One Delightful Year

Today marks one year since our precious Calla Olivia entered the world in our own Thailand home. She is my special gift from God. My only son was also my only child with whom I got to stay at home. I longed for a final little girl to share the same experience. Despite having three older daughter, I had never had the opportunity to name one after a flower. My tenacious, curious, curly-haired Calla Lily is definitely my daughter!

After four children, it could be difficult to imagine it would be possible to have another child with such a distinct personality. Yet again, Calla is unlike any of her siblings. She delights in being surrounded by her family. For awhile, she can be friendly with church members and Kids' Club attendee, but then she is ready to recharge with those who love her best. We used to think she was a "homebody," because she would be so excited to come home after being downstairs for Kids' Club or away at church. But then, she had just as much fun when it was just our family in a cabin at a national park. She is really a "family-girl."

With the possibly exception of Eris, Calla is our most persistent. She has pushed and squeezed herself past the baby gate into the kitchen when I was cooking. She has also used her little finger to patiently unscrew a small screw from a kitchen shelf. If she wants something, she will find a way to get it or scream to let the world know of her frustration; but she will not give up until distracted by being scooped up and taken away.

Our little Calla is also very observant. She learned to crawl, then walk, by watching a little boy at church. She noted that a child her age was accomplishing something she did not yet know how to do, so she figured out how to do it. Not long after her friend Luke learned to walk, Calla and I were unable to go to church for a series of Sundays. Calla used those weeks to perfect the technique she had observed in Luke. Our first Sunday back, she proudly walked right up to Luke and began to play with him. I frequently find her attempting to do something she has seen one of her siblings or parents doing. She knows she can learn much from carefully watching.

As always with a little one, Calla has occupied much of my time. But I have tried to cherish the snuggles nursing on the couch, the little hands clinging to my skirt, sharing my pillow in the night. I've not taken any moment with her for granted, and I've even managed to document a few of her "firsts" in a journal. This year had been one delightful blessing with my miracle number five!

A Visit to the Royal Crematorium

A week ago, after our trip to the U.S. embassy, we adventured off to Sanam Luang to view the Royal Crematorium of the late King Rama IX. Sanam Luang is a large oval field near the Grand Palace, specifically set aside for building a crematorium when necessary. At other times, it also serves as a parade grounds for royal birthdays and such celebrations. Its primary purpose only becomes necessary rarely.

A Thai Royal Crematorium is a lavish structure built for the funeral pyre of a king. The sandalwood for the building comes from a special forest which can only be harvested for this reason. The building is designed to replicate Mount Sumeru - the center of the universe according to Buddhist tradition. The structures are temporary; thus a new one is built for each king. The current crematorium is scheduled to be dismantled and make a tour around the country. Its final resting place is to be determined.

We had looked online to find a bit of information to help us navigate the wheres and hows of visiting the crematorium. However, nothing in Thailand is set, so we knew we would have to be flexible. Parking around Sanam Luang is terrible during the best of times. With thousands of people estimated to visit the crematorium each day and roads around it closed, parking would be a nightmare. We read about free buses from various parts of the city. We decided to leave the truck at a park near the embassy with free, unlimited time parking; take the subway to the train station; then take a free bus from there.

The first part of the journey was straight forward. Once at the Hua Lamphong Train Station, it took some asking around before we found the right spot to catch the bus. The bus did have a special sign over its usual number designating it as "Hualamphong-Sanam Luang." We had to wait a bit in the sweltering bus before it started and we could get a bit of breeze from the movement. The ride to the right part of town did not take too long, and we were soon hopping off ready for the next step.

We found ourselves in a crush of people, following a Chinese tour group. It was only about a five minute walk to the entrance of a large fenced area encompassing Sanam Luang and the roads around it. We were about to walk across the entrance bridge, when we were summarily and bit rudely shooed away. "Thai only! Foreigners that way!" We began to walk and walk and walk. The sun beat on us. I carried Calla and held Simeon's hand coaxing him to keep walking. Calla was getting heavy; I was hot and thirsty; my sandals were giving me blisters.

After walking about a kilometer, we came to the foreigners' entrance; the same place where one could enter to visit the Grand Palace. We got in line to display our passports and step through the metal detectors. At first, the guards wanted each person to hold his or her own passport up for the camera as they walked through. Calla was asleep in the baby carrier, but I attempted to display her passport as well as mine as I walked through. Hollis came next, then Simeon. After that, they gave up and let everyone else just walk through.

Now we had to walk the kilometer back to where place where Thai could enter; directly across from there was the entrance to Sanam Luang. If we were Thai, we would have been at Sanam Luang in about five minutes, instead we walked for an hour to get to the same place. When we arrived at the entrance, a lady first asked us why we were there. I guess she wanted to make sure we knew we were going to see the Royal Crematorium and weren't just there to wander around Sanam Luang. As if we would have made all that effort if we didn't know what we were planning to see. She then told us we might have to wait for an hour, and it might be too long. Philip said, "We've already been walking for an hour, what's another hour."

Once inside, we were welcomed with cold bottles of water, bags of little oranges, and banana muffins. We were each given a pink tag designating our group. We filed into plastic chairs under a white canopy and settled in to wait. We had scarcely finished our snacks, and our slowest eater Hollis was still eating, when our group rose and was ushered toward the Royal Crematorium. I was happy not to wait an hour but at this point a bit longer rest would not have been unwelcome.

The day before, I had showed the children the different parts of the crematorium, and we had read about the building and its uses as preparation for our field trip. They were excited to recognize a miniature rice field and patch of vetiver grass, as well as a small reservoir, in honor of King Rama IX's  in honor projects in those areas. Next we passed the building where the royal family wait prior to lighting the funeral pyre.We walked through a display of photos and drawings of past crematoriums. Finally, we were right at the current Royal Crematorium itself.

At 50 meters tall, with six pavilions surrounding the Principal Pavilion, towers grandly over Sanam Luang. The majority glitters with gold leaf with deep red stairs on all four sides. At the base, exquisite statues decorate the edges of a misting pond. Each of the four sides is dedicated to a different "auspicious" creature. The first side we see is the Elephant side. It is especially interesting to observe the elephants with fins and fish tails lounging in the water. Each elephant is brightly painted in fantastical colors.

We walk to the left to the Singha side. A singha is a mythical creature, a bit like a lion and a bit like a dragon. Some of the singha appeared to be dancing; others fighting. We continued to the third side, dedicated to oxen. Some of the oxen had fish tails and others had wings. The fourth side was for horses, including a few winged horses. Each statue was beautiful and carefully detailed. We enjoyed looking at each. As we looked, Simeon stated multiple times that he "really wished we could climb the stairs. Don't you wish we could climb the stairs?" We were thankful that he restrained himself and did not attempt to climb them.

After we had seen our fill, we walked to the exit. A lady there began talking to us, counting our children, and so forth. In a moment, we became a side tourist attraction with people lining up to get their picture taken with us. The lady-guard shouted out to all exiting, "Here are some farang (white people) who live in Thailand. They have one boy and four girls...." It took us awhile to politely extricate ourselves. Simeon was hamming it up smiling and saying "cheese!" to everyone and Calla was practicing her new skill of blowing kisses.

Finally, we made to the exit point. Last chance for bathrooms, so we all went. By the time, we got out, Philip and Calla had attracted another crowd. Another round of photos. This time Simeon was grumpy, so he hid behind me. We made it across the bridge and back into the crush of people. It didn't take long before we were able to hop on the right bus back to the train station.

Forty-five minutes later, the bus had basically made it around the block. The traffic was so bad we were literally going nowhere. Calla was tired, hot, and fussy. She couldn't get down and walk around; she couldn't get comfortable on my lap or Philip's. Simeon managed to fall asleep. A homeless lady intently watch Eris journal in her little diary. Hollis and Meriel played a game of their own devising. Finally, we made it through the seven-way intersection which was the bottleneck. It felt like we were able to speed the rest of the way to the train station.

A long day away from home, hot and sweaty and exhausted. We treated ourselves to picking up pizza on the the way home. That night, we were all in bed early. We were glad that we went; it was perhaps a once (or maybe twice) in a lifetime opportunity to visit a Royal Crematorium. We had experienced a bit of Thai culture and appreciated the beauty and artistry of the structure. I will long remember the experience, and I think the older children will as well.

(We forgot the camera at home, but we did get some not so good photos on Philip's phone. I will try to figure out how to get them on the computer to add sometime.)

I've Never Been

I long for Ireland. It may seem strange that I would have such a strong desire for a place I've never been. For nearly as long as I can remember, Ireland has captivated me: the songs, the dances, the stories. I delight in green; I am fond of rain; I am enchanted by wild seascapes. And I believe in fairies. I can't entirely explain it, but to Ireland I yearn to go.

This week, we have been studying the Irish Potato Famine. In preparation for this, a couple weeks ago, I pre-read Maggie's Door by Patricia Reilly Giff for Eris. When ever I read about Ireland and the Irish, my fascination revives and intensifies. Reading the story, I could picture my ancestors struggling through the famine, making difficult decisions, losing loved ones to death and emigration. Though my great-great grandparents did not travel to the United States until years later, they most certainly had friends and relatives who voyaged during the Hunger. I have been proud to share with my children a window into the story of our ancestors, and they have been eager to learn. Now, I'm ready for a field trip to Ireland next week.

As much as I really do want to visit Ireland, I don't know if I ever will have the chance. Amidst my wishful dreaming this week, another place I have never been for which I long has come to mind. I am assured that I will some day live in this place, and while Ireland may not live up to my expectations if I do visit, this place will certainly surpasses my most elaborate imaginings. I may not be able to defend my desire to visit Ireland, but I can tell you about this place. Jesus has said He is preparing a home for me there. If He is preparing, it will unquestionably be wonderful. More amazing even, is that He will dwell there with me.

I need to be careful not to let my wish for Ireland make me discontent with my current location. On the other hand, my eagerness for Heaven encourages me to live each moment here with and for my Lord. In daily, worshipful obedience to Him, this life can be more like Heaven, and I will be prepared when it is time to travel there. I can still hope to walk the Emerald Isle, but I will keep my heart on the streets of gold.

A Morning at the Embassy

Tuesday we had an appointment at the U.S. Embassy to renew the four older children's passports. They all expire in 2018, and we need to have new ones before we get our visas for next year. While dealing with the U.S. government is less complicated than the Thai government due to being able to speak English and clearer requirements, it is still not a pleasant experience. And anytime five children have to wait in a confined space for very long is even less enjoyable.

Bangkok traffic is notorious. We thought leaving at six o'clock in the morning should leave us enough time to get to our seven-thirty appointment. It was, except for the problem of parking. Philip let the kids and me out of the truck to walk to the embassy while he drove into nearby Lumpini Park to find a parking spot with unlimited hours. All of the parking spots were full, and people just idled in their vehicles until someone left. It took Philip ten minutes to get into the park, another ten for a parking spot to open up, and then he walked the ten minutes to the embassy. By this time, we were already late for our appointment, and we still had to go through security.

Even though we don't get to enter the luscious grassy grounds of the embassy, remaining on the "caged" perimeter, the security is strict. Each person is only allowed one cell phone which has to remain at the security desk. Electronic devices are not allowed nor large bags nor food and drink. This all makes the job of entertaining five little ones more difficult. I can only fit necessaries in my purse - one diaper and a package of wet wipes. No books, no toys, no snacks. The children look longing at the swathes of grass and beautiful flower gardens on the other side of the floor to ceiling fence. "Why can't we go over there?" This has already been a long morning and it's just begun.

We haven't had a chance to get passport photos because all the photo places near us use a blue background instead of the U.S. required white. The embassy is supposed to have an onsite place for photos, so Philip asks about this. The lady behind the heavy glass directs us down the ramp to a different entrance to the same building. The embassy website had warned that we needed to have exact change for the photos - 150 baht - but we had thought we would be able to pay 600 baht at once. We are dismayed to find that the photo booth is unmanned and only take bills not coins. Now 50 baht bills are hard to come by, while everyone has plenty of 20 baht bills and 10 baht coins.

I have one 50 baht bill, so I begin the process of taking photos while Philip goes off to try to find change from the cafe. I ask Eris to watch Calla so she doesn't wander too far, feed a 100 baht bill and then the 50 baht bill into the machine, and try to get Simeon situated for his photo. The camera cannot be adjusted, so I have to try to get Simeon's face in the oval. He is too short while kneeling on the tall stool and too tall when standing. I have to boost him up with one hand and stay out of the picture. He is craning his neck and nearly closing his eyes with the effort. After several terrible attempts, I decide to give him a break and get a photo of Meriel instead.

After Meriel photo is taken, I step aside to let another gentleman take a turn. Just then, Philip arrives with two more 50's. He runs off to try to get one more. I watch as the gentleman now in the booth inserts six 20's. The machine accepts them. I had assumed that it wouldn't take more than the required amount. We would be willing to lose ten baht to get this done. But by this time, Philip's already run off, and I don't have a cell phone to call him back. I try again with Simeon, and this time get a passable photo, though not great. (Yes, blame me for the terrible passport photos the kids will have for the next five years.) Then I get Hollis's.

Finally, Philip is back. An embassy lady has noticed our plight and given him 50 baht, even though she is technically not supposed to. At least Eris is tall enough not to have to do any strange contortions to get her face in the correct place. We get the photos taken quickly and wait for them to print. And wait and wait. None of the other photos has taken this long. I stick my face up to the slot to see if there is a jam, but notice nothing. The screen doesn't show any sign of anything being wrong - not "paper out" message or anything. Just asking for "150 baht." While we wait, I look over the booth for something that could help. There is a phone number to call for assistance. The sign says we can use a "wall phone" to call. Philip goes off to find a wall phone. He finds one that is broken. Another man waiting for his photo to print goes in different direction and find another phone that works. He comes back and tells us that someone is already on the way to fix the problem.

Now in Thailand, "someone is on the way" usually really means "someone will be leaving in about fifteens minutes to come fix the problem and he is not in a hurry." Surprisingly, we don't have to wait very long; maybe someone was actually "on the way." He added paper to the printer and out came Eris's photos. So now we had everything we needed.

We went back to the first room; Philip waited in line to show the paperwork and get a queue number. I tried to find a relatively out of the way spot for the kids to wiggle. The most open spot happened to be right near the television on CNN. Just then a sobbing lady came on the news describing in detail some horrible acts that had been done to her. (If you've been following the news, you probably can infer what it was.) I quickly ushered the kids around a corner into a tiny hallway where the payment counter was located and distracted them by beginning a silly word game.

It turned out we were in the right place, because the next step was to pay - no one will do anything until you pay first. I was going to pay with a credit card. We had to get four different receipts - one for each passport. This meant that four different charges were going to appear. The first three charges went through just fine, but the fourth wouldn't. The lady at the desk said that it was common for U.S. credit cards to reject after a certain number of charge and often, if we waited, the system would reset and we could proceed. She didn't know how long we would have to wait, and we did not want to wait any longer than necessary. We paid for the fourth passport in cash.

Now we could find submit all the paperwork for the passports and wait for the approval step. The kind lady at the payment counter had handed out U.S. candy to the children which entertained them for a few seconds. I was thankful for the wet wipes stashed in my overcrowded purse. Some chairs had cleared at this point, so we sat down. Hollis and Simeon kept arguing over chairs; Calla kept wanting to walk all over, bumping into strangers; Meriel wanted to be left alone in a too crowded space; Eris watched the television which had moved on to discussing Trump and Wikileaks.

We had finally settled down a bit, when the news looped back to the distressed woman. I told Philip that I was going to take the kids outside; we would be close enough, he could just poke his head out when our number came up. I scooted them out as fast as I could. Even though there wasn't really a place to play, it was less crowded outside. Calla kept running down the ramp, and actually only fell once or twice. Eris and Meriel took turns scooping her back up and returning her to the top. Simeon and Hollis tried their best to get in the way of every person ascending or descending the ramp. Then I caught them sticking their arms through the fence to grab a leaf from a tree on the other side. I thought, We're going to get kicked out of the embassy for dangerous children!

We waited for over an hour. Inside, Philip repeatedly heard people being told they didn't have all the proper paperwork and would need to come back another day with this or the other "official, notarized, legalized" document. Then, of course, while Simeon and Eris were in the bathroom, our number was finally called. I hurried Meriel and Hollis into Philip while I waited for the others to come out. The man that had our paperwork was kind and friendly. He smiled at the children as he called each name. He asked Philip and I if we swore that the information in the paperwork was true to the best of our knowledge. Yes, I'm fairly certain that I know the birth dates and locations of my children, considering I was there. Then he said the magic words, "Looks like everything is in order. You should be able to pick up your passports in about two weeks." Followed by the even better, "Only one of you has to be here to pick them up."

Ten o'clock in the morning, and it felt like three pm, but we had accomplished on goal and next time only Philip would have to make the trip. Now on to lunch and Sanam Luang.

TO BE CONTINUED

The Light Shall Shine Out of Darkness

Each year on the twelfth full moon, the country of Thailand celebrates light. This was our first windy Loi Kratong, which really highlighted the futility of the "prayers" floating down the canal. We are blessed to know and follow the Light of the world. We pray that we are able to shine our lights to lead others to the Light.

 The people who walk in darkness
Will see a great light;
Those who live in a dark land,
The light will shine on them. Isaiah 9:2

 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:7

 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him all stars of light! Psalm 148:3

  For you light my lamp; the Lord my God illumines my darkness.    Psalm 18:28

As we light the kratong...

 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light Ephesians 5:8

We have light!

 The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Psalm 27:1

The wind has blown out the light, but we have no need to worry. The LIGHT shines on.

  Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” John 8:12

Shielding from the wind...

We have light!

 For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 

2 Corinthians 4:6 

Praying this for Pratunam Pra-in and all of Thailand.

Plan, Replan, Plan Again

This week was one of those weeks where things just don't go as planned. Over the summer, I spent quite a bit of time outline our Bible and history lessons for the year. Each week I put together a daily schedule of subjects for Meriel and Hollis and a weekly checklist for Eris. This week, we managed to complete all the activities for celebrating Reformation Day - this year being the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg. The rest of the week seemed a lost cause.

Simeon was sick on Sunday (again). Sunday evening, Eris became violently ill. Into the wee hours of the morning on Monday, I was soothing her best I could. Just about the time Eris's sickness passed, Calla woke up. I settled Simeon, Eris, and Calla into bed with me. We managed to sleep the rest of the night fairly peacefully, but I was alert each time someone stirred. Simeon woke up at 6:30. I excused Eris from school for the day, and I was too exhausted to complete the full list of subjects with Meriel and Hollis.

Simeon vomited in the wee hours of Tuesday morning. At this point, he had been having intestinal problems for a month and the round of empirical (treating without knowing the exact bug) had not been effective. I made the decision that he had been sick too long, and it seemed that we needed to do some lab tests to figure out what was wrong. I really wanted to do the Reformation Day activities and his sickness wasn't urgent, so I planned to take him into the hospital on Wednesday. I knew it would mean that particular day would unproductive as far as school.

I was correct. After nearly 8 hours at the hospital, we were no closer to a diagnosis. (Partly because Simeon was the least sick he'd been in a long while - it always happens like that). And I knew I was going to need to go back to the hospital on Thursday to drop off a sample, meaning yet another day of little schoolwork. I was able to be thankful for the time with Simeon, as all four girls had stayed with Daddy. Though, next time we have one-on-one time, I'd rather it not be at a hospital.

Wednesday night, I was discouraged and exhausted. I was thinking about how I would manage to rearrange the schedules to fit all the schoolwork in. I quickly realized that now was not the time to figuring out solutions. I needed to rest and recoup first. In the morning, I would be able to see it all in a clearer light.

That is exactly what happened. As I was getting ready to make the trip to the hospital with Calla, I decided to take one of the girls for one-on-one time. I also realized, that I had the freedom to scrap or revamp any schedule of schooling that I needed. I am not required to teach a certain amount of material nor squeeze two weeks of learning into one. I have the joy of teaching my children so that they learn, so that they delight in learning. One of the things I can teach them is that things do not always go according to plan; we need to step back and re-evaluated what is most important and make a new plan.

So this afternoon, we did just that. We didn't stress about what we didn't do this week. We picked a few subjects to complete this week, a handful of topics to move to next week, simplified a couple of activities, and created a new completely doable plan. So even if our school week didn't go according to plan, maybe we learned a bit more than if it had.