Jesus. I remember one conversation we had about Christmas. I tried to explain to him about Jesus. He said that just sounded like all the holidays where they celebrate various monks' birthdays. I thought to myself, "No, that's not it." Those of us that know him are sad and we are trusting God's sovereignty (we being the mercy ministry team).

Reminds me of a conversation I listened to yesterday in Mahathai. Two women somehow got onto the subject of death as well. They were talking about how the period of suffering before death all depends on your karma. Karma being the credit of good and bad deeds you have on earth (both in this life and the last). I sat there amazed I was hearing it. I have shared with them about Jesus. God is still working but these beliefs have been instilled in them for many, many years.

Life here is definitely different. God is here too, and he's been here long before I got here. And he IS working.

Gave a Bible

A good friend of mine accepted a Bible from me tonight. He's very amazing at his English skills so I gave him one of my Thai/English Bibles. I've encouraged him to ask God questions. God doesn't mind. David asked lots. I told him God even criticized one church for being "lukewarm". We should ask questions to know what we believe. I'm so curious and very excited to hear what he thinks of this very large book. He asked me how big it was first. :) Please pray for him, that he will venture into this book and find in it, his answers.

The Art of Bargaining

I have finally mastered the skill! Oh, the many years I have struggled through buying things knowing that I'll have to begin the process of negotiating a price. I've always felt, though this is culturally a wrong perspective, that bartering is deceitful. Both the buyer and the seller are trying to psych the other person out. The seller acts like his merchandise is one of a kind and he cannot discount anymore because this is already the "special price." He knows the buyer has more money than him, so why not get it out of her. The seller of course does have the money, yet she is trying to get the object of her affection for a price closer to actuality. Why can't everyone just be honest?

Yet, around the world, the practice happens. It is well-accepted and culturally appropriate almost everywhere. I've just always been bad at it. I do NOT have a poker face, which is required for this practice. UNTIL NOW. Today, I did well. Was it that after being in this place for three years, I have more of an idea of how much things really are worth? Was it that the language skills have helped? Was it my winsomeness that won them over or were they just easy? Who knows. But, I walked up to those sellers. I started at half the price. I spoke in Thai, told them what I did, how long I've lived here, offered a price, and then paused for their answer. And I got what I asked for. Victory is mine! :)

Facts about Your Celebrities

Harry Potter can speak Thai. I witnessed it in a theater this evening.

Elvis Presley lives in Bangkok. I spotted him smoking a cigarette and walking down Sukhumvit Road this morning.

Jackie Chan and I are a great couple. We took a picture together at the mall this afternoon. He was a bit waxy though.

Sorry, all pictures of the actors were confiscated due to my supreme photography skills.

Hebrews at Napada

I'm laughing at my own subject line! No, we didn't have any people from Israel visit the Napada Handicraft Ministry. I was however able to go during the small group bible study on Wednesday. Six women with Kieow leading all studying the book of Hebrews together. Out of the employees, two are Christian. Yet, they all sat around in a circle studying God's word together. The last question was an application question with one question for Christians and one for non-Christians. One of the non-believers answered beginning with the words, "I'm not yet a Christian, but I think...." Wow! She said "YET!" How exciting.

Later, I told Kieow how much I loved seeing God at work in that group. Kieow said the book of Hebrews has been very good for that group of women because it applies why Jesus Christ is important to their lives NOW. While the Gospels explains it in one way, Hebrews explains how he stands in for our sins in a new way that Kieow finds helps everyone understand more. Praise God!

Of course, you can read more about this ministry/business by clicking the link on the right column.

Bread?

Two new women were working as cashiers at my local 7-Eleven tonight. I came in with my other American friend and they grinned that grin that says, "You are a foreigner. It's so nice to see one." I grinned back that grin that says, "Yes, I am a foreigner, and it's nice to be grinned at" and giggled. Then guess what they did? They offered me some pastries that were being sold at the counter, "Would you like some bread?"

Ok, this may sound like a normal, generous exchange in the US. But here, many folks think we foreigners only eat bread. So, if they have bread, they should offer it to us. I laughed and said no thanks. I had just eaten curry (my namesake).

Back in Bangkok

I have made it back safely. Thanks for your prayers. I didn't sleep much on the flight. But I did sleep in the Tokyo airport on some chairs. I woke up every so often to be sure I hadn't missed my flight. :) Once on the last plane from Tokyo to Bangkok, I was sitting beside a Japanese guy and beside him, a Canadian guy. It was the Japanese guy's first flight ever! He was pretty funny. Everything seemed new to him and he was excited to practice his English with us. I ordered a Sprite from the stewardess as she came by. He wanted one too, and said he'd never tasted one before! Then later, I got black tea. He wanted some of that too, because he had never tasted it before. We had a good time talking, and he memoralized our time with a photo of the three of us on the moving sidewalk at the Bangkok airport. Glad to have those nice people to make the trip a little better.

I feel very jetlagged, but I will recover. Got plans to hang out with my housemates today and go to Starbucks together since it's their day off.

Back to the East

Heading out Sunday morning back to Bangkok. The Lord gave me a real blessing with this month in the US. I am completely grateful that our God is a personal God who listens and responds. Who speaks so we can hear. That makes me think of my Thai friend at the restaurant in Asheville. When I tell him about my relationship with GOd, he asks me to tell God to give him a call on the telephone. Then he'll believe.

Please pray for my travels back and return to Thailand. Thank you, faithful prayer-ers.

Update on Church

Skyped with my teammate, Kieow, last night. Good to hear that God is growing his church there. There's a new family attending. Since the Thai leadership have been taking full responsibility of the church, Kieow says it's feeling like something new and good. Exciting to hear that God is answering my prayers to grow his church there and sustain it through this transition. Praise God!

I can drink the water?

I think I'm getting dehydrated because I keep forgetting I can drink the tap water!

Where am I?

While visiting friends in South Carolina over the weekend, I passed a nursery selling palm trees. Somehow the sight of palm trees threw me in a loop. Palm trees? Here? Wait, where am I? For a brief second, my mind scrambled to locate again, kinda like GPS whenever you take a wrong turn. :)

My mind has scrambled around for a location as well each morning I have been in the US. Of the 24 nights in the US so far, I have slept in 5 different places. I am thankful for my generous friends who offered their homes to me and the chance to travel around a bit to see family in Charlotte, friends in Asheville, South Carolina, and MTW folks in Atlanta.

Praying for Missionaries

I'm at the MTW office in Atlanta, Georgia this week. I heard a sweet story from the receptionist that was so endearing. There is this one elderly lady who prays for all of us MTW missionaries and our ministries nightly with her prayer group. By phone, they go through a list, praying for all of us.

A true blessing as a missionary is receiving all these prayers. Thank you. A couple from a supporting church just came through the MTW office and came by where I'm working to say hi. They told me their pastor prayed for me and my ministry from the pulpit on Sunday.

May God receive these prayers and use them to grow his church in Thailand.

Thai, Chinese, and the Transformers

Hung out with a couple of my friends who work at the local Thai restaurant recently. We went and ate Chinese at PF Chang's. Schmancy but delicious food. We were speaking in Thai while eating Chinese! So confusing for my head! Half the time, I'd answer the waiter in Thai!

Afterwards, we went to see Transformers 3 together. I wondered how hard it was for them to understand since there weren't any Thai subtitles like there are when I watch movies in English in Thailand. I definitely was the only laughing most the time. I wondered if its bothersome as much to others around us, if when we're talking during the movie, we are talking in another language? :)

Good times.

Thai Truffles

I ate a Thai truffle two nights in a row at some chocolate place in downtown Asheville. Green chiles, lemongrass, ginger, and coconut all wrapped up in some chocolate! Tastes like chocolate Thailand! :)

There was also a truffle called "Buddha" but it didn't look anything like him.

Thailand in Asheville

Stopped by my favorite Thai restaurant here yesterday. What fun to see the owner and waiter there again. They are good friends of mine. We spoke in Thai together. N. shared some "flower water" with me called "nam gra jiap". A normal drink in Thailand, it's kinda like juice or tea, but made from a flower and probably some sugar. Such fun to catch up the relationships that started about two years ago, when I first stopped by there needing help with some homework for my microfinance class. I left with a load of food and plan to hang out Sunday. The owner made me promise to visit again before I left the US. :)

Update from America

By the way, we call the place I am now "America" in Thailand. But with other folks living overseas, we call this place "The States." Yet while I'm here, we call here "the U.S." It's hard to remember which one to use when. :)

Been in Asheville since Friday. It's GREAT to be with friends. Great and wonderful happenings:
-Celebrated friends' lives at two showers: one for a baby and one for a bride
-Went blackberry picking and then made a PIE!
-Gone running outside every morning and seen the sunrise over the mountains.
-Talked my head off and processed with SO MANY good friends
-Worn a fleece every single day because I think it's cold in July.
-Driven a car and listened and sang LOUD to the radio

Adjustments to "America":
-3 traffic violations, but thankfully no police have witnessed me pulling out once on to the left-hand lane and I have stopped twice at red lights and then turned left while the light was still red!
-Felt like my neck was going to break last night while talking to tall guys. There are really tall men in this country and I actually feel short! How wonderful!
-I asked someone how they got to Asheville from DC, by bus or plane? He answered, car, obviously! But I forgot that people drive here! I still think in public transportation!
-While talking to a 3 year old, I replied to his question in Thai. When a couple friends didn't understand something I said, I started explaining it again using Thai instead. My brain is definitely wired in another language still!

GOOD TIMES!

Fun at the River

We took four long-tail boats through the water to see the islands in the area.
After reaching the river, I took a chance to pose and drink some Pepsi. Hehe. No. Being the only American on the trip, I was photographed often. :)
The bamboo rafts on the side of the river were fun to play on.
Then we played in the water a long time.
Do you notice that Thais rarely wear swimsuits. Only once while swimming, have people all put on suits. Usually we wear our normal clothes, and are never too revealing.
After a while, I took a break on the side of the river with a couple of the leaders. B., in the middle, is a church member who came with us. She is well loved by the students and I am grateful for how God called her to help with this ministry. When the students come to church, she is there too! And on the right is NaamFon, the campus ministry leader. Continue praying for her healing from her surgery in April, please.

Service Project at School

More from college student retreat to Phetchaburi...
We greeted the students when we got to their school that afternoon. The student leadership were delegated out the responsibilities of the day and did a great job.
Helping clean up the school was one part of our job. We cut bushes, painted fences and playgrounds. The paint seemed very watered-down, but it worked.
Then we led a whole field day. This game involves both teams fastening clothespins to their backs and then trying to steal the other team's clothespins before they stole yours. Very fun.
We slept over at the school. I got to see a day start in a Thai school the next morning. Greeting kids as they came in, I saw kids coming to school by walking, bike, and vans. I also was admiring our surroundings, so green compared to Bangkok!
The "morning announcements" are done outside on a microphone while all the kids stand in lines by gender and grade level. They asked me to help them with the "English word for the day."
Definitely a good time to spend with the college students. Here's me and T. My big smile is due to the fact I just got to play soccer with a bunch of students! I astounded them with my mad skills.

My Influence on the Next Generation

Since I'm here in the US on vacation, and not doing ministry each day, I thought I'd use this time to catch you up on some fun pictures from the campus retreat. One of my methods for getting to know kids from any culture is making faces at them. The friendships grow quickly when I cross my eyes or twist my hands around my face. Soon after, all kids want to imitate me, so teaching begins.
This kid wants to learn how to do it first, so the other boys line up behid him.
After this guy, I start teaching the guy beside him. Notice the stare I'm getting from the first kid. He's still trying to figure me out.
Success! Notice the other kid is still staring.
The adapted version, with the tongue stuck out too. Behind him is the other kid helping teach the other girl how to do it.
See how fast the students become the teachers.
And now she can make the crazy face too!

I enjoyed being at that rural elementary school during our college service-oriented retreat. Kids are awesome!

Reached Charlotte

I've arrived safely to the US. :) Good easy flights. Glad to see my family. Really sleepy now, so I'll write more including nice stories later. :)

Visit to the US!

In five hours, I'm getting on an airplane and heading to the US for the whole month of July. What a great surprise and blessing to me. I just got permission for the trip last Sunday. Looking forward to seeing my family and friends! I don't have plans to be traveling around much, so feel free to email/comment and say hi. From this time "off", I hope to have some really good time to share my heart and take counsel from godly friends. I'd appreciate your prayers for rest in the Lord and rejuvenation from Him. As for the travel coming up, please do pray for health during the next 24 hours of flying and that all goes smoothly as I stop through Tokyo and Houston on my way back to Charlotte.

Today marks ten months of serving in Thailand for my second term. I shared that with my friend, N., after I told her I was leaving for the US for a month and she said, "What? You just got here!" Time flies, I guess?

UCF Camp

UCF students with the students of a rural elementary school (I'm up on the right making the hilarious face!)

Thanks SO much for your prayers for the retreat. It was a GREAT three days! I just woke up this morning from a dream in Thai, due to three days of completely submerged in the language. We did have over 40+ folks, 50% freshmen, and six of the students were Christians. I had a few good conversations with a couple of the Christians in the group about their faith and a few non-believers in their group about Jesus too. Lots of time for excellent relationship-building. I do ask you to pray God sustains our church's friendships with these students and brings them to know Jesus as their Savior.

Highlights:
-My friend asked me if I needed my change back and I said, "No, keep it" in English. Everyone started laughing. One lady thought I said, "Kee Bet" which means "duck poop". :)
-Sleeping in an elementary school classroom one night directly under a monster fan, with a tile floor as my mattress. After my housemate told me she was proud of me for sleeping "like a Thai", I was motivated not to mention anything about how hard the floor was and did sleep, a bit.
-I understood only about half of each game we played. It's funny to play a game without knowing whether you are doing right or wrong. It's a new sense of freedom.
-One Christian student that came attends our church some. I asked him how he became a Christian and he said all on his own about three years ago. It's great to know the different ways God brings people to know him. What a great witness W. was during the camp.
-Another Christian student asked me many questions about sharing her faith on the trip. Grateful she is so zealous of her faith. Honored to talk to her and pray for her.
-I LOVE how Thai people share their food. After each rest stop on the bus, everyone would hold out their food for others to take a piece. A carton of ice cream was passed around the bus so everyone had two spoonfuls! I tasted some pork dumplings, dried squid, and fish jerky.
-I taught a group of 2nd graders at the school how to make a funny face. (You can see it in the pic above). What an impression to leave on the next generation.
-Singing, by request, a solo of "Hotel California" karaoke style, but with a microphone in one hand and a cellphone to hear the music and words in the other hand.
-Dancing to techno Thai pop on the bus ride home. I love that tradition.

College Ministry Retreat

Leaving at 7am (up at 5:30) for the college ministry retreat. We have about 40 students going! Only two are Christian that I know of. It'll be primarily focused on service. We are painting an elementary school in Phetchaburi, organizing a field day for the kids, and cleaning up around a dam. Around that, we hope to have some good time to get to know the students and build relationships. I think at least 20 of them are new freshmen.

It lasts through Wednesday. Would appreciate your prayers.

Great Shirt

A teenager passed me today wearing a shirt that read, "Adopt Me, Angelina!"

Hahahaha.

Upcoming Elections

"Worship! Worship! Worship!" That's what I thought I heard from the loud speakers coming from a truck echoing down the streets one morning. I had an image in my head from the book of Revelations when Jesus comes back and the angels are all singing in heaven. Of course though, that's not what the truck was saying. The campaigning truck was calling out "Ber Sip, Ber Sip, Ber Sip." which translates to "Number 10, Number 10, Number 10".

These are the common sounds of the campaigning season as the elections are quickly approaching for a new prime minister as well as parliament and possibly other government positions. The main campaigning strategies I see are those trucks driving around reminding people to vote for the number of their candidate and the posters. The posters are dramatic here. Everything from people pictured with animal heads to a guy pictured driving cars with his eyes crossed saying, "Aren't politics driving you crazy?"

Seriously, please pray for the elections. Those voting out-of-district in Bangkok go vote tomorrow. Then next week, the 3rd, is the final day of elections for everyone else. The government in Thailand needs lots of prayer for honest, caring politicians that desire to think of the people. We know from Proverbs that God controls the hearts of kings like he controls the route of rivers (something like that). But God also commands us to pray for our governments.

Strangers and Neighbors

Was visiting with my neighbor the other night after after getting home pretty late from downtown. My neighbor is closing up her "cart" after selling rice entrees all day. This guy walks by and asks if she's "out of rice yet" U. says no, but she's done cooking for the night. Then he notices I'm talking to U. in Thai, so the normal conversation starts.

Guy: How long have you been in Thailand?
Me: Almost three years.
Guy: You speak Thai very well.
Me: Thanks. I learned at a school.
Guy: Do you have a Thai boyfriend?
Me: No.
Somehow or another, the conversation moves on, thank God!
Guy: What do you do, work or study?
Me: I volunteer at the nearby Christian church.
Guy: Where is it?

So, my neighbor chimes in soon and we start talking about Jesus, sin, the Bible. The guy has been to church before and knows quite a few things about Christianity. Whether he's being genuine or not, who knows--especially looking at his other questions at the beginning of the conversation. Yet, I gave him info about the church and U. gave him a New Testament. Conversations start all the time with strangers. Hope God uses it for his glory. It was exciting to see U. sharing her faith so freely.

A Water Cat?

Wondering around the King's Park together, I was trying to describe (in Thai) to two boys about the really big monitor lizards that live in the lakes and canals at this park. They guessed...bird? fish? water cat? Wait...did they just say "water cat"? What is a water cat? So, I ask G., who is their new mentor, what is a water cat? He does some hilarious actions, and finally makes attempts at the word in English, seal? A water cat is a seal!? The boys say, yes, they sound the same. Then after all of that, I wonder why they would think a seal lives at this park?

My Little Prayer Warriors

My friend's email about her son:

W. asked me this morning, "Do you remember Ms Melanie in Thailand?" I said yes. He said, "I've been praying for her".

Dog Sighting

Saw a couple on a motorcycle tonight. The woman on the back was holding the dog up so he could stand on the shoulder of the driver. That's even better than sticking your head out the window, I'm sure!

Recent Photos

While talking to my dad last night, he told me he likes to check out my blog every few weeks and catch up on my stories. Most of all, he likes to see pictures of his daughter! So, here's your Father's Day present, Dad! More pics of the daughter who misses you terribly!


Two great friends of mine that served here with me for some months. Still grateful for their friendships by email and skype.

The very large statue at the Bangkok airport and the send-off party for my intern friend.

My neighbor, U., Katie, and I.

Jesus's Calling

I woke up this morning in a fairly awful mood. Praise God, I got out my journal and Bible to battle that mood! Not always the case. My present journey feels confusing. What is next? Could I have predicted this? Feeling somewhat trapped by culture. I come to a point where I ask myself how my relationship with God is. I love him, so, good. Yet, if I am questioning where he's leading me, then I'm questioning his goodness, so not good.

Then I started listening to a sermon of Tim Keller's from Mark 1:14-20 when Jesus called many of his disciples. Tim (hehe) talked about how Jesus's calling is different, drastic, developmental, do-able, but dangerous. Isn't it just like God to give me the sermon I needed to hear today?

Reminders:
-When I say, "I will follow you, if...." to God, whatever the if clause is shows me where my idols are.
-Self-centeredness is miserable for the self. It's not good. God can heal us.
-Jesus Christ's Kingship over me will not crush me because he has been crushed for me. (See Jesus do everything he's called us to do.)

New Things:
-When Jesus says he will make them "fishers of men," it was going to be a process. We have to follow him through all the difficulties without turning left or right, going back, or giving up, and we will slowly become people who can draw others from the darkness into the light. We will be healed from our self-absorption and able to serve others.
-"You will be dead so long as you refuse to die." -George MacDonald

Did You Know?

It seems the two English phrases Thai men most like to use here are,

1. "Hello!"
2. "I love you!"

I have a guy proclaim their love for me at least once a week. I'm just walking down the road and they call out to me, "Hello, I love you!" They don't even know me! They just like to use their English. :)

Chocolatey Chippedy Goodness

I know God says he can use our weaknesses for his glory, but cooking??!! I am cooking as ministry! Maybe this is the only way to make me sit down and actually learn how. (My secret: www.allrecipes.com) Here in Thailand, when a single person cooks something well, people like to tell them, "Now you can get married." haha. Now I know what was holding me back. (That was a joke.)

At Mahathai again today, teaching four women how to cook chocolate-chip cookies. I have observed recently that this culture likes step-by-step how-to directions that provide results. Just like last night when G. asked me for the step-by-step Christian version of how he can succeed in his studies. Step-by-step? Not everything is that "black and white". Cooking is definitely not a science. It takes tweeking. Thankfully, the cookies were tasty. I translated my first recipes today too. Add that to my firsts. Praising God for the opportunity to grow in relationship with these women through cooking. Please pray J. and D. would grow to know Jesus. Pray that N. and P. would continue growing in their faith and desire to share their faith with their friends.

Minestrone soup tomorrow. Desserts are easy...but real food, that'll be hard. Oh, here's the recipe I used--"Never Fail Chocolate Chip Cookies". I would add a 1/2 cup more flour.