Then Sings My Settled Soul

 

As we've moved into the first full week of our stay here, I am noticing something lovely, but recently elusive happening for me. A settled soul.

In the weeks leading up to getting on the plane, I've struggled to maintain focus and concentration. So many lists in so many different orbits of my life, personal, family, ministry. We've been un-nested now since July 18. Not really, because the cottage was and is a true place of home for me. But the temporary nature of our city dwelling, and the transient nature of where we've laid our heads over the past few months, have taken their toll. So much of the time there's this feeling of being pulled in the proverbial thousand directions.

But yesterday I noticed it. A settled mind and spirit. One focus, one heart, one beauty, right here, right now.

Physically as well. In a rather unusual way, I have slept beautifully, right though the night, every night we've been here so far. The summer's surgery recovery is a dim and distant memory now, especially compared to what I was still dealing with when I was here last.

I mention all this mostly and simply so I can mark it, and be fully grateful as I am fully present in this space. Fully present in the midst of children's voices raised in praise in the early sleepy moments of dawn. Fully present in the sunrise that follows, and in the sound of crickets and wild birds and geckos, all of which have become such familiar songs to my being. Fully present in the presence of community, slow and gentle, loving and being loved, knowing and being known.

Prajao ying yai.
How great Thou art.

To anyone needing some settling right now, I wish I could e-transfer some of this home to you. Maybe I can. We'll call it prayer.

And Then A Peacock (or Three)

One happy component of every single trip is the thing that's never happened before.  At least, most of the time it's a happy thing.  It was yesterday.

We're still in our first three days of adjustment, getting turned around on sleep and appetite and general sense of what day it is.  Saturday was remarkably productive, all that being said.  We were able to spend time with the kids beading and painting.  And in a very casual way, playing 'games' with English letters, Cheryl was able to do an assessment on almost all the children.  Very helpful as we head into Monday's first reading time.

While all that is going on, I look up from the dining area towards the guest house.  There are three large peacocks casually strolling across the property, up the hill, and checking out the porch of Suradet and Yupa's house.  Maybe they smelled our lunch being prepared.

No one was particularly phased.  Even the dogs didn't respond much more than to lift a head and make sure the birds were familiar, which apparently they were.  I pointed it out to Suradet who just laughed and said, "Ahjahn Ruth...we have everything!"

Yes, but this was my first visit from peacocks, I'll just say.  

It was a happy little new thing to add to the happy little things we were already doing with the kids.

I am writing from that relaxed not-preaching space between 5:30 morning worship followed by breakfast at 7:00, follow by worship that begins some time around 10 a.m.  Actually none of the times above are in any way precise.  That's just the way we roll.  

This morning, after breakfast, we were given the task of preparing for Communion, and what an honour it was.  And what an honour it will be to receive Communion together with our brothers and sisters here.

Settling in to our first days very well.

More on Sunday's service will most likely follow :).

Blessings all....

 

The Dawning of a Saturday

 

"Early in the morning,

my song shall rise to Thee."

(Hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy)

I heard the rooster sing them first, those praises.

Grateful for a very solid night's sleep, unusual for second day of jet lag.
Grateful for the cooler air of the morning.
Grateful for the anticipation of sleepy morning meditations with our children, in just a few moments.
Grateful for Team members adjusting well and engaging deeply even in these first few days.

Still some unpacking and sorting to do.
Preparing to tell the Christmas story tonight in our lesson series.
Easing into this beautifully.

Bead Kisses

We're here, we made it.

That's the first thing I need to get out there.

Quick.  Jet lag is hot on my heels, behind my eyes.

More of a story, when I'm not struggling so hard to stay awake.

Next, quickly now, before I droop again.

Just in case you were wondering if the packets you make as Sponsors matter.

Bee Mai is kissing her beads.

She did this over and over tonight as all the children opened their packets. 

I have more.

But I've literally dropped off twice while writing these few lines.

So, it's to bed.

Grateful and beyond for all the grace that brought us here.

Great team spirit through the typhoon.

But that's another story.

Blessings.

 

Clarity

Monday afternoon and the transitional clutter and confusion is started to get sorted.

Suitcases and carry-ons for Thailand are almost ready, all but what can't be done until mostly last minute anyway. All the shopping for sundries, which had to wait until we were back in the city, is done.

Van is unloaded and tidied and ready for our packing time as a Team tonight. Weigh scale is at the ready, and so far it looks good for staying within the limits AND bringing all we wanted to bring. We'll see how things go tonight.

I've also got my purse ready to go, which sounds like no big deal, but actually has about three steps to it, all very detailed, including all those carry on fluids, snacks, and a thorough change over of my wallet.

Another big relief today. The dentist agrees my broken back tooth is stable enough to not be too much trouble while I'm gone. I haven't really mentioned this yet, because it happened at Thanksgiving already, hasn't been bothering me, and, to be honest, I was fairly certain this would be the assessment, so I haven't been thinking of it too much. Still, I realized as I walked out of the office just how much I needed to get that go ahead checked off the list. Whew!

Back to the van. Having that all sorted and ready for our trip to the airport really helped clear my head too. Just felt like there were so many details and lists and things to sort through, between the cottage and Thailand. It was getting rather swimmy in there.

But here, just now, in the latter part of the afternoon of the day before, in the comfort of our stay, I feel it all washing away and sorting itself out and coming together.

Like Muay helping Wanmai shower off at the end of our little bai tea, out for a swim, last July.

Aaah yes.

And of course, I took another look at those pictures from last time just in case I might forget the why of it all in the mist of the doing of it all.

Those kids!
Soon my beloveds, soon!

When You See It For Yourself

Today has been full of all the feels.

Still feeling the physicality of closing the cottage, big time, and the crazy way the van is, and how it just represents the strange space I'm in to be back but leaving again. Living out of a suitcase again.

Grateful for the generous hospitality of friends (a beautiful, recurring theme these past four months already) for a place to stay and rest a little and finish off the packing, both personal and ministry, for Thailand.

Grateful for the time spent this morning worshiping at Highview, and the kind Commissioning the November Team received. It means so much to be prayed over. Every time.

So very excited and encouraged, awkward selfies notwithstanding, to see with our own eyes the progress made on our house so far! There will be pauses here and there, no doubt. But has there ever been a LOT accomplished this week! Standing there, beside the foundation in the sunshine this afternoon, it felt more real.

This morning, in one song we sang together, we were reminded that God's love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on us. And on and on it goes, like the wild sky over Georgian Bay that I've had so much time to sit under these past months. Pictures, like the one I've included here, kept coming to mind as we sang.

In between, that's how these next few days will feel.
It's a good place to get that 360 degree perspective I think.
From all angles.

And it all looks pretty amazing to me.

Final Fridays (For Now)

 

Taking a few moments before I really get at it. All the packing and putting away in prep for tomorrow's departure for the season.

So many things to say, really. A lot said already, probably. More to muse on, very definitely.

I know I will look back on this extended season with amazement for all God has done. To be settled here during a rather unsettling period of our life has been an enormous gift.

The good thing about staying later is that it won't be as long before we're back, Lord willing.

And....

Things ahead are exciting too. It's been a busy week in the foundation department of the construction of our new home. Can't wait to see it with my own eyes.

And...

So looking forward to hugs from grandkids.

And...

So looking forward to worshiping in person at Highview on Sunday.

And...

Our Team is ready to visit the beloveds in Thailand once again, leaving in the wee hours of Wednesday morning.

Here we go.
A final Friday for now.

Hope your week is winding up well.