Little things and big things

So, it's about 6 months into my trip to Thailand, and I figured it was probably about time I gave you guys an update on life. First of all, let me apologize for the extraordinary lack of any sort of updates at all. It's not that there hasn't been anything worth while to tell, because believe me, I could talk about this place for hours. The problem has been more that I have gotten so caught up in life here and blogging is one of the last things on my mind (clearly). Also, if you want more excuses, I haven't had a computer for the past four months and our internet is incredibly spotty. But honestly I really have just been lazy about it, and I am sorry that I haven't been blogging. I'm going to try to start updating more frequently. However, I promised that same thing before I left the states and we know how that went. 

Anyway, I've been trying for a while to figure out what my first blog in 6 months should be about that best sum up my life in Thailand, and it has been a very difficult task. Words simply cannot grasp perfectly enough what my reality is. Nothing I could ever type out would do justice to how beautiful this place is, how wonderful these people are, and how much life is found here. I tried to just write a blog that was nothing but a long list of what my day-to-day life looks like, and I probably will do that soon, but in doing that, I could not express the joy that is found here, the redemption that is around every corner and the freedom that oozes from every crevasse. I could talk about what I do, but it's nothing compared to what is felt. Nothing compared to what is found in those little moments that you have throughout normal days, that suddenly make them extraordinary. Those little moments you have when you experience the kingdom of heaven. 

Those little moments...

When you see joy radiating off of the face of a 4-year-old who six months ago would never smile.

When you see a little girl get her first Christmas present ever and hold onto it with a death-grip for the whole day. 

When a group of 9-year-old boys come running full speed at you with their hands full of green paint and tackle you to the ground. 

When a 13-year-old girl who has never been given the opportunity to learn to read finally reads her first few words. 

When 130 people all bust out the same dance moves when they hear a song come on the radio. 

When you ride down backroads, through endless rice fields, with the sun setting behind them. 

When baking cookies turns into just smearing flour onto everyone's face. 

When you have an unbreakable bond with someone, despite the difficult language barriers.

When an child draws a picture and gives it to you. 

When everyone prays in different languages at the same time. 

When you climb up trees to pick fresh fruit. 

When you're riding in the back of a truck, with four children asleep on top of you after a long, fun day, and you think to yourself, "life doesn't get much better than this." 

It's the little things. It's the little things that happen here that I cannot get over. The little things that I love. It's the little things that keep me here. The little things that make life worth it all. The little things are the reason why I am staying longer. 

Originally, when I left in July, my plan was to leave in February. Shortly after I arrived at Remember Nhu, I realized that 7 months was too short of a time. I couldn't even imagine leaving so quickly. After a lot of prayer, and a few conversations with my field directors, I have now decided to stay until May. Though I'm going to miss a lot of people back home, staying in Thailand is an opportunity I can't allow to pass by. I love what I'm doing, I love spending time with the kids. I love the relationships that have been built here. Home will always be there. This opportunity may not. And all these little moments I experience are too great to live without. And that is why I am staying. 

So I don't have an exact return date quite yet, but I know it will be sometime in early May. I hate asking for money. I hate money in general, but unfortunately money has to be involved. In order to stay an extra 3 months, I'll need about $1,100 more. If you would like to support me, let me know in some way and I'll get you the info you need. 

Thank you for listening to my ramblings. I have so much more I could blog about, so I'll try to get some of them up eventually. 

Grace & Peace,
Emily