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It has been another day of wonderful, here in Bangkok. Our morning started out early again (like I need to be writing that at this point) at about 5:45. We spent some time checking in with home, enjoyed another great breakfast at the hotel, and set out for yet another once in a lifetime opportunity… Chatuchak Market. It poured for about the first 20 minutes we were there, but from that point on, it was the most pleasant weather that we have had here yet. The “market” is 27 acres, contains over 6,000 stalls, and is the world’s largest weekend market. The whole time we were there, I kind of felt like we were on the Amazing Race and was looking out for route markers. Absolute insanity, this place. Everywhere you turn, all you can see, for as far as you can see, are these little stores selling everything from dried fish to incredible antiques (if only we could get them home). The market is only open to shoppers on weekends, and since this was the only weekend we were going to be in Bangkok, we wanted to take advantage of the time we had. We spent about 5 hours tracking down souvenirs and gifts for our son and our families. Everywhere we turned, we kept thinking about different people that we wished we could buy things for, but not knowing exactly how we would get all of the stuff plus a two year old home, we kept it to family. We were thinking of you all though! One of the funniest things we saw were the stalls for massage. It was chair after chair for shoppers to plop down in and take a break. Similar to what you would find at a mall, I guess, but still very very different.
Aaron actually really enjoyed himself, but I’m pretty sure it was because he found the one thing that he wanted to find in all of Bangkok… A Gareth Bale football jersey… and not just one for him, but a toddler size as well so that he and our son could enjoy watching Premier League together. I have to admit, it’s pretty cute.
Five hours of carrying our items and weaving in and out of other shoppers really weighed on us, so we decided to come back to the hotel and see if we could get a couple of massages scheduled. It is 300 baht (about $10) for an hour massage, so Aaron and I decided to split it. It was an interesting experience. You change into this thin “uniform” they give you and then have you lie face down on this slim mattress. The lady was dainty about everything, but throughout the massage, she crawled on me, stood on me, and somehow wrapped my feet around her thighs and massaged my shoulders at the same time.
Today is the last day before we meet our son. I can’t tell you what an amazing experience it has been to be able to enjoy this time with just Aaron and I. We have had some incredible adventures together, but more than that, I feel like we have been able to really learn about the place that he spent the first two years of his life. We have learned about the history of his birthplace. We have been able to observe the culture and are starting to feel comfortable following their cues. We have been able to watch these people that are his people and they are so very gentle, gracious, patient, and kind. I know it will never be the same as him growing up here, but I hope that we are able to give him a glimpse of this beautiful place that he came from.
Aaron is finishing up his message now and then we will head to dinner, most likely the Moon House again. Our evening will be spent putting the proper paperwork in order, making sure we have toys ready, and putting together the gifts to take to his foster family. The day has felt very normal and tomorrow feels like it will be the same, even though our lives will be forever changed because of what the day holds for us. Meeting our son tomorrow seems like the most natural, uneventful thing that could happen. I mean that in the very best possible way. I thought that I would be an absolute basketcase all day. I thought I would be emotional, and nervous, and not be able to eat. It feels right. Maybe that is because half the world seems to be praying for us. 🙂 Thank you all, for following along. We don’t feel alone as we are getting ready to walk into the biggest day of our lives. I just feel excited and hopeful. I know the coming weeks are going to be hard, and many people say you are just in survival mode, but after 2 1/2 years of watching God’s provision, waiting for his timing, learning to trust in him every step of the way, and then literally watching every day of specific requests from the prayer calendar answered, I am simply hopeful. If the creator of the universe can love us enough to send his son to die for us, he can certainly create a family out of the 3 of us. I know there is going to be pain, and fear, and a whole lot of grieving, but I am just trusting God for this one simple thing as well – that we would learn to be a family while we are here. I pray that our son lets us comfort him through his hard times, that Aaron and I remain unified as we learn to parent together, and that we would all just love each other madly. Please continue to pray for us tomorrow. Can’t wait to tell you how it goes! 🙂
One more sleep…
Oh… and one update! We are actually meeting the foster family tomorrow too, so it will be a really big day for us. Please pray for that time as well – that it would go smoothly, that we would get questions answered, and that we would be able to get lots of amazing photos for him. And really stupid prayer request, but just that all of our camera gear would be set up and working and that we would be able to document tomorrow’s moments well. K. Done for now.
