OCD

Ever since I was a child, I have been obsessed with patterns. One of my chores as a child was to nightly set the table. Every night I picked out which colored cups I wanted and would arrange them in a "pattern"--sometimes a pattern only I could see--(this being made evident when someone else would want to change cups and I would strongly oppose or rearrange the cups to a different pattern so he could have the color he wanted. )
Recently my roomate has been noticing my "OCD" tendancies, --Silently rearranging the drying hangers to be color cordinated or eating pieces of candy in order of the pattern I've created. These are all things I don't have to do, but will admitt that there is a slight inner peace when they are done. When things around me are out of my control and or crazy (as ministry can be sometimes) there is a certain joy I get in my room being color ordered. Strange I know.
This weekend I officially moved into my own room (same house as Sara still-- long story, but my room is finally open) and it has been so exciting to start arranging my room based on the color themes I want. 3 colors= Royal darkish blue is the base. followed by light bright green and brown for accents. I'll post some after pictures soon, but for now it feels nice to have a some color order in my life. It feels nice to make my room feel like mine. I pray it will be a room of refreshment and deep intimacy with Jesus who is my real inner peace.

creativity

Creativity is something I've always had an interest in. I greatly appreciate creative art forms like painting, drawing, or poetry. Looking at well orchastrated and unique photography is something I find relaxing. I'm often the first to cheer someone on to develop creative outlets and I personaly keep an artistic journal. Living in the slums introduces a whole new set of creative outlets--Like how do you dry you're clothes in raining season or what's culturally the best way to handle difficult situations. I'm still praying for some wisdom in hard situations, but at least I've fiqured out drying clothes.

Wat of much randomness

There's many things that I find fit my personality in Thailand. There are also a lot of Buddist temples in any part of any city in Thailand. They are all about the same and all have thier own thing that sets them apart.

My best friend Kristen recently visited from the States which was both encourging and exciting. I was able to practice a lot of Thai as I translated for 2 weeks straight ( wow I had no idea I could traslate that much or understand that much) It was very encouraging. I was also super encouraged by how my neighbors reached out to welcome Kristen. They knew she was like a sister and that we'd been friends for a long time, but it was encouraging to me to see how much my neighbors cared about me as they reached out to Kristen.

Kristen found her self remarking serveral times that there is lot about Bangkok that fits my personality. Thai's love to Dance and they love things to be cute. They have a phycial and slightly sarcastical sense of humor--they love to startle people and smile all the time. Thai's are hospitiable and generous. It's a big city with lots to do, but relatively easy to be know by local vedors and neighbors. Any Thai any where is usually up for starting conversation. (sometimes having more freedom than american culture allows eg... How much money does Kristen have in her bank account in the U.S, , but Thai's generally care about people.

My language partner in particular took it upon her self to show Kristen much of Thailand. We hung out with her several times including a day trip to a nieghboring ancient city (ayutitya). Kristen had her tourist books, but we didn't hit all the tourist spots. We did hit some local Thai hot spots and our favorite wat ( temple) which Kristen and I have sense titled "the wat of much randonmess." It's a must go see if you're in Thailand (just ask the Thai's). As I mentioned before Every wat is pretty much the same and every wat has it's own unique element to it. The wat of much randomness is unique (more than it is the same) because of it's BATHROOM. That's right known for being one of the most beautiful bathrooms in Thailand and the 1st airconditioning bathroom in a temple in all of Thailand. Each stall had it's own airconditioning complete with carpeted floors. It was amazing. If you haven't gone to the bathroom you haven't been to this temple. It's also decorated with clay children and plaster animals all over the grounds. You can feed ravinous large cat fish as well as see all the traditional temple things like bells and merit stands. Of all the touristy things in Thailand I've done so far. The wat of much randomness might be my favorite because if you know me I too am quite random.

children playing intruments

Is this the Thai verson of that one kid's sunblock in the US

Ahh it's me in clay form

No were not just weird, Were imitating clay fiqures behind us

Thanks Gop for taking us to the Wat of Much randomness. That and eating fresh Roti from ayutitya was definetly a highlight from the other wise really hot day.