Spending Saturday afternoons teaching English to adorable Thai children is one of my favorite things of all time. I wish you all could sit in on a class. Your hearts would melt and there would be a permanent smile on each face.

Just in time...

I have to admit that I've been tired lately. Working at the office, English classes three times a week, the energy-zapping heat of hot season, freelance editing as time permits, trying to maintain my workout routine...there have been multiple contributors to the tiredness that currently tempts me to lay my head on my desk and shut my eyes for a few minutes.

Falling asleep at a 4th of July party last year. I'm an old woman who has a tendency to do that.

Thankfully, Assemblies of God World Missionaries participate in a yearly retreat with other missionaries from their country or region. They recognize the need for missionaries to have times of spiritual and physical refreshment. Next week all of the missionaries in Thailand will come together to spend four days relaxing, worshipping, praying, devotionaling (yes, I just made that up) and resting.

I. Can't. Wait.

I'm so looking forward to a few days away from Bangkok and daily responsibilities. Time that will be spent with God and with people who love God and love to laugh. I need this time.

As I sit here and force my tensed shoulders back into a relaxed position, I thank God for the upcoming opportunity to be refreshed. I have three and a half months left in Thailand and I want to make the most of every opportunity that will come along. I need more of His love, strength and energy to do that...and I believe I will find that next week.