Merry Christmas 2007

Merry Christmas!

May your day be filled with the Hope that Jesus brought that blessed Christmas morning.

Last week, I was at Carrefour, comparable to Target and as I rounded the corner, there they were. The Christmas decorations were all out. All the metallic you would ever want from, garland, banners, bows, balls and trees. I couldn't resist the photo of the tree selection. My favorite was the full size red tree! There were a couple of traditional green trees in the back. But who wants green when you have all these to choose from! At the current exchange rate you could have the blue or purple tree for only $2.32.

Christmas Programs

This year the elementary had an International Christmas program. Each grade sang a traditional Christmas song from a different culture. It was really neat and made me think how wonderful heaven will be, with every nation worshipping Christ. Adriann's class sang a French Christmas song and all wore berets. This is Adriann and her friend Fer.

Austin's Christmas band concert was held on Friday night. The middle school band did a remarkable job! Austin's pretty easy to pick out of this picture.

Austin's track meet was the end of November. (Sorry for the delay in posting!) He did the hurtles and the ran in the 400 meter. He placed third in both and did great. All the practice paid off. Way to go Austin! We're proud of you.

GIS had an outstanding showing and won the meet. Congrats.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

It was treat night at the Southern Home! Memaw had sent them a couple of weeks ago and we saved them for the perfect time.

Oh, so good! Thanks, Memaw!

Loy Krathong

Loy Krathong is a festival celebrated annually throughout Thailand. “Loi” means “to float”. “Krathong” is a raft about a hand span in diameter traditionally made from a section of banana tree trunk, decorated with elaborately-folded banana leaves, flowers, candles, incense sticks etc. Many people will release a small raft like this on a river. In addition, fireworks and parades take place during the festival.

Friday night there was a parade near our neighborhood. There were lots of people in traditional dress carrying krathongs or lanterns.

This is one of the floats paying tribute to the King of Thailand.

The parade was at night and each float was beautifully lite. This picture was the truck behind the float that had the generators on it and the power lines connected to the float in front of it. The sight was so funny then we realized the men were pushing the truck! Each float had a generator truck following along behind.

A Day Set Aside to Give Thanks!

Thanksgiving, one of my favorite holidays! These are a few of the things we are most thankful for this year. First of all, God's mercies which are new every morning, his grace and love showered on us. We are thankful for Jerry's improved health. Our families in America, who have supported and encouraged us and truly "been there" for us this past year. We love you all dearly. Happy thanksgiving to all.

It's been a long time since our last post. Sorry! Guess, we would not be considered avid bloggers. Austin and Adriann have completed their first quarter of the school year. Where does time go? At the end of the quarter they had a 10 day fall break. Six years ago Hume Lake, a Christian Youth Camp based in California, came to Chiang Mai to bring a ‘summer camp experience’ to hundreds of kids living in SE Asia. Needless to say, the camp was a huge success and a deal was struck with Hume Lake to make this an every two year event. So….this year they were back! Austin had a great time at the middle school camp during part of the fall break.

After many years of anticipating... We saw Mickey!

Hong Kong Disneyland is a mini version of Orlando, but was lots of fun! We all had our favorites - Space mountain, Buzz Lightyear laser ride, Lion King Show and the Teacups. Here's a few pictures...

Welcome to Disneyland!

Adriann driving Jerry into the future.

Kelly outside the castle with a handsome Prince and beautiful Princess!

Austin and Adriann with Pluto

Last Day of Summer Break

Today is the Queen of Thailand's Birthday, also known as Mother's Day. It's a national holiday with offices, schools and official buildings closed. With Jerry off work, we decided to go to Dio Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand at 8,500 feet above sea level. After seeing beautiful waterfalls, we reached the top where it was VERY cold and cloudy. It was a fun way to spend the last day of summer before Austin and Adriann begin school tomorrow.

Mongolian Trip

Mongolia is a beautifully, unique country of dry and desert land. It is often called the land of the blue sky. From the sunrises, throughout the day to the sunsets, the sky displays an incredible work of art. The most fond memory I will take away is the people. A smile is a smile anywhere you go and they all need to know Truth. One of the last days in the countryside, we were honored to partake of a feast which included milk products and goat with potatoes and carrots. The neat thing was that the live goat was killed, skinned and pressure cooked all within one hour! Pretty cool! I expected the meat to taste wild, however it was wonderful!

Milk products of every kind are eaten by the Mongols during the summer months. Yummy, if your a Mongol! The above picture is some of the items basting in the sun before dinner time.

This 74 year old lady lived in the Ger during the summer months. She was a very gracious host.

I also, had the opportunity to spend time with and encourage a group of girls from a local Body. They kept me young doing cartwheels and making pom-poms!

Jerry's 4oth Birthday!

Today is Sherry and Jerry's 40th birthday. We hear that Sherry is spending the day at the opening of the Choctaw Indian Fair. Jerry's day was filled with surprises. He began with breakfast cooked by Austin and Adriann. At work there was no way he would forget he's turning forty!

After work we had a surprise get together at a local Mexican restaurant with lots of friends. There, he was visited by an old lady who gave him tons of "tips" about growing old, as well as some little goodies he might need! Oops, she forgot that in Thailand you don't pick you teeth in public. Guess old people can get away with anything!!!

Happy Birthday, Jerry! I could never have asked for a better husband and friend or father for our children. I love you and look forward to seeing many more candles be added to the cake! Kelly

Fig Preserves

This week a friend gave me a jar of fig preserves! Someone had sent them to my friend who loves figs just not preserves. I was THRILLED! It has been years since I had them so I made biscuits the next morning. Yummy, yummy. I forgot how good they were. Austin has developed a taste for them as well. We're already planning to bring some from America on our next visit.

Number 2 is actually number 1

It's election time in Chiang Mai. A few weeks ago, the city had the mayoral election. It was fascinating to see how the system works in this culture. Some things are the same everywhere, such as candidates holding and hugging babies, shaking hands, making speeches at market areas, which would be like festivals in the American south and posters/signage. There is one difference that has been most interesting. Each candidate is given a number and on all their advertising, the number is always in a large square usually in the lower portion of the sign. The election was held and Candidate Number 2 came out #1!! We laughed and thought how it would NEVER work in America. No one would ever want to be any number other than number 1.

A few more pictures from Debbie's visit.

Sister's just having fun! The long hair, we always dreamed of... How do you like it? I think it's us!

The real sisters!

So Long, Farewell!

The time has come to say goodbye to Aunt Debbie. Last week, we watched "The Sound of Music" and have sang the songs almost daily since then. We decided to create our own version of "So Long, Farewell" for Debbie. Here's to you Aunt Debbie. We miss you already!

There's a sad sort of sound from the house on the corner,

And the family members each one, too

And throughout the rooms,

an absurd little gecko

is popping out to say,

gek-gek, gek-gek

Gek-gek regretfully they tell us,

Gek-gek but airline tickets compel us

to say goodbye

Gek-gek

So long, farewell

Swatdee kha goodbye

you came, you saw

we hope you won't forget

the times we shared,

it was all just a ball

So long, farewell

Swatdee crop, goodbye

the flowers were such a pretty, pretty site,

you oohed and ahhed, almost all night

So long, farewell

Swatdee kha, goodbye

my room just isn't

the same without you in it

(chit-chat, chit-chat, chit)

So long, farewell

Swatdee goodbye

Goodbye, goodbye

The pictures you've all been waiting for...

After a little set back, a foot message is always a way to feel better, because the elephant camp was awaiting. Debbie enjoyed a hug from one of the elephants before a ride on "Poo Billy" who is 29 years old! As most of you already know, Debbie LOVES flowers. The flower market and plant market brought lots of oohs and aahs, along with the naming of most of the flowers. The orchid farm has many varieties and was a must see after leaving the Elephant camp. We couldn't resist adding an orchid picture. We'll try to add more pictures in the next couple of days. Enjoy!

This is certainly not the most popular tourist attraction. However, Debbie has been able to experience health care, Thai style!! We have laughed and said that she just wanted to make sure Jerry has had adequate medical care over the past year. After 3 days, she is now feeling somewhat better. The stories she takes back to Mississippi will have a bit of a different flare from past visitors!

Aunt Debbie Arrives!

We are thrilled to have Aunt Debbie visit! We've counted down this day for months. Can't believe she's actually here! Our first full day was very enjoyable. Here's a few photos from the day...

Debbie, Adriann and a hill tribe girl

Jerry having too much fun with the camera!

Swim Meet

The end of the year swim meet was hot, wet and lots of fun! This was Adriann's first year on the swim team and it proved to be a highlight of the school year. Way to go Adriann!

Mother's Day

"All I am or ever hope to be,

I owe to my Angel Mother."

Abraham Lincoln

Jerry and I have been blessed with incredible Mothers. Thank you for your love and support and for just being YOU.

We Love You both very dearly!

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a great place to visit! Last week, we were there for visa purposes, Jerry's medical checkup and company business. Although it was a busy trip, we were able to enjoy some of the sights and pleasures of the city. Austin overlooking the city from The Peak.

Simple Pleasures

Austin and Adriann could not wait to get to the Krispy Kreme. Yum, Yum! Here Austin is savoring every bit of this original glazed donut.

Birthday Party

Adriann had a scavenger hunt birthday party on Saturday. Teams were sent in search of things such as finding 8 flowers, wrap each team member 8 times with toliet paper, eat 8 marshmellows and put 8 ponytails in someones hair. A great time was had by all!

Aunt Tommie Anne's team won in record time but were a bit exhausted from running around the neighborhood.
Aunt Susan's team did a wonderful job using creative methods of getting around (the car to get to the guard house!!!)

The party was topped off with games,cake and ice cream.

Happy Birthday Adriann!

Adriann's 8th Birthday

Ice Cream and chocolate - what a fantastic birthday!

Happy Birthday Adriann

Spider-Man 3

Spider-Man 3 came out in theaters today in Thailand. May 1 is Thai Labor Day, so no work and no school, great day to see the movie. It got positive reviews from Austin and Jerry!