Reading about Re-Entry

With about seven weeks to go, I am reading my Re-Entry book faithfully to be prepared for arrival. The author compares going on the mission field to astronauts going up in space. The time that the astronauts are chillin' in space isn't too dangerous or catastrophic compared to the launch and the return from space. Much like a missionary's time in the other country's most difficult periods are arriving and departure.

I talked with my siblings by Skype last week, and they kept reassuringly saying to one another, "Look, she's still the same. She hasn't changed." I don't feel different to myself either, right now. But I will when I get back on stateside soil.

The last few weeks, we have begun receiving interns working with us for the summer. Right now, their favorite thing to do besides eating Thai food is making fun of how I talk. Yesterday I was trying to say "I have a very good imagination" but instead I said, "I am an imaginary person." So, prepare for good times. My Thai vocabulary has soared, yet my English vocabulary and ability to speak has floundered. It'll be fun listenin' for all of you fine folks.

Thai Royal Anthem

This song is played at all national parks, universities, and government buildings twice a day, in the morning and the evening. Everytime I watch a movie, we must stand before the movie to watch a video similar to this one and hear the Thai Royal Anthem honoring His Majesty the King. It gives you lots of insight in this culture. Enjoy!

What I Find Beautiful

Is it wierd that I find beauty in the swampland grasses of our neighborhood blowing in the wind?

Pray for Students!

Right now, I'm nose deep on planning for short-term teams coming through in two weeks and more MTW paperwork due that same time. We are planning for an English camp to happen while the short-term team is here. The registration deadline is the 30th, and we don't have a lot of people signing up yet. Could you pray for student interest? Our English school's attendance has been lower this year, so that is part of the reason--that and the economy makes everyone not want to spend money. But English camp is a great opportunity for us to take our students away from normal life to make relationships with us and hear about God. Pray that we have enough people interested by next week, Saturday the 30th. Pray for God's will in that. And keep praying as I plan for short-term teams and finish paperwork in my future pursuits.

Look, Farang!

Farang (Thai: ฝรั่ง) is the generic Thai word for a foreigner of European ancestry. It is common in Thai to just say "farang" to point out the presence of one, without making a whole sentence. (Source: Wikipedia) The other day, while walking from the market with my friend, Fon, she noticed and remarked, "You know, a whole lot of people stare at you." "Hmm", I think, "Yes, I've noticed that for quite a while. Thanks for noticing." But I've gotten used to just smiling at them and talking in Thai, which brings about beginnings of great conversations.(pictured below:Farang statue at Wat Pho, Bangkok)

Farang is also the Thai word for the guava fruit, which of course can lead to "farang eating farang" (ฝรั่งกินฝรั่ง) jokes from Thai people when foreigners are seen eating a guava in Thailand. This is because the guava was brought to then Siam by Portuguese traders over 400 years ago. (Source: Wikipedia) So, it's a good joke to make at the fruit stand, in case you want to stop the staring

I Took Another Step

I turned in my applications to Mission to the World yesterday to start the approval process for career missionary status. The Session at my church approved my calling. It is really happening! I feel like Peter when he saw Jesus walking on the water, and jumped out of the boat and started walking himself! That's the lesson I taught in Sunday School last week. Isn't it great that Peter took a good few steps on water with excitement following Jesus? After those few steps, he looked away from Jesus and freaked out. He started sinking and screamed for help. At times along this missionary process, I definitely look away from Jesus and freak out too. But yesterday, through God's power, I took a few more steps on the water. Please pray for the process and my phone interview the first week of June.

Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,
For in You I do trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You.
Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies;
In You I take shelter.
Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Your Spirit is good.
Lead me in the land of uprightness.-Psalm 143:8-10

Perks of Parenthood

For four days this week, I am experiencing motherhood at its finest. My team leader and his wife went to the Asia Leaders Retreat, leaving me to care for their four children. So far, I have successfully cooked meals, packed lunches, and helped with homework. Small incidents have occurred with flying toothbrushes. The kids go to school every morning by riding their bikes with me as the leader, like Mary Poppins. The first day as I went to pick them up, I crashed my bike into some lady's shop. Today, the clouds let loose halfway to school, causing me to send two kids to class drenched. Yet, it is quite fun to be in their lives, serving my team in this way. Katy (the oldest here at home) drew a graffiti for me on Facebook, I thought I'd share. Here are her thoughts when she thinks of me. For those of you that don't know, I'm related to Pocahontas.