I could get used to this kind of work!

Recently, our language-learning coordinator told us it was time to put our language skills to the test by traveling outside of our city for a short trip.

From time to time we come across people who can speak a little English, especially among the foreigner population living here in what used to be the capital city. So it’s encouraged for us to travel outside the city to some place where it is absolutely essential to communicate using only the local language as a way of sharpening and increasing our speaking skills.

There’s another husband and wife who are learning language with us where we live. Both of the husbands teach English at the same school and we enjoy their company and spending time together. The other couple also has two daughters, so in the interest of keeping the children at home, we decided to split up our out-of-the-city trips with the wives going on one trip followed by the husbands thereafter. We didn’t want our girls to miss any school during this crucial time right before end of the semester exams, and separate trips also allowed one parent to be able to stay home with them.

When my friend and I started looking at places to visit we decided that we wanted to find somewhere that wasn’t too far away. A shorter bus ride, as opposed to a longer one, is obviously more preferable. We also wanted to visit a place where the weather would be pleasant and there would be outdoor activities for us. I asked a few local friends for their suggestions of where to go and the answer was unanimous: Chaung Tha.

Unbeknownst to me prior to our trip, this country is apparently known for its beautiful beaches and there were several to choose from.

We were told that Chaung Tha is were the locals go to see the Indian Ocean and that the other places were more touristy.

Chaung Tha was also only a six-hour bus ride away. Every other place would be fourteen hours or more.

Chaung Tha it was!

We departed our city on a Monday night arriving in Chaung Tha at 4:00 a.m. the next morning. It was dark outside and we were barely awake when we were dropped off at our hotel where we were thankfully able to go ahead and check in. We went straight to bed for a few hours.

When we awoke a little later, my friend and I were astonished and pleasantly surprised at the view before us.

“I must be dreaming,” I thought as I went off in search for a cup of coffee.

We were staying at a little cabana right on the beach surrounded by palm trees and lush greenery. The water was a beautiful turquoise blue and crystal clear. The sand felt like crushed velvet beneath my feet.

I’ve been to a lot of beaches in my life. Everywhere from Florida to California and other hot spots around the world, but this place topped them all.

Maybe it was because this place was not marred with commercialism or sprawling hotels. Instead, there is a small fishing village of locals living right on the water. When I asked, I found out the population of this place was less than 5,000 – almost unheard of for anyplace in Southeast Asia where dense populations are the norm.

To me, Chaung Tha could only be compared to a valuable jewel hidden away in a secret place. I almost was hesitant to write a blog about it because I want to keep this charming place a secret.  Once word gets out about the beauty and ambience of this quiet hide-away, it too will soon be crawling with tourists.

We were able to practice our language all week. We learned some new vocabulary and we made lots of new friends. They couldn’t believe it when two white women were in their midst speaking their language. Crowds of people would inevitably hover around us, anxious to meet the Americans and ask us questions about life in the Western world.

There’s no internet in this place. In fact they only have electricity from 6:00 p.m. at night to 6:00 a.m. the next morning and a couple hours in the afternoon. The people living here are largely isolated from the rest of the world.

We held babies and sang songs with the children while we talked with the moms about their lives. When the men returned from their fishing, they taught us, well they tried to teach us, how to kick around a chin-lone ball.

We also explored and discovered vastly secluded beaches dotted with small bamboo homes and farms along the coast.

It was time of language learning, but it was also a chance to slow down and spend quality time connecting with the people in this area.

We shared Father’s love with all we met, many of whom had never even heard the name of J.C.

It was hard to leave knowing there is no one in this place to continue teaching and leading lost sheep back to their Shepherd.

It’s one of those remote places that is yet to be reached. And while we were there mainly to practice language, it was a great reminder of task that is given to all of us who call ourselves followers. We are called to share – everywhere.

After you see my pictures, I bet you’ll be anxious to go share in this place too!

The view out our front window when we woke up that first morning.

Motorcycle, boat or trishaw are the only modes of travel in this place.

Some young kids having fun in the water after a game of soccer on the beach.

This girl made these hats by hand to sell. I bought one for about 25 cents.

They built a pagoda on this small island about 300 yards off the coast.

My feet are in the water. Trying to show how clear the water is...

Just me and the mermaid statue :)

This is part of the local village.

Did I mention how good the food was?

We visited the market to talk with the workers there.

Do I look relaxed and refreshed?

These are some of the kids we played with everyday.

This little boy especially won our hearts. He was a feisty little thing, but so sweet.

My friend on the motorcycle.

We experienced some of the most beautiful sunsets everyday.

So happy to be here!

Finally, the bus ride home.

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.