The 25th was my birthday. I am now at the end of my twenties, knocking on the door to 30, which honestly feels a little weird. But, I brought in 29 with much celebration, and in true family fashion, managed to make it last for an entire week. I took some pics so everyone could see how I celebrated my birthday in Thailand.
To start the week off the girls from the center decided to host a surprise party for me. It was fantastic, so much fun. We had great fellowship and they even had cake and presents! They spoiled me rotten and showed me their love in abundance. They are jewels and I am blessed to know them and call them friends. The pic below demonstrates my surprise face. Also, the necklaces are both gifts. I know they don’t match!
After talking to the girls Monday night I decided that I was going to have them straighten my hair on Tuesday morning. It took about 45 minutes to straighten but when they were finished I looked like a different person. It was also the best shampoo I have ever had. It was basically a head massage. Thanks girls!
Tuesday night my teammates and I found a little restaurant called Charley Brown’s. Not only does it have the best name of any restaurant in Bangkok, it also manages to have fantastic Mexican food. The 6 of us girls enjoyed our Mexican dishes and loved feeling like we could be in any restaurant in the States too. The manager David, by the end of the night, was a good friend. We returned this past Tuesday for ladies night. We had a great time of ministry too. David is not a Christian, he is just a good old boy from Manchester, England. We sat most of the night this past Tuesday chatting with him and answering his questions about why we would leave our lives for a year to do this crazy trip. We plan on going back next Tuesday too. Hopefully we can talk some more, please send up a prayer or two for him. Now, getting back to the birthday, seriously if you are ever in Bangkok do not miss out on the food from our friends at Charley Brown’s on Soi 11. Here are a few pics, didn’t we girls look good. We can’t help it, we are beautiful women!
On Wednesday I got to talk to my family! I also got a ton of cards and a couple of packages. You have no idea how much all of your cards, packages, and emails meant to me. I felt so loved. It is nice to know that so many people are thinking of you on your special day. I am so thankful for my support system. My dear family has supported me with their thoughts, prayers, and for some even their pocket books. I know no matter where the Lord leads I have them in my corner. No one loves me like they do. I was also really blessed by my friends Roger & Denise in Boone and their precious college ministry Bible study and I can’t forget my friends from Cincinnati and the Old North State! I love you all, thank you for helping me to feel your arms reach all the way from home to wish me a happy birthday. You are extraordinary people!
On Thursday I decided that I needed to call on my friends at the salon at Center 2 again. I decided on a pedicure this time. It was so nice to have someone take care of me and paint my toes for me. They look so pretty and I even decided to get a design painted. I apologize for the largeness of my big toe in the follow picture, but I wanted you to be able to see the design. Again, they did a great job and helped me feel so special.
Okay, so now we are on to Friday. Friday I decided to do something I have been thinking about for a while now. I wasn’t sure how it would turn out so I took the whole month to do some price comparison and talk myself into finally going through with it. I GOT MY NOSE PIERCED!!!! It wasn’t too painful, it just felt like someone tapped me in the nose. My eyes watered as he pushed the ring through my nose with his thumb! It didn’t bleed, and by the end of the night it was only slightly tender. As I sit here tonight writing this my nose is still a little sore but I am much more used to having it in. Only one more week and then my nose should be healed enough to change the jewelry if I wish to. I like it though, I think it will take a little more time for my family to get used to but my sister and nieces love it. I think it will grow on them!
This was a birthday that I will not soon forget. I totally enjoyed myself and appreciate everyone who helped make my birthday week a special one. I love you all.
