September

Look at this face!

Boise Trip September 2011

Here are some more recent shot of lil miss.

We took a week of vacation in Boise this year.  The weather was lovely and the company (My sister ...and baby and my brother Nate) was so much fun.  Izzi really bonded with Carrie and Nate.

Isabelle was being silly, so I joined in.  She makes my heart swell.  Such a funny little girl.

I love this photo of the five of us.  Such a wonderful family I am blessed with.

Sunday in Thailand

My alarm clock here are hundreds of chirping birds in the morning. I love it! They sound so beautiful. After a lazy morning of oatmeal, blogging, reading books in the sunshine, we walked over a couple blocks to a house church that Casey and Amy attend. There were 14 of us and after introductions our leader Greg took that morning to teach us about Thai culture, Buddisim and Spiritism. Greg asked the 4 Thai's that were there to describe how they came to Jesus and what life looked like before and after they accepted Him. One girl said, "I was a lazy Buddist. I didn't want to get up early to go to the temple and I didn't want to go do merit. Coming to Jesus was an easy decision. My mother hates me and sends me horrible messages and told me I'm no longer her daughter, but it was an easy decision." The Buddism/spiritist religion here believes that when you die you do merit and will give your deceased relatives food, money, and happiness in the afterlife. So it's hard for the family of those who choose Christ because they think they will die because who will take care of them when they die? Alot make the initial decision to live for Jesus but end up going back to Buddism. It is crazy to me that we in America can choose Christ without having your family hate you...it's pretty laid back, do whatever makes you feel good. You have the freedom to choose. Yet, those here have their families shun them and Jesus is enough. I felt so convicted. They will give up everything just for that relationship with Him. It was a beautiful morning of their testimonies and good food. After church, we boogied on the mopeds to the new contraversial mall in town. Chiang Rai takes pride takes pride in the fact that it has not been westernized. This mall changes that, with McDonalds, Starbucks, and many other stores. It just opened last week. Getting there was interesting. It was a VERY hot day (not complaining, loved it), but the the traffic was backed up getting into the place. Waiting on the hot pavement next to cars and mopeds....warm :). The place was packed and we were the only foreiners. We lost eachother a couple times, but it was a fun experience. We got our cold american Starbucks and sat outside in the hot humidity and took a few pictures. For dinner we went to P. Ghomes, a Thai friend of Casey and Amy. Casey practices his Thia and P. Ghome practices her Engligh. She also has taught Casey how to cook her food, so now when we eat there he helps her cook. It's cute. Along with dinner we ran next door for dessert. Something called roti, it's a crepe type pancake fried with banana and chocolate. Yum. Nate got some sort of fried donut thing. Pretty good too. We took our dinner and dessert on moped to the university park but soon left after the attack of the bugs. It was too dark, should have came early. After some laughter, poker games and a few other games, we hit the sack. Excited for a full day which includes: a massage, a boat ride up the river, riding elephants, dinner at the dancing shrimp (where Kyle is going to eat a live shrimp...hmmm), and the night market. Can I say fun?! Don't know if I want to come home :)

Traveling to Thailand

After a crazy amount of travel time we finally made it to our destination: Thailand! My favorite part of traveling to tropical destinations is the moment you first step off the plane and you are hit by the warm humidity. Oh I just love it! I makes me so happy and I get so excited. Casey and Amy were upset that the day we arrive is not a very sunny day. In fact it was overcast and I was glad to have my sweatshirt while riding in the back of the truck. But oh, it was so much better than North Idaho! The clouds burned off and it was down right hot and I was even liking the fact that I was getting sweaty. We came back to the Bostock's apartment and got the tour and all four of us took showers which was amazing. We rested a bit and then went to the school and watched Amy and Casey teach their classes for the last time before their spring break. It was so cool to see them teaching and working with the kiddos. And the kids had heard about us and were excited to meet us. Everyone was so nice and kids were darling. Lunch was amazing, I'm excited for every meal! About this time the TIERD set in. The sun was so bright and our eyes were already bloodshot from lack of sleep. My eyes just kept watering and I was feeling dizzy. Amy and Casey kept us busy that first day and wouldn't let us rest too long. We had to stay up till 8:00pm their time, in order to adapt. We went to a street market and walked around and shopped. I was feeling so tired and sick so it was hard to really get into it, I was just trying to survive. We had a great dinner and the dizzyness was killing me! We made it home and laying down was the most glorious thing ever! We woke up the next day and I can't tell you how excited I was just to feel good, awake, alert and have my eyes not hurting. Amy made us a great breakfast with mango's from heaven, eggs, toast, chocolate cake :) We took off a bit later on three mopeds. We filled them up at a gas station, and had to get a few phrases to say to the gas station attended to fill it up. We didn't know where the gas tank was and so he found it for us. All the Thai's were laughing at us. It's not tourist season here anymore so everyone looks at us and likes when we interact with them. I said hello and thankyou to the cashier and she got a huge smile and just lit up. They are so nice! We drove along (me scared to death on a bike with Kyle) to The White Temple. It was so amazing and beautiful and the pictures don't do it justice. They gave us girls white skirts to wear when we entered the temple. You could just stare at one thing forever because of all the crazy detail. After that we ate a snack of fresh pineapple and then took a ride into the stunning countryside to the waterfall. We got to see where the commonfolk live and see the rice pattys and cows tied up alongside the road. We hiked a mile up the humid jungle to the waterfall. I was hot and sweaty and when you got in close proximity to the waterfall it created this windtunnel affect and blasted wet air at you. It was cold! All of us got in the cool water and went behind the waterfall. It was beyond scary for me. Having all that water fall on you to go in. AHHHH! It is the largest waterfall in Northern Thailand. Casey was already behind it so when I went in he had a hand outreached to help me in. That really helped because I was in panic mode. When Kyle went in he quickly flew back out claiming he couldn't breath. But all of us did it and were no longer cold when we came back out. Kyle's flip flop broke once we headed back. So funny! Nate (aka survivor man) found some vines and tied his shoe back together. It worked great and I can't tell you funny it was! Kyle got pictures, I'm so excited for you to see them. :) We drove home through the countryside and it's my favorite to drive and see and explore.

Leaving on a jet plane...soon.

The countdown is about over. We leave Wednesday morning for Thailand. You can keep us in your prayers. I am sick over leaving Isabelle for two weeks. I've been stealing kisses and hugs every chance I get. I've read more books to her then usual, taken her outside to play more then usual, and tickled, and sang songs to her... in hopes that it will make up for the two weeks that I won't be able to. She's excited to go stay with her BFF and the Olivers. I know she'll have fun and be well taken care of, but I can't help but feel a little guilty.

I also am nervous of flying into Tokyo with the nuclear problems in that region. Also, they've had an earthquake and continue to have tremors near the area of Thailand we are headed. God is bigger then all of that and He has made this trip possible. So I will try not stress but enjoy our time with my family (my sisters and brothers).

I've got my backpack ready to go and my kindle full of books to occupy my 24 hours of flight time (urgh). Kyle's got his Ipad loaded with movies and music. So we are set. Can't wait to show pictures when we get back!

Sweetness