... our life is far from boring!
We got some rain this afternoon. The past couple of little showers we’d had did nothing but make the house go from furnace to steamy sauna! But today’s shower actually cooled everything down, which was delightful. The kids and I danced and ran in the rain until the excitement switched to frog spotting!
“Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain”. ~Author Unknown
After getting completely drenched, we headed upstairs to get changed when Dave suggested we stand out on the balcony and watch the storm from up there.
As we opened the door we realised that our balcony was actually flooding with water and was almost flowing in to our house!
Dave got to work setting up the pump to drain it over the edge before it all came in ... as I said, NEVER boring!
It’s been a tough week emotionally. We’ve all shared a lot of tears for various reasons. The highs and lows leave me wondering if ‘life’ here will ever find a rhythm. I am reminded of these verses though:
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
So do not fear for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on the wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Since camp has ended, Dave has been involved in the updating of the staff manual. He has really enjoyed this opportunity as it has given him a chance to both learn about the existing policies and also contribute to shaping how the ZOE Children's Homes will look in the future.
Eli and I were both feeling a bit flat on Thursday afternoon so Dave kindly encouraged us to go on a date. We chose to go and explore the Night Safari, they let us local in for $2 and kids are free -what a find! Only a short drive up the road, we had the most amazing evening and enjoyed a memorable night together which did a lot to lift our spirits.
I have really missed my sister, Mum and close girl friends this week. It can be challenging to find activities for Spencer to do during the day when the kids are at kinder and the weather is so hot. I miss having those close relationships that I would be constantly drawing on for strength and encouragement. I look forward to making a close friend over here in a similar situation to me with a small child at home that I can arrange play-dates with. I am trusting God to provide in this area.
On a positive note, my friend Jess gave Spencer a dancing DVD this week as she knows how much he just loves to dance and move. Well not only did he LOVE it but because it goes through various movement elements, stretching, ballet, moving with a scarf etc; Eliana ALSO loved it. I watched her as she eagerly dressed in her tutu and squeezed in to her old ballet shoes. Realising that they were far too small for her now, she asked me to buy her some new ones! I had to explain to her that I had no idea where I would even find ballet slippers in Thailand but that I would have a think about it.
On Saturday we got up early and decided to go to a couple of garage sales. The first one we went to, I walked in to the crowded room only to be instantly drawn to a box of shoes... as I looked inside, there sat a BRAND NEW pair of pink Jiffies. I had a look and called Eli over to discover that they were her EXACT SIZE! And to add one final detail to this story, they were just 20 baht (which is under $1)!!!! Can you believe it? It was such a wonderful opportunity to share with her about how much God also cares about the little things in our lives that may seem insignificant to others but that are important to us. He has provided in a way that only He could’ve orchestrated. That just blows me away.
So from dancing in the rain to our new dancing DVD, I leave you with these words of encouragement, and what I think my motto for the week will be:
Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance!
~Dave Barry
And so I will!
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