10 Things I Like Today

Jeshurun at about 9 months old

Jeshurun - July 2012
(Tiffany Bonow Photography)

1. My "baby" Jeshurun turned 7 yesterday.  I like him more and more each day.  Of course, I love him, but I really really like him, too.  He is strong, confident, well-spoken, adventurous, inquisitive, loves Jesus, loves his friends, a bug-enthusiast, a tree climber, a wanna-be outdoors man, a new Tae Kwon Do student, an almost 2nd-grader, fun, funny, and he's all mine.  I am thankful for him today!

2. Rain is falling outside right now, and the smell is absolutely wonderful.  I miss the rainy season (it has been quite dry here lately).

3. Leftover rotisserie chicken can be turned into almost anything for a second meal. Well, maybe not apple pie, but you get it!  We just enjoyed it in chicken melts.  Melted cheese is my comforting friend today.  Convince yourselves again; leftovers are cool and hip and earth-friendly and anything else you need it to be. 

4. The hawk moth caterpillar we found this week has started to transform. We noticed him slowing down and turning odd colors a day after we captured it. His chrysalis is exciting and full of promise. About a week from now, we hope to have pictures of the moth that he turns into!  (See some mid-transformation pictures below):

Kyla loves to check out the chrysalis every day!

Before the caterpillar started forming his chrysalis, he created a "net" of leaves over his body to protect him from prying little fingers or predators.

The first day of transformation...if you remember his bright green color before, then you know that this is quite a change!

5. These people (picture below) are still very fresh on my mind.  We had four friends (some old friends, some brand new) come to visit us, encourage us, and steer us on in our work life here.  They gave up a week of their life to breathe life into us - and don't we need it?!  I am thanking God for them today.

I would tell you everyone's names...but then I'd have to kill you.  ;)

6. Just so you know, taking away half of the chocolate chips and replacing them with peanut butter chips in your next batch of cookies will make you smile and ooh and aah.  I know this firsthand.  I have already eaten two cookies today and plan to eat lots more! 

7. Today, I like the fact that I am still in my pajamas and it is 2pm.  Sabbaths are the best.

8. Skyping with family.  Thanks, Meemaw and Mr. Andy for calling us this morning!  We miss you!

9. Thanksgiving is near.  That means feasting is near.  That means I need to keep running so that I can still wear all the clothes in my closet without having to buy a size up!  That will motivate me to keep at it like nothing else. 

10. Although I have said it before, and will probably say it several more times in the future, I like you today!  Yes, you!  Thank YOU for reading and for being more a part of our world here as I share about all the ups and downs and in-betweens. 

What do you like today?  Share in the comments below:

10 Things I Like Today

Our view today on our way out to get dinner.  We saw God's promises splashed all over the sky!

1. Promises written in the sky...over my neighborhood...over my adopted country...over my life!

2. Brand spankin' new crayons.

How I love thee, Crayola, let me count the ways...

3. We broke out #2 because the kids and I have returned back to home school.  These past few weeks have been awesome.  I am finally feeling like I am in a groove with three.  Now if I can just get Kyla to keep still...

4. Potty-training Kyla.  It has actually been a joy.  Seeing her wear Hello Kitty undies, wash her hands by herself, and eat Starbursts (her treat for a dry diaper at nap time) has been fun.  It is Day Three.  Ask me on Day Ten if it is still a joy.  ;)

Bird of Paradise plant in the front yard.  I love these!

5. My garden blooming even after not being around to tend to it for four months.  Bird of paradise flowers, purple, white and yellow orchids, and twenty plus papayas.  Wow.  God is awesome.  Oh yeah, and my Christmas grass didn't die.  Treavor bought me grass last Christmas and and it made it through the hot season without me.  Oh, the joy!

6. Breaking out the bread machine for the first time since being back.  If being addicted to carbs is wrong, I don't wanna be right. 

7. Movie Night tonight; Finding Nemo for the billionth time (it's still good!).  To-go Thai dinner.  Freshly baked cinnamon raisin bread (see #6) for dessert.  

8. Earlier today I finally talked with my neighbor and gave him the souvenir from the States that I bought for him and his wife.  How lame is it that we've been here three weeks and I'm just now doing this?  Lame.  But, now I have finally broken the ice (again) with them (the first time was a year ago when we moved in!).  Maybe they'll finally talk to us now that we brought them sweets!  :)

9. Treavor's at a meeting tonight.  I don't like being away from him in the evening, but the reason he's gone is why I'm loving it; there is a group of new leaders that have come to know Jesus and are wanting to know how to disciple others in His love.  What a great reason for me to fly solo tonight!  We have the best job in the world.

If we were still in the States, would we get family photo ops like this?  Maybe if we were snake handlers...or in the circus?  

10.  When I am lonely, bored, confused, at a loss of what to do next, or when the silence in the house feels stifling rather than refreshing...I am so thankful to have the comfort of the Holy Spirit near to me.  In fact, He never leaves me.  My needs can be met and I am more content when He's the one that fills them, rather than a Facebook fix or even a phone call with a close friend.  It is in the silence that I can quiet my heart to hear Him better and better.

What's on your "like" list today?  I'd love to hear it!  Share in the comments below:

10 Things (Sounds) I Like Today

The very vocal Tokay.  One of the sounds I will miss (seriously!).  photo credit

Updating my status on Facebook this weekend led me to this post.  It is amazing how we connect sights, smells and sounds to our memories; cherished and not-so-cherished.  These are 10 sounds I am definitely going to miss while we're gone on our four-month adventure to the States:

1.  The nightly call of the Tokay gecko that lives at our house.  Click here to hear the sound.  This is the first animal sound Kyla ever mimicked and it is a hilarious form of entertainment to see her get excited and repeat after him every night she hears him.  I will miss the Tokay.  We will play his call sometime in the States to give her some form of comfort in uncertain surroundings.  

2.  The cow bell that plays during the concerts and events that happen in our area of town.  The clink clink clink of it is oddly comforting and a reminder that we are not in Kansas anymore.  Though, hearing its cadence all night would surely keep me up, so I am glad for my loud air conditioner.

3.  The Thai National Anthem.  Listen to it here.  It is played every day at 8am and 6pm on the television and radio (every station!) and through the speaker system of public areas.  Everyone who hears it is expected to stand, stop what they are doing, be silent and honor the kingdom of Thailand.  It is incredibly moving and meditative to stop and reflect on the people and the King of this wonderful country.  I will miss the ways Thais honor their government and fellow people.  It is a rousing song and quite a sight to see everyone pause to do this!

4.  The sound of the saxophone that plays every day on our street in our neighborhood.  A Korean man who lives two doors down plays Christmas carols and other random songs every day.  7am.  10am.  2pm.  Whenever!  There is no schedule he keeps - except to keep at it.  Hilarious!

5.  The sound of a Thai cook making som tam, a spicy papaya salad.  To make it, the cook uses a mortar and pestle to crush all the vegetables/fruit/spices and juices together.  There is even a popular song written with this sound intertwined with the music.  Watch some Thai kids sing it here.

6.  The fireworks that boom from the temples nearby.  At some funerals here, fireworks are set off to ward off evil spirits.  The same act occurs at temples frequently throughout the week.  Hearing the fireworks go off reminds me to pray for Thai people to be free from fear and to come to a knowledge of God and his power over the spirits that plague them.

7.  My neighbor, Grandma Cool, calling at the front gate.  She walks to to feed the fish in the canal every day and loves to drop by some Thai fruit or dessert for the kids.  I will miss her - our best neighbor!

8.  The voices of friends here;  the S-clan and others who call us, hang out with us, counsel us, encourage us and challenge us with their lives.  I will miss the familiar voices who call on the phone or laugh with us over lunch and trips to the park.  

9.  The hum and rumble and vroom of hundreds of motorbikes.  The drone of these slightly more dangerous, but oh so convenient means of transportation is a part of the every-day melody we hear from outside.  Just the sound of Treavor's motorbike coming down our street causes the kids to jump up from their play with excitement as they run to the door to greet him.  I love that sound.  That sound means help is on the way.  ;)

10.  And...of course...the Thai language.  When I first started listening to Thai, I would almost laugh because of the strange cacophony of sounds.  The 5 tones of Thai and the way it rises and dips in expression was a little comical to me...not to mention, confusing.  Now, it sounds like a song and I will miss this creative communication on a daily basis.

10 Things I Like Today

I wish my blog had a scratch-n-sniff app.

(BTW: this post contains several references to food, so if you happen to be fasting right now...you might want to read Google news or something else!)


1.  Finally, a cooking day.  I have actually missed it!  Lately, for the most part, I don't cook much after an making easy breakfast (eggs, cereal, yogurt, etc.) each day.  The infamous Mrs. Busy has come to visit my house regularly over the past few months and she leaves little time me to cook.  We usually opt out for $1-$1.50/plate takeout Thai food instead.  It works.  And, I rarely shop.  Unless 7-11 counts as shopping.  Hey, we're true Asians.  Does that count as acculturation?  If you have no idea what I'm talking about, maybe you've never been to our hemisphere.  I am officially counting regular shopping trips to 7-11 as acculturation.  There.  Absolved.


2.  The smell of the first batch of pesto I have ever made at home (recipe here).  I toasted pine nuts (from a care package), grated Parmesan cheese, picked fistfuls of basil from my plants outside, cracked peppercorns, tossed sea salt, peeled garlic, and blended it all with my precious olive oil till I about had a heart attack.  The multiple, intoxicating smells wafting from the Kingdom of Heaven must include fresh pesto.  It simply must.  And cinnamon rolls.  And, the smell of a baby's itty-bitty head.  


3.  R2-D2, my bread machine (as it has been so lovingly called by Steph).  I made a batch of honey whole wheat bread to eat with the basil pesto and just about ate half the loaf once it cooled.  See the picture above for my record-high (for me!) loaf.  I love carbs.


4.  A day without a complete melt-down.  From the kids.  Or, me.


5.  A husband who takes our oldest son out to play soccer and share the Gospel.  At the same time.  It is possible, you know!  They have started going out more to intentionally share together.  It is fun to see him starting to take steps in his father's footsteps.  One day, he will be running ahead of us and we will be in awe of how he has surpassed us in Jesus' ways.  Hallelu.

6.  The Hello Mornings Challenge.  Every morning when I am tempted to press the snooze on my alarm, I think of my accountability partners that are helping me get up even earlier than I have been.  It hasn't been easy, with two bad colds this month...but I am still working towards my resolutions for making my morning something to get more excited about. 


7.  Finding little Tiramisu cups made fresh at a bakery down the street.  What??? They're awesome and they only cost 90 cents.  


8.  Clean comedians on YouTube.  Like this guy:

9.  This new worship album from World Mandate 2011.  My kids and I have been singing it, humming it, and flubbing the words to it all day.  We're obviously out of touch with new music.  We are thankful for the new songs and are greatly encouraged.


10.  The mound of dishes waiting for me in the sink.  (See #1 - #3)  I am blessed to have a full tummy.  Millions are going hungry tonight.  I hope that I can look at my dishes every day and see what they've brought me in the form of nourishment instead of groaning and complaining when I see the work that's undone.  Thank you, God.


What do you like today?  I'd love to hear!  Leave your comment below if you can spare the minute!  

10 Things I Like Today

That's Treav in the middle!  Thanks to Facebook, I have this picture.

1. A dry home.  Treav and Nick are out right now, with a group mixed with foreigners and Thais, to bring food aid and prayer to flood victims in our city.  The rain has inundated the North of Thailand and the river flooded over, bringing some areas to be waist-deep in water.  We are living a little outside of the city, and haven't had flooding here.  But, the next week is forcasted to have heavy rain, including a Typhoon that should land here on Saturday.  I was brought to tears tonight talking and praying with my children as we discussed that many of the poor here have lost everything.  The flooding is not over.  The work has just begun.

2. Treavor!  He and Nick are out in cold, waist-deep water...in the middle of the night, handing out food and prayers.  I have said it before and will say it again - he is my hero!

3.  The Internet.  News updates, YouTube videos and reading our friends' Facebook messages about the flood while waiting for Treavor to come home tonight is very comforting.  Since I haven't talked with him since before he went out this afternoon - any news is good right now.

4.  My children.  They're safe, tucked in bed, and healthy.  Can't beat that.

Flowers from Grandma Cool's tree in jar of Skippy she gave me.  Who knew Thai Grandmas liked peanut butter?

5.  My neighbors.  We had some prayers answered this week - FRIENDS!  We've been praying for new relationships in our neighborhood and city, and we're beginning to see some breakthrough.  Today, as I looked at the bouquet of flowers on my table from our new friend, Grandma Cool (that's what her name translates as!)...I was thankful for sweet new friends.

6.  Hidden Treasures.  Can you figure out what's hidden in my fruit basket?  Feel free to leave your guesses in the Comment section below.  The winner gets my second child.  I think he put it there.  What a goof-ball.

7.  Very Welcome Phone Calls.  In the middle of writing this post, I got a call from a friend whose husband was out with Treav and Nick.  They're done!  The men are cold and wet, and still have to trek back to their truck, but they're coming home for the night.  Happy.

8.  Jesus.  He is worth both living and dying for.  Funny how those two things often go together.  His is a wild, upside-down Kingdom and I love it!

9.  Coffee in the morning.  I'm already looking forward to it.  Hazelnut syrup calling my name.

10.  You.  I like YOU today!  Thanks for stopping by to read and wanting to, even in a small way, be a part of what we're doing over here.  "You're the beeest"... (Name that movie!)

10 Things I Like Today

P. View and Huy sword-fighting.  All in good fun, of course.

1.  Extra time with P. View.  View has been an awesome, faithful friend and worker here in our city.  She's not moving with us up north because God has something else in store for her.  She is staying at our house until we move, and the boys and are LOVING it!  This morning, they needed an extra sword-fighting partner and View was up for it!  We. love. View.

2.  It was my turn to sleep-in this week.  Treav and I take turns so we can at least sleep-in twice in one month.  If you don't have kids, you might be wondering why this deal is so glorious.  Just you wait.  And, all the parents might be a little jealous.  Dare you to try out this deal with your spouse...it is wonderful!

3. Still not certain about where we'll live when we move up north. In less than two weeks!  But, honestly, we're not stressed.  "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."  Matthew 6:34

4.  KFC soft-serve ice cream. 

5.  A roast in the crock pot.  Have I ever told you that I am in love with it?  The crock pot.  I could even marry it.  Well, maybe not.  But, if it had a self-cleaning function I might.  Just maybe.
 

The S-clan with View in the center

6.  These guys (pic above) - I miss them already! 

7.  Long emails from my sister.  I love her.  I can't believe we fought so much when we were kids.  How could I not appreciate how terribly wonderful she is?  I guess you don't think about your kid sister that way when you're 10 and she's getting into your Barbies and is, frankly, waaay cooler and better dressed than you ever could be.  Almost 20 years later, she's still better dressed - but now I don't care!  And, it shows.  ;)

8.  Long emails from anyone, really.  There's almost nothing I enjoy more than someone spending several precious moments downloading their thoughts, ideas, wonderings, and/or ramblings through email.  For me, less is definitely not "more."  More is "more." 

9.  Living in a place people dream to vacation in.  Thank you, Jesus.  Every day I wake up surrounded by beauty.  Thank you for making it that way.

10.  You.  I like you today.  Anyone reading this.  You're awesome.  Thanks for stopping by!

10 Things I Like Today

#5.  These adorn my front porch!

1.  Party planning.  Kyla's 1st birthday is 1.5 weeks away and my mind is swimming.  In a good way.  My endless thoughts include images of pink cupcakes, polka-dots, roses and photo collages.  I am SO excited!

2.  Treav's new hat (looks something similar to this).  He is so fly.  Is it still cool to say "fly"?  I obviously wouldn't know...

3.  The smell of decaf coffee wafting from the kitchen.  Thanks, Tiffany!

4.  Finally hanging up pictures, my clock, a shelf, etc. downstairs.  Did I mention we've lived here for 10 months already?  That's why it is somewhat of an accomplishment!

5.  New baby orchid blooms. 

6.  That God is enough for me.

7.  New notebooks.  Does anybody else just LOVE the smell and look of a clean, spankin' new spiral notebook?  You can read about it's purpose, here.

8.  This website: http://orgjunkie.com/ The look of this site is awesome!  It inspires me!

9.  Impromptu dinner dates with friends.  I love Stephanie, View and P. Nit!  It was kind of a girls' night out...with 7 children.  So, kind of not...but the closest to a girls' night that we've ever had!

10. The time when my husband finally comes home.  I can breathe again.

10 Things I Like Today

1.  Anniversary Flowers!  I got two dozen of these babies on Sunday!  They make me smile today!

2.  The Amazing Race Finale!  I know we're watchin' it late...but I can't wait to see if my team wins!

3.  Cheap stuff at the market.  I got a cute little sweater for $3 bucks tonight.  New.  Awesome.

4.  Friends to cry with.  Thanks, View!  She didn't even give me a weird look.  Crying makes Thais uncomfortable, btw. 

5.  My Ergo baby carrier.  Don't leave home without one.

6.  The smell of potting soil mixed with sweet, falling rain. 

7.  Actually finishing the dishes.  In one day.  Not strung out over two or three...or four days.  (Am I the only one who does this?  I sure hope not.) 

8.  Watching a family of crazy lizards/salamanders/snake-like looking reptiles sunning themselves on the back porch during breakfast.  My boys climbed on the counter and watched the backyard like it was National Geographic.  Not a dull moment here.

9.  The moment those boys go to bed. 

10.  Can I hear an "Amen" for quiet, as a result of #9?  AMEN!

What did you like about your day today?

10 Things I Like Today

1.  Jeshurun got his training wheels off today!  He's a two-wheelin' maniac!

2.  Ordering out.  I love it when I can call my food into existence.  Well, not real into existing...just being made to order, at least.  And, delivered to my table by my lovely husband who went to pick it up!

3.  The afternoon downpour.

4.  Eating fresh mangoes from our tree out front.

5.  My rose bush blooming again!  It has been resurrected!  A few months ago, all the leaves turned yellow and I was sure it was dying.  I replanted it, prayed over it and hoped that it would bloom again.  And, here it has, in all it's painted beauty!

6.  That Jesus is the final sacrifice.  This week, with all the focus that we've been putting on his death and Resurrection, I feel like a child again, finding out for the first time that I cannot do "life" on my own, especially with all my screw-ups.  I.  Need.  Jesus!

7.  Stephanie's homemade cinnamon rolls.  Oh my.  It was a party in my mouth.  And, I love how effortlessly she made it look.  That look is definitely NOT the look I get when I bake.  Heaven help me.

8.  The smell of Kyla's baby soap.

9.  New storybooks.

10.  These three hooligans.  Playing together.  Becoming best friends together.  And, most importantly...not fighting!  :)