Christmas is practically here...

It is amazing how quickly two worlds can become so important and so close to your heart. November was an amazing month spent back in Vancouver Canada with my friends and family…the rain fell constantly for the first few weeks, the storms were amazing as they knocked out power to our house a few times…and then the sky opened broadly to show the beauty of the blue sky…and welcomed in the true cold of a winter season in Canada. I spent time with my family and friends just living in each others worlds again and loving being close. I know it was a time I was meant to be there, things that I could not have been prepared for happened and because I was physically there…I could share the pain and support those I love.

I did also had the chance to bake with mom, decorate the Christmas tree, watch all our Christmas movies, plan for my family’s trip to Thailand, ski at Mt Baker, attend the Santa Claus Parade, have pictures with Santa and friends, visit family on Vancouver Island…a month went fast…

I was able to meet with many amazing people to share about the works that God and Imagine Thailand are doing here in Thailand. From small home groups, to mayors, to churches, businesses, and individuals, to a very special elementary school, Glen Elementary – all listened and asked questions. Thank you for caring about a world you don’t know.

International Children’s Day was an extremely special day as I was able to join the assembly at Glen Elementary in Coquitlam and thank them for the money they raise to bring migrant children clean water. http://www.bclocalnews.com/tri_city_maple_ridge/tricitynews/news/70554822.html My eyes filled with tears as these beautiful children sang the Unicef song Hand in Hand…these children really understand that they made a difference, and that there are people in this world who do not live like them. The questions and insight that came from the grade 1-4 children truly blew my mind…if we can continue to inspire these next generations maybe we will live to see the world truly changed by love and understanding. One special girl came up and gave me a drawing with the words “You Inspire Me – thank you”…children wait to be inspired, for it to be modeled, and if the adults around them don’t show them anything, then where does that passion go?

I was also blessed to speak at Surrey Christian Life Assembly one Sunday. This was the morning after I received some very difficult news about a friend of mine and I was truly wondering how I was going to find the strength to speak. But God came through, as He is know for doing in my life, the heartfelt worship, the words that the congregation spoke out ministered to my soul…and by the time Pastor Graham handed me the mike I was in tears but my heart was ready to share. Even more spirit-filled was the time after I spoke, I have never been so surrounded with people willing to share their stories and bless me. This church will always remain in my heart – God is moving in Surrey.

Today is my first day back in Bangkok…and the weather is more my style, warm, and the city is buzzing from every corner. We had our Christmas party last night and today I was able to venture out and see the Christmas decorations all over the city…they are tremendous.

Christmas is about family and friends and the love of God shown to all of us…Merry Christmas from a little apartment in Sathorn Bangkok.