Christmas Cheer!!!

My family on our Christmas!

So far this speedy trip home has been very refreshing! I feel like this is a Christmas that was filled with laughter and just much quality time.It's the first one yet where I don't feel this heavy loneliness hit out of nowhere, or this feeling like I am still missing half of myself. That is purely the healing of God. I well remember in my Divorce Care class all the truth that was shared about the time it would take to feel like a whole person again and that feeling of something missing wouldn't fade quickly. Well, I am beyond grateful  This process hasn't at all been easy, the healing has been restorative and I just really am still gratefully reflecting that this Christmas felt much lighter. Healing the blind, the lame totally amazing miracles- healing the pain in broken hearts and lives- just reminds me- I feel like He is a master painter, every color in place, no detail over looked so the healing- however long it takes is majestically whole. Wholeness, is something I've come to appreciate- and it just felt amazing to be able to be with my family, the ones who journeyed with me through this and be myself again- yes I am different for the better- just a very refreshing time! 

The Dearth family Christmas

Spent some great time with my dad today, and we were discussing life and my hopeful job at Grace! Here is a video I'd thought you might like to see-   Look for the "Why Grace" video- I will be interviewing when I get back for a position- and yes I am very hopeful I will get to serve in this way next year! I will be raising support and I feel a much larger peace about this now- from having talked with some of you- really just realizing that The Healer I've trusted my life with will indeed Provide for where He wants me to be!!! Thanks for reading !

thoughts

Just a quick post- wondered if you'd be thinking of the littlest E. She just got out of the hospital around Nov 19/20 from staying a week- and is sick again with a stomach thing and fever. These are pictures from Oct. when we were carving pumpkins! Thanks for your thoughts for her!!!

please no fainting- it's an update

This is the view from the 1st grade balcony- I LOVE it! Things are going well here in Chiang Mai- although the culture is very different, I find I still love my work and really enjoy teaching at this school. E is progressing very well and that is what brings me the most joy! In addition to the gorgeous weather, and the beautiful language Thailand has held many new things for me! I am learning Thai, so I can write it a bit now which is VERY exciting and I've come to realize the need for special ed teachers everywhere I look. I am considering staying on here at GIS for another year maybe two- which mean I'll be raising support for the first time- I have my concerns about this and even more so just concerns about if this is where I am supposed to be. For right now until May it is and I am soaking in every moment I can. I do miss BJ more than I thought, a lot of the culture there and the city, the people - the life of living in the city. I didn't think I'd ever say that- I miss it, here doesn't feel like home so much still feels like a place I am visiting- I'm working on making it feel more home- however the harder I try the less it feels like home and then the worse I feel that I can't make it feel like home- ya know- so now I've just resorted to attempting to do those lil things that make me feel happy- yes coffee, books, talks with friends, music and jamming out on the shuffle- So that's been fun! I would covet your thoughts about where to be next, I would like to plant even some 2-3 year roots somewhere, this move every year thing gets rough and I'm ready to invest in my friends and see them through seasons of their lives!!!

The littles McGee just got out of the hospital here- she had a bout with phenomia and the flu at the same time, she is doing better now!!!Please continue to lift them up! I'm so so ever grateful that I have this opportunity to serve them and also serve alongside them!

Here is some of the GIS crew I serve with! We got to take a vacation in Phuket thanks to one of the families here practically giving us their time share for a week! It was a lovely time of rest and fellowship. It's been along time since I've been at the beach, the beach is such a pensive place for me- gets me reflecting on my life- things I love- and things that I'd love to see in my life. This year at the beach there were a lot of cleansing tears, and laughter well spent too! Please be thinking of the crew here and notice how many young ladies there are- I really want to encourage and empower them in their walk with Dad- we will see how that all goes!

address!

I have an address, where I can get mail that hasn't been read by numerous other people besides the person who sent it to me. :)  Yes, very exciting! So here is my address, the school even gave me a mailbox- and they invited me on their staff retreat! I really love how welcoming they have been, it's wonderful to be in a culture where people matter more than anything else- it's a hot culture value apparently. I've been reading on the differences between hot and cold cultures(temp.) so far it's been a great light to my many adjustments to both cultures in short periods of time! Here's the info- love to have pictures, if you aren't sure what to send! Missing you all a lot! Just put my name and 1B- then as follows! Hope to hear from you and so happy to be able to write back!!!! Much love!

P.O. Box 32
Hang Dong
Chiang Mai 50230
Thailand

oh the things kids say...

Well, today E was ALREADY in the classroom without me for an hour- and he rocked it! His teacher is amazing and really loves giving him attention! That's one of many things to be thankful for, he was talking her ear off while they were reading together today. And instead of asking where I was, when he couldn't see her he kept asking where she was! LOVE

So, E was chatting with me this morning in class and says(with correct inflection) Miss Meghan, honey, don't play with you food......I contained the joy and said- What was that I didn't hear you?   Miss Meghan,honey(add body sway) don't play with your food!!!!! OH MY- props to E first for the proper use of the word honey, and second for using it with me- LOVED IT!!!

Then one of his classmates says to me: Did you get your hair cut? No...maybe it's just different looking today. He responds- well, your face looks different too- I laughed out loud!! I have been wearing my glasses, today was a contact day- so cute!

Treasure working with kids, who know how long I will get to soak in their joy for life!!

I'm struck by the respect that the Thai people have for everyone,government included. As I was visiting the US this summer there was all sorts of political debate etc- well, for me it just made me ill to my stomach. I feel like a lot of respect has been lost and appreciation for how to correctly have a disagreement and the best way to make our voices heard. I was in fact nauseated by the amount of  "believing" people who were quick to be disrespectful to whichever candidate they didn't agree with. I have come to appreciate my freedom of speech, freedom of religion, along with the freedom to assemble this past year. It's an odd feeling to come back to the US and be around people who place such a high value on disrespectful disagreements. Especially coming from a country where such a disrespectful statement would lead to you missing, your house missing or one of your immediate family members all of a sudden going missing. I think it's the whole idea that last year words were picked with carefulness, things that were said were deliberate and even now I can't seem to adjust to have many people use the C words to describe themselves or the M word to tell of who they are. I quite like the whole idea of being careful with words, and being more aware that my actions speak the loudest over whatever comes out of my mouth. I'm so very imperfect, it's just this summer my eyes were opened to the non value of complaining.  A very long time again, my college would send  us out- with a declaration that we would not be the fly on the wall in the group, that thing which annoyed everyone with constant nothingness of complaining. I've been pondering this for the whole summer as a dear friend asked me what the biggest culture shock was- hands down it's a new right that people in the US freely have, and that is the right to complain. Makes me wish I took debate class(although my brother gave me free lessons), what on earth is the purpose of so much complaint when there is so much to be thankful for. Disagreement, I love a a well thought through disagreement, complaining as if it makes anything change, besides that feeling of the people around you! I'm so glad I didn't have a fly swatter this summer, GOODNESS. And ever so grateful for my brother who taught and schooled me in the ways of a productive disagreement, as an 12 year old I didn't think that, now I realize how valuable it is.

Emerge

This is late in posting, got to be a youth volunteer almost a month ago now- they rocked my socks off! It was a moment that just sticks with me chatting with one of them about all her questions etc- surprisingly when i told her about suffering etc, and my life and story- she told me thanks, thanks for giving me real answers- well life can really stink lots of the time-here's hoping she hears Dad call to her and opens her heart! I think she will be in philosophy in the future her brain is amazing, and her questions are some that few adults have the faith to go there and ask- I loved it, best 45 min with little sleep and no shower- done!

adventures of iab drama

Here's a bit of what a day in the life is of us for the past weekish, we are going to school for the next three days, some half days- some half sports fun days, it doesn't even matter to me how long we are there, it matter that we are there, that he gets to say goodbye and that we both get to be in the school we loved!

He's got MAD skills!

Miss Meghan, really? Can you tell he's about done with working ?!

E has this thing lately where he either looks me right in eyes and squishes my nose- or does it like this from the side and squishes my cheek, I have to say even though homeschooling zaps every bit of energy I have- I LOVE my one on one time with him- it's filling the rest of the hours with meaningful activities that wears me down!

Eva loves to sit on my lap while Eli and I work, she answers a few questions, just repeats what Eli said- super cute!!

the lil McGee's

I love spending time with the kids!!! The three E's, they are a delight and fill my heart with joy and giggles! I'm so greatful to be their Auntie for the next however long that gets to be! I'm also just ever so amazed at what having three kids in your life does to your perspecitve on just about everything! There are moments I'd like to sit complaining people with them and dare them to complain! I've also learned to treasure that when I'm having rough days, they seem to know without needing to be told! Of course there are tears, and tiffs- but really they are kids and that's expected! Here's a snap shot of what we do best here at the McGee house!

Eli LOVES to cut, carve or draw smiley faces on everything- and i mean everything, the wall, boxes, himself, me, napkins, apples, oranges- saw this the other night and just laughed out loud, Eli has been in these apples!!!

Pictures to Ponder

These are in the subways in Seoul, oh the day Peace will come.

love a latte

Two amazing latte's in one week! Seriously, below is the second latte here in Beijing I've had- that isn't from a big coffee place. Oh I have grown to appreciate these little moments of bliss! The second one was in Korea and the bed/breakfast I stayed at(126 mansion)- it was delicious!!!

Seoul

Tea house in Seoul! LOVED being here, it was like an amazing surprise- really something just told me to turn right down this little alley way and look what was there! I opened the sliding door into a tea house that was warm and filled with chatter and laughter. It was alot like those movies, rainy day, stepping in puddles everywhere even if I tried not too, and getting chilled- so very grateful for this solace from the rain and chill time- just an incredible reminder that He knows and sees me, and provided a place for me to feel loved and like I was being taken on a date! Which yes, I do miss that!

Traditional Korean tea, it was so yummy- I have no idea what was in it besides cinnamon- it was perfect, warmed me to the core!

Check out the the M on the mug, perfect ending to a great evening, it's the little details that just amaze me- so grateful to serve Him who finds ways to show me His love in the tiny tiny details of my life!

Moments

These past few days have been full of wonderful moments- Eli and I rockin it out to kids praise, the kids and I all dancing- seeing the sun again, I made it into Eli's prayer over dinner(1st time), our team is all back, been working out, mom's out of the hospital, I'm feeling better- did I mention the sun. Like the smell of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies, I've just needed days like these. These days are filled with moments where Eli grows more and more independent and sweet- which yeah I tear up and occasionally cry- esp like tonight when he prayed at dinner for another teacher of his, he said- looking all around the room- God, where are you, can you hear me, umm could you please heal (teacher's name), I heard she's sick, oh yeah and her throat hurts, ok, thanks. Melt my heart, and reminded me, faith like a child, yeap!

GREAT Weekend!

Just wanted to say this weekend brought much needed encouragement and it's only Saturday night! Here's to knowing healing happens in the grief and the joy, and how wonderful it is to choose joy whenever possible! Love you all!

Horse Therapy

Eli has horse therapy on Mondays, the lessons will start again here when the weather is more than crazy cold. Well, come to find out in this section of the horse farm, there are red wolves being raised for an upcoming movie which they will star in. What I love the most is the people who are training them, who have committed to be with them for the next 2 years and all that jazz. When we first meet them- they were SO little and looked like dogs, not they have a bit of the wolf look- beautiful aren't they- I was hoping to be able to go in and have them greet me- which means my face gets licked like crazy- I mean come on meeting wolves, that didn't even make it on my list of amazing things to do. We will see how big they are when we go back- they are beautiful!

THAILAND!!!

So, Mom and I went to conference in Thailand- on the beach! It was amazing. Our teaching times were challenging, related to the book The Barbarian Way and real community. I have to say being with AC and their people was the closest I've come to sense what heaven might even be like. I have not been so warmly received by strangers who welcomed me as family. I really had a huge whole in my heart that missed Hawaii and my ohana there- when I surrounded by this amazing family I am in now! Here are some pictures, believe me I wish I was there right now!! Spring is coming- however to hear to ocean again, have some pad thai, with a banana and pineapple smoothie- while just soaking in the peace that Father just blessed me with when I was there. Some strong words of hope were spoken over me, of restoration and of lightness.It depends on the day if that freaks me out, or excites me. It was so life giving, challenging and wonderful- it's been a long,long, long time since I've danced. In Hawaii, I did and even in Thailand- as easy as that may seem to do- it is healing, and a bit painful - finding the child in me again is tough after having to stuff it and really lost alot of who I was. Just have to say though, the one night I just went for it, there was glow in the dark phosphorescence in the water- so when i kicked the water, and when I did turns with my toes on the sand- it was like sparkles everywhere-He's amazing-just reminds me- He is able to do abundantly more than i can even ask or imagine- seriously, He is!!!

View outside the doors of our bungalows!

View to the right!

View to the left!

My beautiful Mom outside our bungalow!!!

Mom's visit January

So grateful that my mom was able to come and share in life here! We had a great time, and I'm sure there is alot more she wanted to see, just glad she could come and meet everyone, go to conference and hike the great wall! Here are pics from when she was here in Dec/Jan.

We loved going to the forbidden city, this time we listened to the audio tour, what an amazing place with lots of history. And a gorgeous sun shiny, winter day!

Going to IKEA here is an experience. Too bad I don't have better pictures- here the beds are filled with people napping- the dining areas have people sitting around just chatting, and occasionally there are business meetings going on - all in the pre-done rooms of IKEA. Yes, it is so fun to see- my favorite is seeing people all covered up asleep in the beds. I wanted to tell this man to go upstairs, there were more comfortable beds available!

Here's a few sneak peak pics of our time at the wall! More to come!!