After practically living at school for two weeks, this week was great. Remember the student reports I mentioned? Let's just say they took a long time to write. And if you ever have to grade 3 exams per student for 86 students, don't wait until the weekend before the grades are due to grade them. Not a good idea--never do it!

I was able to teach an after school class this semester and one of the students really caught on when I prayed at the start of class. He would try to anticipate what I was going to say, so I asked if he wanted to pray. He prayed most of the same things I usually pray and I thought he was only mimicking me. One day, however, it was another student's birthday. The first boy prayed that day and he asked God to help the other student have a good birthday and he prayed some other things that are not the same as what I usually pray. I was surprised. I pray that the prayers he prays will mean something to him someday, even if they do not mean anything to him now.

Today I was able to go to a park with my cell group. It was great to be surrounded by green instead of the pollution of the city. We relaxed together and then took some time to talk to people in the park about the Lord. We gave them Gospel tracts as well to help them understand what we were talking about. I pray that we are able to follow through with our plan to go every month. We had one non-believer with us and we were able to share the Lord with her as well. Khap Khun Pra-jow! (Thank you Lord!)

I am excited to have a 3 week break from school starting in one week. Please pray for me as I will be leading songs and games at an English camp with Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA)October 6-8. I am excited to be able to help and to share God's love with children ages 8-12.

Chicken feet 2

Does life ever get away from anyone else? Sometimes I feel like everything flies by and my feet aren't really on the ground. I used to feel unbelievably stressed when this happened, but I'm doing ok this time. I know things will come back into balance.

My birthday was August 27th and lots of people made sure that my first birthday in Bangkok was very special. People at school said a special prayer for me in our Thai morning devotional. Many of my church friends and a few of my school friends came to my birthday party that night. Not only that, but I've realized that Thai people believe strongly in giving gifts. I got gifts every day the week of my birthday from people who could not come to my party. I was so surprised. All in all, it was a birthday I'll never forget.

The semester is winding down at school, but it's the busiest time of the year. We are giving our final examinations for the next two weeks and then writing student reports for a week after that. These are not short reports either. I get to write several sentences about each student, as well as comment on 8 specific areas of their language abilities. Good times:)

If you ever get the chance to eat bananas in a place where they are actually grown, you need to do it. It will change your view of bananas forever. I had eaten several varieties of grilled and fried bananas, but I finally ate a plain banana a few weeks ago. I'm addicted. Bananas here are sweet and almost juicy. The flavor is amazing.

And chicken feet 2...
One of my Thai friends had chicken feet this morning for breakfast and offered some to me. Being the person I am, I tried them. I was pleasantly surprised. The consistency is really strange, but the spices his mother used to cook them made them taste delicious. Chan chop teen gai nit noy (I like chicken feet a little bit).

Chan chob Krungtep mach mach. (I like Bangkok very much).