Getting into the swing of things :D

Hi All,

          So again it has been a little while since I wrote to you, what can I say, things here in Thailand can be unpredictable :).

          Correct me if I am wrong but I think last time I wrote to you guys I was just starting to find my groove? Well hopefully that's where I was up to because that's where I am starting. I think it has been about 10days since last I wrote and it has been an amazing 10days. So many blessings in so little time, not everything is perfect of course, but how boring would life be if it was :).

          I guess I should start at the part where I BOUGHT A BIKE!!!!!!!!!!! IKR (I Know Right). This is my beautiful girl and last night she was named by some of my new Thai friends, her name is New Dtang (probably spelt wrong but it roughly translates to red child :D).

New Dtang

          This was the start of my week of blessings, I had been having trouble buying a bike for a few reasons, wrong type of visa, don't speak enough Thai, not enough money, the people who could help me buy it were very busy doing much more important things, I didn't have the right paperwork stating my address (and getting this was hard due to the language barrier) and the list goes on. So with all these things stacked against me I was feeling sad and trapped in my apartment (I didn't really feel safe going out at night without a reliable way home) and I got to the stage where I realised the only one who could help me was God (you would think I would have figured this out faster than 3 weeks, turns out I was a little slow). So I went to bed on Friday night and I prayed, I lifted it to God and just said "God you know how much I need this bike, you know the challenges I face, I am going to buy a bike tomorrow and I am asking you to be there as you are the only one who can get this done for me." (It was very similar to that, straight forward to the point and the only chance I had of succeeding the next day). The next day I got up and procrastinated all day because I was scared, I finally went to the bike shop about an hour before it closed and with a lot of prayer, charades and Google translate, I was picking up my bike the next day :D. The only thing they asked was that I bring a friend who could translate for me when I could, which I got to do on Thursday, so the last of the paperwork is finished :). Not only do I now own a bike in Thailand but all the paperwork is finished and it is all in my name!!!! Since buying the bike I have been told by 3 different missionaries that none of them have their bikes in their names because it was just not happening for them when they went to purchase the bike, I was already thankful to God for the bike, but after hearing their stories I was blown away by just how present God had to be for me to buy that bike and have it all in my name, Thank you God.

          With a new bike I finally had the means to go and visit a girl I met on my last trip to Thailand and catch up with her as well as work on helping her to recover from an unpleasant brain fungus. I travelled to Nong Bua Lam Phu, about 2.5 hours NW of where I am based in Thailand (why yes I was sore two days later). Although it was a big trip it was so worth it to see her and although I won’t post pictures of the girl to protect her privacy I will put up some of the amazing trip there and back :D.

They are kind of riding boots; at least they are safer than
slip-ons :D.

LOST :/

Still lost but about 10secs from getting directions
that set me on the right path.

The right path :D

The hill everyone misses while they look at the
giant lake.

Rice paddies on the way home.

Rice paddies on the way home.

What happens when you forget to sunscreen the gap between
your jacket and your gloves :s.

          How lucky am I that my second country is as beautiful as the one I was born in :D.
          As my week progressed I continued to receive answers to my prayers :D. I had dinner with an amazing missionary and a bunch of friends both new and old. My new friends have been taking amazing care of me, they have shown me around and taken me to the new markets in town and we spent much time in fellowship and discussing our personal journeys with God. Through these discussions we were all strengthened and there was an amazing presence of the Holy Spirit, thank you ladies for helping to make this week my best yet :).

The amazing Aw.

The opening ceremony dragon.

These kids were so amazing and so young.

Beautiful little girls doing a traditional Thai
opening ceremony dance.

The whole place was filled with statues and
cute displays like this one.

Giant market name in English.

Beautiful decorative lights in all the trees.

World's most awesome statue :).

Three amazing girls (L to R) Jelly, Aw and Bow.

Aw with a famous Thai singer :D.

Three beautiful ladies with the Thai spelling of
Ton Tann (The markets name).

These girls have been such a blessing in the short time I have known them, thank you ladies :D.

          I was also lucky enough to spend a little time with the beautiful children I formed relationships with on my last three trips. Although I am no longer with the same organisation those children will always have a special place in my heart and it is always a huge blessing when there is time for me to go and visit.

          Other amazing blessings include finding a church to go to here in Thailand, tomorrow will be my first day and I am looking forward to meeting a bunch of new people and getting to know them all while we spend time with God :D. I also got lucky enough to meet an awesome lady who is willing to take on the mammoth challenge of teaching me Thai :D.
          After a hectic couple of weeks I feel like I am starting to settle in and things are looking up on almost all fronts :D.
          Just a couple of prayer requests this post, please please please pray that God blesses me with some new sponsors as a few of mine have had to drop out for various reasons and things are more than a little tight. And as per usual please pray that God shows me his path and that I take the time to stand still and really listen to him to make sure I get things right. Finally a big big thank you to all those who have been praying, clearly God is listening and I am so thankful for your continued love and support.

          God bless you all, thank you for reading and stay in touch,

                    Love Cleo oooxxx