Christmas in Thailand

I have spent quite a few Christmas holidays in other countries around the world but this year was definitely a unique Christmas. It is hard to get into the Christmas spirit and mindset when the weather is in the 90's every day. I am also living in a Buddhist country so Christmas is not an observed holiday here. Bangkok does decorate for Christmas a lot though for the tourists so I did get to enjoy all of the great decorations!

For Christmas I went on a 3 day trip with 9 other Thai people to Khao Yai. It is a province about 2 hours outside of Bangkok. It was so beautiful and the weather was wonderful! On Christmas day we all piled into the back of a truck and went to Khao Yai National park for the day. It is a huge park that includes 3 provinces. We hiked all day through the mountains and saw some beautiful things including wildlife. It was a day filled with lots of fun, laughter, exercise, and many great memories.

I didn't open any presents, eat any special food, or see any family on Christmas Day but it was still a wonderful day.

Looking forward to 2010 and seeing what the Lord has in store!

Christmas in Thailand

Sripatum Univ. girls (Puy, Ann, Nice, Ham) and me

Christmas Service at Canaan Baptist Church

Everything skit group

Just hanging out before church starts

It is my first Christmas in Thailand and hard to believe that I have been here almost 1 year. Where did the time go?? It is hard to imagine that it is Christmas time because it is about 90 degrees out every day while America is getting hit with snow storms. I love looking at all of the pictures on facebook of snow/sledding/building snowmen/ and just having lots of fun.

We had our Christmas service this past Sunday (20th). It was a fun filled day and there were about 60 or more people.

I'm getting ready to go on a trip with some of my Thai friends from the 24th-26th. We will go to the mountains (about 2 hours outside of Bangkok). It might be a little bit cooler there. I would love to wear a long sleeve shirt just one time. 7 of us are going on the trip (4 students from Sripatum and 2 of my friends and me. I am looking forward to getting out of Bangkok for a few days and to enjoy nature.

I am also trying to pack because when I return I will get ready to move into my new place. Lot's to do this Christmas season. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Will I ever see it again? cultural question

O.k. so here is a question that I ask myself often when I lend out something and would like some feedback from my "American readers". Daily I try to figure out "Thai culture". Overall they are the kindest people I know and they will do anything for you. Here is something interesting though. I have let people borrow clothes for various situations/reasons and I never see them again. Seriously! I finally asked an American who has lived in Thailand for about 22 years if that was normal and she said "yes". She told me when you let someone borrow something think about it as giving it to them and be happy if you see it again. Wow- I was really surprised. If you lend someone money they pay you back immediately but if you give them some clothes you may never see them again.

Don't worry I haven't lost anything too important but it is just funny to me. In American culture it is polite to return it and as soon as possible. Some days I struggle to understand the culture and what is considered polite and not polite. I have learned a lesson though. I won't lend out anything nice :)

Who would have thought I would never see it again???

Life is full of changes (some sad, some happy, some good, and some bad)

Monday night cell group at my house in November. Wednesday night cell group in the summer with the summer team.

My house where lots of minsitry took place. Praise God!

My precious friend Jai and me last month at Canaan.

Jai and me on Valentine's Day at Canaan. One of the first Thai people I met and became friends with here.

Change is just part of life and most of the time I do my best to embrace it and learn from it. I am getting ready to say "good-bye" to a dear Thai friend (Jai) that I met when I first arrived here. She is a very active member at my church here (Canaan Baptist Church). She will be moving to the southern part of Thailand at the beginning of January to start her new job. I have spent a lot of time with Jai since arriving here almost 1 year ago and am amazed at how much her English has improved (my Thai not so much). She has become a very dear friend to me and I can't imagine one week passing by without seeing her. I am excited though to see what God has in store for her in her new home and job.

Speaking of new homes that is another change that will happen soon for me also. It is bittersweet but mainly I am really excited. I will be moving at the beginning of January from my house to a small condo back into the heart of the city (along the sky train line). There are many reasons for this move and I really feel that overall it is going to be a great blessing and change. There is always a little sadness though in leaving a place I have lived for about 7 months. I have a lot of great memories with students coming to this home every week and will always treasure those times.

Those are the 2 biggest changes that I am getting ready to face. I think things change though in my life here weekly and sometimes daily and I just learn to adapt and search for God's purpose in it all.

I am going to include a few pictures that go with change and for some reason they always post before what I write. I can't figure out how to fix that yet (I need my best friend Dana for this problem)

December Winter Wonderland

Christmas in Thailand photos

O.k. so the title is a little deceiving. It is December and it is considered the "cold season" but it is not really a winter wonderland. I think the coldest it has been here is in the 80's and believe it or not it feels a little chilly since I am used to it being in the high 90's almost every day.

The great thing about living in a big city though is that many places have gone all out to decorate for Christmas. They don't even celebrate Christmas here because Thailand is a Buddhist country but they decorate for the tourists because those are the people that shop at the stores. I have seen some of the most amazing Christmas trees and decorations here but with the hot weather it is hard to think about Christmas being near.

Here are some pictures of the great decorations--enjoy :)