Breathless Thanksgiving

We laid low for this, our second day at Hot Springs. 

Sunday had been abundant with worship and conversation over lunch with the three adults who want to be baptized next Sunday.  Hearing their stories and being in awe again of how proactively God intervenes on behalf of those who have nothing, I felt as though I was in the presence of a different kind of royalty.  More on their stories later though.  Esther had her first performance.  I had preached and led evening devotions.  We fell into bed reminded that we'd just traveled half way around the world and were in a completely different time zone.  Slept well, both of us.

Monday was a day off.  Appropriately so, since at home in Canada we'd be eating too much, having a nap, and just chilling with the family.  Exactly what we did, and with great thanksgiving.

I'd brought a ping pong set (inspired by a video Suradet had sent me earlier where there was a string for a net and only one paddle and a book used as the other :) so we watched a mini tournament for a bit.  Then Fruk brought out his magic set and wowed us with his tricks.  Except no one has told him that a magician never reveals his secrets, because at the end of each trick he seemed to take great delight in showing us exactly how it was done!  Both Esther and I were challenged to arm wrestles.  We went on a 'lion hunt'. 

In the flat space provided by the new shelter between the main church building and the conference room, cartwheels and hand stands and various flip over moves can be practiced and shown off.  Wild applause as only a visiting 'gramma'  and 'auntie' can provide.

And on the empty spaces of my notebook, second and third graders can help me with my Thai spelling.  Over the top praise for every effort, as only sweet children eager to encourage my language learning can give.

Guitars were brought out and Esther and Miki and Boy, surrounded by curious littler ones, sang soft songs of worship for about an hour or so. 

We 'helped out' a local business owner by receiving the good gift of a Thai massage at the little shop just down the road.  After that was when the nap happened to us.  Then supper.  Then....

Opening Sponsors' packets at evening worship.  And suddenly it all feels more like Christmas than Thanksgiving.  Except the kids at Hot Springs are tidy in their excitement, pulling each item out with care, exclaiming over treats and gifts, and then gingerly replacing them into the packet before pulling out the next, and exclaiming over that as well.  Prayers for Sponsors.  Oh so grateful.  And then to bed.

Because of the baptisms and because it will give us more time to prepare (and decorate!), the celebration of Thanksgiving Sunday (service) won't happen until next week.  But today..... today felt like Thanksgiving Monday should feel.  Surrounded by loved ones, simply enjoying being together, having fun, being grateful.

I miss my own family and sharing in the gratitude rituals with them, and with my wonderful Highview family as well.  It's odd not to be with them, for sure.  But this was good and deep and beautiful. 

If Thanksgiving is a time to set aside the regular schedules and routines that can distract us from gratitude, to allow us to stop and say thank you, then I was considerably distracted today. 

Being here brings clear focus to what my life is about, and sharp awareness of who I'd be without Jesus. The depth of my gratitude for God's goodness and sovereignty and delicate love makes it hard, at times, for me to breathe.