Suksan Wan Christmat

Merry Christmas!

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.

Luke 2:11

All Clean

Our team recently had a work day in a local low-income community in which we work, and it was so much fun to work hard in the heat with the folks who live there to improve their community. Emmy was a great worker bee, and her imagination was engaged as always; she wasn't just a girl picking up trash, she was an owl picking up mice! Here are a few pictures from the day...

My fellow worker friends- Melanie, Becky and Catherine

Long Live the King

Last week, Thailand celebrated the 80th birthday of her beloved king. It's always a very special day as no expense is spared in his honor- there are special shirts (yellow, of course, and also pink this year), lights, flowers, fireworks, pictures of the king everywhere, and lots of festivity. Here's Em standing in front of the tribute to the king at the entrance to our neighborhood.

The king's birthday is also the day Thailand celebrates Father's Day, and Emmy's preschool had a special ceremony to honor the dads. There was bowing, singing, and presenting of flowers and gifts...

and even a Thai dancer! Isn't she beautiful?

We also had a special service for fathers in our community the following Sunday at church, and a number of fathers came to worship with us, which was a tremendous answer to prayer. It's a real privilege for us to have the opportunity to experience and engage in Thai culture; we're thankful for this place and these people, and that God loves the nations.

Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk

A perfect illustration of how Tim approaches life. One minute we had a tearful little girl who had just made a mess, the next we had a happy girl posing for a picture with her cool milk fairy. This is why he's such a great Daddy.

Just a few more

Some final photos of beloved folks from home, then we're back to our regularly scheduled Thai programming...

Cousin Bonding

Berry Bonding

Celebrating Rachel and her precious new Liam with Atlanta friends.

And who is that crazy man with the Raggedy Andy playing cards?

Emmy Does Georgia

Asa Does Georgia

This boy had a great time on his first trip to America...

We had lion rides...

tractor rides...

s'mores...

time with his aunties...

and bonding with his buddy Brennan in puppy dog pajamas.

Thanksgiving

It was an incredible privilege to be with family for Thanksgiving this year. A few pictures from the day...

Asa meets his great-grandparents...

his Uncle Andy...

and cousin Ashley.

Enjoying the country in Brooks...

cousin Drew...

and what's Thanksgiving without a walk in the woods and some time in a deer stand?

Home

We sure did enjoy our time in Georgia. Although we now feel that we have two homes, and it did feel like home to arrive back in Bangkok, here are a few pictures that speak "home" to me, Georgia-style...

Cousins

The railroad tracks in Locust Grove. Who are those little vagrants?

The field in front of Tim's parents' house...Tim and I once picnicked under those trees and had a close encounter with a large bull. Tim distracted him with Sprite while I ran.

Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup at Uncle George and Aunt B's kitchen table.

Emmy loved putting pennies on the railroad tracks with Daddy, and picking up the smashed pennies when the train had gone by.

Pancakes at 4:30 am

Our days are starting early around here. Mostly because our children are jet lagged and we can't wake them in the afternoons. This makes for some productive, if cranky, mornings. This morning would have been more productive if we had not needed to call Poison Control (via Skype, transcontinental) because Asa ate shampoo.

America was wonderful and we'll post lots of pictures soon...

Travelin' Man

Here's to You, Dr. Robinson

Another highlight of the Robinson's trip was an afternoon we spent at Mahatthai, a community in which our team works. John brought toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss and gave a talk on proper care of your teeth, with his trusty interpreter, Kieow, one of our staff. The kids (and grownups) learned all about good and bad bacteria, and went home armed to care for their teeth!

Of course, the little ones got lots of attention. Everyone found Brennan fascinating with his white skin and red hair.

And Asa got his introduction to motorcycles, which are an everyday part of life in Thailand!

John and Brea enjoying guaythiaw, a Thai standard, at a stand across the street from our office...


This picture is from our sightseeing day downtown, at the Grand Palace. The kids did amazingly well with a car ride, a Sky Train ride, a boat ride on the Chao Praya, and lots of walking. Exhausting but fun, and no one had a meltdown!

Brennan sucking his thumb and holding Emmy's in the car. He called her "Mynie".

Asa, always with his Dog.

And a big treat for the mommies; the dads took the kids home and we were able to have an afternoon of shopping all to ourselves! We love our children, but it was SO good to have a little time to just be together.

On the Andaman Sea

It's hard to believe our visit with John, Brea and Brennan has come and gone. We did a number of things while they were here, some special and some everyday life, but our foray to Surin Beach on Phuket was a major highlight early in their visit, so I'm going to start with a few pictures from that. It rained quite a bit, which only made it more lovely and provided pleasant temperatures. We had several days on the beach, playing in the big waves and enjoying Pad Thai, spring rolls, and fruity drinks with our toes in the sand. A welcome respite from the hectic pace of everyday life...

Our girl has finally overcome her sand aversion and was able to play with abandon. She made a Australian friend named Rex, who had an adorable accent (he introduced himself by coming over and saying, "Excuse me, would the little girl like to play with the little boy?"), and that made the beach all the more fun.

Brea's sunset picture.

This boy enjoyed the sand like most people enjoy chocolate cake. Lots of our time was spent removing his sandy hands from his mouth!

Every single Thai person we met asked if we were sisters. Some asked if we were twins. I guess all foreign women look alike!

And another highlight of the past weeks- we welcomed Adele Grace Henry! This beautiful girl and her beautiful mommy are doing great and we're rejoicing with the Henry family. And as a bonus, I was able to show Brea where Asa Bear was born.