New Year - New House

New Years Eve back at the beach in Ban Chang and I left a few foot prints in the sand as well as sent a lighted hot air lantern to the sky with blessings for everyone all around the world.

 My first blessing of the New Year came unexpectedly at the end of January as I happened to find a house while trying to help another teacher find a place to live. He decided not to rent it so I did and moved February 1^st. I just love the extra space and wonderful outdoor patio. So there is an extra bedroom for visitors to Thailand… yes you can.

also a very big bathroom with a tub and hot water!

 Happily my first visitors to the house were my daughter Carrie and her boys Aidan and Taylor who came to Thailand for their Chinese New Year in February. They were on vacation from their International School in Hong Kong. We had a fantastic time in the house and the boys enjoyed a water fight with two hoses that I use to water my surrounding lush green vegetation. Of course we went to our small village where they fed the baby elephant who likes to visit the food market. The time went too fast, but I will see them again in April in Japan.

A goodnight snuggle at Ga-Ga's house after fun at the outdoor market.

May many blessings come to you from Thailand

Bali Holiday

Bali Holiday

School was out for Christmas break and this would be the first trip after my broken hip, so somewhere relaxing was the criterion.  Christmas Dinner in Bangkok and then a short flight to Bali…. 

The taxi from the airport to the north coast winding over the mountain took longer than the flight. 

After a brief stop for lunch and a view of the countryside we were on our way... finally arriving at the secluded “Shangri-La” Resort.

  

 Down the pathway we had to walk with our luggage as no cars were allowed on the resort grounds. Arriving at a beautiful room at the oceans edge almost seemed to good to be true. Then add to that fantastic fresh vegetarian food, restorative Yoga, meditation, massage followed by a candlelit flower petal bath... ahhh, Bali...I love you.

The doorway to the Meditation and Yoga Temple

 I went to see a traditional Balinese healer to continue my hip bone healing and had an amazing treatment with herbs and natural plant oils
 The Baliane is a healer that can help you by using Balinese traditional medicine which involves intuitive seeing, sensing, and appropriating a special traditional medicine, or giving a massage if a person has problems with muscles or joints. A Baliane assists in atuning your energy, seeking to understand the origin of your unwellness, and will attend to you physically as well as spiritually

Depending on the time of year and month which you visit Bali, you will be able to witness many ceremonies. At night you can hear the priest call out Balinese chants and lull you to sleep. Or on full moon nights you may want to participate in a lively evening Karma Temple event. Dancers and blessings will be bestowed upon all who are willing to sit on the ground for two hours under the full moon light.

Dressed in Temple dress with lace bodice, satin belt, a sarong and hair flower, I was fortunate enough to go to a traditional  Temple ceremony and celebration… one that only happens every five years… I loved the people, the music, the Bali dancers and the whole experience. Even with blonde hair, I got to help the Priest in bestowing the ceremonial blessings with the rice, flowers and water.

Watching the final Full Moon of 2012 shine down on the Buddha head reminded me of how very blessed I am to be walking, traveling and even doing Yoga again after a broken hip. 

A fond happy farewell to the beautiful owners of the Shangri-la Resort... Your kindness and spirit will always be remembered. I will be back!!

Blessings from Bali "Shangri-la"

December 2012

I want to share the gift of Love and Hope to all my friends and family across the continents.  
At school we had a Christmas assembly, program and party for the students on Friday, December 21. Later we had a fun, music filled evening holiday celebration, complete with costumes, for the English and Thai teachers. 
Then the next day I was invited to share a service at a small village Christian Mission Church that has been in Sattahip, a naval base for the Thai navy, for 30 years.

The four elders, about my age, were among the founding members. The rustic church set in a rural countryside reminded me of many small Wisconsin country churches from my childhood. Somehow the Christmas story is the same regardless of language, even in Thai, although they did their best to translate some of it in English (for me, the guest).  

 As the children read their part of the story, I found myself teary eyed, filled with past memories of Christmas. The experience of exchanging gifts, happily unwrapping, sharing, singing, and feasting "pot-luck" style remains a highlight of the season and it seemed to be well embraced as three churches gathered together to celebrate the Birthday of the Christ Child.  The expressive singing of traditional Christmas Carols, both in English and Thai reminds one that music is truly Gods gift. 

The Christmas season of joy and happiness fills the air everywhere yet sadness also accompanies the bliss. We often see this in life as we experience deep valleys of depression and the ecstasy of glorious mountain highs.

As a teacher and parent, when the news reached Thailand of the tragedy at the elementary school in the United Stares, I was horrified. I could not imagine the anguish that would accompany an event like that happening in our school.  My deepest sympathy and prayers go to the families of the children.  I want to share this email as it is a reminder of the reason for the season and the light of the world.

Sandy Hook Elementary School

Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38

When 20 beautiful children stormed through Heaven's gate.

Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.

They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

They were filled with such joy; they didn't know what to say.

They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.

"Where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.

"This is heaven" declared a small boy. 

"We're spending Christmas at God's house".

When what to their wondering eyes did appear,

But Jesus, their Savior, the children gathered near.

He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.

Then He opened His arms and He called them by name.

And in that moment was joy, that only Heaven can bring

Those children all flew into the arms of their King.

And as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,

One small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.

And as if He could read all the questions she had

He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of Mom and Dad."

Then He looked down on Earth, at the world far below

He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe.

Then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,

"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!

May this country be delivered from the hands of fools

"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools! "

Then He and the children stood up without a sound.

 "Come now my children let me show you around. "

Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.

All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.

And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,

"In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Me and my walker with a few of the Kindergarten students that I teach

My broken hip bone has healed and I am able to walk with a cane. By the new year I will be almost back to normal.. I am so grateful for the magical healing powers of spirit, mind and body, so I share this prayer:

Ancient Mother of Healing and Life

Restore Balance and Harmony for Healing

Clear blocks and resume Life's powerful flow 

Open us to the gifts of Insight and Understanding

Help us Listen to the Truths Spoken by our Bodies

Heal our Hearts and Minds of Fear, that we may enter True Health. 

May you also enjoy good health and new beginnings in the year ahead. 

Joyous Holidays and Blessings from Thailand

THANKS-GIVING

 It is difficult to believe that this is my third Thanksgiving here in Thailand…

My first Thanksgiving here was spent on a 16 hour bus ride to a small village in Northeast Thailand where I would be teaching High School students.

The next ones were celebrated here in Ban Chang with the Foreign teachers and friends. This one has extra special meaning as I give thanks that I can walk again. I have taken my first steps after fractured femur neck surgery (broken hip). However I still need my walker and help going up and down stairs. Accepting help has left me ever so grateful and I try to remember that we didn’t learn to walk in one day… so “go slow and be patient” is my new mantra.

As my thoughts turn to Thanksgivings past, I reflect on many happy feasts at the house where I grew up, in the small town of Stoughton, Wisconsin. Thursday would start with singing at a special morning Thanksgiving service:

For the beauty of the earth,

For the glory of the skies;

For the love which from our birth,

Over and around us lies;

Lord of all, to Thee we raise

This, our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love,

Brother, sister, parent, child;

Friends on Earth and friends above,

For all gentle thoughts and mild;

Lord of all, to Thee we raise

This, our hymn of grateful praise.

After church the whole family would gather around the dining room table with the overflow “kids” table in the basement. Often there were more than twenty of us with aunts, uncles and cousins. Then the feasting began and continued until evening while some watched football on TV and others napped between meals. My favourite part was when we each would say what we were thankful for.

Thanksgiving is a holiday that has no meaning here in Thailand but as an American I will always celebrate and appreciate the meaning behind the day. I am especially thankful every year since my daughter was born on Thanksgiving Day. Sometimes I fondly call her my "Turkey” because in 1970 I was giving birth instead of eating turkey dinner.  Happy Birth-Day Carrie. 

So much to be thankful for; my health, the amazing love of family and friends, and the joy I receive from teaching in Thailand. 

I feel truly blessed and FULL of Thanks.” 

May those you love share a bountiful meal and relish many thankful moments.

May you enjoy vibrant health and may your lives overflow with abundance.

Love and Blessings from Thailand