Back to where it all started...

First off, I am so very sorry for not blogging these last several weeks. However, as I begin to tell you about them, you will understand more of why I couldn't. Thanks for sticking with me though! This will be my last post from Thailand.

These past few weeks have literally been non-stop. We jumped head first into "Freshy Games" in which our nights became filled with watching and cheering on hours of badminton, volleyball, and field hockey all while wearing balloon hats!

Cheering for the Freshy Badminton team!

Just a night under the stars watching some volleyball...

We spent hours in this "warehouse gym" type thing watching
Badminton... I bet it topped 100 degrees in there at times...

When Freshy games ended, there was no stopping there. Our days and nights were filled with activities with the Freshman (who now could have a life since it was no longer ruled by these intramural type activities every day... some games were even at 6 am. We didn't make those...). We also got a lot of time to spend with the older Christian girls who had actually been in charge of the Freshy games, so they too had been busy.

Some of the activities included slumber parties at P'Fone's house, complete with brownies and cookies of course, and a trip to the dam. The trip to the dam was so much fun. Kathryn, PFone, and I, joined by 2 of the Christian girls, Daow and Jelly took a day to go explore the dam, take tons and tons of pictures, and then go eat in a hut by the lake. Here are the pictures to prove it...

Me, P'Fone, Daow, Kahryn, and Jelly at the dam! So beautiful!

The dam! Ha, the sign says "Don't get in the water..." or
something like that... (That just made me want to get in
the water that much more!)

The huts we ate lunch in right down from the dam!

Our little spot... you can't see here, but it was about to storm.
It was awesome! God's power was so evident. I love me some storms...
Plus, that food was AWESOME.

This past week our team took a little R&R. We headed up to Khao Yai, a little town in the mountains, to a resort where we spent the next 3 days sightseeing some temple ruins, relaxing at the pool, eating, reflecting about the summer, riding ELEPHANTS!, and riding dune buggys and such.... You know, just another vacay right?? Ha.

Taylor and I in front of the temple ruins in Pi Mai
on the way to Khao Yai.

Our view from the lobby of the Greenery Resort in Khao Yai.
Gorgeous.

Me with a 110 year old elephant that this conservation
program rescued.

Yes, it's true, I am riding on the head of the elephant. Also,
another truth about this picture is that the elephant keeper
is on the ground, and Milcah and I are on top of this 2 ton
animal by ourselves.

So talented!

August and I after riding dune buggys at the "Life Park" (think of
The Track at the beach) that was at our resort.

After we got back from our trip, we hit the ground running one more time for a final push. We had 3 Freshy girls come to church with us that next Sunday (we got back late Saturday night and immediately headed to P'Fone's for a slumber party... I mean what else would we do?? When in Thailand...). This past Monday, our team had lunch with all of the CO Thailand staff. It was a wonderful time of encouragement for both our team and for the COT team.

Yesterday was our last full day here on campus. We had lunch in the Complex... ha of course! And several of the girls we have been hanging out with all summer came. It was so great to be able to laugh and make a few more memories with them before we head out. 

And, now, the tough one... last night was our "Farewell Party." Students that we had met throughout the summer came to see us off. It was a night full of games, tears, food, and lots and lots of pictures. Wow. And as I am sitting here writing this, I am about to go to lunch for the last time with students and then board a plane...

Ah! I am sorry this is so choppy and brief. There is literally no way I can pack what all the Lord has shown/taught/broken/encouraged me of these past 2 months, let alone these past 2 weeks. I am excited to be headed home; however, a part of my heart will stay here in KhonKaen, Thailand forever. 

To all my supporters and prayer warriors at home. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I cannot wait to sit down and share with you what the Lord has done. Please pray for safe travel as we are about to head out on another 50 hour journey.

But, more importantly, please pray for the relationships we have made here this summer. For them to continue to grow through the Thai staff here and that the Lord will work in their hearts.

Ok, I'm tearing up. I must go. I love you all.

Over and out... all the way from Thailand...

Until next time...