Been a while since I wrote! Didn't realize how long! So my family was supposed to come visit and then said no and then said yes and then said no and then said yes and then said no. heheh! And so I had my latest guest stay longer.  The whole time I am thinking it would have been so great to have them see all this and then all of the sudden they said yes! They would come! So they came! Brenda was still here but gone to siem reap.  She and I had just come back from a trip to vietnam.  I had figured that would be my last trip but then my parents came! Made for a mad rush of trying to do everything before they came because after they left I had one working day left before the holidays which are going on right now! 

Life is busy and yet it all falls together at the end anyways.  Yesterday we spent the day running around and didn't have water and it didn't come in during our short window of opportunity, but lo and behold as we were on our way home, I got a call that the water people were waiting.  We were planning to see a folk dance thing, but were too late so we changed our evening plans.  Michael decided to stay and I made Tom Yum and Pad Thai and I had bought cheese cake before and so it was my very first tasty dinner! and we watched a movie on the projector.  The movie was predictable and not so great, but it made a fun night.
I am leaving in 2 weeks and it just hit me yesterday! AHHH! So much to do and take care of before I leave. Stuff to sell, people to find to finalize things and yet at the same time, God has to do it all! 
The english classes are going well, but we still need another teacher. Interviewing someone saturday.  Talking about possible business opportunities for the girl with someone as well on saturday! 
Been eating cheetos for my meals! It's horrible! Three days of 3 meals of cheetos! but soon things should settle down!

God is good! So yesterday we had our first outreach to the school! We got ready at 6:30 but even though our late student was early, everyone else was late. So we didn't get out till close till 7:30.  Then we had a flat tire.  They fix those in pretty amazing ways in cambodia. I took pictures and watched pretty amazed.  Not only did our motorcycle tire pop so did the late groups :) Then we were off.  I don't know if we were rushing to get there on time or what, but I haven't been so scared on a motorcycle in a while.  My driver didn't avoid potholes but went over them and I was holding 2 bags of tooth brushes plus my bag :).  At one point my bag flew off my shoulder down my arm and in a true movie style move i caught it just as it was about to slip off my fingers and then hold on again to the motorcycle before the next pothole.
When I thought the ride might be over we got to a ferry - a flat bunch of boards on two canoes :).  We got there around 10.  I think we were supposed to start at 9.  The principal was super nice.  They had a little for us to eat. Ratana's mom had made us traditional khmer banana leaf wrapped banana rice things and there was water.  We started class and although this was our least prepared event, everyone did great.  Timing and everyone ended up great.  We broke into 4 classes and did the sessions with the teachers rotating.  And then at the end we gave out candy, tooth brushes, tooth paste and deworming medicine.  Everyone was happy and thrilled.  And mostly it was all new information.  We did fire safety and no one knew to stop drop and roll, we did teeth brushing and they got to practice on our new set of teeth that we bought.  We did hygiene and deworming with gross pictures of worms coming out of noses and stuff and of course helmet safety.  They knew why they should wear their helmet, but hopefully the watermelon on the floor will help them really let it into their hearts. :)  
Came home just as the afternoon class was starting.  And then after class was on the phone for a long long time.  Poor brenda.  As much as she enjoyed her first three days here, now she is getting into the daily things and it's a lot more tiring :) she missed morning class this morning cause she was sleeping :) 
Went shopping for food after that and I had cheetos for dinner as we walked the mall cause there was no electricity back home. Got home and we were both exhausted.  4 hours on the back of a motorcycle scared as could be hehe! But having to just leave it in God's hands tired us both out :)
Our new class and location is working out.  Pray for our new teacher. I just want one to help Michael so he can be free to move around and do his thing.  There is one who wants to charge full days wages for 2 hours of work and doesn't seem to see what is wrong with that and another who might do it for 1/2 the price and is just as good and I actually know her.  Just pray we hire the right teacher to take over.  Michael is great, but like me, he needs freedom to do other things as well as this.
Also, I need to sell everything, so please pray for that as well.  
God Bless!!

It's been a super busy since Thursday.  Brenda came to visit and it's been great. This is the first time I have felt like I can actually host my guest properly.  Friday was a holiday, so after meeting the medical students in the morning and going over stuff we went out for lunch! I ended up at the wrong indian restaurant, but it's one people talk about a lot.  I didn't like it much.  After that we went to the rifle range. Since I have been here I have seen tuktuks with posters advertising AK-47 shooting.  So Brenda and I went.  It was a little pricey, but now that I am almost leaving, I want to do and try all that I know I can't do elsewhere.  I thought it would be outside.  But it was at an army place and indoors. They gave us ear mufflers and then said shoot at a target way far away.  I was surprised but did pretty well :)
After that we went to watch a movie but found out there was nothing we wanted to see on and so sat around and talked. Came home and off to movie night!  Amazing how popcorn and candy can fill you up and wake you up enough to stay awake for a little bit at least!
Came home actually tired and stayed reading.
Saturday we decided to go out and do stuff with a plan.  So went to Toul Sleng - the genocide museum and then the russian market.  Found a lot of stuff there that I didn't even know I wanted. Probably bought more than I have in the entire time in one shot that day! We started to eat and ended up talking and not making it to the killing fields.  I have been to Toul Sleng 3 times but it always gets me.  The horrible things that people can do to each other is incredible.
Then we were off to a massage. I was going to try something new - aromatherapy massage, cause they are so cheap, but the oil had no smell and I changed it to a cheaper safer and known massage :)  Michael called while we were there and joined us for dinner. He had wanted me to interview his cousin. :) but she has a great job and so we ate dinner and went over to friends house.
Came home exhausted but I ended up staying up till 2-3am, reading and chatting with various people.
Sunday we went to church. It was great! Really spoke to both of us a lot.  Even worships as great although I don't usually like the worship team.  I thought we would have to leave church early but it ended early and so we had time to shop for groceries and come home in time for the medical students.  But while they were there Michael called saying he had someone for me to meet who wants to volunteer in the future. So had to make a quick pad thai(which brenda actually loved although she has been avoiding my food the last few days in fear it will suck) and we were off.  I had a 5:30 lunch date so given how late it was we decided to head into the city since we were already 1/2 way there.  Saw Wat Phnom and then it looked stormy and so didn't quite make it to cover and it started to rain.  We ducked into an open gate under a shed with a bunch of men.  Any other country we would have felt awkward and a little scared, but these guys gave us chairs to sit on :) after that we were off to eat.  While eating a fireworks show went off across the river and what a cool unexpected beautiful site it was! My friend didn't show till 8 but we were glad we got to spend an hour with her since she really needed it.  Got home around 9:30 tired and exhausted but of course had to read.  
Woke up this morning for class. It was great, our first day at the new place and it worked grew!  Michael was at an interview so just had me and brenda and while I was still finishing the medical students came asking me to go with them to the province we are going tomorrow cause we needed official permission from the chief there.  So despite my plan to get caught up, off I was on a back of a motorcycle for 2 hours.  But praise God at least the weather wasn't boiling hot.
Got back in time to take Brenda home from the cafe. Poor girl was dying and made a quick lunch and just finished it and got to talk on the phone briefly before running over to teach. I had given Michael the afternoon off cause he worked in a medical camp on weekend.  Finally done with class, which was great! B comes to both and I really love how well he is doing!
God is great!

Everyday is super busy! I can't believe I haven't written in so many days.  It's already thursday here.  Wednesdsay was my last day of doing medical trainings personally.  They made me a cake and we played a game to see how much they had learned and it was wonderful! I was shocked how much they remembered.  Since I couldn't eat the cake, I gave it to a bunch of people.  And it was perfect cause as soon as I got home there was class, and so they got some. then the medical students came and they got some. Then i took it to the Rheas after my dinner and then the next morning the morning class got it and then it was all done! Everyone got to enjoy the beautiful cake :)

Today was a great day! Woke up super early even though I fell asleep while watching tv yesterday with the Rheas and it wasn't even 9 :) But I am reading a fairy tale book on my kindle and its awesome! So I was up till 10 and up at 3:44am :) couldn't sleep so read and checked emails and then at 7:30 the day started after a quick phone call with my sister.  The morning class had a new student.  We went out for dinner a week or two ago and I encouraged her to come, telling her even at her age she can learn cause look at me! :) So she surprised me by showing up today! She was good. She already knew a lot of her ABC's and so it was great teaching her.  Also I have been wanting to teach the other kids cause I wanted to show Michael how to do it and as it worked out it was perfect. What's great as I am doing these one on one new students they are learning perfect pronunciation.  It's really cool! Met up with the medical students to cover things and we got a lot accomplished :)

God is good! Things are so busy here, don't know what to do, but it's all great!

God is good! So I came back from my much needed vacation.  My vacation to Koh Kong and now to thailand were the first real vacations in over 7 years! So needed! And of course while I was gone, God was doing His thing!  So Michael and I don't always see eye to eye on how things should be done, but I don't know what happened while I was gone.  But on the motorcycle ride back, I could't believe what I was hearing! Everything has changed and he wants to do everything I think is the way to go.  He kept saying things and I was just amazed. We talked for 1-2 hours after I got home and it was great and exciting!
Today we had our first 7:30am class start as well and at the 1pm one we had 3 new girls.  There was an outreach we did with una about a month back and it seemed like nothing came out of that, but these three girls came from there! So YAY! they were super excited to learn and called on their own! So God is good. I still want L to come, but maybe one day.  In the meantime, what I started for her is blessing others.  So I just sent out an email to ask a girl if she will join our staff and take over the new class. I have just enough time to train her :)  Also Mrs. Rhea showed up and loved the class and so it should be great having a native english speaker around when I leave! I love it! God just does His thing.
This sunday is our medical camp.  The students are coming in a few minutes to discuss the details before the camp and probably to get some money for the expenses :)  I think the meds are bought, but lets see. 
Things are getting super busy and I am almost leaving! AHHH! but it's sooo cool at the same time. Everything will be established and running when I leave and it'll run like a well oiled machine :) hehe! ok, at least close to it!

As for my vacation! It was delightful. I haven't seen Janelle in years and it was sooo great.  I never realized how much we have in common and what an amazing individual she is.  What she has done in 3 years is simply remarkable. She has basically single handedly run a donation organization after moving to thailand.  Not only did she not have a michael and have to figure everything out, she has been totally alone here, but the insight and ability she has to run multiple projects at once and to see what will work and what won't is simply inspiring and amazing.  All of us are gifted so differently. hehe! But us missionary types really don't know how to take breaks so it was good for both of us to get away.  The first day was bangkok and I loved seeing everything. Did the touristy thing and went on the river and saw the palace and the lying buddha.  Went to the famous back packers place.  From there went to the mall for frozen yogart and a movie at a fancy couch movie theater.  Horrible and disgusting movie and we both wanted to walk out but didn't say anything to the other person (Alex cross) and then off to a massage :) from there we went to one of the roof top bars and got a nice view of the city.  Then we were off to the redlight district.  That made me feel sick.  They were selling sex shows out in the open and the things they have these girls do, makes you sick.  I didn't go and see their "free trial".  Just had no desire. Ugh.  How people can do that to other people is horrible and disgusting.  I took pictures of just stuff in the market but don't have the heart to post them. Just disgusting and I didn't even see the disgusting stuff.
Went to eat dinner on the street and made it home after midnight.  Next mornign we woke up and headed to the government bus station.  5 1/2 hours and we were at the ferry terminal on our way to koh chang. What is awesomely cool about Janelle is that we have the same taste in food. So we both picked the same icecream, drinks, food etc. 
We got to our resort and it was way nicer than I had thought and it was on the secluded side of the island.  Since we were tired, we didn't do anything but plan the next two days roughly.  Janelle took a nap while I had to try everything. So I was in the pool, lounging at the pool side, sitting under the little huts reading.  And then when she woke up we were off on a kayak ride.  We were horrible at our first attempt, but it was fun  and the sunset was beautiful!
Since we had missed lunch we were starving by the time we got back and praise God the food was delicious!
The next day we were off to cooking classes.  I was a little disappointed with the place, but that was short lived cause the food they taught us to make was delicious! I couldn't belielve it was my cooking! And I learned all these things I have been wanting to learn!  From there we were off to the waterfall.  The other couple from the resort had come too and so the cooking class said we could enjoy the waterfall and then they'd drop us back! YAY!  Free rides are always good and a blessing! The water was freezing, but once in, awesome.  I got spoiled in koh kong with having the waterfalls all to myself so didn't like so many people there in the water, but it was still great! I had wanted to go to a waterfall and God made it convenient!
We came back and after reading for a bit were off in the canoe and we had it down so we were able to go more than twice the distance in the same amount of time or less! IT was great!!
Came back to more great food.  I was out like a log after that.
The next day we were off on an elephant ride in the jungle.  Wouldn't recommend it but I did get to ride on the elephant's neck but was too scared to stay there too long :)
After that we went on a 1/2 day trip to Koh Wai.  They dropped us off with old snorkeling equipment and left us.  We had been told they would give us a lunch voucher but it only paid for 1/2 a lunch.  :) So we were like, this isn't going to be great, but it was!!!  It was almost the best snorkelling experience I have ever had! I loved it and so did janelle.  We saw sea urchins, sea anenomeas, tons of fish to the point where at one point in the beginning the number of them scared me.  The water was warm, the beach was white sand and besides the other tourists, not  a lot of people there! Simply marvelous.  And we got blessed with a speed boat both ways! We just missed the storm because of it. Got back and found out it had been raining all day in Koh Chang so we were really blessed to have been away.!
French fries at night and dinner and then I was out again.  But of course I had tried out the hammocks and everything else :)  Woke up in the morning and didn't have a sure plan of how we were going to get to the airport on time.  The minivan people were delaying and I was almost worried, but we actually got there early.  had a delicious lunch of subway and a dunkin donut mocha (which is really really good) and had a great time talking to Janelle. Vacations are so much better wtih someone! heheh!
Then on the plane, I just happened to be sitting next to someone from PP that I know who was able to really talk to me about some things on my mind.  The whole trip a wonderful blessing and smiling Michael to greet me with wonderful news about what he has decided :)
pray for us as I end things here and make a lot of decisions! We have a lot of stuff that we are jamming into this month and I'm excited!
thanks for all your prayer and support and love!
God Bless!! none of cambodia could have happened without all of you!