A friend from the states reminded me that I have a blog....and I need to update it!

Outside a large temple packed elbow to elbow with people.

I have learned so much about the Thai culture and sometimes I don't even realize that it is changing me.  The feet are the lowest and dirtiest part of a person (that is the perception here). Just 6 months ago I kept reminding myself and the kids to take their shoes off before entering a home (and some stores ask you to take your shoes off before entering to shop!)  But now, it is a habit to remove my shoes as soon as we come to the porch or front steps of a house.  I still have the desire to use my foot to scoot a Lego piece out of my way, or to push a bottom drawer shut, but I remind myself to bend down and use my hands (well, most of the time at least). 

My day to day routine is similar to back home, but more labor intensive:
We wake up, have breakfast, and start school work.  Sounds simple, but breakfast is usually made from scratch, (it is cheaper to make our own biscuits, pancake mix, etc.)  and dishes are all hand washed. I should also mention that Max is 1 1/2 and full of energy! 

We take a mid-morning break and the kids usually play outside.  This is a fun time for them to play and for the kind lady who sweeps our street to come by and visit.  I try to hang my laundry out at this time so that it will dry by the end of the day.

Back to school, a snack, and lunch (usually sandwiches or some sort).  By this point in the day I have swept the floor 3x and sang the "clean up" song with Max too many times :)  The boy loves to play in the water and our water cooler is just his height.  He once emptied a ton of water onto the floor just by pushing a button. Fun times!  For him at least....

I will channel this love of water into something useful: dishwashing ;)

After lunch we go for a walk.  I push Max in the stroller and Jack and Callie ride their bikes.  We meet  people along the way (I once met a Thai woman who asked me a lot of questions and then she shared with me that she was a believer!!!)  God's beauty is always in bloom here to enjoy!  It's easy to teach science with so many interesting plants and insects....and occasionally snakes! 

A real leaf!  This was on a hike with friends:)

After lunch, Max naps and the kids and I have a chance to do some un-interupted reading and grammar together.  I try to fold the laundry (if it's dry) and make plans for dinner.  I cook a lot more now that we have a toaster oven!  We still eat Thai food from the market or from street vendors though.  Ken is at work until about 4:30 and then we have dinner.  (He is such a wonderful fit for his role and it's exciting as his wife to see him utilize all of the gift the Lord gave him, and life experience to serve in this way.)

We have our favorite vendors: a sweet elderly couple that makes fun "bubble waffles" as we call them. They don't speak English but I want to hug her every time I see her.  She has a warmth and smile that makes you feel like she is your grandma. I love the Shwarma (seasoned chicken wrap) from a Thai Muslim woman and her 2 daughters, and Jack loves pork on a stick.  We all crave sticky rice and have found a place close to home that usually has it.

There is so much in my head to say and I am trying to figure out how and what to share...

I find that we have many acquaintances here but we desire close friends. I have shared my feelings with others who have been here longer than me and their responses have been similar: "Welcome to Chiang Mai- that's how it is here."  Many of the people who moved here for similar reasons as our family, are busy in their outreach....or their families and school, sports, etc...so they don't make time for anything else.  Our goal is to be available to grow with other families serving here and to connect to the people around us.

  Sometimes it eats at me..."How can I share you with them, Lord?"  What do I do?  What does it look like here?  My answers about the culture have come slowly, but I am gaining understanding:

• This. takes. time. 
•  People are not projects to be completed.  They aren't an item on the check-list.   
• They are to be loved.  We love because God first loved us.  

 Buddha museum at the temple on the mountain: Doi Suthep

  Pursuing God means pursuing those He loves: our neighbors.   So, again I am reminded to quit overwhelming myself with how to do this. Today it was simple: I made cookies.  I took them to a neighbor a short walk away who I haven't seen in a long time...but she didn't answer the door.  I felt defeated.  Not quite sure what is going on in her life, but she is avoiding me... So, I turned the other direction and walked to a different neighbor that I had recently met and took Max with me. 

She opened her gate and greeted me by saying I had been gone too long. (She was glad I was back to visit).  I learned about her and her family, and as she shared I realized that they had needs...now I get to pray about how the Lord would use our family to serve them.  I enjoyed our time there.  The woman's sister lives with her and she is a widow who doesn't have children.  She loved playing with Max and I got to sit and have a conversation without chasing him around:)

Our neighbors gave us this tree.  The kids are watering it...with water guns.

I came home and smiled to see the boy (from my previous blog post) that we met at the music school next door.  He was here to play with Jack.  Later his mom came by and joined us for dinner.  Callie prayed this long and sweet prayer of thanksgiving.  The mother asked if her son could pray like that.  We shared a bit with him about what prayer is and he said he might try that next time.  It is fascinating because the mom is a Buddhist! 

There is so much more to share, but I will save it for another day:)  The Lord is faithful.  When I fail, he doesn't.  When I fear, question, or neglect Truth, He is constant and at work.  I find myself breathing a sigh of relief as I type that.

Thank you for praying for us, supporting us, and encouraging us.