Some Like it HOT!

And some SPIKE it HOT!

I'm guessing most people know the song, "Hot Hot Hot"  (a song written by Montserrat musician Arrow and later covered by Buster Poindexter.) 
It's what I feel like chanting everyday because, well, IT'S HOT here!
I won't complain too much though because I'm sure in 4 weeks time, when I'm back in Australia, I'll be complaining about how cold it is!!
One Saturday recently in the scorching sun, 4 courageous ZOE missionaries took on the challenge of participating in a seriously hot volleyball round robin.
Jessica, Jonathon, Dave and Rob put a team in for the 'fun' pool only to be informed that they're weren't enough other teams to run that competition and that they had been added to the 'competitive' section!
Well, the training began with Denise throwing balls to the team during their breaks at ZOE and as the day rapidly approached, it was with much anticipation that this group stretched their muscles and prepared for the unknown.
Surprisingly they won their first two games... yay!  But unfortunately the rest of the day, although close, did not result in any more victories.  All of us cheering them on were so proud of their efforts.  With sunburn and sore muscles, it was still all smiles as the Some Spike it Hot team looked ahead to being even better prepared for next year!  Go team ZOE!

Our children finish school today!  What? I can't believe my older two will be in Grade 2 and 3 soon!  I love watching them grow up. It is such a blessing.
Below are some photos from their big clean-up yesterday where they washed all the school chairs and ended with a big water fight - one of the joys of living in a hot country.

 

In preparation for Australia, our children have been trying to learn the Australian National Anthem.  They sing the Thai one every morning at school, but remembering when they heard the Australian anthem during a visit with us to one of the schools that Dave and I were speaking at last year, they have been prompted to learn the Australian one too.  It's actually quite lovely hearing them sing it around the house.  

In further preparation for adjusting back to Australian life, Dave and the kids have been keeping up with the AFL football this year.  A couple of weekends ago, Dave set up an area with hotdogs, snacks and the computer screen to create an authentic "footy" atmosphere around their viewing time.  Tobi is extremely excited because he will be attending his first ever AFL match this year when we're back.
Recently we celebrated two of our little friends turning 4 and 6.  Their party was in a park and was so much fun.  Below is Tobi with a school friend.

 The kids with some of their friends from preschool and school.

Well I need to finish off a few more jobs before picking my children up for the last time until mid August when they begin their new school year.
I hope and trust that you are well.  We love hearing from you and can't wait to catch up with all our lovely family and friends very soon.
I'll leave you with some photos from this morning's little party and chance to honour the teachers for a wonderful year of school.

Blessings,
Andie

Excess Baggage

Some of us could be hiding a little "excess baggage" under our loose t-shirts right now.  But that's not what I am posting about today- thank goodness!

The words excess baggage also make me sweat just thinking about our upcoming trip back to Australia and all the bits and pieces we need try to fill our cases with: brochures, newsletters, gifts and of course our bulky winter clothes (that only get worn in Australia) making packing a time consuming process as we have to carefully spread the weight around and ensure that each bag does not go past its limit.  
But that's not the excess baggage I am posting about today either.  [I still have 38 more days to think about that!]


What I was actually referring to in the title, is the state of my handbag right now.

 ~

I ripped a fingernail the other day so I went in search for some nail clippers in my bag.  

I was sure I had some... somewhere! 

Instead of nail clippers though what I found shocked me and left me feeling... well...pretty embarrassed actually.

It was what I had been lugging around on my shoulder.  
One out-of-control, ridiculously heavy handbag. 

No wonder my neck has been sore recently.

How have I accumulated so much stuff ? 

I was thinking, if they ever make a reality show where they choose random women to empty their handbags out and see what's in them, I think I should be nominated for it.  And if there was a prize for the person carrying around more than what would seem physically possible, then I'd definitely be in the running.

Now, just to clarify, my kids aren't babies anymore.  This is not one of those big nappy/diaper-bags we're talking about.  Oh no, it a regular, over your shoulder, pop down the street, meant-to-just-carry-a-few-things sort of a bag.

Okay, in an act of pure honesty, ... and in an attempt to shock myself into not ever letting it GET THIS BAD again, I am now going to list everything in my bag!! (imagine me tipping it out now) {insert gasp here}


Here it is friends: (if I type really small, it might seem like less!!)
sunglasses
wet wipes
packet of tissues
wallet
(not too bad so far...)
numerous pens/pencils/eraser and a pencil sharpener
hair elastic (o.k. more than just one)
phone
random letter in envelope
lacteeze tablets (for Dave and Eli)
tube of 50+ sunscreen
lip balm x2
bandaids
Nurafen
ventalin puffer
scrap of material
hand sanitizer
chewing gum
wallet of all my 'members cards for grocery shops etc'hair brush (and a comb)
tiger balm neck rub
toothpaste (a small tube)
mouthwash (given free at the shops the other day)
travel sickness tablets
concealer stick
old shopping list x2
diary
body spray AND
Thai alphabet flashcards
More like a survival kit isn't it?... I know!!!  And now you know why I was so shocked that there were no nail clippers in there.  Unbelievable, right?

Oh dear!  It's time for a clean out I think.


And then, all this excess baggage got me thinking and questioning how much other excess baggage I just might be carrying.

How that hurtful comment, unanswered email, short reply or sarcastic utterance meant I added extra baggage to my heart this week.  How unforgiveness or unrepentance meant that my heart felt weightier than it needed to.  How when I’d felt worried or stressed by a deadline I took that all upon myself and carried it around like a big, heavy burden.

How I couldn’t find what I really needed because everything else just seemed to weigh me down.

 ~

Ever get to the end of a school term and ask your kids to clean out their school bags?  It’s amazing (and sometimes disgusting) what you’ll find in there.  Like a moldy banana peel, an odd screwed up sock, letters from their friends, the watch you’d bought them to wear and nobody knew where it went, the note you wrote after they were absent from school sick five weeks ago or the missing swimming goggles that you’d already replaced.

Sometimes, we just need to have clean-outs more regularly, yes?

And it’s the same for our attitudes and our hearts too.

If you’re burdened by the weight of an unresolved argument, the sadness or confusion at the lack of communication or the stubbornness to apologise for something that you could’ve changed…

How about having a clean out this week?

Let’s not leave our hearts unattended, heavy and hurting when we have access to the One who comforts us in our sadness, who calms the storms and who forgives us that we might forgive others. 

I'm going to be cleaning out my bag and checking on my heart this week too!

Got more in your handbag than me?  Leave a comment!!

The 300th Post!!

What is it about writing the 300th post that creates pressure? I feel like I should say something really intelligent, funny or at least mildly amusing.  

Ummmm..... {got nothin'}

Okay well it's a public holiday here today so, since my children have the day off school, I decided that I would put them to work and see if they could come up with something!!  

No, seriously, I just asked them a bunch of fun questions and we had a lot of laughs this morning as they all had their turn being "interviewed". 

(FYI, the question ideas were from the YMCA, Fun Questions to Ask Your Kids incase you want to do this with your own children).

I hope you enjoy!!

1. If you could spend your time doing only one activity, what would that activity be? 

S: Having a bath

E: Resting on my bed. Because if I chose something else I would never get to rest or sleep.

T: Learning more stuff. So I can be clever.

2. If you could learn how to do something new next week, what would you choose? 

S: Craft

E: Learning how to make pretty things... but proper things out of recycled materials.

T: I’d learn how to shoot guns in case a robber comes and there’s no one else there in the room.

3. If you could do something to cheer up a group of kids less fortunate than you, what would you do? Why?

S: Give them something big… like a basketball ring.

E: Give away all my teddies except one because they wouldn’t have many things.

T: I’d adopt them because then they won’t be poor anymore.

4. If you could pick something in your bedroom that would last forever, what would you choose? Why?

S: My little Mickey Mouse toy.

E: My snow globe because it’s made out of glass and it means a lot to me.

T: My Bombers hat and my money.

5. If you could send an e-mail or text message to anyone in the world knowing that they would in fact open it and read it, to whom would you send it? What would you say? 

S: Jonas.  Dear Jonas. I hope you have a good trip to Denmark. What does your house look like? Tell me xoxoxoxo Love from Spencer.
Why? Because I can’t see him anymore.

E: Jonas. Dear Jonas. How are you going at your friend’s house? Hope you have a good trip to Denmark. Praying for you. 

Why? I would send this because he left and it was very sad. 

T: God. Dear God, Thank you that you made the world so people could have a good life. Please help me to do the right thing and help others. From Tobiah Cross.  

Why? So I could hear back from him.

6. If you could have a super power, what would you choose to have? Why? What super-hero name would you choose?

S: I'd choose to be super strong because I want to be like Tigger. I would be Super-Spencer-Cross-Superman.

E: I would fly because I would get a better view and I could go anywhere. My superhero name would be Super-Eliana-Cross-is-coming-to-the-rescue.

T: Be able to jump off buildings and not get hurt because if a robber is chasing you, then you can jump off and he can’t jump off without getting hurt. My super-hero name would be Super-Jumper-Cross.

7. If you could have any animal in the world and shrink it down to a mouse-sized pet, what animal would you choose? 
Why? What name would you give it? Why?

S: Stegosaurus. Because it’s my favourite dinosaur. If it was pet I would cuddle him.  I would name it Spencer-Stegosaurus-My-Cross-Stegosaurus because that’s like its nick name.

E: A giraffe. Because I know I could never really have a pet giraffe and I could carry around and look after it. I would name it Eliana’s-Special-Giraffe.

T: A guinea pig because it wouldn’t bite me. I’d name it Simeon because he was my best friend at my old school.

8. Where do you think would be the most exciting place in the world to visit?

S: Kad Suan Kaew (our local shops)
E: Australia
T: Heaven

9. Can you think of something we could do to make meals together more interesting and fun for everyone in the family?
S: Watch a movie while we’re eating.

E: We could have one of our family’s favourite meals each night, everyone could choose what they wanted from oldest to youngest.

T: Have it all nice like a hotel with soft music, big tables, yummy food and soft drink.

10. What is the silliest thing you’ve ever done?

S: Shaking my bottom while dancing.
E: Making funny noises.
T: Doing the chicken dance.

11. What is your favourite sport or game? If you could change one rule, what would you change?

S: Basketball. You should get points for tackling people because I like to wrestle.

E: Basketball. You could move the height of the hoop whenever you want. But only every 2 minutes. But if the coach blows the whistle and everyone is still happy, the coach can still change it.

T: Footy (AFL). Every time a team got a goal against the Bombers, then the Bombers would get a free kick.

12. What is the strangest sound you can make? What do you think it sounds the most like in nature?

S: My noise sounds like a pig snoring.

E: Like a fluffy.

T: A lion with a sore throat.

13. What part about being a kid do you think you will miss the most when you grow up?

S: Dancing all the time.

E: I think I will be less flexible.

T: Being able to run fast.

14. What is your favorite word right now? What do you like about it? When have you used it recently?

S: "Happy Christmas, Suk San wan Christmas"… I like it because Santa Claus brings presents to people in movies.

E: "Stupendous". If someone says it to me, I feel happy. I don’t really use it, I just heard it in a movie.

T: "Heaven". It makes me feel like I want to go there. I liked it when we were watching a movie and I heard the word.

15. If you could swap places with anyone in the world for just a day, who would you choose? Why?

S: Jhan so I could be in Ing’s family.

E: Jonas’ big brother. Because I could be in Jonas’ family for at least one day.

T: Seth (Simeon’s big brother) because then I could spend time with Simeon.

16. What do you think would be the best thing about being a dog or cat? What would be the worst thing? 

S: The best things would be wagging my tail. The worst thing would be doing poo in the garden.

E: The best thing would be that I could tell people I’m happy or sad by wagging my tail. There would be nothing bad about being a cat or dog.

T: The best things would be getting dog treats. The worst thing would be getting sick.

17. What is one thing that you think you will definitely be great at when you are an adult?

S: Cooking… oh no… I mean doing raspberries on little kids.

E: Looking after babies and children.

T: Being in the Olympics... competing in freestyle.

And there you have it, our 300th post!!  Thanks to Tobi, Eli and Spencer for helping me out.

A Sad Goodbye!

Have you ever had that awful feeling in the pit of your stomach when your child is looking forward to something but they don't fully understand the situation.  And what they think is going to be this totally awesome time, has a nasty twist to it?  

Like visiting the doctor for immunizations or going to the dentist.

All week, Spencer has been looking forward to his best mate's party.  Except it wasn't his birthday party we were going to... it was  his going-away party! 

I'm not sure the reality of that fact fully "hit" until the games had all been played, the airplane cookies consumed and it was eventually time to go home... and say goodbye... most likely for ever.

It's not like our family is immune to saying goodbyes.  

We've had our fair share of them and I've heard that heart-wrenching cry before, but nothing ever prepares you to hear it again.  

The sobbing and the complete and utter sadness that you feel after you hug your bestie for the very last time.

How does a four-year-old even cope with that?  

And as a parent, there's nothing you can do to calm the tears but say, "I know".

Followed by, "You can choose dinner... anything you want".

But when every crumb of the KFC has been finished and the last drips of ice-cream are licked from around your mouth, the momentary distraction from the cold, harsh truth all comes flooding back in gushes of, "I miss my friend.  I don't want him to go.  He was my best friend".

And then, as a parent, you're back to just saying, "I know".  

There isn't a limit to the amount of cuddles that you can give on weekends like this.  No amount of extra love is ever wasted.  And the answers to the hard questions seem to form as a lump in your throat as you lay next to your precious, sad, little child just hoping they'll fall asleep soon.  

"Mum.  I'll see him when he comes back though won't I?... He is coming back isn't he?"  

And though I try to stifle back my tears, they're just too big and they fall anyway and I know the answer is not hopeful but I say it anyway, "I really don't know.  But I hope so sweetie.  I really hope so". 

Below are some pictures that tell of the friendship Spencer and Jonas shared.  They will hold each other in their hearts for a long time I'm sure.  

What a blessing to have met such a kindred spirit at a such a young age.  

But there is a third person that has shared in the fun with Jonas and Spencer too.  The gorgeous Ing.  Jonas- Ing- Spencer were an inseparable little group of three friends that knew how to have a lot of fun and they were all as cute and cheeky as each other.

All that could be said when the tears had temporarily dried up and the reality had finally sunk in was, "Thank goodness Ing's not leaving.  

I'm going to marry her".

Goodbye to the sweet Christensen Family.  You will be missed x

ANZAC Day- Thai Style

Learning about ANZAC Day was something that our eldest son Tobi had never experienced at school due to the fact that, up until recently, he had been attending an international school with an American curriculum.

As the 25th approached, he was becoming more and more interested (and inquisitive) so when we told him that we were going to be attending a dawn service this year too, he was looking forward to the day even more.

Not surprisingly, ANZAC Day is not a public holiday here in Thailand, so after the dawn service, our kids went home for a short play but then had to go to school and Dave off to work.

Besides taking the time to remember what ANZAC Day is all about, some of the highlights from this week (in no particular order) included enjoying an Aussie barbecue for breakfast with friends (with sausages and damper), seeing Tobi and Eliana lay the student-made wreath at the dawn service and hearing Tobi read his Simpson acrostic poem out at the front of chapel on Friday.  

This really has been a very special ANZAC week.

To top it off, this weekend, Dave and the kids also gathered around the computer screen to watch a replay of the Essendon v Collingwood AFL match.  

Lots of, "C'mon Bombers!" could be heard vibrating through the house and the nervous cheers soon turned to shouts of happiness as Essendon sealed the victory.

You can take Dave away from the football, but you can't take the football away from Dave!  

And, as anticipated, I had baked ANCAZ biscuits... and lots of them!  Did I mention that I LOVE HAVING AN OVEN? 

So in the end, all the children at school got one, friends had some and also the missionaries at ZOE too.  

I don't think we did a very good job explaining the meaning behind the biscuits though as the Americans kept calling them 'oatmeal cookies' but anywhoo!  There's always next year.

Lest We Forget!

Everyday Heroes. Making a Difference

A real-life "Little Miss Sunshine" story.

One of the best parts of our work here is meeting everyday heroes.
This year, we've had the privilege of spending time with people from around the world, who care about the work being done through ZOE and who give generously of their time and resources.  

They are all heroes to us!

Several months ago, Dave and I met Tim and Carmen, an Australian couple who are not only making difference in the world through their own choices but also purposefully raising their daughter Gemma to impact her generation in a positive way.

Carmen, met David briefly after he shared at Donvale Christian College in 2011.  

[Side note: This school then went on to hold a fundraiser for ZOE, hosted by two Year 10 students and... the amazing fundraiser brought in a whopping $6500, which was just truly remarkable!]

 

When Carmen and husband Tim contacted us and shared that they were visiting Thailand as volunteers, helping out with a children's program at a missions conference, we were thrilled to be able to coordinate a date to spend some time with them.  

This couple really are so inspirational and it was a joy to hear them share what was on their hearts.

As we sat and ate lunch, Tim and Carmen began explaining about their daughter Gemma's recent birthday party.

Her invitations stated:

"A gift is not required, but we would love if you would consider donating to 

ZOE Foundation Australia instead. 

They help rescue and care for kids that have been victims of child trafficking in, Thailand".

We were shocked!

They went on to explain how they too were blown away by their guest's generosity. Even their friends who weren't able to make it on the day donated! 

With mutual friends, Carla and Chad.

Through their own selfless act, of not receiving presents for their daughter, they managed to collect $1500 to give to ZOE!
How much more meaningful it made it when they visited the ZOE Children's Home with their daughter and learnt more about the work we do here and how their actions will be helping the lives of so many others.
Thank you Tim, Carmen and Gemma! (And everyone else who gave).  

You really are everyday heroes!

From Vegemite to Pig's Blood

I know, right? Gross title for a blog post but let me explain.  I have written about Spencer and his eating habits several times on this blog, but the other day, when he announced, "I don't like Vegemite anymore" it left me speechless... what? I mean what Australian-born child would ever say that?  Seriously?  
I had no reply.
A week later as we sat around with our various Thai lunch dishes in front of us, Dave points and says to Spencer, 
"Oh just letting you know that pig's blood there.  You don't have to eat it.  Just push it to the side".
"Where?" Spencer quickly responds... spots it... and then gobbles it up!!!
Okay enough said!!

Speaking of pigs.  
Recently Dave had the privilege of helping with the 8 newly-delivered piglets in the ZOE pig farm.  Ahhh so cute.  
He even got to tie their umbilical cords!

Well some of you may've seen some of the ZOE camp photos on Facebook, but for those of you who haven't, you can check out Jessica Dodd's page for the updates. 
Below are a couple of pics here too:

We hope that you had a good Easter. Despite David being a bit unwell, we still managed to have a nice few days.
On Sunday after lunch, we all snuggled in bed (with the air on!!) to watch the kid's version of the Passion.

This year, we used our Easter-egg molds (from my brother) to make our own chocolate eggs and I made my own recipe up for some hot crossed scones (in our new oven).

Dave has had a week off this past week.  It has been so nice to have all my besties at home for part of the school holidays.  It's been eventful and fun.  We've certainly packed a lot in to the past few days.

One of the highlights was having some of the ZOE kids over for a play on Tuesday afternoon.  We had so many laughs decorating gingerbread cookies, playing games and pulling out the Barbies, Lego and blocks.  This was a memory we will cherish for a long time to come.

Dave is back at work tomorrow while the rest of us enjoy one more week at home before school goes back for the last 4 weeks of the year!!! What?? I can't believe that the older two will soon be finishing Grade 1 and Grade 2... yikes!

David is heading away with the ZOE youth at the end of next week for a trip to the village.  He is very much looking forward to this as he both loves spending time with the ZOE teenagers and loves going to the villages.  

Well it is currently Songkran here.  A crazy (dangerous) and fun time of the year.  Songkran is the celebration of the Thai New Year.

According to the Bangkok Post, in the first three days of the holiday there were 1,447 road accidents which caused 173 deaths and 1,526 injuries.  There are still a couple of days to go!  We have been out and about a few times this year with much of the action happening right around our house.  We had a blast yesterday going out with friends in the back of a truck armed with water guns and icy water.  It proved to be a lot of fun. 

Well there is so much more to tell. {I'm sorry my updates have been few and far between!} BUT, I will save the rest of the news for another time... seriously, the story about our cockroach infestation will just have to wait for another day- when the trauma of has become a fading memory. Ewww!  I know you must be really disappointed about that LOL!

I'll leave you know with a few pictures from this first week of school holidays.  We enjoyed going to our aquarium, visiting several waterfalls and just hanging out as a family.

And, in closing, Dave and I are working hard to keep "encouraging" Spencer back to a diet inclusive of the great Aussie icon Vegemite... we will never give up!!