Waterfall

Went to an awesome waterfall about 2 hours outside of Vientiane yesterday. Christa's cousin is visiting so we had a good excuse to do something adventurous. The most adventurous part though was the crazy hills that out chauffeur Sone had to maneuver our manual car up and down and around.

It has been a busy semester with little time for relaxing or play so this was a really refreshing day and lots of fun with some great friends!

Trip to the village

Went to S and N's hometown for their nephews 1st birthday.

We also delivered the washing machine my parents bought as a gift for their family.

Leaving the beach

Today was our last day at the beach:( It was so restful I didn't want to leave. But it reminded me just how important rest is in my life. I feel like I usually live from crisis to crisis, granted usually small ones, leaving little time for deep heart work, vision casting, or even just quieting my heart to hear the Father speaking to me. So thankful for the time we had there and for the beauty of My Father's world that really does inspire praise.

Now we're in Bangkok. It was pouring when we arrived and it took us over an hour to find our hotel that was .8 kilometers away. Asking directions in Asia can be so frustrating at times. But we're here now! Watched Twilight at the mall and now headed to bed. Tomorrow we're hitting the market at dawn. Sone's hoping to find bargains on crochet materials and buy in bulk.

What was that I was saying about rest???

Ok, off to bed. Here are some more pics. Sure wish I could figure out how to caption them and order them. Next time...

Adventures in Hua Hin

Yesterday we rented motorbikes ($7!!:) and went to the floating market, two mountains with monkeys, got some yummy gelato and ate at KFC... No western fast food in Laos so when we're in Thailand we fill up:)

I haven't figured out how to comment on each photo on the blogger app so I apologize but here are a bunch of pics from our adventures.

The View

We have a sweet view from the pier our guesthouse is in. Love sitting out there and letting the breeze just wash over me. So thankful the Father blessed us with a sweet refuge.

At the beach

We're finally at the beach. A motorbike ride, taxi ride, plane ride, two bus rides and a van ride later we're in Hua Hin! Just checked into our guesthouse. It's situated on a pier that overlooks the ocean. I can hear the waves breaking as I type this. Excited for some soul rest and some suntanning.

Full Moon

I used to love full moons. I somehow thought they were very romantic and all about love...I guess. I think I was young and naive. (Not sure what that makes me now...Old and enlightened?)

But now full moons have another meaning to me all together. This is the view of the full moon outside our house tonight. My little point and shoot doesn't do it justice. It really is beautiful.

But a full moon also has another meaning for me now... Many peoples of the world who have a particular belief system or way of life revolve their ceremonies or days of w-ship around the moon.

Here there is a special day for Buddhists and just like every other day, it always corresponds with the moon. In fact, traditional Lao people don't take weekends. Instead they have a day off every 15 days, in line with the moon. And on those days they go to the temple to make merit to wash away their "bad things".

Today is an extra special day though. Today is Ok Pansa - the end of Buddhist Lent. During this time, people are supposed to abstain from drinking alcohol and having wedding ceremonies.  But on this day, everyone goes to make offerings at their local temple and the night is finished off with the release of hand-made boats with candles that are let go at the riverside. It symbolizes the washing away of sins and a new beginning. 

Our neighbors also have a row of lit candles surrounding their house tonight. Not sure what the meaning of all the candles is. Somebody told me it has to do with new life and a new start.

It's more like...the start of all the festivals and all the partying. My neighbors have already kicked off the party/festival season and their music is pumping into our house (thankfully my air conditioner mutes the sound quite a bit).

I'll never look a full moon the same way anymore. And I'd like to recommend that the next time you look up and see a gorgeous full moon shining in the sky, thank Him that you have had a chance to know the One who created such beauty, rhythm and order in our universe; and also lift up those who have not yet had a chance to hear of Him, and who have settled for something else to explain their world and their lives.