Conquered.

I've been told by many people that I am persistent, relentless, and determined. And stubborn, too. It's true, and it's characteristics like that which allow me to accomplish goals like running up this mountain:

I had been training for the last few months, going to Doi Suthep every couple of weeks to run up its steep road. I made it about half way up the last time I trained, which was about 1 month ago. Since then I had been too busy to run at the mountain, but next week starts a whole new schedule and I knew my time was about to become even more limited. So although I wasn't physically ready to run to the top, mentally I was. :) As a result, my persistence, diligence, relentlessness and stubbornness brought me to the top of the Wat Phrathat overlooking Chiang Mai in 1 hour and 34 minutes. Pretty stellar, I think.

Today, I'm sore, and my left hip flexor is yelling at me, but otherwise I feel physically strong, and mentally accomplished. YAY for achieved goals!

ครอบครัว

I have grown up in a culture where families are often taken for granted and, many times, despised. It is only the grace and favor of the Lord that allowed me to grow up in a home where my family cherished each other and sought to bring others into that same love that perhaps they never knew. I'm sure that in many ways the family in Thailand has been skewed as well, but it is something that I have found to be incredibly important to many Thais. Not anyone can be "part of the family" here, and when you are considered such, it is a big deal.

My teammate Kayla and I have recently found ourselves becoming part of a Thai family and it is so exciting. We have been visiting some friends from the local flower market weekly for a little over 3 months now, and the more we visit, the closer we get with them. Granted, they speak only Thai, so our relationship is entirely dependent on our study of their language! In the beginning we could hardly speak at all, but now we hold simple conversations with them for over an hour at a time. And we have SO much fun with them.

For New Year's we were invited over to their intimate family gathering at their home, and were then invited to join them on their family vacation! What?! I'm totally serious.... and so were they. Incredibly, a simple relationship has turned into a family bond. They love us, and we love them. Now they let us help out in their flower shop instead of insisting that we just sit and watch as the guests. Now, they'll leave the shop to us for a few minutes if they have to run a quick errand. Now they treat us like family, and we love it. Now, we have an even greater opportunity to bring the light of Christ into the darkness in this family! The Lord has truly blessed this relationship, as it was never something that we were looking for, but He graciously gave.

=)

Breaking

This is the moment when they all look alike, and your heart starts pounding at the back of every head. That’s him. For a split second you’re sure it must be, but with a turn in your direction you are proved wrong and your pulse momentarily slows. So many warring thoughts run recklessly through your mind. You long for the actual sight of him, yet dread it as well, knowing that with it comes the need for you to deny his love, to kill his hopes. You know very well that this is the thing you hate doing most in the world. You feel like a murderer, awaiting your unaware prey, but you’re killing a part of your own heart too.

You feel sick. So sick. And you can barely breathe, hardly move…….............. there he is.

And afterwards, as he walks away, you sit in the parking lot and cry.

Heart-Language

This past week I had the great privilege of hosting my oldest brother and sister-in-law for 10 wonderful days here in Thailand. We had many adventures together, both large and small, and it was very exciting for me to be their tour guide. Since they knew no Thai whatsoever, I also got to be the translator, which was both fun and nerve-racking at points when I just wasn't sure how to communicate. It is amazing though to see how using the heart-language of a people blesses them. Chiang Mai has a large tourist population, so a lot of local Thais are accustomed to farangs speaking no Thai at all. When I speak to them in Thai, however, something in their countenance immediately changes. They realize that I am not a tourist--and I'm not just any other farang who lives in Thailand but never learns the language. I care enough about them that I will study so I can communicate in the language of their heart.

When my family and I joined with other farangs on some of the more touristy adventures I was the only Thai-speaking farang in the group. I thus became a quick friend to our guides. It is a simple thing, but it is so meaningful. There are a lot of missionaries that have been in Thailand for years and barely speak any Thai... they just haven't given the time and effort to it. I don't mean to judge them at all, but you can't do true ministry without learning the heart language of the people you are ministering to. I still have light years to go in my personal study, but it is encouraging for me to see the smile in the eyes of a Thai person when I converse with them.

That being said..... I better go study!

Sharing

Something happens when you share an experience with someone. What you once loved you learn to love to a new level. Memories are built in a place, laughter shared at a secret spot, long talks had at a favorite coffee shop.... And then, when that person leaves, something leaves with them. Those wonderful places lose some of their luster. They take on a different hue—changing from bright to brighter, but then they fade...

A drive through the city now has a different feel. Your joy for living now has a tinge of sadness on the corner. Flooding your mind are new memories only just created days and moments before... wine on the mountain at sunset, walks through the old city, dinner at the restaurant down the street...over and over again, conquering the mountain early in the morning, and coffee runs with double shots in the afternoon.... Check your review mirror— he's not there following behind you with a silly grin on his face. Listen—a laugh, but it's not hers. The room still smells like the last hug you gave before driving away.

It's time to grieve. The tears come... don't stop them. A part of your heart has flown away and dwells across the ocean. You wait for the day when you can retrieve it in their arms once again.

falling

Have you ever met God on the back of a songtao, late at night, while the wind whips through your hair and the stars harmonize with your voice as it is carried along the highway? Tonight, He was found, and I was mesmerized.

“…She, listening with sparkling eyes to everything He said; and, in finding Him irresistible, becoming so herself.”

falling...

Perhaps the countryside of Thailand had never heard the old hymns before tonight; I introduced them. The trees, the grassy fields, and the wind sang along with me, teaching me to worship with every breath as they do. This is what He created me for—

I could fall in love every night...

Father's Day (Happy Birthday, King!)

Monday marks Father's Day in Thailand. It is a very special day because it is also the birthday of the king of Thailand. In fact, Father's Day is always on the king's birthday (which means that, yes, it changes with the kings!). It is a public holiday, so all of Thailand is preparing for this special day.The current king of Thailand has been reigning since 1946 and is highly revered and beloved by his people. All around the city, stations like the one pictured below have been popping up in honor of the king for his 84th birthday. I have been told that so important is this day that if a Thai son is born on the king's birthday, he is granted free education for the rest of his life! Likewise, if a daughter is born to Thai parents on the queen's birthday (Mother's Day!), she is granted the same. (This last bit of information was word of mouth... I have tried researching it to confirm it and can't find anything--so, don't take my word for it). :)

{I took this picture tonight outside of the local supermarket}

On Father's Day people will show their love and respect for the king by wearing his special color--yellow! The king's day of the week throughout the year is Monday, so people also wear yellow on Mondays. This king ascended the throne at the age of 19 when an untimely death thrust him into power. He has since become the most adored and respected king in Thailand's history, and the longest reigning sovereign in the world. And get this interesting fact: he was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts! :O

Happy 84th, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX!