On September 1st, many of the strictest “lockdown” restrictions in Bangkok were lifted. There were rumors that things would be opening back up, but we were reluctant to let ourselves get too hopeful. New infections are still high (around 15k daily), but down from their peak. Vaccines are rolling out more aggressively (around 1 million/day). It feels like the worst of the pandemic is coming to a close!?! There are a couple of big steps we are still hoping for, like quarantine-free international tourists and in-person school that now at least seem like a possibility. 

It will be interesting to see what “new normal” precautionary measures are here to stay. We have missed the city and are looking forward to getting back out to explore it more! Thankful for a recent weekend opportunity to enjoy some stunning stunning views. 

Highlights of our month were getting to resume in-person dining at restaurants, walk in the park, swim in the pool, and return to the climbing gym. Scroll for more, including work updates and birthday celebrations!

Yummies

We were thrilled to be allowed to eat outside the home and took no time at all to resume our Garage dates. The takeout option has been good, but dishes taste so much better hot and fresh out of the wok!

At home, Lyndsey continues to bake up a storm. In addition to her weekly Sourdough Sandwich Bread, there have been a selection of cakes, cookies, and crumbles…all of which keep us working out every morning!

Jonathan purchased a professional blender for Lyndsey’s birthday and we have been making some amazing smoothies. It is fun to creatively combine flavors and textures, even adding nuts and cereal to create a colorful smoothie bowl. A good rule of thumb is to “eat the rainbow” by including as many different colors on your plate, this ensures you get all the vitamins and minerals in your diet!

Park Pics

We are SO thankful the parks are open! A favorite activity has been taking a long walk to the King’s Park, around the exercise loop, and back. It is about 10k total and a great way to get out on the weekends, people watch, and talk. Lyndsey layers up in sunscreen and we stock our fanny packs with water and PB&Js. Jonathan is always excited to see at least one huge monitor lizard and is convinced a monster lives in the lake.

Birthday & Friends

Lyndsey had an awesome birthday and loved catching up with many friends and family members, both in person and digitally. To keep group sizes small, she shared a delicious vegan “party” cake with friends rolling in & out and windows open in the classroom. Thank you for the love, support, and encouragement you showed her!

Work

[Lyndsey has been exploring new opportunities (detailed in last month’s update) to share nutrition information through Social Media and as a coach with a Fitness and Nutrition platform for missionaries.]

Lyndsey has been busting out nutrition content and is excited to share it with you! Right now on Instagram, you can check out her series summarizing need-to-know information about vitamins. She is about halfway through that post series and will continue with other micronutrients next. Over on YouTube, we have completed a few video workshops with ideas on how to nourish on a budget with foods that taste and feel good! 

Lyndsey is encouraged about how God is showing her, yet again in her life, that His plans are better than hers! She gets to play a new part in His story this season as a helper and encourager. If you would like to hear more about her work, send her a message at LyndseyLDickson@gmail.com. She would love to schedule a call and invite you into partnership (prayer, ideas, tax-deductible donations, etc.). Community and support are key for her and her work. She seeks to empower women and see you sharing in the rewarding benefits of well-nourished mothers and children.

Jonathan continues to teach online. There is some hope for students to return to the classroom by the end of the semester, but there are still many hurdles for that to happen.

Taking advantage of the empty hallways, the art teachers took down a half finished rainbow tile installation and are repurposing it into a series of mosaics that will hang around the school. I guess we are all making the most of the situation in our own way!

Thanks for Reading!

We love you all and appreciate your continued prayers and support. We hope this blog has and continues to be an encouraging glimpse into our lives here in Thailand. The new and exciting adventures seem to come a little less frequently than they did in year one, so we have decided to reduce our “Update” posts from Monthly to Quarterly. We plan to continue posting regularly with pictures, stories, and recipes so keep on the lookout for those!

Sincerely,

J+L Preg