If I Was an Orphan...

 

We have peacocks!

This was a new feature at Hot Springs, seen by us for the first time on our last visit in November.  

I should clarify that these are wild birds who have just felt safe and comfortable to hang around with us on the grounds.  There's five at my last count.  Looks like two males with the long tail feathers, and three females with the shorter plumage.  They are nonchalant about it all, just strolling on by.  Or jumping up onto the various levels of rooves we have here.

And just as I was writing this, I heard the great crash of the landing, went outside to chat him up, and asked politely if he would show me his splendor.  And just like that he complied.  I'm not kidding.

I'll admit I didn't realize how loud peacocks could be.  Not just the huge noise when they land on the rooves, but their call.  Haunting, piercing, undeniably confident.

Even so, we all seem quite pleased with them.  Like we have a small flock of our own exotic pets, but not really.  And they are quite comfortable with us.  Not aggressive in any way, but happy to stroll on by with only a yard or two between.  The children find them fascinating.  They were the ones who dragged me out to see the peacock who had managed to get himself all the way up on the cross at the front of the church building, just as dusk was setting in.    

Other slightly exotic beauties welcome this early Sunday morning.  Vibrant paper flowers.  Children happily doing chores in the shadows of the rising sun.

I find a great contentment in these first hours of this Lord's day.  Before the church members gather.  Before we sing vibrant songs in Thai, and hear a message of encouragement and hope from Pastor Suradet.  Before we eat lunch together.  And before the sacredness of a Sunday afternoon nap.

We also have plans to take Esther to supper tonight, picking up Bell from university on our way.  And a little market trip is tucked into the evening as well.  I'm making a list of what I'd like to bring back for the Sponsors.  And a few more English prizes for the kids.  And maybe some of that wonderful all-purpose oil they have that's really nice behind the ears, for me. 

Next week I will make yet another attempt to preach in Thai.  But not this morning.  This morning there is time to just be, and let it be, and knowing it is deeply wonderful just to be.   

I think that if I was an orphan....