Vacation has ended ...

So, we're back in NGA. Blogging from various hotel rooms and internet cafes did not prove to be possible and now I'm so behind, I don't know when I can share thoughts from our trip.

Briefly -- UAE was a disappointment. Due to Ramadan, most stores and all restaurants were closed during the day. Strangely, the fasting causes most people in the area (who seem to be quite secularized) to just re-arrange their schedule. They sleep a lot of the day and then feast and party until 1 or 2 a.m. The malls were actually open until 1 a.m. each night! The average person actually GAINS weight during this month of fasting because they eat so much after sundown! I realize now, duh ..., how much history adds to the charm of a place. So, I really didn't appreciate much of UAE because most construction that's more than 10 years old is being demolished and everything seems to be a sea of concrete, high-rises, etc. and the skyline is dotted with cranes for new construction. It's a booming area, no doubt about it. And "silly money" is tossed about without a care in the world. But it seems to be a bit of a shaky economy -- propped up by glitz and glitter and quite possibly booming dangerously fast -- just our opinion! We didn't have much time in Dubai -- it's definitely prettier than Abu Dhabi. Anyway -- just a quick review!

And now on to Thailand ...!!! I'll cut through all of our tourist comments and stories of the gorgeous beauty, terrific elephant rides, amazing orchids, beautiful mountains, clean green everywhere, charmingly polite people, gorgeous coastlines, stunning beaches, enchanting caves and coves, luscious gardens, abundant fountains, mugginess all-round, ... and tell you the most important part:

Boy asked Jim for Jeri's hand in marriage and they are now officially engaged. I'll attach a photo from the night Boy proposed and gave Jeri her ring. I took some photos the next day on Jeri's camera that are their "engagement" photos and I'll post some when I get them from Jeri.

Jeri starts a teaching job at a great international school on Monday in Ubon. This is the area Boy was raised and the area where they will live. Boy has a two year commitment to the Air Force that begins 1 November. With the school schedules for Joey and Brad/Karissa and with other travel parameters -- the wedding will be early January in Ubon -- probably between 5th and 10th of January. They have to wait until Boy gets his leave finalized in early November. 'very exciting times for all of us! God is allowing so many little details together to come together with such ease -- we are so grateful!

We love Boy, actual name -- Sarawhut Chapootorn -- he and Jeri make a great team! Their long-term plans are to stay in the Isan area -- the poorest and most unreached-by-the-good-news-of-Jesus area of Thailand. They want to do missions work in small villages. Right now, Jeri's renting a lovely three bedroom house for just pennies and she's having fun getting it all fixed up for married life! They'll have running hot water, even -- something they might not have later on when in the smaller villages. What an adventure!

So, this means that our Christmas plans have totally changed and we won't be getting back to the U.S. at all in 2007. We'll Christmas in Thailand with Jeri -- Joey will join us there. Then, others who are able, can join us for the wedding. If you'd like to be a part of the wedding celebration -- let me know! It's going to be absolutely gorgeous -- after all, this is the land of flowers and beautiful gardens!!!