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all things great and small

If I waited 2 more days it would be a month since I blogged. But since everyone is out of the house, I've finished cleaning, and I can't imagine sitting down to study, I'd like to blog.

Thailand. Where to begin...if you've been there I assume that you love it. If you haven't been there then you should make an effort to get there. My viewpoint is skewed as I never went to Thailand before living here. So, if you're coming from New Zealand it might not be all that wonderful. But after a full year here I couldn't wait to get to Thailand and once I was there I couldn't imagine coming back home.

I have a friend who loves living here. She really loves it. I don't. In fact it's hard for me to imagine loving it. I love places that have trees and shrubs that aren't covered in dust. I love places that have cute little downtowns where you can buy used books, drink a latte, and then walk to the park. I love places that have fall festivals and neighborhoods hideously decorated at xmas time. I love places that have Italian hoggies and pizza shops on every corner. I love places that take pride in their streets, yards, and historic buildings. I love places where you can hear the crickets at night and birds in the morning. I love places that have hiking spots within driving distance and country stores along the way. I love places with streams that look clean enough to drink and definitely clean enough to wade in. I have been to one place in this country that comes close to a few of these things but I don't live there.

In case you're beginning to worry...what I desire most out of anything is to be where He has put me. Even if I don't love it. There are places I could be that would be much, much harder to live in than here. When I hear or read about those places - parts of Africa, Arab countries, some South American countries - I am even more grateful to be here. Here, where I never feel in danger no matter what time of day it is, where I've never been robbed (although this is quite unusual here), where I can go outside by myself, where I can get a good latte easily, and where I have some very good friends.

Highlights of Thailand: Thai food as often as we wanted, beaches, blue water, karst hills, swimming pools, pool slide, porches, green everywhere we looked, grilled barracuda, mango sticky rice, coconut shakes, suntans without burning, naps, buffet breakfast everyday, seeing Madeleine swim/play with no fear, smiling a lot, feeling more in love with Phil, finding out we're having a girl, seeing my parents, seeing many friends, good conversations and not sleeping in but being okay with that because I was in Thailand.

We've spent the last couple days here at home readjusting to life without a lot of these things. It's been easier than last year but it still isn't easy. Thankfully, I came home with the man I'm in love with and the daughter that I burst with love for.

And He is the same yesterday, today and forever...and there and here.

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