I can't believe how good the boys have gotten this summer. They swim like fish! Teague is diving, doing cannon balls and swimming in the deep end, and Levi can swim across the pool without ever moving his arms. He just coasts. We swim almost every day. Thank the Lord for our pool!

Our sweet friend, and homeschooling mom of 5, invited us over for her Butterfly adventure. She basically has her own butterfly center in her house. Complete with caterpillars of every kind, a butterfly tent outside, and butterflies all over the house. She had a craft table set up for the kids to make the life cycle of a butterfly, a butterfly hunt through the woods behind her house, a butterfly snack that the kids made then ate, and to finish it off, a story time where she told them about the butterflies. The best part was hearing all of the kids listen to her explain how God made the butterflies, how interesting and unique they were, but that God loved each of them and cared for them way more than butterflies. And of course, Teague loved catching them!

This is the bridge that we named Teague after. Not sure who this John Teague is but we loved the name as soon as we saw it. And that was over 12 years ago. JTH

Ryan and Courtney's wedding

This past weekend we drove to Birmingham for Courtney and Ryan's wedding. Courtney is John's cousin and Teague was the ringbearer in the wedding. This was his 4th wedding as ringbearer and he did a great job!

Thailand

I was unable to get pictures posted while I was in Thailand but we're finally home and I'm trying to get some more pictures posted and tell you a little more about what we did. I'm sure the pictures that are up so far tell a story of us vacationing along the river and leisurely rafting through the jungles of Chiang Mai. Which we did, but that was about 2 days of the 14 so I will try and create a better picture of our trip.

Once the AGM started, we were working with missionaries from the SouthAsia region. The whole family comes to this annual event so some of us were working with preschool, some with children, some with the youth, and some on the worship team. I was on the worship team and John was with the 6th and 7th graders all day so our days were very different. Don't worry though, we met up every night for Starbucks, our $3 massage, and a stroll through the night market.


The kids absolutely LOVED John (which is no surprise to those who know him well) and he adored them. I think we would have brought them all home with us if we could. We were able to get to know some of the parents and spend time with them and just soak up a little of their lives. It was incredible!


I spent my days with the worship team. We led the adult group (about 300 or so) each morning from about 8 to noon. It was the most amazing worship experience I have ever had. They were so hungry and ready to sing praises at the top of their lungs because they only get to do that once a year. Imaging going a whole year without the corporate worship that you have grown accustomed too. Then we were able to spend time with some of the couples and get to know them and their stories. I could not even begin to share their stories with you, there are too many and I would cry my eyes out.


Then I would go out to the youth camp in the afternoons or evenings with the band and we would sing for the kids. 8th - 12th grade. Talk about some great teenagers who were just as excited about singing and praising God as their parents.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Today we finally made it Chang Mai, Thailand. After 26 or so hours of flying and going through 11 time zones, we made it to our final destination. Today is also our 12th wedding anniversary. What a way to celebrate! Most of our day was spent in Bangkok. We went to a Jade Museum (aka. Jade store) where John bought me a Jade necklace for our anniversary. Then we spent several of the hottest hours of my life at the Palace. The pictures are amazing and hopefully I'll be able to get some up here soon. I really don't think I have ever been so hot in all of my life.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Half of our group is still not here so we have today to explore the city. Slept late, explored the city, shopped and had dinner. Some of our group rented scooters and took a ride up the mountain. They never made it because Amber wrecked her scooter and had to be taken to the emergency room where she had surgery for her broken wrist. That was our excitement for the day. The second half of our group arrived today.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Today was a whole team fun day. We spent the day at an Elephant Farm. It was incredible! If you have ever dreamed of riding an elephant through the jungle, then this is definitely the place you need to come. We got to sit on the elephants and take pictures. Then they did a show where the elephants did some tricks; played soccer, dunked basketballs, played harmonicas, (no joke) and the funniest was they painted. They put long paint brushes in the elephants mouth and, with a little guidance from their trainer, painted an elephant or a few painted flowers. Cole, one of our worship leaders, had an elephant paint a flower on his shirt while he was wearing it.

We then loaded up on the elephants, 45 in all, and headed out in a single file line through the jungle for an hour or so ride. It was so surreal that we were doing that. Then we took an oxe cart back to the main base camp. Almost forgot to mention that we took a bamboo raft down the river. Just 10 long pieces of bamboo tied together with rope. I was in the raft with John and 4 other guys so our raft was a little lower in the water than most.

Tuesday night we met together for dinner and David G., the head of this region, talked to us about the region and the missionaries serving in this area.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Today we started working with our groups and doing some preparation for the AGM. Set up the school for the children, set up one end of a hallway in the hotel for the preschool, started practicing. At night we are on our own for dinner so we head down to the night market for dinner, shopping, and massages. They cost about $3-$5. No kidding!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

John is on the children's team with the 7th grade boys, so they spent the entire day at a school. They just had a great day of getting to know the kids, playing with them, swimming and just being there for them. Their parents are all in meetings back at the hotel. John said his day was just awesome and emotionally draining to hear stories from these kids who are living on the mission field. I'll let him add some stories. I spent the day with the worship team practicing in the heat. (you have to pay extra to have the air turned on) The Tebow's were also here, Robbie, Peter, and Tim, visiting their sister, Christi. Tim spoke to the youth and were able to ask him questions.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Same schedule as yesterday, it just helps me to write it down so when I get home I can remember all that we did. These last few days have been considered Pre-conference. Tomorrow starts the AGM conference where we will be in high gear. So before our team is spread out over the city doing different jobs, we're having a worship service with just our team. It will be a week before we are all together again.