Summer Mission Team

This group of 7 college students and their fearless leader, Linda are here working with us this summer in Chiang Mai.  They are from Jon and Marisa's church in Arkansas, New Heights Church.  One of the goals of their summer mission in Thailand is to get to experience a wide variety of ministries, and we took on the responsibility of setting up their different outreaches and projects. Before our trip to the USA last month, I had contacted and arranged their schedule, housing, transportation, work assignments, etc. for the summer. They are about half way done now, 3 weeks down and 3 to go.  They've spent some time in a northern village area helping missionaries, and last week they helped at the House of Blessing orphanage.  They are a great group of kids with hearts of compassion for the people they are intersecting with throughout Thailand. This photo was taken after a cook-out at the house of missionary friends of ours.

This coming week is probably their most challenging week.  They are in the south with Mike doing work projects on Koh Chang, living in the Moken village each night. Jon wanted to join the group, so I have stayed behind with Marisa.  We are having a bit of a "Grandma's camp" this week at our home, finding fun and new activities each day to build some memories together. Since they are still noticing the differences in our life here, the excitement level is still pretty high.

For example, passing this elephant on our street is not exactly something that they are  use to in Arkansas. 

A random 'Bounce House' was discovered while we were out doing errands yesterday that provided alot of fun for them and some real red cheeks.

They don't really show up in this photo so much, but their cheeks are red pretty much almost all day long from the heat and we keep reminding them to drink lots of water in Thailand.

We still find water play the best way to stay cool and happy.  I'm so thankful for the Slip'NSlide that I picked up at Wal-mart just before coming back last week.

 

Coming back this time, the heat has been a big adjustment for us.  Mike and I laugh at ourselves, because every year during hot season we say, "I don't remember it ever being this hot".  But this year - we mean it more than ever.  Possibly my age is making me less adaptable. :)  I'm thinking of the group on the islands this week, too and will be praying that God will give them a great week together in the midst of the heat and uncomfortable living conditions. Tomorrow morning they will be doing a special program for the children at church, and then they will begin building on Monday.

How did I ever do it?

We've been back in Thailand for about a week now and my life is quite different causing me to contemplate how  I did it with four little ones here in Thailand.  My last few years of "empty nest" have been days of a quiet house, little commotion, and things pretty much staying where I put them for weeks on end.  The Foltz family of five are staying with us for thier first few weeks here and our home is lively again.

Right now, the walls are echoing again, the clothes lines are full, the screen doors are sliding open and shut all day long and I find myself picking Cheerios off the bottom of my feet again.  Collin was so funny the first day when we arrived.  He ran through our home from room to room.  When I asked him what he was doing he told me that he just wanted to check it all out and he seemed pretty excited with what he was finding.

The heat has been the biggest adjustment for all of us.  We thought by the time that we got back that the rainy season would have started but the rains are late this year and the temperatures are still soaring.  The best way to help Collin, Summer, and Hayley keep cool is lots of water play.  Those plastic tubs in the background of this photo have become favorites. They spend hours in our yard playing in the water in the pool and tubs.  

Their biggest fascination at Papa and Nina's house has definitely been our yellow Labrador, Sam!  They don't have their own  dog and are enjoying him so much.  Collin especially follows him around the yard whenever he's outside and does all kinds of things to "take care of him". They are so fun to watch together.  Papa is trying to show Collin how to teach Sam to stay when he gives him a bone in the photo above. 

 

When we got back from the USA, Sam had developed a fungus on his skin so yesterday the big excitement of the day was taking him to the vet.  The kiddos thought it was the funnest thing to take a dog to a dr. and watch him stand on the scale, get checked, etc.  They were so impressed that he did not cry when they had to take a skin graft and that when he got his shots he did not even whimper. I'm not sure what was more fun... taking Sam to the vet or getting to ride in the back of the truck with Papa! 

We are going to have a very adventuresome summer - I am pretty sure!  Some other things in my schedule (computer time) have been decreased, but it is so worth it to make up for lost time with the grand babies.  More adventures to come in the world of sidewalk chalk, craft time, popsicles, and Samson the dog!

Moo and Pai

What a joy it has been to watch Moo and Pai work together on our Chiang Mai staff team for the past several years, start to really really like each other and then decide to get married.  This weekend we got back from the USA just in time to help celebrate their wedding in Bangkok.

They asked Mike to share some "Words of Encouragement" at the ceremony.  He did a great job! Their note to us was so precious, I've copied it here:

sawasdee ka Judy...
this is moo. i have a question. Could you please ask Mike for me? Becuz this 22 May is my wedding ceremony so i need Mike to be a speaker in my wedding cuz me and Pai we very love you family, the way you live together, love each other, and being such a good model to every couple. We really need Mike to give us the lesson to stay as a family to glorify God and reflect God's love. But we dunt know if you both will come back on my wedding. Plz let me know ASAP.  Hope you have a great time with your lovely family in USA naka.  God bless you.  Moo and Pai "

Moo's dad has been very sick in the hospital with liver problems, but he was able to get out of the hospital just to walk her down the aisle.  It was a very sweet time for her family and she was teary eyed throughout the ceremony whenever she looked at her dad.

Just like most Thai wedding's the flowers were fresh and gorgeous.  I was told they spent $150 on flowers and I counted at least 20 huge arrangements. Now if I could only figure out how to get those beautiful Thai flowers to the USA on Sept. 4.

 Two more staff women made beautiful bridesmaids.

The wedding party

Our TCCC staff  are like one big family and love to celebrate each wedding together.  This is the staff who were able to travel  to the wedding in Bangkok.

The staff from Chiang Mai who drove the 8 hour trip down for the day.

Our staff family was so happy  to see the Foltz family after them being gone for three years.  Muu and Pai were trainees and worked with Jon and Marisa their first year on staff.

Love this Hayley baby girl!  It was the first time for our staff to meet her.

Congratulationtions Moo and Pai! 

Your wedding was beautiful

and we look forward to working together with you

as  newlyweds this year in Chiang Mai.

thirty-three

Happy Anniversary to Mike and I today!  It has been 33 years of marital bliss! God has led us  in an adventuresome  life around the world of following Him.  We agreed that we felt secure enough in each other's love that we did not need to be alone to celebrate, so our day consisted of time with the grandkids in Bangkok.  What a treat to get to be with family today.  Thank you God for Mike and the leader that he is in our marriage and family!

Looking through the eyes of a child

The Foltz-5 and Mike and I arrived in Bangkok last night after some unexpected  circumstances.  Just as the last leg of our flight was leaving Tokyo, the plane was turned around and sent back to our gate.  The pilot came on to  announce that because of the political unrest and curfew, we were not able to fly into Bangkok.  After a bit longer on the plane and some airline phone negotiations, the plane landed in Bangkok but we were not able to travel into the city.  Our national staff who had planned to pick us up - had called ahead and got us reservations at a guesthouse near the airport.  One glitch to this whole scene though is that Jon and Marisa left the USA at the same time as us and arrived in Bangkok  but on a different airline just before the curfew.   Our plan was to meet in the airport and we had no way to let them know of our delay.  God directed them to just wait for us and we met them with big hugs just after we passed through immigration.

It has been so fun to experience Bangkok today through the eyes of our grand kids.  Jon and Marisa have not been back for three years, so after both of them growing up here - they are loving all the sights, smells, sounds, and tastes of being back.  However, the kids have forgotten it enough that it is all new to them.  This is actually Hayley's first time here.  They are certainly noticing alot of differences and coming up with some of the funniest comments. Summer was so concerned about the  "lost dogs" that were roaming the streets last night after midnight- not realizing that the city is saturated with stray dogs.  We laughed at how American they are.

The typical jet lag schedule hit Hayley this morn at 3am and she was wide awake- because to her little body it was 3pm in the USA, so by early morn, we were all out on a walk exploring Bangkok together.  The heat is quite the readjustment for all of us each time we step outside, and three showers throughout the day helped us feel better.

Across from our guesthouse was a temple that we wandered past and the novice monks wanted a picture with Collin.   Summer and Collin both had more questions than I ever would have imagined about Buddhism, monks, idols, and worship. It was  abit challenging to find the words to explain in a way that they could understand and to help them realize that the Thai people simply need someone to tell them about God's love for them because no one has ever told them. I totally love this photo of Collin-- hope you know that no plan was made for the shaved head and orange shirt, it was coincidence.

Collin, Summer, and Hayley are attracting attention everywhere we go.  It is bringing back memories of raising 4 blond-hair, blue-eyed little girls here.  Today I even saw people stop in traffic to wave at Hayley. It is all pretty new to them and they are all doing great with the attention so far.

Tonight and for the next three days (at least)  the curfew continues. The commercial areas that were open today had to close down at 6pm and we had to be off the streets by 8pm.  Collin and Summer got their first tuk-tuk ride home and loved it.

Our hearts are very heavy for our dear Thailand  and the unrest taking place.  We met with our national director and family tonight as they explained the situation from their viewpoint. The newspapers and TV  reveal the violent demonstrations that are so unnecessary. One of our favorite shopping malls was totally burnt to the ground yesterday and the flames still flicker tonight.  We've been through alot of coups and turmoil, but they say this is the worst the country has experienced ever.  The saddest part is that there is no easy solution.  Our prayer is for a peaceful resolution and that God will somehow use this conflict and turmoil to find a calm in people's hearts that can only be found in Jesus.

Could it be an idol?

Believe it or not... our lifestyle of constant travel is not my preferred lifestyle.  Yes, I enjoy some travel and seeing new places and cultures-- and yet I also long for  some routines and stability in my life.  They don't go hand in hand. So yesterday in my Quiet Time alone with God, I was praying for an added dose of flexibility for me... to roll with the punches... and to be content in every type of circumstance. In our busy schedule from the past few weeks, I was missing my extended times with God - but needed to ask for His help in not being a complainer and negative.

God is faithful and reminded me with  Exodus 20: 3. "you shall have no other God's before me." I was challenged to consider if my desire to have a routine and stability  in my life or a home in a certain location was becoming a "God" or "idol" in my life. I do not ever want to put my desires before God's plan for my life. I love the way God deals with each of us so personally.  Roman 14:12- "Each of us will give an account of himself to God." This leads me to contemplate, "what is really most important to me in this life on earth?".

Bethany's Bridal Brunch

It was so fun last Saturday to be a part of Bethany's first bridal shower.  It was a gathering of a variety of family and friends from the Waterloo area that have known Bethany and watched her grow up over the years.

Our dear dear friends Maggie and Reatha were incredible hostesses and chef's.   Instead of a simple brunch dish, they were connoisseur's of a huge spread of savors.  In fact I counted  13 different choices on the serving tables.

It was fun to catch up with some special people that we don't get much time with but always wish to have more time with.

Enjoying all the hugs.

The weather was an absolutely beautiful Iowa spring day and Maggie's garden was the perfect place.

A sweet prayer of blessing for Bethany and her new marriage.

Aunt Judy and Bella playing a "Get to Know Bethany and Michael" game.

Bethany was so excited to start receiving her first gifts for her newlywed home.  The shower  had a bit of a recipe theme and she got so many good favorite recipes from people.  I would love to borrow her book and try out all the yummy looking recipes, too. People's chosen favorites are a pretty good guarantee of success. 

Thank you so much, Maggie and Reatha for being such servants to our family and blessing Bethany so much by making her feel  honored and celebrated.

Bethany and I got quite a bit  more accomplished toward wedding plans for a few days in Waterloo.  The rest will now have to be done via e-mails and Skype phone calls across the ocean until our return to California a few weeks before the wedding.  We are all geting so excited for the big day!

The littlest one

Now honestly... could this little Hayley Ann get any more adorable?

Jon and Marisa will be spending their summer in Chiang Mai  working with Thailand Campus Crusade for Christ.  I remember (oh so well) when we had three preschoolers how  difficult it was to pack up the family for a summer assignment.  I still remember thinking "if someone could just take my kids for one full day or two, so that I could focus on packing, it would be so much easier."  After Jen's graduation, we drove over to Fayetteville for just that reason.  We spent time  with the most adorable three little grand kids that we know,  for two days so that Marisa could get her packing done.

Summer is still our little artist and loves coloring and working at her craft table.

Hayley has started to enjoy TV now and we get a kick out of her intensity as she stares at the TV at such a young age.

She was watching a kids sing-songy  DVD and was even doing the actions and hand motions with them as she watched.

Just a bit later she decided to sit and cuddle with Aunt Bethany while watching some more.

Picking up Aunt Bethany's cell phone, she knew exactly what to do with it... call someone and say "Ah-low".

Collin is real excited about his new backpack full of surprises to open all along the way for that long long trip across the ocean.  

After their weekend in Texas to help with one of their students weddings by both Collin and Summer being in the wedding, we are all off on our return flight to Thailand.  We travel the same day-- but on different airlines.  We will be watching for the Foltz5 out our airplane window as we fly the friendly skies together. In the meantime we are thoroughly enjoying our last two days in Iowa,  a place that is hard to describe right now- but definitely one of the best places of all!  

Graduation Weekend

Jen’s graduation commencement was Sunday afternoon, but our family celebrated being together with her all weekend long. Jon and Marisa drove from their home in Arkansas which is just an hour drive and Bethany was already here from her home in California. We had so much fun together and kept busy all weekend long.

It was our first time to see the little house that Jenny has been renting this year. After four years in college dorms, she has enjoyed living off campus.

Time for Jenny to finally open her long awaited graduation gift transported with us from Thailand.

It has been a tradition for each of the girls to get an English antique hope chest for college graduation from Burma.

Sista’s missing Lori!

We also got to visit Jenny at the Boys and Girls Club where she works.

Jen loves working with children and being a positive influence in their lives, so this has been a great job for her the past few years.

We enjoyed meals with some of Jen’s friends. While waiting for a meal, this group tried out the "Hurricane Booth". Little Hayley was so funny as she could hardly hold her eyes open and made the funniest faces.

We also enjoyed a lunch with Jared and Lauren who have mentored Jen and Ben during their college years. What a blessing it was for them to tell us they had been given enough free tickets for our family to go to "Silver Dollar City" that afternoon.

It was such a fun place to spend the afternoon with all of us together.

The grand-kids especially thought it was a pretty fun place.

Aunt Bethany and Summer sharing Dippin Dots.

Hayley even got to go on some rides.

No trip is complete with the grand-kids to College of the Ozarks without visiting the cow barns and feeding the baby calves. How special to have Uncle Dick and Aunt Joy drive down from Iowa to join us for the celebrations, too.

The CofO grad and her “farmer” dad in the hay mount.

The tractor Museum on campus was another fun stop.

Thanks Jenny for hosting us on such a fun weekend all around
Branson and College of the Ozarks.