Day 44: Lang Lang...Bad Choice.

Well, the sickness continued on into today. Bonk. It was slightly miserable, but I tried to suck it up and not whine too much. Alyse and Allison convinced me to get out of bed and eat breakfast around 11am (haha), and then we walked about 20 minutes down the road to the Hot Springs area. (The swan statue was outside of the resort, so of course Allison and I had to represent Epsilon.) We got a Thai massage for only 100 baht ($3)!!!! The woman was going way too easy on me at first so I said "lang lang" which means "harder"...bad choice. The rest of the massage was way rough, and I forgot the word for "softer/easier" so I just endured it. I probably have bruises from that one. Haha. Maybe I should have gone with the easy massage especially since I was sick...ehh, live and learn. We opted out of getting in the hot springs because none of us really wanted to walk back home soaked. I'm just glad I got to get out and about for a while...I can't believe I've been fine this whole trip and when we get our holiday to Chiang Rai/Mai, I start getting sick.

So the kids had praise and worship practice again today. I love listening to them sing all their songs in English and Thai. They had the lyrics up on the screen today so we could sing along with the Thai songs, too. That was pretty fun. Mateo was having a blast as usual, and he pulled up a chair and sat by me. (Gosh I love him!) After everyone was through practicing and dispersed to do their own things, Mateo kept saying something to me. He was speaking Thai as if I could understand a word he was saying, but somehow though supplemental hand motions, I figured out that he was trying to get me to go up on stage and sing a song for him. (Aww...) So I walked up to the stage with him and he was trying to get me to get a microphone and everything to sing, but I told him that he'd have to wait until tomorrow. (I'm singing in the worship service evidently.) Then, he drug Allison up on stage and handed her a guitar. She acted like she knew what she was doing, and all 3 of us sang the chorus to "Blessed Be Your Name." I'm sure it sounded hideous, but it was so cute. Mateo never fails to make my day.

Tonight we went to the Chiang Rai night walking market. That was pretty fun, though I'm not a happy shopper. I did end up buying more than Allison (which is a first), so I'm pretty proud of myself. I got a few souvenirs, but honestly guys, if I don't bring you back something, please don't hate me...I'm not really one to waste my money on trinkets that will end up in your yard sale someday. Just sayin... So since it's almost Chinese New Years and Valentines Day, the market was insane tonight! It was packed out with people, and at times I was slightly claustrophobic. We ate far too much street food tonight too...banana pancakes, noodles, donuts, fries, etc. (My rationalization: I didn't eat a lot today when I felt like crap, so I was hungry. Haha!) So anyway, there was this band playing and this little area to dance...so of course Allison and I jumped on that! Alyse is a little more reserved than we are, so she was a good purse holder and picture taker. Haha. We did some sort of Thai line dancing thing, and it was a lot of fun for sure. You only live once right!?

So here I am, laying in bed, trying to convince myself that my stomach feels awesome, and that I need to go to sleep. I don't want to leave Chiang Rai tomorrow at all, and I'd be perfectly content staying here until I fly home on Wednesday. There's so much more that I want to see and do here, but I haven't gotten the chance either because I've felt like crap or the lack of transportation to and from. If only I had more time...I want to hang out with the kids here and really get to know them. It almost feels pointless to try when we only have such a tiny amount of time...why would anyone want to open up to us when we're only here for 5 days? It's sad. I have to come back to this place, to these kids. I almost feel retarded saying that because I know everyone says that, especially in situations like this. But I don't say it lightly at all. I have my boys in Honduras that I visit regularly...but there's for sure room in my heart for a few more kids.

I still think it's so crazy how I'm here right now, in the same place where so many of you guys back home have been. It's cool to think how God works things out...especially in His timing. A lot of the time, His plan is so blurry and vague, but there's always a method in the madness. I'm so excited to know that I will be able to come home and share my experiences with people who have also been there, done that. It's a relief to know that you will understand... My biggest fear about coming to Thailand was returning home and feeling isolated and friendless, with nobody who really "gets" me. Please know that God is already using you to calm my (irrational) fears...

Well guys, I'm going to bed. See ya Chiang Rai. Until next time...and there will be a next time...

I'm out.
Cwalk.