Traveling to Thailand

 It is surprising to me to see that it has been more than a month since I wrote.  So many things have happened in my life since the last posting and I want to share some of them.

As you know Bryan and I went on R&R on May 5th.  He dropped me in Thailand and he went on for work to Indonesia.  Both of us thoroughly enjoyed the return to Asia where we had spent the majority of our adult lives.  Bryan was able to come to Thailand for R&R but it was complicated with getting medical care for health issues that were discovered while there.  I must say that I thank God for His timing in my life.

I believe I have mentioned that we lived in Thailand for 13 years during the 90's and left in 2004.  While we were there we developed relationships with several doctors that are world class.  Therefore, when I needed to see a doctor, I went to see the doctor that already knew me and I knew how competent, conservative and careful he is.  I do believe that had I not been in Thailand when this health problem manifested itself, it would have been much more difficult.  Now, please understand that had I been here in Soyo, the company would have flown me to Johannesburg where there is excellent health care but I would not have known any of the medical people personally.  So that is why I say, I thank God for the timing of this.....and lets face it, being in Thailand is so easy, so many things available to make your life pleasant.....friends, food, shopping, knowing the language and culture......I must say that when it was time to leave, I was surprised that I actually was ready and looking forward to coming home to Soyo.

Karen, Michelle and David Fitz with World Vision opened their home to me while Bryan was gone.  Karen and I took a trip to Chiang Mai to visit other friends, Paul and Judy Utley  with Campus Crusade for Christ.  And we had a few moments with Pete and Mary Queesenberry as they flew through Bangkok from Nepal.  What a delight to get together with these long time friends and refresh and renew relationship.  Another pleasure was to reconnect with the quilting ladies whom I had known for so many years.  Most of the present ladies attending the group are new to me but there were several from the past days and it was great to see what they are doing now and how they continue to provide quilts for babies in care homes.  Also, to got to meet several times with our dear friend, Nu, whom we had known for 16 years.


The food... well, most everyone enjoys eating fabulous Thai dishes wherever they live.  Just the aromas while walking down the streets was wonderful and I must say that after the difficulty of having variety here in Soyo, I savored each and every fruit and veggie I tasted...and to add to the delight, it was mango and sticky rice season.


What is there to say about shopping?  Going to the malls, Chatucak (the weekend market), the grocery stores.....I was almost overwhelmed at the variety available and the low cost.  It is amazing how quickly you forget when you are in a place that is so expensive and so limited.  We came with 2 suitcases and left with 5.....with dishes, quilts, spices, food, gifts, veggie seeds and Nu brought me a variety of orchids to grow in Soyo.

So what did I learn in my time in Thailand?  So many things.  First, that God is watching over me and my comings and goings.  What a sense of peace this brings to me.  Second, I must change my lifestyle to remain able to do the things that are in front of me....with care in eating, exercising, studying, and even at my age, growing into a more disciplined person.  Also, that the joys of life are made even more delightful when you have some hardship too.  And finally that I really do like living here in Soyo because with all that was available in Thailand, I was ready to come home and begin living here again.  That was wonderful....to learn that I am content here.

Ms Kitty?  Well, while we were gone we had one of the office staff, Marissa, come and stay with her.  The cat that we left was a bit standoffish and the one we came home to is more happy to have us here and much more friendly.  She is still not potty trained.....but there is always tomorrow.....I'm not giving up on that.