Wear Pink- The Thai King is 82!

On December 6, all of Thailand was out (like July 4th here) celebrating together their king's 82nd birthday. Usually, for the occasion, people wear yellow shirts, but this year it was pink. Read below for some interesting cultural info.

Then, watched by millions across the country, the king gave a brief statement in reply - the first time his voice has been heard in public since his illness. The monarch's health is a sensitive topic in Thailand, where strict laws restrict debate about the royal family.

The king has now returned to hospital, but this brief public appearance will have given hope to millions of Thais. They have been hoping for signs that the man often described as the one truly unifying figure in a politically divided country is on the road to recovery. King Bhumibol, the world's longest-serving monarch, is treated with reverent devotion. His portrait hangs in shops, offices and on roadside billboards.

Two years ago, royal astrologers decreed that the colour pink was auspicious for the king's wellbeing.

Copied from BBC News report at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8396678.stm

My Borrowed Tree

Let's get this straight, I own the tree (which I'm pretty sure someone gave away once and I claimed it) but no ornaments except a couple ones of chipmunks holding books that say "#1 Teacher" on them. So, my wonderful friend, Leah, is going to be out-of-town for all of Christmas. She has let me borrow ALL of her decorations, ornaments, etc. So, though its weird to borrow, I'm thankful. Isn't the tree pretty?

Don't you love the pictures that you take yourself by over-extending your arm and trying to smile so people can see you and the other thing in the back at the same time? :)

A Snow Tour

It snowed on Saturday! I got to put on my hat, pull out my camera, and take some pictures!
Right now, I live in beautiful Asheville, surrounded by snow-covered mountains!
I live in the right bottom corner of this lovely house! A family from my church is so gracious to invite me into their family and their basement apartment.
My very own side-door into my basement apartment. You can see beautiful Ellie, my Toyota Camry in the corner. Her windows had to be scraped for the first time because of ice this morning!

Awaiting Snow

I finally gave in and started checking weather.com again to find out today's weather. After one sunny day, one rainy day, and then another sunny day, I had to give in to find out if I needed an umbrella and a coat. Yes, to you it may sound normal to check the weather, but not after the two years I've had.

Where I was, it was always hot. During dry season, no umbrella. During wet season, bring one. That was all I needed to know. No need for the weather channel. Very predictable.

Now I find myself downloading the weather channel desktop so I can check the weather every hour right now. Snow is coming to Asheville! Yes, I gathered with the crowds to get milk and bread before the "snow alert" predicted of 1-3 inches. It's exciting. It's past midnight now, so I hope to wake up to see some of the white stuff. I wish my Thai counterparts were here for this. They have a word for snow but have never experienced it.

Skyping Thailand

This morning, I was able to talk with some friends in Thailand by Skype phone. Catherine, a friend of mine who teaches there, hosts a bible study for her apartment complex. In the last few months, our church has made relationships with some women that really desired to hear the truth of the Gospel. They formed a bible study with some of our staff in the apartment complex for them. Three of the women are now in membership class at our church. Please pray for the fourth who's interested but her husband does not approve. So, after they had their bible study, I spoke to the Thai staff I knew on the phone.

I had to speak only in Thai with two of the guys (because they don't know English) and it felt SO strange. I haven't had that much Thai come out of my mouth in four and a half months. But what a blessing to hear their excitement of what's been happening in the church from them. It's nice to stay connected to my friends there.

Down the School Halls Again

I stopped by the elementary school I taught in today to say hi to everyone. As I walked into the office, I felt like going straight to the mailroom to check my mailbox for any notes. It's been two and a half years since they've seen me. Yet it didn't feel that long to me since I'd been walking down those halls beside the long line of my students coming from lunch back to the classroom. My knees got wobbly walking past each classroom. My classroom had a new teacher in it with different bulletin boards on the walls. Many of my friends are still teachers there. When they saw me, I got big hugs. They told me I would always be family. I felt like I finally connected with the rest of my family I haven't seen in a long time. That school was my life for many years. I told them that if I wasn't being called to the mission field, I would be teaching there. Maybe I'll have time to do some tutoring while home so I can be around a bit. It was a blessing. I'm glad I stopped by.

Hot Off the Presses!

My new prayer cards are have been officially printed. Let me know if you want one!! These cards are used for people to remember to pray for me on the field. A short biography is on the back. The bottom section is detachable, so supporters can return it showing their interest in financially supporting me and receiving my newsletter. Back before I was a missionary, I thought this was the true badge of a missionary, having a prayer card. Now people recognize me at churches because they've looked at me everyday on their fridge. But I wish I had all of your faces on my fridge so I could recognize you!