Fun Times in Thailand!

After a wonderful time visiting in India, we headed to Thailand for a relaxing and refreshing time together. If you weren't sure about coming to see us before, you may just want to now!! 

{Traveling in this part of the world can be EXHAUSTING!

After training, then taxiing to the airport, we waited for our flight!}

{Us, SUPER ready to be in Thailand!!}

 {Flying in over Phuket, Thailand}

{Our "bungalow"}

{Elephant we saw being transported as we walked to the beach}

{The sunset on our first night was GORGEOUS!}

After unpacking, we enjoyed DELICIOUS seafood and got massages! It was SO nice to RELAX and enjoy!!

{Getting stretched out!}

{Being tickled to death during his 'minnow massage'}

{He did learn not to play with his food... I promise!}

{For all the seafood lovers!!}

After enjoying some tasty food and getting caught up on some sleep... we planned a trip to visit another island and go snorkeling!

{Dad & Z gettin on board!}

{Dad & all his snorkeling gear!}

{Us & our snorkeling stuff!} 

{Dad & Z enjoying the sea breeze on our way to the Island!}

{Arriving on our Island}

{Snorkel time!}

We also visited the top of a mountain nearby our bungalow, where we could see the Big Buddha Phuket statue and temple. All over the world people are worshipping someone or something. Here, the deception is real and obvious. Pray that these people would worship the Living God and not things made by the hands of men.

{On our way up the mountain, we saw many places where people 

could wash, ride and take photos with elephants!}

 {We also heard monks offering songs & recitations on our way up}

{Idols and bells hung in the trees as offerings to "gods"}

{Finally, after a lot of steps, we made it to the top and saw Big Buddha}

{On the way down the mountain, we saw this monkey tied to a chair.

We thought he'd hurt himself but apparently he's quite a $ maker!}

We spent the rest of our time just enjoying the beach and being together and in case you didn't hear... 

WE'RE HAVING A BABY BOY DUE JAN. 16!!!!!!!

 {Dad & Z enjoying fun in the sun (and water!)}

{Definitely one of the most beautiful beaches we've ever seen!}

{Baby *BOY* Cawthorn... due Jan 16th!}

After a WONDERFUL trip and a couple more days of traveling and souvenir shopping, we made it back to Delhi, where we sent Dad back to the US! 

{Saying 'bye for now' at the airport}

No worries though, we'll be back in the States in MAY 2014!! :) 

Dad's Visit, Pt. 1

Here are pics & highlights from our very special time together! Hope you enjoy and maybe you'll consider coming to visit this INCREDIBLE country too! :) 

{Visiting brothers/sisters & FIRST time eating with his HANDS!}

{The guys & our first language helper's son}

{Our very first language helper & her precious girls!!}

 {Train station in Delhi... mad chaos as usual!}

{First train ride and first Indian "chai"}

-His face says it all... haha!

{Welcome to our world!!}

{Bonding with our latest addition, *MOCHA*}

She adopted us almost 2 months ago!

About this time, Dad CLEARLY began to see how different life is for us here. Some things that really stuck out to him were... 

{TRAFFIC is CRAZY!!}

-this country has one of the highest traffic death rates in the world.

{MOTORCYCLE is our main method of transportation here. 

He was SUPER thankful for Z's GREAT driving skills!}

{Trash, trash, trash and then more TRASH.}

-For such a beautiful country, full of color & life, there's lots of... TRASH!

{LANGUAGE ability. Dad felt MUCH more comfortable with us being here after he realized we can speak the language, get around and take care of daily responsibilities (like buying fresh fruit!).}

 {The NEEDY. There's lots of people here with very little. 

He felt grateful for all he has & can get in our home country!}

{PEOPLE. There's lots of people EVERYWHERE.

This is just a snapshot of the crowded streets we walk often!}

Once he saw us in 'BUSINESS MODE', hitting the markets, choosing/checking materials, bartering, laughing and building relationships with the shop owners and other friends, it gave him a much clearer idea of our life & work here. 

{Buying materials from markets is definitely a TEAM effort!! 

 {Ladies choose nice color/design material & guys check for quality!}

{MONKEYS... there are LOTS here!!

Dad was excited to see them every time!}

Another highlight was meeting this tailor and immediately making friends! The man made him his first fitted shirt from materials he chose at the market but the best part was being welcomed into their shop, having 'chai' and chatting about their lives! I'm sure neither the tailor or Dad will forget this meeting! 

{New TAILOR FRIENDS, welcoming Dad to this country so well!}

{Getting measurements taken for his first custom made, fitted Tshirt!}

After getting a taste of our life, we ROAD TRIPPED to AGRA to do some sightseeing of the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort (more info: http://www.delhitourism.gov.in/delhitourism/itinerary/golden_triangle.jsp)

{Couldn't believe we were there!!}

{Don't you just LOVE our slipper socks, cleanliness, cleanliness!}

{Super intricate design & artwork, so beautiful!

{Entrance into Agra Fort}

{Courtyard View}

{Cool view from inside the Fort}

{Silly guys at the end of our tour}

For Such A Time As This...

Recently, we went to the capital for a Dr.'s visit and caught up with some friends who were also in the area. They briefly mentioned that our other friends had applied for their new baby's visa and only received an 'exit stamp', which meant they had 31 days to leave the country and they (well, the baby) couldn't come back unless they got approved for a new visa. We didn't discuss this much at all with them, it was mentioned and then we went on to chatting about other things, but the Lord used that simple comment to GREATLY stir up our hearts about how we use the time we've been given in this INCREDIBLE country. 

We believe He was reminding us to focus our eyes on the things He is doing and to devote ourselves to 'being about our Father's business' for however long He has us here. First, He reminded us of WHO we are:

"You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth and called from its farthest regions and said to you, You are MY SERVANT, I have chosen you and have not cast you away." -Isaiah 41:9

"You are MY WITNESSES says the Lord and MY SERVANT, whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the Lord, and BESIDES ME, THERE IS NO SAVIOR." -Isaiah 43:10 & 11 

"If One died for all, then all died; and HE DIED FOR ALL, THAT THOSE WHO LIVE SHOULD LIVE NO LONGER FOR THEMSELVES, BUT FOR HIM WHO DIED FOR THEM AND ROSE AGAIN." -2 Corinthians 5:14 & 15

Then, we were reminded of WHY He chose us:

"I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who sit in darkness from the prison house. I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images." 

-Isaiah 42:6-9

Looking ahead, as we'll have our baby in January (Lord Willing), we could face the same predicament as our friends. We know that He is sovereign and in control of ALL things (including visas). However, we couldn't help but ask ourselves a few tough questions after that conversation with our friends. Some included:

-What if our baby doesn't get a visa? 

-What if we have only 31 days after s/he is born to leave the country and not come back? 

-Would the way we've spent our time here be pleasing to Him? 

-Did we spend real, quiet time in His presence and prayer?

-Did we listen/ask for how He wanted us to use our time? 

-Did we obey the things His Spirit prompted us to do? 

-Was our focus on the things that were seen or unseen?

We know we will ALL one day give an account of EVERY aspect of our life (1 Corinthians 3:12-15), so we were really challenged and encouraged to make the MOST of every opportunity given, WHEREVER we are. We wanted to encourage you with the verses below and join us in asking Him to show us if we're making the most of ALL that we've been given (time, talents, treasures, influence, etc.) Our time on this earth is short. Seasons of our life are even shorter. Are we abiding in Him and doing our part to share His Kingdom? I pray we are! Each of us are in the places we are by His appointment (Acts 17:26). And who knows if we have been put in our place for SUCH A TIME AS THIS! 

"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, REDEEMING THE TIME, because the days are evil." 

-Ephesians 5:15 & 16

"Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. YET WHO KNOWS IF YOU HAVE COME TO THE KINGDOM FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS?" -Esther 4:13 & 14

"'In an acceptable time I have heard you and in the day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, NOW is the accepted time, TODAY is the day of salvation." -2 Corinthians 6:2

"PREACH THE WORD! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching." -2 Timothy 4:2

 

"For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the POWER OF GOD TO SALVATION for EVERYONE who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." -Romans 1:16

"Be kindly affectionate to one another; not lagging in diligence,FERVENT IN SPIRIT, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality" 

-Romans 12:11-13.

A God Who Acts for His People

A week or so ago, I (L) wasn't feeling good at all. My throat & head was hurting, I was really tired and I just needed to rest. I felt like Father was saying to take that day to just rest in Him; worship Him, pray, read and BE STILL before Him. However, there were a few ladies in our community that I had REALLY been wanting to meet with, but because of different events, this day happened to be my first real 'opportunity'. After battling back and forth in my mind, whether to actually rest or to go out and try to meet these ladies, I decided it'd be better for my health (and spirit!) to stay in for the day.

Z continued on with his regular schedule of language class in the afternoon, while I laid down in our bedroom, still not feeling good. I specifically prayed for each of the ladies that I had so badly wanted to meet (and was beating myself up a bit because I wasn't out there GOing to meet them). That lasted for about an hour or so, when a knock at our door interrupted Z's language practice. It was one of the ladies that I had been praying for and wanting to meet! She said she was visiting in our area and couldn't stay long (which is SUPER UNcommon for our people, who usually visit for hours!) She was literally in our house just long enough to say hello and exchange phone numbers so we could meet again. SUCH AN ANSWER TO PRAYER!!!!

After that, I was so excited and just rejoicing and thanking Father for His goodness to hear us when we called to Him and to answer in His time. I also prayed more fervently and expectantly for the other lady I'd been wanting to meet. As I did, I recalled many of His promises to us, some of which I've shared below for our encouragement.

Isaiah 64:4- "Since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides You, WHO ACTS ON BEHALF OF THE ONE WHO WAITS FOR HIM."

Psalm 62:1- "Truly my soul silently waits for God. FROM HIM COMES MY SALVATION... My soul WAIT SILENTLY FOR GOD ALONE, FOR MY EXPECTATION IS FROM HIM... Trust in Him at all times you people, pour out your heart before Him; GOD is a refuge for us. 

2 Chronicles 16:9- "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, TO SHOW HIMSELF STRONG on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him."

Proverbs 20:3- "It is honorable for a man (or woman) to STOP STRIVING.

Psalm 46:10- BE STILL and KNOW THAT I AM GOD. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. 

Psalm 37- "Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord and He  shall give you the desires of your heart... REST IN THE LORD AND WAIT PATIENTLY FOR HIM." 

After Z finished language class, I was feeling a little bit better and decided to go outside to get some fresh air. As soon as I did, a girl who lives on our street literally grabbed me by the hand and said "Come with me, I want you to meet this little boy's mom". The little boy's mom happened to be the second lady I had been praying for the opportunity to meet. HE IS SO FAITHFUL!!!! I was really reminded of how He can bless our simple obedience abundantly and can accomplish WAY MORE on our behalf than we could ever ask, think, imagine, or strive for, even as we simply "rest" in His presence. What an incredible, faithful God we serve!

Advent

Over the past couple of weeks I have been thinking a lot about Advent...
Here's a song we've really enjoyed listening to: "Celebrate The Day"

The meaning of the word Advent is "expectant waiting and preparation for something marvelous". So, during Advent season, we are celebrating and remembering the thousands of years that the world waited between the fall of Adam and the coming of Christ. As believers, we rejoice in the knowledge that the King has come to earth and given us the opportunity to live our lives with and for Him. What a glorious season this really is!

Since this will be our first time away from a country that celebrates Advent and Christmas as a major holiday, the meaning of this season and the meaning of Christmas has hit us in a new way.

During this time of year in our home country, the song "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" rings through the air. People are decorating, shopping, baking, giving out cards and going to Christmas parties every weekend. Churches and believers are celebrating and remembering the mercy of our Father by His provision of Christ. Children are thinking of toys, getting out of school, dressing up in plays and watching all the traditional and latest Christmas shows, stories and movies.

Yet in this country, most are amiss of the blessing that was received on that night so long ago. Most of the people here are just trying to survive the cold without power or house heaters. Christmas simply isn't a part of people's world here. Most have heard about Santa Claus, and may have watched some TV show about how a fictitious Santa makes it around the world to deliver presents. Most people here believe that Christmas is a worship festival of Santa Claus, very similar to many of their festivals.

So very few truly know the reason for the season. They haven't heard or don't understand that a loving God would fulfill many prophecies by sending His Son to earth to save us all from death and sin. They don't understand that we celebrate this season because God the Father sent Christ the Son to be born on earth so that He could die, be resurrected and give us the opportunity to pray for Him to save our lives! Oh what a glorious season and reason to celebrate!

Yet the people here are still waiting. They are waiting on a Savior. They are waiting on hope. They are waiting for true, real, peace. They are waiting on something, Someone who can save them from a ruthless dictator (satan, the king of this world) who has captured their minds and has many in this land enslaved. They are still in the Advent season, waiting for the King.

As you spend time this Advent and Christmas, I challenge you to pray for those who have yet to know or hear of our Lord and Savior. Think of all of those who are still in Advent, waiting for the Savior of the world, and ask our Father once again to make Himself known in the hearts of the people around the world. As we celebrate, lets pray that the "great tidings of great joy" will be true for all mankind.

Our First "HOME"

We're so happy to be able to share some pictures of our home here in our new city. It's the first time (after a YEAR of marriage!) that we aren't sharing living space with anyone else. We have to admit though, at first it was quite different (and really quiet), but now it's wonderful and we LOVE it!! Because we're only here temporarily, we only purchased the basic necessities. Once we reach our final city, we'll be even more excited to to settle in and build our home together. Thanks for following our journey each step of the way!! 

Our lovely kitchen: water filter (check!), gas stove (check!), microwave (check!), veggies (check!) We're in good shape!! 

Our FIRST fridge!!

Our neighbor who loves to just chill right outside of our front door, along with the herd of dogs that like to gather there, too! 

We put together 2 single weaved beds and put mattresses on top-- DEFINITELY looking forward to the time when we can get a real bed and sleep close again!!

Our bathroom, complete WITH an american toilet and sometimes hot water! ;)

Our living room and FIRST table & "almari" (shelf/stand).
We just LOVE our big windows man!!

OUR SAVING GRACE! Without this inverter, battery and stabilizer, we would have NO power for a majority of the day here! :) So glad to have these!