If you know me, you know I love God's creations. I feel suffocated without grass, trees, flowers, and even plain dirt. God has blessed me by giving me a yard for most of my life. Even in desert Beersheva, we had a patch of grass and a couple of olive trees. Then in Bangkok, we waited four months before moving into a home because God had promised me a garden.
These last two years, God has given me the grace to live in home without a yard, and it is extremely difficult for me. Not only do we not have a yard, but I have not found a park nearby. We can't just walk a few blocks a way for an evening at the park. Our busy neighborhood peters out into small fields just a couple of kilometers away. But can't just romp around in someone's rice paddies. We have to go into Bangkok or go the nearest National Park, both about 45 minutes away, to run barefoot through the grass.
Though it takes planning and is a whole day event, I decided for our health and sanity, we needed to play outdoors more. So this year, I am building "nature days" into our schedule, about every 2-3 weeks. The first of these days was a trip to Namtok Samlan National Park last Friday. It really does take about the same amount of time to get there as it did to drive to Immanuel Baptist Church every Sunday. As we drove into the park, we rolled down the windows to let in the fresh air. It just smelled so "green" and clean.
The last time we went to this park, we spent the night and we troubled with lots of ants. We had been told it was because they were all on the move for the beginning of rainy season. This time, we still saw many ants but not nearly so many, and they were not so aggressive. We did enjoy plenty of other wildlife. At the beginning of our hike, I walked along with Simeon. The good thing about going Simeon speed is that there is plenty of time to notice details. We spotted a group of bright red long-horned beetles spread over the leaves of neighboring plants. They each had a black oval spot right in the center of their oblong backs. At bit later, we noticed a funny looking spider. I think we've seen one before. These spiny orb weaver spiders appear to be wearing a horned helmet.
The path crossed over a dry creek bed past what would be a waterfall come rainy season then skirted a hill. I heard rustling in the dry leaves on the hillside. I paused, looking carefully for a lizard or a snake. The rustling stopped when I did, and at first I couldn't see anything. When Simeon moved, the creature moved and my eyes opened wide as I discovered hundreds, no thousands of daddy-long-legs moving in a group. At first I thought they were just in a particular plant, then I realized they spread further. As we walked along the path, I continued to hear stirring. It became apparent that the entire hillside was covered with these arachnids. (Technically, daddy-long-legs are not spiders.)
We made it to a large waterfall area where the kids explored by climbing up and down. At first, Simeon was a bit timid. He is going through a stage where he is often afraid, and he is, unfortunately, a "city-boy." I gave him a few challenges, and he became Adventure Man. We clambered upstream, peering into funnel webs, hopping rocks, and looking for whatever treasure we could find before he decided to join his older sisters. They had found a spot with enough water left for splashing and jumping.
Calla and I played in a shady spot where the ground was fairly level, but then we wanted to see the fun everyone else was having. As we trekked down to the pond, I heard crashing in branches of a nearby tree. As I watched, a snake writhed in the air and hit the ground. I really didn't understand what had happened. I held still for a long moment, then carefully crept to a place where I could see the ground at the base of the tree. The snake was there, holding perfectly still. I never would have noticed him, if I hadn't seen him fall from the tree. He wasn't looking at me and I was through some bushes, so I felt safe enough to watch him; he never moved.
I took Calla down to Philip and the other kids, and we watched them all splash and jump for awhile. When it was time for us to move on, I was curious whether the snake was still there. I figured he was probably long gone, but I crept quietly to the edge of the trees. He was still there, but he was curled around something. At first, I wasn't sure it was really a snake, it looked so like a vine. But then the tail twitched, and I was certain. I still don't really understand why he fell or dropped from the tree or what he was wrapped around. I have some guesses, but I don't know enough about snake behavior and the type of snake to know what he was really up to.
That wasn't the only snake of the day. Not too much further into our hike, I heard some more rustling. The dryness of the plants and leaves on the ground certainly make it easy to hear any movement. I glanced up to see a small snake hopping along the ground as fast as he could. Then he slithered up a tree. He wrapped his tail around the trunk and leaned out toward the trail. We crept to the tree, and he look straight at me. Fortunately, I didn't resemble his prey in any aspect and he didn't feel threatened. He held so still, I had a hard time pointing him out to the rest of the family.
The final exciting creature of the day was spotted when this time I was with the leading group. I carried Calla and stepped quickly on a less dense and smoother trail with Eris and Meriel. Suddenly, a horrible crashing echoed through the jungle. An enormous monitor lizard emerged from trees and rushed across the trail, disappearing on the other side with a tremendous racket and amazing speed. He seemed six feet long without his tail, wider and taller than any lizard I've ever seen. I can't think of anything else it would have been, but it seemed like a small dragon.
Our adventure concluded with eating fruit down by the lake. Since it was a Friday night, some campers were setting up tents. The air began to get cool. We half wished we could spend the night, too, but we were also ready to get home to our comfortable beds. As we drove out of the park with our windows once again open, we each supplied an adjective for the day: active, wonderful, green, great, nice, fun. Night fell quickly, and we drove in silence for a bit, each storing up memories of nature until the next time we escape our concrete jungle.
Thursday, January 25, 2018
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Fragrance of Hope
In October, I wrote about my commitment to pray for the start of Tawipon Church, inspired and prompted daily by my "water jasmine" trees. (Of Plants and Prayers) I have continued to pray for Tawipon and Pratunam Pra-in each day as I carefully watch my trees for signs of rejuvenation. Daily, I picked off and squished all the mealybugs I could find for five minutes or so, during each trip to the balcony to take care of laundry, praying for people and my plants.
Finally one day in November, I could not find any more mealybugs! But by this time my plants were so withered, I doubted they would survive. Most of the leaves had fallen off or were yellowed and curled. I did not give up praying; my prayers for the church were more fervent. I did not accept that the fate of my plants was the destiny of Tawipon Church. And I kept watering my plants. A couple weeks before Christmas, my twiggy trees started to push out tiny furls of tender new leaves. Bright green and laughingly small compared to the branches they adorned, the leaves brought joy to my heart. My plants were alive!
My prayers became more joyful. God had spared my plants. Since he loves people so much more, surely He would be working in the hearts of the people in the neighborhood. I needed to be faithful in my small part. Each day, more leaves appeared and finally a few groups of minuscule buds hanging in the clumps of leaves. A couple weeks ago, I was on the balcony at night and a caught a familiar sweet, heady fragrance. My water jasmine! The first cluster of blossoms had opened effusing the dark with the hope.
Apparently, blossoms on the tree was a sign to the ants that it was once again a prime spot to shepherd mealybugs. I have learned that the ants do more than harvest the nectar from the bugs, they also tend and protect them. Ants will move the mealybugs to the best spots on a plant and even to a new plant. Interestingly enough, the first pests I discovered were just below the buds. It seemed that they were bunched at the most lovely and luscious locations.
I realized that Satan also knows something lovely is about to bloom. He gathers trouble and temptation at the most spiritually lush places. As the first Sunday service of Tawipon Church approached, he was gathering his forces. So I fought back, praying against the darkness, calling for God's angels, and pouring out the fragrance of prayer over Pratunam Pra-in.
Our first Sunday, we had thirty-three people (including our family of seven); many were visitors from Immanuel Baptist Church and another church. It was exciting to join in worship in my own neighborhood! The second Sunday, we had twelve people. I'm not sure exactly what happened, but I know God is working; I know He loves the hundreds of people who zoom by my house, the church, on mo-peds everyday. He has a plan.
I continue to fight the battles daily: squashing mealybugs, praying for Tawipon Church. Each Sunday, I prepare children's Sunday School and am excited to see who God will bring. On my prayer balcony, the small trees are budding despite the attacks, and certain buds even blossom, filling the night air with the fragrance of hope.
Finally one day in November, I could not find any more mealybugs! But by this time my plants were so withered, I doubted they would survive. Most of the leaves had fallen off or were yellowed and curled. I did not give up praying; my prayers for the church were more fervent. I did not accept that the fate of my plants was the destiny of Tawipon Church. And I kept watering my plants. A couple weeks before Christmas, my twiggy trees started to push out tiny furls of tender new leaves. Bright green and laughingly small compared to the branches they adorned, the leaves brought joy to my heart. My plants were alive!
My prayers became more joyful. God had spared my plants. Since he loves people so much more, surely He would be working in the hearts of the people in the neighborhood. I needed to be faithful in my small part. Each day, more leaves appeared and finally a few groups of minuscule buds hanging in the clumps of leaves. A couple weeks ago, I was on the balcony at night and a caught a familiar sweet, heady fragrance. My water jasmine! The first cluster of blossoms had opened effusing the dark with the hope.
Apparently, blossoms on the tree was a sign to the ants that it was once again a prime spot to shepherd mealybugs. I have learned that the ants do more than harvest the nectar from the bugs, they also tend and protect them. Ants will move the mealybugs to the best spots on a plant and even to a new plant. Interestingly enough, the first pests I discovered were just below the buds. It seemed that they were bunched at the most lovely and luscious locations.
I realized that Satan also knows something lovely is about to bloom. He gathers trouble and temptation at the most spiritually lush places. As the first Sunday service of Tawipon Church approached, he was gathering his forces. So I fought back, praying against the darkness, calling for God's angels, and pouring out the fragrance of prayer over Pratunam Pra-in.
Our first Sunday, we had thirty-three people (including our family of seven); many were visitors from Immanuel Baptist Church and another church. It was exciting to join in worship in my own neighborhood! The second Sunday, we had twelve people. I'm not sure exactly what happened, but I know God is working; I know He loves the hundreds of people who zoom by my house, the church, on mo-peds everyday. He has a plan.
I continue to fight the battles daily: squashing mealybugs, praying for Tawipon Church. Each Sunday, I prepare children's Sunday School and am excited to see who God will bring. On my prayer balcony, the small trees are budding despite the attacks, and certain buds even blossom, filling the night air with the fragrance of hope.
Thursday, January 11, 2018
A Lovely Rain Day
Yesterday, we had a cool, sweet surprise. I lay in bed listening to the patter of rain on the tin roof outside my window. It was cool enough for me to relish being under a sheet. I hopped out of bed to greet the children, "What a lovely rainy day!" With smiling faces, they all agreed.
I really do like rain. Maybe because I'm an Oregonian (a beaver, not a duck though). I grew up expecting rain every month, nearly every week. I relish curling up on a cold rain day to read a book. I have fun memories of dancing in the street, playing in the rain. I've owned umbrellas, rainboots, and raincoats; and used them regularly. I don't much mind the inconvenience; it's just a small part of the intrinsically wonderful. I've watched raindrops slide down the windows and windshield wipers chase each other more times than I can count. Rain refreshes and rejuvenates me; it is a part of my very spirit.
To get an unexpected rain is truly a delight. Here it is dry season. We don't expect regular rain for another three months or so. During this time, it is not uncommon to go for weeks without any rain. It is nice for drying multiple loads of laundry in a day, but I miss the rain. Right now, it is still cool enough to be bearable - highs in the mid-80's to mid-90's Fahrenheit - but soon we will be longing for rain to cool us. Even now, the rain of yesterday brought the temperatures back down to the point where we can be comfortable without a fan directly pointed at us. So, now you can understand why we call it a rainy day "lovely."
Since the sky was dark with clouds and the temperature was comfortable cool, we all slept in. To celebrate, we had hot oatmeal for breakfast and a pot of chili for supper. It rained all morning and into the early afternoon. The kids danced on the balcony in the rain while I hung laundry indoors. At bedtime, I dressed Calla in pajamas for the first time since our trip to Laos at the end of December. I snuggled under a sheet and a blanket (with a fan blowing toward me). I realized, I felt more energized and rested from a rainy day and a good night's sleep from the preceding rainy night than I'd been in weeks. Truly, rain brings "showers of blessing."
I remember the first time I lived in a place with a dry season. In Beersheva, it doesn't rain from June through October. Since Eris was born in Oregon, she did see rain during the five weeks she lived there, but she was so tiny it didn't mean anything to her. I remember the first rain she experienced. We were walking home from the grocery store when she was about four months old. I was carrying her and a few groceries, while Philip was burdened with the bulk. We noticed clouds gathering and began to hurry. When we were just a couple blocks from home, drops began falling. I started to run, not because I minded getting wet, but because I had to show the neighbors I was hurrying to get my baby out of the rain. Eris laughed and laughed. She held out her hands and watched the drops slip down her arms. She tilted her head to the sky and let drops fall on her nose. She giggled and she jiggled in my arms. Even Philip, who does mind getting wet, smiled wide as he watched his two girls enjoy the first rain of the season.
I guess having a dry season, helps me to appreciate the rain. You will not hear me complain about the daily rainstorms during rainy season. Even when my laundry get wet, even when I can't sleep through the thunder, even when the hem of my skirt is soaked. I remember the long, hot, dry months and say, "What a lovely rainy day!"
I really do like rain. Maybe because I'm an Oregonian (a beaver, not a duck though). I grew up expecting rain every month, nearly every week. I relish curling up on a cold rain day to read a book. I have fun memories of dancing in the street, playing in the rain. I've owned umbrellas, rainboots, and raincoats; and used them regularly. I don't much mind the inconvenience; it's just a small part of the intrinsically wonderful. I've watched raindrops slide down the windows and windshield wipers chase each other more times than I can count. Rain refreshes and rejuvenates me; it is a part of my very spirit.
To get an unexpected rain is truly a delight. Here it is dry season. We don't expect regular rain for another three months or so. During this time, it is not uncommon to go for weeks without any rain. It is nice for drying multiple loads of laundry in a day, but I miss the rain. Right now, it is still cool enough to be bearable - highs in the mid-80's to mid-90's Fahrenheit - but soon we will be longing for rain to cool us. Even now, the rain of yesterday brought the temperatures back down to the point where we can be comfortable without a fan directly pointed at us. So, now you can understand why we call it a rainy day "lovely."
Since the sky was dark with clouds and the temperature was comfortable cool, we all slept in. To celebrate, we had hot oatmeal for breakfast and a pot of chili for supper. It rained all morning and into the early afternoon. The kids danced on the balcony in the rain while I hung laundry indoors. At bedtime, I dressed Calla in pajamas for the first time since our trip to Laos at the end of December. I snuggled under a sheet and a blanket (with a fan blowing toward me). I realized, I felt more energized and rested from a rainy day and a good night's sleep from the preceding rainy night than I'd been in weeks. Truly, rain brings "showers of blessing."
I remember the first time I lived in a place with a dry season. In Beersheva, it doesn't rain from June through October. Since Eris was born in Oregon, she did see rain during the five weeks she lived there, but she was so tiny it didn't mean anything to her. I remember the first rain she experienced. We were walking home from the grocery store when she was about four months old. I was carrying her and a few groceries, while Philip was burdened with the bulk. We noticed clouds gathering and began to hurry. When we were just a couple blocks from home, drops began falling. I started to run, not because I minded getting wet, but because I had to show the neighbors I was hurrying to get my baby out of the rain. Eris laughed and laughed. She held out her hands and watched the drops slip down her arms. She tilted her head to the sky and let drops fall on her nose. She giggled and she jiggled in my arms. Even Philip, who does mind getting wet, smiled wide as he watched his two girls enjoy the first rain of the season.
I guess having a dry season, helps me to appreciate the rain. You will not hear me complain about the daily rainstorms during rainy season. Even when my laundry get wet, even when I can't sleep through the thunder, even when the hem of my skirt is soaked. I remember the long, hot, dry months and say, "What a lovely rainy day!"
Thursday, January 4, 2018
Keeping Christmas
This is Philip and my thirteenth Christmas since we've been married. Greater than half of those have been spent in countries in which Christmas is not a holiday. Last week at Kids' Club, I asked the kids what holiday was in December. The only answer I received (other than from my own children) was "Father's Day!" This was even with a decorated tree right behind me. Without Christ, there is no reason to celebrate Christmas.
Our first Christmas, we lived in a wood paneled apartment in Beersheva, Israel. With the lack of Christmas lights and decoration around the city, I determined to turn our home into "Christmas." We found a tiny potted evergreen at the nursery, hung lights and ornaments around the house, and even colored our own festive pictures. Our traditions of "What Snowmen Do While We're Sleeping" pictures and using a crayon colored, red brick chimney have persisted. We were awakened while it was still dark by a phone call from Philip's brother Luke, following their childhood tradition of Luke being the first awake and waking everyone else. Christmas was simple, Christ-centered and full of love.
Eris spent her first Christmas surrounded by family. Both sets of grandparents and Uncle Michael cozied in our little home. Grandma and Michael joined in the drawing of adventurous snowmen. And we all journeyed to The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
Simeon's first Christmas was our first in Thailand. We didn't yet have a home. It was hot, and we had many distractions. The guest house had an extra artificial tree (the first we'd ever used), we thankfully accepted. I dug out the kids' ornaments and our "Snowmen" pictures. Philip found strings of lights in Chinatown. I found candles in the "monk baskets" section of the supermarket suitable for Advent. We managed to hold on to most of our family traditions and celebrate Jesus.
Celebrating Christmas away from extended family on a "normal" day of the week allows us to make Christmas how we want it. We are the only house with a tree (actually two, an artificial one downstairs for the church and a potted one for us). The only carols we hear our in our home or at church. The only snowflakes are hanging from our ceiling. It can be a challenge but also a blessing. We make the season special by celebrating Advent and focusing on Jesus. We get the opportunity to celebrate CHRISTmas with fewer distractions and just as much delight.
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THAILAND!!!
Our first Christmas, we lived in a wood paneled apartment in Beersheva, Israel. With the lack of Christmas lights and decoration around the city, I determined to turn our home into "Christmas." We found a tiny potted evergreen at the nursery, hung lights and ornaments around the house, and even colored our own festive pictures. Our traditions of "What Snowmen Do While We're Sleeping" pictures and using a crayon colored, red brick chimney have persisted. We were awakened while it was still dark by a phone call from Philip's brother Luke, following their childhood tradition of Luke being the first awake and waking everyone else. Christmas was simple, Christ-centered and full of love.
Eris spent her first Christmas surrounded by family. Both sets of grandparents and Uncle Michael cozied in our little home. Grandma and Michael joined in the drawing of adventurous snowmen. And we all journeyed to The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
Simeon's first Christmas was our first in Thailand. We didn't yet have a home. It was hot, and we had many distractions. The guest house had an extra artificial tree (the first we'd ever used), we thankfully accepted. I dug out the kids' ornaments and our "Snowmen" pictures. Philip found strings of lights in Chinatown. I found candles in the "monk baskets" section of the supermarket suitable for Advent. We managed to hold on to most of our family traditions and celebrate Jesus.
Celebrating Christmas away from extended family on a "normal" day of the week allows us to make Christmas how we want it. We are the only house with a tree (actually two, an artificial one downstairs for the church and a potted one for us). The only carols we hear our in our home or at church. The only snowflakes are hanging from our ceiling. It can be a challenge but also a blessing. We make the season special by celebrating Advent and focusing on Jesus. We get the opportunity to celebrate CHRISTmas with fewer distractions and just as much delight.
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