Who’s in Charge of Time Around Here?

Only three weeks left? I cannot believe that we have already been here for three weeks and only have three more left. Thailand has just been so amazing and full of different opportunities. Since we can actually walk around and get sunlight it’s been a lot easier to make different connects with people. Also having the ability to have prayer walks whenever we want is just so amazing. I’ve also been having a lot more TAWG and it’s been amazing for both my mental and physical health and has made me a lot more confident. The weather has been so nice with it dropping into the 70’s and breezy. Unfortunately as it is, it’s the start of the smoky season so the air quality isn’t the greatest. Anyway enough of this let’s dive in and see how this past week has been!

This past week Liv and I got the privilege to work with the babies! And let me tell you that the moment that I saw them I immediately fell in love with them and wanted to bring them all home. Also my baby fever immediately got worse😂 But they were so much fun and it was also nice to have a change of pace for a bit. So every week we get to switch between the big kids and the babies. But back to the babies when we get there the babies are waking up and usually not the friendliest and just immediately go to get their snack. Then from 2:40ish to four there are toys on the floor that they all get to play with. Some toys were more fun than others though. Even though we were there everyday the kids always took a while to get comfortable and start playing with us. I think one of the sweetest things I saw was when one of the babies came out of her nap and immediately went to hug Liv. I think my favorite part of working with the babies was making them laugh it always made my day so much better. Also the fact that there was a baby under one there who was the most precious thing ever. After play time we had the privilege to teach the three oldest kids a little lesson. On Monday the first day we were with the babies we were a bit confused because exactly at four all of the toys were put away and everybody left the room beside the three oldest kids and us. We were really puzzled but then decided that we were probably going to have to teach the kids. So we pulled out some nursery rhyme books and did that for half an hour until it was dinner at 4:30. Because of that we thought we would be doing that everyday but we soon found out it would only be Monday and Tuesday because one of the German exchange students would do the other days. But it was fun getting to teach them even though it was a bit frustrating sometimes. During the time where they would eat their dinner Liv and I started bringing snacks and eating them and asking each other questions to know each other better. We started this fun little tradition because the week prior we would always be so hungry and grumpy so we started brining snacks and it made the whole dinner waiting a lot easier. However half way through the week we changed up the schedule a little. So for the morning team they would still leave at 8:30 but would leave at 12 and then the afternoon team wouldn’t have to leave until 2. But then instead of leaving at 5 we would leave at 5:30 as to have more time to hang out with the kids outside. It is nice to have some time to hang out plus we moved team time to that time period so we would have more free time in the evenings. I am also able to go to the gym and it has just been amazing to get my body moving and it just makes me feel better about myself as well. Then Saturday was adventure day! We went to a waterfall called Sticky Waterfall. These waterfalls are very special and unlike most other waterfalls. You are able to walk on the rocks in the waterfall because they are not slippery. This happens for a number of reasons number one mineral deposits. The water from the spring leaves mineral deposits on the rocks, which create a sticky layer that allows people to climb the waterfall without slipping. Number two limestone, the rocks are made of limestone, which is chalky and not slippery. Number three tufa, the mineral deposits create a porous, slightly flexible structure called tufa, which provides grip for climbing. And finally number four there is no algae! The lack of algae on the rocks makes the surface grippy. This makes it for people of all different ages to enjoy. Although sun plus water usually equals me being hungry and tired me and JJ went to find something to eat. And after searching high and low(walking a couple hundred feet) we found a smoothie stand! I then proceeded to buy a mango smoothie. And let me tell you that it was one of the best smoothies I have ever had in my life and I don’t think I’m exaggerating. Along with it being fun the waterfall was in the mountains and we had gorgeous mountains surrounding us on every side and let’s just say I would one hundred percent do that again. The next day was a Sabbath! I was considering not going because I wasn’t feeling the greatest but I went anyway and I’m really glad I did. There were puppies! And we got to pet and hold them and it just made my day so much better. After we got back I was very tired and took a nap until dinner which was tacos with limes and I ate it up.

Something that God has taught me is that he will restore us. 1 Peter 5:10, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” Regardless of the outcome, God will restore everything. It might not what it used to be, but it will be something better. We will be stronger than before. The trials we are going through today will make us strong to face future trials inn our lives. We are all suffering-the virus discriminates no one. If infected, we suffer physically. God said it will be like this just for a little while. People called by Him and those who accept the grace of God will not only enjoy the temporary things offered in this life but the eternal life with our Lord Jesus Christ. No wind or tribulation will topple us down. We will not move because our shield and shelter is God.

Someone that you can pray for is Ellie. I meet her at the gym and we struck up a conversation and she said she wanted to get together sometime. And so we met this Wednesday and we talked for an hour before she had to go to her job. I didn’t get the chance to talk about Jesus in our conversation. However, I am hoping to get the change to meet with her one more time before I leave. Pray that I can have the confidence to bring up Jesus to her. Also that she is open to listening to me.

Puppies of course! I hope your day gets better after seeing these adorable little things.

 And then without fail here are some more gorgeous sunsets. Imagine being God and having the whole sky as your canvas. 🤩