Tuesday, October 6, 2009

"Its ok Mommy. Grammy come back again. Maybe not tonight."


Wow. We sure did have a wonderful time while my mom and dad were here. I didn't want it to end. Praise the Lord their travel was uneventful and no sickness, exactly what we prayed for. Sophie loved having multiple playmates everyday. Her favorite phrase was, "Come on Grammy, follow me." And you know my mom followed her everywhere she led. We stayed at our house in Khon Kaen for the first two weeks. Marc was still on campus so mom and dad just got to see our normal life, Sophie and I at home all day :-). We did make a few short excursions to some nearby places, King Cobra Village, The Obonrat Dam, a friend's rice field. We took it easy. Hopefully, it was a good taste of Thai culture for them. We don't have cable so we had to get my dad set up on the internet to follow a few football games, Ga. Tech to be specific. Other than that, we just spent time together, drinking coffee, reading books and laughing at Sophie. One thing about living so far from family is that when we are all together it is quality time.

My favorite part of everyday was waking up, walking downstairs to the smell of coffee brewing. My dad would already be sitting on the front porch reading with a pot of coffee ready for my mom and me. I usually always drink coffee alone in the morning so it was really nice to enjoy the mornings with them. My mom and I would then sit on the couch and talk, drinking coffee and sometimes talking to my sisters on skype. So, my mornings now are a little sad but it was precious while it lasted.
We spent the last week of their trip in Khao Yai and Bangkok. I decided to wear them out the last few days. I loved being their tour guide. We rode elephants, saw wild monkeys at the National Park, rode in a taxi for hours on end (my dad's least favorite part). All the while sitting not more than 2 inches from one another, always close enough to grab their hand or put my arm around them, and that's all that mattered.


I knew my dad was wild at heart but I guess its laid dormant for the last few years. He decided to let it fly while he was here- eating bugs, handling snakes, even getting a tattoo in Bangkok. I loved watching it all. My mom just rolls with it. The craziest thing we did was sit and get a mural painted on our toenails. I came really close to eating a bug with my dad but I just couldn't do it.

I was getting sadder and sadder as the day approached for them to leave. I shed a few tears at the hotel before Marc took them to the airport, but I was ok. We drove home to Khon Kaen the next day. Getting back to our house was the difficult part. We walked in the door and the smell of our new bamboo blinds made me burst into tears. My dad worked so hard to get those hung. He was our regular fix-it man while he was here. He loves fixing and building, he really ministered to us. Then I walked into "grammy and papa's room" and more tears came. Sophie came up, looked right into my eyes, and said, "you little bit sad, mom?", I said, "yes, i miss Grammy and Papa." she answered, "It be ok, Mom. Grammy come back again...Maybe not tonight." Of course this made me laugh and I hugged her little body til it hurt. She is my sunshine.

So, its only been 4 days since they left but for some reason it seems like a month. I love my family. I love my home country. But I also love this life that the Lord has called us to. Its not easy but it sure does bring me to my knees. I don't know how God is going to use us here in Thailand, but He sure is using Thailand to do a work in us. My peace and true satisfaction is found nowhere but in Jesus. He is my strength when I am weak, He is the treasure that I seek, He is my all in all.

11 comments:

Tony said...

Miss you guys! Sounds like a great time with the fam. Your dad is crazy! Holding a SNAKE!!! Marc's face just about sums it up for me but then again I would be on the other side of the country! I love the elephant. Ridem Cowboys!!! Stay safe and keep doing great work!

Anonymous said...

Sweet Sherry,
Thank you for sharing your heart about this. It's almost like sitting having a conversation with you....I'm so glad God gave you the opportunity to spend time with your parents. What a blessed visit.

You are all SO MISSED!

"May the Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift His countenance on you, and give you His peace." Num. 6:24-26
Love you, Kim C.

Tiffani said...

Girl! Now I'm all cryin' and snotty!! ;)

I know your heart for your family so I can only imagine how bittersweet it was to watch them go...

What a gift that they got to stay as long as they did and getting to enjoy not only excursions but coffee and waking up w/ your Mama and Daddy right there...

My children have comforted my heart on many many occasions and I'm so thankful that you have Sophie with you. JuJu still talks about Sophie and asks to play with her again ;).

I love you and have a special time that I pray for you, your family and your mission while you are in Thailand.

susan shay said...

So happy for you all, Sherri. Equally inspired. Susan

Cindy Windom said...

Wow... now I'm crying. ='( I'm so glad they got to come visit you and hope they will again soon. I think and pray for you guys often. I know it's hard being away from home but I also know God is doing big things through you! Take care and we love you guys!

Leigh Anne Bedingfield said...

from the mouths of babes...Sophie is just adorable! Praying for you as you continue to be obedient to God's call so far away. I love that your parents were able to spend so much time there with you guys! What great memories for you all.

Unknown said...

It's ok Baby Sis, you'll have more visitors. Maybe not the ones that will wake up at the crack of dawn to make coffee every morning or eat bugs but we will come,,,I will sing you to me remember..I can't wait..I Love You so much you make me hurt to hear the tears in your words, but knowing you cling to Jesus and knowing He wraps you up helps me through the day...Love you Sherry Pie

Jennifer said...

Beautiful and well said! I did well with not crying until I got to the part where Sophie was comforting you....or should I say....God was comforting you through Sophie. :) I loved reading everything you said and looking at all the great pictures! I'm so glad you got to have your mom and dad visit you!!

The Great Adventure said...

I'm so glad your parents got to visit...and for such a good amount of time! I remember what that's like...to say goodbye to those you love. Isn't it neat to have your little one comfort you?! What a gift! Love you, girl!

Cindy Leaf said...

Thanks for sharing. Love you so much! I always love to hear your heart. I am so challenged by your life. Give your sweet baby a kiss from me. She is so precious. Give Marcus a hug from his sis =).
PS Anna Claire just said, not even knowing I am on your blog) "when I grow up I am going to live in Thailand". =)

Glitterbugz Makeovers said...

Thanks Sherry, I held it together for a while and then you made me burst into tears. I can't believe that I'm just now reading this. God's timing, I guess. I heard these things straight from your mouth and they made me cry, so I'm not sure why I didn't think they would when I read them. For some reason I procrastinate on checking this blog- in the blood I guess- I know you don't write in it everyday and for "some reason" I don't get email notifies when you do. Oh well, you know I love you more than words and that even hurts to type. I'm so thankful for who Jesus is and how much He loves us. Thanks again for loving me so much 15 years ago that you wouldn't give up on "pulling me" to HIM!!! Goodness, I've gotta stop, I'm making myself burst into tears- guess that's in the blood too :) Love, your biggest sister