tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85820032803978441282024-02-18T23:14:27.611-05:00Sweet JourneySherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06386418162019426199noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582003280397844128.post-89091825159595996482012-07-08T09:26:00.000-04:002012-07-08T22:33:56.651-04:00Prince Charming<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Well, as most of you know, through facebook, Nate's "Gotcha Day" was Monday, June 25. Incidentally, Marc and I have always wanted to change the name of this monumental day but haven't landed on anything. "Gotcha!" just reminds me of something you yell when you're sneaking up to scare a child. Maybe we'll call it, "Family Day", "Homecoming Day", or more appropriately "Blow My Mind with a Supernatural, Love at First Sight, When You Hand Me This Baby I've Never Laid Eyes on Before Day." Or something similar, because that's what happened. My mind is officially blown. I've thought about it a lot. How can this be? How can I love this little person so fiercely, so quickly? I've heard from my friends that its the same when you give birth. It was the same with Sophie, but different. With Sophie, I was a little distracted with the anxiety of being a first time mom. Love and excitement mingled with a lot of fear and worry that I wouldn't do it right, etc. But, the love came so naturally. Now I know that this isn't the case with everyone, but, here, in this house, our cup runneth over. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">Now, about Nate. Not sure if there is a baby on the face of the earth with a sweeter smile and giggle. He does this incredibly adorable thing where he tilts his head to the left and smiles his big, toothless smile. He has a very sweet disposition. He loves to snuggle, much to his mother's enjoyment. He's so easy to enjoy. We have continued to have some intestinal issues but we'll hopefully get those under control soon. We are scheduled to have our post-adoption interview in Bangkok next week so we'll visit an international hospital there to get a second opinion. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">Now, this is not to say that we haven't had a few difficult days. Sophie has had her moments of jealousy and general discontentment that she isn't the sole object of her Mommy's and Daddy's attention. But, over all, she is really loving and embracing the newest member of our family. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Marc has been so great in helping me around the house, allowing me to "ease into" being the mother of two. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">And I may or may not have had a small meltdown the other day. It really wasn't about Nate though, it was about me being old. I had a small pity party as I had to carry my old, decrepit body to the doctor because my back was full of muscle spasms. Turns out, holding a 14 lb. baby with one arm all day long, when you already have back problems can create some pain. I got my first ever cortisone shot. As I rode home on a tuk-tuk (for which I was grossly overcharged), tears streamed down my face. One, I was in a considerable amount of pain, but two, I was sad that I wasn't holding my sweet baby boy with a 27 year old back. I know this is silly. I'm not THAT old. But, that's just the way I felt. PMS did have a significant role in the emotions on that day but I've learned over the last few years that hormones don't create our negative emotions, they just make it a little more difficult to control them. So, on a normal day I probably could have quickly rejected those sad, "woe is me" thoughts, but on this day I ended up swimming in them a little.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">The truth of the matter is, I didn't start having kids when I wanted. I wanted kids at 25 years old. We tried and tried and tried. And I cried and cried and cried. That's when you're "supposed" to have children- when you're young and vibrant and your back is strong. Well, God had other plans.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">This is one of those times when I felt like such an Israelite. You know that feeling you get when you read about the Israelites complaining or worrying right after God parted the Red Sea? Like you want to grab one of them by the shoulders, shaking them and yelling, "What is your problem????!!!!! Did you not just see that???!!! Shut your big, whiny trap!!!" That's what I want to do to myself sometimes. Now, I do think there's room to mourn over disappointed hope. But, was this really the time? I had two choices. I could either spend the whole evening being sad that things aren't as perfect as I would like them to be, or I could get alone with the Lord for a minute, ask for His grace, and then get to enjoying the ridiculous blessings in my life. Its all about choices. Its all about perspective. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">Well, what ended up happening after I finally arrived home, is that I walked into my bedroom where Marc was reading and fell on the bed beside him. I instantly burst into sobs and tried to relay everything I was thinking to this poor man. I'm not even half way through before I start laughing. I knew hormones were involved when I started ranting about paying 120 baht for a 6 mile tuk-tuk ride. Ultimately, I was sleep deprived, in pain, suffering from a poorly maintained spiritual life and had just undergone a huge life change (albeit a wonderful one). But what resulted from that meltdown was a renewed hunger for God and His Word. Later that afternoon I stood in the kitchen holding Nate and sang, through tears, "I Need Thee Every Hour". </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">Yes, God had other plans for our lives. Plans that are so much greater than anything I could ever come up with. I could never pick three other people I would rather spend my life with. I need to be reminded over and over and over, that if starting a family had been in my timing, I would not have these two gems as my children. See, their birthdays were penned on God's epic calendar before the foundation of the world. Any earlier or any later and it would have all been different. God is worthy of my trust, and my future joy is dependent on it. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">I'm not entirely sure why I'm writing all this. Initially I just wanted to give a little update on my little Prince Charming. But every once in while I just need to "let it all hang out". The reality is that I very well may have back pain until the day I die. So, I need to let 2 Corinthians 12:9 be my constant friend, </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."</span></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white;">And cling closely to 2 Corinthians 4:16-18:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"> "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. "</span></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white;">God is renewing me through His Word. He has graciously "redeemed my life from the pit" (Ps. 103) by the blood of Jesus and has promised me eternity with Him but He's also saving me everyday- from myself. In spite of my sin and propensity to wander, He pours out blessing after blessing. That is grace. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Thank you, Jesus, for my babies- all three of them :-)</span><br />
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<br />Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06386418162019426199noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582003280397844128.post-20681259299178258492012-06-09T00:12:00.000-04:002012-06-09T00:12:00.140-04:00Things Hoped For“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you."
(Psalm 39:7 ESV)<br />
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Many of you friends know that we've been waiting for our second child for some time now. We applied directly to the Thai government to adopt a child soon after we moved back here in 2009. This process has looked and felt totally different than when we adopted Sophie from China. Though we've had no major complications, its always felt very precarious to me. I think this is largely due to what the Lord has been doing in my heart, a deep work of purifying my faith. I've felt the Lord asking me to hold my hand open, allowing this hope to sit there unguarded, unprotected, surrendered to His control- this adoption along with a few other issues. When we began the process to adopt Sophie, it felt so official, so sure, just a long wait. Because I've felt like God could close the door at any moment, throughout this whole three year process, I've blogged about this very little, as you can see. But, God is always faithful to bring things about in His perfect timing, asking us to trust Him, and changing us along the way.<br />
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And so without further ado, I announce that we have received "the call" that we've been matched with a precious baby boy whom we will meet very soon! He is 9 months old and his name will be Nathanael "Nate" Jordan Lewis. We have no picture yet, and probably won't receive one before we travel to pick him up. Please pray for us during this time. It could be as soon as two weeks from now and as long as 6 weeks. I'm going to plan as though it will be two and try to prepare my heart for six. Living in the "already but not yet" phase is not the easiest place to be. I continue to entrust my heart, my baby boy and our future into the hands of my Father, the King who reigns intimately over every detail of our lives. Still a very, very "Sweet Journey" indeed.Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06386418162019426199noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582003280397844128.post-24056644992922496242012-02-08T23:39:00.010-05:002012-02-20T08:32:02.862-05:00Girls Just Wanna Have Fun<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie21MjUMfKhJ_yHQ4Xhh3zaVei8Gi2lsLE_UCpky1cJNeGmuyO6hRGATnC52qH95IP02aALDJoZr9fWo1VI2vG_NOpJedBM1IXr-zddeNuGkN23AbeX_YeTly5Abcymxrw7D-9r2FSzbqy/s1600/403077_10150687833661667_717241666_11297104_1408451528_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie21MjUMfKhJ_yHQ4Xhh3zaVei8Gi2lsLE_UCpky1cJNeGmuyO6hRGATnC52qH95IP02aALDJoZr9fWo1VI2vG_NOpJedBM1IXr-zddeNuGkN23AbeX_YeTly5Abcymxrw7D-9r2FSzbqy/s320/403077_10150687833661667_717241666_11297104_1408451528_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711209534496941714" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10fK3DsnTGN8kMOpB6SNKxNK0WDX8Q9f81Mzvl8eHfSEXY-SoLlLUAOA_rIHUgFCnfelydGuWpiucOoLpiwsLA8FUYeunbUpAYE_dod1PGdOqfq6DkWB0DPftvVqc_PjbHhl0lkJ2e_-f/s1600/422726_10150687836191667_717241666_11297133_1789323267_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10fK3DsnTGN8kMOpB6SNKxNK0WDX8Q9f81Mzvl8eHfSEXY-SoLlLUAOA_rIHUgFCnfelydGuWpiucOoLpiwsLA8FUYeunbUpAYE_dod1PGdOqfq6DkWB0DPftvVqc_PjbHhl0lkJ2e_-f/s320/422726_10150687836191667_717241666_11297133_1789323267_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711198678539522098" /></a><br /><br />We had a marathon day last Saturday. First on the agenda was Sophie's ballet performance. Sophie, Becca and Rae were pink butterflies in a 5 minute performance with their ballet class. There was a private school expo at the local mall and the performing arts school they attend (HUG school), used it as an opportunity to showcase all the talent being developed by their teachers :-). The girls had to be at the mall at 11:00 am for a 1:00 pm performance. Our plan was to then rush home to Blaa's baby shower (yes the same Blaa who was married this time last year is about to have her first baby!!!), which was at my house starting at 2:00pm. But, because we live in Thailand and are pretty accustomed to the laid back "May Pen Rai" ("no problem") attitude, we knew it probably wouldn't work out quite that neatly. The girls ended up getting on the stage at 2:45, danced for 5 minutes, and we made it back home by 3:15. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBNbAAdYm837W2BRhni7DqIm9dxsaxD-tB3bNVVNEzOESJqjdPRUYLSwVFlGeydOwo-bc901T47bhdGI5nUSJ1BfslvCmvp3hKlXdbJ5nWH1LIz_F_ckPbelMrMRDtdc65yuR6gwdm4Xp/s1600/IMG_4767.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBNbAAdYm837W2BRhni7DqIm9dxsaxD-tB3bNVVNEzOESJqjdPRUYLSwVFlGeydOwo-bc901T47bhdGI5nUSJ1BfslvCmvp3hKlXdbJ5nWH1LIz_F_ckPbelMrMRDtdc65yuR6gwdm4Xp/s320/IMG_4767.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711207388218644338" /></a><br />By then, the shower was in full swing and we were able to pop right in and join the party. If that wasn't exciting and eventful enough, we planned Betsy's surprise 50th birthday party for the same night. At the end of the shower, we turned the "CONGRATULATIONS" banner around and it read "HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY", only it was backwards- you don't wanna to know. We then told Betsy to go home and pack a bag because all the "big girls" were going to have a slumber party in her honor. She went home, we decorated Terri's house for a retro birthday slumber party: streamers, balloons, penant banner that read "YADHTRIB TH05 YPPAH"- again, you don't wanna know- it had nothing to do with the fact that I spent hours hand painting a dual-sided penant banner only to realize that I didn't quite think it through well enough and one side was backwards. Terri quickly redeemed my blunder by assigning the theme "Back To The Future". We later picked Betsy up, went out to dinner, then all spent the night (16 adult women) at Terri's house. Now, I mean true blue slumber party, complete with birthday cake (amazingly decorated by Terri), games, sleeping bags on the floor, lots of laughing and non-stop talking. Of course we never got around to watching the movie, too much to talk about. We all got in the bed by 12:30 and were up again bright and early at 6:30, ready to eat and continue talking. I LOVE girl time. My tank was filled. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-T5-PBr2XVv4LRT-mTZwMF8EZ_cM9wkpWRT0W2y2j_q8I_ZA_ySS_QCHfqNGKVyaRwzcbwyKe1dE5EEdrnQiOAO02urW9PsW26jKdGcMtHAl2XZamOQccJBNK4j6PK2vf3id_MNtXvZiY/s1600/429469_10100965282502972_5137046_61188475_390489726_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-T5-PBr2XVv4LRT-mTZwMF8EZ_cM9wkpWRT0W2y2j_q8I_ZA_ySS_QCHfqNGKVyaRwzcbwyKe1dE5EEdrnQiOAO02urW9PsW26jKdGcMtHAl2XZamOQccJBNK4j6PK2vf3id_MNtXvZiY/s320/429469_10100965282502972_5137046_61188475_390489726_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711207960500995618" /></a><br />I may have been exhausted the next day but it was all worth it.Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06386418162019426199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582003280397844128.post-43313255468618528792012-02-03T21:09:00.013-05:002012-02-03T23:23:59.379-05:00Friends, friends, friends.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91AWjzyuxeg3B9Oq7QKxnoGfoIZbC0nyi3oRi6_tZvfR8iRTbRil6ODUznheVuSXJjq_vAJcJoR3N55t-xr4bK0Ma0Lb8mXwdEYPovDKcqZfDhvKoxhMngy7YVsR6vO1wWSOyA5b855fv/s1600/IMG_4559.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91AWjzyuxeg3B9Oq7QKxnoGfoIZbC0nyi3oRi6_tZvfR8iRTbRil6ODUznheVuSXJjq_vAJcJoR3N55t-xr4bK0Ma0Lb8mXwdEYPovDKcqZfDhvKoxhMngy7YVsR6vO1wWSOyA5b855fv/s320/IMG_4559.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705098853298288338" /></a><br /><br />These are Sophie's schoolmates at "Miss Sherry's School For the Exceptionally Adorable and Uncommonly Sweet Female Child" (I just came up with that). <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpscfQ9AWYOjqD4B8U3P068Pl5sI3Jt5jAGQahniY73O8txhlil-4LstV8odn0I0_wa4krovo6r77FvgmoI8l64d-z2s13FaUDxawmFU71pLAQMCTwhSKlTPzjmYpfxZgcm6mxKaQ5AWd/s1600/IMG_2520.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpscfQ9AWYOjqD4B8U3P068Pl5sI3Jt5jAGQahniY73O8txhlil-4LstV8odn0I0_wa4krovo6r77FvgmoI8l64d-z2s13FaUDxawmFU71pLAQMCTwhSKlTPzjmYpfxZgcm6mxKaQ5AWd/s320/IMG_2520.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705106788014081618" /></a><br /><br />They are quite the threesome. Becca, the tall blonde with beautiful blue eyes, is the eldest. She keeps things peaceful around here as she has one of the most amiable personalities of any 5 year old I've ever met. Whenever I hear a "Hmph! Then I'm not playing with you anymore!", it is not uncommon for Becca to step in as the peacemaker. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLweu9HMbS0A374-yBa-839AxYQDd6w5TkV2o9SKmXXLM_dFSuKURy8rz3CmAq-FmRBUBZ7vV24rDSIRUpAngDd8R5FUSYETaT1JvrAqEs3wn5EeVgttceGKu0xMXRYI6Rh0JXTjB_OzQG/s1600/IMG_2774-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLweu9HMbS0A374-yBa-839AxYQDd6w5TkV2o9SKmXXLM_dFSuKURy8rz3CmAq-FmRBUBZ7vV24rDSIRUpAngDd8R5FUSYETaT1JvrAqEs3wn5EeVgttceGKu0xMXRYI6Rh0JXTjB_OzQG/s320/IMG_2774-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705111210703466274" /></a><br /><br />See this adorable thing with the big brown eyes and the radiant red ringlets? This is Lillie Belle. I like to call her lil' Lil'. She is our "free spirit". She absolutely cracks me up on a regular basis. This is something she can be heard saying, "Ms. Sherry, I don't like my picture, it's all jacked up!" It took me off guard the first time she said it, then it became our favorite way to describe something that just wasn't quite right. Whenever I need a hug, I know I can always look to Lillie, she's the affectionate fireball. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZvXDfNkzcvo9OahoeMFC_dLg-IfGceQdqA_YLx_TwxpPrzQHK_MGJym6iZxOhW0oRZsQhIX-6IWq7Uplocqw31B7M75alXmo31ReJF8xwApqileKdlR-jEATAUYKumYIyEEJjzqzl9Xe/s1600/IMG_2650.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZvXDfNkzcvo9OahoeMFC_dLg-IfGceQdqA_YLx_TwxpPrzQHK_MGJym6iZxOhW0oRZsQhIX-6IWq7Uplocqw31B7M75alXmo31ReJF8xwApqileKdlR-jEATAUYKumYIyEEJjzqzl9Xe/s320/IMG_2650.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705116080100368434" /></a><br /><br />Then, of course, there's this one. The petite, dark haired, dark eyed beauty. I cannot describe how thankful I am that she has such sweet friends, what a blessing. I'm not sure if its because she's an only child (Lillie and Becca are both one of four in their families), but Sophie insists on giving me the play by play of everything they do, getting my approval. "Mom, Lillie wants to play restaurant while Becca wants to look at books so we will play restaurant first and then look at books, is this ok?" ... "Mom, I told Lillie that I didn't want to play with her, but then I said I was sorry and then we decided to play school. Ok?" Maybe some control issues. I'm sure they have nothing to do with her parents. :-) Sophie is definitely an extrovert, totally energized by people. As soon as her friends leave, she's sad and trying to plan the next social event. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8GHDPLbVKD1q0-FyScv0mTcE-0F-BRH-rCVv60tZ-UgeP-8z5yc136elODyZvHBVNIuer5vhWHMd5JWSGvuh22wweiTWdAY1s28b8FR0T8SZuL_iK3b9pugVm48zWgUM82Uv40GCgHay/s1600/IMG_0023-13.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8GHDPLbVKD1q0-FyScv0mTcE-0F-BRH-rCVv60tZ-UgeP-8z5yc136elODyZvHBVNIuer5vhWHMd5JWSGvuh22wweiTWdAY1s28b8FR0T8SZuL_iK3b9pugVm48zWgUM82Uv40GCgHay/s320/IMG_0023-13.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705119709207621154" /></a><br /><br />Though Rae doesn't go to our school (she's in a private Christian school in town), she's another sweet friend. Sophie goes to her house on some afternoons to jump on the trampoline. Rae has a magnetic smile and a personality as charming as they come. Who knows, Sophie and Rae may be classmates at some point. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJUosjIVn376LgWmsBpWqlXItcxyFTaA7c9dU9RpNhV_GOLbdL3Xa0PHHJ34xfnWJCPEKrG5BLyT2wmQnRm8OlCess28SlgBnadnjn3K31gnz76RBEOKDrIkN_7zqC_MrMb23cCYAGsuy/s1600/IMG_4578.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJUosjIVn376LgWmsBpWqlXItcxyFTaA7c9dU9RpNhV_GOLbdL3Xa0PHHJ34xfnWJCPEKrG5BLyT2wmQnRm8OlCess28SlgBnadnjn3K31gnz76RBEOKDrIkN_7zqC_MrMb23cCYAGsuy/s320/IMG_4578.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705122401739242306" /></a><br /><br />Finally, we have our new friends Rumi and Raine. They came to Sophie's birthday party. I wish I had been videoing when Sophie opened her gifts. Rumi was beside herself with excitement over every gift opened. It was the sweetest thing, she was genuinely excited, squealing, for Sophie. We are going to Rumi's pool party today and I can't wait to see her open her own gifts. We look forward to spending more time with them and making some fun memories. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwhgYRL24wLri3zNkTZSAvE-mB0FV-u8JC-3hW7umV2CCDZunKnquZXoDe0507Gbu6XU_wK_RC_UrUx5IrgnisKdNJdtpkRUOiPUtAcIVb1uR3yG4X2n-i0Qr5AYbAwx75ojqQK4iBjEM/s1600/IMG_4707.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwhgYRL24wLri3zNkTZSAvE-mB0FV-u8JC-3hW7umV2CCDZunKnquZXoDe0507Gbu6XU_wK_RC_UrUx5IrgnisKdNJdtpkRUOiPUtAcIVb1uR3yG4X2n-i0Qr5AYbAwx75ojqQK4iBjEM/s320/IMG_4707.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705127128650385074" /></a><br /><br />God is faithful to give us what we need, when we need it. We are definitely a family who loves and needs friends, and our cup is overflowing with them!Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06386418162019426199noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582003280397844128.post-9457039220657065932012-01-18T22:36:00.009-05:002012-01-19T11:18:55.934-05:00Five Years Ago<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqRekB3fc6teEKTM7hIwqJuqvNEtJiMHWos3NKm_e8yJG-s7lALbTfS6wHse-N9COW1svKEE34DorUq8lqkdL0yOF86MKn_H-FjJMM70zIJPd-jJv3_7uRKCGLG_8hpUUnKjfZbIPZB0b/s1600/IMG_2193.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 222px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqRekB3fc6teEKTM7hIwqJuqvNEtJiMHWos3NKm_e8yJG-s7lALbTfS6wHse-N9COW1svKEE34DorUq8lqkdL0yOF86MKn_H-FjJMM70zIJPd-jJv3_7uRKCGLG_8hpUUnKjfZbIPZB0b/s320/IMG_2193.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699344309339361202" /></a><br /><br />I wish I could remember what I was doing on this day five years ago. Whatever I was doing, I was oblivious that my baby girl was being born in China. I was dreaming about her, praying for her, hoping for a phone call. But, on this particular day, my life was changed FOREVER and I had no idea. But Providence knew.<br /><br />On most days, this whole scenario doesn't enter my mind. We're doing life: learning to read, putting puzzles together, laughing, crying, taking temperatures, snuggling, kissing, pouting, correcting, singing (to which she will say, "that's ok mom, can you just let daddy sing?"). She's my baby girl who's turning five. Its not until I get the question, "why doesn't she look like you?" that I'm reminded that I didn't actually give birth to her. From day to day, I'm not really thinking about where our journey began.<br /><br />But on days like today, I just need to sit and think about that day. I wasn't there for her birth, but others were. If no one else, there was one Chinese woman there. May the grace of the Lord be with her on this day. We will never know all the details of that day and the days leading up to it, but what we do know is that Jesus was there, caring, protecting, carrying out His plan for the life of this precious child, our daughter. Reflecting on this day carries me to the Cross where we see the redemption of all things. Difficult, painful circumstances become beautiful, life changing gifts. I am humbled on this day.<br /><br />Marc and I want to help Sophie view all of life through the lens of God's greater story of redemption. We are a part of that story, our beginnings, our endings. Our personal histories are important but not ultimate. The ultimate story is that God's people, his creation, were lost and He found us. We were hopelessly trying to do life our own way. God, compelled by love, pursued His people- His stubborn, prideful people. He redeemed us by His own blood. He gave us a new identity, a new life. And then ultimately, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.'"- Revelation 21:4-5<br /><br />My Love Muffin, my Princess Buttercup, my Sunshine, my Sophie Mei, she's five today and I'm so thankful for her. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2533C_McoctkAfr0jLx0A9IcH1qrUmnWJFoWfaZu8tx_uY6i8EfzcBCN_XLmKJY-QJ0FGkvsfzJxZdc3X8ExbBwcliXT-u0tWMWSlmVRNKEk3_T2n6c9YQZKxA_BAfq5M0FZ-X2ZiuMCR/s1600/IMG_4561.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2533C_McoctkAfr0jLx0A9IcH1qrUmnWJFoWfaZu8tx_uY6i8EfzcBCN_XLmKJY-QJ0FGkvsfzJxZdc3X8ExbBwcliXT-u0tWMWSlmVRNKEk3_T2n6c9YQZKxA_BAfq5M0FZ-X2ZiuMCR/s320/IMG_4561.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699339436249941170" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582003280397844128.post-77006391539097153782011-01-29T23:18:00.006-05:002011-02-12T20:10:30.299-05:00Princesses and Hovercrafts.Wow, its 2011! That sounds so weird. When I was in high school, we just knew that we would be all be driving hovercrafts by now. Where's my hovercraft? Where's the robot that's supposed to be cleaning my house? What about my personal vending machine that will prepare and cook whatever I want? We may not have these things but we have some crazy phones and electronics. My friend sent us a kindle over Christmas- amazing gift!!! We can, from the other side of the world, order a book- just about any book- and it will download to this handheld device in a matter of minutes, any time of the day. I think she meant it for me, but since Marc reads about 3x's as much as me, its usually in his possession. :-) Technology is progressing, societies are changing, some for the better, some the worse. When my heart is tempted to get overwhelmed with the spiritual condition of those around me, the poverty, the pain, the enslavement, I have to discipline myself to look to the promises of the Lord. But what I KNOW is that "the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning, new every morning. Great is your faithfulness O Lord, Great is your faithfulness." The Lord is good and with every passing year, He draws us closer and closer to Himself. "He who began a good work will carry it out to completion." - Phil. 1:6<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKObkcZ5YMRaTmJ0j_ZLlKTNFOufYJguRVktS1l7Sy1VYiPUA4Fh15BqLj2muYFIVvwi4PZrN4qmPnQJeP1EZcRE4uZ605W-X2Pj0vySiCYhagmlKUfjw8yMynRoWh3hxIyvf28vDW-sK/s1600/165512_489094981226_538206226_6636678_3939155_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKObkcZ5YMRaTmJ0j_ZLlKTNFOufYJguRVktS1l7Sy1VYiPUA4Fh15BqLj2muYFIVvwi4PZrN4qmPnQJeP1EZcRE4uZ605W-X2Pj0vySiCYhagmlKUfjw8yMynRoWh3hxIyvf28vDW-sK/s320/165512_489094981226_538206226_6636678_3939155_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567837992049536882" /></a><br /><br />The last couple of months have flown by! We've celebrated Thanksgiving, lots of Christmas parties, my birthday, many spiritual births, Sophie's gotcha day, Christmas, Sophie's Princess birthday and now we're girding ourselves for another busy season. We've got lots coming up on the horizon: showers and parties to celebrate Blaa and Nai's wedding (more on that later), ministry parties, a three week training project for the students, the wedding, staff training- then before we know it, the school year begins again. Whew! Lord, help us to be on your agenda and not our own. <br /><br />The new marriage of a Thai Christian couple is really a huge praise! Thailand is a spiritually dark place and when two of our student come to know Christ, continue to walk with Him to a place of maturity, fall in love, and marry one another to begin a Christian family- we CELEBRATE!!!! Blaa and Nai need to be bathed in prayer. The Evil One does not like the formation of a Christian family, because its powerful. Please pray for them. Also, its a little long, but please enjoy watching their fairy tale engagement........<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3nXfeTZLdz8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />Until the next time I blog...... whenever that may be....... the Lord be with you.Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06386418162019426199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582003280397844128.post-90878770786415865992010-11-26T18:21:00.003-05:002010-11-26T19:11:56.349-05:00Daisy the Dog<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwzY0vA1gwWcBaYdYcbBxALnRMASQ2VLmtyq5OFj2cft7opzbkseG8EnG3fGhGJGqW58_eybd73fel_J7yhTVn_TVM53Gvsgzl-DuA8QyfA7V1RZO0YG6TJNu4nyB1tx01okZpC_EcfCH/s1600/IMG_0348.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwzY0vA1gwWcBaYdYcbBxALnRMASQ2VLmtyq5OFj2cft7opzbkseG8EnG3fGhGJGqW58_eybd73fel_J7yhTVn_TVM53Gvsgzl-DuA8QyfA7V1RZO0YG6TJNu4nyB1tx01okZpC_EcfCH/s320/IMG_0348.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544014567773606898" /></a><br />We now have a dog. She has been a part of our family for apx. 2 months. We had talked about getting a dog for a while. Sophie has very high social needs and seeing that she doesn't have a little brother or sister yet, we figured a dog would be the next best thing. There is a sweet missionary family in the neighborhood whose teenage daughter was moving back to the US and they were looking for a home for her dog. It seemed to be a situation we couldn't pass up. First of all, she is adorable. Secondly, she was already partially trained and very well mannered- for the most part. Her biggest weakness is the burst of high energy she gets on the arrival of anyone through the front door. She is OBSESSED with toes. She bites, nibbles, licks, sniffs- while simultaneously jumping and running circles around your feet. The sight of fresh feet (meaning new feet, not clean feet- actually, I'm pretty sure she prefers dirty feet) acts like a visual amphetamine for her. I need to figure out how to take her through detox. I know there's probably a very easy way to train your dog, but I'm challenged when it comes to training. We're still working on going potty outside- all the time. Isn't this supposed to be relatively easy when working with an intelligent dog? I believe the experts, its normally a problem with the trainer, not the trainee. I need someone to train me on how to train. <br /><br />Nevertheless, we really do love her. I secretly love the fact that she usually follows me wherever I go. When I'm cooking, she always gets snuggled up in the corner beside the oven, right by my feet. When I'm having a quiet time on the couch, there she is, right at my feet. I'm trying to ignore the fact that if she doesn't get a bath every other day, then I'm constantly sneezing and my eyes are bloodshot. This too shall pass- or not. <br /><br />Sophie does well, but she can't handle Daisy first thing in the morning. Sophie always stops on the second from the last step and calls me to come and get her. Daisy is especially excited to see Sophie in the morning, but Sophie needs to enjoy Daisy from a secure location- the couch or living room chair, too high for Daisy to jump on. After Daisy comes down from her high, the playing begins. Sophie loves to play with the leash. The great thing is Sophie can't clip it to her collar, rather she lets Daisy hold it in her mouth and leads her around the house. Daisy always cooperates and keeps it in her mouth, following close behind Sophie. That's a good friend. <br /><br />I hope we have Daisy for a long time, I just need to get trained on how to train. It's not that much different from training a child, except I don't have to "shepherd" the dog's heart. Speaking of shepherding a heart, I need to go read that book again. I need to get trained on how to train a child too, or at least a regular refresher course.Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06386418162019426199noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582003280397844128.post-29544768253726533292010-11-22T02:59:00.004-05:002010-11-22T04:07:31.569-05:00Poor Child<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1155.snc4/149770_457486938906_539783906_5769426_2120757_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 409px; height: 526px;" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1155.snc4/149770_457486938906_539783906_5769426_2120757_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Hmmm, I guess I'm not a blogger. My last entry was almost 4 months ago. The Pioneer Woman would be so disappointed. Maybe its just not in my blood. My sister finally wrote me an email and said, "Ok, enough is enough. Its Thanksgiving, write on your blog." Once I do it, blogging is really therapeutic. And I'm all about therapy. <br /><br />I really can't believe its Thanksgiving already. Where does the year go? We have a big team Thanksgiving dinner. The only thing we'll be missing is turkey. Turkeys are really expensive here and to make enough to feed 40 people just seems like too much. We'll have grilled chicken instead. But we'll have everything else: pecan pie, hashbrown casserole, dressing, sweet tea, etc. The only other thing missing is weather cool enough to wear a sweater and boots. Ahhh, the joy of winter ensembles. Its so much more fun to pick out an outfit in the winter. I wear the same shorts every other day, the same 5 shirts, the same flip-flops. Though, I guess I should be be counting my blessings- clothes to wear and food to eat. <br /><br />Something else that is flying by is Sophie's age! She will be 4 years old in two months!! She is getting smarter, spicier and funnier. Here are a few funny things she's said lately: <br /><br />Sophie is really good at turning some of our corrections around and using them on us. Marc will periodically comment, "Sophie if you don't like Daisy trying to play with you, maybe we'll have to let her go play at someone else's house." Then the other day, Sophie said to me, after she witnessed my frustration at cleaning up after the dog, "Mommy, if you don't like Daisy tee-teeing on your floor, maybe we'll have to let her tee-tee on someone else's floor." My reply, "Well, who would like to have Daisy come tee-tee on their floor?" ...Sophie- "Hmmmmm, I'm not sure." <br /><br />We were at a retreat and Sophie was really in the mood to play, she came to me and said, "Mom, I love you and everything, but where is Daddy?"<br /><br />At the Fall Festival there was an ongoing game where our friend Brandon played the part of sheriff and would periodically arrest people. Brandon came to arrest Blaa and put her in jail, Sophie was standing with Blaa at the time. (Blaa is a dear friend who hangs the moon in Sophie's eyes). Sophie was taken off guard, and as Brandon pulled Blaa away by the arm Sophie aggressively pulled Blaa back by the hem of her dress. She was determined to save Blaa, it was serious business. She was utterly confused and Blaa was playing along saying, "Help, help!!! Sophie, help me!!" Finally, Sophie let go of the dress and took off running to her daddy, crying hysterically. She couldn't help Blaa. Marc kept trying to explain that they were just playing but as soon as I took Sophie in my arms, she said, "I'm never coming to church again!!!" She continued to say this on the way home, through her tears, "I'm never going to church again. Only you and Daddy. You can get me a babysitter!!" Poor child.<br /><br />Until next time......Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06386418162019426199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582003280397844128.post-3903562622768375722010-07-30T00:55:00.007-04:002010-07-30T05:15:51.090-04:00A Tribute to Sisterhood<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlYLhO0Q_Njq4RBV_rgE5z7z2ear9LFz2yvqSZEQUaECTtq2vBrhX-AX26CG4Ujh3ltclM2YcNg-qSInlUU6UuHvbW8FfXcE2UwFvaGMCyr70BPt22g2FL-Xmf0bb8VlIQAAr9UkTD_OG/s1600/Pj+party"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 276px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlYLhO0Q_Njq4RBV_rgE5z7z2ear9LFz2yvqSZEQUaECTtq2vBrhX-AX26CG4Ujh3ltclM2YcNg-qSInlUU6UuHvbW8FfXcE2UwFvaGMCyr70BPt22g2FL-Xmf0bb8VlIQAAr9UkTD_OG/s320/Pj+party" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499617553451084530" /></a><br />Well, the visit by my sister and her family has come and gone. We had a great time. Their visit was short but we tried to fill our days with good time together, eating (as usual) and seeing lots of everyday Thai culture. There's never a dull moment with my brother-in-law Gary around, he never meets a stranger. They say the people who learn the language the quickest are those who aren't afraid to go out and use the vocabulary they've learned, Gary would have the language in no time. He was trying to speak Thai the minute they got off the plane. <br /><br />Hailey and Emily were so sweet, just glad to be here, going wherever we took them and eating whatever I asked them to try. They colored endlessly with Sophie in all her new coloring books. They watched Pooh. Hailey even shared her i-touch with Sophie whenever she asked. They are great cousins.<br /><br />Melissa, however, was such trouble, more trouble than it was worth to have her here. I hope you can hear the jest in my typing. If I could wrap her up and stick her in my pocket to have with me all the time, I would. She's adorable. She's sweet. She's as easy to talk to as the day is long. She loves her family. She can make a cheesecake better than Paula Deen and the Pioneer Woman put together. She's addicted to sugar- I mean BAD. She's got extreme maternal instincts- (she still tries to mother me and I don't mind a bit :-). She loves Jesus and loves to talk about Him. She loves to cuddle with my baby Sophie. She thinks my husband is funny. She flew 1/2 way around the world to see me. And best of all, she loves me like a big sister should. I mean she really loves me. She is at home trying to slay the jet-lag beast because she loves me so much. I absolutely, positively cannot imagine not having sisters. I'm so sorry to all of you out there who don't have them. I'm sure having a brother has its perks. Having one sister is a great thing, but having two sisters is, is... extra great. I have a friend with 3 sisters (you Lute girls are blessed) and I can't even imagine the joy and the fun. Its in the works for my oldest sister and mom to come along next time. I will have to send out warnings that the Marechale sisters are in town and in full effect. My dad has graciously declined an invitation to ever visit us in Thailand again. He says he enjoyed his trip last year but he never cares to get on a plane for 27 hours again. I don't blame him. <br /><br />So, anyway, that's pretty much all I can talk about right now. I will go and make something chocolatey so that I can think about my Sissy some more. Until next time. Sawasdee Kha!Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06386418162019426199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582003280397844128.post-44650943392019075462010-07-01T05:03:00.009-04:002010-07-09T08:21:17.091-04:00New Friends and Other "Tidbits".<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7E0UV841YwSA1zDdDqbFUaHkKPe-Sz6JnyaibOF0xkHly6i0cHZMEfs3WkJ_HB9yI6z65UtH-Yd0O5d6So0y9eXz3nVMg9Ce8ImbEvM4a5pG4Udj-QQclbhlY5ST5dg3qntxvWGtTqTGl/s1600/IMG_7390.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7E0UV841YwSA1zDdDqbFUaHkKPe-Sz6JnyaibOF0xkHly6i0cHZMEfs3WkJ_HB9yI6z65UtH-Yd0O5d6So0y9eXz3nVMg9Ce8ImbEvM4a5pG4Udj-QQclbhlY5ST5dg3qntxvWGtTqTGl/s320/IMG_7390.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489897929260393090" /></a><br />Life is good here in the Lewis house. The schedule has picked up quite a bit with the arrival of our summer missions team, which has been a positive thing. Sophie and I have still been enjoying doing <span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">some</span><span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span> school together. This girl loves cutting and gluing. I could give her a pair of scissors and a stack of scrap paper and she'll be happy for hours- ok, maybe only 45 minutes, but still. Its fun to hear the new words and expressions she picks up- from who knows where. We were walking through the grocery store, the stinky meat and fish section, when she covered her nose and said, "Mommy, something smells horrible, no actually, something smells terrible." I could only agree and laugh. Then, yesterday, while I was cooking dinner, she came to me and in her most bereft voice said, "Mommy, I don't know what to do with myself." What!? Have you ever heard me say that? I know she might get the dramatic and animated facial expressions from me, but these expressions have got to be someone else's fault. :-)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOhEx1E8NO7t3b16xg_P34r-Shx5UX46KI2gdBkiwpFEoIXPY_CHBAt58Nqh0-wIFcGv8QogetilWkf0pRzlwOiBtCj0YPE8wwXqpN7d2Vn5KbgAsD8qirxfXrsR93dLU1fb4ON71OhPZ/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOhEx1E8NO7t3b16xg_P34r-Shx5UX46KI2gdBkiwpFEoIXPY_CHBAt58Nqh0-wIFcGv8QogetilWkf0pRzlwOiBtCj0YPE8wwXqpN7d2Vn5KbgAsD8qirxfXrsR93dLU1fb4ON71OhPZ/s320/IMG_0010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491879735975223394" /></a><br />We also made some new friends this week. Sophie and our friend, Blaa, met some little girls at the neighborhood playground when Marc and I were on a date. They are several years older than Sophie and really loved playing with her. The oldest one, named Ice, asked if she could come and see Sophie again sometime. Well, Monday night Sophie and I were finishing up some coloring and about to head upstairs to bed when there was a knock on our front glass door, scared me to death. All I could see were four tiny faces pressed against the glass. The next thing I knew there were four precious neighborhood children running and playing in our living room at 7:30 pm. I let them play for about 20 minutes when I finally had to tell them it was time for Sophie to go to sleep. They, to my surprise, quickly starting neatly putting away all the toys they had played with and got on their bikes to leave. It was sweet. It was especially sweet because I was just thinking the other day that I wish there were some little kids in our neighborhood. I had never seen these children before. I knew children lived here but our street is all older, retired people and the kids on the other side of our neighborhood generally stay at school until at least 5 pm, sometimes 7-8 pm- hence the reason they were strolling in at 7:30. We were delighted to hear their voices in the carport the next evening calling Sophie's name. They came in again, played "enthusiastically", asked lots of curious questions about why my and Sophie's hair color was so different and then cleaned up all their toys at the first mention of Sophie's bed time. We're hoping they stop by again soon. <br /><br />I had to stop this blog post to start dinner. Sophie came in to help. I sat her on the counter, her normal seat, and she said, "Guess what Mommy, I cut my hair and Chok Chai's hair." (Chok Chai is her stuffed horse's name) "What?!"I couldn't immediately see the missing chunk of hair but she showed me the evidence, black hair in the bathroom trashcan. Once I tried to reapply her hair in a ponytail, I could see her new and extra thick sideburn. Lovely.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNFytJVy_PYYXM-_gAgtZn10NRq87i5bhQxEQE_BrimRToolFdh0hmhnUQhBGVX5O0WhjFeiryZEtcBxGkf0_uttgZmcQgVZfsYJ2FQaB05rrhwi7hVgPB76TktNv_7OItc6L88r3T6YY/s1600/IMG_7412.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNFytJVy_PYYXM-_gAgtZn10NRq87i5bhQxEQE_BrimRToolFdh0hmhnUQhBGVX5O0WhjFeiryZEtcBxGkf0_uttgZmcQgVZfsYJ2FQaB05rrhwi7hVgPB76TktNv_7OItc6L88r3T6YY/s320/IMG_7412.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491880238902534146" /></a><br />So, the last exciting tidbit is that my sister and her family are coming to visit in exactly 13 days. They will be here for about the that long exactly, 13 days. I will anticipate their arrival obsessively, and savor every moment of their visit emotionally. :-) Its just the way I do things.Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06386418162019426199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582003280397844128.post-28996334761794207002010-05-29T06:17:00.009-04:002010-05-30T06:09:18.565-04:00I didn't know it could be THIS good.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhyMggfYfy2M0EJEkXonJigS7m7nbqQ0eecKh68oknuOQXN7D_Q12Uu_EBhoW6JXeLy-ZDBqDxkyJA7MWfpGvGivzOmwr8EHFlYV8f1a2eI2IfDVXJWYHfGyFG3yDiXbBw2KznhDIBsOs/s1600/IMG_6285.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhyMggfYfy2M0EJEkXonJigS7m7nbqQ0eecKh68oknuOQXN7D_Q12Uu_EBhoW6JXeLy-ZDBqDxkyJA7MWfpGvGivzOmwr8EHFlYV8f1a2eI2IfDVXJWYHfGyFG3yDiXbBw2KznhDIBsOs/s320/IMG_6285.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476639068567470962" /></a><br />I'm so glad no one told me how incredibly fun and satisfying being Sophie's mom was going to be. If I had known this, the 2.5 year wait for her would have been so much more difficult. And she gets funner everyday. Can I say funner? I don't think I'm supposed to. :-) The above picture is Sophie driving her school bus.<br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4ERAfmJZbXGXN4NYXYGRjB8m3iDxTVbyhd8fCbBwbs2ycyy1RlRkHr1FD9PSZS9DYbXomhvasu8wD1XDs-15FtYv_hq_IX4zMs3wT2-NMwWf13eVFSC6soCJDSd1LIDxoJuGh72nsIa9/s1600/IMG_6302.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4ERAfmJZbXGXN4NYXYGRjB8m3iDxTVbyhd8fCbBwbs2ycyy1RlRkHr1FD9PSZS9DYbXomhvasu8wD1XDs-15FtYv_hq_IX4zMs3wT2-NMwWf13eVFSC6soCJDSd1LIDxoJuGh72nsIa9/s320/IMG_6302.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476904531043123186" /></a><br />Most of the time I can't wait for her to wake up in the mornings- though I also can't wait for her to go to bed at night either, b/c I'm usually falling asleep by 7:45. But seriously, can anyone love their child as much as I love her? Is this normal? It only intensifies with every day. Like my heart is going to burst. I really have to control myself so that I don't squeeze the breath out of her. She is FULL of personality. She still loves dancing and now she's singing more and more. Though, I know she loves me dearly, her daddy totally "hangs the moon". See her hanging on his arm, I can't get enough of her and she can't get enough of him- I LOVE IT!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfM54VotRQiSnAvLRZ_s7NoaVqCHZcFvRHalzlSA1fsnILS8tYJR5n3CfzzimDVxcdj-yPqngjAs1MOREWKesdCWHuSC0Vo6-0ZrQDltzyLPqThaHdnTmKKcQKQOaSbJXwNEy99JI_bKn/s1600/IMG_6287.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfM54VotRQiSnAvLRZ_s7NoaVqCHZcFvRHalzlSA1fsnILS8tYJR5n3CfzzimDVxcdj-yPqngjAs1MOREWKesdCWHuSC0Vo6-0ZrQDltzyLPqThaHdnTmKKcQKQOaSbJXwNEy99JI_bKn/s320/IMG_6287.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476904995306949714" /></a><br />Sophie and I have just recently started some K-3 homeschooling. The school year in Thailand begins in May so we will follow their schedule. It's been so good, for both of us. I really thrive within structure, and so does Sophie. Our schedule is very simple but its provided us with such good quality time together. She really enjoys "school" and its showing me how eager kids are to learn when given the opportunity. All of the older missionary kids go to a school in our neighborhood which is equivalent to a homeschool co-op. All the mothers teach, with the addition of a hired teacher. Sophie goes to this school for Thai language class. She loves getting to sit with her friends, John and Becca, to color and try to learn a few Thai words with her teacher, P' Gluay Khay (which literally translates "banana egg", a type of Thai banana).<br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6V8in6kTuXP2WNBwwcQSSKTeZxJhApOLOggfIJag9lGFENSzeT7y5bkjtlLSHo_k240gJIfE5PqKBXHPgjGDTAXZD9sK06yA96KUGQnTV5ABmBWp5fHdVurU6U0V81YwgcfT6pzHref_Q/s1600/IMG_6232.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6V8in6kTuXP2WNBwwcQSSKTeZxJhApOLOggfIJag9lGFENSzeT7y5bkjtlLSHo_k240gJIfE5PqKBXHPgjGDTAXZD9sK06yA96KUGQnTV5ABmBWp5fHdVurU6U0V81YwgcfT6pzHref_Q/s320/IMG_6232.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476908270691818978" /></a><br />We've got a very busy few months ahead of us as a group of American college students come for their summer to help Marc and the other staff meet some of the Freshmen at NEU. Sophie and I are looking forward to exercising our gift of hospitality by having a house full of students as often as we can. We've just recently put an air-conditioner in our living room which makes having people over a lot more enjoyable. Please continue to pray for us- and come see us!!!!!Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06386418162019426199noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582003280397844128.post-53163511009580147922010-03-28T22:05:00.003-04:002010-03-29T00:55:37.338-04:00Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity JigWe have now been home for one week after a long month and a half of traveling. Although it was difficult to leave our loved ones again, we are so glad to be home. Its taken us all several days to get somewhat back to normal, but I think the best way to express our current joy is through a dance performance by Sophie Mei.....<br /><br /><object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10478757&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10478757&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/10478757">Dancing on a Cool Day in Thailand</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/marcusjlewis">marc lewis</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><p>Sophie Mei dancing and having a great day.</p><br />The week after Sophie's 3rd birthday we flew to America and spent 4 lovely weeks visiting with friends, family and supporters. We, especially me, enjoyed as many yummy southern cooked meals as possible. I've always enjoyed good food but I feel the older I get, the more I enjoy- not a very good thing for an ever-declining metabolism. Collard greens, black-eyed peas, cornbread, a few Paula Deen recipes, Tres Leches cake, real mexican food, etc. I also had forgotten just how enjoyable a Chick-fil-a sandwich really is. There have been many foods that I dream about eating for so long and then when I finally get to eat it, I'm sorely disappointed- never as good as I remembered. But good 'ol Truett Cathy never disappoints. What is it? Is that sandwich anointed? Maybe so. God's blessing on a family who have chosen to honor Him first in all their dealings. Otherwise, it really doesn't make sense- a chicken sandwich so set apart from all others of its kind. ..... Ok, this is what happens when I just start typing the first things that come to my mind- a tribute to the Chick-fil-a sandwich. <br /><br />Back to our traveling.... we enjoyed being home but the cold weather was pretty intense. We experienced snow 4 x's in those four weeks (Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina). Sophie and I spent a lot of time indoors avoiding the weather and all the viruses that were rampantly attacking almost everyone we knew. She and I finally got colds but enjoyed staying snuggled up inside Grammy's house. While home, we ate good food (have I already mentioned that?), played really hard with all Sophie's cousins, had many cups of coffee around a table with all my favorite gals, lots of laughing, a little crying, trips to Wal-Mart, Target, and Chick-fil-a. Pretty enjoyable I must say. <br /><br />Once we returned to Thailand we were at our house for four days and then left again for our Thai Summer Project in Chiang Mai. This retreat is designed to provide an ideal setting for our Thai Christians to grow in their faith and the non-Christians to be moved forward in their understanding of who Jesus Christ is. It was a very fruitful time as there were six new believers by the end of the retreat and many Christians who were encouraged to seek Christ daily and have Him use their lives to reach others. We were reminded of how privileged we are to be a part of such profound things, the ministry of reconciliation. <br /><br />Now, we are getting settled back in, enjoying the Thai summer break. We will have a staff retreat at the end of April and then the campus schedule picks back up in May. Please continue to pray for us. Pray that our language acquisition will continue so that we can build and deepen relationships for the sake of the gospel. Maranatha!Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06386418162019426199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582003280397844128.post-49083128423421663912010-01-19T04:59:00.002-05:002010-01-19T05:05:30.233-05:00Sophie Mei's Birthday (video 2:54)<object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8835593&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8835593&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/8835593">Sophie Mei's Birthday (3)</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/marcusjlewis">marc lewis</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p><p>My daughter's birthday party.</p>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06386418162019426199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582003280397844128.post-89814485280337363902009-12-27T10:51:00.000-05:002009-12-27T10:52:07.660-05:00Christmas in Thailand 2009 (video 8:22)<object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8405152&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8405152&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/8405152">Christmas 2009</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/marcusjlewis">marc lewis</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><p>Christmas morning video with team and ministry photos. Merry Christmas.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582003280397844128.post-70640981642896146452009-12-11T20:04:00.003-05:002009-12-11T20:18:53.910-05:00By the way, its Zine, not Sai.Phonetics can be tricky sometimes but nonetheless, Zine (I had earlier asked you to pray for Sai, this is the same girl) prayed to receive Christ yesterday!! Praise the Lord! Please be praying for her, that the Lord will protect her from the lies of the Evil One, the intimidation of her friends and family and that she would stand firm in her new faith. Please continue to pray for the other girls as well: Im, Rock, Gung, Boo, and Jum.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjMe3-IG_gaxFG7iHtGGdiIjvif6WYGrIEHaN1ls4pN1XOjwZ3o6gz9YhEtp95AxrBh2cXtM8AUz3ffEMFm8Bbrtp4of-7oVA2WV81WqxD01TTIBNuMZbjX1S6PPt6KAujUTtp1mxL6me/s1600-h/IMG_3853.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjMe3-IG_gaxFG7iHtGGdiIjvif6WYGrIEHaN1ls4pN1XOjwZ3o6gz9YhEtp95AxrBh2cXtM8AUz3ffEMFm8Bbrtp4of-7oVA2WV81WqxD01TTIBNuMZbjX1S6PPt6KAujUTtp1mxL6me/s320/IMG_3853.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414150929227168818" /></a><br /><br /> Just a reminder: Im is on the left, Blaa is in the middle (older Christian who is one of my dearest friends), and Zine in on the right.Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06386418162019426199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582003280397844128.post-47444585185883743202009-12-07T20:09:00.009-05:002009-12-08T02:17:30.149-05:00"I just want to believe the Truth"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIVtqoC59BbyGi4DChWo8wckH9NfET0C9PhMp89OqLgF4CDHpHsThHdhN-IYxQck9DWOwoP42HnVnM0HIspYl0yLwm5i7Xqo9G2YskbJX8_Tn6710NVJKHKzQoIDoIwEVx4mvZ-n50FOM/s1600-h/IMG_3841.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412757400003983074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIVtqoC59BbyGi4DChWo8wckH9NfET0C9PhMp89OqLgF4CDHpHsThHdhN-IYxQck9DWOwoP42HnVnM0HIspYl0yLwm5i7Xqo9G2YskbJX8_Tn6710NVJKHKzQoIDoIwEVx4mvZ-n50FOM/s320/IMG_3841.JPG" /></a> "I just want to believe the Truth", is what one student said after a lengthy conversation during the car ride home from our retreat. She also said she wanted to study more about the claims of Christ so she could compare it with the intense Buddhist teachings she has received her whole life.<br /><br />The retreat was precious in every aspect. Our staff girls did an incredible job planning the retreat, and more specifically, planning their presentation of the gospel. I don't think the gospel could have been shared any clearer. The first night, Snow set the stage by explaining God as Creator (she was a Chemistry major and had great illustrations), the reality of heaven and hell, humans inability to be perfect, and our need for a Savior. Honey picked up the next morning with how God had provided that Savior, Jesus Christ. She, too, had wonderful illustrations that made the gospel so easy to understand. At the end of her sharing, there was even a tearful pleading for the girls to know that this message is true, not just Western religion. I think every believer was moved to tears (which included 4 Thai students), but the unbelievers sat stone cold still, no comment, no expression. Tough crowd. But we know that the power is in the gospel and that all we could do was pray for God to open the eyes of their hearts. We wrapped up our meeting time, leaving them with some things to think about and got ready for our day of activities. Hopeful.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412755522046002962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib99gWqYF1xDancHYDpuDg_7P1UO843CT6zsnUL4_Ga5E1BSkEnER9DthDfGIqHx4b9F7CkHFcbPCz_SEUOGZziHJm5dq9VLISpEhtuM4Oc_d8XggA1m6jj48FwOAkNB8gHTjW4cX6JyzC/s320/IMG_3842.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-8R4NZBrze_wgzgQbMnDdFL0xIR7RJE2sElJ4PZeCWYybvBuD6d3rBzz5zZdwZxvNg-9gdX8i0RkJwfA_ArLxvGZtvJo9R3EM0ku_mrRd8kxaCSEqg_zcwgo-XfCYy7V1t_MG-K5WSQl/s1600-h/IMG_3841.JPG"></a> We went to the National Park where we saw a ton of monkeys, wild elephants, and a beautiful waterfall. We tried to take advantage of our free time with the girls to have follow up conversations. By the end of the weekend there were four girls who said they were interested in learning more and one in particular who told Snow that she wanted to meet with her one on one and study the Bible before she made a decision for Christ. Helping someone make a decision to place their faith in Christ and begin following Him takes time and must be handled with care. There are many barriers for these students- strong family influence and expectation to be faithful Buddhists, and potential ridicule from friends and family if they do become a Christian. Please pray for Im, Gate, Ice and Sai as they move forward in their search for Truth. You can also pray for Gung, Rock, Jum, Boo, . I look forward to giving you an update on their progress.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipELB85860IU_AGRN6TDhKto8ZUwTMAO2VuARROnpOi_ZU4lQqBPC8LSy6MHiBj8PtNdCW-QYjfSQq49v7ttsFZ9K8kqVA2xcHh4hjImmHdoOjOiJ4gkzyDRXKvE8lCdpsg4XqTaFK9Omt/s1600-h/IMG_3853.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412757970860118514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipELB85860IU_AGRN6TDhKto8ZUwTMAO2VuARROnpOi_ZU4lQqBPC8LSy6MHiBj8PtNdCW-QYjfSQq49v7ttsFZ9K8kqVA2xcHh4hjImmHdoOjOiJ4gkzyDRXKvE8lCdpsg4XqTaFK9Omt/s320/IMG_3853.JPG" /></a></p><div align="center">This is Im, Blaa, and Sai.</div>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06386418162019426199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582003280397844128.post-36058832805113100192009-12-01T20:41:00.002-05:002009-12-01T21:18:53.123-05:00Trip to "Big Mountain"We have a busy few days ahead of us. Tomorrow, the new mall opens in Khon Kaen. This is a big deal. For some crazy reason I have agreed to go with 3 of my friends, toting two children, to the opening day of this mall. My biggest objective is to find out whether or not they will be selling Christmas trees. I am desperate to get a Christmas tree up but I'm not yet desperate enough to spend $50 on a short, gappy, sparse, plastic tree. Watch, I may be eating these words after tomorrow when I can't find my dream artificial tree. There is just nothing like bringing home a nice, big, full, Fraser Fir that smells up your whole house. Those were the days. But its also nice to have all your windows open enjoying nice, perfect temperature weather on Christmas Day also. The blessings and the sacrifices- life is full of them. <br /><br />Ok, so on with our busy week. After our mall outing on Thursday we will have a Women's Christmas Fellowship on Friday night. This is a party that our team puts on every year for our staff women and missionary women from other organizations in the area. I'm really looking forward to this. We're having a appetizer buffet, lots of dips, chips, cheesiness of every kind and cookies. Can I handle it? Thanksgiving already left me with 1.7 extra lbs. I'll just have to do a few extra laps around the neighborhood this week, and a few hundred more crunches (not).<br /><br />Lastly, the reason for this whole post in the first place, Saturday morning I will be leaving to go to Khao Yai (pronounced 'Cow Yie). The Thai staff girls are putting on a small women's evangelistic retreat. There will be 16 Thai college students (12 of which are unbelievers), 2 Australian college students, and 6 of our staff women. This is really a big opportunity that we would love for you to be praying for. The majority of the students are girls that our two single Thai staff women at NEU have been building friendships with over the last few months. We are asking the Lord to prepare their hearts to respond to a clear presentation of the gospel. We are convinced that it is the gospel that is "the power for salvation". Please pray these things for our weekend:<br /><br />1. Safe travel as we take 3 vehicles on a 4 hour drive (one way).<br />2. Snow and Honey would have clarity and boldness as they teach and share the gospel. <br />3. That the Holy Spirit would remove the blindness and chains that keep these young women in bondage to idol worship and seeking satisfaction and happiness in the things of this world. <br />4. That, I personally, would be able to build some relationships with these students. Being at home with Sophie, I have little opportunity to go on the campus and enter their world. I would love to maximize this opportunity in order to build trust with them so that they would feel free and comfortable to come to "my world". How I long for my home to be a refuge, a safe, warm place that when unbelievers walk in, they know there's something different and they want to know why. I want more opportunities to use hospitality as my medium for evangelism.<br />5. Lastly, pray for Marc and Sophie as they will be home alone for 3 days. I know Sophie will miss me but she LOVES extended quality time with her Daddy. <br /><br />I look forward to posting lots of pictures from our weekend and maybe even share about another soul being redeemed!<br /><br />Love,<br />SherrySherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06386418162019426199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582003280397844128.post-90617256299925693862009-12-01T20:27:00.001-05:002009-12-01T20:41:06.857-05:00Thanksgiving<object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7834097&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7834097&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/7834097">happy thanksgiving from thailand</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/marcusjlewis">marc lewis</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><p></p>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06386418162019426199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582003280397844128.post-33068039959692684792009-11-23T20:08:00.009-05:002009-12-02T01:54:08.084-05:00A scarf in Thailand?Can you believe that I'm sitting at my computer wearing a jacket and a scarf? I also have a throw blanket wrapped around my legs. The temperature is right at 60 F this morning. I know that doesn't sound cold to many of you but I mine as well be sitting outside in the 60 degree weather. We have no insulation and all granite/ tile floors so its pretty much the same temperature inside as it is outside. I walk with a good friend of mine at 5 am and I have NO long exercise pants here. So I'm out there with running shorts and a jacket. Our Thai neighbors don't mess with the cold weather, everyone we pass (the 3 other people walking at that time) are bundled to the max- sock caps, scarves, gloves, etc. I'm sure they think I'm crazy. But, with all that said, I LOVE IT!!!!!! There is nothing better to aid in getting in the holiday spirit than cold weather- well, playing Christmas music always helps. <br /><br />Sophie and I made a couple of Thanksgiving crafts. There is one with a poem writen on it that involves writing things you are thankful for. I asked her to tell me things she was thankful for and she started her list: God, Daddy, Mommy, a few family members, and then she said holiness. "Holiness?", I asked. "What do you think holiness means?". She answered, "I don't know. God told me to say it." Was that a message for me? <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRwfHBNoMPNf5QsGOlUpVgp0YGpSuayv7WIP_6G87eFjD6i01sHpXAGY5SKhLbq9VL4Bajnpc6CFUu6wTOstF2MaXDN3fCtWVZPH4pF6SgW4TQM2cOhAKZvI5yEOluqN4sRa15tZz-pzy/s1600/IMG_3719.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRwfHBNoMPNf5QsGOlUpVgp0YGpSuayv7WIP_6G87eFjD6i01sHpXAGY5SKhLbq9VL4Bajnpc6CFUu6wTOstF2MaXDN3fCtWVZPH4pF6SgW4TQM2cOhAKZvI5yEOluqN4sRa15tZz-pzy/s320/IMG_3719.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407491109331124482" /></a><br /><br />We are also getting ready for our big Thanksgiving dinner at the church. We were going to have the meal at our house but with the unpredicability of the weather, we thought it best to have it at the church. We have no AC in our downstairs and its predicted to be 90+ degrees on Thanksgiving day. Sitting around sweating while trying to enjoy a big plate of hot mushy casseroles would not be fun. Whoohoo, I cannot wait for a plate of hot, mushy casseroles all piled up together with just a corner reserved for a heaping spoonful of cold, crunchy broccoli salad. While we may not have access to all the holiday trimmings, we certainly make do. It also usually turns out that someone is making a trip to Bangkok and can make a grocery run for everyone. This year it happened to Moe and Git. Git had a long shopping list that included stuff like: pecans (which cost about $5.50 for 1/2 cup), corn bread mix, canned pineapple, cranberry sauce, karo syrup, etc. The only thing that will be missing this year is a turkey. Yes, thanksgiving without a turkey. We actually have access to butterball turkeys here but they are outrageously expensive. So, we do rotisserie chickens from a local grocery store. Honestly, I can take or leave the meat (although I do love my Daddy's perfectly moist smoked turkey), just give me that plate full of hot, mushy casseroles with a little crunchy broccoli on the side and I am blissfully content. <br /><br />I look forward to posting pictures of our Thanksgiving spread from this Thursday. I will be assisting our resident decorator, Mary Jo Ray (missionary teacher) with the festive decor. I know we will have a wonderful day of eating and talking, two of my favorite things. The upcoming month holds lots of other holiday activities. We'll be making a trip to Laos, Bangkok and Khao Yai. I'm sure we'll have lots to write about then. We also have a group of Australian college students coming to help meet Thai students on the campus. I'm looking forward to all the Lord has planned for us over this Christmas season. We're praying that many hearts are opened and that the gospel would pierce and bring freedom. Joy to the World!Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06386418162019426199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582003280397844128.post-40714018716813789772009-11-11T21:01:00.001-05:002009-11-11T21:03:47.874-05:00Lewis Family Disco Throw Down<img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNTc5OTEyODYyNTImcHQ9MTI1Nzk5MTMxMzU3MyZwPTQxODgxMyZkPTIwMzUwMiZnPTImbz1hNjM4ODE2ZDBlMzA*YjZmYWNlZDQ1YmIxNjZhNTlkMyZvZj*w.gif" /><div style='background-color:#e9e9e9; width: 425px;'><object id='A643437' quality='high' data='http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=Vqtl1Jb2nzrLuSl0&service=elfyourself.jibjab.com&partnerID=ElfYourself' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' wmode='transparent' height='319' width='425'><param name='wmode' value='transparent'></param><param name='movie' value='http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=Vqtl1Jb2nzrLuSl0&service=elfyourself.jibjab.com&partnerID=ElfYourself'></param><param name='scaleMode' value='showAll'></param><param name='quality' value='high'></param><param name='allowNetworking' value='all'></param><param name='allowFullScreen' value='true' /><param name='FlashVars' value='external_make_id=Vqtl1Jb2nzrLuSl0&service=elfyourself.jibjab.com&partnerID=ElfYourself'></param><param name='allowScriptAccess' value='always'></param></object><div style='text-align:center; width:435px; margin-top:6px;'>Send your own <a href='http://www.elfyourself.com'>ElfYourself</a> <a href='http://sendables.jibjab.com/ecards'>eCards</a></div></div>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06386418162019426199noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582003280397844128.post-1404533067460389882009-10-26T11:30:00.001-04:002009-10-26T11:32:48.742-04:00Sophie's Song<object height="330" width="600"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7264158&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7264158&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="600" height="330"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/7264158">Sophie's Song</a>.</p><p>Singing at the table. Breaking all the rules. I was trying to get some footage of her talking but she decided to sing. Don't read into her song...she is a happy girl who knows who she is and also knows her stuffed animal flopsy.</p>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06386418162019426199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582003280397844128.post-19427117150493059292009-10-25T00:46:00.003-04:002009-10-25T00:52:10.282-04:00Ballet Class<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtoqIgvTENgTzUkgIURbItIm954qImoffyWafoKInw2pTPmUJsfhDvCqJ6vykou7Dc-y7GE7JHC4X112tb4Sx4_tjIL7mPNLKvRIwHCZYn95vCagtyhBVJoWZiC9ODoQc3YAjIy2UD78G/s1600-h/IMG_3387.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtoqIgvTENgTzUkgIURbItIm954qImoffyWafoKInw2pTPmUJsfhDvCqJ6vykou7Dc-y7GE7JHC4X112tb4Sx4_tjIL7mPNLKvRIwHCZYn95vCagtyhBVJoWZiC9ODoQc3YAjIy2UD78G/s400/IMG_3387.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396395133059911746" border="0" /></a>Today Sophie took her first ballet class at the Hug School in Khon Kaen.<br /><br /><br /><br />Here they are warming up.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20JLbwZHzGuXeO5mOsk79629AjjORBmzHXmPt0j4g-tDoonK_AwwJeblnzBdrEccIETIok8vwgERQ-7cXFmfDHclqtwfEX6uY1zzCBEhFKP7al7KruFprijDBhl7qPi3SAoanhTiyVpwq/s1600-h/IMG_3392.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20JLbwZHzGuXeO5mOsk79629AjjORBmzHXmPt0j4g-tDoonK_AwwJeblnzBdrEccIETIok8vwgERQ-7cXFmfDHclqtwfEX6uY1zzCBEhFKP7al7KruFprijDBhl7qPi3SAoanhTiyVpwq/s400/IMG_3392.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396395128296163410" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Working on positions.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We are very pleased that there is now a ballet school in our city. Sophie had a great time!Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06386418162019426199noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582003280397844128.post-34518622502249276272009-10-17T20:25:00.003-04:002009-10-25T00:53:19.699-04:00Waiting<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAv8pywiUb_CZQts-J37qeTIZe-W7M0sN9PVkn52s5cLcDhxtE-BhhCf8wOlmwsO9z5FYYzVXxEhQTFaYmb8PSG4QxC9fZaIm1G-VEchrB4mbgb-jUWyx6w3pnRtiRwqqkZ23StqBM67yV/s1600-h/IMG_3120.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAv8pywiUb_CZQts-J37qeTIZe-W7M0sN9PVkn52s5cLcDhxtE-BhhCf8wOlmwsO9z5FYYzVXxEhQTFaYmb8PSG4QxC9fZaIm1G-VEchrB4mbgb-jUWyx6w3pnRtiRwqqkZ23StqBM67yV/s320/IMG_3120.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393740412470373570" border="0" /></a><br />I wanted to blog about "waiting" this morning. I just googled, "wisdom from waiting" and I ran across this website, someone interviewing Lewis Smedes. These are the bullet points of his interview:<br /><br />I. We all have to wait sometimes.<br />II. Nobody likes to wait.<br />III. Waiting is the hardest thing we ever do.<br />IV. Waiting can be a beautiful experience.<br />V. People who cannot wait almost always make things worse.<br />VI. The strength to wait comes from faith.<br />VII. In fact, waiting for God is the supreme test of faith.<br /><br />These are all great reminders for me right now. We turned in the paperwork for our second adoption, here in Thailand. Initially, I was told that the wait time would be one year. The social worker casually informed me that it would now be at least 2 years. This waiting time will not even begin until we have finished our homestudy. I don't know when that homestudy will take place, I just have to WAIT for someone to contact me.<br /><br />This is not how I had things planned. Isn't it interesting how we don't even realize we are making plans until we find out things aren't going according to that plan. I definitely agree with point VII. "... waiting for God is the supreme test of faith." I struggled HARD while waiting for Sophie Mei. Many days of crying and disappointment, not understanding why it was taking so long. But God was patient with me as I was impatient with Him.<br /><br />Sophie just woke up and is laying her head in my lap. Wow, looking into these dark eyes, that I love beyond words, how can I question God's wisdom and timing? I can't. Thankfully, He is always patient with me and I will pray that He will give me the grace to wait and be patient in response.<br /><br /><strong><em>"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD."- Ps. 27:14<br /><br />"I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope."- Ps. 130:5<br /><br />"I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.'"- Lam 3:24</em></strong><br /><br />We are waiting and we are open to whatever opportunity God might put before us in the meantime. The more babies, the merrier the home. Please pray with us.<br /><br />Sherry, Marc and SophieSherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06386418162019426199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582003280397844128.post-56088737897433768902009-10-06T03:29:00.009-04:002009-10-06T04:59:57.765-04:00"Its ok Mommy. Grammy come back again. Maybe not tonight."<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1T79I6v7lrPclygDWsPGe43lrCx0bMllsu1o0UMmMIlIrLJYxJ4QThxeM4MJech0yZ7Vhggbs6Zw9QwV_ixm0zIBKhi90CZPZBNUssMv1FqZ_YNGeFBtMP-o9VFLRGlwLsjgWOcmlBCee/s1600-h/IMG_3230.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1T79I6v7lrPclygDWsPGe43lrCx0bMllsu1o0UMmMIlIrLJYxJ4QThxeM4MJech0yZ7Vhggbs6Zw9QwV_ixm0zIBKhi90CZPZBNUssMv1FqZ_YNGeFBtMP-o9VFLRGlwLsjgWOcmlBCee/s320/IMG_3230.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389408997460421538" /></a><br />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 <em><strong>quality </strong></em>time.<br /><br />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. <br />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. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uXZjUtKwINmsW_woEcAuYglNKin7LIpUhjXusfgRAInQ-Iu9DMUUu1DwE_juoH0q5jniFG87xLMHQE-pzx1sj_nfPnhek4mryONSKtzYTbN2EG7TCG7r9IZcA_oIvk3x7HaT3EqQwNAS/s1600-h/DSCN0313.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uXZjUtKwINmsW_woEcAuYglNKin7LIpUhjXusfgRAInQ-Iu9DMUUu1DwE_juoH0q5jniFG87xLMHQE-pzx1sj_nfPnhek4mryONSKtzYTbN2EG7TCG7r9IZcA_oIvk3x7HaT3EqQwNAS/s320/DSCN0313.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389402617405590114" /></a><br /><br />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. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4xOvIbD1LQt2cH0pCUdAOoUu3aP4e0UBdyHXbsuw6uERbeRbi6_t9zoJ_Sd6fI1mIWa2tLk38rkYlbOG7PU9CThf8OuMoV-BjWyZ9B_Vqsl1LCj_i2La5qcRLWNxuDLp77S36u7O_R6A/s1600-h/DSCN0346.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4xOvIbD1LQt2cH0pCUdAOoUu3aP4e0UBdyHXbsuw6uERbeRbi6_t9zoJ_Sd6fI1mIWa2tLk38rkYlbOG7PU9CThf8OuMoV-BjWyZ9B_Vqsl1LCj_i2La5qcRLWNxuDLp77S36u7O_R6A/s320/DSCN0346.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389402268769726402" /></a><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSnTjJCca9eiC_i5GYmvrKsUJ7J8XqAPJcABe48JXnLx4BSgMyiDHwSNXyD31zndWDfSUMTz6vPbq13PQRYJTEiFEfjYSj-iQpNHnecDbSgEzVeMQtcKtkcteTiGvbF7vL-DSVxLvjgt6/s1600-h/IMG_2835.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSnTjJCca9eiC_i5GYmvrKsUJ7J8XqAPJcABe48JXnLx4BSgMyiDHwSNXyD31zndWDfSUMTz6vPbq13PQRYJTEiFEfjYSj-iQpNHnecDbSgEzVeMQtcKtkcteTiGvbF7vL-DSVxLvjgt6/s320/IMG_2835.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389403848599232178" /></a>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06386418162019426199noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582003280397844128.post-70580077650863347222009-09-05T10:21:00.006-04:002009-09-05T11:33:09.271-04:00Visitors and New ArrivalsI'm going to stop saying that I'm going to post regularly because it hasn't happened yet. I'm one of those people who needs to write a note of encouragement to follow up on a conversation but I have so much to say that I keep putting it off until just the right time. Then of course that perfect time never comes and I'm left with lots of good intentions. The same goes for blogging. I feel like I have to wait until I have something extra interesting, extra encouraging or extra funny to post. Then when I think I have something blogworthy, I keep putting it off until I have uninterrupted time to be thoughtful about it. Marc, on the other hand, can just sit down and be objective, spitting out two full paragraphs of witty, encouraging and interesting tid-bits. Oh well, I guess I have to be content being the "sweet one". <br /><br />Sooooooo, on with my irregular posting....<br /><br />Life is going very well at present. I'm actually on cloud 9 because my mom and dad are coming to visit next week. Who knows, they may be the first Marechale's to ever come to Thailand- ever. I will get to spend a full 36 hours with them in Bangkok, just me. This is precious to me b/c I know that as soon as they get around that little dark haired, dark eyed munchkin, I'll be nothing but chopped liver. (we moms always say that about grandparents but we really love it that they love our kids so much). They are going to absolutely eat her up. And rightly so, because she only gets cuter and cuter. She has been saying the funniest things lately. After play group on Wednesday, she was sitting in her booster seat eating lunch when she exhaled deeply, leaning back in her seat with a bereft look on her face and said, "me and my friends had a rough day." then shrugged her shoulders and said, "anyways". <br /><br />Sophie is also really into painting. She wants to paint all day every day. I don't protest too much because when I have the opportunity to sit down and paint with her I really enjoy it, its very therapeutic. She has a pretty long attention span. She will really stick to a project. I had to clean lots of really nasty windows today and she was right there with me wiping and scrubbing until I gave her her next assignment. She's quite the helper. Though, along with getting cuter and cuter, she's definitely exerting some independence and reminding us why they call it the "terrible two's". Just when you think you've got this discipline thing down, it gets even more challenging. Its getting harder and harder. I need to pick up few old books and read them again. <br /><br />Well, those of you who are on facebook probably got Marc's recent message, non-chalantly announcing that we are in the beginning stages of adopting again. Those of you who aren't on facebook, this is the announcement :-). We are adopting a Thai child. We've requested as young as possible and are open to either gender, which in Thailand will most likely mean a boy. We are told that it will be roughly a year wait from the time we finish our paperwork. So, we're thinking maybe Christmastime 2010. Please keep us in your prayers. <br /><br />Well, I think that's about it for now. I'll be sure to post some pictures of my parents visit. We're planning to do a few neat excursions. <br /><br />God Bless,<br />SherrySherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06386418162019426199noreply@blogger.com3