Home Sweet Home

Greetings!

We are back home safe and sound after spending several weeks in America! Thank you so much to those who made our trip possible. I wish we could have thanked each of you in person, but we just were not able to get everywhere we wanted to go. We are so grateful, however, that we were able to see loved ones and friends, and we also made some new friends as well!

WHAT DID WE DO?

We spent most of our time in Arizona at my mother’s house. It was nice to catch up and RELAX. Admittedly (and a bit shamelessly), we spent a lot of time by the pool, and we consumed a little more Dr. Pepper and Fritos than most people should. We were also blessed to be able to buy some clothes and shoes that fit us! Shopping in Thailand is often frustrating for us humans with hobbit feet and waist sizes bigger than a Coke bottle. We had not bought new underwear in nearly three years! Maybe that is a little bit more information than you need to know, but it’s out there now. I’m not denying how happy I am about new underwear!

We also spent a few days in Missouri and Arkansas visiting Bub, a.k.a. Joseph, and his new fiancé Kelsi. I really love my soon-to-be-daughter-in-law, and I get emotional just thinking about FINALLY getting to meet her and hug my beast of a baby boy. We spent the day with them, along with my dad and step-mom and younger sister, at Silver Dollar City and then went back to my dad’s in Arkansas for a few days. I got to cook everyone chicken fried steak! We ate it with Heinz 57! We laughed a lot! These simple pleasures made me one happy mama.

While in Arkansas, the First United Methodist Church of Bella Vista welcomed us as guests. We prepared a simple Thai lunch one day and told members about our work in Thailand. What an honor to make new friends and be welcomed into such a wonderful community. The fellowship was awesome, and I already look forward to our next visit. We made some plans to connect our youth groups across the seas and to stay in touch this coming year. If you’d like to watch our presentation, click here.

Sightseeing in Sedona with my sister.

Mom’s birthday dinner with my Aunt Bernice in scenic Tempe.

A safe arrival and greeting from grandma!

Talking with new friends at Bella Vista First United Methodist Church.

WHAT’S NEXT?

We have been home a week today, and I feel we have finally won the war on jet lag. So, time to get running again!

My graduate studies started already this week. I am studying International Communications and Media Communications this term.

I also am on the planning board for our homeschool cooperative, so our committee is steadily working to get classes going by September 10. We had to change locations this term, and our small-ish group is growing into a fantastic big-ish group! While growth is an awesome thing, it also presents its fair share of challenges. Fortunately, I work with a brilliant set of parents who are great planners and teachers.

Next weekend, I’ll get started on my newest endeavor of working with youth ages 11 to 13 at Christ Church Bangkok. Working with youth has always been a pleasure of mine, and I’m excited to get a group of “my own” to help grow in love and service and leadership.

My YWAM Global Communications ministry will begin a global prayer initiative which commences on October 8. Prayer will take place on the second Thursday of each month with the first global topic focusing on Bible translation and distribution. We invite your prayer group or you as individuals to pray along whenever your schedules allow.

The girls’ new school term will begin next week, as soon as I get their schedules made up. I’m getting there! I’m sure they aren’t too sad about a slight delay. They also start sports again in two weeks as well as Thai language class.

So, in other words, vacation is over! But it was wonderful, and we owe a great debt of gratitude to many for making it possible.

I hope your summer went well and that you are blessed and rested as you enter this fall, whether that means school days or longer work days … or even peaceful retirement days!

Until next time, much love and many blessings from Thailand!

Korina, Jaynee, Justine