Cleaning and Decorating

Today was my day off and I had many things to do. I desperately needed to dust my apartment and sweep and mop the floors. I woke up and did those things first along with washing towels and sheets. Then I decided I really needed to put up all of the things that I have bought in the last month or so on the walls. Remember I live in a one room apartment and it's a very small place. I have to learn how to use my space wisely. Overall, I am pretty proud of myself that I can live in such a small place and keep it fairly organized and clean. I have posted a bunch of pictures below. I'm guessing it won't take you long to figure out that my favorite color is red. I have lived in this place over a year now and at different stages some of the wall decorations have changed. Most of the changes are because things keep falling off of the wall and I can't get them to stay up there. I'm having to improvise and find something different to put up there in it's place. Please let me know what you think. I try to make it look the best I can for the time I'm here and with the budget I have (which isn't much). Enjoy :)

My apartment clean and fully decorated part 1

My newest purchase in Phang Nga. I actually bought it to cover my burnt arms from the sun and when I got home I had an idea that it would look good hanging on the wall behind my bed so here it is. I bought this fan in Chiang Mai to put behind my bed and when I got home it wasn't big enough to go there so I had to find another place for it.

I had these 3 small fans made in Chiang Mai to put on my wall. The writing in Thai says Thailand and the other 2 I just chose elephant designs.

My living room/bed room in my small one room apartment.

Same location but with the curtains open so you can see the balcony.

My apartment clean and fully decorated part 2

Vacation in Phang Nga

Enjoying the water at White Sand Beach Waterfall in Bang Niang

Some of the most beautiful beaches in the world are found in Thailand.

Eating lunch on the beach is always great!

Jai, P'Pom, and me getting ready to go out for Songkran

If you are wondering why we are all wearing flowered shirts it is because that is what Thai people wear for Songkran. A flowered shirt represents Songkran. I was given this shirt by a Thai friend so I needed to wear it and get lots of pictures so she knows I wore it :)

Update on Life

I have not been blogging much for several weeks so this post will just give an update of some of the things happening in my life these days. *I finally went and had a physical at one of the hospitals (after being here for 2 years) and all is well! I don't know why I put it off for so long but am happy that my health is good! *I am still keeping busy at 2 Universities and the BSC *April 13, 14, 15 were days off for Songkran (Thai holiday). My Thai friend (P'Pom) and I went to visit our friend Jai in southern Thailand for the holiday. I have been to that area once before with my parents so this was my second time. I got to see a few more beaches and waterfalls this time around. Just a little summary of the last few weeks.

A New Believer :)

March 27, 2011 Champ becomes a believer. March 26 2011, Pizza Party- Champ and his friends from SPU. Back row Oom, Champ, It Front row Me, Twang, Way, Aeuy

February 5 Brownie Party

December 25 Singing Christmas songs at Owens' house

November 20th- Christian Concert at Central World

Me, Aeuy, Champ, Twang

Anytime a person chooses to become a believer in Jesus Christ my heart is filled with joy. It is an extra special filling of joy when I see a Thai person become a believer. Yesterday I had an extra extra special filling of joy when Champ (freshman at SPU) became a believer. I met Champ back in September 2010. He was a friend of one of the students that I know well (Twang).

Champ was first exposed to the Gospel when he came to a Christian concert that I invited him to at Central World in November. He came with 2 other friends (Twang and Aeuy). I remember Champ telling me during the concert how much he loved the Thai Christian songs and that the songs gave him goosebumps. He told me he was interested in knowing more about God so a few days later I gave him a book that explained more about God.

The 2nd time Champ was exposed to the Gospel was when he came to a Christmas party at my supervisor's house. That night we ate lots of food, sang some Christmas songs, and Tim told the story of Christmas in Thai. I remember Champ telling me again that night that he had goosebumps as he listened to the story and he also got some tears in his eyes. I knew the Holy Spirit was working on Champ.

The 3rd time Champ was exposed to the Gospel was when he came to Canaan (my church) for a Brownie party in February. We mainly played games that night, sang some Christian songs, and fellowshipped together. It was his first time coming to Canaan.

The 4th time was this past Saturday (March 26) when he came to Canaan for the pizza party. We played games, sang Christian songs, and one Thai Christian girl shared her testimony. Champs heart was broken by what he heard and he told me that night that he would come to church the next day because he wanted to know more about God!

Sunday March 27th 2011 Champ showed up at Canaan around 1:00 in time for the Bible study (1:00-2:30). He was in the study with a group of guys. After the study was finished my supervisor Tim (who speaks perfect Thai) shared with Champ the complete plan of Salvation and Champ Prayed!

I am so excited for Champ. I wish so much that I could speak fluent Thai so I could have been the one to Lead him to the Lord but you know it's not about me. i feel so blessed to see fruit of seeds that have been planted since September.

I can't wait to see how God is going to use Champ to reach his friends!!!

Looking for "Abnormal People"

Last week I went to Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand) for our yearly meeting with my missions organization. I was refreshed and challenged in many ways. I was refreshed because I got to sing PRAISE songs in my heart language all week and I got to listen to preaching in my heart language. I also got to fellowship with other M's that share the same heart and vision for the Thai people. It was a week full of blessing after blessing and I felt refreshed.

I was also challenged in many ways. The one that stands out the most is looking for abnormal people. I am sure many things come to your mind when you hear this statement but it really just means I am looking for a Thai person that is not following the normal standards. The normal Thai Buddhist has to hear the Gospel almost 20 or more times to even believe anything it says. The normal Thai person usually studies the Bible for almost 1-2 years before becoming a Christian. This is the normal Thai person but I am looking for the abnormal Thai person. The Thai person who hears the Gospel only 1 or 2 times and believes. They are out there and how do I find them???? I have to share the Gospel with a lot of people every week to find them so I guess I better get busy!

Don't worry. I am still sharing with the normal Thai people who take a long time to hear and accept. I haven't given up on them but I also want to be more prayerfully and diligently looking for those whom the Holy Spirit is working on their heart right now. I think sometimes I miss them because I am only looking for and expecting everyone to be the normal Thai person.

Just 2 weeks ago God gave me an abnormal person. Her name is Belle. She is a student at Sripatum University. She knows Aajaan Lek and I believe Aajaan Lek has shared a little bit of what she knows of the Gospel with her. 2 weeks ago Jill and I were meeting with A. Lek to study the Bible and Belle came with her. Jill and I decided to change the lesson to share with Belle about salvation. Belle listened intently and after we shared everything she said yes she wanted to accept that Gift and ask Jesus into her heart. This is the first time Jill and I had met Belle and shared the Gospel with her and she accepted. There are people out there and in this situation God brought her to us but we also have to be willing to go out and share boldly.

I am refreshed and challenged to continue the work that God sent me here to do!