Day 42: Just a small town girl...

How perfect it is to be able to just sit and watch the sunset...with nothing to do other than hang out with some of the world's greatest kids. I know I keep comparing Chiang Rai to Bangkok, but it's ridiculous how much more at home it feels here. It reminds me of Honduras with all of the mountains surrounding the area. It's weird because after 6 weeks of non-stop go go go in Bangkok, now that I have some down time to really relax and reflect, my body is dead, and my mind is completely worn out. "Don't Stop Believin" is for sure the song of the day..."Just a small town girl, livin' in a lonely world!" Haha. Journey really does sing the soundtrack to my life.

We went up to Mae Sai (that's the M word I couldn't remember...haha!) today to do some shopping and just to really check out the area. It's a small down north of Chiang Rai, near the Burma boarder. We didn't cross over though, if only just to save money. But I hate shopping...and there's just something in me that doesn't sit well when people who are trapped in poverty and begging me for money are surrounding me while I'm trying to buy stupid stuff that really doesn't even matter. I mean, really...do need those 100 baht sunglasses or should I just give that money to the small child begging at my feet? Gosh I hate being a selfish American. So, the bus ride was pretty fun to and from Mae Sai, but that's just about it for me. I'm all about popping the iPod in just looking out the window...that's fun to me. (The picture toward the bottom of this post is of me and Gonjana, one of the girls from River of Life who went with us to Mae Sai today. We would have been so lost without here there to help us!)

So after we got back home, Allison and Alyse convinced me to go on a bike ride toward the garden at Chiang Rai University. I'm the worst bike rider ever, so we made it to the convenient store down the street next to the pond, and went for an ice cream instead. A-ok with me. Then we had dinner (Pad Thai..so freaking good! Once again...I kinda love Thai food now. Haha.) And after dinner the kids had praise and worship practice.

Ok so there's this one kid named Mateo, and he is simply amazing. He has cerebral palsy, and his favorite job at River of Life is to open the gate when cars come in and out. It's so cute to watch him sprint down the gravel driveway to open the gate as fast as he can...whatever you do, do it for the Lord and with all of your heart right? Perfect example. All of the kids really take care of him, too, and it's just great interacting with him. While we were all sitting around after dinner tonight, we were eating some kinda candy or something, and he shared his with Allison and me, evenly distributing each piece, even so much as to half the last piece to keep it fair. So adorable. And then at praise and worship practice, we were sitting there with him and he was just clappin' and havin' a big ol' time. He went up on stage and played the bongos for several of the songs, and we could see him singing along too and just worshiping the Lord. It took everything I had to hold my tears back. (I'm so emotional when it comes to kids!) He really just blessed my heart tonight...such a great kid.

I ended up helping out with praise and worship practice a little...AKA: Everyone found out that I sing a little bit, so they asked me to sing a song. Haha. Seriously, that's the first time I've sang in front of people in quite a while. I was too nervous, but it felt so good sing for the Lord after such a long time. I love it when God uses our talents for his glory...

So tomorrow we're going up to a waterfall and visiting a temple. I'm hoping that we can pick the kiddos up from school, too, so I can try to find Siam. Still hoping and praying that God works that out...

Love you guys...thank you so much for all the prayers and encouraging messages/comments/emails/tweets/skypes/etc. I can't wait to see yall when I get home. Though I don't want to leave Thailand, I must admit that I'm getting pretty excited about coming home and hanging out with everyone.

Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, have been called according to his purpose."

I'm out.
Cwalk.

P.S. Yes, Allison is bald. I'm gonna go back and add some pictures to past blogs now that she's decided to go public with this. :)

P.S.S. SHOUT OUT TO ALL MY AMAZING FRIENDS BACK HOME WHO SURPRISED ME WITH A PERSONALIZED RENDITION OF "DON'T STOP BELIEVIN" ON FACEBOOK! AND THAT IS WHY I HAVE THE BEST FRIENDS IN THE ENTIRE WORLD...LOVE YOU GUYS! :)