happy effers day!

happy happy birthday stephers315!

Today is my bestie and cousin, Stephanie (aka Stephers, Effers, Stephers315), birthday and since I couldn't be there to wish her a happy birthday a blog post is in order.  We have been super close since birth and we have so many sweet memories growing up together.

Dear Stephers, 

hope you have an amazingly, wonderful fun-filled day.  you are about to have a baby in a month....oh my! i can't even begin to tell you how excited i am for you to have a baby girl or how sad i am that i won't get to meet her for a long while.  you are one of the sweetest and most tender-hearted people i know.  thanks for always letting me crash at your house anytime i want.  i know it will always be a party when we get together.  wish i was there on your b-day for some karaoke.  thanks for being such a  great friend. (insert handshake)

love yf&c, 

fer fer

stephers. la la. me.

miss this trio. 

sawatdii ka

Sawatdii Ka!

Don't worry. I'm alive!

Forgive me blog for I have neglected you!

Well its been about 2.5 weeks since I got to Bangkok and I apologize for the lack of updates.  It took about a week or so to get our internet up and running and we have been going non-stop since we arrived!

How am I adjusting?
   Well I didn't suffer too badly from jet lag because we arrived in the evening and got to pick up a regular sleeping schedule after that, but I was pretty exhausted by about 8pm throughout the week.  We were greeted at the airport by our teammate, Lonnie, and some of our new Thai friends from the church.  Then we went to Lonnie and Courtney's house for little welcoming party, which was pretty much a blur and I'm sure I came off like a complete zombie to everyone we met.  So much for first impressions.
   The first week we stayed so busy I barely had time to let my family know I made it.  We spent the week getting our apt. set up, doing some orientation, helping work on our teammates', the Barnes, house which was damaged by the floods last year, hanging out at the church, and going to a church retreat.
   Kristen and I share a little one bedroom apt. with a bathroom and a small deck.  Pics to come. Think more of a dorm room.  No kitchen.  Just beds and desks and dressers.  That aspect has definitely been an adjustment as we eat out for every meal.  However, there are tons of street vendors a little restaurants right by our house and it costs about $1-$2 to eat, which is wonderful!  We live right down the street from Lonnie and his family and across the street from them Walker lives with 3 Thai guys.  So we are all very close to one another which makes it very convenient.
    Honestly these last couple weeks have been me trying to survive and get adjusted and acquainted to my new life.  Its the weirdest feeling to wake up and not know where you live, not know how to speak any language, not have a phone, not have any money, not know how to get anywhere, and not know where or how to get food.  It's weird and extremely humbling.  It has caused me to lose all my independence and become completely dependent on other people for everything.  I'm finding it a little difficult and weird to talk to people back home about my life because everything is so new and I am still processing it all.  But once I figure it out I will try and let you know.
    Last week was a big week because we started language school!  I never thought I would be excited about it but after about 1 day being here I was so ready to start learning. The moment I finished my last final at A&M I can honestly say I never thought I would be going back to school but oh how funny life is.  Everyday from 9am-12pm we go to school downtown. We leave at around 7:30am in order to get there on time because of the ridiculousness of Bangkok traffic.  We either take a taxi or bus to the SkyTrain and then walk to our school.  Lonnie and some of our other friends brought us to school the first day and we kept telling him we felt like he was the father dropping his kids off at school.  Language school has been good and we are learning so many new words.  Its amazing how fast we are learning things.  It has really been a blessing to have so many Thai friends because they are very gracious and patient and help us with our Thai all the time.
    Definitely the best thing about being here is the people.  They are so kind, so gracious, and so servant minded.  I don't know if we would have made it without them.  They are constantly welcoming us in, taking us places we need to go, helping us, translating, and just serving us in any way possible.  It really challenged me to think what it would be like if they came to America and I was sad to admit that I don't think the majority of people would be that nice to them.  How much I am learning from the Thai people already!
    Overall, I'm doing really well and God is teaching me so much already in these past few weeks about myself and about him.  Its just crazy.  Everyday we get up and pray at the church at 6:30am and it has been one of the best things.  I have felt so challenged and encouraged by doing this and it gives me the strength I need to make it through the day.  I'm just excited to see what is to come.
  
Well enough with the words here are some pictures from the last few weeks.  I'm working on a video to post so be on the lookout for that....
  

arriving at the airport. please ignore our looks. we spent 2 days in travel.  mao. me. kristen. pi da. pi tote (pastor of the church). walker.  yay for new friends.

first day of school pic. ahn. kristen. walker. lonnie. me.

listening so intently to lonnie explaining the bus system. ahn. kristen. walker. lonnie. dang (walker's roomie).

made it on the bus. 

on the skytrain. 

oh hey language school. we made it. finally.

here we go....

learning numbers.  starting with the small things.

out to eat with friends. 

more to come....

one day.

1 day until I leave....eeek!

Today was filled with doing all the last minute errands and pleading nicely with the Chick-fil-A guy to have some more sauces.  Let's just pray they don't explode in our suitcases, because that would be a fabulous way to start off our adventures.  I've been feeling really good and excited up until tonight at dinner.  I just started freaking out a little.  I mean my whole life is about to change.  I am going into vast amounts of unknown.  It's crazy and exciting and makes me want to vomit and exciting all at the same time.  

This Brooke Fraser song has been stuck in my head the last couple of days as I feel like it directly pertains to me in this stage of my life.  Its funny how you listen to one song for forever and then one day it finally hits you in a different way.  The words suddenly take on meaning and become real and relevant in your life.  This is exactly how I feel about this song.  I've always loved it but until I was finally at this place in my life the words changed for me and became my prayers.  What an adventure this has already been and how blessed I feel to be on it.  I'm not the same person I was two years ago, even one year ago.  God in his loving grace has changed me, loved me, prepared me, and called me on a new journey.  I can't wait to start it.

"Shadowfeet"

Walking, stumbling on these shadowfeet

towards home, a land that i've never seen

I am changing; less and less asleep

made of different stuff than when i began

And I've sensed it all along

fast approaching is the day

when the world has fallen out from under me

I'll be found in you, still standing

When the sky rolls up and the mountains fall on their knees

when time and space are through

I'll be found in you

There's distraction buzzing in my head

saying in the shadows it's easier to stay

but I've heard rumours of true reality

whispers of a well-lit way

You make all things new

here's to new adventures...

the barnes family comes to visit.

2 days until I leave for Bangkok

Feels a little weird knowing I'll be gone in 2 days.  We're trying to finish up as much stuff as we can in these last few days.  This definitely includes going to Chick-fil-A a couple times and loading up on as much sauce as we can to pack into our suitcases.  It's safe to say I'm pretty maxed out on my 50lbs. of weight.  We've had a good time this week hanging out with our UWM friends and getting prayed for by the office staff.   

Earlier this week the Barnes family, our team leaders, came to visit.  It was so fun finally meeting Heather and the kids.  I have to give a special shout-out to Heather for having endless convos with me about what to bring and not to bring, how to get a visa, which airline to take, etc.  She's the best and it was so good to finally meet her!  They'll be headed back to Bangkok in April and will be so impressed by my fluent Thai speaking (or not).  Speaking of language I start language school March 1st so be sure to start your prayers then.  And pray extra hard please.  

jacob. ronnie. heather. amelia. andrew. kristen. walker. me.



hopefully Thailand is ready for this awesomeness...

the cove.

4 days until I leave for Bangkok!

Last week I spent the week at the Billy Graham Retreat Center in Asheville, NC for a spiritual retreat.  I met up with my teammates, Kristen and Walker, and some of the staff and board members from UWM.  It was such an amazing week hanging out with everyone and getting to spend some time resting before the craziness begins.  The retreat center was beautiful and I spent most of my days sitting in a comfy lounge chair by the fire and hanging out with the Lord.  It was so cozy and beautiful to go out on the deck and see the mountains in the distance.  It even snowed one day!  I loved getting to see it snow as I know I won't be seeing anything like that in a long time. 

I didn't really know what to expect going into the week but was excited to get the chance to slow down and meet with Jesus out of the chaos and confusion of life.  We went through a series of spiritual exercises reminding us of who God is and our chief purpose of being created.  Most of the week was focused on how to really have a relationship with Jesus, which I fear is a topic that is so overlooked in churches.  We spent a lot of our time alone in reflection which I struggled with because of my constant need to be around people.  However, I realized how I was in desperate need of solitude with the Lord and it was so nice to have it forced on me.  It was a much needed time for me to reflect on leaving and get ready for what is to come.  It was also really special to spend quality time with my UWM family and get to know them better.  I am so thankful to be apart of UWM and the family that they are.  I love how intentional UWM is about ensuring their missionaries are spiritually healthy.  This same retreat is being done all over the world with other UWM missionaries.  What a blessing!

The entire week was amazing and I really felt renewed and ready to conquer the next stage of life.  These quotes really hit me hard on the first day and I was constantly reminded of them throughout the week.  I was struck by how true these words were and how sad I was to admit it.  I was reminded over and over again how much God loves and desires a relationship with me.  I am so thankful for this love. 

"....The real issue is why the church is so unaffected by the transforming presence of the living God."

                                                                                                                                     Erwin McManus

"North American Christianity is 3000 miles wide and 1/2 inch deep."

                                                                                               J.I. Packer

a few snapshots of the week:

view from the deck.

yay snow!

breathtaking.

lobby at the retreat center.

my nook for the week.

timeline of billy graham's life. 

an inspiration.

the lovely lisa pointing out our trail route.

the lovely karen who processes all my donations to UWM.  teammate kristen.

some of my favorite ladies.  theresa. kate. lisa 

the girls. 

friday night mountain music.  oh, what an experience.

woody himself.  so presh!

just loved this.

spiritual friendship group.  me. theresa. kristen. 

UWM family.


"my heart is restless, o God, until it rests in thee."
                                                                                     saint augustine

goodbye texas party.

6 days until I leave for Bangkok

I must confess that I've neglected my countdown this week.  It has been a little hectic the last week or so and I haven't had too much down time to blog.  I apologize.  Fortunately this week I have a little relaxation time while I'm here in Charlotte, NC before the craziness begins!  

Last Saturday before I left Texas my parents threw me a little goodbye party - complete with gumbo (a family tradition) and tears.  It was a really sweet time to spend with my family and I felt very loved and blessed by everyone.  The whole time I was packing up all my bags and getting ready to leave it never felt like I was really going.  I think because I was going to be in N. Carolina for a couple weeks it just didn't seem real.  Now it's only a week away and it still doesn't feel real!  I think probably a week or so into being in Bangkok is when it will hit me hard.  I'm already anticipating the emotional rollercoaster I will be feeling. 

Here are some shots from my goodbye party...

me and jake.

my sweet brother decorated my cake for me.  my aunt name is "fer-fer" for those who don't know and now the name has spread to my whole family. 

me with the grandparents.
my stylish grandma decided to match me. 

glenners. me. bethers.  (aka the parents)

the besties/travel buddies. me. uncle lunsford. lala (she's an amazing stylist. check out her fashion blog). 

the fam minus a few.  jake. kalan. me. mom. dad.

texas i will miss you and the bluebonnets, tex-mex, football, crawfish, big cups, and everything else great you have to offer.

(source)

deep in the heart of texas. 

2 & 15

2 days until I leave Texas

15 days until I leave for Bangkok

going to miss: 

Jason's Deli (aka. the deli, j.del, jasons).  if you live in Beaumont the deli is the place to go and you are pretty much guaranteed to see someone you know.  it's close to my heart as beaumont is the birthplace of the deli.  i just love it.  my mom thought it was necessary to have me take pictures of all my favorite places before i depart. 

excited about:
Songkran - the Thai new year and a 3 day water fight throughout the whole country. so pumped. 

(source)

So the packing is still happening and i'm feeling a little overwhelmed about it.  I'm pretty sure tonight I am enlisting the help of my lovely mother.  It doesn't seem real that these are my last few days with my family.  We've been having fun spending time together and playing a lot of Ticket to Ride (super fun game)!  I really don't know how I'm going to say goodbye.  I apologize in advance for anyone hanging out with me in NC for the next 2 weeks because I'll probably be an emotional wreck.