^9-13 But in the end, does it really make a difference what anyone does? I’ve had a good look at what God has given us to do—busywork, mostly. True, God made everything beautiful in itself and in its time—but he’s left us in the dark, so we can never know what God is up to, whether he’s coming or going. I’ve decided that there’s nothing better to do than go ahead and have a good time and get the most we can out of life. That’s it—eat, drink, and make the most of your job. It’s God’s gift. ¹⁴ I’ve also concluded that whatever God does, that’s the way it’s going to be, always. No addition, no subtraction. God’s done it and that’s it. That’s so we’ll quit asking questions and simply worship in holy fear. ¹⁵ Whatever was, is. Whatever will be, is. That’s how it always is with God. -Ecclesiastes 3:9-15  [The Message]

So…This past week has been so incredibly busy, yet I’ve had a lot of time to think. Too much time, really, so inevitably a slight case of the homesick blues creeped up on me around the 4th of July. That sucked, and seeing all the fun everyone was having via Facebook and Twitter was torturous. Note to self: next holiday, turn my computer off.

But, I feel that it’s only necessary to give you an update on life, so I have several stories for you. (Any of you who really know me, know that I always have a story…always.)

Story #1: Divine Appointments >>> So, after I work out at California Wow at Silom, I often hit up the Subway across the street (healthy points for me!) and then ruin that with a nice cup of apple tea at CoffeeWorld. I mean, I have to buy something if I’m going to bum their free Internet and take up a seat for hours on end. So anyway, I left the coffee shop and decided to walk home. (It’s only about a mile from my apartment on Soi 11.) As I was walking home, I passed by a homeless woman with her son laying across her lap right outside of a telephone booth. I automatically dropped a 20 baht bill in her cup (about $0.60) and kept walking. As I got about 50 yards down the street, I felt something pull me back. You know when you just get that feeling and have no doubt that it’s the Holy Spirit telling you to do something…yeah well I felt that. There was no denying it. So, I stopped, pulled out a 100 baht bill ($3..wow), turned around, and walked back to where the lady and her son were sitting. I knelt down and put the 100 baht in her hands and said, “Can I pray for you please?” I don’t know how, but she understood and said, “Yes! Yes!” while nodding her head. So, I held her hands and prayed for her right there on the side of the street, and I prayed over her son too. It was by far the most amazing experience I’ve had in Thailand thus far! I have no idea if that woman knew English or if I was somehow speaking Thai because there was nobody around to hear us talking…but I have no doubt that God was in that and the Holy Spirit allowed it to happen. Maybe that was an answer to my prayer that I keep praying so adamantly about wanting to “speak in tongues” like busting out in Thai and not knowing it. Who knows. Whatever…praise God for that experience. I’m pretty sure I was blessed more than that lady and her son were! I felt like I could conquer the world as I walked the rest of the way home singing…loudly…not caring who heard me. Haha. Good times.

Story #2: Racist Thai guy…my dude! >>> I got on a songtow the other day and it was raining. Oh yes, rainy season is upon us folks…I’m counting the days until I get a parasite from the street floods. So anyway, a sweet Thai guy gave up his seat on the songtow for me, so I automatically said, “Kap koon kaa” (thank you) and sat down. There was and old Thai man sitting there and he turned to me and said in English, “Hey! Your Thai’s pretty good!” My response: “Um…your English is pretty good!” Here’s the rest of the conversation:

• Old Thai guy: “So where are you from?”
• Me: “America.”
• Old Thai guy: “Really? Which state?”
• Me: “Tennessee.”
• Old Thai guy: “Oh, that’s close to where I lived…in Maryland.”
• Me: “I visited there once when I went to Washington D.C.”
• Old Thai guy: “Oh, did you go see the black house?”
• Me: (Thinking…::lightbulb:: OMG this guy is making fun of Obama! This is amazing!) Haha…yeah. It was the white house back then.
• Old Thai guy: “Haha…yeah. When Obama got elected in 2008, I retired and came back to Bangkok. I hate him.”

And he proceeded to make fun of Obama and we talked about jobs, money, and reasons we love Bangkok. It was for sure my favorite songtow ride home, and it made my unhappy rainy day a little bit better. :)

Story #3: Longest Skype conversation ever. >>> Ok so this really isn’t even a story…but it’s just a test to see if Eric is reading my blog again. Like I mentioned in a previous post, he probably quit reading weeks ago…and of course when I asked him if he saw where I quoted him, he had no idea. Haha. Of course. But I’ll give it to him…the boy has some good quotes, and he actually has read some of my blogs so I can’t give him too hard of a time about it. So, Story #3 consists of 2 things: 1.) My students have so graciously nicknamed him “Eric the Red” for some reason. I think it’s hilarious, and also equally as funny that “ginger” in Thai is “king.” Haha…great for the ego I’m sure. And 2.) It’s just another quote from the most humble boy I know…

“I should have a lot of quotes because everything I say either genius or funny.”     -Eric Thomas

Ministory #4: Joey had a 4th of July BBQ on the roof of his apartment. It was a lot of fun, but I still missed home…and fireworks…and camping…and sparklers. We ate hamburgers and hula hooped, though, so I mean…that’ll do. I also made Oreo balls and they were unreal. I swear I’m gonna come home in a year and be the best housewife cooker/baker you’ve ever seen!

Ministory #5: I went with Alyse to see Eclipse…twice. It was amazing (of course), and though I’m a faithful Team Edward girl…Jacob looked DANG good and I drooled just a little bit. Ok enough about that.

Ministory #6: I moved to TIT Tower!!!! Oh yes, that is the name of my apartment building. Classy, I know. But for real…a lot of farangs say TIT meaning, “This is Thailand” when ridiculous things happen. But it’s still insanely funny. I upgraded to a 14th floor room with an amazing view of the city, a real bathtub, a bigger bed with a super-comfy mattress, a huge mirror, a pool, room service, and free high-speed internet! The only downside is that it’s farther away from BCC and the BTS so I’ll be spending a little more money on transportation (i.e. motorbikes). So yeah, I’m stoked about the move. It was the best decision I’ve made this week for sure!

Ministory #7: BodyJAM is my JAM! I’m workin’ out and feelin’ good! AND I’m learning to do a little hip-hop, salsa, and popping while I’m at it. I’m trying to lose a few kilos before the beach in 3 weeks. Haha…yeah right with those Cheez-its! OH!..that brings me to my last story…

Ministory #8: Shout out to my Madre who packed me the most amazing 45lb. bag of goodies and sent it over via a friend! I had 4 family-size boxes of Cheez-its! (She knows the way to my heart.), cereal, books, clothes, and cards from my precious Chloe and Kellie. :) Thanks Madre!

So, back to the Scripture that I started this post out with. I have no idea what God’s up to, but I know He’s up to something. I can feel Him moving…literally. I can tell He’s working in my life and in the lives of those around me, both in Bangkok and back home. There’s a reason I’m here, and not there. There’s a reason for everything…and it drives me crazy that I can only see part of God’s big picture. It feels like he keeps me in the dark most of the time. I would love to know how things will turn out in the end…I would love to know the ending to my story, my movie. But that’s utterly impossible. Maybe it’s better this way. Maybe we’re not supposed to understand it all…though clarity would be nice every now and then. It’s all meaningless, so says Solomon. So here’s to living life, enjoying life, and appreciating the mystery of life. Who knows what can happen in the future, but bring it on…

I’m out. //Cwalk.