Reflections on the Wolski's Gypsy Adventure to Thailand

I can't believe we've made it an entire year in Thailand! Wow. It really has been an adventure. We have done and seen so many things and I will never be the same since coming to Bangkok, Thailand. When we sold everything to follow God's will for us I had no idea the road He would take us down. The life's lessons, the fun adventures, the beautiful scenery, new community, new friends, church, school and life among natives in a foreign land is just so mind boggling. But we did it! We all set out wanting to do specific things when we got here and we've done all but one. Elijah and I wanted to ride elephants, Chris wanted to go to the Bridge over the River Kwai and Hailley wanted to ride horses on the beach. We've done all but ride horses on the beach, and if it kills us, that will be the one thing we do next year. Not bad for our first year. The things we didn't expect was to be surrounded and loved by so many. We've had tears, fights, times when we just wanted to pack up and go home but God never says any of this would be easy. He just promises to walk beside us and carry us through it. He has sent us so many wonderful people. Missionaries who have lived here for so long, other teachers who have been through culture shock, and young new teachers who keep us going with their optimistic outlook on life have all been in the right place at the right time. I have never been more sure of anything in my life.....God sent us here and He has a wonderful plan for us. I miss the good ol' U.S. of A. but am appreciating every aspect of living here. Don't get me wrong, there are days when I have to remind myself that I'm here because God is the boss of me. Like when I'm riding down the dirty street on my, by now, old, raggedy, orange bike named Nanny McPhee in 100 degree weather and sweating like a piglet. Or like the time my tire was flat and I rode Elijah's bike to the Pepsi shop in the neighborhood only to twist my ankle and flip over the handlebars in front of all the Thai neighbors. There are other things that I loath here. Having to depend on taxi drivers, loud music/screaming girls with microphones in the malls, having to shop at three different places for groceries and the fact that they don't have a walmart or target. The fact the Pepsi is the preferred drink(Hello? I'm from the ATL and firmly believe that Coke should and will always be everyone's favorite). Poisonous snakes, floods, rabid street dogs and cats that multiply before your very eyes. Paying for drinking water, fish with heads and eyeballs on the menu, and squatty potties. Yuck. I do love how patient and loving most of the Thai people are. How when Elijah ran away, our entire neighborhood, Thai and Farong(that's foreigners) alike got out and looked for hours and held me and Hailley while we cried and prayed for his safety. I love to see the entire families of four and five that fit on a moped. I love how the beauty and the community that is just lost on today's American culture. I love how it really does take a village to raise your kids and how everyone prays and talks about Jesus Christ without shame or fear of offending someone. I love to try and speak Thai and watch the Thai people laugh and try to figure out what I'm saying. I love to buy food or goods from the market and watch entire families come to see what I'm buying and ask what I'm making. I love how Chris has gotten to witness to non christian kids at school and how our kids are surrounded by loving and patient friends. So, as we wind down our first year, I think of all the blessings we have received this year. I praise God and give Him all the glory for leading us here and I pray that next year will be filled with more healing, more love, laughter and great experiences. We have four days until we get on a plane. Four days to squeeze my sister until she pops. I cannot wait to see her smile, laugh until I cry, and be silly like I can with no other person. I can't wait to hold my daddy in my arms and squeeze my crazy mammy. I have missed them all so much and cannot wait to be surrounded by their love. Thanks for all the love, prayers and support of all our friends. We could not have made it without you guys!