“Listen! Can you hear that,” asked Barrett a couple days after landing in Louisville? I listened as we stood in the cool night breeze looking at the star studded sky. “SILENCE!” I said breaking that very thing! No trucks emitting both noise and smoke pollution as they roared past the garbage lined streets of Nonthaburi. No buses clamoring as the people streamed off dumping their tickets on the uneven sidewalks lined with sick street dogs eating left over food from the ubiquitous vendors. No vendors screaming their prolific products while blowing a horn or whistle as they biked by. No motorcycles whizzing by shouting “FARONG!” or “I LOVE YOU!” It was amazing!
Since then I have been basking in not only the sounds but the aromas of spring: rain, cut grass, flowers that smell like sweet grapes, honeysuckle, bark, and pulled weeds. I take walks in the afternoons looking at the front porch swings waiting for their owners to join them for a spell, boys bragging as they play catch in the yard, neighbors walking by pushing their strollers, and couples doing yard work on lazy afternoons. I run in the brisk morning air smiling and saying “hi” to the young and old walking or running past me in their neat violet velum work out gear. I take comfort in understanding the small talk as I jog by and smile as I see the American flags protruding from the commuting Ford that drives by like clockwork every morning at 7:30.
In the midst of transition, trials, and toiling, I find solace soaking up my new environment with each God given sense as I traverse the tree lined streets and sturdy brick homes. I pray for my friends in Thailand, my family, my new friends here, and for upcoming events. I cherish these times and wonder again at how smells of grass, songs of birds, sights of squirrels scampering in the trees, the feel of cut grass on bare feet, and the taste of spring rain draws me to my Creator God. How incredible that He gave us unique senses to experience a piece of the breadth of His inventive nature. He could have made this world as bland as plain rice, but instead He added the spice of variety that allows us to honor and thank Him. It makes me swell in awe and praise Him as I taste the sweetness of fresh strawberries and juicy pears while gazing at the red cardinal alighting himself on the newly budding branch outside Betsy’s window. Wow, that’s MY God!