Finding a Motorbike and a Place to Stay

I looked at many places but I wasn't able to get them all on here. *Sigh* It was so tiring...place after place seemed small, overpriced according to Thai standards, and had a problem with bugs! :( Of course, I wanted to lean towards the nicer Western-style places but always found that they were waaaay out of my budget. (Plus, being alone, I don't need a big, nice, place to myself. It will just make me sad knowing I don't have anyone to share it with :(). For a moment, I contemplated inviting Thai friends to stay with me, which would have been nice, but I wasn't exactly sure how long I would stay in Chiang Mai for (depending on how long I will need to learn Thai and where ministry will take me). I wanted to keep my schedule open and flexible--therefore, I couldn't really get a nice place even if I wanted to since many places require a one year lease or more. So...I ended up staying at the same place I did last year :) Location, location, location --> the 3 things you need to consider in getting a place of your own. I'm right by a department store, restaurants, gas stations, and near Payap University where I hope to be studying Thai soon.

As for the motorbike, well, it's a Honda Click. I have to admit--it's a little bit more on the expensive side but I'm hoping that it will be well worth it's price. If not, I'll exchange it :) (Pastor Bunsoem won't be happy if I do that!). It rides very smooth, easy, saves on gas (or so I've heard), and it's safer for me as a new driver.

*Sigh* Getting settled in a foreign country has been fun and difficult at the same time. I have to learn the vocabulary for everything and at times, it has been lonely. I'm just thankful that the Lord has provided many friends here that help me in so many different ways...truly, I'm in their debt. :) I admit, I truly wanted a nicer place but I'm content with where I am--it's a nice, small studio apartment that has just about everything I need and not too much shock me out of concentrating on more important things. The only problem I have are giant cockroaches every now and then (before, I was getting bitten in the face by mosquitoes and couldn't sleep at night).

"But if we have food and clothing [and shelter], we will be content with these" (1 Tim. 6:8).

Please pray that I will not set my hope on these worldly things (because God knows I need them) but to "do good, be rich in good works, be generous, willing to share, and to store up for myself a good foundation for the age to come so that I may take hold of life that is real" (1 Tim. 6:18-19, change in pronoun).