Merry Christmas to y’all!! I hope this season is something holy, super restful, and full of love. A lot of people have been asking me what Christmas in Thailand looks like. Our ministry hosts are American, so we got a couple days off work to celebrate!!
On Christmas Eve the guys team came to Chiang Mai and we all went ice skating at the mall here!! I got to watch part of an advent service from church at home. We found $1 sushi in a market and I played board games for a few hours. That night, my team sat on our roof talking about our traditions and painted stockings, before going to worship. We sang some Christmas carols, mixed with regular worship. We talked about entitlement, and how we are not entitled to Christmas at home or lots of gifts, but instead we get to rejoice and celebrate with new family in Asia!
My heart has been so at peace here, knowing I’m closer to the Lord than ever before, and I see Him working in me while I’m still living in abundant joy.
Christmas day, we woke up and I got to open Christmas cards from people back at home (shoutout to Bella Hayes & Laura O’Sully for those sweet notes!!), and my dad opened my stocking via facetime for me. We did Secret Santa with our teams and I got lots of travel snacks and coffee (THANKS EM!) !!
We weren’t allowed to open the blinds or go outside until 12, because the prince was across the street dedicating an alter to Buddha.
At noon all 30 of us went to Christmas brunch at a placed called Butter is Better- a classic American diner. My team sat together chatting about how we spend Christmas at home. It reminded me of breakfasts skiing with my dad in funky little cafes around California chatting about anything. I forgot how good toast with butter and jam is until this morning. What a blessing. After, a few of us baked Christmas cookies and listened to music all afternoon. But none of this was what the day was for.
This Christmas got to be something holy, as we praised our King Jesus who saved our lives.
As we worshipped, I could feel Jesus dancing with me. Every woman in the room was singing their heart out, knowing that baby Jesus was born to die for them. I was picturing Jesus as a baby boy, who went from being all knowledgeable to being reliant on young parents. I was picturing him running with other kids and laughing. I was picturing him as a big brother, obedient to his family. And all I could think about was how there is no greater picture of love than Jesus’ life and death.
Then Jesus showed me something super sweet- He showed me all the women I live with, dressed in white, standing in the palace entryway. We were laughing as Jesus rejoiced with us, telling each of us how he built us for eternity with him, and he was so excited to finally meet us face to face. He told us we were holy and we were worth being born to die. How rad is that. He is preparing a space for each and every one of us.
So here’s to the birthday boy who saved our lives!!
Lots of love,
Cait
