1864

This weekend I went out of town with a few people to a town about four hours north. I knew the town was in the mountains because I looked it up online before we left. Looked like a really pretty, quaint, mountain town.

What I failed to realize is that this town is literally in the mountains and the road to get there is nothing but curve after curve....after curve after curve after curve. I was riding in the back of the van, it was dark, and before long I had that feeling. If you've ever been motion sick/car sick, you know it's the worst feeling in the world.

I threw up twice on the way. Ick.

During the weekend I kept seeing "1864" signs and couldn't figure out what they meant. After seeing items for sale like this car sticker and T-shirt at the evening market, I finally figured it out: 1864 is the number of curves from my city to this city in the north! No wonder I got sick! (but I doubt I'm the only one, judging from the number of items like this for sale)

So the pictures posted here are hard-earned!! We went to a lake, park and beautiful mountain overlook:

My favorite was the sunflower field. The flowers aren't actually sunflowers, but they look like sunflowers. The flowers seemed to go on for miles and miles. The picture on the top right reminds me of the opening scene from "Little House on the Prairie," one of my all-time favorite shows.

And a couple more just because I endured 1,864 curves to get them:

The north has some beautiful scenery, but if I head there again it will be in a plane!

A cultural exchange

Earlier this week I went to the store to exchange curtains. I bought gray curtains to go over the front door in my house, but when I got home decided a different color would look better. I made sure when I bought the curtains that they could be returned. So receipt in hand, back I went.

I realized very quickly that returning items isn't as common as it is back home. The security guard at the store entrance was hesitant to even let me go in the store holding my bag. The young guy working at the customer service counter was even more unsure about what to do with me. He made a few calls, and after awhile let me go pick out different curtains.

The different color cost a few dollars less, which was great. Only thing is, they couldn't just give me the cash. I had to pick out something in the store for that exact amount to make the swap even. Thankfully this country doesn't do sales tax, but still. Finding something for that exact amount wasn't easy.

I came home with these:

Funny thing is, I get home and these curtains aren't the right size! They are too short:

But I decided living with short curtains was easier than going back to that store and exchanging again!

Which is why I now have short curtains and lots and lots of sponges!

Lights & Lanterns

The locals here love to celebrate and enjoy festivals. This week was one of the most anticipated festivals of the year: Loy Krathong.

Every year in November (the actual dates vary because it's based on the full moon and lunar calendar) people from my country and nearby countries celebrate this Buddhist holiday which involves releasing lanterns into the water and the sky.

The water lanterns, called krathongs, are often made from the stalk of a banana tree and then decorated with items such as flowers, candles and incense sticks. People make or buy them, and then, as they place them in the river, pray and ask Buddha for peace and good luck in the next year. Sailing the krathongs into the river is also a way for Buddhists to pray to and seek good favor from the river goddess. Sometimes, to offer sacrifice for sins, people place money on the krathongs.

The krathong made by my
neighbor and her son. 

The lanterns released into the sky are called Khom Loy, or floating lantern (the word "loy" means "to float"). People launch lanterns to wish for good luck, and to take away the sins and back luck of the past year.

On one of the many bridges

Loy Krathong also involves lots of food, fireworks, decorations and parades. In some parts of town it was almost like the "state fair"- just way more crowded and crazy!

My street/neighborhood is basically lantern central! Lots of shops selling lanterns for people to use as decoration at home or at their business.

On our walk to the festival 

Decorated at one of my
favorite coffee shops

Just down the road from my house

Entrance to my street/neighborhood

The festival was fun and the lanterns quite impressive. But please pray for the people here to come to know Truth. This celebration is based around Buddhist tradition and belief. It's another visible reminder that so many people do not know the Living God.

More pics to come on the next post!

Fishing, Rubber & Temples

Earlier this week I returned from a trip out of country. This was actually my second visit to this country since I moved overseas. I enjoyed a great time visiting friends and hearing stories of how He is at work.

Many of the areas I visited are fishing villages. The morning we went to the fish market I tried to stay on the outskirts of the market, breathing in hand sanitizer and hovering near the vegetable section as much as possible (clearly not a seafood fan).

The people I met are also rubber tree farmers. They carefully and tediously cut thin layers into the tree bark and the latex runs down into a collecting cup. The farmers do the work when the temperatures aren't too hot, so either early in the morning or late at night.

But even those who don't fish or farm share one thing in common: they worship spirits and idols. Most everyone in the villages I visited does not know the Living God, and most have never heard.

We ask that they have opportunity to hear, and that they come to know the truth.

The woman in the photo-I saw her on the last trip!

Village just around the corner
from the beach.

Yes, that's fish hanging out to dry.

Balancing a plate full of crabs.

Beautiful beach

Time to drink some coconut juice, straight
from the tree in their yard

Village on the sea

A Taste of Home

In recent weeks I've watched friends back home post photos about their fall festivities: state fairs, carving pumpkins, football games, mountain trips to see the leaves change colors, enjoying the crisp autumn air.

I love my home state in the fall and I miss it! Yet, for the past few days God brought a little bit of home all the way to this side of the world.

Two NC friends came through my city and I got to spend time with them and show them some of the sights. They were also gracious to bring gifts from family and friends, and a few of their own.

Their visit was a sweet reminder of His goodness, His provision, His love and His faithfulness.

Birthday cards from home that came with lots of candy
and other essentials!

Gift card and calendar to enjoy home state
scenic sights year round

A friend gave me this necklace last year as a Christmas present. Wearing it proudly today!

Thanks E.M.!

A Promise

I saw this in the sky leaving work today:

His promises are everlasting!

Journal Notes

Even though I enjoy writing I've never really been good at keeping a journal. Over the years I've tried numerous times and could just never seem to keep it up consistently.

But six months living overseas, and now it seems I'm officially a "journaler" :) I journal almost every day. Not every entry is all that exciting; in fact, most aren't. Still, when learning to live in a new culture, it isn't hard to find something to write about.

I thought I'd go back through my journal these past six months and share just a few Scriptures He has used in my life:

April 30, Colossians 4:2 - "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."

May 11, 2 Timothy 1:7-9 -"...who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began."

May 18, 1 John 5:4 - "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith."

May 27, Colossians 3:2-3 - "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

June 4, Psalm 138:7-9 - "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands."

June 21, Isaiah 26:3 - "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."

July 3, Psalm 143:8 - "Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul."

July 28, Hebrews 6:18-19 - "...we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul..."

August 21, Matthew 10:39 - "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

September 5, Romans 5:3-5 - "We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

Asian journal. I bought this when I first got here, when I didn't know
how to get to the stationary stores. Was hard to find something
other than Hello Kitty :)