The Men's retreat is over and the closing sharing time yesterday was pretty amazing- (so I heard, anyway)! Dave and Beth came over last night with their daughter Kathryn (working in Laos) for dinner and we had a nice evening together. They are off to the mountains for a well-deserved time of retreat this weekend. I woke up this morning with not too much on my agenda for the weekend. Oh, how I love these morning quiet times alone in my home to read and reflect. I'm trying to figure out how to get more of those and can't find much time in my schedule during the next month. A wedding today, just 4 days left with Lori here, and then 4 days of meetings in Bangkok, a 7 day trip to the south to work on Chang Island, 3 days of visitors in town, and then a bit of a break by the end of the month.
I've been thinking about what it might mean to start slowing down a bit at my age, and as much as I long for that-- I'm just not sure how it can be. It seems the life style that God continually orchestrates into our lives is one that is full of activities. I honestly do like the variety and diversity of what we do and yet I'm trying to figure out how that can be combined with the stability, routine, and predictability that I long for. They are definitely oxymoron's. I keep telling myself that our life style is a choice, but I'm not even sure about that. One thing I do know is that I only want to be where God wants me to be, doing what He wants me to do each day of my life and there is such true fulfillment in the midst of anything I'm doing when I know that is true.
I recently read in a book; "Friendship is most maintained and kept up by visits, and these, the more free and less occasioned by urgent business...." This quote by John Owen made me think not of my friendships with family and friends- but with God. The more I visit with him (not just about my list of needs) the more intimate we are- which is the lifelong desire of my heart. I hope you all get some quiet time of reflection this weekend, too.
Tomorrow would have been Dad's birthday-- our first year without him. I'm still missing both him and mom a lot and continue to thank God for the Godly parents they were and the incredible legacy that they left for me.
Yesterday, we had the privilege of being part of another one of our staff weddings. What a joy it is for us to see our students decide to come on full time staff to work with us and then while serving God full time watch them fall in love with each other. Waz and Cha have both been on staff with Thailand Campus Crusade for 5 years and have worked together here in the northern region. They are now working together at Chiang Mai University. 
One of the best parts about Thai weddings is the amount of flowers they are able to use for decorations, because they are so affordable here. The church was full of flowers and smelled so good as soon as we walked in the door. We arrived a bit early and the final touches were just being finished here.
Sweet flower girls.
I love this look on Cha's face as he sees Waz coming down the aisle.
The Christians in Thailand have learned to do their wedding traditions a lot like ones in the western world, and yet some aspects of it are very Thai. Nok, our TCCC national director is the Reverend marrying them.
This is one part of the ceremony that is very Thai and I appreciate it so much. The bride and groom kneel in front of their parents to thank them and the parents in return give them their blessing.
Mike was asked to pray a blessing on the new couple. I was so proud of him, as some of our Thai friends told me that his Thai language ability is remarkable.
Beautiful fresh flowers everywhere.
Another Thai tradition is that as soon as the ceremony is over, all the guests come up in groups to have their photo taken with the bride and groom. This is all of our TCCC staff that were at the wedding.
We are so happy for you Cha and Waz-- you are a beautiful couple that reflect the love of God in your lives.
The reception afterwards was around the newly renovated pool at our center. It was beautiful. Lori is getting a bit sad about telling some of our TCCC staff good-bye in a few days , so had this group of girls over last night to watch a movie together at our home. 
Dave English, a staff member of Campus Crusade in the USA has been the speaker. He has a ministry of speaking and addresses topics unique to the lives of men and their ministry. During this time all 50 of the men on staff with TCCC came to Chiang Mai and have been involved in the meetings and discussions. 
His wife, Beth, came with him and today we brought together the staff women just from here in Chiang Mai to hear from her. It was an encouraging time for us all to be together. Mike and I first met Dave and Beth when they came to Bangkok and worked with us on a US summer project in 1990. That summer we both had four small children and it was a crazy summer. We've enjoyed any chance to see them again during these past 20 years. They are both very gifted in being encouragers and the kind of people that leave you invigorated.
We had been wanting to visit the Night Safari in Chiang Mai , and thought it would be a fun activity to do with these girls. They loved our outing (tiow) together. 
They also love having their picture taken over and over again and would readily pose for me. 
The reptiles were pretty cool, too.
Lori really enjoyed her time with the girls and told me at the end of the day that she thought it'd be fun to be a foster parent some day.
The evening ended with a really cool light and water show in synchronization with music. When we took the girls home, we told them that we'd be calling them soon to make arrangements to take them to visit their mom in prison. It should be fun to see their first impressions of the long awaited pizza, too. 
With it being cool season, we've really been enjoying this time of year. It has actually felt very comfortable to eat outside this month, so we've been enjoying lots of Thai food in outdoor settings. All of the girls love Thai food and really miss it while in the USA- so they have wanted to eat as much as possible while here. I love the way that going out to eat Thai food is actually cheaper than cooking here in our home. As much as we've been on the go, it makes meal time easy to eat on the street or wherever and I don't have to feel bad about it. This was on top of a hotel overlooking the city at sunset and the view was so much to take in.
We all enjoyed the shish-ka-bobs kept warm right at our table.
Michael and Jenny are ordering dinner at a street vendor very near our home here. The girls all enjoyed practicing their Thai language again and loved it whenever the Thai's would comment that they spoke good Thai, (in comparison to the tourists that come.) 
Airport good-byes!
Michael's last day was a highlight for him when they rented little motorbikes to ride out of the city into the mountains abit and see some village life. 
Mike and I have quite abit to do in getting caught up on life again now that the girls have left and have several projects coming up in the next few weeks. We have enough memories of great family fun times and conversations to carry us through until we meet again. We are so thankful for this very special holiday time that we got to be together in Thailand this year. 
They requested me to make their favorite Chicken Curry and it was followed up with pink birthday cupcakes.
Uncle Paul and Aunt Judi had just flown back in to Chiang Mai yesterday so they were able to join us for the birthday meal and meet Michael.
Boonjome and Lamai let us go with them to their favorite fishin' hole yesterday. We had a great time together at the 'ole fishin' pond. 
Michael was especially excited to try out the sport of pulling in the big ones.
I like this little future father/son-in-law bonding goin' on here!
I wasn't too much of a fisher woman yesterday but always love taking pictures. The pond was lined with coconut trees- which I couldn't resist capturing. No fishies were brought home last night for dinner- but lots of laughs and photos. 