OceanicThai

Thai pastors and church-workers came to Nam Chem's community center to start the workshop Kennedy coordinated for this week. Our guest speaker, Dr. Bob, and his wife Noreen, came in yesterday. Our "boss" came in on the same flight, Paul and his lovely wife Ruth. We'll finally get some extended time to talk this week after the workshop and in-between our move. Phanu also came, and he has translated for Dr. Bob's workshops 3 times now in Bangkok. What a blessing to have someone who understands the material so well do the translation. I bought flower arrangements for the workshop (Thai culture) from the flower-shop lady next door. She is buying most of our furniture. It's best that way, after 7 years and 3 moves everything is definitely a little (lot) worse for the wear. I'm not even sure it would make another move intact. It is good to be back here. Despite all the previous complaining we heard from our kids about Thai food, they are thrilled to be ea

Kennedy made us another cappucino after lunch but I am definitely feeling the jet lag...kind of like being half here and half in the twilight zone!

I woke up at 4:30 a.m. due to the time change. (If only I could wake up that time every morning!) I took a bike ride shortly after 6. It is so lush here, all the rain has made all the trees and bushes green and flowering again. It is lovely. We watched the sun rise from our shophouse garage door area & Kennedy brewed us some cappucino. Yum. I think the days of lattes are over, not strong enough, too much milk. The kids have been humming, singing, talking with the neighbors and playing happily. They are glad to be back, and so are we. It is muggy & tropical, this morning is overcast. Our cats are still alive, thanks to Eew, who took care of them while we are gone. Mold has been growing on practically everything, but we expected that. (Except the ceiling, I didn't expect mold on the ceiling!) Our stuff looks dingy, but it is all still here, what a blessing. Whenever we leave there is always the possibility we won't have much to come back to! We are going to take our first

Kennedy was able to finish this portrait of Poppy a few weeks ago. We fly tomorrow night, 22 hours from California to Thailand. Our 8 pieces of luggage and 4 carry-ons look like they exploded, stuff everywhere, in the livingroom. Tonight we will re-pack and weigh each piece. Whatever is left we will put away again to try to stuff in our suitcase next time around. I like to bring as much as possible, because whatever we bring will, sooner or later, end up in the hand of a person that can use it. We are also bringing gifts to friends, that's one of my favorite things to bring back. Eew, my friend, gave me a special necklace when we left, and one for my mother, too. I will bring back gifts to her and her 2 boys. I talked to my best friend today, I'm hoping she will come and see me this coming year. I hope all our friends come sooner or later.