So my Christmas was really nice. I thank my God every day for these people He's put in my life that are so willing to continually welcome me in... not just as a friend dropping by, but as a real part of their family. Marc & Susannah, their boys and Marc's parents were a special blessing to me this Christmas that was harder than most with my parents halfway around the world (this is only the 3rd time in my almost 37 years that I have spent Christmas away from my parents). To some of you that may not seem like such a big deal, but ask yourself if that is because you have had your own family for quite some time and you spend it with them. For me, yes, still single and waiting on the Lord to bring me my husband and family, spending time away from my parents means I am without family. But this year these special people who are dear to my heart, took me under their wing and continued to allow me to be "Aunt Debby". I know God must have special blessings in store for them, for their sacrifices of "just family time" and allowing an outsider to be on the inside. I am forever grateful!
On another note, I found out last weekend that my grandparents have made the decision to move from their duplex/townhouse into an apartment at the home they have been a part of for the last 7-8 years. My grandmother is just having a more difficult time getting around these last couple months and is much weaker after the ordeals of the past year and a half. Plus, living in a land of winter, it will allow them to gather with people and maybe do some activities that they wouldn't have done it they stayed out in the townhouse because it would mean getting out in the cold/snow/ice, etc. So, my aunt is up there this week starting to help with some packing. I had intended to go this weekend, but I still have this cold/cough hanging on and may put it off another week. I don't want to make them sick or to have mine get worse. I haven't worked it all out yet, but my aunt will call me this afternoon or early evening to let me know how she did and what she got accomplished. We are all very grateful to my uncle for being there a couple times a week and for helping them with doc appts and with making the difficult decisions.
I really don't know what this coming year holds for me. In the past, I've kind of been able to look forward and know some of the big things that might be coming, but as I'm looking forward to next year, this time, I just don't know. As of right now, I'm planning only one trip the beginning of April. I will spend the first 2 weeks of the month in Australia with Mom and Dad and I'm looking forward to it. Then they will be making a trip back to the States in July or August, which will mean that their assignment is half over - it really seems to be flying by!
I will also begin the biggest challenge of my adult life - I will begin drastic measures of cutting up my credit cards, paying off my debt and living on a cash only basis. I know that seems like a really strange thing to do in today's world, but through much prayer, thought and support from my parents, I believe it is what the Lord is leading me to do. I'm praying for His help, especially in the first 6 months as I adjust and will have to say "no" to things when I don't have the money to do it. I think once I get in the habit it will be a little easier and I know that once I have paid off my debt completely I will be a much happier person for it. It won't always be easy and I covet your prayers for me, but when I'm done, I believe I'll be able to live much more as the Lord wants me to as well as be able to contribute to His causes and His people much more freely than I can now!
My other goal is to return to the South Beach lifestyle of eating and exercising. I did very well when I stuck to it, but the past year and a half with everything going on I've not done as well at sticking to it and have put weight back on. I'm intending for this year to be a year of health - all around. Spiritually, economically, physically, creatively, etc, etc. I'm planning to continue with my scrapbooking. I've finished everything up through my 2 years of college, but have 16 years to go after that! I also have two quilts that I need to do and need to diligently work on them. As well as many sewing projects for me, hopefully as I lose weight, I will need new clothes and have plenty of fabric and patterns to work with.
Well, I guess this post has turned into a New Year's resolution list of sorts. Though I'm not usually good with the resolution/goals list, so maybe I'll just look at it as some of the things I'd like to work on this year, the Lord willing. Well, guess that's it, my mind is pretty empty for now. Have a great New Year's Eve, whatever you may be doing to celebrate, please be safe!
Thursday, December 29
Thursday, December 22
Just Ho Humming into the Holidays!
Well, I'm feeling much better now and should be 100% by tomorrow or Saturday. I was down with a pretty nasty cold, but at least didn't have a sore throat. Lots has been happening though in my own personal world of thoughts and decisions.
I had a great perf eval at the office yesterday and will be getting a small raise. The best part of it is not on paper but in the discussion I had with my boss regarding the upcoming year. Some may already know that for pretty much the past year, I've been "in charge of" the imaging project going on here at the office. It is progressing and within the next 4-6 weeks we will have finished the first big chunk, which is getting all of the active fleet files into the system. There is still much to do - inactive fleets, merchant files (active and inactive), permits files, and other small sections of files themselves, not to mention the eventual creation of a workflow that becomes entirely electronic. Anyway, also for the past year my boss has had me slated to become the manager of this department, which includes managing people (starting probably with 1 and growing to 2 or 3 over the next 3-5 years), making large and significant business decisions regarding how this department will operate and relate to the rest of the company, as well as the new processes mentioned above. I was honest from the day I interviewed for this position back in April of 2004, and have continued to be when a year ago he told me this is what he wanted me to do, that it was not what I was interested in doing, was not something I would enjoy doing, as well as not posessing the skills to do it. Well during this year as I've at least managed the part time workers and one full time worker since July in getting documents in I've been trying to come to grips with the fact that after the end of the year I would officially become the manager with the title, the responsibility, the extra money, etc. Because to this point, he really wasn't giving me much of an option. He believes that I have the capabilities and the intelligence to do the job and that I'm the best person for it, plus he trusts me without question.
Well, I was surprised yesterday when he sat and told me that as he wrote my revue he had to rethink his thoughts and actions for the past year that he's been pushing this. He has not changed his mind that I'm the best person to do this, or changed that he trusts me or that I can do it, but that maybe it really isn't what I'm looking for. We spent about half an hour talking in which he admitted that he truly wants me to be happy in what I'm doing, he likes and respects me and I will have a position in the company regardless of what I decide and he will support my decision. He still very much wants me to take the manager position, but has given me 2-4 weeks to really soul search and pray about where I want to go with my career and what makes me happy to come to the office every day. He realizes that I have a lot going on the personal side of my life and he realized that he'd probably been forcing this too much. He just feels that he's good at seeing talent in someone and then placing them in the best place to use that talent and forgets to stop and think about whether it's something the person wants to be doing.
So, all that said, I've got some time, but not endless time, to really consider both sides of the option now knowing that if I choose not to be the manager that there will still be a position and that we will work together to determine what responsibilities I would take on and do moving back toward more of a support or administrative role. Please be in prayer with me as I consider all the plusses and minuses to both sides of this situation. It truly is an opportunity that most do not get. If you have words of wisdom, comments, thoughts, questions, opinions I'd really appreciate all the input I can get at this point.
This of course is only one of a few serious-minded internal discusssions/decisions that I'm in the middle of but this is the one that came out when I sat down at the keyboard today. I'm definitely looking forward to spending the holiday with my "local" family this weekend! I'm looking forward to having the 3-day weekend and feeling well. I need to get some sewing done and maybe some scrapbooking too! I've missed both of these pastimes of late.
Well, I suppose it's about time to head home. I don't know that I'll get back to this before the holiday, so if I don't, please have a blessed and Merry Christmas and remember as you spend time in laughter and conversation with family and friends around the dinner table and unwrapping gifts around the tree that.... Jesus Christ is the originator or the reasons we celebrate. He GAVE - so we too give in His Name and in His Spirit. Please remember too... I know that there have been a lot of reminders to pray for our troops this season and the sacrifices that they and their families are making, fighting for our freedom, and while I totally agree and don't discount any of that (I too have family serving)... remember that there is an even larger army spread all over the world this season, they too are missing their families, they too are fighting for freedom for all mankind - those who are serving in the Lord's army, through many different organizations, to many people groups, in many countries across the world who need to be freed from the consequences of their sins by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ. May the message of Christ be advanced this season in miraculous ways through those who are giving their lives to serve, and may they be comforted and be at peace wherever they are whether they can celebrate outwardly or not that their light may still so shine among men.
God's blessings rain down!
I had a great perf eval at the office yesterday and will be getting a small raise. The best part of it is not on paper but in the discussion I had with my boss regarding the upcoming year. Some may already know that for pretty much the past year, I've been "in charge of" the imaging project going on here at the office. It is progressing and within the next 4-6 weeks we will have finished the first big chunk, which is getting all of the active fleet files into the system. There is still much to do - inactive fleets, merchant files (active and inactive), permits files, and other small sections of files themselves, not to mention the eventual creation of a workflow that becomes entirely electronic. Anyway, also for the past year my boss has had me slated to become the manager of this department, which includes managing people (starting probably with 1 and growing to 2 or 3 over the next 3-5 years), making large and significant business decisions regarding how this department will operate and relate to the rest of the company, as well as the new processes mentioned above. I was honest from the day I interviewed for this position back in April of 2004, and have continued to be when a year ago he told me this is what he wanted me to do, that it was not what I was interested in doing, was not something I would enjoy doing, as well as not posessing the skills to do it. Well during this year as I've at least managed the part time workers and one full time worker since July in getting documents in I've been trying to come to grips with the fact that after the end of the year I would officially become the manager with the title, the responsibility, the extra money, etc. Because to this point, he really wasn't giving me much of an option. He believes that I have the capabilities and the intelligence to do the job and that I'm the best person for it, plus he trusts me without question.
Well, I was surprised yesterday when he sat and told me that as he wrote my revue he had to rethink his thoughts and actions for the past year that he's been pushing this. He has not changed his mind that I'm the best person to do this, or changed that he trusts me or that I can do it, but that maybe it really isn't what I'm looking for. We spent about half an hour talking in which he admitted that he truly wants me to be happy in what I'm doing, he likes and respects me and I will have a position in the company regardless of what I decide and he will support my decision. He still very much wants me to take the manager position, but has given me 2-4 weeks to really soul search and pray about where I want to go with my career and what makes me happy to come to the office every day. He realizes that I have a lot going on the personal side of my life and he realized that he'd probably been forcing this too much. He just feels that he's good at seeing talent in someone and then placing them in the best place to use that talent and forgets to stop and think about whether it's something the person wants to be doing.
So, all that said, I've got some time, but not endless time, to really consider both sides of the option now knowing that if I choose not to be the manager that there will still be a position and that we will work together to determine what responsibilities I would take on and do moving back toward more of a support or administrative role. Please be in prayer with me as I consider all the plusses and minuses to both sides of this situation. It truly is an opportunity that most do not get. If you have words of wisdom, comments, thoughts, questions, opinions I'd really appreciate all the input I can get at this point.
This of course is only one of a few serious-minded internal discusssions/decisions that I'm in the middle of but this is the one that came out when I sat down at the keyboard today. I'm definitely looking forward to spending the holiday with my "local" family this weekend! I'm looking forward to having the 3-day weekend and feeling well. I need to get some sewing done and maybe some scrapbooking too! I've missed both of these pastimes of late.
Well, I suppose it's about time to head home. I don't know that I'll get back to this before the holiday, so if I don't, please have a blessed and Merry Christmas and remember as you spend time in laughter and conversation with family and friends around the dinner table and unwrapping gifts around the tree that.... Jesus Christ is the originator or the reasons we celebrate. He GAVE - so we too give in His Name and in His Spirit. Please remember too... I know that there have been a lot of reminders to pray for our troops this season and the sacrifices that they and their families are making, fighting for our freedom, and while I totally agree and don't discount any of that (I too have family serving)... remember that there is an even larger army spread all over the world this season, they too are missing their families, they too are fighting for freedom for all mankind - those who are serving in the Lord's army, through many different organizations, to many people groups, in many countries across the world who need to be freed from the consequences of their sins by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ. May the message of Christ be advanced this season in miraculous ways through those who are giving their lives to serve, and may they be comforted and be at peace wherever they are whether they can celebrate outwardly or not that their light may still so shine among men.
God's blessings rain down!
Tuesday, December 13
Thai for a week...
So I'm finally able to take a few minutes to tell you about my week in Thailand. It was terrific, mostly because I was with my parents and finally able to see the places and meet the people that they know on a daily basis. The hardest part for me these first 8 months of having them gone has been not feeling a part of the everyday, day in and day out kinds of things because I couldn't visualize anything or anyone that they were talking about. It was the first time in my life that I wasn't intimately familiar with their surroundings. So I was able to soak up alot of their atmostphere in my week there and it helps.
I arrived Sunday about 9 hours ahead of my parents so their colleagues Brian and Lena picked me up at the airport and took me to Mike's for a burger - just about the only place you can get a burger! Then they took me to their home to shower and change clothes, and we were off to the Sunday market and it was quite an experience. Good for helping the jet lag, it kept me moving, but when we were done I was ready to sit. Lena bought some lights to use on their Christmas tree. Though they don't really celebrate Christmas, there is quite a large western population that do so there are a few places that have decorations to purchase, but compared to here, it's almost none. Mom said it was really hard to believe that Christmas is right around the corner. It's just not in the air or in the people there.
So when it was about time for my parents to arrive, we drove over to their apartment (Brian had the key) and they arrived about 15 minutes after we did. We visited for a few minutes and then Brian and Lena headed home and we unpacked and went to bed. I did sleep well, though it was warm during the day, it cools off at night and I had a fan that helped as well.
We went to the office every day during the week. Mom is still trying to learn her new position and the week I was there was the last week that her predecessor would be there so she had some things to get answered, plus they are quite behind. I didn't mind, I got to meet and get to know all the office staff (especially all the Thai ladies that work there), I read my book some and then asked Mom for something to do to help her. So throughout the week and helped her with several tasks including some organization things to help her find paperwork in the future. The first morning we stopped for bagels at Smoothie Blues and an Iced Boom Chocolate at Wawee's. They normally do this about twice a week. The rest of the week we ate breakfast at home, but we did have another Iced Boom Chocolate on Friday! I love these things - it's kind of a cross between an iced hot chocolate and a chocolate shake, not as sweet as anything we have here, but a really good chocolate flavor and served with whipped cream on top. YUM!
Monday evening we went to eat and the Hong Tau Inn right around the corner from their apartment and it was my first introduction to Thai food (we had eaten lunch at a new Japanese place with the Thai girls from the office). It was very good - I'm so glad that there are quite a few dishes you can get that are not spicy. Tuesday for lunch we ate at their usual lunch place and then Tuesday evening we had dinner at a more western restaurant down near where they teach ESL in the slums. They were on a break that week, but Tuesday during the day we had had to go to the consulate for some paperwork and so then Dad drove me around a little bit and showed me where they teach and where they go to church. After dinner we went to the night bazaar and it was a little more crowded and in tighter quarters than the Sunday market had been. But there were many of the same things being sold. I bought some clothes and a few gifts. It was fun to watch Dad bargain with them with the little Thai he has learned - I think they have both learned a lot more than they realize!
Wednesday evening Mom and I went to have manicures and pedicures before we went home and had dinner at home. It was fun and something I had never done before. The total for me to have both was $10. If it was that cheap here, I could afford to get it done every couple weeks! Oh well. Then Thursday we were only in the office for a little over an hour because we went to take a cooking class. It was really tremendous! They started by giving us a tour of the market and telling us some of the differences in what they use that we don't have. Then we went on out to their facility, which was an open air place under a pavillion. It was really neat. They had some staff that did all the prep work, then they told us how to make a dish, then showed us, then we each got to make our own individual dish. It was all done in a wok and we each had our own over a freestanding gas burner. We made 5 dishes in the morning and ate them for lunch. Then we did 3 more dishes in the afternoon and they packaged them up for us to take home for dinner. It was a lot of food and a lot of fun! After a day on our feet we went across the street and had a 2-hour massage, which felt really great.
Friday we wrapped up early in the afternoon and then headed to Warorot which is another market area in Chiang Mai. Mom and I hit the jackpot on fabric places and we both spent the rest of the baht that Dad had on him! I got some fabric for a skirt and 2 blouses, 5 pair of pants, and 4 pair of shorts all for under $50 US. Mom got some for blouses and capri pants. When we wore out from being there we headed home. We took the "song tau", which literally means 2 benches but the westerners call them red trucks, which are similar to our taxis. When we arrived home I packed my stuff and then we watched a movie together before it was bedtime. Saturday morning we headed to the airport. It was really hard to believe the week was already over and was very difficult to go. From the time we left their apartment till I arrived at my house, was a total elapsed time of 41 hours - that's a really long trip. I did very well though and was able to sleep when I was tired.
Some overall impressions from being there are the friendliness and warmth of the Thai people. They really enjoy listening to you try to speak their language. They are grateful for any business you give them and will go out of their way to do business. Any westerner, no matter how poor, is rich compared to their standards. Many families have no car, only a scooter (which is actually like a small motorcycle) as their only mode of transportation. They are for the most part a people who work and live within their neighborhoods and don't venture far from them. I also learned that those people from hill tribes outside the city are not considered Thai citizens and there is much animosity between them and the Thai people, though they were all born and have lived their lives in the country of Thailand. I'm glad I went in the season I did, it would have been more difficult for me in their summer or rainy season, since I don't like the hot weather. However, I could also tell that overall it is a dark part of the world, these people need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.
I arrived Sunday about 9 hours ahead of my parents so their colleagues Brian and Lena picked me up at the airport and took me to Mike's for a burger - just about the only place you can get a burger! Then they took me to their home to shower and change clothes, and we were off to the Sunday market and it was quite an experience. Good for helping the jet lag, it kept me moving, but when we were done I was ready to sit. Lena bought some lights to use on their Christmas tree. Though they don't really celebrate Christmas, there is quite a large western population that do so there are a few places that have decorations to purchase, but compared to here, it's almost none. Mom said it was really hard to believe that Christmas is right around the corner. It's just not in the air or in the people there.
So when it was about time for my parents to arrive, we drove over to their apartment (Brian had the key) and they arrived about 15 minutes after we did. We visited for a few minutes and then Brian and Lena headed home and we unpacked and went to bed. I did sleep well, though it was warm during the day, it cools off at night and I had a fan that helped as well.
We went to the office every day during the week. Mom is still trying to learn her new position and the week I was there was the last week that her predecessor would be there so she had some things to get answered, plus they are quite behind. I didn't mind, I got to meet and get to know all the office staff (especially all the Thai ladies that work there), I read my book some and then asked Mom for something to do to help her. So throughout the week and helped her with several tasks including some organization things to help her find paperwork in the future. The first morning we stopped for bagels at Smoothie Blues and an Iced Boom Chocolate at Wawee's. They normally do this about twice a week. The rest of the week we ate breakfast at home, but we did have another Iced Boom Chocolate on Friday! I love these things - it's kind of a cross between an iced hot chocolate and a chocolate shake, not as sweet as anything we have here, but a really good chocolate flavor and served with whipped cream on top. YUM!
Monday evening we went to eat and the Hong Tau Inn right around the corner from their apartment and it was my first introduction to Thai food (we had eaten lunch at a new Japanese place with the Thai girls from the office). It was very good - I'm so glad that there are quite a few dishes you can get that are not spicy. Tuesday for lunch we ate at their usual lunch place and then Tuesday evening we had dinner at a more western restaurant down near where they teach ESL in the slums. They were on a break that week, but Tuesday during the day we had had to go to the consulate for some paperwork and so then Dad drove me around a little bit and showed me where they teach and where they go to church. After dinner we went to the night bazaar and it was a little more crowded and in tighter quarters than the Sunday market had been. But there were many of the same things being sold. I bought some clothes and a few gifts. It was fun to watch Dad bargain with them with the little Thai he has learned - I think they have both learned a lot more than they realize!
Wednesday evening Mom and I went to have manicures and pedicures before we went home and had dinner at home. It was fun and something I had never done before. The total for me to have both was $10. If it was that cheap here, I could afford to get it done every couple weeks! Oh well. Then Thursday we were only in the office for a little over an hour because we went to take a cooking class. It was really tremendous! They started by giving us a tour of the market and telling us some of the differences in what they use that we don't have. Then we went on out to their facility, which was an open air place under a pavillion. It was really neat. They had some staff that did all the prep work, then they told us how to make a dish, then showed us, then we each got to make our own individual dish. It was all done in a wok and we each had our own over a freestanding gas burner. We made 5 dishes in the morning and ate them for lunch. Then we did 3 more dishes in the afternoon and they packaged them up for us to take home for dinner. It was a lot of food and a lot of fun! After a day on our feet we went across the street and had a 2-hour massage, which felt really great.
Friday we wrapped up early in the afternoon and then headed to Warorot which is another market area in Chiang Mai. Mom and I hit the jackpot on fabric places and we both spent the rest of the baht that Dad had on him! I got some fabric for a skirt and 2 blouses, 5 pair of pants, and 4 pair of shorts all for under $50 US. Mom got some for blouses and capri pants. When we wore out from being there we headed home. We took the "song tau", which literally means 2 benches but the westerners call them red trucks, which are similar to our taxis. When we arrived home I packed my stuff and then we watched a movie together before it was bedtime. Saturday morning we headed to the airport. It was really hard to believe the week was already over and was very difficult to go. From the time we left their apartment till I arrived at my house, was a total elapsed time of 41 hours - that's a really long trip. I did very well though and was able to sleep when I was tired.
Some overall impressions from being there are the friendliness and warmth of the Thai people. They really enjoy listening to you try to speak their language. They are grateful for any business you give them and will go out of their way to do business. Any westerner, no matter how poor, is rich compared to their standards. Many families have no car, only a scooter (which is actually like a small motorcycle) as their only mode of transportation. They are for the most part a people who work and live within their neighborhoods and don't venture far from them. I also learned that those people from hill tribes outside the city are not considered Thai citizens and there is much animosity between them and the Thai people, though they were all born and have lived their lives in the country of Thailand. I'm glad I went in the season I did, it would have been more difficult for me in their summer or rainy season, since I don't like the hot weather. However, I could also tell that overall it is a dark part of the world, these people need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.
Thursday, December 8
A Niece!!!
It's a girl! I'm going to have a niece!! I'm so excited I can't hardly stand it. I just got the call from my family here in town. They had an appointment with the doc today to do the whatever it is that tells you if it's a boy or girl, oh and she is healthy and growing just fine too. Ethan, the oldest of the 3 boys had the privilege of calling me when they got home to tell me they were going to have a baby sister. He was excited about it and even told me that they got to bring a picture home. When I asked if she was pretty tiny, he said "yes, but she has big muscles, Daddy said maybe she'll be a soccer player."
Oh Father, what a blessing these children are to my life! Though they are not blood relations they are my family through you and through our friendships together. They are a double blessing to me since my own family is so far from me, since I'm still waiting on You for my husband and children of my own. I pray that You would continue to grow the boys and that we would all be an example of Your love to them, and I ask especially that you would continue to be with this new baby girl as she develops keeping her safe and healthy. You have said that you knew us before we were formed, that you had written all the days of our lives before we knew even one of them. Lord, you know her name already and the things that she will do and accomplish, I pray that you would keep her safe unto those days that you've written out for her. That she would be a blessing to her parents, brothers, grandparents and the rest of the family and that she would bring glory and praise to You in all she does!
Thank you Lord!
Oh Father, what a blessing these children are to my life! Though they are not blood relations they are my family through you and through our friendships together. They are a double blessing to me since my own family is so far from me, since I'm still waiting on You for my husband and children of my own. I pray that You would continue to grow the boys and that we would all be an example of Your love to them, and I ask especially that you would continue to be with this new baby girl as she develops keeping her safe and healthy. You have said that you knew us before we were formed, that you had written all the days of our lives before we knew even one of them. Lord, you know her name already and the things that she will do and accomplish, I pray that you would keep her safe unto those days that you've written out for her. That she would be a blessing to her parents, brothers, grandparents and the rest of the family and that she would bring glory and praise to You in all she does!
Thank you Lord!
Tuesday, December 6
Christmas Music - Hallelujah!
Praises be to the King of Kings! I'm so enjoying listening to my Christmas music. Shhhh - don't tell, but I actually pulled them out the beginning of November and did some listening before my trip, but now I'm into them full time!
One that hit me especially today was by Jeff & Sheri Easter, "Sweet Baby Jesus". Beautiful song, touching words!
I'm caught up at work and right back into the same routine as before I left. I got to spend some time with my "local" family last night for dinner and it was nice to see them again. They will be finding out on Thursday if baby #4 is a girl or a boy. Can't wait! I also found out that they got me a ticket to go with them to see Narnia on Saturday night, I've really been looking forward to it. In fact, earlier in the year when I found out they were doing the movie and I made a point of re-reading all the books again. I still need to read the last one again, but I'm definitely ready for the movie. Sunday night I'll be going to church with them for what has become a tradition over the past 4 years of me sitting with the boys during the choir's service (this is at both Christmas and Easter).
Not much else going on, I didn't have enough time to write my report on my second week, but just wanted to put a little something down. OK, so really it's too close to quitting time to start another batch of separation and I'm just killing time before I can leave. I got 10 hours of sleep last night after being up from 4:30am to 8:30pm, but I'm more tired today than I was yesterday. Hopefully, I'll be back to normal here soon.
I'm trying to make a point of listening to old Christmas carols with a new attentiveness to the words instead of just rattling them off as we sometimes do with things we have memorize. So what's your favorite? I'd love to hear from you, and also if there's any new one that has struck you.
One that hit me especially today was by Jeff & Sheri Easter, "Sweet Baby Jesus". Beautiful song, touching words!
I'm caught up at work and right back into the same routine as before I left. I got to spend some time with my "local" family last night for dinner and it was nice to see them again. They will be finding out on Thursday if baby #4 is a girl or a boy. Can't wait! I also found out that they got me a ticket to go with them to see Narnia on Saturday night, I've really been looking forward to it. In fact, earlier in the year when I found out they were doing the movie and I made a point of re-reading all the books again. I still need to read the last one again, but I'm definitely ready for the movie. Sunday night I'll be going to church with them for what has become a tradition over the past 4 years of me sitting with the boys during the choir's service (this is at both Christmas and Easter).
Not much else going on, I didn't have enough time to write my report on my second week, but just wanted to put a little something down. OK, so really it's too close to quitting time to start another batch of separation and I'm just killing time before I can leave. I got 10 hours of sleep last night after being up from 4:30am to 8:30pm, but I'm more tired today than I was yesterday. Hopefully, I'll be back to normal here soon.
I'm trying to make a point of listening to old Christmas carols with a new attentiveness to the words instead of just rattling them off as we sometimes do with things we have memorize. So what's your favorite? I'd love to hear from you, and also if there's any new one that has struck you.
Monday, December 5
French/Italian Thanksgiving?!
Oh, so much to tell that this will probably best be done in several installments, so bear with me as I get time to put it all down in writing over these first couple days that I'm back...
Thanks so much to all those who were praying for me and my family as we met on another continent for the Thanksgiving holidays together. God is still in His heaven and He still answers prayer! We all had smooth flights, connections and car travel - everyone got where they were supposed to be, when they were supposed to be and with no negative issues (health or otherwise). We spent a terrific week in the south of France with the entire family.
We did some sightseeing in Nice taking a bus tour. It was very nice, one of the double decker kind where the top was in the open air (we rode up top, of course). We enjoyed having a bakery nearby and had fresh baguettes every day! (Yes, it's back to South Beach for me very soon!!) We spent a day in Monaco - for those of you who don't know that's where Monte Carlo is - and enjoyed it immensely. There was an excellent museum there that we spent quite a bit of time in. It was called the Oceanographique Musee and had some exhibits as well as a huge aquarium that was a reconstruction of a coral reef and life surrounding it. They also had hundreds of small tanks with different types of fish and all the info on each. I enjoyed having my new digital camera and took lots of pics of the fish and a giant sea turtle too. James (my 10 1/2 year old nephew) really enjoyed this place too.
One of the things that my Mom said that surprised her about the area in general was that the mountains went all the way to the sea, literally. She wasn't expecting that - and it was beautiful! Chilly for my parents compared to where they live now. It was the first time either had on closed-toe shoes since they moved to Chiang Mai in March! I personally thought the weather was perfect and couldn't have asked for better. Indeed, before we left the states to go the forecast was calling for rain all week, but we actually had none at all which was a blessing.
We spent some time relaxing one day with no plans at all, just hanging out at the condo and chatting, playing games, counted cross-stitching, crocheting, crossword puzzling and napping. Also doing laundry! Susan even got some studying done - she had two books to read during the trip so that she could write papers when she returned home.
Thursday and Friday, my cousin Michael (who is stationed at Ramstein in Germany) and his new wife were able to drive down and spend with us. They stayed at a hotel in Cannes, which was only 15 minutes from the small town we were staying in. Tina was able to meet the rest of our family (I was the only one who had met her previously) and we enjoyed our time together. Michael had just returned home the weekend before from a 6-month tour stateside in NC, so it was good of them to take the time to hang out with us. They will be moving back to the States in mid-January.
Thanksgiving Day we drove over to Italy to San Remo. Several months ago my nephew had requested that we have "real" pasta for Thanksgiving dinner. It was only about 60 k to the nearest good-sized town in Italy so away we went. I was a nice drive along the coast and we found somewhere to park without too much trouble. Though we found out later when we left for the day that the reason there were plenty of spaces in that particular parking garage was because it actually had a limit of 1 1/2 hours. Since we were foreign tourists, they let us off without any trouble! Yes, the dinner was good, 3 of us had pasta and the rest had pizza of many varieties that you wouldn't find in any pizza joint here in the good 'ol US of A. One of them even had an egg cooked on top! I had gnocci with a cheese sauce and it was delicious and panna cotta for dessert - YUM!!
We were up pretty late that night visiting and then slept in some the next morning. We drove down into Cannes and met Michael and Tina at their hotel and then went to lunch and walked the streets of the city some... down to the sea and did some shopping as well. Then we went back to our place to pack and have dinner for the next morning was a really early drive to the airport.
So, it wasn't a traditional American Thanksgiving by any stretch of the imagination... no turkey, no stuffing (of food or the people), no leftovers, no football, but there was family. And in my book that outweighs all the rest hands down. After 8 months of having my parents on the other side of the world and all the adjustments that come with that for all of us - we were just blessed that they had the means and the desire to bring us all together for those few days. I've learned again and again not to take any of the time we are given for granted. It is all special and I've learned to enjoy the moment for what it is!
Thanks for stopping by and I'll be sure and tell you about the 2nd week of my trip as soon as I get a chance to write it up! Have a blessed day!
Thanks so much to all those who were praying for me and my family as we met on another continent for the Thanksgiving holidays together. God is still in His heaven and He still answers prayer! We all had smooth flights, connections and car travel - everyone got where they were supposed to be, when they were supposed to be and with no negative issues (health or otherwise). We spent a terrific week in the south of France with the entire family.
We did some sightseeing in Nice taking a bus tour. It was very nice, one of the double decker kind where the top was in the open air (we rode up top, of course). We enjoyed having a bakery nearby and had fresh baguettes every day! (Yes, it's back to South Beach for me very soon!!) We spent a day in Monaco - for those of you who don't know that's where Monte Carlo is - and enjoyed it immensely. There was an excellent museum there that we spent quite a bit of time in. It was called the Oceanographique Musee and had some exhibits as well as a huge aquarium that was a reconstruction of a coral reef and life surrounding it. They also had hundreds of small tanks with different types of fish and all the info on each. I enjoyed having my new digital camera and took lots of pics of the fish and a giant sea turtle too. James (my 10 1/2 year old nephew) really enjoyed this place too.
One of the things that my Mom said that surprised her about the area in general was that the mountains went all the way to the sea, literally. She wasn't expecting that - and it was beautiful! Chilly for my parents compared to where they live now. It was the first time either had on closed-toe shoes since they moved to Chiang Mai in March! I personally thought the weather was perfect and couldn't have asked for better. Indeed, before we left the states to go the forecast was calling for rain all week, but we actually had none at all which was a blessing.
We spent some time relaxing one day with no plans at all, just hanging out at the condo and chatting, playing games, counted cross-stitching, crocheting, crossword puzzling and napping. Also doing laundry! Susan even got some studying done - she had two books to read during the trip so that she could write papers when she returned home.
Thursday and Friday, my cousin Michael (who is stationed at Ramstein in Germany) and his new wife were able to drive down and spend with us. They stayed at a hotel in Cannes, which was only 15 minutes from the small town we were staying in. Tina was able to meet the rest of our family (I was the only one who had met her previously) and we enjoyed our time together. Michael had just returned home the weekend before from a 6-month tour stateside in NC, so it was good of them to take the time to hang out with us. They will be moving back to the States in mid-January.
Thanksgiving Day we drove over to Italy to San Remo. Several months ago my nephew had requested that we have "real" pasta for Thanksgiving dinner. It was only about 60 k to the nearest good-sized town in Italy so away we went. I was a nice drive along the coast and we found somewhere to park without too much trouble. Though we found out later when we left for the day that the reason there were plenty of spaces in that particular parking garage was because it actually had a limit of 1 1/2 hours. Since we were foreign tourists, they let us off without any trouble! Yes, the dinner was good, 3 of us had pasta and the rest had pizza of many varieties that you wouldn't find in any pizza joint here in the good 'ol US of A. One of them even had an egg cooked on top! I had gnocci with a cheese sauce and it was delicious and panna cotta for dessert - YUM!!
We were up pretty late that night visiting and then slept in some the next morning. We drove down into Cannes and met Michael and Tina at their hotel and then went to lunch and walked the streets of the city some... down to the sea and did some shopping as well. Then we went back to our place to pack and have dinner for the next morning was a really early drive to the airport.
So, it wasn't a traditional American Thanksgiving by any stretch of the imagination... no turkey, no stuffing (of food or the people), no leftovers, no football, but there was family. And in my book that outweighs all the rest hands down. After 8 months of having my parents on the other side of the world and all the adjustments that come with that for all of us - we were just blessed that they had the means and the desire to bring us all together for those few days. I've learned again and again not to take any of the time we are given for granted. It is all special and I've learned to enjoy the moment for what it is!
Thanks for stopping by and I'll be sure and tell you about the 2nd week of my trip as soon as I get a chance to write it up! Have a blessed day!
