Reminiscing about Udon Thani

This summer Penny was really missing her friends. She spent a lot of time with Jay, since he had the summer off. And she got too spend a week with her cousins and played with some neighbor kids. But, it wasn't the same as having grown up in an orphanage where she was constantly surrounded by other children. Now that she's back in school, she's sad because her best friend from Korea has returned to Korea. So, she's definitely been homesick and missing the familiar from her previous life in Udon Thani. My husband and I wish that we could have spent more time in her hometown. I visited Udon Thani back in 1999 before I ever knew Jay or Penny. When Jay and I went to get Penny we only got to spend about 5 days there. We spent almost five weeks in Bangkok, on the other hand. So, it is our dream that someday we'll be able to return and spend more time in Penny's birthplace. Because I've got Udon Thani on my mind, I'll share some photos here.

Last Stage of the Adoption on the Horizon!

Yeah! The end is in sight. We got the formal invitation from the Thai government to go register Penny's adoption at the nearest Thai Royal Embassy back in July. The closest one just happens to be in L.A. So, we've been trying to think of some creative ideas of how to raise money for the trip since we both are still only part-time employed. So, we decided to host a garage sale both last weekend and this weekend, as well. Lots of very kind and generous folks contributed by donating items for the cause. And I'm very excited to announce that altogether we raised over $500! Besides that, we can all fly free thanks to the many miles that we've racked up (Chandra the most after having lived in Japan for six years). And this morning a friend said that he's working on helping us get some discounted tickets to Disneyland since he knows someone who works on the inside. What a blessing! So, we've now got a date confirmed to meet at the Thai Embassy on October 14th.

I also displayed my art work for sale at the sale. Nothing sold. But lots of people commented that they liked my work. One professional art dealer came through and said that he ALMOST wanted to purchase a few of my paintings. In his estimation, I am ALMOST there. Personally, I think judging art is very difficult since everyone has their own opinions about what is beautiful. As the artist, I never think it's quite good enough. But, I was encouraged this weekend, even if no one bought any of my work. It's inspiring me to keep working on cleaning up my art studio and start creating again. If anyone out there has something that they would like me to paint, let me know! I can do any medium. My favorite is either oil or pastels.




I am reminded that God is the creative artist of all time and that he is always good. Sometimes we don't understand why we are going through hard times here on earth. He may not always give us the answers to our questions and doubts. But, His answer is not just some words to make us feel better or giving us whatever we want. HE IS OUR ANSWER! He has given us his very self, His being and presence. That's why his name is, "I AM". He is always with us and will never leave us. He's really all that we need. May He be very real to you, whatever you may be going through.

Back to School and Kinda Back to Work

Well, this week Penny went back to work and Jay kinda went back to work. The reason I say "kinda" is because the so-called "full-time" job that he applied and interviewed for turned out to be only part-time. It was a clerical mistake on the part of the school administration when they posted the job on the internet. So, when he accepted the job and went in to fill out the paperwork he discovered that the position he was saying "yes" to was actually rather part-time. But, nonetheless, he decided to go ahead with it. Now he keeps trying to find another part-time job to supplement. We appreciate any continued prayers for God's provision, as I don't think my part-time job at a preschool will be enough to be the main bread winner.

Penny went back to school on Tuesday. She was donning her lovely "Hello Kitty" backpack she got with her gift card from her cousin, Linnea, for her birthday. Speaking of which, cousin Linnea, who is EXACTLY 10 years older than Penny had her first baby on August 3rd, a little boy, named Sean. I think Penny is really glad to be back in school. But, she's disappointed to discover that she doesn't have some of her favorite teachers this year. Can you believe that this will be her last year in Middle School? Is it possible that she will really be going to high school next year? Time flies! Soon it will be four years since we started the process of trying to adopt her. And now it's only about five years until she will graduate from high school. Cherish each moment while you have it!

Summer Goings On

We've been doing fine this summer. We aren't taking any huge family trips. Chandra can't really afford to take time off from work as she's at a new preschool where she can't start building up any vacation time until after she's been there for a year. Jay has been very busy with his job search ever since he came home from the trip to Sweden with his mother. So far it looks like he should get official word that he'll be hired part-time as a choir accompanist for a high school. He's got a couple of more interviews this week to teach lessons at private music schools here in Ft. Collins. We've been doing lots of fun little things like the day trip to the Dragon Boat Festival in Denver, hiking in the mountains, swimming in our HOA pool, playing tennis, going to free 4-H animals shows, parks and gardens, and playing mini-golf. It's all fun for Penny since most things are a first for her. She's always so grateful. We're still trying to figure out when we'll go to L.A. to register her adoption at the Thai Consulate, now that we've received the official invite. It's kind of hard to plan, not knowing what Jay's job situation will look like. We just keep praying for God's provision and timing in everything. Thanks for all of your prayers, as well!