Thailand Tuesday

How appropriate that today is Tuesday because in the midst of everything I should be doing right now...I just keep thinking about Thailand. At this time last year we had been back in the States for less than two days. It really is amazing the way this past year seems like a blur. The days and months run together, and it doesn't seem possible that so much time has passed.

I'm feeling especially nostalgic today because my dear Thai friend, P'Dew, is visiting the U.S. right now. This is her first time to come here, and she'll be attending the yearly conference that Campus Crusade holds in Colorado. It's just so hard for me to know that she is so close, yet far enough away that it's just not possible for me to see her.

I think that a part of me will always remain in Thailand. If not even for the beautiful mountains, the mai pen rai (anything goes) attitude, the colorful culture and the delicious pineapple...then most definitely for the wonderful people. I miss our friends so much, and I hope for the day that I get to return to Thailand and see them again.

I'll never forget the last time I saw P'Dew. We had a "good-bye Americans" party in our neighborhood that night. Not only were we leaving the next morning, but P'Dew and several other of our friends were heading out of town directly after the party. J and I walked down to her townhouse to say good-bye. I hate those moments that come periodically in life in which you know you have to leave someone, but you could stand around forever just putting it off in hopes that the moment would never come. But it did come. We had our last hugs, then there was confusion...people all around....and then I looked up and she was gone. It's really so hard to love someone and know there is a possibility you may never see them again. Such was this night. Not only with P'Dew, but with every friendship we shared throughout the year.

Here I sit one year later...feeling so thankful for America, but also missing the only other country that has ever been my home. One thing that I keep reminding myself of is that really no place is my home here. This is only temporary...and one day when I arrive in my forever home in Heaven, P'Dew will not only be there, but we'll dance and sing and praise the Lord side by side for all of eternity. I'm so thankful that I have that to look forward to and to give me hope every day.

Now for a visual walk down memory lane...

P'Ru, J, P'Waz, P'Dew and me - at our house for dinner!

P'Dew singing her heart out for Jesus

P'Nong, P'Dew and me ready to shoot fireworks to celebrate Loy Kratong festival

my sister, P'Dew, me and P'Nong

P'Dew and I after I participated in a tradition Thai dance...outfit and all!

My Korean friend, Khem and I - we'd meet to practice her English. I love this girl:)