long day.

It was a long Monday, and I didn’t even realize it was Valentine’s Day until about 2:30p. We had our first staff meeting today, which went well, but we had quite the hassle getting there. We went to rent bicycles this morning for 40B each, only to find that they also require a 2000B deposit per bike. So after we went back to the guesthouse to get the money, found breakfast, stopped to go to the bathroom in between…finally made it to the Partners office just as the meeting was starting.

All in all, it’s been draining to be so unsettled. We’re in a guesthouse and living out of a bag still, having to eat meals out constantly, and find transportation everywhere you go. Since we left Oklahoma City, we had plenty of meals cooked for us (thank you, Gena & Cindy!), but we also ate out plenty of times, plus ten days of eating out in Chiang Mai, and now here in Mae Sot (…with fewer options).  We’re still in limbo, hoping to order our motorbike tomorrow and receive it as soon as possible, but likely at least two weeks. And looking for house, but still not sure when we’ll find a place to rent and how long it will take to actually move in, let alone find some basic furniture to sleep on and cook with.  Thus, there is this long process in front of us.

Meanwhile, we’ve waged a full war with the ants in our lovely little Green Guesthouse. We must have gotten the worst bathroom in the place, which we now spray daily with ant killer and come back to wash away the hundreds or thousands dead. Luckily, I’ve only killed three on the bed. And really, there’s no telling how many bugs we’ll end up eating in our sleep in this country. The number has to be higher than the average.

We had our first Karen lesson today, which was both exciting and overwhelming. It’s going to be a very, very busy month of studying. We have no idea what’s in store. If you think of it, pray especially for Stephen in this. Languages come harder for him than me, and it drains him quickly.

And please do pray for a home for us to open up quickly, as well as a motorbike to come fast. We’re ready to plant ourselves here for just a little while.

And as you read this, obviously pray for patience. It’s not exactly flowing freely.

After quite a long day of taking on lots of responsibility in our job and discovering the mountain in front of us with learning Karen, I had the joy of having a package arrive for me at the Partners office!  My parents sent a Valentine’s Day gift ahead for me, and arrived exactly on Valentines Day before we headed home.  It was a really lovely surprise.

Stephen and I also had a fun evening together, enjoying fresh pineapple & watermelon off the street, delicious Indian from a local vendor, and some ice cream from 7-11. And now we’re back at the guesthouse to study Karen for the next few hours! Oh my.

On another note: there are quite a few of you reading this blog, according to our stats, and I have to say–I feel a little popular. Also, it’s hard to go up and down Thai steps quickly. No more skipping steps; they’re much too steep.