Remembering...

     I can’t believe it’s already been a year (and this is my first time to blog...this is Chris by the way)!  One year ago, on February 13^th, my family and I left Colorado Springs to head back to Cambodia.  I love to fly over Colorado because I get a chance to spot mountains that I have climbed or mountains that I want to climb in the future.  So it was no surprise that I was looking out the window as soon as we left the ground

     About ten minutes into our flight I knew exactly where we

 were…over the Sangre De Cristo Mountains (the Blood of Christ)…I could see the sand

 dunes where the Great Sand

 Dunes National Park 

is located and I knew then that if I just glanced up a bit I would see Her…and Ohh did see Her!  She was covered in snow but that didn’t hide the massive rocks that connect the Crestone Mountains together.  The Crestone Needle was on the right and the Crestone Peak was on the left…and I was setting at about 20,000ft. (and climbing) in awe of the sight.  Then I began to remember…

I have so many great memories in the Sangre’s…but I have one story in particular that I would like to share with you now.  In October of ’96 (or ’97) I went on a climbing trip with some friends and family (my Dad went with us on this trip) to climb the Crestone Needle.  Our goal was to climb the Ellingwood Arete…but what we got surprised us all.

I will not embellish the story here but if you want all the details (from my point-of-view) ask me to tell the story in full sometime.

A good friend of mine, Kin White, and I started out to climb the Crestone Needle while our friends started off for another climb in the next valley (f.y.i. – Kit Carson, The Prow), and my Dad was watching us climb from camp with binoculars.  We had a slow start and continued at a fairly slow pace throughout the day.  When we reached the two hardest sections of the route we had already lost a lot of daylight…we realized this and were doing our best to pick up the pace.  However, on one of the difficult sections Kin took a lead fall and twisted his ankle in the fall.  We were faced with a decision: keep going up (we were not too far from the top), or start going down (and hopefully getting down before dark).  After much discussion we started back down the mountain. 

This proved quite difficult in that most of the sections we were repelling down did not have adequate ledges for re-setting a double-rope repel.  Nevertheless, we managed to loose quite a bit of altitude before nightfall, and found a good ledge to sleep on…so we cuddled up for the night.  Unfortunately, we had failed to bring adequate gear and clothing for a night on a cold mountain (in fact we only had one emergency rain poncho and a snickers bar…and our climbing gear…what was I thinking!).  We anchored ourselves to the Crestone Needle and tied our knots in a way that we would not easily undo them in the event that one of us lost our mind during the night (Hypothermia has many symptoms…loosing your ability to reason is one of them).  It was a long, cold night!

At one point during the night I clearly remember looking at the beautiful stars and talking with Jesus (I did a lot of that that night).  I said something that most of us have said at some point in our lives…I said, “Jesus I’m helpless here, and I’m freezing…I need you!  If you will just get me through this night…I’m yours…and I’m not just messin’ around…I’m serious.”  I would like to think of this more as a commitment to Jesus and not an ultimatum (sometimes I wonder about my view of God from that mountain top).  Regardless, I was helpless and in desperate need, and sometimes that’s how we have to feel before we look for help. 

Kin and I woke up the next morning (if we really ever slept) and started down that mountain with nothing more than sore muscles from shivering all night (Kin had a pretty sore ankle too).  I give full credit to God for protecting us from the cold and keeping us alive.  Getting stranded at 13,000 feet on the north face of a mountain in mid October with snow already on the ground, and no real protection for a cold night is not the best way to find Jesus, nor to make a dangling commitment to him…but it sure got my attention…and continues to get my attention.

I remembered all of this…as I was flying over that same mountain one year ago…I remembered just as I am remembering today.  And now, one year later I’m renewing that commitment.  I am just as helpless as ever and in need of mercy, wisdom, direction, peace, and a love that knows no limits.

So here it goes.

“I still need you Jesus…after all these years.  I’m so cold; I’m so far away; I’m so desperately in need of you.  I’m yours…and I’m not just messin’ around…I’m serious.  How can I be a dad without you?  How can I be a husband without you?  How can I help the poor and hurting without you?  How can I be merciful without you?  How can I see injustice all around me and continue to stand firm without you?  How can I love all of these people in my life without you?  No ultimatums this time, just one statement that I make to you in front of all the people that may read this:  Jesus…I’m Yours!”  

Vacation Time

We just got back from a 5 day vacation to Bangkok.  Really, the primary reason for going was to get all set up at the hospital we plan to have baby #2 at, and have an ultrasound done to make sure everything is going well with baby.  We are happy to say that everything looks good, and the baby... A BOY... is moving constantly and growing just fine.

We've already done many of the tourist things in Bangkok already (our first visit to this city was in 2000), and so now when we go we don't feel the pressure to run around like crazy seeing the sights.  Instead we've found a few places that we just enjoy going to - where we can relax and let go of the stresses of Cambodia for awhile.

Now with Aiden in our lives vacationing has taken on a different look.  We plan things that he will enjoy...we plan around naps and plan for food that he can eat as well (maybe he'll like spicy Thai food when he's older).  

One thing we realized this trip is how much we miss being outdoors.  Here in Cambodia...especially in Phnom Penh there just aren't many places where you can go outside to relax and get some fresh air.  The 'parks' here are not really what Chris and I consider relaxing...

Thankfully Bangkok is FULL of beautiful, huge parks where you can sit in the GRASS and relax, go for a paddle boat ride, rent a bike and ride around for the afternoon and just simply enjoy God's creation (even though you are still in the middle of a HUGE city).

Needless to say except for the day we were at the hospital, we spent every morning of this vacation at a different park.  One morning at the zoo...which is really like a nice big park with animals on the side, one morning at the Queen's park where we rented bikes and went to the butterfly atrium (Aiden really likes butterflies), and another morning at a park where we fed the birds and just let Aiden explore what its like to walk in the grass.

We also enjoy going to the malls....more for the aircon and the food that's available, but this time we stopped by the aquarium that's located in one of the newer malls to see how much it would cost us to get in.  It was a bit too pricey for us, but we happened to time it perfect so that we caught a little dance show with these huge characters (a shark, mermaids, stingray, sea otters...) and Aiden thought that was the BEST thing ever (and we didn't have to pay a dime!).

It was a blessing to get out of Cambodia for a bit....here are a couple of the pics we took along the way.

practicing his Thai???

I'm pretty impressed with myself on this shot!  I was riding my bike in front of them and stuck the camera behind my back to get the shot...its crooked, but at least I got them in the picture!! ;o)

Aiden wasn't too sure about this large animal behind us...he didn't want to take his eyes off of it...lest it come and lick us!

one of the sea otters at the aquarium

Happy New Year.....again!

YES....I did say Happy New Year!!

Here in Cambodia we celebrate the new year, three times!  

There is International New Year.  People celebrate...kind-of, but honestly it just doesn't seem to be that big of a deal.

Then comes Chinese New Year (or the Lunar New Year).  This is the one we are celebrating right now!  There are quite of few Chinese Khmer here so you actually notice more of the festivities for this one.  Many people purchase kumquat trees or other small trees for their homes and I think traditionally you are supposed to hand out little red envelopes with money in them...though I don't really understand this part! ;o)  The malls are decorated with traditional chinese lanterns, posters and many of the shops are giving out chinese candies.  If you are of Chinese decent you should return home to your family for the festivities, which I think are technically supposed to last for 15 days.

Finally, in April will come Khmer New Year.  This is the biggest one of all.  Shops will close down and Phnom Penh and other cities will be emptied as everyone travels back to their family's provincial home.  People like to throw water on one another and here in Phnom Penh  if you are in the "right" place a the right time you face will be smeared with powder.  It gets a little messy!!

So...that is what's going on here....

and again I say 

May you be happy and blessed in the NEW YEAR!

CHILLIN' in Cambodia

So, I really can't believe I'm getting ready to type this....but today it was actually a tidbit cold here in Phnom Penh.  

Ok, well, cold might be an extreme word to use, but the past few nights have gotten fairly chilly (Chris has actually put a blanket on at night the last two nights!!!)  It was something like 68 degrees here in Phnom Penh late this morning and we were told that in Battambang it got down to 55 overnight!!  

I know this sounds like nothing for all of you back there in the states who are buried in snow....but for us here...that's gettin' downright chilly! ;o)  And for sure for the Khmer it is COLD!! 

When we got to church this morning (in our pants and short sleeved shirts, mind you) all of our friends were bundled up in multiple layers of clothes, some with coats on and they were all muttering about how terribly cold it was.  And for sure for people who have always lived in a country that rarely sees the temperature drop in the mid-50's and mid-60's it IS, indeed, cold!

As for us...we're gonna enjoy it as long as it lasts.  And I'm personally hoping it lasts a few more WEEKS!  

I haven't given up yet....

and I hope you haven't either!!!  

     I think every time I write on this blog I tell myself that I will make it a weekly habit...and it just never seems to happen!

     We have been busy, yes, but what's been keeping me away from blogging mostly has been this pregnancy.  Sitting in front of the computer for long bits of time is not something I enjoy doing while pregnant.  It tends to give me terribly unlovely headaches, and lately I can't seem to conjure up the ability to focus long enough to write an understandable blog.

     BUT...I am getting better and hopefully I will follow through and start blogging on a more regular basis.  So don't give up on me yet!

    OH...and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  I'm a bit late on saying that to you all....but truly here in Cambodia, International New Year isn't that big of a deal.  At the end of this month will be Chinese New Year, which will be more noticeably celebrated, and then the truly BIG event will come in April, with Khmer New Year.  Khmer New Year is probably the biggest, most celebrated holiday in this country.  SO, when that comes around we'll wish you Happy New Year once again!

     As for updates....

     As for what's going on at the Thai/Cambodia border... there hasn't been much in the news lately and though things seem relatively quiet, though still tense we just got word from a neighbor (who is a reporter for a local TV station) that Thailand is beefing up their military presence in Preah Vihear (the disputed area)!  We had heard rumors that the new Prime Minister of Thailand was getting alot of pressure to do something to win the dispute over the disputed land...so we'll see what's to come!

      I think that's about it....until next time

another link...

Here's another link to the latest news about the Thai/Cambodia conflict, actually covered by CNN International 

http://edition.com.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/10/16/thailand.cambodia.fighting.ap/index.html

Thailand vs. Cambodia

I am sure that most of you have not  heard that there is fighting going on between Thailand and Cambodia at the moment!  CNN news hasn't covered the story yet, and I doubt they will until things get really really serious.

BUT, if you're interested, here's the story....

Preah Vihear Province is to the north and borders Thailand.  There is a Hindu temple/sanctuary atop a hill very close to the border.  Years ago Cambodia was awarded the temple as part of the country, but there are several hectares of land surrounding the area that continue to be in dispute.  Thailand claims the land is theirs and so does Cambodia.  Several months ago the argument over this land and even the temple was renewed causing both sides to place military personnel and equipment along the border.  There hasn't been any real fighting...until yesterday.  Here's a link to a news story you can read to fill you in on more of the situation.

http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE49E3U720081015

Because we are so far from the border and Preah Vihear we don't feel any threat of this skirmish, but if things escalate any further we'll keep you posted on our situation.  CAMA does have one couple in the border town of Poipet who are feeling the tensions and have plans in place if they feel the need to leave the city.  Pray for them, their wisdom in how to handle the situation and for their safety.  They have told us that the past two days have been extremely tense in Poipet and the border crossing is officially closed.

Most of us are hoping that the situation will be resolved quickly and without further fighting and loss of life (2 Cambodians have died already).  Pray for the Prime Ministers on each side to have 'cool heads' and to make wise decisions.  Pray especially for Thailand whose government is in upheaval as it is already!

We'll keep you posted if anything else big happens.