Home Sweet Home

Well, as many if not all of you know, I am back in the good ol' USA. I came home about a month earlier than anticipated and surprised my family and friends. I have been greeted with smiles, hugs, screams, jumping up and down, shocked stares and tears. It was nice my flight was able to be moved up so I could be home for Passover, my mom's birthday, and feel the rumblings of the big earthquake that struck Mexicali. While I am stoked to be home and have been enjoying the time with family and friends, which I've missed terribly. I have been going through reverse culture shock. It's weird being back in the US. Some things feel different and I definitely view life and what's important differently than I did prior to my adventures in Thailand. I am so very thankful for the little things in life. I know the important things in life will always be family and good friends, which are gifts from God. I am blessed with some pretty spectacular people in my life and I thank God for each and every one. 

I'll share with you a couple photos I have from home. 

SURPRISE!!! My brother AKA Schemer who came did what it took to keep me a surprise and my sis in law at the airport.

Tina... such a good friend. :)

Two of my favorite guys in my life.

Nephews, Harrison and Tyler while I spending time with my brother and his family. 

While I was visiting them, we were visited by this white stuff that comes from the sky. It covered my car! What is it? It snowed in April! I was FREEZING!!!

Hanging out, having coffee and ice cream. Some of the best people around!! 

Aubrey, David and Jenn, you guys are great! 

Well, I think that's all for now. My time home will be spent with family and friends as well as doing homework for my master's program. It keeps me on my toes. In Thailand, there is a time difference thus giving me some wiggle room. Not here! I probably will not be blogging while I'm home. I'll will begin again when I head back to Thailand, which will happen at the end of May.

I want to take this opportunity to say thank you! Thank you for reading, praying for me, my students, the school, and the people of Thailand as well as sending encouraging notes and emails, which keep me connected to all of you back home. 

Lots of Love,

Lainy J. 

Graduation 2010

Graduation is a time of endings and beginnings with feelings of bittersweet happiness. It's looked toward with great anticipation and is gone in an instant. It reminds me of a verse I read a few weeks ago, Psalm 39:5, "You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath. Selah" How true this is. The older I get the more I realize the impact of what this actually means. Not only is life like a breath, but it is very fragile and can be gone in the blink of an eye. Hopefully we take advantage of the time we have and live in the moment enjoying and being thankful for what we have. Not always looking for something new and wanting more. Whether we are in Asia, the USA, or Europe, the same is true for everyone of us. 

At Legacy Institute's graduation, I think we did a good job of taking it all in and enjoying the moment. It was a small ceremony held at the farm. We had one graduate this year and two other students who were recognized for academic achievement and exuding outstanding character. 

The day began preparing for graduation. The students set up things at the farm in preparation, Erika and Nathan were helping with this driving and making sure everything was ready to go. I spent most of the day in the kitchen baking dessert for graduation. I may have went a little over board, but it was yummy.   

Some of my family's favorites... Kolaches, Grammer's Hot Chocolate Cake and Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

The backdrop, which a graduate from last year and current students created

Photo courtesy of Nathan

Everyone ready to go

Legacy's very own Lahu band... they are very talented individuals

Legacy's Teachers with the Grad, LaNuNan

Ceremony is over... time to eat! We also had pizza not just dessert.

Students and Nathan are always playing something on a guitar or singing. It keeps Legacy hopping, which our neighbors might not enjoy as much as we do. After the ceremony, since the equipment was set up and we were at the farm, a jam session was inevitable.

It lasted for a couple hours. When someone got tired or wanted to do something else, there was someone ready to take their place.

This is my favorite. Peto is standing on the chair to see the music so he can play. 

Photo courtesy of Nathan

Our dog at the farm even attended the graduation.  I think she was hoping to snag some pizza and goodies.

All in all we had a really good graduation ceremony that went rather smoothly filled with food, fun, music, fireworks and memories.

-Lainy J. 

Mae Sa Waterfall School Trip

The Friday of finals week, we took a class trip to the waterfalls, which are pretty close to the school. This is the second time we've this year. The students love it as do I! We get to play in the water, see beautiful scenery and just chill. We took a picnic with us as well. I'm not sure which the students like more the waterfalls or the food. Here are some photos from the excursion. 

Nawmia, one of the refugees who helps out around Legacy.

Samuey, Fon, and Maliwan playing.

I didn't know there were monkeys at the waterfalls!

Of course the trip would not be complete without building sand castles. :)

That was the day in a nutshell. It's always a lot of fun! Such a beautiful place to visit.

-Lainy J.