After staying up all night for travel day, we spent the first night of Month 5: Manistry month (no men) with all the L Squad woman in Chaing Mai for New Years Eve, I am so thankful that I decided adventure was more important than sleep, it was a breathtaking evening that I will never forget!
Unfortunately Thailand brought out a spirit of materialism in most of us….fortunately we ended up with the best $5 pants in the world.
We visited two Buddhist temples in a hope to understand more about the people and culture of Thailand, the Lord taught me about the idols I have in my own life.
My beautiful teammate, Shawna, returned from her 2 months at home. She is still in the process of recovering from her neck/back injury but she is back and we are SO glad to have her sweet, compassionate self with team Redemption Valley. Through her stories and struggles at home, Jesus reminded me of how perfect His plans are… I am so thankful that I worship a God that fights for me and doesn't make mistakes.
Wongen, the coffee shop we were living, working, and teaching English at, had an open mic night on Friday's. We were blessed to listen to incredible artists, watch talented dancers,enjoy the most delicious brownies, and hang out with our new Thailand friends. It was an incredible environment to just be.
We spent a day enjoying the Lords creation by riding Elephants through the mountains, bamboo rafting down a river, swimming at a waterfall, shopping in a mountain town and eating local cuisine. Father, I will forever be in awe of your creation.
Celebrated the most amazing team leaders birthday with a waffle breakfast, mexican food ( well kinda) and brownie cheesecake. Steph the way that you love unconditionally, fight constantly and continually push us to grow will forever change me.
I had the privilege and blessing to "tutor" (hang out with) May, a beautiful, loving 18 year old. We read redeeming love, shared our passions, broke every rule I had by sneaking off for a one on one dinner and late night ride through under the stars. We went to a movie, ate dessert for lunch, stayed up late talking.We ran together, laughed together and grew together. The last day we even got to go buy her a bible together. The Lord blew my mind with the way that He fights for His children , even though she had never heard of Him before. Jesus showed me how he changes lives through loving actions and lasting truths.
Ended the month with a 4 day debrief at the beach. We learned from Kenny, were loved on Seth and Karen, rested on the sand, uncovered new ways that we want to grow this next month, said goodbye to our beloved Squad Leaders and finished with the official L'Squad dance.
Thailand was the most perfect way to start of a new year. A new year of change, of growth, of letting go, of learning to love my Jesus with all that I have and am. I know that 2013 holds so much more still and my prayer is that I will not let a second be wasted. But that I will love wholeheartedly, give grace freely, and fall more in love with my Savior. Heres to 2013: the journey of a lifetime.
" Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth"
1 John 3:18
