Happy New Year!

What a year 2009 has been for us! Put half of the year in Nigeria and the second half spent adjusting to Indonesia, throw in 2 visits to AK and Denver, CO, (Dec/Jan 08-09 and August 09), add one trip for Sharon to Thailand in February, toss in a vacation in England in April/May, cap it off with this trip to Thailand. Variety is the theme, it seems!

Though we love to see new places and we love the traveling, the highlights of the year are definitely the times spent with family and friends!

We are blessed in oh-so many ways. God's hand of protection is evident and His hands of love and care are everywhere!

One theme that continues throughout our travels -- God's creativity! No two mountains are the same, no two rocks, no two trees ...

When you hear the word "water" which of the hundreds of images of water come to mind? Indeed, though drops of water are basically chemically the same around the world, God has combined drops in innumerable designs and in innumerable settings to create unique moments that are never repeated in exactly the same ways. Try to capture pictures of two waves that are identical -- impossible!

So as we head into a new year, I am delighted by the memories I carry of 2009 and I'm filled with great expectations for 2010!

What is your greatest joy from 2009?
What is your greatest hope for 2010?

Happy New Year!

Around Hua Hin

Hua Hin is, most likely, where we will retire. So, we checked out the countryside and beaches. Here are shots of the countryside and in the hills just above the town. The first shot is our retirement home -- no need for air conditioning, aye?






Golf course -- one of many!







A fun retro-village area with shops, outdoor movies, etc. Fun!



















































This green flower is the all-time coolest flower! A guy wrote down the name of it in Thai (which I can't read) so Jeri and Boy will look it up. Very rare in Thailand. Flowers hang from a vine!
Yes, these are olive trees! 'never thought it got that dry, here, but in this region it does!

More Keewee Waree Area

Photos include:
-- a Wat on the top of a hill with a lovely view. I'm not a big fan of wats but this one is quite a work of art -- designed by a famous Thai architect. Really cool lines in the whole place. I quietly sang "Holy, Holy, Holy" throughout our visit!
-- Jim feeding some fish while he was swimming after we'd snorkeled. (No photos of snorkeling/no underwater camera!) We went on a dumpy little rickety fishing boat to an island to do the snorkeling and have lunch. Photo with hole in the rock is on that island.
The rest is self explanatory, I think.

Christmas in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand

Our Christmas Eve celebrations were delayed a couple of days due to all of the work that needed to be done --- everything's been taking Jim about 5 times longer than he's been planning. So, here are photos from Christmas Eve day and Christmas Day and then our "Christmas Eve" which was the evening of the 26th. Jeri took group photos on her camera so I'll get those from her, soon! I'll try to add comments on some photos but they might not match the right photo ... Here goes!


Okay ... that didn't work. So here are descriptions for below photos:
Jim with conduit: Jim had struggled with wiring for 3 straight days. On Christmas Day, in one shop where we'd been many times before, he found conduit! I told Jeri, "Your father is like a child on Christmas Day ... oh wait, it IS Christmas Day!!" It's one we'll all remember! Jeri had to work in the morning -- nothing is closed for Christmas seeing that this is a Buddhist country.
Christmas Eve dinner: maybe this is a new tradition. This is what we had 2 years ago with Joey, too. Before the wedding. Not on Christmas Eve, then either (I think), 'cuz we had to work around when Boy got a day off from the Air Force. New dining table -- 6 seater with a bench that's used in another room until needed. Re-done kitchen.
Christmas songs with Boy on guitar
First gift -- Macchi's Santa suit! (I found it in Bangkok, believe it or not!)
Macchi's in his bed with his first new toy -- he went absolutely nuts about it, Kath. Jeri will have to give you the details!
Boy's first gift -- he loves it, Mom!
Boy's next gift -- the theme continues!
Jeri got us all fun glasses! Isn't Jim a charmer? :-)
Macchi's exhausted after all of the fun!
The next day, Jim and Boy played soccer in our hotel room -- and didn't get kicked out! (See photo for explanation!!) Kath -- great gift!!!

More blogging later ... taking advantage of an internet opportunity!