Life is Good...

Hey, hey! 

Yet another week has flown by faster than I thought time could pass. It's nearly midterm time, which means next week will be week 8 of school. We are 1/4 of the way done with school and I have nearly been in Thailand for 2 months. It's really hard to believe! I feel like I just got off the plane yesterday and yet I feel like I've been here forever (in a GOOD way)! Have I mentioned that I love it here? I think maybe once or twice? :) I am continuing to fall in love with the culture and the people here. They really are great! 

Thursday for athletics class we played soccer. I like soccer and all, but really I'm not that good at it. I think I much more coordinated with my hands rather than my feet. I definitely don't hit the ball with my head either; this is not to say that sometimes I don't get hit in the head with the ball. I was less than thrilled that we were playing soccer, but I tagged along. The guys are really good by the way. I started off playing goalie, but the students did not like the idea of me being goalie. I did not listen and played the position. They however wouldn't let me do anything. They played defense so well that I only blocked one goal. They wouldn't even let me run and get the ball. So alas, I opted to not be goalie and let Aj. Nathan take over. I don't think they protected him nearly as much as they did me. I think it's their way of be chivalrous. Later in the game, there were two other girls being the goalie. Such a double standard! However, I did feel a little special that they want to protect me. On top of that, I made a goal today! I think soccer might go up on my level of liking the game. 

Thursday is the day I also go out to Mae Sa school to teach. It's still very challenging. There are so many students and I don't know their names. Sometimes I feel like I'm just talking and not really making a difference there. It's difficult because they don't know a lot of English and I don't know the students very well being that I'm only there one day a week. I've seen their textbook, but it essentially looks like a college foreign language textbook. I don't think it's the  best way to teach them English, but being there for such a limited amount of time makes it difficult to attempt to change things. I kind of feel as though I am student teaching again because their teacher has to translate what I say for them to understand. Teaching to those who do not know the language you are teaching in makes things pretty tricky! I am thankful for the experience, but some days are a little frustrating. Hopefully I am being a light there. My prayer is that I would be light, whether they learn English or not, I pray that they might see Christ in me.

My classes at Legacy are coming right along. I am really enjoying them. Some days it can be frustrating, but overall I really love it! We finished our first book in my reading class! YAY! I am proud to say that all of my students passed the test. In writing, they are continuing to get better and better. In Journalism, we are getting ready to complete our first edition of school paper. If all goes as planned, it will be out within in the next couple of weeks. In health, we just finished the portion on general health. In Bible class, we have been talking about Isaac and Rebekah. They are going quite well. We are plugging along.

I think that's all for now. No photos for this update. I may get some up during the week. I hope you are all doing  well. Keep me in your prayers.

Lots of Love and Hugs,

Lainy 

Greetings From Thailand

Hello Everyone! 

I hope this update finds you well and that you are having a great end to your weeks.

I miss you all very much! I think about you often. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you. As much as I miss everyone, I am thankful for the opportunity that God has given me to be here and the gifts that He has given. I am grateful that I am able to use them. I am continually amazed by God's goodness, mercy and His grace. I love my students very much. I am getting to know them more and more each day. I am having fun hearing their stories. They always seem to make me smile or laugh about something. 

One of my students, Norah, has two girls who live here, too. They are absolutely adorable! Myulee is seven and Myula is five. They attend the school I teach at on Thursday mornings. It's fun to see them there. I think they get popularity points for knowing the American teacher. :) It make me laugh a little bit. The girls love to play. They will come to me and say, "Aj. Lainea, I want to play!" It's difficult to say, "no." Sometimes I must, but I do give in most of the time. Playing consists of me chasing them all over the place. It's great fun! 

Miss Attitude! 

Norah and the girls.

Playing around with my camera.

She made me laugh really hard! :)

All of the students are continuing to progress greatly in all of their classes. The first year students are speaking more and more English. It's so exciting to see them grow academically! Teaching the first year students Bible is still a big challenge, but it is getting easier as they learn English and I learn how to teach them. It's quite a challenge, but it makes overcoming it so much more sweet. I continue to enjoy teaching very much. I am loving everything about it! It's fun to see the four years of studying are being put to use! 

This week we taught the students how to play American football. It was so much fun! The field was wet from the rain earlier that day. Most of the guys have spikes for soccer so they wore them. But for those of us who didn't, we were slipping and sliding in the mud! It was hilarious! I was covered in mud, sorry no photo. I'll leave it to your imaginations! The people in the village were laughing at me as I walked back to my apartment. (As if I don't stand out like a sore thumb already!) 

Please continue to keep me in your prayers. They are greatly appreciated!

I think that's all for now. I hope you're doing well. Have a fabulous weekend! 

With hugs and love,

Lainy 

It's Rainin' On Sunday...

Hi Everyone,

Some of you may recognize this title as the first line of the chorus of a famous Keith Urban song. :) It was going through my head as it down poured outside. It was really nice early afternoon and then it started raining like crazy. It  made it easy to work on lesson plans, but the Legacy Soccer Team had a game planned Sunday afternoon. The game went on. The other team showed up late and we thought they were going to forfeit, but we were happy they didn't. The guys had a little cheering section. All of us girls went out and watched them. We lost 1 to 4, but the guys made a valiant effort. It was a lot of fun watching. It was cold, though! I think it's the second time that I've been cold since I've been in Thailand.

One of my students, Hkawn Din and me.

 

Our team trying to make a goal... GO PURPLE! 

Aj. Nathan being goalie. 

You can do it! 

YAY Purple! Go... Go... Go!

Some of the ladies on the sidelines cheering! 

Today was a productive day. I am now "Thai!" I finally got my work permit. It took a month and a half to get, but now have it. YAY! Apparently by having a work permit, I am considered Thai to the Tourist places and whatnot as well. How cool is that! 

Alrighty, that's it for now. I hope your weeks have started off well! 

Much Love,

Lainy

Time Flies When You're Havin' Fun!

Hey, Hey! 

Time sure does fly when you're having fun. I have no idea where the time has gone this week. I hope your week has gone well and your summer is going fabulously. For those of you who get a break, I hope you are enjoying it before the hustle and bustle of school starts again. 

This past week was full of classes and teaching as usual. My students never cease to make me laugh. I love it. They are always ready to learn and gain knowledge. They are teaching me quite a bit as well. I am slowly increasing my Thai vocabulary. Who knows how much I'll learn by March! I love all my classes. I would have to say teaching is like riding a roller coaster. It has its ups and downs. Sometimes it's scary. Other points are so much fun that it is hard to catch your breath. In the end, you are ready to jump back in line and ride it again because the fun definitely out weighs the scary points.

Aj. Nathan and I have been teaching our discussion class together. It's been a lot of fun. We sometimes play password to let them some fun. It's interesting to see them try and describe the words we have chosen. The other classes are a Socratic Seminar style, where each student must speak at least once. He and I agree this class is a lot of fun. We are able to see what our students think and try and get them out of the mindset that it's whatever the Ajan (teacher) tells us to think. Last week we discussed, "Does Love Make You Happy or Sad?" It was an interesting topic. The students absolutely love talking about love. It's quite funny. They had some really good ideas. The other topic that we've discussed is, "Is It Better to Take Risk or Make a Mistake Than to do Nothing?" That will give you something to think about this week. These are topics that the students have come up with. It's an interesting class to say the least.  

On Sunday, Aj. Erika and I went to the Sunday Market. We saw many interesting things. I think it's fun to just go and look around at what they are selling. It's much more fun than shopping in the States. I was in search of a messenger bag, which I found and bartered for in Thai. (With the help of Aj. Erika. I am still learning my numbers.) It was fun! Bartering make shopping so much more exciting!

Prior to getting to the market, she and I parked the motorbike and then the rain began to pour. We were looking in a shop that was near where we parked, when the downpour began. We didn't expect the rain because the sun was shining. The weather is quite strange here. But it provided the perfect photo opportunity of rainbows! :) They are one my favorite things! I love seeing rainbows. It's always a reminder for me of God's promise to Noah. We have been talking about Noah in my Bible class, which made it even better! When I landed in Bangkok, there was a rainbow out the window of the plane. (I did not take a picture of it. I should have.) Seeing the rainbow was kind of a reassurance that God was with me and knowing that God would protect and keep me safe. Seeing a rainbow, a sunrise, the ocean, a sunset or even a beautiful flower reminds me of God and His greatness, power, His promises, love and mercy. I look at my life and I don't know where I would be without the LORD. I can't imagine  living my life without having Him as the rock of my foundation. It makes me wonder how people make it through life without believing in God. How can they have hope for the future? In this area, there are many Buddhist people and those who do not take into consideration God's laws and it just makes me wonder how they live from day to day. Without having the hope that I do within me, where would I be? I said the above in order to say I am thankful for my relationship with the LORD. As the days go on, I become more and more thankful.

The rain is pouring and the sun is shining! 

That's our motorbike. The one with the green helmet.

Can you see the 2! Rainbows?

A full rainbow! 

Simply Amazing!

On a lighter note, I took some photos of football (soccer). Legacy will have a team this year. They did not have a team last year because they did not have enough boys. (Not to say girls can't play, I play with them for athletics class.) The boys have been really working hard to form a team. Aj. Nathan and Aj. Ben are playing alongside them as well. The whole team now has spikes, which really helps their playing ability as I found out Thursday. When we were playing, I ran to kick the ball, which I did. However in the process, I ended up slipping on the wet slippery grass and falling on my side. (It's okay to laugh, that is why I am telling you! :)) I am fine. Right after, Aj. Ben said "Welcome to Thailand football!" It was quite funny. We play basketball as well, which is a ton of fun, especially since I'm NOT the shortest! That's a first! Playing sports with the students is one of my highlights of the week! It's a lot of fun getting outside the classroom and seeing them have fun. We can all laugh at each other. They generally tend to back off when an Ajan especially a female Ajan has the ball. However, they are learning that it's okay to play the game. Finally! I told the students, "I have four brothers." "It's okay, really." They start apologizing, if I get hit or whatnot. It's sweet. Then I told them, "It's part of playing sports, people get hurt." They still aren't okay with it, but they are getting better.

The truck full of guys going to play soccer 

with a couple of girls to cheer them on.

Go Jaseefu, Go! The one in red is one of my students.

Aj. Nathan is out there playing too.

 

I think that's it for this week. I cannot think of any more random stories to share. Please continue to keep me in your prayers. I love and miss you all very much. I pray that all is going well with all of you. I love hearing from you. 

Much Love and Hugs,

Lainy

One Month and Still Lovin' It!

Greetings from the other side of the world!!

I hope you are all doing well! I can hardly believe that I have been in Thailand for one whole month! It's kind of crazy to think about it! If the next eight months flies by as quickly as this one has, I am going to be back in the States before I know it. Sometimes when I am walking to my apartment, I am still amazed by the fact that I am actually in Thailand. I'm not sure if that'll ever truly sink in. 

I love teaching very much! It's been a lot of fun. It's exciting to see the lights go on when they understand something that I've been trying to teach. I'm sure all of you teachers can definitely understand that. It's one of the best feelings in the world. I have always heard people say to find what you love to do for work and you'll have a much happier life. It is so true. When I am getting ready for my lessons, it takes a ton of work (it's not easy by any means), but it's not dreaded work. I absolutely love it. It's also an amazing feeling to know I'm right where God wants me. To know that I have the opportunity to share God's love by teaching those who may not otherwise have the chance to get an education, is such an amazing experience that goes beyond the description of words. I feel very blessed to be able to have the opportunity to serve in Thailand. Knowing I have an amazing support team at home, praying for me, thinking about me, supporting me and sending me emails now and again is priceless. Thank you all so much!

Here is a photo of me teaching my Bible class. I'm Ajan Elainea.

(Some of you may have seen this on Facebook.)

Outside of the teachers' house, there are some beautiful flowers. They are called 8 o'clock Flowers. They make me smile. They were some when I first got here and then the blooms died. Last weekend there was a pretty hard rain and the next morning there were so many more than there were when I first got here. I took a photo this time because I wanted to share it with you. I think they are very pretty. One of God's little gifts to us. :) 

Aren't they pretty?

Wednesday we went to dinner at the Duke's. It was quite delicious. It was partly a goodbye party as well. One of the other teachers here also teaches in Kansas. He had a team come to teach in a couple of villages. WIth them, came his TA who became pretty good friends with us. Anyway, he was off to another adventure in Korea.  After dinner, we wanted to do something else. There were a few ideas floating around so who else, but the Americans got on their phones to try and figure out a couple of ideas. I thought it was an amusing sight so I took a photo. 

Can you spot the Americans?

Riding home from dinner in the back of the truck with the ESU students.

All of you know of my love for geckos. :) Well, they are growing on me. Sometimes they still startle me when I'm not expecting it. (I still do not like them in the shower!) The other night they were a couple of geckos above my desk on the light and it was a really funny sight! So I'm sharing it with you.

My new companions?

One more funny story before I close. So, I had to go get copies for my class. It's at this little shop in the village. While I was waiting for her to finish copying the papers, I hear this noise and I turn around and I see this guy who is pretty high, but I only see his head. So I automatically thought that it was a guy on a horse.  But oh no! It was a guy on an elephant! It was hilarious to see someone riding an elephant down the street. 

Alrighty, I hope you all are doing well. I love all of you dearly and miss you very much.

Hugs and Love,

Aj. Elainea 

New Classes, Firecrackers and Motorbike Driving...

Hey Everyone!

I trust that you are all doing well and enjoyed your short week and Fourth of July festivities. I definitely did! This week has been a short week. I feel like the time is flying by so quickly. I've been here nearly a month! I can hardly believe it. I'll be starting my fourth week of classes this week.

This past week I started teaching at the elementary school, which contains K-9th grades. I am teaching 7th, 8th, and 9th grade. My first class was on American Independence Day. It went fairly well. They don't have a frame of reference for independence or fighting for freedom here in Thailand because it has always been a free country. It's interesting, I'll have to wait and see how it all plays out. The students are quite excited to have an American teacher. It makes me laugh! 

My classes here at Legacy are going really well. I am love it very much! The students are great. They love learning and put in so much effort. It makes me very excited to be able to be here and teach. I think that I am learning as much, if not more from them than they are from me.

Friday was the fourth of July and being that the teachers are all from the USA, we got the day off. It was quite nice! Not only did we get the day off, we had a huge party! We had hamburgers, french fries, potato salad, BBQ chicken, corn, and ICE CREAM! It was delicious! I think all of the Americans were pretty happy for this small feast. The students love American food as well so they were very thankful for our American Holiday. :) We had a water balloon toss (which I might add that I was the very first to get drenched not just a tiny bit wet... drenched) and various other games. Of course to top it all off, we had fireworks (not the legal kind you can get in Cali, either!) It was a ton of fun!

The flags-- our colors combined! 

Water balloon toss!

Another photo...

My partner and I got soaked.

A bicycle race.

Only a few photos this time, but there will probably be more to come.

I learned how to drive the motorbike! It's fairly simple. It's fun. I've not gotten enough gumption to go into town on my own yet. I've driven around our little village and that's about it. I'm sure you'll be getting updates on my adventures going into town. :) 

I think that's it for now. I hope everyone is doing well and had a fabulous Fourth of July celebrating our nation's independence. 

Love you all and miss you terribly!

Hugs,

Elainea