Every year the Thai's celebrate the Buddhist holiday called Loy-grah-tone. One night there is a huge display of lanterns throughout the sky. Some are lit and sent with a prayer of for-giveness of sins. However, today this festival is not much more than Christmas is to some people in the states. So many people celebrate it with no religious connection. Nevertheless, it sure was something to see, when all the lanterns were sent up at the same time and just decorated the sky. Pictures can't give you the thousand words that is due really, it was kinda one of those bitter-sweet moments. So here's my attempt to do this night justice.

This was after the official launch.

But they continued to let them go all night...(haha, that sounded funny)

We chose to picnice under this tree nearby with tons of lit lanterns in it; and have homemade icecream. I caught this shot from under the tree.

Wednesday night of the celebration, loads of people come to the Ping river to shoot fireworks, firecrackers, sparklers and anything of the sort. If you're one for safety, then you wouldn’t like thisnight. There are no rules and regulations for shooting fireworks here in Thailand. Everything goes...

My students, Dye, Ying, and Fern. I absolutely love teaching these girls. I've taught them for a month so far and they plan to come back after the new year.

fire cracker box..

Buddhist ritual. They light these and send them down the river with a prayer and often-times money. One of my missionary friend's and I watched a man wade into the river checking all the bouquets for money. It was kinda funny to see.

All the little lights on the water are the bouquets boats

sparkler time :0)

It was a great night

Narrawat Brigde. Behind me is the church I attend.

Neat shot

Food in my Backyard

At the end of Oct. beginning of Nov. there was a huge food fair in my backyard. I could come out every night to eat Chiang Mai's best food :0) There are just rows and rows of stalls to buy food.

I couldn't get the greatest picture of all the bikes but imagine this picture X 500. There were bikes everywhere.

This is a picture of the food court. It was loud and crowded, but the best was yet to come ;0)

Don't worry, this was not it. Anybody hungry??? Not exactly grilled to perfection

Some Chicken and Thai dishes....of course like any fair the prices were a little off the wall.

Fried chicken leg, fried chicken breast, fried popcorn spicy chicken...fried chicken fat....oh yes, there is nothing wasted in Thailand...even the fat is a appreciated :0p Have I emphasized "fried" enough, becuase you really don't know Thailand until you know this word.

ahh, something familiar...well I think...

So it was quite dissapointing to find only one ride...but I can't complain...it is called a food fair. Every one only goes to a fair for the great food anyway right?? Besides, even this ride looked a little shady...

You should have seen this in person...they looked like cages. They reminded me of the really old horror flicks with abandoned fair grounds. As much as I love fairus wheels...I opted out on this one.

But they had great games. I have to be honest, I have never played a single game at a fair. I've always been too busy enjoying the rides and using the most of the fifteen dollor Bracelet Night. So this was my first fair I "'stepped' right up." The darts were my favorite :0)

Ok so before when I mentioned the bikes...well there are people riding those bikes, sometimes three at a time...in other words, there were a lot of people.

I swear the cans were weighted.

Well, after the upteenth try and too much baht(money) later I returned to the house, wagging my snake behind me. What can I say...beginners luck.

Nu's Baptism

Just this Sunday Nu was baptised. It was such a blessing to see the whole thing. She's know situated in a Thai church and learning about the Lord more and more. Two of her families were represented there that day. Her church family and the Centre family. It was such a blessing to know that the Lord used the Centre to play a role in this. Here are some great pics.

There were also 5 others baptised.