How Thai time flies...

Hello reader, so sorry for delay in update. Here goes. So we are now in the swing of work, and the early mornings are becoming more normal! I will take you through a few things that have been going on here. So last weekend was a pure relax, and boy do you need it here. Me and steph splashed out (£2) on using Nichada's (the mini American village that a lot of wealthy expats live in, which holds our church) Olympic sized pool!...Nice very very nice. Topped up the tan too which was fortunate because doesn't look like we will be seeing a lot of sun for awhile. The floods are really bad here. A lot of Thai people are scared as they are a lot worse than usual. We are in a 'state of emergency' here, which is quite dramatic but  basically means we have to move our sofa's upstairs if it gets a bit damp! But prayer that wouldn't happen would be great, and more importantly that the staff of CCD who live in the rural parts don't get stranded, a lot of them are wading to work....

So last week at work was a toughy! It was bound to hit us at some point, and for me last week was it. The reality of what goes on here, and the overwhelming scale of it can hit you very hard sometimes. Also we were all feeling absolutely shattered. Thought I'd be used to it after my nursing training, but no, it's very different! The days are very demanding, and the children require a lot of attention. You have to do things that sadly you don't wanna do, that are dirty and often turn your stomach! Therefore, I have had to pray myself through this week...and God has reminded me of a lot in these tricky times. My life is not my own. I have given it to my Father, and my creator in order to best glorify him. I am to like Jesus to these children, the most sacrificial human being that ever lived. So sometimes that means you don't always have an easy ride...BUT you always have his help, and he promises to do more than you could ask or imagine! (Ephesians 3. How amazing is that!). And hallelujah when we prayed for strength God absolutely miraculously gave it and empowers us to keep going. He hears our prayers, fact. So despite the hard bits we had a lot of fun this week too! Began teaching a little boy (Deo) to swim (i pretty much chucked him in as i thought he had swam before, but when i got back to the nursery it turned out he hadn't. Ha, He's a natural!). Spent two days in rainbow house too (a residential house for orphans) where we had the Thai equivalent of cadbury's come and give out free food and play games(amazing advertising for the company, amazing way for CCD to get there name out there. win- win) . It was literally the most mental two day's ever. Thai's don't do organisation, and try to contain 150 disabled children in a small space, while they are being fed fizzy! It's hard. But we had such a laugh with the kid's, I do love them so much. I live for the beautiful moments I get with them every day. Whether it's getting a cheeky laugh, rocking a baby to sleep (love this one!) , playing a new game, seeing children with autism engage and have fun at nursery not just running away (we found one child (Somsak) in a near by field! ha. The nursery would be closed down in England) or speaking to them in Thai and actually getting somewhere! Sadly though, still no nursing. Although a letter has been sent to the government asking permission for me to work. This would be the most amazing and most terrifying opportunity, Will keep you posted!.....We have just finished the most beautiful weekend of rest and fun. Got spoilt with masses of food and luxury in an American's posh pad! (helps to know people who live in mini America), including taking  dip in her pool before church on sunday and then we celebrated Canadian thanksgiving (another posh pad in mini America), with more food. Incredible. And then we went into Bangkok for wedding of one of the CCD staff! Amazing night. And so lovely to see the staff outside of work, they are the lovliest ladies (and man) i have ever met. All in all one of my favourite weekends...

It's now monday here, just finished work, back to the real world! Had a great day hanging out in the wards with the little ones today. Although i always dread feeding time, as these children should not be fed orally as there swallow is totally unsafe. My worst fear happened today as a boy chocked on chicken. I was so scared, poor boy was wacked so much but it wasn't moving. In the end, my fingers had to go in and praise the Lord I got it out before he went even more blue. Next time, he has having mushed chicken!! This week's activities will all depend on the weather, but we will bring English optimism to Thailand, Less sun; more fun! Thank you once again for your love, messages, skypes and prayers. So appreciated :) Love to the UK! Xxx
I'll add a wee bit to that maahussivvee speech from nic mann bout Rachawadee girls :D I just need to start by saying...what a weekend!!! It's so lovely having lots to look forward to on a friday at work when energy levels are flagging big time! The weekdays are totally brill, still loving life with the girls and seeing their smiley faces everyday! It's great now because they recognise me and are used to me so the laughs are rolling and the cuddles are a coming! As Nic said, last week was a tad mental, lots of not knowing what was really going on but learnt to just go with the flow and kind of  be spontaneous and just look after kids that needed it! Such a blessing all the volunteers were together at Rainbow house Thursday and Friday, would have been lost otherwise! Earlier in the week we did music therapy (brilliant) with the girls, teaching them some classic moves and them teaching me a few (don't think i'll be bringing them back to the UK though ha) !! And have done the usual daycare with different wards, it's tiring but so great to get them out of the wards. Think that's why i struggle in the mornings to believe that i can face the day, the wards are just so close together, really claustrophobic, but then actually i'm like..these girls live in these wards, day in day out, not much going on, not much positive stuff anyway! And God daily (and hourly) needs to transform my attitude to be less selfish and commit all my energy and my love to these girls!!! It's pretty cool actually that God wants to show his love for these girls through us, his children, and i hope that encourages everyone reading that God has chosen you to be placed with the people you've met today and the people you'll meet tomorrow! So yeah, these girls are worth it, love them to bits! We took two on a little trip today for icecream, below is a piccy of them both, Aratai and Kik, in our macs because the weather was pretty gross...cuties! It's my birthday this weekend and we were hoping to go to the waterfalls but can't now because the weather's meant to get alot worse :S so might splash out on a meal and maybe go to a hotel which will be lush! A little bit of luxury aka AIR CON! Bring it! We will update again very soon, apologising again for the lack of update, the evenings just go and before we know it it's the weekend and they get filled too! But thankyou for your prayers and lovin, you guys are great!!! Loves, Steph X x X

 Aratai And Kik! In mine and julia's mac's, what legends!

 At the wedding!

 Lotus, the coolest kid in Thailand