Kim and Jeremy in Thailand

Yesterday was a packed day! After school, our girls had two soccer games. The first team was a little too easy for them and we got kind of embarrassed-I think we won something like 11-0. The second team was much more of a challenge for them, especially since they had just played a full game and the other team hadn't. But they hung on and ended up breaking the tie with just a few minutes left to play and won 2-1. It was good.

Then we went to dinner downtown. Yesterday and today are Loy Krathong, which is one of the biggest celebrations in Thailand. The people send these beautiful krathongs made of flowers, banana leaves, and candles, down the river. I have heard several stories as to why; everything from it originating with the women sending notes to the men who were fighting a war downriver to it being an offering to 'mother river' for polluting it. I think the stories about it being an offering are probably more accurate, but it is like many holidays in the US that no longer hold spiritual significance for most people who participate. The Thais also light these big paper lanterns that work as kind of mini hot air balloons that float up into the sky, and there are lots of fireworks!! It was really neat to see. A large group of us from Grace went downtown and ate dinner at The Gallery, which is a riverside restaurant. Unfortunately, since it was at night, a lot of my pictures didn't turn out well. But I do have some up in the gallery.