i want a pancake...

I never get on here enough, I should really start to fix that.

Well since Wednesday, the routine has been the same. Going to Patong for prayer walks during the afternoon and returning at night for ministry.

Every night in Patong they have venders trying to sell you things as you walk by. Some selling ponchos, some selling cigs, cigars, light things that shoot into the air, and then there are little children that sell flower bouquets, and flower necklaces. Its so heart breaking and I hate it.

On Thursday night, I was sitting at a bar and there was an empty stool next to me. A little girl latched on to my shirt and climbed up onto the stool and tried putting a necklace around my neck. We aren't supposed to buy anything down there, and the money doesn't go to her anyways so we were told to just say no. Usually that works when you're just walking past them. No, this girl was holding on to me, grabbing my shirt and stretching so hard to get this necklace on me.

I had to literally unfold her fingers and try to say no. As soon as she left I just lost it.

I have never had that happen before. One of the hardest moments here.

Friday night was our last night in Patong, and we had to say goodbye to all of the girls we have built relationships with. It was super emotional and sad.

Saturday was a day at the market, mall, beach, and sun, sun, sun.

We have had an amazing time and it ruled.

Today we went to church and had some pot roast that Winnie made. It was so good.

Now I'm going super fast because we're going to watch Ferris Buhller's Day Off. Love that movie.

Byeeee!

that's not a napkin, its rice paper...you know, for origami stuff

Today was a blast!!

We got up and did some yard work, painted some fences and picked up trash.

:)

We then showered superrrrrr fast and headed to a place called Phronthep Cape for the sunset.

It was SOOOOO beautiful. We didn't however get to stay for the actual sunset.

There were some interesting men there taking pictures of us taking pictures. Hahaha, they were at one point trying to get in the picture with us and taking the picture with their camera. It was sooo funny.

*Don't worry dad, it was COMPLETELY safe :)*

We then headed to this place for seafood on the pier of some beach (It starts with a P, but I can't remember it all now :])

We weren't really sure what to expect of this place but it was outside, literally beach side. There we got to actually see the sunset. It was breath taking.

I got some shrimp, and it was different than anything else I've ever had.

1) it was deep fried with sea weed

2) it still had the shell thing on it

3) it still had eyes.

The sea weed was actually really good, which was surprising, didn't think I would like it.

The shrimp was decent, I'm just not a huge seafood person.

I guess they catch all the seafood on the beach where we were eating at which was really cool. Here we are back at the SHE just hanging out before bed time.

God has been blessing us in manyyy ways.

Today we found out that we get to fly from Phuket to Bangkok instead of take the bus. The bus ride was 12 hours overnight. The flight is only an hour. Praise the Lord.

Tomorrow we head back out to Patong for another night of ministry, just continue (like I know you will) to pray for these women and for my team as we head out on this adventure.

Friday night is our last night in Patong, then I will be headed home on Tuesday night. More like start my adventures of travel on Tuesday night.

Love you all sooo much.

See you soon.

Squaty Pottys...

Yes, these do exist, and yes, I have used them.

Hahahaha Thailand is full of them. They are very interesting and I don't particularly enjoy using them.

The past few days have been nothing but roller-coasters.

Friday night we headed to Patong to do our ministry and it was just awful. We didn't realize how worn down we had become, and that we really just needed time in rest and with God in prayer.

It was raining and none of the original girls where there to talk to and you don't really want to start up a conversation with a new girl when you're not going to be there for 2 days.

Today has been the only day, since we've been in Phuket, that it hasn't rained. That felt pretty good. The rain has def. been a blessing though, it cools down the days so they aren't boiling hot. I didn't even know that my body could get as hot as it did.

Mark and Sharon have 4 children, 3 of which go to an international school so they speak english there. That is where we spent some of our 4th of July. They had burritos, ribs, burgers, cotton candy, slurpees, french fries, and everything delicious. After we spent some time there we headed to Mark and Sharon's friends house, Pam and Kevin. They have THE most beautiful house with the most beautiful view. I took tons of pictures and will upload sometime. (no use in saying soon because the wireless is not strong enough to do it all)

We headed back to the school for some night time fireworks. They were all super pretty.

Today we went to this place called The Big Buddha. I. have. never. ever. seen. something. so. beautiful.

The view was INCREDIBLE!!! We could see both sides of the island from up there! The fact that people come to see a man made thing and totally dismiss God's creation is crazy. I've never been so full of joy then when I was there.

Happy Birthday David and Laura! :)

King Jesus is Lord...

Rough night in Patong tonight. So many attacks from the devil, but where the Lord dwells, no evil can.

Please be diligent in your prayers for myself and my teammates.

It rained the entire time, the street venders were more persistent, and the devil was filling us with doubt, sickness, and physical pain.

We found the rain a blessing. Caused the streets to not be as busy.

We came home to some comfort food (pb&j) and lots and lots of prayer.

We will not be defeated.

As for me and my house we will serve the Lord!!

Today, I wore a poncho...

We were supposed to be going to Patong today to do a prayer walk during the day time for all the people we meet and then head back out there at night to the bars. Since it is the rainy season, it obviously rains a lot. We grabbed a few umbrellas, and of course I got stuck with the poncho. Clearly made for a Thai person, not your average sized American. It did at least have a clear square on my left wrist so if I was wearing a watch I would be able to see the time.

It wasn't really raining when we left the house, but then began to DOWN POUR on our walk.

We headed, well ran, back to the house. I started this post, and then the rain let up so we headed to Patong by tuk tuk.

We've been going down there to walk around the streets and just pray. The bars are always empty during the day, and so we pray for the women that we met the night before. The evilness is so thick in that place. It's scary and intimidating. But our God has given us FULL authority over all evil and any enemies we have.

My team and I have learned so much from God while being here.

The bible has never been more real to me, and my team, than it is now. Psalm 27 has been holding a huge place in our hearts.

"The Lord is my light and my salvation-so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a might army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. The one thing I ask of the Lord- the thing I seek most- is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord's perfections and meditating in his Temple. For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the Lord with music. Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me, O God of my salvation! Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close. Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I’ve never done; with every breath they threaten me with violence. Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord."

This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Glory to his name. I love you Yahweh.

I really dislike ants...

Hello all, if you're reading this, then you obviously know that I had a different one.

It got to be too hard and confusing to post stuff on the old one, so I created this one just for me. You can still go to the other one to see what my teammates are saying, but I will not be posting on it. Besides, I hadn't written on it since we found out our trip was going to be delayed.

It's 11:12pm and 73 degrees. We don't have a/c, so fans have become my best friends haha.

I'm currently sitting on my bed updating everyone on my well being, listening to some worship music, and asking God to prepare my heart and spirit for the things yet to come.

Since it has been forever since my last update here is a brief overview of the things that have hapened.

Wednesday morning I flew out of Kansas City and landed in Houston. Our plane arrived late into Houston, and as it was we only had a 30 minute layover. When we landed it turned into 20 minutes to get from gate B to gate E. Let me tell you, haha wasn't aware that I would need my inhaler because I was running a race. We did make our flight that was headed to Tokyo, but we were the last 3 people on the plane. That was a close call and super intense.

On all of our flights, my team and I did not get to sit together because our flights were booked one at a time based on airports and travel time. That was a bummer at first but turned into a huge blessing, for me anyways. I met THE coolest people on my flights. I went from the smallest plane I'd ever been on, to the largest plane I'd ever been on in like 2 hours. It was crazy!

On my flight to Houston I met this lady named Major Mom. (Not her real name of course, but that's what she wanted me to call her haha) She is 57 years old and quite the interesting woman. From the start I knew this ride would be cool because Major Mom was not like anyone I had ever met. For starters, she is blind. She is super talkative, and loves her country.

She told me her whole life story and I am so blessed to have heard it. M.M. (as I'll call her, too long to keep typing out) was in the Army until 1988 when an accident left her without her sight.

M.M. was a major in the Army and was well known by a lot of people. She was in on a lot of top secret missions and on the night she lost her sight, she was preparing to leave for a mission.

She told me all of this in full detail, not leaving a thing out.

She always kept a loaded 38 pistol under her pillow for security reasons. It was 4:30am and someone was knocking at her door. She said that she had a peephole and clearly knew the person because she opened the door. She said that she was then pushed back to her bed and the person grabbed her gun and held it to her left temple and told M.M. to tell them everything she knew of they were going to kill her. She said "You're not getting a word outta me!" So they shot her. The bullet went through her left temple out her right. She laid on the floor in a pool of her blood for 9 hours, waiting for someone to find her. NINE HOURS! She got pretty intense telling me this whole story. She didn't have any brain damage, just lost her sight. She keeps beating herself up though because to this day, she still can't remember who it was that came to her door. She was the coolest older woman I think I've ever met.

Alright almost midnight, headed to bed. I'll update some more late. Hopefully soon I get to the stuff that's actually happening. :)

The Lord is so good to me and my team. Thank you for all of your constant prayers. Everyone is so encouraging and I am so thankful and blessed to have a group of friends and family like you guys.

Without you, this trip would not be happening.