27 and counting!!!!

Laura and I have just finished a few days stay in Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand. We stayed with a lovely couple from CFC in Belfast called Andrew and Lesley Dornan and their two kids Matty and Josh who now live out here and are working on a fulltime basis. We had been looking forward to meeting them so much and to see all the work that they are involved with and also just to spend some time chatting with them and offloading all out thoughts to seek some wisdom and advice. They didn't dissapoint! When we arrived Laura was still continuing to feel unwell and the stomach pains and general feeling of being sick had worsened. Thankfully Lesley is a nurse so she was able to get some proper medication for Laura and she is now feeling a lot better. (Apparently the antibiotics the pharmacist sold me in Pattaya was actually another version of immodium) We got to meet some missionaries out here that partner with them both and hear of lots of different opportunities and ways of getting involved in the future. To be honest though we are both confused about our future more than ever so prayer would be really appreciated. We have been blown away by God so much this trip and seen so many different projects and doors to possibly walk through but we just want to be able to come home and seek God together about our future and try to sense what he is saying and where is leading. Sometimes it's hard to distinguish between what are our thoughts and desires and what is God. One thing I have sensed him sying however is that we need to wait on him and his plans, to walk and journey with him into our future and not be running ahead to do our own thing.

Anyway, we got the chance to chill loads and spend time seeing Chiang Mai with Andrew and Lesley. Laura also had a chance for more retail therapy. On Saturday night we headed into one of the markets with some of our friends from Pattaya who had also journeyed up for a few days to Chiang Mai. We were all browsing the stalls together but somehow managed to lose Laura in the midst of the crowd. At that point all the stall keepers started quickly packing up their goods as they said they could "smell" rain coming....they were so right! we had such a downfall of rain and we all stood under the shop canopys for shelter....but Laura was still missing. When the rain eased off I began to walk down towards the end of the street to find Laura. I haven't laughed as hard in a long time, when I saw this small blond girl soaked through and looking miserable with all the rain.....but she had still managed to buy some items....that girl has a gift.

Yesterday though was a big day for me....I turned 27! We headed out for breakfast with the Dornans and later went for a meal before church in the evening. It was another normal day, but birthdays always seem to be a point for me when i do an awful lot of reflecting, so for a large part of the day I was quieter than usual. I'm thankful for all that God has brought me through to this point and excited about what lies ahead. In church that night our friends Justin and Alison presented me with a carrot cake to celebrate.....in such a short time they've got to know me so well. Becasue we had to go straight to the airport we ended up going to mcdonalds and ordering mcdonalds tea and coffee with the Dornans while we all tucked into the cake. Was immense and a nice end to the day.

We then flew back to Bangkok and spent the rest of the night awake while we waited to check into our flight to Koh Samui. We have juut arrived today and have a beautiful villa that overlooks the sea and coastline from our room(this a picture of part of the view) and we're looking forward to being able to switch off and relax for the next week before coming home. While the mission aspect of our trip has now come to and end, we still appreciate your prayers and support that God would continue to speak to us, and that even this week in a period of being still we would sense him and hear him speak to us and guide us. Also, its been raining for pretty much the last 3 weeks in thauiland so hoping for some sunshine and the chance to get out and chill. Will blog again before we leave for home.