Seven Months in Thailand!

Since I have had some extra time the past couple days I thought I would write a few ways God has changed me these seven months we’ve been in Thailand already. I know there is much change that still needs to take place but what God has done already will shock some and maybe even mortify others! Just kidding, I hope you will find it encouraging as God continues to adjust us to life here.

• I eat and enjoy thai noodle dishes. When we first arrived I couldn’t eat these very common dishes…just the thought made me sick. I think a lot of it had to do with being early in my pregnancy.
• I am no longer afraid to cross the street. Yes, when we first arrived I was terrified of crossing streets because traffic runs the opposite direction here. I was sure I would get hit by a car or bus or truck or motorcycle!
• I have learned how to go to the market and buy veggies, meat, and fruits and can even ask if they have certain types of cooking ingredients, like flour, powdered sugar, etc. (At first we just went to the grocery store or Big C, but now I find the market to be cheaper and easier.)
• It doesn’t bother me any more that we only have one sink in our house.
• I ride a MOTORCYCLE! Perhaps the biggest adjustment!
• I usually shower twice a day now.
• I will kill a cockroach without batting an eye (with a shoe of course)…and I will even sweep it up and throw it away. I used to make Paul do all of the above.
• I am getting pretty good at killing mosquitoes with my bare hands as well.
• I live somewhat harmoniously with little black sugar ants…as long as they don’t get into my good food. If they are in the trash…o well. We’ve tried to kill them off but nothing really seems to work.
• I eat thai hotdogs, let me just say they’re not the same as good ‘ol Oscar Meyer.
• I have been forced to rely on God on a deeper level with our families. In September my dad underwent open heart surgery. I couldn’t be there to help or comfort my folks but I had to trust God that He was there and He had His Body there as well tending to my parents needs. Through this I have seen how wonderfully God takes care of His children and I am so thankful that dad is recovering well and I see that my presence there wouldn’t have changed anything…but God’s presence makes all the difference in the world.
• Realized anew that Christmas is more than presents and family get-togethers but it’s about Christ…duh, right?! Well, in the States Christmas really revolves around family for us so this year it was hard and yet good to realize the idol we have made of Christmas being a “family” time; not that it’s bad to have family get-togethers…don’t misunderstand me! We also saw God sustain us thru Christmas and be our Immanuel here in Thailand.
• I know more language!
• I eat from roadside vendors, lovingly referred to as “hawkers.” When first arriving in Thailand the thought of eating at these fine establishments sorta grossed me out but I am used to it now. (There will be chickens, ducks and other sorts of meats hanging in the little glass case attached to the cart that the vendor totes around.)

These are just a few things I could think of off the top of my head. I am sure there are many other things that I've adjusted to that I don't even realize I have adjusted to!