My Amazing Brothers...

Frank moved up to Aggieland this past Tuesday!! After getting him situated in his dorm, Frank went out to the Aggies for Christ Freshmen Retreat, SOAR, at Messiah's Ranch. Ben and I are so excited about having him here with us. Right now, with both my brothers so close to me, I feel like I'm on top of the world!!

Who are these people???!?!?!!

I don't know if the YFC is ready for this???

Avenues of Opportunity...

Well, the past month has been exciting and constantly changing, to say the least. After returning from Thailand I decided to go to Texas A&M University and study a Masters in Nutrition. Then, plans changed and I began looking into other options. After a few weeks of intense prayer and times with Christian family and friends, I made the decision to wait on the Masters and start work instead.

Last Wednesday I started my job at the Texas Regional Eye Center in College Station. All of the doctors are strong christian men and are leading their office through active Christian leadership. I have been so impressed with the personnel at the doctor's office, and even witnessed one of the doctors praying with his patient before going in for the second Cataract surgery. SO AMAZING TO ME!! I praise God for stong christian males who are confident about their relationship with Christ and confident that prayers make a difference. The job is Monday-Thursday 8:00am-5:00pm, and Friday 8:00am-12:00Noon.

I will also be serving the A&M Church of Christ in a very direct way this coming Fall. Ben Wilson and I have taken on the role of Youth Intern. Ben and I have been friends for years, studying at A&M together, and our parents also grew up in the Aggies For Christ together. The Youth Program here is full of wonderful kids who love God and have hearts of gold. Ben and I are excited about the opportunity to get to know the families in the congregation and work closely with the youth. I will start that internship in the next couple of weeks.

My life is not at all perfect, or together, or even somewhat understandable to me most of the time. But, that's through MY EYES! When I stop and ask God to give me HIS EYES to see where He is taking me and the plans He has for me, the muddiness seems to get a little bit clearer. I am thankful for the opportunities the Lord has placed in front of me for the next part of my journey. I want to take full advantage of those opportunities to serve those around me.

Keep me in your prayers as I continue to step out in faith and love. You are all in my prayers.

Love, Haley

Beautiful town of Leadville...

Ben and I had fun traveling together....fun for 8 long hours!! We left YMCA of the Rockies and drove to Lake City, CO. My family has been going there for 50 years or more now. I haven't been to Lake City in about 7 years, so it's wonderful to have the chance to come again!

THAI FOOD-WHAT??!?!?!

YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!! Yes, Ben and I were driving to meet the family and we drove right past a small little Thai restaurant in a small little town in the middle of beautiful mountains of Colorado!! Of course, we stopped and picked up a menu and my mouth has been watering since then!! They had Tom Kha Kai!! O my goodness, the wonders of Thai food!!!

Beautiful Colorado

Ben and I stopped and shot a photo at the Continental Divide, the dividing line where the water on the West of the divide runs to the Pacific Ocean, and water on the East of the divide runs to the Atlantic.

A day with the Lord in Rocky Mountain National Park

Today I hiked up the Bear Lake Path in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Ben is working at the YMCA of the Rockies this summer, and I came up to visit him for a few days. Today when Ben worked, I spent the day in on the trail. After walking by three lakes, I stopped at the last lake on the trail to eat lunch and spend time reading God's Word. It's amazing how powerful and ALIVE His Word is when you're surrounded by His beautiful creation!!

Emerald Lake

This is the mountain ridge above the highest lake I climbed to, Emerald Lake.

A family created by Jesus

This is my family, at least three of them. You may say, "Haley, I know your family and this is not them!!" True, in one sense. This is my family in the blood of Jesus Christ.

This past Saturday and Sunday, 60 members of my family met together in Dallas, Texas for a reunion. The common bond between all of us is our love for the Thai people. The four missionary families currently working in Chiang Mai (Allens, Lees, Reagans, and Todd's), families that have previously served on the team, three Thai Christians from Chiang Mai (Nueng, Gahn and P.Wee), former two year and six month apprentices, and future apprentices all came together for fellowship, food, and a time of worship and prayer.

After spending the day together on Saturday, we met again at the Preston Road Church of Christ to worship on Sunday morning. P.Young opened the worship with inspiring words from God, as he shared with us his heart and gratitude for the Preston Road Church and their consistent support financially and prayerfully for the team. P.Sean led us in communion with Christ and P.David led our hearts through a powerful sermon!! Nueng and Gahn also shared their testimonies in front of the congregation.

For me this time was like healing to my soul. After leaving Thailand just 1.5 short months ago, I have realized, yet once again, what it means to have a family in Jesus Christ. As I sat in a circle surrounded by my Thai family, singing praises in Thai to our Father, my heart was exploding inside of me. My heart overflows with love for all of them, and I understand more about Jesus Christ love through my love for my brothers and sisters in Thailand.

Derran, Ann and Brynn

At the reunion there were many "new" faces, including Brynn Reese. Derran and Ann were the first group of students to work with the Chiang Mai mission team many years ago. They also served for two years on the field, and are currently living in Abilene, Texas. Lord willing, He will lead them back onto the mission field overseas!! Pray for them as they seek God's guidance and direction.

United again

Jeremy, Heather, Asia and I hung out together after church on Sunday at Zuzu's Mexican Restaurant. Jeremy, Heather and I have all returned to the states in the past six months from serving in Thailand. Jeremy just returned last week, and I haven't seen Heather since she left Thailand in January. We shared so many good memories and made so many new ones!!

My Family...

We are bound together by our love for Jesus Christ.

P.Michelle Allen has mentored all of us young ladies throughout the past few years as we served the church in Chiang Mai. Top left to bottom right: Tonya Fikes, Darby Priest, P.Michelle Allen, Haley, Heather Herschberger

My close friend Kimberly

How cute we are!! Kim and I were best friends since pre-school. Yes, we've had many many memories together. We used to do 4-H method demonstrations together, watch soap opers and eat sandwiches everyday for lunch, and drive around town with Kayla Kohls in the old old baby blue Ford. Kim was my first tennis partner and my favorite tennis partner. Love you girl!!












This is Kim's love!! Yes, the is the third generation puppy in the family. First came Zeek, then Tucker, and now Maverick. Wow, he's a cute one!!















They just have so much fun playing together. Maverick tore the ears off of his girlfriend, the white stuffed puppy dog. OOOPPPSSS....

I miss you...

Thailand, I Miss You.
I really do miss all my family in Thailand. Tonight I showed the book ya'll all made me, before I left, to all my supporters. One person told me, "Haley, it's so interesting to read what you're friends in Thailand wrote to you. It seems like we were worried about the same things they're worried about for you. And that we prayed about the same things when you left for Thailand that they're praying as you come back to Texas. I can tell they are really your family."

Yes, Thailand, you are my family. I love you and pray for you more than you know. I think in Thai and have a hard time remembering English words. Most of the time Thai comes out first and is always swirling around in my head.

For example, today I went to Walmart and was looking at computer things. I found myself talking to myself, comparing prices inside my head in Thai!! It cracked me up when I realized it.

I Love You.

Texas, Texas, Texas...

HOWDY!! Well, I arrived safe and sound into DFW on Saturday morning at 6am. I was welcomed home by three of my biggest fans: Nanny, Grandad, and Ben. Then we headed to IHOP for breakfast before going back to my grandparents house to relax. We had alot of fun catching up and laughing about old times.

Traci Eicke came out to the house to visit that afternoon and then Ben, Traci, and I drove to a friend's wedding in Dallas that evening. Lara, an aggie friend, married a guy named Tony that she has known since childhood. The wedding was beautiful and a time for me to see many good Aggie friends. I was able to catch up with Denisa, Alicia, Lisa, Katherine, Becca Cawler, Tristan, Jeff and Lisa Wischkaemper, Sara Davidson and many others.

That night Ben and I were suppose to spend the night in a hotel close-by, but for some odd reason our reservations were canceled!! So, we drove until 1:30am before finding a hotel with a vacancy! No big deal though. We're tough.

Sunday we had Frank's Graduation Celebration Luncheon, and then Baccalaurete that evening. I went to see my grandfather on Sunday afternoon, and he seemed excited to see me home. I enjoyed telling him about my travels.

Today I got car insurance and some personal items in San Angelo, and then ate lunch with Frank and his girlfriend. This was my first time to meet her and I'm really impressed. She very outgoing and respectful. She really treats Frank well, and that I like. But, you know, i'm the older sister and so I'm very picky. We'll see...

Tonight I had about 60 family and friends over who have had a part in my ministry in Thailand over the past two years. We ate hotdogs and homemade icecream, and then I showed a slide show and sang the song Bay and I wrote.

It was a great night, full of good memories and laughs. I feel like this group tonight is truly my family, just like I have my family in Thailand. They have known me since I was a baby. Now, that's something special.

He gave me a new song to sing...

Well, the time has finally arrived. My plane departs from Chiang Mai in 49 hours. These next two days I'll be attempting to pack all the junk I've accumulated in the past two years, and stuff it into two suitcases. We'll see how that goes!!

Last Sunday night the Payap and Chueng Doi Churches put on a Thank You Party for me. I loved it and felt so loved by it. I had the opporunity to sing a few songs with my good friend and guitar player, Bay.

Bay and I also wrote a song together that we played for the first time at the party. God put this song in our hearts and gave us the desire to write it as a blessing to our family here in Chiang Mai and around the world. The words of the song changed three times since I first wrote them last year down at Cha-Am Bible Camp. The Lord continued to play this song in my head the past year, and this past week God brought Bay and I together to make the song into something that will touch the lives of those we love.

The inspiration came from Psalms 40 and Psalms 27. Psalms 40:3 says it perfectly what Bay and I hope for this song: " He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be astounded. They will put their trust in the Lord."

You don’t have to…
Lyrics: Haley Edmiston
Arrangement: Bay
Inspired by Psalms 40

Who am I in You? What things do I fear?
I can’t seem to get a single breathe of air.
My worlds spinning round. Loads of guilt piling down.
If I could just escape from this one snare.

Then I hear your voice, whispering midst the tears.
Child just trust me and my will. You don’t have to…

You don’t have to be afraid
of the war raging around your head.
You don’t have to be afraid
of the mess you got yourself in.
‘Cause you know you’re in My hands
I will catch you when you’re falling.
Let yourself fall down.
Into my arms of love.
I’m right here waiting.

Standing under weight that’s too much for me to bear.
But I feel what might be a single breathe of air.
I want to take the fall. But I have not the strength.
All I am is weak. I’m just too scared.

I searched for strength within myself, but I never found it.
With weary eyes I looked into his face.
He gave the strength I needed to fall.
I took the fall. He caught me.
And now I can’t seem to get enough

I don’t have to be afraid
of the war raging around my head.
I don’t have to be afraid
of the mess I got myself in.
‘Cause I know I’m in His hands
He will catch me when I’m falling.
Let myself fall down.
Into His arms of love.
He’s right here waiting.

18 Days...

WOW. I will be returning to the states in 18 days. It doesn't seem like I'm leaving quite yet. The days are still going on as normal. God has given me an unbelieveable sense of peace the past few months. As the days approach for my departure I manage to stay calm. I began asking God to give me peace in the last month, and asked Him to protect my emotions and heart.

I want to update you all on a special relationship God is continuing to bless. Here is the latest on Rin:

I have a special friend named Rin. Last month Rin went on a mission trip to Singapore and Malaysia with us where she testified about her experience with the Christian family, attended worship and participated in bible study for the first time. One night after we returned Rin told me she’s trying to talk with God about all things in her life. Rin is seeking God out of a shattered life and finding a glimpse of truth. That night I felt faith in Rin. Faith that is so small you believe if you blink your eyes or sneeze you might miss it completely. Is this what God calls faith as small as a mustard seed? Faith that can move mountains and change lives?

Please pray for Rin and Rin's own faith.

Today I ate at Black Canyon with P.Ying, Un, Jit and Jennifer and then shopped for a shirt for Lara Slemmons wedding on May 20th in Dallas. Then we went back to P.Ying and Un's house and watched the movie The Perfect Man. I liked one of the lines in the movie: Love is Friendship on Fire!!! Then Ae and Melissa from Chiang Rai came to visit us. We had Suki Chang Puak for supper and then stopped by at Starbucks Tha Pha to visit my good friend Tum.

Today has been a blessing. I will follow God tomorrow as I have today. When I feel weak I will submit to His will and give Him my troubles, trusting full well that He will carry me through.

Where can I go from your Spirit?

My dear family and friends I would like to share some of God's beautiful Word with you. These words have become very precious to me.

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your Presence?
If I go up to the heavens you are there.
If I make my bed in the depths you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn
Or settle on the far side of the sea,
Even there your hand will guide me.
Your right hand will hold me fast.
-Ps 139:7-10

There is no where we can go that God is not there. On the days we feel everything is pink, He is there. On the days we feel that all is blue, He is there. I don't think we realize just how amazing that is, or just how much this one thing can change the way we look at life. Change our life.

Kuala Lumpar....Care Group

Care Group in Kuala Lumpar: Bay did a fabulous job sharing his testimony of his love for Jesus. The care group was touched by what he said. Rin shared about her new found interest in the Christian family and how never in the previous 23 years of her life had she ever found true love and care like she found in the Christian family. Even though she is not yet a christian, she is so impressed that we pray for her and expect God to answer. Jennifer and I shared about how God brought us to Thailand and why we want to serve God here. Jennifer shared about her love for the Thai people and for them to know Jesus. I shared about why God brought me to Thailand and the struggles I have faced since coming: Diabetes cost, health, eye infection last year, etc. We left Kuala Lumpar early on Friday morning and took Su Teng along with us to Penang. Admen, a good friend of mine drove us up there.

Singapore Extraveganza...

It's been a fast, furious and faithful trip! We arrived in Singapore and took a cab to Margaret's flat where the four of us stayed until Wednesday. That first evening the City Vision Youth group was over at Margaret's flat having cell group, so after we arrived we took them out to play games for a while.

Saturday morning we stayed at the house and Margaret and I spent a few hours reading from God's Word, praying and encouraging eachother. I had not seen her since December of 2004, so we had alot to catch up on. For lunch that day we went to meet Ben and Faith from City Vision, and then helped them prepare for their performance later that day. A group from Payap Christian Zone also came to Singapore and Malaysia, so on Saturday afternoon they arranged a huge youth gathering at the Pasir Panjan Church in Singapore. There were over 100 youth!!

Saturday night Bay, Rin, Jennifer and I took the MRT to see the Merlion, Turian Attraction and other tourist sights. It was beautiful...

After getting in late saturday night, we woke up bright and early for Sunday morning church. That Sunday was Rin's first time to ever go to church, and she enjoyed it. The singing was beautiful and brought tears to my eyes. The rest of the evening was spent with the Payap group and Singaporean youth.

Monday momrning we met Josephine for traditional Malaysian breakfst or soft-boiled eggs, Kaya Toast and coffee, and then Ben took us around all day to shop and see the sights in Singapore. Then that evening I ate supper with Josephine, the church secretary, and she shared with me her testimony of her love for God. After that Margaret picked me up to go do Tai Chi(the famous chinese exercise). I don't know much about it actually. Margaret told me she was going so I went too. You probably would have laughed if you had seen me. I tried to model Margaret and her good friend Irene. It was a blast and I'm seriously thinking about picking up Tai Chi when I get back to Chiang Mai!!

Tuesday I met La Hong, the wife of Pak Fook who preaches at the Bedok Church of Christ. She became a good friend of mine last year while staying in Chiang Mai. We spent a few hours together over tea and prayers. She also gives amazing oil massages and so I took advantage of that opportunity. She offered me her time and skill, and I'm so thankful. This is one of her gifts from God and she blessed me with it... Thanks La Hong!!

Then I met up with Bay, Rin, Jennifer and Ben at the Bugis Shopping Center. We headed back to help Margaret with some stuff at home and then went out to meet Kellyand Irene for Chile Crab! We had Chile Crab, Black pepper crab, Clay Pot Crab, Boiled Prawn, Vegetables, and rice. Oh my goodness, I've never seen crabs this big. You could actully work hard at peeling them and then get some good sized meat! My hands were dirty by the end of that night! Irene also met us for dinner, along with two of her Korean friends.

Then we came up to Kuala Lumpar today and have been working with the TAR College Campus Minstry today. We helped lead games at English Class tonight and spent some time getting to know the new students. Most of the students at class were contacts that the Payap group made last week when they were here. We're tag teaming with them. I can see God working ahead of us, preparing the way for us to go and share His message.

Pray for Bay and Rin tomorrow, as they will share their testimonies at Care Grou here in KL. This will be Rin's first time to share and I know she will do great.
Until next time....

Cross-cultural Mission Exposure Trip

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I pray that this email finds you hard at work for God. He is so great and is doing great things here in Chiang Mai. Today is an exciting day. Four of us will be going down to Singapore and Malaysia for a cross-cultural mission exposure trip for 10 days. Jennifer(6 month intern), Bay(newest brother in christ), Rin(non-christian), and I need your prayers.
From Friday til Tuesday we will be visiting the churches in Singapore, spending time with the university and high school students, serving the City Vision Church, and attending many large church activities. Then Wednesday we will take a bus up to Kuala Lumpar and spend time with the college ministry there. Bay will share his testimony on Wednesday night and help out with worship time. Then Thursday we will evangelize on the university campus and spend time with the churches English students that evening. Friday we will take a bus to Penang, Malaysia, where we will meet with the church and worship together that evening. Then Saturday morning the four of us will help out with the Children's English class by doing a puppet show and teaching. That Sunday we will worship with the brothers and sisters in Penang and head back to Chiang Mai on Monday.
God has opened up this opportunity for us, and I have no doubt that He is calling us to serve our brothers in these two countries. I also know that God has called us, Jennifer, Bay and me, to witness to Rin on this trip. She needs my God.
Pray with us, Haley Edmiston

the littleness of our lives...

"Again and again we are overwhelmed by the littleness of our lives. We are struck by the ways in where there seems to close in upon us the intimate need, the demand that often provides no breathing moment sufficient to let us lift up our hearts to take the long look and to sense the ultimate meanings in which our little lives are involved. And yet for those of us who seek it out there is the time of respite and repair, when we rest our lives in the Presence of God."

-The Inward Journey by Howard Thurman

Why?

Why?

Why?

Such a small word, and yet such a large answer it demands. Do you ever think about the why in life, not such the how? How to make money, how to make my day fit together smoothly with all the little activites i have planned, how to share Jesus?

I have found that often the how question isn't exactly what I'm looking for in life.

Why?

Why?

Why?