Mountains bow down and the seas will roar

So today was beautiful. Today meaning two Fridays ago. The Mejudhons picked me up in the morning and we headed out for a very long drive. We were going to a dam to see the beautiful green water and uniquely shaped mountains. Don't ask me to remember the name because I don't. Been too many places to remember! Anyway, it was close to a 4 or 5 hour drive away I think! The scenery along the way was beautiful! I even saw some working elephants on the side of the road. But none of that compared to the beauty of our destination. We went out in a long boat and got a close up view of all the mountains and the beautiful green water. It was a great treat to get to experience this! I don't even know that I have words to adequately describe it! It was an amazing and very relaxing boat ride. All in all, we were gone most of the day and arrived home late. You will have to check out the bazillion pictures I took to see for yourself. Even then it's still not the same.
Since we were out late Friday night, Saturday was a day of rest. I spent the day swimming, sitting by the pool, and going for a long walk. Ok, all of that took up my morning... After running so hard for the past three weeks, I had no idea what to do with myself! I was too far out of town to really go anywhere or do anything. I blogged a little, read a little, sat a little, ate a little, and sat a little more! Needless to say, I went to bed early since I had nothing else to do.
Sunday brought on a new experience. The Mejudhons brought me to a new church they were checking out. It was very upbeat and charismatic, but fun. Of course, I could not understand it. I just enjoyed the music. As a foreigner, they really enjoyed taking me around to meet everyone regardless of the language barrier for most. A couple of hours later, service ended and we headed out for lunch. Today was the day that I would fly out so we discussed my time there and the possibilities for a future in Ranong. It was a great discussion and I left there feeling happy. They took me back to get packed up for my flight and picked me up a few hours later to take me to the airport. I really enjoyed working with them and feel like I can learn so much from them! I caught my flight, landed in Bangkok, caught a taxi to my hotel, and waited for Heather and Truc Lint to arrive. Once they made it, we talked into the wee hours of the morning before crashing! Really that means only talking for about 2 and a half hours since they arrived about midnight.

So far behind!

I can't believe I will be starting my 27 hour trip homein less than 9 hours! I also cannot believe that here I am about to leave Thailand and I haven't even blogged about the last week and a half! I thought I had at least finished sharing about Ranong! Life has been very busy since leaving Ranong. So busy that I didn't even pack my tablet to take with me this last week!
Anyway, I better not get ahead of myself! Lets go back to Ranong. I believe I last shared about Wednesday. Thursday was the last day for helping in the classrooms. They currently only teach 3 days a week. They picked me up early for morning devotions and prayer time at Bald Mountain lookout and it was nice spending time in prayer with them. After this time, they took me back to my place until time for the first class that was at a school. They came back to pick me up for that class a few hours later. I had a LOT of fun splitting my time between the two classes they teach! Nantachai's classes are older students who are more calm and quiet, but they started to loosen up a bit before my time was up. We asked each other many questions. Ubolwan's classes tend to be younger and more energetic! I kind of just jump right into the fun as I walk through the door! The asked me questions they had practiced and I answered them. We worked on some words and then played games teaching them north, south, east, and west plus forward, backward, right, and left. We were having such a good time that when Nantachai came for us, we hadn't even realized time had run out! From there they returned me for another couple of hours before time for English lessons at their home. During these breaks I do a couple of different things. Sometimes I lay there and talk with God. Sometimes I spend time trying to process my feelings and experiences thus far. And sometimes I nap or blog!
******Side Note: As I sit here typing this blog here in Bangkok on the covered patio area of the church a nice rain has hit. It is very refreshing and I'm loving the fresh scent of it and its cooling affects!******
Evening came, as did my ride to evening English lessons at the Mejudhon home. The first group was the younger students. We worked on consonant clusters like 'bl' and 'cr'. They drew pictures and wrote the words, matched them, and practiced speed rounds of reading the clustered chant! Very fun! After this class was finished we ate dinner. Ubolwan cooked some yummy shrimp, potatoes, and vegetables! We finished dinner and cleanup and waited for the next group of older students to arrive. In that class we worked on reading very short stories. After my group finished reading the story and I worked on pronouncing word endings with them, they began asking me questions, with Nantachai's help. All in all, my experience in helping in various classes in Ranong was very fun and I ended up feeling a sense of peace and comfort working with all of the different students there and found myself wanting to work with them more. And that closes out Thursday and my experiences in classroom teaching/helping.
After my lunch run comes some of the most beautiful nature scenes I've had the privilege to experience! Talk about how great our God is!

Hot Springs

Today's class was later so the Mejudhons picked me up early to go to the hot springs! Had to go early before the water gets too dirty apparently. It was beautiful there. It felt wonderful soaking in one of the hot springs. Then the cool down in the cold spring was great too! I took a walk and enjoyed the beauty of the flowing stream through the mountain side. Couldn't have asked for a better start to my day! After that I was taken home to clean up and rest before evening class. Nantachai picked me up to have dinner with him before class. Only one class of high school students that evening at the Mejudhon house. Nantachai and I worked together to teach them and  expose them to an American speaking the English they are learning. It was a fun class and I sort of began to feel a bit more comfortable in front and helping to teach. So far, teaching at the Mejudhon home is the only time it seems to stop raining for the longest period! Yes, this is the third day in Ranong and yes, it has rained every day so far!