A reason to be thankful

We knew when we accepted this opportunity to move overseas that there would be some real challenges.
Selling houses and cars and possessions were among those challenges, but honestly, the material things were the easiest to let go.
The hardest part was, and continues to be, the separation from family and friends.
Especially on days like today.
Thanksgiving, more than any other holiday on the American calendar, is all about being with those you love and being thankful for those relationships.

From our part of the world, Thanksgiving has now come and gone, even though our families in America are just now sitting down to enjoy their holiday meal.
I am grateful to know that my mom and dad, my grandfather and my aunts, uncles and cousins are all together. I am thankful that CJ's mom and brother and family have made the effort to be together. It does provide some consolation to know that even if we can't be with them, they will all still be together - eating, telling the same old jokes, laughing over the same old stories, planning the rest of their holiday season and so many other things that have become tradition at this time of year.
I know that in some small way, we will be there with them because family is found in the heart.

We do have so much to be thankful for.
Despite hardships and challenges, we have families that love us. We have a roof over our head and full stomachs at the end of the day.
Most importantly we have the saving knowledge of J.C. and the promise of eternal joy.
This year I am most thankful that I had the opportunity to share that saving knowledge with someone who had never heard.
The opportunity came at the end of the day and in a surprising way.
After a day of self-pity and missing my family in the States, I think Father was reminding me that there are people just waiting to be a part of HIS family. And at this moment in time, this is right where He wants me to be.
And that is something to be thankful for.

We enjoyed the afternoon with friends and a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

I am most thankful for yummy deviled eggs!

and desserts...

and more desserts...

We finished the day at Zoe's school's Winter Band Concert

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us!

Get outta town!

From the moment we arrived in this city in January, our family has been on the go. Between the girls' school, our schedules, language learning, and so much more, we've not had the opportunity in the last 10 months to visit any of the other "must-see" sites throughout this beautiful country.
So when a local holiday meant the girls had a few days out of school, we jumped at the chance for a short getaway. We were in desperate need of a little family bonding, not to mention a little R&R.
Still, traveling can get expensive and we are always hesitant to dip into our savings unless absolutely necessary, so we decided to try to experience our journey the way locals would do it... we took the bus!

It was actually really fun. These buses are much nicer than the buses we used to take on youth trips. The cushy, leather seats swiveled and reclined almost all the way back. The bus company provided pillows and blankets (good thing too since they kept it like an ice box in there!) It was quite comfortable and we enjoyed practicing our language skills with our co-travelers.

The bus left at 9 p.m. and we arrived in Mandalay at 5:30 a.m. the next morning. I would've slept really great on the ride if they hadn't stopped every two hours and made us all get off to take potty breaks. I guess it's better than the alternative though - needing to "go" but not having any stops - so I can't complain.

The sun was just coming up as we arrived at our hotel.

First item on the agenda was breakfast followed by a little sight-seeing. The city of Mandalay, found almost completely in the middle of the country, was only established a little more than 150 years ago. There are still some neat historical points of interest worth seeing, including places where Adoniram Judson spent a lot of his time.
Later in the day we spent some time poolside, chilling out before riding some trishaws into town for dinner.

The next two days were quite the same. Touring, sight-seeing and relaxing. Not to mention a lot of good Asian eating.

She still managed to locate some technology... :)

Our hotel's grounds were really pretty. It was clean and comfy.
You can't ask for more and be so inexpensive too!

Candles were lit for the Festival of Lights going on while we were there.

Boat tour up the Ayerwaddy River.

Many fishermen and their families live in huts right beside the water.

Mingun Paya - what would have been the largest pagoda in the country if it had been finished. Only what would have been the bottom 1/3 remains after the death of the king and a terrible earthquake prevented completion.

I can't tell you how wonderful it is to see a sign like this.

We got a lot of exercise!

Taking a breather....

Going down wasn't any easier.

174 steps up and 174 steps down.

At a gold-leafing factory

Stone-carving

Tapestry weaving

Acting crazy

View from Mandalay Hill

Always laughing and enjoying being together

I think I could best describe our trip by saying it was full of laughter and fun. We enjoyed touring a new city and seeing places first-hand that we had only read about in books, but the best part of our short trip was the time we had together as a family.
Watching my girls walk arm-in-arm down the street or acting silly with their father, hearing giggles in the middle of the night and snuggling under the covers with my babies on a cold bus, are just a few of my favorite memories that I know I'll cherish for a lifetime.

Three days after leaving, we arrived back home rested and happy.

I found it poignant that we arrived at sunrise one morning and departed just after sunset a few days later. It's a great reminder that each day is a blessing - from beginning to end - we never know what a day might hold or where our journey might take us.