Christmas in Thailand. I never in my wildest dreams ever thought I would be saying Merry Christmas from Thailand. This is the first time in my life I have not been home for Christmas. My house was not decorated, I didn't put up a tree. I didn't make the cookies and candy I don't need and end up eating because I don't want to see it go to waste. But you know what? Joseph and his family have brought many of our family's traditions 1/2 way around the world to Thailand and we celebrated here. We put up a tree, Sai made cakes, the kids and I baked and decorated cookies and made sausage balls. The kids opened one gift on Christmas Eve and we read "The Night Before Christmas." Makaila wrote a note for Santa, Joshua insisted we needed eight carrots because there are eight reindeer, So Sai cut one carrot in eight pieces. Smart mama! They decided there needed to be four cookies because Santa had three elves for helpers, but for some reason, only one glass of milk. Joshua "wrote" a note and insisted on taping it on the front door so Santa wouldn't miss them and would know where to find them. Joseph showed them that Santa was in Australia on his way to Thailand and scooted them off to bed.
Christmas morning was chaotic, just like it should be. We had two iPads going connecting to family in America so they could share our Christmas morning with us. Lunch included grilled steak (Australian beef) and pork chops. Joseph did the grilling and Sai fixed the sides. Joseph invited friends from Thailand, Texas, Nevada and Pakistan for lunch. It was truly an international lunch. After lunch, we took the kids to the pool (yes, swimming on Christmas day is totally not normal) so they could try out their mermaid tail and shark fin. Joshua was swimming around like a little shark and Makaila had little girls at the pool actually walk up to her and stare in amazement at her mermaid tail. It didn't take long for her to get the hang of it and she became quite good at maneuvering through the water.
Then it was time for the Christmas night service at Pattaya International Church and potluck dinner. We sang a few carols, the kids sang "Away in a Manger" followed by a brief Christmas sermon. As I pondered my day, I realized that all of the tradition and expectations I have set in my mind does not make Christmas. Most of the children here attended school, it is not a holiday, and the parents had to work. Yet, we all came together tonight to worship and praise God for sending his Son. I dare say most of these families did not have a tree, bake cookies or even have presents to open. It really made me realize how much we Americans have commercialized and strayed from the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas is still Christmas even without all the trappings we have placed on it. And after we ate, I sat at the table and listened as Joseph and Sai shared their testimony with a young lady from England. She is not a believer, but sought out this small church and has been a handful of times. She is teaching at one of the government schools here and has a class of 60 (sixty) kids 10-18 years old. She is single and has many questions. Sai invited her to come by the Lighthouse and ask questions whenever she wants. Please pray for Jess as she seeks answers. And we know the answer is Jesus who was born the Son of God. This is a day to celebrate and worship God for His gift to us.
I think my view of Christmas will be forever changed, and this is a good thing. Tomorrow morning, I am going to visit and take food and gifts to one of the slums. I only think I have seen poverty. These people have nothing. So we are going to spread a little bit of God's love to these people and let His light shine through us. This is what Christmas should be about. We all say Jesus is the reason for the season, but do we really mean it? I can't wait to see how God is going to bless and use these tokens of love to further His kingdom.
Merry Christmas!
In His Love, Pam.
p.s. I finally got a chance to post some pictures at www.playbyplayphotography.zenfolio.com. If you get a chance, go check them out. I will try to post Christmas pics and an update from last week soon.
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