2: 25 hours

25 hours from now we're going to be in a truck, headed to the airport, heading back to America. For those of you in the DC/Reagan area who would like to come to the airport for Steph and my arrival... here's our flight information:

That's 9:00pm EST on Saturday, December 14th. And! Since we'll be going through customs in LAX, we should be out of the gate fairly promptly.

< All are welcome to come! >

For those of you who can't make it to the airport, we'll both be at Spotswood on Sunday, December 15th. We'll be the ones bundled up looking very, very cold. I will be going to the 8:55am Service, 10:15 Encounter, and 11:30 YP. Steph will be going to 10:15 Encounter and 11:30 Service. Looking forward to seeing you all in just a few short days!

Also. Please pray for my packing. It's turned into quite a disaster, despite all my efforts to plan ahead and stay on top of it... Thanks! :)

the journey begins.

Assorted ramblings and thoughts from our trek to Thailand...

The Beginning

Monday afternoon (D-Day!) started off with Claire and I in a bit of a panic.

When I tried to check my bags with Virgin Atlantic, they informed me that the weight specs that I had packed according to were incorrect. This resulted in my dad and I re-packing all my bags… twice. We went back in line, only to be told that we were only allowed one checked bag. I explained that because we were going to Thailand from America were each allowed an extra checked bag. They asked to see our passports and then informed us we didn’t have a ticket! 

That’s exactly what you don’t want to hear 3 hours before your flight!

However, God was good- as always- and we were able to sort things out with the airline (we did have a ticket—it was just being elusive). At this point, we were not seated together, but at least we had seats!

Dulles to Heathrow (Virgin Atlantic)

After grabbing a bite to eat on our way to the gate (thanks Doug & Rebecca!) we found our gate, and were issued new boarding passes in adjoining seats. We boarded the plane and saw (to our excitement and surprise) that our new seats were in the exit row!! To non-fliers, this means that we got an additional 6+ inches of free legroom. Normally you have to pay extra for those premium spots, but we got them free! Yay God! The first leg of the flight was awesome. I could completely stretch my legs out and prop them up against the wall in front of us—and we had the aisle/middle seat, so it was easy to get in/out.  What a huge blessing! Virgin Atlantic was really great on the flight as well. We were served hot chocolate and had a “as real as can be expected” breakfast. We both were even able to squeeze a nap in. And, we both scored free sleeping masks, a pair of socks and travel toothpaste/brush! Love free gifts. Thanks, Virginia Atlantic.

Heathrow

Claire is having a blast with all the English shops (shoppes?) and has been buying treats and postcards of the Queen. She perked up as soon as she saw the WHSmith, Pret a Mange and Boots. I don’t know what they are, but evidently they’re a big deal to the British. And Claire. I think she’s having flashbacks to when she studied abroad in Bath. But it is good because she’s wide awake right now… I’m counting on her to get us to the gate/plane. I think I might be in a walking coma by then...

Heathrow to Singapore (Singapore Air)

Warning. If flying on Singapore Air, you should know that the pump next to the restroom sink with colored liquid inside is not soap for handwashing. It’s mouthwash. My hands are so minty.Claire and I had an empty seat next to us on this leg. That is flying gold. Claire was able to stretch out in the aisle, and I was able to spread out in the empty seat. Both of us had successful napping endeavors—which was much needed.

Claire took good care of me on the plane ride. She woke me up for meal-time, which she renamed: “hamster feeding,” because it reminded her of when people open the cage for feeding time and dump food inside. Only we’re the rodents. But, it was surprisingly decent! I had “minced lamb shepherd’s pie” for lunch/dinner(?) and then an omelet for breakfast with “finger muffins”. Which, were muffins in the shape of… fingers. Yum. 

Singapore to Bangkok (Singapore Air)

Claire kept waking me up for more "hamster feedings". The flight was under 3 hours, so it went by quickly. We're both ready to get to our new homes and unpack and sleep (for real). 

Bangkok

We met up with John and Ruth Lapos at the airport (BKK), picked up our bags, got our money exchanged and then proceeded to drive back to the BSC. Claire and I dropped off our things, and John took our phones to the mall (MBK) to get new sim cards for them. Ruth took us grocery shopping. I picked up some Rambutan, water bottles, toilet paper and laundry soap. Ruth also showed us where the post office is and where the IMB office is where we will be going to pick up our mail. We stopped on the way out and got a meal-- 45 Baht ($1.50) for Basil Chicken & Rice. It was delicious. And I am exhausted. If I can stay awake until 7pm tonight I know that would help, but it's not looking too promising!

Thank you for all your prayers for our flight. It really was the best-possible scenario on every leg of the trip. We're both so happy to be here at last! Until later--


Liz

closure.

I love need closure. I know that life isn't always neat and tidy, and things don't get wrapped up with little bows... but for as much as they can be, I like them to be. There is something comforting in it. So, as things continue to wrap up for me state-side and I say my farewells (for now!), I wanted to post my last "until I'm out of the country" blog post and catch everyone up on where I am and what is coming in the next few days. 

On finances...

God has been so gracious to provide financially for Claire and I to be able to go to Thailand. He has used our places of work, our families, friends, and church to radically bless us and send us covered in prayer and financially. We estimated that we would need $500/mo to live on in Thailand-- and that goal has been met! Praise God!

The parents and staff at FCS surprised me on the last chapel by presenting me
with a check for Thailand and praying over me. I have absolutely loved getting
to spend the past two years serving alongside such an incredible staff,  and with
such awesome parents and children. 

On communication...

Some of the students in the K class at FCS made me laptops so that I could email them while I was in Thailand... (see the picture below) So adorable! However, to aid these paper laptops-- I was recently able to purchase a laptop for my journey.

Also, my co-workers at Catalyst all chipped in to buy me an iPhone to use internationally while I am overseas! Technology really makes 12 time zones seem a lot closer. 

On packing...
Anyone in a 10 foot radius of me this week has probably heard me talking about pitching and packing. Despite how the family-basement currently looks, this is progress:

I did not expect that sorting through every childhood treasure would take quite so long, but 24 years of stuff adds up. I'm paring it down to a spare closet in the basement and my bookshelves (which have been sorted!) I am going to miss all my books in Thailand...

But the good packing news is that Old Navy is currently selling appropriate "Thai teaching attire", and I was able to complete my wardrobe for my year there. I love one-stop shopping! I now have shoes (from a previous venture), clothes, and am ready to pack my bags. Once I uncover them from this mess I've made!

On leaving...
Claire and I will be departing Dulles at 6:40pm on Monday. June 11th. Tonight and tomorrow are "family days", Sunday is "church family day" and Monday is doubling as "AGHH. I Still Need ___ From Wal*Mart And Forgot To Get It Day" and "Departure-Day". We'll have a layover in Heathrow (London) and in Singapore. Depending on how internet works there, I will try to do a mini-post at the airport. Here is our route:

[click to enlarge]

I am so excited for the opportunity God has given me to take His Name to the nations. I am excited to see not just what He does in my life, but what He does in your life as a partner with me in this.

And as always, the comment box below is always open for your thoughts, <3, and requests!

June 11th

It's OFFICIAL!

Claire and I just bought our one-way tickets to Thailand! It's a little over 30 hours of travel time (including layovers in Heathrow, London and Changi, Singapore). We are leaving from Washington (IAD) at 6:40pm on Monday, June 11th-- and will be arriving at the BKK airport in Bangkok, Thailand at 11:05am on Wednesday, June 13th. What a flight!

We were only able to select seats for the last two legs of the trip, but here is my seat (1) for the London to Singapore leg (the longest of them all...) We're on the "top deck". Claire will be in 79D.

I am so excited (and nervous)! In less than 3 months, I will be sitting in that seat-- a third of the way on my way to Thailand... :)