Monkey On My Back

Hey you two!  

You're by far the coolest eleven-year-olds I know!  Ive never been prouder of you than in the past 5 months.  It has been hard.  

Really hard!  

And to the best of your ability, you have trusted us.  And more importantly, trusted God!  

You've been stretched and asked to leave the security and relationships that are of uttermost importance in 4th grade.  You've left a house with abundant acreage and freedom to roam, and adapted to city living in the confines of an apartment.  You've said goodbye to grandparents and cousins that are your best friends.

There have been tears.  And heartache.  You have grieved.  

But you get up each morning and keep going and keep trying to embrace the new and foreign things in this place.

I know right now its fresh and still hard, but someday I hope you can look back with fondness at the unique opportunities that were yours.  How many 11 year olds have celebrated birthdays over the years with high tea in London..... piñatas with orphans in Kiev.... feeding monkeys on rugged beaches in Thailand...?

You continue to teach me so much as I have to learn to hold you with open hands and trust God to meet needs in your life that I know I cant "fix".   My prayer for you in these next months of continued transition is that you cling to Him when all else feels shaky and insecure.  I love seeing you grow in grace and understanding that His can meet those needs!  Hold fast!  Its going to be a bumpy ride, but full of adventure.  He's preparing you so uniquely to be the man and woman He has made you to be.  And the glimpses that I see are amazing!

I love seeing who you are becoming.

I love you!!

Coming up a little short on friends being somewhat new here, it didnt seem like the year for a big party.  A little get away seemed like a perfect alternative.  One of those times a traveling husband with accumulated points has its perks!!  We got a free weekend in a little fishing community along the beach about 3 hours from Bangkok. 

Fresh air and freedom were therapy for this boy.  Happy to be left alone with his rod and thoughts to watch the tide roll in at sunset.  

How I love this man-child!

Our little $15 excursion was the highlight of our weekend. 

Here's our fancy transportation to a deserted island inhabited by monkeys....

Complete with creepy dismembered voodoo dolls...

My main squeeze

Upon our approach to the island, monkeys began bounding down the rocky ledges and scampering across the beach to meet us.

So Lion-King-ish!

We were tossing bananas to the monkeys. 

And then....this happened....

The kids thought monkeys perched on their shoulders was the coolest thing ever!

Ok, Ill be honest.....I did too!!

Got to say....that has got to be one of the coolest things we've ever done as a family!