When we finally leave the states, one of the things I will miss the most is the Fall. So many wonderful things happen in the Fall; let’s review.

1. Clemson Football Season: Football Season in general. Football in Thailand is soccer and I guess I will just have to learn to love soccer or at least learn how the game is played.

2. Everything Pumpkin Flavored: DD Pumpkin Spice coffee is delish and the pumpkin cheesecake truffle at Godiva is amazing.

3. The changing colors of the leaves on the trees: The most beautiful drive when the leaves change is Highway 25 going up to the Asheville/Hendersonville area.

4. Halloween: There is no Halloween in Thailand or Halloween candy… LAME.

5. Sweaters and boots: There is no cool weather in Thailand. Here are the three options for weather in Thailand: “hot”, “this is what hell must feel like hot”, and then “hotter than hell”.

6. Thanksgiving: There were no Indians or pilgrims in Thailand (just kidding Professor Markie I know my history on that). No turkey or dressing! Shoot me now!

7. And so many more things I don’t even want to consider because it will just bum me out!

We have been told by cultural training to continue to celebrate our regular holidays to help ease the feeling of being homesick. Since my husband loves to decorate (have me decorate) for every holiday this will be no problem because we will be using our one valuable shipping crate to fill it full of the American holiday decorations, in addition to our holiday coffee mugs (yes we have those too)! I really believe the hardest time for me during our years abroad will be the Holiday Season and not being with our family or our friends for all of the holiday parties and events. I am grateful that we will be living in a 98% Buddhist country and we can safely celebrate Christmas in the Church, but it will be weird not seeing Christmas decorations and supplies on the shelves in October (Lowes you are the worst about this! Can’t Halloween get a little recognition before you start putting out the lights and tinsel?)

Update: We are in the thick of it now. I feel like I am 4 years old and someone has just thrown me into the deep end of the pool with only one of the two swimmies/floaties. We worked on our value inventory the other day, which was awful. The relocation company wants us to document everything in the house and then put a value to it. If it is going with us to Bangkok, we have to put a replacement value/guess of how much it would cost in Bangkok. Needless to say this process stressed me out. The entire house is itemized except for what is in the attic… this will be the worst part. I am trying desperately to stay positive during this process.

The visas for Thailand, India, and China are in the works. We just hope that all will be complete for our departure in January otherwise we will be delayed.

The house is still on the market, which is to be expected. We have had on average 2 showings a week since it was listed and we have had awesome feedback. We will be having an open house this coming weekend so maybe that will help the process move along. I would love to sell the house but at the same time, I don’t want to sell to soon because I would really like to stay here until the very last possible minute. We are still waiting on the relocation company to give us the go ahead on which contractors estimate/repair plan works with what they will approve in order for them to purchase our house if we can’t sell by the end of December.

My last day at work will be November 2^nd. I am sad to leave but so happy with the replacement that they have found. I know that he will be a great fit for the City. I know my time spent with the City will help me in my next adventure.

Thai class is going… I missed the entire week last week because Killian was sick and have class tonight at 6pm. I just hope I can remember what I learned a couple of weeks ago. My reading in Thai is at the level of a 2^nd grader, I am very proud of this since the entire language looks like a bunch of squiggles.

Some words of encouragement a friend posted on her Facebook the other day:

“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:7

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27

Until next time.