Josiah and his birthday cake...DELICIOUS BIRTHDAY CAKE!! Last year we bought him a cake at one of the shops here and had them decorate it with Spiderman...Josiah loved it...but it tasted like CARDBOARD!!! No Joke...well, it tasted like cardboard with butter on it. This year was different...we had this incredible (and unfortunatley and unavoidably expensive) ice cream cake! Yes that is a pineapple ontop of the cake...does anyone else besides me find that strange? HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY BABY BEAR!!!
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Josiah and Mommy and his new toy remote control car!
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Josiah opening up his presents...
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Josiah and Oskar enjoying their cake...
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Pii Saow's son and daughter helping with Josiah's new floaties...
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Me and my boys...:) Can ya tell I was hot!!! My face almost matches my shirt! hahaha...
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Jude enjoying the party...and really enjoying the balloon!!!
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Pii Saow and her daughter Nawng Jen...
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Cutie pie Asia...
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Asia, Josiah and Nawng Bang having fun with the birthday masks that I lucked out finding at Carrefour.
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Batman made an appearance at Josiah's birthday party!!!! NO really...this is Scott...him and his wife, Beth, are interning here for 3 months.
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Phon and Ton :)
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Pii On, Pii Thak and Beth. Pii On is the one that you need to continue to pray for. Beth and her husband are visiting for 3 month here.
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This is Ton and Jude. Ton is now Phon's husband. They got married last month. Phon is our Thai teacher. They both adore Jude and visit him often. They are the ones that made him that cute hat...Ton sewed his name on it.
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Katherine enjoying our delicious Swenson's cake. I wanted to get a cheaper cake but they were all out so...we got a swenson's ice cream cake and it was DELICIOUS!!! It made me not so sad about spending the money on it...hehehee...
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Pii Thak, Josiah, Amber and Nawng Saow.
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Che An and his family. Che An came to know Jesus about 4 months ago and has thrown out his idols and has been serving Jesus ever since. His wife is Pii Mamm and his son is Oskar...Oskar's face doesn't normally look like that.
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Josiah's Birthday....Visiting Home...In Christ Alone

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
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What a morning!  I was visited this morning by a wonderful veteran on the field here in Thailand.  Her and her husband have been here for 31 years!!!!  They speak Thai fluently! They just moved into our old house a street away – so now we’re practically neighbors!  It’s wonderful that God has brought another missionary couple into Hat Yai – and it’s incredible that they are so experienced.  

So that was a neat start to the day and then I plopped down to check my e-mails and I had quite a few NON-JUNK e-mails (  You know I really didn’t even think about Josiah’s birthday being on Easter until the day before his birthday!  Wow!   This Sunday we visited a church called Hat Yai City Church because Clinton was going to be speaking at it.  It was really neat – that was the first church service in a year and (almost) a half that I had heard in English and understood everything that they said – unfortunately I understood because they had a translator.  

Many Thai people came forward to get things right with God.  Including a woman named Pii On.   We have been sharing with her for months now and she will just cry and cry but yet she has not given her life wholly to God yet.  She did throw out her idols though!!!  Which is a huge deal!  Anyway, Pii On went up to the front and I followed behind her.  Once we got to the front she was prayed for and I just continued to pray for her.  Pretty soon I was holding her like a baby.  She was weeping.  She has so much pain that she still holds onto.  Please be praying for Pii On.

After church and lunch I returned home to get ready for Josiah’s birthday party.  Katherine and I had gone to the store and bought some fun stuff for games at his party.  We wanted to try to make his birthday party fun for more than just the kids.  So we had 3 games.  Kinda like baby shower games.  One game was this: everyone received a clothes pin put on their clothes when they walked in the door…then I instructed everyone that they could not say the following words: 4 years old, cake, fun, present, balloon.  If someone heard you say them then they could take your clothes pin….and at the end of the night whoever has the most clothes pins wins a small prize (a bag of candy).

The second game was guessing how many m&m’s were in a jar that we had.  The prize was the jar of m&m’s of  course (because they are expensive here it’s a great prize) and then the last game was a question game.  I asked 10 questions about Josiah and whoever answered the most questions correctly won.  I decided I would post the questions for you family members out there…

1.  What color are Josiah’s eyes?  Blue
2.  What’s Josiah’s favorite song?  One Little Slip (from the movie Chicken Little).  Josiah saw this movie one time and for days afterward he was singing “Won Wittle Swip…Won Wittle Swip”  He just loves it.  Before that his favorite was “You are Holy” by Michael W. Smith.  
3.  What’s Josiah’s favorite color?  Blue
4.  What’s Josiah’s favorite food?  Spaghetti
5.  Who does Josiah like to pretend to be?  Sonic
6.  Who is Josiah’s favorite superhero?  Spiderman
7.  What song does Josiah sing before going to bed?  Goodnight Sweetheart (the Platters)
8.  When does Josiah get to go to Chuckie Cheese? (there is no chuckie cheese in Thailand by the way…What we call chuckie cheese is a playland we found here at the top of one of the big malls here.  It even has a mouse on the sign…although it does not compare to Chuckie Cheese)  When he fills up his tooth brushing chart
9.   How does Josiah say the following names: MaryBeth, Brian, Phon.  MawyBeff, Bwian and Phone
10.  I honestly can’t remember what the other question was!!!!!  I’ll throw in another one: What is Josiah’s current memory verse?  “I can do all things through Jesus who makes me strong”

It was a wonderful party and Josiah had a great time.  Now…a little bit about the HOT TOPIC of the month:

Visiting Home…

Here’s the deal…to clarify…We have been given $2,100 from Liberty Lighthouse Church.  That was enough 4 days ago to get us home BUT gas prices have apparently gone up so everywhere I check it now costs at least $774 dollars (taxes and all that stuff included) a ticket.  And get this!!!  We have to pay for JUDE!  I never though we would have to pay for Jude – he would be in my lap!!!  Anyway, each airline I talk to says that we have to pay $150 for him.  So the total now is $2,500 to get us home for a visit.

But here’s the other catch.   We have to make plans to be able to raise another $2,500 to be able to get back to Thailand!!!  On top of having to have the money to pay our bills here while we’re gone…and eat while we’re in the states.  Anyway, our God is capable of taking care of this.  Please keep us in your prayers about this.

Other than all the excitement about maybe getting to visit…everything is going as normal.  John is steadily going out to the villages everyday…they are heading farther and farther south which means more and more Muslim.  They attempted to go into a Mosque the other day but were quickly and brashly told to get out.  Soon they will begin showing the movie about the truth of Jesus again…the bulb in the projector went out and it cost $500 dollars to replace!!!!!  So needless to say the projector was out of commission for a little bit.  The bulb has been replaced now though!  Thank God!

Well, it’s time to make lunch, homeschool Josiah, and I’ve got to prepare for Chase’s computer lesson @ 4pm and study Thai for our Thai lesson with Phon @ 5pm.  Thanks for reading…I want to leave you with this song that has been blessing me so much.

In Christ Alone
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Brought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

Here is part of the crew before we went out for Songkran (3 small Thai girls went with us too but they aren't in the truck yet)...From left to right: John, Josiah, Chase, Beth, Katherine and Pii On, Scott, Colton and Micheal. We all met together at the Garsee's home...suited up for songkran and headed out in the Stubenrauch's truck....Don't know what Songkran is?...look through the pics below to find my most resent post about Songkran...Us visiting America and Josiah's 4th Birthday!
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Ok...so I know I look kinda evil in this picture...but I can't help it if that's the way I look when I tilt my head down right? John was like...that's kind of an evil look there Steph...I CAN'T HELP IT!! IT'S MY FACE!!! hehehe...anyway, here is me and my baby Jude safe and dry inside the truck...
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Josiah...checking out Asia's baby doll...while taking a break from the water and the sun...
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Daddy...teaching Josiah how to shoot properly...
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Baby Jude...enjoying the ride...
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This guy had been powdered up for sure! If you look in the background you can see the picture of the King...these things are all over Hat Yai - paying tribute to the King.
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Songkran...
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Songkran...
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This is my dear friend and new sister in Christ Pii Saow with her two children...out enjoying Songkran...we ran across them while downtown...
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That's 11 people...that I can see...oh wait...12 people...
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Isn't she cute!!!
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A group of teenagers on bikes stopped to check out the farangs in the truck...
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The other side of the looking glass...These girls were stuck in traffic next to the truck we were in, which has tinted windows, so she soon began to groom herself not knowing that I was on the other side of her mirror taking her picture....:)
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What's wrong with this picture...???? It's 90 degrees plus outside - the hottest season of the year...and this little girl is dressed like an eskimo...WHY? you ask? Because her dear old grandmother does not want her skin to be dark...yep...it's protection from the sun...
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People on bikes receive no mercy...
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Songkran...
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Songrkan...
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A group reloading their water guns...If you look at the faces of these Thai people you can see that they have Chinese in them also.
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Two trucks having it out...it's all in fun...I have never seen a Thai person get upset or irritated on Songkran...
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How many people can you fit into the bed of a truck? Well, the real question is how many THAI people can you fit into the bed of a truck...and the answer is..AS MANY AS YOU WANT...
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Songkran...
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Songkran...
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Songkran...- generally there are groups of people on the streets and someone will come out into the road and wave you over so that they can douse you with water...you don't have to open your doors if you don't want to...we pulled over to every group so that everyone in the back of the truck could get doused and douse back...(can I say that...douse back?) lol...
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Songkran...
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Songkran...A visit home...Josiah's 4th Birthday

It’s been a while since I’ve written – a lot has been going on.  One of the main things is that 2 days ago was Songkran Festival here in Thailand.  It is a festival when the whole nation of Thailand turns out to have a nation wide water fight.  NO JOKING!  Everyone from young to old is out in bright colors soaking each other.  

This year we piled into the Stubenrauchs truck and joined the water fight!  I stayed in the cab with Jude…safe and dry.  It was a blast!!  It is an awesome thing to see the faces of the Thai people when they get drenched by a truck full of farangs (westerners/white faces).  I really love Songkran…it is an INCREDIBLE opportunity to see the Thai for the fun loving people that they are.  

I am aware of the real reason for Songkran though and you should be too.  It’s not really all fun and games and the root of this festival is a vain attempt to earn good luck and prosperity.  And they believe that water is going to wash away their sins and make them clean…inside and out.  "Songkran" is a word from the Sanskrit language which means to "move into" and refers to the orbit of the sun moving into Aries. It marks the end of a 12-month cycle and the beginning of a new solar year. Songkran is therefore a New Year celebration.The Thai people believe that the underlying significance of Songkran is the process of cleansing and purification - the purging of all ills, misfortune and evil and starting the New Year afresh with all that is good and pure. To them the water is a symbol of the cleaning process and signifies purity.

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A little bit about Songkran:
On the first day, April 13th, various activities are undertaken to "send off" the outgoing year. In the morning, merit-making rituals are performed and offerings are made to the Buddhist monks. Spring-cleaning and personal cleansing are also part of this "renewal" process. Later in the day, Buddha images are bathed with lustral water in a gesture of respect. The religious ceremonies include a procession of Buddha images through the city streets offering an opportunity for residents of the community to take part in the bathing rites.

On April 14th, the day when the position of the sun is mid-way between Pisces and Aries, merit-making continues in the morning with offerings being made to Buddhist monks. The world-famous Songkran water-splashing festive fun takes place all day helping revelers to beat the summer heat. In the evening, sand is brought to the temples for the building of sand castles which are then decorated with colorful flags and flowers. The practice reflects an ancient belief that when an individual walks away from a temple, particles of sand from the temple grounds are inadvertently carried away on one's shoes or sandals. The building of sand castles for the temple is seen to be a practical way of replacing the sand lost and a merit-making act through which blessings are earned.

The Thai New Year falls on April 15th. Typical merit-making rites performed on this day include the presentation of food and other offerings to Buddhist monks at the temples; donations are made; fishes and birds are released; and a bathing ritual is observed whereby lustral water is poured over respected elders in a gesture of respect and reverence. The seeking of their blessing or forgiveness for past wrong-doing is also implied. Additionally it is believed that through these acts of merit-making, loved ones, long-departed are endowed with blessings and good fortune.The religious ceremonies and acts of worship associated with Songkran are principally performed to bring good luck and prosperity. The rituals are also acts of gratitude and indebtedness undertaken in the memory of their ancestors.
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We have been steadily busy although our schedule has not been normal.  OH OH!  I have some great news!!!  Liberty Lighthouse Church raised $2,100 dollars (which is no small feat for this small Sherman church) for us – we believe we are going to use it to come and visit!!!!!!!  The only reason I say we believe we’re going to use it for this is because $2,100 is only enough for our tickets to America….not back.  We need another $2,100 to get back!!!  So we are praying about this and going to see what we should do.  

We would be visiting for 3 months…so maybe John could get a job while we’re there to get enough money to come back but then that would heavily limit us in being able to visit people…which is one of the sole purposes for going.  I have family in Oklahoma that I have never met (on my dad’s side) and have been e-mailing with them and can no wait to meet them (HI BILL AND LORI)…I have a beautiful nephew Braden – whom I’ve never met.  An incredibly handsome nephew…Levi (John’s sisters son) with whom I have some major catching up to do.  2 of my close friends have had babies and I’ve also never met them (Alora and Caleb)…MY MOM!  Oh I can’t wait to hug my mom!  And my brother!!!  And…Becky…and the Pressley’s…the Clarks…the people of Liberty Lighthouse…there are just too many people to name…

Anyway, the other main purpose is to be able to share about what God is doing here and encourage the body of Christ and hopefully to visit some of the people who have been partnering with us!!  It will be incredible to meet the people who support us and what God is doing over here.  Just to be able to raise awareness about missions and support for missionaries would be awesome (definitely not necessarily us…just so that the body of Christ is supporting missionaries all over the world…wherever that maybe…Africa… Malaysia… Laos… China …Thailand…)  

Please keep us in your prayers about this decision.  Tomorrow is Josiah’s 4th Birthday!!!  I’m so excited – it’s like it’s my birthday!  I never imagined your child’s birthday could be this joy filled…I knew it would be fun but I think I’m looking forward to it more than he is…well, maybe not…he’s VERY excited!  We’re having a birthday party for him here at our house tomorrow.  This is Josiah’s second birthday in Thailand – Time has flown by.  

Well, I have to cut this short if I’m going to get all those Songkran pictures posted!!!  I will write again soon…Thank you for reading!!!  

Here we are...the Blakes in Thailand. All of these pictures were taken the day before yesterday. The whole team got together and we had a friend come and take pictures of us. Hope you enjoy!

I want to take this moment to plug a website called "Pulled From the Fire". You see that beautiful necklace I'm wearing (the picture does not do it justice) and the earings? Well, they were all handmade by Pii Thak. Amber let me borrow them for the picture. Pii Thak used to be a prostitute until God changed her life through Amber and this team about 3 years ago. Amber has started a jewelery business made to support the ministry going on here to the prostitutes. All of the jewelery that Pii Thak makes is good quality and beautiful...and best of all the money goes to help the ministry. There are many women throwing jewelery parties to get the word out about this jewelery and what the money goes to support. Please check out their website: www.pulledfromthefire.blogspot.com
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Here is our whole team. The Garsees are in black along with Pii Thak. Katherine is in green. We are in white. The Stubenrauchs are in yellow and the Pruetts are the ones on the far right. The Pruetts actually live and do their work in Baan Nam Khem which is about 8 hours away or so. Though they moved away we are still in constant communication about what's going on and backing each other up with prayer. They moved there about a year ago. This team is an incredible thing to be apart of and I'm amazed at how God is doing so much through this group of people.
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Another family Pic...
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Family Picture...
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Family Picture...
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Me and Jude Andrew...Isn't he an angel!!!
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Josiah cheesing for the camera...
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Me and the love of my life....check out that beard!!!!
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Our family and Pii Thak - she is such an incredible woman of God. God has completely changed her life and she is an asset to this team.
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