Thailand Recap

Well, I am back from Thailand where I enjoyed a great time of teaching, fellowship with others from my company, and beautiful weather of 80 degrees everyday.  And to think that last night here in China it was snowing - gotta love experiencing two different seasons during two weeks.

I feel like I am a very open and honest person about my life and what I am experiencing, so I thought that I would continue with that in this blog.  While I knew that the teaching and training that I would receive during my time in Thailand would be very beneficial and helpful for my work here, I didn't foresee the other things that were in store for me during that time too.  I sometimes have a tendency to think that I have everything under control and try to be strong, when in reality I am actually crumbling under fear and worries.  And so, during my time in Thailand I had to come to the realization once again that I can never do it on my own and that when I surrender those worries I am at peace and have renewed hope.  I also just had to realize that I do live in a place that is a "cloud of darkness" and so getting out from that cloud for a few weeks made a huge difference.  I know that I was also free from that cloud when I was home for Christmas, but I didn't really process through those things then since I made my main focus during the month family and friends.  I am just thankful for the One that never leaves me where I am at and pursues me relentlessly until I grasp hold of what is in store for me and my calling.  

Well, as for other highlights of my time in Thailand, during a few of the afternoons off my friends and I got to do some excursions.  One day we went to a monkey show.  The monkeys are trained to do various tasks during the show such as lifting weights, shooting free throws into a basketball goal, and climbing trees to pick coconuts.  There were really impressive and it is amazing what you can teach a monkey.  On another day a friend and I got to play with and hold a baby tiger.  There are so cute and just like a bigger kitten.  And on one of the last days before a group of us had a chance to go and ride elephants.  I have posted pictures of all my excursions, including the day that I met up with my friend Rebecca and her family at the zoo and Night Safari.  Hope you enjoy.

In Thailand

Happy New Year!  I want to post a quick blog to let you know that right now I am in Chiang Mai, Thailand for two weeks for a seminar/teaching time for my company.  I really feel like this time will be very beneficial and will allow for continued growth in regards to leadership.

While we do have lots of meetings during our time here, we also have some free time to explore the city here, so I plan on riding an elephant sometime next week.  Last week I discovered that my friend Rebecca and her mother, from Gainesville, GA were also going to be in Chiang Mai visiting her brother and his family, so yesterday I had the opportunity to join them at the zoo and to go on a night safari too.  Both activities of the day were pretty amazing and I really had a great time catching up.  On the Night Safari we were allowed to hand feed deer, zebra, giraffes, and pigs that would come up to you on the tram, which was really awesome.  I personally got to pet a deer, which was pretty cool.  I will post pictures and include more about my time here when I get back to China.