We are back in Chiang Mai. It’s our first full day here. I went shopping for groceries. There was nothing in the house. But not before noon. This is about how long I slept.
The flight was okay. We flew from Zurich to Singapore. The first hours the entertainment system didn’t work on our side. We had three seats to the window and two in the middle. after a couple of hours the flight attendants were able to reset the system on our side. The system is great to kill long hours on a flight. We could choose from over 60 movies and TV shows. We also were able to play games. So I played a battleship multi player game against my wife. It is a real treat if you can choose what you want to watch. I decided that one day in my life I would like to fly first class. Josiah, my six year old said he would like to as well.
We had to wait eight hours in Singapore for the connecting flight to Chiang Mai. We were so tired and after a nice coffee went to a quite corner called "the oasis". There were nice seats and even electric massage chairs to use. Singapore has the costumer friendliest airport I know. If I ever would be trapped in an airport like Tom Hanks in "the terminal" I would choose Singapore.
All our luggage arrived in Chiang Mai and also Lillian’s guitar arrived well. We took it as hand luggage and checked it in at the cabin door. Just like we used to do with our buggies.
Now we are back. It is extremely humid and it rains every night. The ants our already crawling over my ibook, the Water pump didn’t work and all was moldy. It will take some time to unpack, clean, and get started with everyday life. I’m tired from the trip and the program we had in Switzerland, and I also miss Switzerland, our friends and families.
Month: August 2006
It rains here in Switzerland today. It’s cold and wet and my desire to go back to Chiang Mai is growing. Then on the other hand our area is flooding like last year and the sandbags are deployed along the river. Flood warnings are issued. There is rain in Chiang Mai every day and for Friday there is a storm prediction.
"Tropical storm "PRAPIROON" in the South China Sea. At 7.00 p.m. centered at latitude 17.5 degree north, longitude 116.7 degree east, maximum wind near center about 75 km/hr. It is moving northwest about 15 km/hr. It causes abundant rain and heavy to very heavy rain in some areas over the North, Northeast and East. People in risky and lowland areas should beware of flooding conditions."
Okay let’s stay some more. As I’m writing this post the rain has stopped and the sun is coming out over Berne. Nice.
Today I have to cook. Lillian went to visit a friend. Let me think…. Ah yes I will go down the road to the nice Chinese woman from Beijing and get some "sweet and sour".
I found this some time back….
There are many reasons why we may think that God shouldn’t have called us. But don’t worry. We’re in good company.
Moses stuttered.
David’s armor didn’t fit.
John Mark was rejected by Paul.
Timothy had ulcers.
Hosea’s wife was a prostitute.
Amos’ only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning.
Jacob was a liar.
David had an affair.
Solomon was too rich.
Abraham was too old.
David was too young.
Peter was afraid of death.
Lazarus was dead.
John was self-righteous.
Naomi was a widow.
Paul was a murderer.
So was Moses.
Jonah ran from God.
Miriam was a gossip.
Gideon and Thomas both doubted.
Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal.
Elijah was burned out.
John the Baptist was a loudmouth.
Martha was a worry-wart.
Mary was lazy.
Samson had long hair.
Noah got drunk.
Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse?
So did Peter, Paul, well lots of folks did.But God doesn’t require a job interview. He doesn’t hire and fire like most bosses, because He is more our Dad than our boss. He doesn’t look at financial gain or loss. He’s not prejudice or partial, not judging, grudging, sassy or brassy, not deaf to our cry, not
blind to our need. As much as we try, God’s gifts are still free. We could do wonderful things for wonderful people and still not be wonderful. Satan says, "You’re not worthy." Jesus says, "So what? I AM." Satan looks back and sees our mistakes. God looks back and sees the Cross. Sure, there are lots of reasons why God shouldn’t have called us. But if we are deeply in love with Him, if we hunger for Him more than our next breath, He’ll use us in spite of who we are, where we’ve been or what we look like. I pray that as believers we will step out of our limitations into the unlimited nature of Who God is. Then our passion for God and our passion to communicate with Him will be seen more than our limits, for it will be Him not us…and He is the One Who does the calling.
(Author unknown)
Today is the national day of Switzerland. This year we are here in the country. Enjoying barbeques and fire works. Fires will burn on the mountains like in "Lord of the rings" I guess many will wear their swiss t-shirts; alphorns and yodeling will sound through the country side. We remember the Grütli Pact of 1291. When our forefathers started the federation.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWITZERLAND!
May you not forget your roots and not forsake the God who blessed you in all those years. Don’t forget the foundation you were built on.