A Little Moment

New house!! :)

2011-07-23T22:18:00.000+07:00

Dear friends
I just want to let you know that I have moved to a new house a while ago and you can follow me here http://pookiestimes.blogspot.com

**and sorry I won't be updating on here anymore!!

Thank you!!

Mulan - My lovely puppy :)

2011-05-02T12:28:00.000+07:00

2010-11-29T00:58:00.000+07:00

Friday evening...

New Seat Belt law

2010-11-26T22:49:00.001+07:00

This becomes effective Sep 1, 2010 in ALL Countries.

The International & National Highway Safety Council has done extensive testing on a newly designed seat belt.

Results show that accidents can be reduced by as much as 95% when the belt is properly installed.

Correct Installation is illustrated below.......

Please pass on to family and friends.
THIS MAY HELP SAVE A LIFE!

This can really save lives and lower blood pressure by 40%

I KNOW....YOU SMILED.

YEAH, YOU SMILED AGAIN! :D

Loy Krathong in Chiang Mai 2010

2010-11-23T13:33:00.000+07:00

Another evening...

2010-11-18T18:31:00.003+07:00

Yesterday evening, we (Carolyn, Mrs. Krinny, April and I) went into town just for fun and to relax after work. We went to get McDonald's set to go and sat beside the moat and enjoyed all the beautiful lamps and lights that they decorated for Loy Krathong Festival. This is just one part of many many places in Chiang Mai city, and everywhere has a different style. The Actual date for this festival is 21 of this month (everywhere in Thailand, but here they take 3 days and it's not all day long thing...just at night only), so that means fire works will be all over the place...some people already started to play since last month. How do we know?? Because we hear them EVERY SINGLE NIGHT :O We have all kinds of fireworks here...some are quiet, some are loud and some are VERY LOUD...lol!! But anyway, I love fireworks =)

I shall post more pictures later...

Monkeys

2010-11-15T18:53:00.001+07:00

Last week, we took a very quick trip to Mae Sai, Chiang Rai.

And on the way back we got to stop at the monkey's place, and here they are...

Have a nice day, everyone :D

Coffee break :D

2010-11-14T00:51:00.003+07:00

Sometimes it's nice to...just sit and talk and laugh...
...with a cup (or two :P) of coffee in our hands =)

They were clouds in our coffee. :D

What a nice weather!

2010-11-08T23:02:00.000+07:00

I love the fresh breeze. It has been cooler and windy for two or three days already here in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Yesterday, I was driving to church in the evening with the windows down, it was enjoyable. I just hope it stays for a long time. :) You know, a winter like this it brings back a lot of good memories, everytime I think about it... and automatically smile. :D

Anger Management

2010-05-18T16:39:00.000+07:00

(^_^)

Welcome to Chiang Mai ya'll =)

2010-05-10T22:49:00.005+07:00

Hello everyone, we (we in this place mean the Gaudets, Noah, Carolyn and I) are here in Chiang Mai!!! Yaay!!! (I think ya'll know this already :D) I don't know why it has taken me forever to write about this, but anyway...We moved here about a month and three weeks ago. Thank the Lord for everything; without Him nothing was done. =) It has been so good so far. There are so many things to tell, I really don't know where to start...I didn't realize that I had not updated my blog for so long - 2 months....arhhhh!! :O

When we got here, it was about summer time and it is SO HOT (that happens everywhere in Thailand, lol) and dry. I think it is drier here than in Bangkok. Anyway, you know I am getting more tanned. Americans here keep telling me that tan is beautiful; I agree with that, too, but not on me, please :). Before we moved to Chiang Mai, I was thinking about getting a puppy, but I don't think we want that anymore. Two dogs come to visit us all the time, almost everyday, and there are cats all around. Sometimes when I went into the kitchen, a cat or two would just sit at the window and watch. A lot of times when Carolyn and I are in the living room at night, the cats just walk back and forth like little guards. ^_^

We got three houses, one for the Gaudets, the girls' house, and the boys' dorm plus storage. The Gaudet's and girls' house is caddy-corner on the back side. The boy's dorm is about 1 km from us. The houses here are biger than our old houses in Bangkok. The office is in the Gaudet's house, because the house is kind of big. So they totally separate their own living space and the office space. In the girl's house are only Carolyn and I. We have three bedrooms, so that means an extra bedroom is available for any girl who wants to come later or NOW. =) We have a little garden also. I do like it a lot. Every morning when I wake up, I like to open the curtain to look at the garden. I know it is not that pretty yet, but oh well, sooner or later! :D

For the office, we have 2 new workers (Klo and Ahroi). Both of them are girls from Burma; one of them is Karen and another one is Kachin. Now I really know how Bro. Tom and all my American friends feel with all these languages. Almost every day at lunchtime, they speak Burmese to each other. I do not understand a word they say but I'm learning. At least for now I know how to say "Hello," "Thank you" and "God bless you." I have a funny story to tell you. Last week, Ahroi taught me how to say "Thank you, dear!" in Burmese. So, I try to remember it and use it with them. After lunch that day Noah was helping me with my laptop, then I tried to say what Ahroi taught me. When I said it and Noah asked me if I knew what that meant, I said, "Yes, I know." After work, he asked me again did I know what that meant, and I told him, "Yes, it means 'Thank you, dear!'" And then he said, "That's almost right. Actually, it means 'Thank you, honey' and you only say that to your husband or your special one!!" I was laughing so hard. No wonder Noah was so quiet the whole evening. :D I told him later that I was sorry because I did not know. Another lady that I got to know when I moved here is Pawn. She is a house cleaner and she is so sweet. I like her so much. :) She comes to clean the office and the Gaudet's house on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. She is also Karen but she can speak Thai very well.

To be continued...

God makes no mistakes

2010-02-11T06:22:00.000+07:00

My life I give to you oh Lord use me I pray

May I glorify Your precious name in all I do and say

Let me trust You in the valley dark as well as in the light

Knowing You will always lead me

Your will is always right

I know God makes no mistakes

He leads in every path I take

Along the way that’s leading me to home

Though at times my heart would break

There’s a purpose in every change He makes

So that others would see my life and know

That God makes no mistakes

And when some day in heav’n above I see His dear face

May I then be counted faithful as a runner in this race

But now I’m trusting in the Savior to show me the way

In His righteousness He guides me as I seek to please Him day by day

I know God makes no mistakes

He leads in every path I take

Along the way that’s leading me to home

Though at times my heart would break

There’s a purpose in every change He makes

So that others would see my life and know

That God makes no mistakes

God makes no mistakes

-------------------

For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD. ~ Psalm 117:2

Let me tell you

2010-02-09T01:57:00.004+07:00

The other day, I went to Future park (really big mall) with Nakorn and Noah, I went to Zeer (IT mall) with Nakorn and Noah, I went to the cute market with Nakorn and Noah, and I work with Nakorn and Noah!! Enough with Nakorn and Noah?? :) Can you tell something was different?? :) You know normally here we used to have many girls around but since Bunga finished with her work here and she left, now I am the only girl at the office and I know life still go on. *sigh* I am not used to sticking around with men all the time but you know this is so great. I'm so thankful for them that they are here with me, it is better than Pookie is all alone at the office, right? They are sweet brothers and good helpers and I do enjoy them alot (don't think the other way around...hehe!!). I hope that I'm not annoying them too much...haha I hope!! Because I know sometimes I keep talking, asking questions, teasing and playing with them. =D But right now what I really miss is a girl or girls, waking up in the morning and speaking english right away, keeping friend awake at night just because I want to talk (poor friend :D), pillow fight or ball attack, and etc. Where are you girls?? =) Oh...well, but don't worry that I will forget English and American culture because I go over to the Langes often, they are such a sweet family, we exchange and talk about all the things all the time, it is so much fun. I love love love to learn about culture. =)

I would like to tell you the good news.... the Gaudets and Carolyn are coming back on Feb 28th!! YAAY!! I miss them so much and I am so happy even though is almost three weeks from now. I can't wait to move to Chiang Mai but... I just want to skip the good-bye part, I'm not good at that. You know before I used to think I can't wait for my turn to say good-bye to my friends because most of my friends left and said good-bye to me. But now I changed my mind, when it comes to real I realize that is the hardest thing ever. What has been an encouragement me all the time when I think about moving is all the missionaries that I have known, all my friends, it doesn't matter how long 1 month, 3 month, a year or more. They have to be apart from their lovely family, their home far far away or their loved ones. I think they are great examples!! I have been learning that also. Since I am working with a missionary, I enjoy it a lot and thankful to God that give me this opportunity, this will be a good practice :D. Another good news that I want to tell you is one of my friends (Pao) is getting married this month on Valentine's day, what a lovely day that they chose. She is getting married to a white guy from Czech republic. We are really glad for them. For this wedding I asked to be entertainer, sing and MC but this time for MC will be in English version :O. I am so excited and glad to do it. This year at my church has many weddings, what a blessing to see brothers and sisters in christ trust in the Lord and serving Him together. We will have another wedding next month also and it will be Berm & Orn...Woo-hooo =), I know they are very happy about that.

(Pao & Jiri)

(Nakorn & Orn)

I give thanks to God that everything that happened in my life, it doesn't matter I do or don't like it but He is in control and He is with me. Every morning when I wake up I look at the big mirror that I have in my room not just because I look at myself (please believe me, lol!!) but I have a few notes on there to remind me everyday about what I need to do in the day or everyday. I change these notes once a week or twice a week, for this week I have only 6 notes and I think I should share with you here...1) Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts - Psalm139:23 2) You will never without friend if you know GOD. 3) Make someone laugh. 4) I have alot of work to do and that need to done with the best I can. 5) Follow God's way is not easy but is the best way. and 6) Speak English as much as I can. The last one I thought it quite funny, I always forgot that Noah is Burmese (because he looks like so Thai) and he doesn't understand Thai. I need to make it fair for him, I can't remember how many times I speak Thai with him...LOL!! And this got me in trouble before, sometime Bro. Tom want me to tell eveyone in the office about something like...we are going out for dinner this evening. I thought I did a great job telling everyone but it ends up with that evening that Thais are ready to go, but Americans and a Burmese didn't know anything about it (how great!!), now I wonder what language did I speak =D. Anyway, I try to remember it and do it in each day, even though I need to fix a little bit about my forgetfulness. :)

My friend's wedding - Om & Dao

2010-01-27T21:22:00.002+07:00

On Friday and Saturday my friends and I went to church to help prepare for the wedding. How fun!! It was so nice to see many people come and work together...painting, set up the place, flowers and etc. But most of the time I was practicing for MC with another man (Billy, Pastor's son), both of us were very nervous, but it was alot of fun. You know what's really funny... Billy and I like to laugh a lot (especially ME!!), we giggle easily; many people were wondering if we would make it through...LOL!! At the same time I was trying to speak Thai - Northern Dialect, just wanted to say hello to the bride's family and relatives but it turned out so funny. I never made it the right tone, but in another way I felt happy that I could make people laugh all afternoon. =D

So this is the day, the wedding was on Sunday. The bride (Dao) looks wonderful and the groom (Om) is so handsome. :) We all were so happy for them and to see this young couple serving the Lord together. There were many people at the wedding ceremony (10 am), the room was full even some were upstairs. After the wedding ceremony was done we cleaned up the church, took a rest and got ready to go to the reception part at the beautiful hotel.

The bride and the groom still looked wonderful. And I was shocked when I saw the people at the reception, it was a lot more than this morning (300 - 400 people) :O Billy and I got to talk to Om and Dao on the platform, asking questions. I love when they answered our questions, I could feel the love. One thing that surprised every one was the groom sang for the bride and that was wonderful, he did a great job even without any instrument. The whole room was silent, tear drops with impressive from the bride and I was sniff sniff quietly behind the mic (I know I'm not even the bride, anyway...oh well) ...LOL!! =) Thanks God that everything went well. We want to do everything to praise His name. God is our Lord and He is our God. There is only one God. We must know and worship Him. We must serve Him. We must be certain that all we do is for His honor and glory. We can have no other God and no other purpose. :)

I have a prayer requests for you. During the wedding reception I got to take care of one of the groom’s friends, actually she is an English teacher (the groom’s english teacher) and she’s from England. :) We had a good talk but she is buddist and I had a hard time understanding her accent :O. What she shared with me was...She lives in Thailand about 20 years now. She use to have business in Hongkong but during that time she took a trip to Thailand and met a Thai guy and she thought that it was true love. Then they got married, she sold everything in Hongkong and move to Thailand, but then she found out later that what that guy was interested in wasn't her but her money!! Bless her heart!! She told me that was a big mistake she made in her life, it was a bad and painful ordeal, but she got over it now. While we were talking she stopped and asked me if I am Amerasian?? I was huh? why? Then she told me that I don't look like real Thai. (You know, this is the funniest thing, even a lot of my friends that I have known for a long time still ask me these questions until today like...Are you sure you are a real Thai?? or You must be half of something...tell me what is it?? I can't remember how many times I told them Yes!! I am half of mom and dad, and both of them are Thai...Duh?!? ^_^) and she catch my American accent even my english was broken...haha!! My answer to her is No, I'm not Amerasian, and the next question came straight to me...So, how long have you been in America?? and the answer is none. But then later I told her that I am working with an American missionary, I think that’s how my accent came anyway. I got to share my testimony with her only a little bit, because I needed to walk up and down to the platform, hope she understood what I was trying to tell her. And another prayer request is if you could pray for the bride and the groom, because they are the only Christians in their family, please pray that their family will see God's love through them and God will change their family’s heart and thought. God who knows the thoughts and intents of man's heart, and has the answer waiting for us in His Scriptures. Praise God for who He is, and what He has provided for us!

Thought of you!! :D

2010-01-14T01:46:00.000+07:00

SOMEONE sent this to me today and I thought it was very funny, even my friends at the office was laughing so hard...hehe!! :D

Have a nice day!!

On my mind - Waiting

2010-01-08T19:00:00.011+07:00

I remember waiting and wondering. It felt like there were some long nights of crying out to God, thinking my prayers were just hitting the ceiling and coming back down on me.

The Bible is full of verses on waiting. Here is one of my favorites.

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage,
and he shall strengthen thine heart:
wait, I say,on the LORD.
~Psalm 27:14~

God's timing is always perfect. God knows what works best for us. We're on His clock, He's not on ours. It may be hard to wait on His timing, but when you look back you'll see that it was truly the perfect time.

Khemjira

Happy New Year, Everyone!! :D

2010-01-07T09:46:00.001+07:00

I know I am a little bit late but...Happy New Year, Everyone!! :D I hope you all had a wonderful time with family & friends. As for me, I went to visit my parents. It took about two hours ride to get there, not too bad. I did have a great time with them and also my relatives. When I arrived at my parent's house there was a lot of people and I didn't know who I should say hello to first, lol...but finally what I did was start from my right to left and said “Sawaddee ka, Sawaddee ka,...........and Sawaddee ka!” :) (For the readers who do not know Thai, “Sawadde ka” means “Hello” in my language. :D) When I was there I went to visit my uncles and some of my parent's friends, it was very nice. I helped my mom take care of my grandpa and I thought that was interesting. I hardly had time alone with my family because when I woke up somebody else had already come to the house. While we were having lunch or dinner people always came, but over all it was great. I didn't mind that at all. I kind of understand that it was New Year's time and that it is a good time for visiting and greeting others.

For 2010!! I can tell that God has already given me a good start, plus with some plans for this year, I believe He does that for all of us. One of my friends called me on New Years day and asked me if I would be the master of ceremonies with one of my pastor's sons for her wedding on Jan 24. I was SHOCKED and nervous but I did say YES!! :). I think this will be an exciting thing to do, and I will learn something from it. I can't imagine myself standing on the big platform and in front of two hundred people or more. I hope I won't be shaking too much, :O please pray for me. Then sometime in February I will move to Chiang Mai (way up North of Thailand) as soon as the Gaudets and Carolyn get back here. I'm so excited to see God's work in that area and a lot of things like new friends, church, Northern language, cityscape, new house, etc. Actually, I have a lot more to talk about moving but I better talk about it later :). And the last thing I will say on this post is... I might go to USA this summer if the Lord is willing. Please, pray that everything will work out ok. Thanks for the Gaudets and Carolyn that they are trying and working so hard about my visa. It is quite hard for a single young Thai girl to go there.

Oh, one more thing...from my last two posts I got a great response, a bunch of e-mail, Facebook and phone calls. Thank you so much for the encouragement and following my blog. :)

I think I better stop writing for now, I think I talked too much. :D

-- For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. ~Psalm 100:5~

Hope everyone has a good day and take good care!!
Khemjira

Who am I?? (conclusion)

2009-12-29T20:56:00.003+07:00

About two weeks later, after I got saved, I was cleaning the house for my mom (my mom was not there). As I was sweeping the floor, the broom pushed over the spirit house. I was terrified, “Oh no, what should I do?” Everything fell over; the spirit house with the offerings of food and drink were all over the floor. Normally, if this happens a Thai Buddhist would think something bad will happen to them, so they will quickly bow down and pray to the spirit to say that they are sorry. Instead of doing that, I ran to the bathroom and cried, because I did not know what to do. I knew that it would be wrong for me, now a Christian to bow down and pray to the idol. So after I was in the bathroom 10 minutes, I thought I will pray to God for wisdom. The answer from Him just came into my mind, “don’t worry, just pick up the stuff and put it back.” I still think of this to this day that God answered my prayer that day.

(What made me think that I should change from Buddhist to become a Christian? I was questioning what does Buddhism do for me? I never understood when the monk would pray or sing. Wow! When I was at the temple I never understood why I should bow to an idol that was made by a human. At times, I have even seen the people that are making a big idol step on it while making it. I never had peace in my heart. I was always looking for something else to fill my emptiness. And I never understood why we would go to the temple to give food and gifts to the monk, in hopes that they could take away our sin. Many monks still smoke and many cause trouble in the world. How could they take away my sin? When I contemplated it, I realized that they are just human, just like me. And they have no special power to take away sin, because they still sin. I know some monks are good people, but still they are human just like us. Do you think that they can really help us to go to heaven and have eternal life? )

When I was about 18 years old, I was studying humanities with a major in English at Bangkok University. The university was so big and I had so many friends, but I still did not feel happy with it. I was bored :O. I did not find going to school to be as exciting as I thought it would be. After my first year of school, I felt like I wanted to do something different, so I prayed to God to ask Him what he thought I should do. After I prayed, I was sitting in front of my house and Bro. Tom (Missionary from USA, want to know more about him go to : The Gaudet Family) came by and said, “If you have time, please talk to Miss Krinny (his wife).” “Okay, I will go now!” I responded. When I talked with her, she said they needed me to help with Thai Christian literature projects. This was perfect, because I had studied computers in high school in grades 10th – 12th. At first, I started working part-time. Later, I began to work full-time. Bro. Tom used a program that I had never used before, but he taught me how to use it. I kind of forget what I learn :D, but if I use it every day I can remember it and learn more and more. That was so much fun working with him. One more very big thing that I have learned is about culture. Dealing with the personalities of each person that I worked with was an adjustment for me. I was not used to living with other people besides my family. It was a very big move to move from my Thai family to live with foreigners, and I was the only Thai girl. At first, it was quite hard for me to be around them all the time. But, I thought this will be a good experience to learn how foreigners think and how to get along. When I look back, I think it is getting better and better each time there is a new person (new people always come and go). At first, I did not think I did a very good job adjusting, but overall it was a good learning period.

I am thankful to the Gaudets’ for taking care of me. They take care of my heart and soul, as well as me physically. They are like my American parents. I have Thai parents and now I have American parents :D. Sometimes, Bro. Tom handles some things for me that I do not want to deal with. I love working with them. When we go on trips (love love trips :D) to the refugee camps or to the border and hand out tracts, I get to see how the Lord is working in the lives of other people.

When I had worked with Bro. Tom for about a year (and now still), my parents moved to their home town (Lopburi) in order to take care of my grandpa, who is very sick right now. I can not tell you how much I miss them. They are sweet people. My dad calls me about three times a week to ask how I am doing or what I am eating...lol :D. They care about me very much. They did not worry about me living and working with the Gaudets, because they know the Gaudets and they know that the Gaudets will take good care of me.

When I was young, my dad was very protective of me. When I had a special class on Saturday, my dad would take me and he would wait for me. He would not let me take the bus (because I would always fall sleep on the bus and it would pass the school a long, long, long, ways :D). My friends would come on their own, but my dad always took me. When I was fifteen years old, boys started to call me. It did not matter if they were just asking about homework, my dad would try get to the phone first and ask them, “Who are you, why are you calling my daughter, where are your parents?” My mom and I thought that was very funny. He told me that if some guy wanted to marry me, that he would ask for a million baht bride price. I thought that I would never get married (but you know, if God wants me to remain single, I’m sure... I’m happy with that too :D…He will give me the best and He knows me better than anyone else!!), because no one could afford to pay such an expensive bride price. He did not like me to wear skirts, because he did not want guys to notice me. However, that changed. When I was seventeen years old, there was a young man interested in me. The young man talked to my dad about me. My dad said that he should talk to me, that I was old enough to make my own decisions. He said, “Whoever you love, I will love him, too.” I did not want to marry – I thought I was too young to get married at that time. I think my dad was happy with my decision. My dad also told to me that he will be there if I have questions and need help. He will give advice, if I ask him. Now he ‘gave’ his job of protection to Bro. Tom. Bro. Tom is now like my dad and protects me and I am glad about that.

...There are many stories about my life that I could tell. My life has had good and bad times in it, but there is not room for all and I do not wish to talk about the bad. So that is my life in a nut shell. (^_^)

Who am I??

2009-12-29T12:01:00.007+07:00

I think I will tell you a little bit about me, so that you can know me better. If you do not want to know me, you can skip to the end or go to the older posts. Hope you enjoy. If it is confusing in places, please feel free to ask me (email: khemjirapeekaew@gmail.com).
This is my story…

l
l
v

My name is Khemjira Peekaew. My nickname is Pookie. I am a forgiven child of God. I am Thai. I have lived in Thailand all my life. I was born on March 3, 1988 at 8:45pm (That is what they told me any ways – it was not like I can read the clock when I was first born :D). I am 21 years old and happy single girl. I have an older brother. His name is Tom. He is 25 years old. My dad (Anan) is 50 years old. My mom (Chompunute) is 52 years old.

When I was 2 years old, my mom and dad brought me to stay with my grandma (on my dad’s side). My grandma was very sweet. She loved to take care of me, because I was the only girl in the family. My grandma had 4 sons and she would have liked to have a girl, but she did not. So then, when I was born she really liked that.

When I turned 4 years old, my parents brought me to Pathumthani (a province north of Bangkok) to go to school. My grandma was sad when my dad wanted me back. She kept saying, “if Grandpa were still alive he would not allow your mom and dad to take you away,” because when he was yet alive, he really wanted to have a daughter, also. Later when I was 14 years old, I stayed with my grandma eight months to be with her, because she was living alone at that time and was lonesome for me.

On New Year’s and Songran (water festival), we always got together at my grandma’s place. She would cook for all of us. She would call the day before to ask what I would like to eat. The saddest thing is that she just passed away 5 months ago. This was very hard for my dad and for the whole family. We miss her very much. And we don’t know yet this year where we are going to go to celebrate the New Year’s Day.

I went to Thamasat public grade school. The same school as my brother went. The bus would come at 6:30 in the morning, so I had to get up at around 6. That was very early for me, even now. :O

When my brother and I were little, we always played together. We got along really well. But when we grew up, we went our different ways. We have different areas of interest. We have very different personalities. You see, my brother was good at sports. He loved to play sports. Every school would ask him to play sports for them. He was a very fast runner. When we would race, he would give me a big head-start, yet he would always win :D. He liked to play table tennis and soccer, too. I, on the other hand, I am not good at sports. When I was 6 years old (1st grade), I tried out for track and field at school. During the try-out, I ran about 10 steps before falling down...hehe!! I was hurt so badly, my elbows and knees were scraped. My dad said that it was not for me. Actually, I enjoy playing badminton, table tennis, a little bit of everything, even though I do not know the rules. I did not excel in athletics, but I was good at academics. During the end of the year exams, I always took first or second place in academics in the class, even though I was 25th place in the 1st grade. :D

At that time, Thamasat public school only went to grade 6. Since my brother and I had different interests, when I was in the Seventh Grade I did not follow him to the school he was at. I chose schools that were best for me to attend. I went a few years to Don Muang high school (close to the old airport) until 9th Grade.

At age 15, after the end of the 9th grade school year, I was at home helping my mom at her store. She has a restaurant and store in a store-front town-house. One day a large group of Americans came to purchase soda pop. I was very nervous, because there were so many foreigners (9-10 of them). I had only learned a little bit of English at school. I so nervous, that I could not say 13 baht properly, so I just put the number on the calculator and showed the foreigners the number. The foreigners lived near us for a whole year. Their ages ranged between 17 and 24 years old. They came to learn about culture and the mission field at the institute that opened up a few doors down from our place.

The whole time they lived near us, they came over for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even stayed sometimes until near midnight sitting around the table talking and playing games. My family really enjoyed it, because they were so much fun. We got to learn English from them as well. They were so close to us. Many times, when we would go out of town on a trip, they would come with us. We had a lot of fun, even though they were all boys. One thing they tried to talk to me about Jesus and about the Bible. I thought they were just crazy in their religion. I was Buddhist and I thought that every religion was good and every religion taught people to be good. I just ignored them at first when they talked about it. But they when they were so persistent, I began to question what kind of God do they have?

I began to have many questions and so I wanted to talk to one of the teachers and his wife, because she was from Laos and could speak Thai. I had a good conversation with them. I still remember the first question I had to ask them. “Who is Jesus?” After we talked about it, I asked if I could have a Thai Bible from them, because I wanted to learn more about it. Later I talked with the students and I tried to find out from them more answers to my questions, but I had a hard time understanding their English. I would carry my dictionary with me. I studied the Word of God for one year, and when I had a question I always asked them. They answered me with their English Bibles, so I had to carry my Thai Bible and look up the verses in it. Even though I read a Thai Bible, I didn’t understand much of it, because it uses a higher language. Also, I did not have any Thai Christian friends to help me, so this time was very difficult for me. (Later on, after I got saved I became a member of Ladprao Baptist Church where I have many good Christian friends.)

After studying the Bible for one year, then I wanted to get saved, because I didn’t want to go to hell. And there is only one way to escape from going to hell and that is to accept the Lord Jesus as Saviour. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6) At the same time I was worried about what my parents would think (because they are Buddhists and not Christians yet till now, please pray for them). So one night, before we went to bed I decided to ask my mom and my dad. “What do you think if I would want to become a Christian?” I asked in a very timid voice. My mom replied, “It’s up to you; if it is good then go ahead, do it.” On March 28th 2005, I prayed to the Lord to come in my heart and I asked him to forgive all my sins. I told Him how happy I am and other things, it would be too long if I typed it all out.

...To be continued... :)

God leads

2009-12-18T22:18:00.007+07:00

God leads His dear children along different pathways. But He asks the same brand of commitment of all them. Everyone who wants to follow Him has to:
- give up self,
- take up the cross,
- follow.
This mean trying everyday to do what He says to do and not to do what He says not to do.
There are things to be aimed at and things to be shunned. We may not like the "dos and don'ts," but they are in the Bible.

My Lord, I will tell You what I learned

2009-12-16T01:58:00.005+07:00

My Lord, I will tell You what I learned :
First, I learned that I must accept with joy all that You allowed to happen to me on the way and everything to which the path led me! That I was never to try to evade it but accept it but to accept it and lay down my own will on the altar.

Then I learned that I must bear all that others were allowed to do against me and to forgive with no trace of bitterness.

The third thing that I learned was that You, My Lord, never regarded me as I actually was, lame and weak and crooked and cowardly. You saw me as I would be when You had done what You promised and had brought me to the High Places, when it could be truly said, "There is none that walks with such a queenly ease, nor with such grace, as she." You always treated me with the same love and graciousness as though I were a queen already. :)

My Lord, I cannot tell You how greatly I want to regard others in the same way.

The fourth thing, was really the first I learned up here. Every circumstance in life, no matter how crooked and distorted and ugly it appears to be, if it is reacted to in love and forgiveness and obedience to your will can be transformed.

Therefore I begin to think, my Lord, You purposely allow us to be brought into contact with the bad and evil things that You want changed. Perhaps that is the very reason why we are here in this world, where sin and sorrow and suffering and evil abound, so that we may let You teach us so to react to them, that out of them we can create lovely qualities to live forever. That is the only really satisfactory way to dealing with evil, not simply binding it so that it cannot work harm, but whenever possible overcoming it with good.

--Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ~Romans 5:1-8~

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T19:47:00.000+07:00

Last night, we had a great time on Thanksgiving service and dinner together. It was only us...that means the Langes, Noah, Berm and me. :) We ate first, it was a lot of food and dessert, all looked good. While I was eating food, my mind was on dessert...Pumpkin pie/Apple pie/Pumpkin pie/Apple pie :D that's doesn't mean the food was not good, but those desserts I have wanted for so long. You know, the day before that Theresa and I made pumpkin pie and it was so hard for both of us, because after it was done baking we could smell it and it was in front of us, but we can't have any...hehe!! And while John was eating his food he kept asking his dad...”Dad, may I have some apple pie?? I want some apple pie.” :D Jon was sitting next to me, I wondered if he could hear what I was thinking, at the time about those pies. Maybe he was afraid that if I go to the dessert part first, it won't be any left for him :).

Afterward, we had Bible study. Each one of us got to share our testimony, blessing, or what do we thank God for. We got to know about the Thanksgiving history and Bro. Jeff was preaching on Luke 17:11-19. The ten lepers healed by Jesus but only one came back and gave Him thanks, and then Jesus was asking "Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger." what do you feel when you read that?? Do you think He was waiting and thinking that all of them will come back to give thanks?? Was he disappointed?? Did He feel sad? I really don't know what He was thinking, but when I read that it makes me think that are we the one or the nine of them?

Hope everyone is having a happy Thanksgiving and great time time with family :). For some reason when I woke up this morning I thought today is a day off :D maybe I should call Bro. Tom and ask...Can we skip Thursday and Friday?? LOL!!

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. ~I Thessalonians 5:18~

Such a follower

2009-11-17T21:23:00.000+07:00

I'm such a follower!!! :) My friend at the office is pregnant and she still has "morning sickness" but I think I should call that "all day sickness". She has been throwing-up all day and you know I haven’t handled that well since I was young. I can't see or hear when someone is throwing-up, I will follow them right away. And can you amagine that today, all day I was feeling like throwing-up every time when I heard her, some times I had to close my eyes and ears or walk away. The guys in the office just laugh at me (How nice of them!!) So that made another friend kid me, he said "Maybe we need to pray for you too...Are you pregnant like Mrs. Bunga??" I answered " duh!!! Can't you tell, I got the "all day sickness" too!! :D" But seriously, I don't like this feeling. I hope tomorrow I will handle it better.

Have a nice day everyone!!
Khemjira

Meat Contest!!

2009-11-16T22:55:00.000+07:00

Last Friday when I woke up, I found myself to be so talkative. I talked to some of my friends on the phone from TX, ND and OH :D, it was a busy morning of talking but I was really glad to hear how they are doing. After that I went to the office and worked like usual. When it is almost lunch time, I always make a phone call to order foods for everyone at the office. Normally, Berm and Noah will have lunch on their desk (I don't know why :)), Bunga and I have lunch in the back room in the office (In the back room is like a break room or kitchen, something like that). But I don't know what made Noah join us at lunch time on last Friday :O. I offer for him almost everyday that he can come and sit with us, he always refuses, but not this time. When we started eating Noah started telling and asking us all these...At first,he told me that his favorite meat is dog meat, but I thought I heard he say duck, therefore I asked him duck that has wings and friend of chicken?? He said no....DOG!! DOG 4 legs not 2!! understand, Pookie??(that happens all the time when a Thai and Burmese are talking in English :D) And I replied...Yes but huh?? :D Then a bunch of questions came... have you ever ate snake? deer?? frog? and etc. and I'm just like huh?? ...what? ...really? :D and Bunga on other side like...Yeah,Snake is so good. I tried dog a few times, but it's ok. I do like monkey meat also. Frog is great(:O).... And both of them just went on and on and on. I just kept silent, I saw this qoute somewhere "Never miss an opportunity to keep your mouth shut" and I don't think I miss anything...hehe!! It was funny sitting there listen to them :). I thought I was the weird one among my American friends, but not anymore.

Later at the end of the day I was thinking about this Meat Contest or what they were talking about again and I don't think they are weird, but I'm just not used to it. I used to not like cucumber pickle, but now I do, I try them every time I see them and it gets better each time. The reason I want to try them is because I was wondering why my friends like them so much. And now I am working on raw celery (because of Anne Hammond), when its cooked it's ok, but for some reason I can't handle eating it raw. But it tasted better with peanut butter and raisins...haha :)

Khemjira

God's Will Is Best!!

2009-11-12T21:47:00.002+07:00

Something came to mind as I read John 11. This is what I learned last Saturday evening at reading time and I read it again today. I think it is so good and I want to share it with y'all :)

If you have read about Lazarus being raised from the dead (John 11), you will see that God has His times and His purposes. The disciples couldn't understand why Jesus waited for two days, but Jesus explained, "Are there not twelve hours in the day?..." (v. 9). In other word, "I'm on a divine timeable and I have My schedule. Don't rush Me." :) God has His times, and His timeable is never wrong. His delays are not denials but doorways to greater blessing.

Sometimes it is hard in the flesh to believe God's promises, isn't it? God also has His purposes. One purpose God was accomplishing in the death of Lazarus was the strengthening of faith. Jesus said to His perplexed disciples, "And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe..." (v. 15). The faith of the disciples was increased because they shared this difficult experience with Mary and Martha. Little by little, the disciples were learning what Jesus could do in the difficult circumstances of life. When the situation seemed hopeless, they could trust Him.

The faith of Martha and Mary was also strengthened, as was the faith of their friends who came to mourn with them. In fact, we are told that many of these friends believed in the Lord Jesus because He raised Lazarus from the dead(v. 45). Because Lazarus became ill and died, the Lord was able to bring many people to Himself.

I don't know what perpose God is fulfilling in my suffering, sorrow, and loneliness, but He knows what He's doing, and that's all that matters. We all go through difficult experiences and wonder why they happen. Mary and Martha didn't know God's purpose, for they both said, "Lord, if thou hadst been here"(v.21, 32). Their friends echoed the sentiment(v.37). In times of bereavement, bury the alternatives. Forget about the ifs. Just keep in mind that God's will is best. He has His times, and He will work out His purposes.

--I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. ~Psalm 57:2~

May God bless you all...
Khemjira

The Camp October 21-24, 2009

2009-11-03T02:23:00.001+07:00

Sawaddee ka or Hello :D

It took 3-4 hours to drive to the camp in Srakaew province close to the Cambodian border. I went ahead before most of the people to the camp to help my pastor and the team prepare the place...cleaning, cooking, talking, playing and etc. :D It wasn't very hot there, although it got cold at night for some people. At the camp is not completely modern so we were using an electric generator to help us survive each day. When everyone used the electricity at the same time...oh my, it was funny watching my fan keeping going on and off or weak and hard blow, specially at night, I wished my fan was broken! It made my friend and I laugh one night because we both didn't know if we should keep the blanket or throw it away :D. The first day we tried to fishing but we did not get any. Pastor even walked down at night to see if we could get some. So, we tried it again in the next morning, you won't believe this...we got so many fishes, we had fishes every day...Thank God that he provided and it was reminded me of the Book of Matthew 14:15-21. Everyday I would hear different people say, "Pookie, horses!!" So...I grab my camera and ran after them every time they walk by. And that's very sweet of my friends because they know I love horses and those horses walk by every morning and evening. During camp we had Bible study twice per day, it was wonderful! I learned a lot from my pastor and from others, every one got to shared their testimony and blessings and I got to see the kids sing (they did a great job and they are so cute). The night before we left we had a special prayer time and I really love this time. We walk out to where we can see the sky and we gather in a circle. We turned off the electric generator, it was very dark and quiet (our camp is in the middle of nowhere, no house around at all). We sang and prayed for others, our needs and for those who couldn't come. At that time we get to see lightning beetles and a lot of stars (we usually do not see them in Bangkok), and guess what else I saw....a shooting star!! :) They all are so beautiful I hadn't seen them in a while and I gave thanks to The One Who created them. On the last day we are about ready to leave to go back to our church, everyone was in the cars and van. I was the last one to get in the van, looking out through the window and wishing the camp was longer...but wait a minute I saw a suitcase out there so I asked everybody in the van if that was their suitcase, and my friend that sat next to me nudged me and said...isn't that your suitcase?? I took a look again and YESSS... it was mine. So, I ran out and put it in the van. Hehe, and all my friends were saying, "Do you want to stay here longer by YOURSELF??" Uhmmm...NOPE!! :) Now the van was ready to leave for real this time :D.

After of all God is in control. One person got saved, he is the only one that went to camp without knowing Jesus Christ...Amen!! Thank God that he took care of us when we are on the road and from the first day to the last day at camp (and everyday in our lives).

Have a wonderful day!!

Khemjira

Another Friday

2009-10-16T20:43:00.001+07:00

Hello Everyone...

I'm back...:D, sorry about being so slow. When I looked at my last post..."good grief" it was more than three weeks ago, where was I??! I have been very busy or sometimes try to make myself busy :) with work at the office or at the house and other things. It has been raining almost every day here and it sometimes thunders (wakes me up a few times in the middle of the night :() but when it doesn't rain, it can get to be really hot. I hope winter or what we call here is "cold" season will come soon and for a long time :D. But I do enjoy it though, it isn't too bad for me. I can tell though how much I enjoy each day because I take pictures everyday walking on the way to the office or the office to the house. When I look at those pictures on the computer, they all look the same...haha!!

I think next week the office going to be very dead quiet because Bunga will be gone for a whole week. Nakorn will be going to meet his fiance’s parents in her hometown on Thursday night till Sunday with her in Chumpon province(South of Thailand) and I will be going to camp with my church...I will leave on Thursday night and will come back on Saturday. Hmmm,I don't know what Noah will do while we are gone, I think he will stay home and watch movie, that what he does all the time :). Today we are very silent here at the office, I think because is Friday and I think we all are ready for weekend(I know I am :D). Actually, many things happened in past few weeks and a lot of stories to tell ya about but I think I should go for now because I am looking out of the window right now and it is going to rain again :), I should find something fun to do.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you this...I bought a webcam and mic the other days!! You can tell that I really want to talk with you all so bad. LOL!! :D Feel free to chat, call or talk to me anytime. I have MSN, Google talk, skype, vonage phone, my cell phone...What's else?? :D I'm glad everytime when someone call, even though they call the wrong number...haha ^_^!

-- But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. ~Matthew 6:33-34~

Takecare... :)
Khemjira

GOD IS SO GOOD!! ^_^

2009-09-23T15:33:00.000+07:00

Monday night The Gaudets and Carolyn flew to USA . Bro. Jeff, Noah and I went to the airport to drop them off. On the way back before we got in the car, Noah asked me if I wanted to sit in front with the driver and I said no. I told him he can sit in front and do the job of keeping Bro. Jeff awake. So Noah sat in front and I sat in the back. On the way, I was talking to Bro.Jeff about his church, the Bible, Africa-Botswana, etc. I learned a lot from him. Then I realized that Noah was very quiet. When I called his name, “NOAH…NOAH!!” guess what, he didn’t answer, haha. So Bro. Jeff turned to me and said maybe I forgot to do my job to keep him awake, LOL!! :D Anyways, so now I’m here alone. Wait…wait a minute actually NOT alone... Nakon, Noah and Bunga are still here at the office. dah!! :) However, it was very weird today that Bro. Tom didn’t call me at all. :D After work yesterday, I went to Bunga’s house, we had a great time. We chatted and had dinner together. It started to get late, so I got ready to go home and Bunga’s daughter cried a little bit, because she wanted to come back home with me… she is So sweet!!:D When I got home I felt so different, the house was so quiet. :) I miss them already, I felt like they had left a long time ago. I turned on the computer and then I started to cry at the same time, because I was feeling a little bit lonely without them and I was thinking a lot all day about many things and I guess I was tired from the day. But while I was crying I heard the sound “cling” …I got a message from facebook :D one of my best friends sent it and this is what she said I will share some of it with ya’ll:

Dearest Khemjira,

Jesus said, 'I will never leave you, nor forsake you.' I hope you are not sad because the most important person is still with you - the Lord. I love you, Pookie and I am thinking and praying for you today. I miss you, Pook, and I miss your mom and I miss Thailand….

Love and hugs

Don’t you think that was God. He knew I needed that kind of message and encouragement at that moment. :) GOD IS SO GOOD!! He cares for me. And I know He cares for ya’ll too. :) So I just want to encourage all you dear friends to keep praying and stay close to the Lord, He will never leave His children. After I read that message from my friend, I stopped crying and I started to smile. ^_^

-- Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.~Philippians 4:9~

Have a nice day!!

Khemjira

A cup of life!

2009-09-19T15:40:00.004+07:00

The other day I was using the cup above. It says "A cup of life", as you see, and it reminded me about the song that I have heard and sang before. The song is called "Fill My Cup, Lord", and here are the lyrics:

Like the woman at the well I was seeking

For things that could not satisfy;

And then I heard my Savior speaking:

Draw from my well that never shall run dry.

Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord!

Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;

Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more--

Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!

There are millions in this world who are craving

The pleasures earthly things afford;

But none can match the wondrous treasure

That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord.

Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord!

Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;

Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more--

Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!

So, my children, if the things this world gave you

Leave hungers that won't pass away,

My blessed Lord will come and save you,

If you kneel to Him and humbly pray:

Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord!

Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;

Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more--

Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!

--------

--But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. ~John 4:14~

Have a wonderful day!! ^_^
Khemjira

New Experience!! :D

2009-09-14T18:18:00.019+07:00

Hello everyone. ^_^ Yesterday, it was Sunday here in Thailand, so we went to church. Normally, Bro. Tom will drive us there, but as you know, Bro. Tom was in an accident two weeks ago so he wasn’t be able to drive…Now I think ya’ll know what I am going to say next: OH YES!!! I drove the van to church yesterday and it was first time I have driven in Bangkok. :) Actually, at first, I drove to the weekend market to drop Noah off, because the sky train is there and he needed to go to another church. Then I drove to church, then from church to Foodland, then to Future Park to drop Bro. Tom off and then the last place was home. YAAY!!! We got home safe. Poor Americans stuck with Thai driver, LOL!! I was very nervous because as you know there is a lot of traffic in Bangkok, it was a long way to drive and we needed to go all over the place :D But I’m so happy that no one passed out or had a heart attack, haha :D I’m so glad that I got to do it. Thank God for giving me wisdom to drive and take everyone to church. :)

Anyway, a week from now, the Gaudets and Carolyn are going back to the States. They are trying to get everything ready; they need to pack and try not to forget important stuff that they need to take. I have to learn to take care a lot of new things, especially the office, and how to communicate right in English with the Gaudets, because it happens here all the time that WE or that can-be-mean American boss and Thai secretary misunderstood each other, hehe :D (I know sometimes it is not funny)

…here are some pictures below for all my dear friends to see. I hope ya’ll enjoy it!!

At the office (Carolyn, Thomas and Nakon)

Bunga and Noah

My desk!! j/k...hehe!! My desk is not that clean. :O This desk used to be Anne's desk, but she went back home almost two weeks ago, the desk look so empty. *sniff* :)

My file boxes. I will try my best to put everything in order. :D

This is my lunch, instant noodles. Sometimes we call them Ma-Ma noodles and that is the name of its brand also. It was so good.
LOVE IT!!

I was taking a break at the office but after the break was over I just knew that I'm so CREATIVE...LOL!!
(one for Bunga and the other for me)

The board in our house. Thanks Carolyn for this.
She is the one who put all the pictures up for me. :)

--And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. ~Ephesians 4:32~

Have a nice day!!
Khemjira

The Difference Prayer Makes

2009-09-08T17:09:00.004+07:00

I got up early one morning
And rushed right into the day;
I had so much to accomplish
That I didn't take time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me,
And heavier came each task;
"Why doesn't God help me?" I wondered.
He answered: "You didn't ask."

I want to see joy and beauty
But the day toiled on, gray and bleak;
I wondered why God didn't show me,
He said, "But you didn't seek."

I tried to come into God's presence,
I used all my keys at the lock;
God gently and lovingly chided:
"My child, you didn't knock."

I woke up early this morning
And paused before entering the day;
I had so much to accomplish
That I had to take time to pray.