Sweet Morning

Sweet morning today....  Have to write my thoughts before I forget.  :)

A few of the families and singles here gathered at Eric & Rutha Ebelings home today for Sunday worship.  :)  The picture to the right is of me & Nellie with Rutha (crosstimbers ministry) & Leneigh (leneighjanette), a friend of the Ebelings who came to Thailand with them.  *Read their blogs listed on the right.  I already love these ladies.  It's a blessing & a unique thing to feel like you are connected to people who you met just a few days ago.

It's because of God.

"So we, who are many, are one body in Christ...."  Romans 12:5

The Ebelings are dear friends of several couples at Christ Fellowship - I believe they all went to ACU together (Rutha if you read this & I'm wrong, please clarify!).  When I met them on Thursday at our first teacher orientation, Eric came up to hug me saying, "Hi Katieee, I hear you love people we love!"  IT'S TRUE.  We love the same people at home in Texas, so I feel like I already know this family.  We share the same "DNA," as Lexi called it.

Eric led our little service this morning, and it felt like Life Group - even had an icebreaker.  ;)  CFer's (Christ Fellowship family = CFer's) - think of the spiritually richest time you've experienced with your Life Group, and then imagine you are on the other side of the world with them, in a country that's 90% Buddhist, where you don't know the language, you just met each other for the first time a few days ago... and multiply that richness by about 10.  That's what this morning was like.

There is something different about worshiping Jesus in a country where churches are not on every corner...  You go deep quickly, because you need to.  It was that way in Kenya, too.  In significant seasons of my life, I don't know if I'm just more sensitive to the Holy Spirit or if God just speaks to me more often.  Or maybe, I become stripped of distraction and independence and can just see and hear God more clearly, and this kind of relationship with Him IS ACTUALLY accessible even when my circumstances are simple and steady.  I think it's the latter, especially since Jamey (my pastor at home) says it all the time.  ;)  I'm learning, Jamey!  

Moving to Thailand would be one of those significant seasons.  Ha!  OBVI, kt.  I am full of faith right now.  FULL.  Every prayer seems to have a quick, clear, awesome response from the Lord, and my soul is so grateful.  I needed this.  It does not always happen.  But maybe more than just ME NEEDING this, I love it because it's just that much more REAL for others.  Specific words or pictures from the Lord that speak right to peoples' hearts, and then they meet Jesus in just the ways that they need.  The mysteries of God are infinite, but so, so cool.

Eric planned to start this morning by reading Psalm 95, and his daughter spoke up and said, "oh that's what I was going to read!"  See?  Super cool.  We then sang the psalm (it's an old hymn, I'd never actually heard it).  A few people had some things to share as they heard God speaking, and they all seemed to be in a theme regarding the Psalms...  Then Chandel spoke up and said that as she & Julie Pennington were planning some things for chapel (Christian school, we have chapel :) they decided to go through the Psalms for this year.

Today was our first Sunday meeting together, and that's why this was so cool.  We didn't know each other before this week, but God is binding us together for His purposes in Thailand and at our school.  This is one of the unique things about being in the body of Christ.  ILOVEIT.  And I'm thankful to be a part of it.

So you probably wonder why I posted a picture of paintings at the top of the page.
The red dirt in Thailand surrrre leaves a mark.  Even Shout-Wipes don't get this mud out.
We each dipped our fingers in the red mud mixed with some water, and painted a picture of the mark we want to leave here.
Beautiful.
Can you guess which ones are mine & Nellie's?  They may not be what you think....


Posts to look for....

• my home!
• my school!
• my new housemate/travel buddy/SISTER!  (Nellie)    

Bangkok & Arrival in Chiang Rai

I slept most of the flight to Bangkok.  Every Thai person I encountered was so cute and smiley.  The Thai man behind me on the airplane got my carry-on down for me, then carried it for me until we got to off the airplane since it was so heavy.  How kind.  :) Since I had another 10 hour layover, I found the sightseeing counter & went on a canal tour through Bangkok.  perfect. The lady at the counter took me downstairs to meet my tour guide.  We stopped at a busy window with about 6 little Thai ladies, so I thought, "Great, my one-person tour will be a woman, I'll feel more comfortable with that."  The ladies though, didn't know where my tour guide went.  After a few minutes, they all BUST OUT LAUGHING (see, I love Thailand, I fit in) because my tour guide was standing literally right outside our window smoking, and y'all...  what a character.  He.was.ADORABLE.  He had on an over-sized shirt, cargo pants, he was wearing lots of jewelry and his glasses were super trendy with green and pink swirlies and hearts on them.  

He was hilarious and very helpful, the day just got better and better.  

We drove into Bangkok and visited a Gem-making factory, so cool.  I had my own tour-guide through the factory and she let me try on gold rings with sapphires and diamonds.  =)  

Then my tour-guide (his name was pronounced "oddie") went with me on a canal tour through old Bangkok.  I loved every second of it.  Every sight, every splash, everything we sailed by... I had so much joy the entire time.  I did wish at one point that I had someone with me to experience it with (I'll get real, I wished my husband could do this with me), but after wishing for it once, I decided, "No.  I am so happy, and this is so fun - by myself."  And I was content. I feel like I'm on a journey with God, which He promised to me a long time ago.  Maybe later I'll get bolder about sharing how He speaks to me, but I want you to keep reading, so I won't freak you out yet if you've never heard of God speaking to people.  =)  Just know for now that He is 100% faithful.  and flawless.  and real.  and present.  

Our boat stopped at a HUGE, BEAUTIFUL Buddhist temple where Oddie (definitely not the spelling) took me on a tour/history lesson.  Then we took a ferry across the river to eat lunch.  Here are some pictures of the things I encountered: 

Me & "Oddie"

Feeding fish from the boat

Charming sights along the canal

in front of the old capitol building (I think?)  That's a picture of the queen in the background, Thailand celebrated her birthday (Mother's Day) on August 12th. 

Hundreds gathered to celebrate the Thai Olympians.  What a cool thing to see.

One of my favorite things I've ever done in my life.   

My first Thai meal was delicious.  Then Oddie and I got back in our car with our driver & noticed the clouds had gotten very dark.  We weren't in our car more than 5 minutes before it started pouring - Praise God for great timing since our tour was finished - so thankful it didn't pour while we were on the canal.  I would've tried to embrace it, but I still had one more flight that night.  

And for even more perfect timing...  when we got out of the car at the airport, there was a band playing and a crowd cheering - the Olympians had just returned!!!!  Tons of reporters were there and people were covering the Olympians with flower necklaces (Dean & Lexi, do these have a name?)  So exciting!  

My new friend, Oy, helping me shop 

I was greeted by some families & two sisters at CRICS, Phon and Oy, who are spunky, smiley, giggly, and precious, and they both have kids in my class.  I love them already.  And actually, I spent most of today with Oy who told me "I love you already, Katie."  Awww!  They are my hosts here and greeted me at the airport with flowers.  They took me to a 7-11 (which is like Walgreens here) on the way home from the airport, then explained how some things work at my new home.  Oy came back Wednesday and took me shopping for more things I need.  We laughed a lot.  Everything is so new here that I seem to be forgetting basic things.  For instance, grocery shopping - the store looks exactly like a WalMart at home.  But when I got to the checkout line, I just pushed my buggy on through without unloading everything.  LE DUH.  #blonde.  It's not like I hadn't been grocery shopping before, or grocery shopping in another country before, too.  haha.  Few notes about things I can get in Chiang Rai - I was THRILLED to see Chlorophyll and Goji Berry drinks.  Pure and natural, nutrient-filled.  Google why they're good for you.  Fresh fruit is everywhere, and the Thai food is as excellent as everyone said.  Oy also gave me a little guided tour of Chiang Rai and took me to the university nearby.  I loooooved being on the campus (pics below).  It's gorgeous.  Amy Banta's mom was right, this place looks like paradise.

Doesn't it?

Travel

This was in my fortune cookie the night before I left...

Amen.  

I AM IN LOVE WITH THAILAND.  in! love!

"Like I am not even joking right now."  ;)  (if you didn't get that, ask someone who frequents youtube)

I almost titled this post "OH M' GOSH" because you can add the way I say "ohmygosh" to the beginning of almost everything I'm about to write, and then follow it with "ILOVEIT."  But, you have to read it just like I would say it or you won't get the same effect.  I figured this would be the easiest way for me to personally keep track of every little thing that I've so enJOYed on my little [BIG] adventure so far.  :)

I'll help you get started....

OHMYGOSH I got my own row on the airplane, hello sleep!  ILOVEIT.
OHMYGOSH that flight attendant looks JUST LIKE Matt Bowen (did anyone else notice when I uploaded the picture in my last post?).
OHMYGOSH he's Swedish!  Camilla!
...now you try.
[ohm'gosh] This sunrise over Europe....  [iloveit]

- Hunger Games was so intense.  My heart raced through the whole movie, which might be why I only got 2 hours of sleep on a 14 hour flight.  WOMP.  The Swedish-Matt-Bowen-look-alike walked by once and said "How's the movie?  Oh no are you crying?"  (I'd just finished watching the Rue part).  I said, "Yeeeesss, this movie is so crazy!"  He sat down next to me and said, "Our job is everything - we are your servants, your waiters, your friends, your shrinks...."  lol.

- flew over Zagreb!  Shout out to the Masseys and Albrights!

- THIS:

Sunrise over Europe.  

- Dubai is incredible, even from the airplane.  Every building looked like a palace, and in fact, I could see a few palaces.
- Dubai International Airport looks like a mall.  I had been told that, but it was more like one the Las Vegas malls, with Givenchy dresses for $600.  I see why the Kardashians travel to Dubai, now....  Gingerman crowd from Friday, no, the Kardashians were not on my flight, and neither was Zefron.  ;)  Bummerrrrr.  Closest I got to that was watching "The Lucky One" for a few minutes in-flight.

Ok trying to write with a prefix and suffix to every sentence is getting difficult.  I'll just tell you about the rest of it.

Travel -

Emirates wins for best airplane food.  I watched the pilot episode of New Girl while I ate my turmeric veggie dish.  I tried to stay awake in Dubai, but I just couldn't.  I got a deal on a hotel room where I showered and slept for about 3 hours.  Everything about it was so chic and modern.  The flight to Bangkok was delayed an hour, so I met a girl my age from Germany (orginally from India, though). Y'all, I've heard a lot of fantastic *so-close* phrases from my international friends, but this was one of the best ---

Her: "Being from America, have you ever seen famous people?"
Me: "Actually yes, I saw Cameron Diaz once.  She was so cute and petite!"
Her:  "Hmm.  Cameron Diaz.  Uhhh... she is an angel from Charlie??"
Me:  "LOLOL, yes, yes she is an angel from Charlie."  haha.

I continued writing about my travel to and through Bangkok, but the post was getting too long.  Splitting it up - read about Bangkok and my arrival in Chiang Rai tomorrow.  Good stories and more pictures.

This may be another reason I hardly slept on my 14 hr flight... I couldn't get enough of sights like these.

DISCLAIMER:  Blogger has changed some things since 2010 when I last kept a blog.  As you can tell, I haven't figured out the layout of my photos.  haha.

Truths from Mother Teresa

Before I left, some friends gave me the book "Everything Starts from Prayer," a collection of Mother Teresa's meditations on spiritual life for people of all faiths.  I began reading it this morning and want to share a few truths.

"... To break through to spiritual realization, one needs great faith, great doubt, and great determination to reconcile the two opposing forces."  
Agreed.  This is part of my life story.  

"We do nothing. 
He does everything. 
All glory must be returned to him. 

God has not called me to be successful. 
He called me to be faithful."  

"We are talking about the Joy that comes from union with God, from living in his presence, because living in his presence fills us with joy.
When I speak of joy, I do not identify it with loud laughter or with noise.  This is not true happiness.  Sometimes it hides other things.  
When I speak of happiness, I refer to an inner and deep peace, which shows itself in our eyes, on our faces, in our attitudes, in our gestures, in our promptness."  

Thought this would be a good preface to my next few posts about Thailand.  :)

Soarin' & Flyin'

Too many blessings this week to even list... but I plan on trying when I have some spare time in Thailand.  I'll be posting more pictures to Facebook than to blogger, fyi.

My computer is about to die and I'll be checking out my chic hotel room in the Dubai airport in 20 minutes, but I wanted to share this:

As bittersweet as it was to leave my 15 1/2 year old dog at home, my sweet parents at the security line, I couldn't keep from smiling as I boarded my Emirates flight.  What. Incredible. Peace&Joy.  My flight was full of Arabs, Indians, Europeans, and Americans.  I was just so happy to be surrounded by them!  Precious faces, each with stories and a purpose.  I sat across from the cutest little Saudi family - their 4 girls, about ages 8 and under, had on matching outfits.  May they experience the freedom and love of Christ, someday!  

The rows were 2-4-3, and my seat was at the very back, by myself.  :)  I normally don't like the back because it's so bumpy, but God knew what He was doing!  Even after I selected my seat twice... ended up in a different one.  I connected quickly with the flight attendants, and they let me come hang out at the back with them.  They were all around my age and hooked me up with their favorite in-flight foods and drinks.

Michelle was from Australia,
Cristoffer was from Sweden (Camilla, look he's Swedish!)
And Julia was from Ireland.
They were fun :)

And then this happened:  

Wheel at 30,000 feet.  Why not?  

Lost in a Dallas Parking Garage

Visa Tales - let me repost our happy faces from when we got our visas.

< Here we are on the longest, steepest escalator in all of history at the Galleria in Dallas with our VISAAAAAAS!

Yayyyy we can officially go to Thailand, noooow!!!
Yayyyy I made it in and out of the Galleria without shoppiiiiing!!!




Nellie and I decided it'd be easier to just go get our visas together, I'm so glad we did - it made going the wrong direction about 5 times much more fun.  :)  Nellie navigated her way through Dallas to Three Galleria Tower North (go Nellie!), only at first we stopped at Two Galleria Tower North - google maps told us "49 seconds to destination," and you know, we thought it felt like only 39 seconds.

....


Did you know the Galleria has offices???  A nice man directed us over to Three Galleria Tower, and then another nice ::clears throat:: young, sharply dressed businessman ;) directed us where to go once we were inside the garage - only somehow we ended up in Two Galleria Tower again.  We knew something was wrong because we were looking for FLOOR 9, and the elevator only went to like 5 or 6.  So - back on the elevator down to the "mall level" where we walked clear across the parking garage to what might be Three Galleria Tower.  FINALLY - sign above the elevator says "Three Galleria Tower."  Yessss....

No.  This elevator only goes up to Level 7.  WHAT!  So we took it up to 7, which led to nowhere, so we went back down to the mall level and just started walking.  Things started looking official aaannnnddd voila!  World's longest steepest (as labeled by me) elevator seen in the photo at the top!  This MUST BE IT!  We got on this elevator and it ONLY WENT UP TO FLOOR 8.  seriously, y'all. seriously laughing at this point.  We asked the man at the desk and found out the correct one was NEXT to the elevator we got on.

Floor 9, precious Thai Consul man gave us our visas, super smooth and quick.
That story was more fun in person than it was to write.

Can't wait till we get to do that where everybody speaks ANOTHER LANGUAGE!  =) :) ;) 8-)

Christ Fellaship Luv

One week from RIGHT NOW, I will be in-flight to Thailand!  Can't believe it!

SUPER BLESSED by my Christ Fellowship family this morning.  I just love them.  Sunday mornings are one of my favorite times of the week - here's a culmination of why:

1. Jesus (le duh)
2. Spirit-filled worship
3. Genuinely loving community 
4. Awesome Hospitality Team (shout-out!) 
5. I love being around lots of people 
6. Making people feel welcome and connected is one of my FAVORITE things

*SIDENOTE - it really IS one of my favorite things.  I got a little teary-eyed when I left the lobby to join the service as worship was beginning.  I know, weird.  This is like my dream job, though.  Just looking to do it on a bigger scale someday, if that's in God's plans for me.  And yes, I do plan on being back in a year and I know I'm being a little melancholic about leaving (soooo not my personality but I am a musician so I guess I have it in me).

There are many more reasons why I love Sunday mornings, those are just some!  So thankful for Christy & Yvette for planning a send-off for me & Nellie, and for the AMAZING CAKE FROM SAM'S (loved the purple, rah rah TCU), Justin for introducing us and James for working out so many details for us.  My family came to CF today, it was so fun to have them there!  Wonderful to hug so many dear people.  

Then I got in the car after church, and Sister Golden Hair was playing on 91.7.  It was just a great morning.  :) 

Had a productive afternoon & finished the day with Babe's Catfish and time with my grandparents.  =)   *WAITING on this pic from mom, I'll post it when I get it, Mamie & Papaw!  :)  

I've been thinking a lot about the direction I want my blog to take... the voice I want to write in, the tone I want to set, the information I want to share/not share.  I decided to go ahead & share some things that are significant, and realized it's hard to write any way except how I usually write - which is how I talk.  Of course when I need to be professional, I will be, but for blogger, it's much easier for me to just write like I talk.  May be an ENFP quality?  

And so, here's something pretty significant that I've only shared with a few people - 

Right before I clicked "send" to inform my principals that I'd been accepted to CRICS and planned on resigning from my job, I checked with God one more time just to make sure, "Lord, am I really making the right decision here because this is a really big deal right now...quitting my job..."  

Clear as day I heard Him say, "kt, I've been waiting for you to get here."   

Here may be Thailand, it may be CRICS, it may be with the church plant, but I also think it's to a place of surrender, adventure, of allowing Him - okay EXPECTING - Him to show His faithfulness in working out His purposes for me, in fulfilling desires He's planted and nourished inside my heart.  "The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting."  Psalm 138. 

I have no doubt that I should be heading this direction.  NO DOUBT!  Read it again, Chris&Ami Burr!  =D

(now does that mean I have no anxieties or worries about being single and moving to a country where I don't know the language?  of course not.  But thankfully, I can cast my anxieties and cares upon the Lord, because He cares for me, and He will sustain me.)  Seeing, talking or planning with Nellie gets me more and more excited to be there - so thankful for her.  Plus, I kind of feel like I was made for this.  It's time for adventure :)  

Pics to come....