The week with Jared and Amie was so refreshing. Blake had someone to debate issues with and I had someone to hang out with during the day just to share ideas and stories. They were a blessing to us. I also enjoyed seeing them around the house reading their Bibles and praying. Through their actions they encouraged me to have moments of stillness too. Often I can get really caught up in doing and forget that sometimes I need to just sit and read and pray.

After they had been in CK for only a few hours they went to their first village. Amie had one of the little girls in her lap and God impressed upon her to pray for this little girl and the impact she can have for Him in this village. Later she found out the little girl was the Christian leader's daughter!






Monday we rested.

Tuesday Jared and Amie went with Blake to help him teach English in one of our villages that we started work in just this year. They were able to visit the home of "check" the first believer in this village and have worship in his home. "Check" is a crippled teenager who God has used to bring over 20 kids into a relationship with Him!! Jesus loves the little children!

Wednesday we hung out around the house. The guys played chess every chance they got and Amie has an eye for getting things in order and making piles of "junk" look pretty. I got to catch up on some reading. There was also plenty of time for religious debates, it's amazing these boys are still friends


Thursday we invited our best friends over to eat muu kratat with us. So, all the girls went to the market to buy all the meat and veges and stuff that goes along with this type of meal and spent time fellowshipping in the kitchen to get everything prepared. It's like grilling, but we use little clay stoves with aluminum covers that have a mot all the way around them for the soup. Hot? Yes!! Delicious food? Definitely yes!!



Friday morning we were forced to take them back to the airport. We were sad to see them go but thankful for the time we had with them.

I'm just getting back into the swing of things. A week of vacation and I was spoiled rotten!!

We've been saving up for this much needed vacation to South Thailand. It took us a total of 14 driving hours and a 30 minute ferry boat ride, but we split it into two days. Aamon went with us. One - she had never been to south Thailand and two - to help with the girls. We stopped in Bangkok on the way and picked up Jared and Amie. Then on Tuesday Aamon's daughter, Mai, joined us on the island (she lives in Bangkok).

Blake and I stayed in the "pent house." Well, not really, but it was awesome! There was a bathtub and a jacuzzi and I was loving that. The bedroom was separate from the living room and the girls could go to sleep while the adults stayed up chatting and playing "Settlers of Catan". The view from the balcony was to die for and since Aamon wouldn't dare get out in the sun during the afternoon, she gladly keep Emily while Blake, Aleah and I played on the beach. She loved just relaxing in the shade of the balcony.

Jared and Amie and Aamon and Mai stayed in beach bungalows. Just step out the door and there's the beach. They were small and cozy and perfect for them, but I told Blake that since I live in a bungalow everyday, I'd rather stay in a room with a bathtub. This was also our 7-year anniversary celebration. With all the extra help we were able to get several nights out alone!!






It was a gamble taking a vacation during the monsoon season, but God answered our prayers and we never saw a drop of rain while on the island! Every other morning we did an outing to explore the island.

Sunday we spent all day at the beach and pool.







Monday we hiked to a waterfall, tried to swim up the current of the waterfall (impossible!), and ate lunch in a restaurant we just happened to see a sign for and we were starving! Then we napped and spent the evening at the beach and pool.




Tuesday we spent at the beach and pool. There were several restaurants right on the beach that we walked to for lunch and dinner. The restaurants were great because Aleah would play with the other kids on the beach or in the swings hanging from these large trees and we could enjoy our meals.






Wednesday we explored the East side of the island and did some off-roading in the van (maybe not such a good idea). Praise the Lord that there was a little "resort" (more like a hostel) at the end of our off-roading journey and we were able to eat lunch (food was not so good but beggars can't be choosy), enjoy an awesome view, and take a swim. Now the community development van has truly gone where no other van has gone before. You would think we have taken a clue from the 4-wheel-drive trucks we passed going down the "road"




Thursday we spent all day at the beach and pool.







Friday we explored the West side of the island. We stopped to feed some elephants and ended up at a village built on the water. It was similar to the night market with all the stuff they had for sale. We ate lunch (I had barracuda and Blake has shrimp) it was delicious. Aleah was in hog heaven running from shop to shop. The only fear I had was her falling into the muddy pit below us. We climbed into a light house and then ended the journey at the seven-eleven with ice cream and cold drinks. After naps we spent our last evening on the beach and in the kiddy pool. Aamon went and picked us up several different things for dinner while we put the girls to sleep and got everything packed up.






On Saturday we loaded up the van and headed for the ferry. Drove all day to Pitsonalok where we spent the night (girls in one room, and Aleah and the boys in the other room). Jared, Amie and Blake explored the local night market, but I crashed with Aamon and the girls.



We arrived back home on Sunday just in time to unload the van, grab a bit to eat, and for Jared, Aimee and Blake to make the one-hour trip to Monipruke for Bible study. Then Jared and Amie stayed with us until Friday morning.