You know you've been in Thailand too long when...

You know you've been in Thailand too long when...
You see an insect crawl out of your salad and you continue eating it (the salad.
You consider the lizard in your apartment to be your roommate.
You enjoy squid eggs more than regular squid.
You consider crazy bus and truck drivers that endanger your life to be part of the experience.
You get excited when you see street vendors selling bugs so you can take pictures.
You like to drink out of a bag.

Just kidding! I have had all of these experiences, but I know I have not been in Thailand too long.

Things have been very busy here. I am starting my 5th week of teaching and I know most of my students' names. Praise the Lord! My 5th grade classes usually understand me when I teach them, but my 4th graders are still catching on. I'm still learning about classroom management and other things, but I realize that it's all a part of the process. Please pray for me as I will be starting to teach an after school class tomorrow.

I've had some really positive experiences with my students, which really helps me keep going. One day, I was talking to my friend Sarah in the US and I asked her to pray for breakthrough with my 4th graders. That day, the class went very smoothly, the students enjoyed themselves, and they seemed to understand everything. It was so encouraging. It gives me hope that there can be more days like that.
On a lighter note, I was shocked when my 5th graders started singing Disney love songs and knew all of the words. I was checking their homework books and laughed out loud as they sang Beauty and the Beast, Pocahantas, and Aladdin songs. It was great! It seems like they are only interested in superheroes, but I guess not!

Praise Report!
My roomates and I found a house! The rent is very cheap. We have to buy a good amount of furniture, but it is worth it because of the inexpensive rent. It is very large by Thai standards and we will have plenty of space to invite people over. We have been painting and cleaning it for the last three weekends and we will hopefully move in this week. The whole situation shows that God has given us favor. The owner of the house is friends with a Thai woman in our church and she gave us a good price because she knows our friend. Also, my school sent a van to help us move our belongings. We did not have to pay to rent a truck. I am amazed by the Lord's goodness to us.

I'm still adjusting to being here and still trying to figure out my schedule. Sometimes these things stress me out, but God is with me and is helping me speak life and trust Him to lead me.

I almost forgot to say that I have been able to go to a devotional/prayer meeting with the Thai Christian teachers before school. I expected to go and not understand anything, but one of the teachers translated for me the first time and continues to translate for me. I cannot tell you how much it encourages me to fellowship and pray with other believers at my school. I realize that God is in control and will use all of us to make an impact on the next generation of Thai leaders.
My friend Eric from Lee University (and a fellow Coloradan) arrived a couple of weeks ago and is teaching in the same department that I am. I also met a girl from Tennessee who is Christian and is teaching at BCC also. The Lord answered my prayer for American Christians! I feel a little bit selfish praying that way, but I am so glad they are here with me.

It is really good for me to sit down and think about all of the ways God has blessed me. It helps me keep the right perspective.