Friday, February 19th, we left Ban Lung and drove to the Cambodian/Thai boarder. We spent the night on the Cambodian side and the next morning we crossed into Thailand. Crossing the boarder was a bit complicated: Josh had to take our car to one place and do paperwork, and I had to take all the kids to another place and fill out our paperwork.

Thankfully, they allowed Josh to come back after doing to car and assist me (I was still filling out our departure cards and the kids were doing great at the moment, eating fruit snacks). There was a long line after that (some sort of holiday) and Anna would only let me hold her–and was crying. It was a blessing to have Josh with us. Thankfully while in the very long line a Thai official took pity on us, took us all out of the line, and ushered us up to a desk at the front where I could sit and they checked all our passports. Thanking God.

We arrived in Bangkok Saturday. We parked our car at the guesthouse and have been using taxis since then to get around. I was a little nervous about being in a big city…had to scrub the red dirt off my feet first and find some non-red-stained clothes to wear. Hi, we live in Ratanakiri, Cambodia…I’m sure you can tell by our feet and clothes. What?! You have 7/11’s here and Starbucks? Culture shock!

So far it’s been great. The guesthouse we’re at has a playground right outside our door that the kids just love. Anna loves the slide. It’s been neat to meet other missionary families passing through. Our apartment fits our needs. Becca and I have been on a few afternoon walking adventures. We discovered a great free Children’s Museum not far from where we are. The first time we went we enjoyed the water-play and playground and didn’t even make it inside, there was so much to do outside.

I had my initial doctor’s appointment our first Tuesday here. We were there a lot longer than expected–we had to do a maternity ward tour, and fill out all the paper work…AND do all the blood-work and other tests. I had to do the 1-hour glucose test (hospital policy) and failed (normal for me), so I had to go back the next morning for the 3-hour test…I passed.

I wanted to post recent “baby-bump” pictures. As you can see I’m huge…ok, maybe not. (I’m just hitting 111lbs.) This little one loves to move and I don’t remember ever seeing so much little leg action from our other children.

I’m getting excited about meeting our new little one. We’re thanking God for His protection on this little life the past 40 weeks.

I’m very thankful for the friends who have sent things for me and/or the baby: new PJs for the hospital, cute little sleepers (I had none…why would I bring warm sleepers to Cambodia?), socks, oils, etc. With every package, this mama felt very loved. Once I got my new PJs I knew I was ready to have the baby.

We’re praying that our baby arrives before our appointment at the American Embassy mid-March. (Otherwise we’ll have to reschedule, which could set us back quite a bit, if they don’t have any appointments available.) Praying that our baby will be born without complications. Would love to have a surgery-free, intervention-free birth. Praying that God will give us grace to wait and trust His timing in all things.