We're Baaaack!

It’s great to be back in good ol Bangkok, but first I have to talk about being home.

We had an incredible, whirlwind trip home. We soaked up every minute with our family, who would hardly let Josiah out of their sight. We also ate everything American we could possibly eat and both gained the pounds to prove it. My personal favorites were: Chick-fil-a, Panera, Bluecoast, and Cheddars – not to mention the awesome home-cooked meals my mom made. And oh the sweet tea!!! I think I cried most over leaving that behind. We were able to see tons of our friends and extended family, but there were also so many people we really wanted to see but just didn’t get the chance.

Josiah got to spend quality time with his betrothed. 

We also got to do some cool things together like go to the Discovery Science Center, The Pumpkin Patch and story time with Mrs. Pat from B&N (love that woman). Josiah also loved playing in my parent’s back yard. The weather was perfect.

                                                                                       I love my dad in the car behind us!

 We got to go to the awesome One Less benefit dinner in downtown Nashville. This was an event to stop sex trafficking and help families adopt orphans from all over the world. We got to hear a survivor's testimony, and we got to hear from a police officer who has spent ten years fighting sex trafficking in Nashville. It was a beautiful evening that raised a lot of money and awareness for these needs.

Later in our stay, David got the chance to officiate Matt and Alli Ford’s wedding. They are a great couple who love the Lord, and the ceremony was all about the Lord.

Natalie and Jonathan’s wedding was also amazing. It was a joy to get to do some of the last minute details with my sister. She was a stunning bride!!  We had great sister time and I’m so thankful our friendship stays strong no matter how far apart we are. Jonny is pretty great too.

To confirm a rumor: Yes, I did accidentally feed my son a peanut butter cookie.... Shaped like a giant peanut.... At Natalie’s wedding reception. 

I wasn’t paying attention and shoved that poisonous cookie straight into his mouth. Thankfully one of Natalie’s bridesmaids, Heather, is a pediatrician (how awesome is that). She carefully monitored J, and he was fine. No epipen needed. No ER visit needed. God protected me! So if you ever feel like you’re a bad mom, just think of this and you will feel better about yourself.

It was also great to spend a few Sundays at Lifepoint Smyrna campus. The worship and the messages were great. Josiah did NOT take to the nursery, however (shocker). He screamed the whole time and Grammy “sacrificed” and kept him the others Sundays.

Back in BKK :)

We survived the 24-hour trip back to our BKK home. Josiah didn’t sleep well, but that turned out to be a blessing because he has slept GREAT since we’ve been home. He starting sleeping through the night our first night home which never happens (This was our 5^th time to make this flight). Sadly, I ended up getting sick AGAIN. This time with the all-powerful, ground-shaking cough I am so infamous for. If you have ever been around me or lived with me, or lived in any surrounding apartment units, you know this cough is terrible. This time, though, it was probably the worst one I've ever had. Being sick makes the whole adjusting-back-to-a-new-country process even harder. I was homesick and just plain sick. I already missed my mom all the time, but I missed her even more since I was sick. Thankfully I am doing much better! I will write another blog on my experience in the local Thai hospital, but it was awesome.

We are so thankful to be back with our Thai family and our team here. Our little apartment feels so much like home. Josiah is so happy with his room. We did stuff our suitcases full of American items we probably don’t need, but it makes the transition easier when you have 10 cans of shaving cream, 2 bags of kit kats, and some new Target shoes, right?

Since being back, David has preached and I kept the nursery. Josiah and Tobin were so happy to see each other. We had a birthday party for Brandon at a local park. It was a great time to reunite with our Thai friends. We got to vote at the US Embassy – such a cool experience.

I’m also gearing up to teach my second English class. I’m still a little nervous so prayers appreciated. I want boldness to share the gospel as I teach. Today's lesson especially lends itself to this. 

Also please pray for the Thai people to come to know Christ. Please pray for me as I long to connect to people but also have the job of caring for my son, who is super clingy to his mama (I love this bond, don't get me wrong!). Pray for David as he leads and preaches every week. We know what the Lord has started, he will continue to complete in us. We are totally dependent on him!

Jungle exhibit at one of our favorite malls. 

Right after a haircut... J screamed the whole time and ALL three of us had hair everywhere. THey had to take off his shirt and cover him with baby powder because he refused to wear the cape. Next time, Daddy is shaving that curly animal on his head. 

This earns Josiah an immediate time-out, which he knows. haha It's still really funny and David had to grab this pic before sending that bottom straight to time-out.

Thank you friends. Your love and support means more than you know.