Today was a great day. I feel like I have had more of those than not, lately. Thank You Lord. To begin, I had a nice chat with a friend on Skype for a while, along with making some much needed headway on homework. Then I had a date with one of the other staff here, Joanna, for my birthday. We went for coffee and lunch before heading into town for a nice Thai massage. Those ladies sure know how to give a good massage, let me tell you. It is painful at times, but mostly relaxing. I was really worried toward the end of the massage that the lady would put me in a position that makes me laugh hysterically. Last time I was in Thailand I had a massage with a bunch of friends and toward the end the lady pulled my arms out to my side and stuck my chest out with her knees in my back. I felt like I was recreating a scene from Titanic, and I could help but laugh at the hilarity of the reference. I felt bad for laughing and ruining the nice stretch, but I really couldn't help it, try as I might. This massage was very similar to that one, and I even glanced at my friend Joanna who was being manhandled into that very same stretch. "Oh no," I thought. "Here it comes." I proceeded to think of sad things like a dream I had last night where my dad made me get rid of my dog, or my grandma dying. I did NOT want to crack up this time! I was really getting quite nervous about the ordeal. This lady is going to think I'm wacko if I just start laughing out of nowhere. It was bad enough that I couldn't keep a straight face when she washed my feet. Thankfully, my fears were not realized. She finished with different stretches, and I was quite relieved.
After the massage we went to grab some more coffee (we each had one tea and one coffee between the two stops at coffee shops) and wait for some friends to meet up with me so we can go teach English together at the local hospital. We have a group of 3+ nurses who faithfully stay after their shifts to spend an hour with us in an English class. My friend Susie began doing this class with these wonderful ladies several months ago and has asked me and another woman to continue the classes with them. Last week was our first week doing the class. This week I decided that I would fulfill a requirement for one of my classes by doing a flannel board lesson with the nurses there. I LOVE killing two birds with one stone. Part of me wondered if the flannel board would go over well. Even with kids they are often considered outdated, it seems. In Thailand, though, people are funny. Adults LOVE silly games and things that we would consider childish. I was relieved to find that they were all very engaged in the lesson and listened intently. Of course their English is not the best, but they demonstrated that they understood the story by taking turns recreating portions of it until the whole story was finished. I was really impressed with how much they were able to recreate and say in English!
The real beauty of this English class is that we get to teach them English through Bible stories. These women are all Buddhist, but they are open to hearing stories about God from the Bible. I told them the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden with the serpent, the forbidden fruit, and God banishing them from the Garden and cursing them for their sin. The questions that these women had after the lesson were incredible! They asked questions about the tree of life, the serpent, death, and even how we all came to know Jesus. I felt so blessed that we were all able to share with these beautiful ladies the hope that we have in Jesus because of this simple flannel-board Bible story about Adam and Eve. I trust that these seeds we plant will bear fruit in time. I look forward to more "English lessons" with these women as we get to share more about the hope that we have!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Crybaby
I suppose it is about time to post another blog. Currently I am getting a nice leg workout as I rock baby Non in the crib while he cries his lungs out. He's been at it for nearly an hour now. He's fed, clean, burped, warm... It seems this is fast becoming his nightly routine--cry for a good while then sleep peacefully the rest of the night. I guess it's better to get it out now than at 2am, right? I already walked him around in the stroller outside for a good half hour+. He stopped crying when I picked him up but started up again shortly after I put him in his crib. I'm tempted to either go away from him and read for a while or give him some warm water to tide him over until feeding time. Hm... he stopped crying. I think it's a trick. What's the catch, baby? I'm waiting for the wailing to start again in full force any second now. Nothing? Hm. Well, okay then. Maybe blogging is the key. Start blogging, then he stops crying. :)
Alright, I think I better take advantage of the silence and try to get some shut-eye. More to come later!
Alright, I think I better take advantage of the silence and try to get some shut-eye. More to come later!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
What a Weekend!
This weekend has been great. I decided to take advantage of my one night off and head to Chiang Mai for a bit. It is 3 to 3.5 hours away depending on the bus, so an overnight stay ends up being a pretty quick trip when you factor in travel time. However, I was determined to make something of this birthday weekend. I decided to go to Chiang Mai, get away from the lovely little angels here, and see a few friends I haven't seen since I've been back. Well, my plans got thwarted for the better! I love when that happens.
One of the girls who works here with me, Crystal, had a friend in town who was planning on doing the "Flight of the Gibbon" tour. It is basically a series of zip-lines through the jungle for 3-5 kilometers when all is said and done. Anyway, he didn't want to do it by himself, and Crystal wasn't able to go with him because she had to work, so he asked if I would go with him, expenses paid. "Um, yeah!" was my approximate response. It's about $100 per person to go, which is A LOT of money here. That's one month's rent and food for me! So, I graciously accepted his generosity and headed off to Chiang Mai the next day.
It was kind of funny spending the day with a near-total stranger, but we had a lovely time. We joked about being "friends for a day". My friend-for-a-day, Shane, and I had fun practicing speaking like the other, as he was from Australia and I am from America. I practiced my Aussie and he practiced his American, which sounded more like a southern drawl.
Our Flight of the Gibbon went off famously, at least in my opinion. There's nothing like being out in the middle of the jungle and zip-lining through the canopy of rich greenery. I can check that one off my list of "things to do before I die". Now I just need to go sky diving, bungee jumping, backpacking through Europe, gondola riding through the canals of Venice, graduate, become a teacher, start a children's home, get married and have kids, not necessarily all in that order.
I smile as I think about my future. I realize I am a incessant optimist by and large, but I can't help but believe that some really good things are to come.
Anyway, back to this weekend. While we were in the jungle, we saw the most incredible thing: a family of three gibbons!! We had just been talking about how rare it is for people on these tours to see any gibbons, even though that is the tour's namesake. Then, out of the blue, the tour guide directed our attention to the treetops where a momma gibbon was holding her baby! I was awe-struck as I saw these two gibbons just hanging out among the branches. Then, someone spotted another one! I think it was the daddy gibbon, dangling from a branch like a towel hanging out to dry, without a care in the world.
Later we hiked up a beautiful waterfall, ate some dinner, then met up with a Thai friend of mine who I hadn't seen since I've been back to Thailand. The next day we met up with another Thai friend who I hadn't seen since my return along with a friend of his, and the four of us hiked Doi Suthep (a mountain hemming in the city of Chiang Mai) to a beautiful waterfall that I have visited on several different occasions prior. Of all the waterfalls that I have been to in the world, this is the one that I dream of and long to visit. It isn't spectacularly tall or anything, but it is so inviting and peaceful. There are places to swim, jump off rocks into the waterfall, slide down slippery rocks, or just relax with a good book and good friends. My friend-for-a-day went extreme Aussie on us and climbed up the waterfall, went swimming in his clothes, cut his foot, and experienced the waterfall to the fullest. The rest of us were content to dip our feet in and enjoy the deafening falls and sunshine (though my Thai friends were not as keen on soaking in the rays as I was). After the soul-replenishing waterfall adventure, we went to a noodle shop and I got one of my all-time favorite Thai dishes: Khao Soi Gai. It is a northern-Thai dish with yellow egg noodles and chicken in a curry soup topped with the same noodles but deep-fried. It is served with a side of pickled vegetables, shallots, and lime. I was pleased to end my time in Chaing Mai on such a happy note: good food with good friends.
One of the girls who works here with me, Crystal, had a friend in town who was planning on doing the "Flight of the Gibbon" tour. It is basically a series of zip-lines through the jungle for 3-5 kilometers when all is said and done. Anyway, he didn't want to do it by himself, and Crystal wasn't able to go with him because she had to work, so he asked if I would go with him, expenses paid. "Um, yeah!" was my approximate response. It's about $100 per person to go, which is A LOT of money here. That's one month's rent and food for me! So, I graciously accepted his generosity and headed off to Chiang Mai the next day.
It was kind of funny spending the day with a near-total stranger, but we had a lovely time. We joked about being "friends for a day". My friend-for-a-day, Shane, and I had fun practicing speaking like the other, as he was from Australia and I am from America. I practiced my Aussie and he practiced his American, which sounded more like a southern drawl.
Our Flight of the Gibbon went off famously, at least in my opinion. There's nothing like being out in the middle of the jungle and zip-lining through the canopy of rich greenery. I can check that one off my list of "things to do before I die". Now I just need to go sky diving, bungee jumping, backpacking through Europe, gondola riding through the canals of Venice, graduate, become a teacher, start a children's home, get married and have kids, not necessarily all in that order.
I smile as I think about my future. I realize I am a incessant optimist by and large, but I can't help but believe that some really good things are to come.
Anyway, back to this weekend. While we were in the jungle, we saw the most incredible thing: a family of three gibbons!! We had just been talking about how rare it is for people on these tours to see any gibbons, even though that is the tour's namesake. Then, out of the blue, the tour guide directed our attention to the treetops where a momma gibbon was holding her baby! I was awe-struck as I saw these two gibbons just hanging out among the branches. Then, someone spotted another one! I think it was the daddy gibbon, dangling from a branch like a towel hanging out to dry, without a care in the world.
Later we hiked up a beautiful waterfall, ate some dinner, then met up with a Thai friend of mine who I hadn't seen since I've been back to Thailand. The next day we met up with another Thai friend who I hadn't seen since my return along with a friend of his, and the four of us hiked Doi Suthep (a mountain hemming in the city of Chiang Mai) to a beautiful waterfall that I have visited on several different occasions prior. Of all the waterfalls that I have been to in the world, this is the one that I dream of and long to visit. It isn't spectacularly tall or anything, but it is so inviting and peaceful. There are places to swim, jump off rocks into the waterfall, slide down slippery rocks, or just relax with a good book and good friends. My friend-for-a-day went extreme Aussie on us and climbed up the waterfall, went swimming in his clothes, cut his foot, and experienced the waterfall to the fullest. The rest of us were content to dip our feet in and enjoy the deafening falls and sunshine (though my Thai friends were not as keen on soaking in the rays as I was). After the soul-replenishing waterfall adventure, we went to a noodle shop and I got one of my all-time favorite Thai dishes: Khao Soi Gai. It is a northern-Thai dish with yellow egg noodles and chicken in a curry soup topped with the same noodles but deep-fried. It is served with a side of pickled vegetables, shallots, and lime. I was pleased to end my time in Chaing Mai on such a happy note: good food with good friends.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Jetlag...ish?
Today I am feeling somewhat akin to jetlag. I am three nights into my new schedule of night baby duty, and it is finally catching up to me.
Today was lovely... I spent the majority of it working on homework at a coffee shop, but mostly chatting with a friend online and friends who came in to the shop. It was lovely. The hustle and bustle of bodies in the shop left as quickly as it came. Suddenly I looked around and it was back to what this place looked like at 10am--my friend Kyndra and I with our MacBook Pros, getting some work done. I pulled out my textbook again, after giving up on getting any studying done with all the people here, and suddenly fatigue hit me like an ocean's wave during high tide. Then, one of the sentences from my textbook really resonated with me: "The learner makes meaning when he or she exhibits an 'inherent passion' for what is to be learned" (Vacca, Richard: Content Area Reading, 9th ed., p. 188). In my state of pseudo jet-lag from my abrupt schedule change, I realized that I am not currently exhibiting "inherent passion" for the subject, thus meaning will not be made. Beautiful: I have a solid reason to stop studying from the text which I am studying!
Ok, time to go teach English to nurses at a hospital. Lord, give me energy to get through the lesson! Anyway, I just had to share that comical moment. I may be the only one who finds this funny, but hopefully someone out there extracts some enjoyment from it. :)
Today was lovely... I spent the majority of it working on homework at a coffee shop, but mostly chatting with a friend online and friends who came in to the shop. It was lovely. The hustle and bustle of bodies in the shop left as quickly as it came. Suddenly I looked around and it was back to what this place looked like at 10am--my friend Kyndra and I with our MacBook Pros, getting some work done. I pulled out my textbook again, after giving up on getting any studying done with all the people here, and suddenly fatigue hit me like an ocean's wave during high tide. Then, one of the sentences from my textbook really resonated with me: "The learner makes meaning when he or she exhibits an 'inherent passion' for what is to be learned" (Vacca, Richard: Content Area Reading, 9th ed., p. 188). In my state of pseudo jet-lag from my abrupt schedule change, I realized that I am not currently exhibiting "inherent passion" for the subject, thus meaning will not be made. Beautiful: I have a solid reason to stop studying from the text which I am studying!
Ok, time to go teach English to nurses at a hospital. Lord, give me energy to get through the lesson! Anyway, I just had to share that comical moment. I may be the only one who finds this funny, but hopefully someone out there extracts some enjoyment from it. :)
Inspired
You know what I love about being in a place like this? I love that all of the people I work with are here to serve. They have had to sacrifice in one way or another to be here, and they do it willingly. I have to remind myself sometimes what a special group of people we have here. It isn't normal for people to give up family and friends and familiarity to serve children on the other side of the world.
I was having a conversation with Susie last night, a woman who inspires me in so many ways. She is leaving what has become her home for the past five years--this children's home--to embark on a new adventure of serving women in a prison near Bangkok. I felt challenged as she said, matter-of-factly that it's just a need she saw needs filling, so she's going to fill it. It wasn't about this great call to leadership and pioneering a YWAM ministry in a new location--which are both great things--but it was about seeing a need, a group of people who are hurting and in need of a Savior, and going there to share the good news with them. I am so excited for her. She is going to a dangerous, hot, humid, dirty, and otherwise unwelcoming part of Thailand. There is really nothing in it for her going down there, yet she is going simply because she sees these ladies are eager for Good News. Isn't this what it's all about? Denying yourself, picking up your cross, and following Him? I just pray I will have the courage to live like that, going wherever I see a need that God calls me to fill, no matter what the challenges may be, because His kingdom is greater than my own personal comfort.
I was having a conversation with Susie last night, a woman who inspires me in so many ways. She is leaving what has become her home for the past five years--this children's home--to embark on a new adventure of serving women in a prison near Bangkok. I felt challenged as she said, matter-of-factly that it's just a need she saw needs filling, so she's going to fill it. It wasn't about this great call to leadership and pioneering a YWAM ministry in a new location--which are both great things--but it was about seeing a need, a group of people who are hurting and in need of a Savior, and going there to share the good news with them. I am so excited for her. She is going to a dangerous, hot, humid, dirty, and otherwise unwelcoming part of Thailand. There is really nothing in it for her going down there, yet she is going simply because she sees these ladies are eager for Good News. Isn't this what it's all about? Denying yourself, picking up your cross, and following Him? I just pray I will have the courage to live like that, going wherever I see a need that God calls me to fill, no matter what the challenges may be, because His kingdom is greater than my own personal comfort.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Stressed!
It's funny how stressed out I can get over homework. I am a huge fan of due dates and deleting things from my to-do list, but when circumstances get in the way of completing my homework on time, it seriously stresses me out! I just need to chill. Breathe in, breathe out. A zero here or there won't kill me, though I feel that it will. Life happens. It is OKAY. Phew. I just had to get that out. Thanks for reading. :)
Now that that's out of the way.... I'm realizing how crazy busy I have been over the past two weeks. This week things are looking up. I am now officially ONLY on night shift with Baby Non, which means I will have the whole day full of sunshine to myself to sleep, study, ride my bike, drink coffee, hide away with my Kindle, spend time with friends, or whatever else I decide to do. I think a balanced life is on the horizon! It's amazing how out of balance my life can feel after three busy weeks: 1 week with a friend visiting and the following 2 with a brand new baby to look after. I can breathe easier today, knowing the long hours of working night shift, then day shift, then night shift, then day shift are behind me now.
Instead, I get to look forward to a friend's graduation tomorrow. Two friends, actually. They are graduating from Mae Fa Luang University here in Chiang Rai. The funny thing about graduations in Thailand is that people don't actually get to walk until about a year after they graduate. Each university graduation has a member of the royal family present, and they speak and congratulate each of the students, so it's a really big deal. Today as I was getting my daily caffeine dose at the local coffee shop, I noticed the roads were getting cleared off; there were police officers stationed every couple hundred meters all along the superhighway, for who knows how many kilometers, making way for royalty. I've seen them at this for hours before, clearing the roads and waiting for the royal family to drive by. Then, they drive by. It's quite anticlimactic if you ask me.
Now that that's out of the way.... I'm realizing how crazy busy I have been over the past two weeks. This week things are looking up. I am now officially ONLY on night shift with Baby Non, which means I will have the whole day full of sunshine to myself to sleep, study, ride my bike, drink coffee, hide away with my Kindle, spend time with friends, or whatever else I decide to do. I think a balanced life is on the horizon! It's amazing how out of balance my life can feel after three busy weeks: 1 week with a friend visiting and the following 2 with a brand new baby to look after. I can breathe easier today, knowing the long hours of working night shift, then day shift, then night shift, then day shift are behind me now.
Instead, I get to look forward to a friend's graduation tomorrow. Two friends, actually. They are graduating from Mae Fa Luang University here in Chiang Rai. The funny thing about graduations in Thailand is that people don't actually get to walk until about a year after they graduate. Each university graduation has a member of the royal family present, and they speak and congratulate each of the students, so it's a really big deal. Today as I was getting my daily caffeine dose at the local coffee shop, I noticed the roads were getting cleared off; there were police officers stationed every couple hundred meters all along the superhighway, for who knows how many kilometers, making way for royalty. I've seen them at this for hours before, clearing the roads and waiting for the royal family to drive by. Then, they drive by. It's quite anticlimactic if you ask me.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Recharged
Lately I have doing lots of pondering. I have been pondering the fact that I really believe I am on the dawn of a new season in life. I realize I am pondering a little prematurely, as graduation isn't for another 10 months, but I will go on pondering. With the end of one thing comes the beginning of another. What does God have in store for this new season? I don't know, but I wait with expectancy.
It is nice to actually have some time to think. Sure, I'm busy watching kids and studying and all that, but not like I was back home. My days filled so much more quickly, and I was running from one thing to the next for about seven months straight. Don't get me wrong, I love having a busy life, but it is nice to have time to read, reflect, and pray. It is energizing for the soul. I can only go for so long without being recharged. Ultimately, there is only One who can fully recharge my batteries, and I am thankful that He is doing that now.
It is nice to actually have some time to think. Sure, I'm busy watching kids and studying and all that, but not like I was back home. My days filled so much more quickly, and I was running from one thing to the next for about seven months straight. Don't get me wrong, I love having a busy life, but it is nice to have time to read, reflect, and pray. It is energizing for the soul. I can only go for so long without being recharged. Ultimately, there is only One who can fully recharge my batteries, and I am thankful that He is doing that now.
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