A Christmas Party

Our family has spent more Christmases in countries which don't widely celebrate Christmas than in the United States. Because of this, celebrations of our Saviour's birth are more special and keeping Christmas in our home is more precious to us. This is our first Christmas in Tha Sala and with Grace of God Church. Sunday was our church family Christmas party, and I'm willing to bet you've never been to a party quite like this.

It started out as a mostly normal Sunday. I helped teach Children's Sunday School, telling the story of Jesus' birth. We sang "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" with the last line changed to "and a blessing from God." Because Thailand does not traditionally celebrate Christmas, Thai churches tend to accept all Christmas traditions as celebrating Jesus' birth. The church was decorated with decorated trees, stockings, and miniature Santas. The worship team and many other wore red "Santa" hats. Despite the mixed decor, there was no confusion about the reason for the holiday: a birthday cake for Jesus held a prominent place. We sang Christmas carols and then "Happy Birthday, Jesus."

I didn't get to listen to the sermon due to a wild two year old (too many pre-church sweets from the old ladies Calla knows to beg from). Lunch included special fried chicken, sweet drinks, and birthday cake. Then it was party time. We started with some songs, including a Thai version of "Jingle Bell Rock" which had a line about celebrating Jesus' birth. Next we were challenged with some games. The American kids went up against some Thai kids for "telephone." Since the teams were each given a tongue twister in their non-native tongue, both teams came up with nonsense. "She sells seashells by the seashore" became "I'm sorry, mikadu." The Thai phrase was simplified to "naam nom noi" (something like water milk please).

The gift exchange brought out the silly side of the church members. I had thought that Thais might be reluctant to "steal" gifts from others, but once the pastor started it, many people got in on the fun. Everyone expressed childlike excitement as each package was opened and people snatched rice cookers and sateen comforters from friends. I brought  home a giant Mickey Mouse pillow for the kids, Philip took an electric iron, and my dad ended up with a Pickachu backpack.

The afternoon ended with Thai dancing. Tables were lined up in the center of the room, and everyone dancing around them single file. I noticed the elderly ladies and young girls were most conscientious about performing the proper hand motions and mincing steps. Calla kept walking around and around the tables; she was so tired, she had to hold on the tables to keep from falling over. Finally, I scooped her up, and it was time to go home. Merry Christmas from Thailand!

Next Sunday, our church is having a community outreach, including the kids performing a Christmas Pageant. We have invited some friends, and other church members are inviting friends and family. Please pray that many will hear the story of Christmas and realize that it is for them, not just foreigners.

Delights of My Life

I delight in Simeon's explanations and questions:
     One morning, "The birds sing because they are having a contest to see which is the best singer." After overhearing a conversation about song-bird contests in the area where we live.
     "Mommy, how do you get a blister?" (When your skin rubs against something too much. Like rubbing against a shovel handle when you dig.) "I think it's better to dig with your hands. Mommy, how do you get a splinter?" (From touching or walking on wood. A little piece can break off in your skin.) "If your skin rubs against something wooden, do you get a blister or a splinter?"

I delight in Calla's discoveries:
     Laying on her tummy on the tile floor to look more carefully at the reflected Christmas lights.
     Scooping up water from our rain-filled walk and trying to figure out how to pour it back out without dumping it on herself.
     Buckling her sandals herself (though, on the wrong feet, of course).

I delight in Eris's study of the Bible:
     Her noticing my mistakes when I tell a Bible story in Sunday School.
     Her questions about the prophets.
     Her love of the Psalms.

I delight in Hollis's enthusiasm:
     The days when she decides to do the "best job ever" on her chores.
     Her singing her favorite Christmas songs at the top of her lungs (as long as we're not all squashed together in the pick-up).
     Her jumping and running after insects in the garden.

I delight in Meriel's sensitive spirit:
     Her remembering to thank me for preparing meals and school lessons.
     Her joy in reading and re-reading books.
     Her carefulness with her littlest sister.

I delight in watching my children with their Grandma and Grandpa:
      Simeon catching butterflies with Grandpa.
     Meriel snuggled on the couch next to Grandma, both reading.
     Hollis dancing to Christmas music with Grandpa.
     Eris beating Grandma and Grandpa in a game of Nerts (card game).
     Calla asking Grandpa to read her bedtime story.
     Eris reading aloud a book to Grandma.
     Meriel getting caught in a rainstorm while on a bike ride with Grandpa.

This is just a small sample of the joys and delights I find each day. I am so blessed to be able watch my children learn and blossom into the wonderful people God has made them.

Awaiting Christmas

This past week has been extremely busy with finishing up the school term, preparing for Grandma and Grandpa's arrival, and getting ready for the second birthday of a very special girl. Even without school lessons, the busyness has potential to continue: helping children shop for and create gifts, decorating the house, preparing my own gifts, cooking and doing laundry for nine, taking Grandma and Grandpa on day-trips, and more. Amidst the bustle, our family commits to expecting and preparing for Christmas in more than material ways.

According to "Dictionary.com" the definition of "advent" is "a coming into place, view, or being; arrival." During the events of the first Christmas, thousands of years preparations were "coming into place" leading to the arrival of One long expected. One of my goals during the Advent season is to give my children and myself an idea of what it would be like to be waiting for the Messiah. After the fact it is simple to see the meaning of "unto us a child is born, unto a us a son is given." Imagine wondering what to expect and being unsure how it would come together.

Some of my favorite Christmas carols express this longing. When I sing "Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus" or "Come, O Come, Emmanuel," I join with Anna and Simeon anticipating the holy arrival. "The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight" conveys my feelings as well as those of the shepherds. I feel the "thrill of hope" in the "holy night of our dear Savior's birth" along with all those present because "long lay the world in sin and error pining." We're so blessed to be on the other side of the waiting. Truly, "Joy to the world; the Lord is come!"

Between swimming in the sea and hanging loads of laundry, I will be relishing the words of the carols and meditating on the words of the prophets. I will be waiting the arrival of the Savior with the full knowledge He has already arrived and accomplished His purpose on earth. This is the joy of Advent. I wish you and your family a blessed Advent Season!

Release Day

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about catching a little tadpole. We named him Tad and settled in to watch the extraordinary transformation. We don't know exactly how old he was when we caught him, but since the pond didn't exist until several days before, he couldn't have hatched more than a couple days before. His head was about the size of a pencil eraser and his tail slightly longer than his body. He would swim around his little enclosure, especially hiding under the rocks and plants we placed for him.

We researched online about what to feed tadpoles, but in the end decided that it would be best to go across the street and get fresh pond water and plants daily. That seemed to provide enough for his daily needs. On the fourth day, we noticed tiny leg buds at the spot near his tail. At this point, his tail started to become translucent, losing its blood supply. A day later, his legs were easily identifiable. Then we noticed front legs. His tail was still long but most of it was nearly transparent. As his front and back legs grew, his tail began to disappear.

By the beginning of the second week, Tad look more like frog than tadpole. He has clear front legs and back legs and a short tail. We learned that he would officially turn into a froglet when he lost his gills and could breathe on land. At this point, he would prefer to be out of water. This happened between day 11 and 12. One day he was in and out of the water, clinging to the leave or crawling out on the rock, but still preferring to swim. The following day, he was on land more than he was in the water.

On day 12 Tad was undeniably a froglet still with a bit of a tail. On day 13 he was completely a frog, a tiny perfect frog. He had a frog face and the beginnings of the banded bullfrog coloring. His sticky feet allowed him to climb the sides of his enclosure. He could no longer survive on microscopic plant matter in pond water. He was now a carnivore. The time had come to let him go.

On Thanksgiving morning, 13 days after we had caught him, we walked across to the pond and released little Tad back into the pond. It had been amazing to watch him change. The tiny frog was no bigger than his head had originally been. The process had not added to his bulk, but rather taken away unnecessary bits and replaced others. I can hardly believe it all happened in such a short time. While we will never know exactly what will happen to Tad, we imagine he will live a happy life. He will hop around the pond, bury himself in the mud, catch ants to eat. Next rainy season, when we hear the banded bullfrogs' "oom-bpee," Tad will be joining the chorus.

Don't Wish to Switch Places

First Corinthians tells us "there is no temptation except what is common to man..." Sometimes it can feel like our challenges and difficulties are unique. That no one else is facing the same struggles we are. Satan wants us to feel alone and weak, but it is simply not so. I believe a very common struggle for people today is to see posts on Facebook or blogs (or email newsletters) and think that everyone else has a wonderful life with few problems. After all, people don't (and maybe shouldn't) around telling the world about the hard times in their lives. Even when we do share struggles, we might sugar coat them to sound more spiritual or less complaining.

Now I do have a blessed life, living next to the sea in Thailand with five wonderful children and a loving husband. But I struggle with living overseas with five challenging children and a less than perfect husband. I see pictures of people on vacation or with groups of girlfriends or with homeschool groups, and I want what they have. Then I realize that people see my pictures and posts of darling children, interesting wildlife, and fun, family adventures; and they might want what I have. So lest you want to switch into my life, here are some not so great things.

I am lonely. I have one English speaking friend living nearby. We met not long ago so we are still in the new friend stage and not close yet. We are both busy with our children and ministries and don't always get to see each other regularly. I am thankful for her, as this is an improvement over the no friends I had before. If you go to an English-speaking church or have many English-speaking friends living near you, be thankful for them and don't wish to switch places with me.

I homeschool and teach Sunday school. I am responsible for all five of my children every moment of every day. Philip takes the kids to Nakhon Si Thammarat City approximately every two weeks (in reality it happens a bit less often) giving me an afternoon to myself. This is more than I had before we moved here, so I am extremely thankful for this time. If your kids have a Sunday School teacher (or nursery worker) or school teacher that is not you, be thankful for them and don't wish to switch places with me.

I hang dry my laundry even on rainy days. As I hung laundry on a clothes rack in front of the fan the other day, I couldn't remember how people in the U.S. dried laundry in inclement weather. I didn't remember many American homes with large fans around. I remembered wood stoves in some houses which would be useful. Then I remembered - clothes dryers! If you have a clothes dryer (or a dish washer), be thankful for it and don't wish to switch places with me.

I have a very small round counter top oven. I am very thankful for this because before I got it for my birthday a couple years ago, I had no oven, just a two burner stove. It takes me twice as long to back the two layers of birthday cake or enough pie or bread or any baked good to feed my hungry family. I can't put a large casserole in the oven for supper or bake potatoes and squash together. If you have a full sized American oven which can roast a turkey, be thankful for it and don't wish to switch places with me.

Each person has their own set of blessings and own set of struggles. God has paired them uniquely for each of us in a way that will grow us and stretch us while giving us the encouragement that we need. I should not wish for your blessings any more than I would wish for your challenges. I accept with joy the blessings God daily pours out, and I will accept the troubles He allows. I won't wish to switch places with you!

A Menagerie

This week has brought buckets of rain, as well as a few new creatures to our menagerie. It rained most of the day yesterday, sheets sweeping in from the sea. Interestingly, we had no wind. We measured 1 3/4 inches in our rain gauge, but we set it out after much of the rain had already past.  Before this, it had rained every night in the wee hours of the morning and nearly every afternoon for a week. All this rain has created a pond in a grassy hollow across the street, between the road and the beach. At night, the honking croak of banded frogs mixes with the crash of the waves to lull us to sleep.

During a short lull in the rain yesterday afternoon, we rain across the street to the beach to see the waves up close. Just as we were about to go, I heard a rustling in the garage. Peering around the bicycles and under shelves, I noticed a bright flicker of color. It was a bird! We all had a close look, and tried to remember the pattern of colors for looking it up when we returned from the beach. I had a guess already, but I wanted to look in the bird book first.

 Over supper we had a discussion and identified the bird as a Blue-winged Pitta. He (or she - they can't be easily distinguished) stayed in our garage all night. This afternoon we were trying to decide if we should help him. Maybe get some worms and soil in a tub and place it near him. I wanted to catch some photos, and while I was out there, he finally decided he'd been bothered by humans enough. He hopped onto a shelf and flew out directly over my head into freedom.

The other addition to our menagerie is tiny and swims instead of flies. He is not as colorful as the pitta but should prove as interesting. We explored the temporary pond as part of science class today. We traversed the perimeter, noting a multitude of wildlife. Swimming caterpillars and crickets caught our attention since we didn't know they could swim. We spied myriads of tadpoles and water skippers. Bright red dragon flies dipped overhead. Ants scurried to move their eggs as the rising water encroached on their home. A small water monitor lizard quickly glided away from us.

We waded into the edge of the pond and studied the tadpoles more carefully. They would rise from the bottom, pop to the surface, then quickly dive back down. We later read that they get food such as algae and other plant matter from the surface and draw it back down to the bottom. Meriel tried to use a clean peanut butter jar to catch one but was unsuccessful. Then Eris took a turn. After a couple of jarfuls of water without tadpoles, she managed to scoop one up.

The pond water which we brought home for the tadpole contains many other creatures. I wish we had a microscope to look more carefully at the little swimming black dots. We have an unidentified black worm which twists around to swim from side to side. One little creature appears to be a damselfly nymph, but we are not certain yet. We hope to be able to observe our little tadpole turn into a froglet and continue visit the pond across the street to see what happens to the other tadpoles.

On Our Back Porch

Sunday morning a neighbor stopped by to let us know that the bunch of bananas hanging over the wall were ripe and ready to be cut down. After cutting the bunch, I put it on the little table on our covered back porch. I didn't bring them in the house because juice dripped from the severed stalk. As the bananas ripened during the week, the kids (especially Calla) helped themselves. They weren't the only ones.

Our little back porch turned into a miniature ecosystem. Common mynas and Yellow-vented bulbuls perched on the bunch and pecked into the fruit. The punctured peels allowed ants and fruit flies to enjoy a snack. In the evening, beautiful moths inserted their proboscises into the softening flesh while frogs and geckos feasted on the attracted insects. Meriel happily harvested ants to feed to her "pet" Banded bullfrog.

By simply cutting a bunch of bananas, we were able to enjoy a host of visitors right on our porch. (I was happy it wasn't in the house.) I had thought they might attract ants; which was another reason I left them on the porch. I didn't think about the other creature it would draw. It was fun to spy on the birds from the window. The moths let us sneak up fairly close to actually see what they were doing. After they flew away, we looked carefully to see the little holes they drilled. The children were as thrilled as I to watch this real life drama unfold.

Today Calla snitched the last good bananas and the rest were put in the compost heap. It is nice to have our table clear for a little while, but I'm looking forward to the next time we have some extra fruit to share with those who share our garden. We might even try to purpose attract butterflies, moths, and birds in some way. Hooray for our garden and for science lessons!