Fresh Start Daily

We just stayed in the AirBnB yesterday. It was rest day for my parents and work day for me. Today, I wanted to visit the Bangkokian Museum but it’s closed on Tuesdays (too bad!). The Suan Pakkad Museum which is just near our AirBnB is closed for repair. So, we decided to just go to the airport early (around 10 a.m. Philippine time). I also don’t want to be tired before we fly back home so we’re here at the airport enjoying our downtime. Our flight is at 11:10 p.m. Thailand time. The Philippines is one hour advanced than Thailand. I didn’t change the time on my phone so I wouldn’t get confused.

I guess I will share my observations in this country as a first time visitor. Thailand is heavy on tourism. There are tourists everywhere! It’s like half of the population are tourists. It’s also easier to communicate with the locals here than the people in Vietnam. It’s probably because they’re used to having foreigners around. Bangkok streets are clean. You’ll only see garbage bags at night. I didn’t see unpaved roads. The drivers stay on the right side of the car, like in Malaysia.

They tend to have heavy traffic during the rush hour but it’s nothing like the Manila traffic where you can get stuck for…ever! (Take everything with a grain of salt.) They have pictures of the king and the royal family on the side of the streets and on the facade of some buildings.

They also try to eliminate beggars. I saw a poster that said, “Stop begging by not giving”. I only saw maybe 4 beggars on the street in our one week of stay here. Personally, I don’t see anything wrong with giving alms especially to those who really are in need. Somebody has to start somewhere. I hope the government is giving them opportunities to earn to get them off the streets.

It’s also hotter here than the Philippines by a few celsius but I can really feel the difference. The temperature they have now is similar to the temperature in the Philippines in summer. Although on Sunday, we felt that the air got cold.

Cannabis is legal here. I saw several cannabis stores around Bangkok. They also put it in cookies, brownies, candies, balms, etc. I believe the sales is regulated. Otherwise, it can be abused.

Their food is mostly sweet and spicy. I like Thai food. Even their street food is good! Some are just a little too oily. Here, when you say “not spicy”, they mean mild spicy. When you say “spicy”, they mean super spicy. 😅 Thai food makes me frequent the bathroom. 😅😂

We didn’t visit the temples here. Although the boats in the Royal Barges museum had engravings of their gods, I did not know it prior to our coming. I’m not being legalistic. It’s just my personal conviction. Some say that it’s okay to visit them for the sake of knowledge–to learn their history and see their architecture. However, I’m okay not knowing or seeing them. I was only able to visit this country because God gave me the opportunity. I didn’t want to use that opportunity to go to places where people worship His enemy.

I can say that I did enjoy the time we spent here. I like their food (but not the super spicy ones!). The people are nice, orderly, and respectful. I am grateful that God protected my parents and I in our entire stay here. For an introvert like me, Bangkok is like a big party place with people from all around the world. I hear different languages everywhere, mostly from European countries. The city is vibrant and alive with so many activities for visitors. Staying here for good is, I think, for someone who likes the hustle and bustle.

I enjoy traveling, learning other countries’ culture and traditions, meeting new people, and trying their authentic cuisine, but I don’t have to see all the countries in the world. An experience like this is a perk from God that I don’t deserve. Seeing other countries is an experience I can live without but I am grateful for. The best destination is, and will always be, heaven. My ultimate goal is still God’s presence.

I decided to have this trip because I wanted to bond with my parents more while waiting for the spouse visa, if God will allow me to live in the U.S. with my husband. It’s not that I won’t see them anymore if I will be granted the visa, but of course, it won’t be as often as when I’m in the Philippines.

Airport food:

We attended the 9 am service in ECB (Evangelical Church of Bangkok) in Sukhumvit Soi 10 near Asok BTS station. It’s an international evangelical church. The sermon today is about being a devoted servant of God.

We went back to our AirBnB to rest then we went to Iconsiam to register for the dinner cruise that I booked online last Wednesday. We waited till 4:40 Thai time. While waiting, we went back inside Iconsiam. The mall was packed! It’s a big mall but it was super crowded.

The dinner cruise started at 5 p.m. We enjoyed the food. There were also singers (Filipinos!) on the boat. The cruise lasted for 2 hours. Then we went to Chatuchak (Night Market) to buy pasalubong because we don’t want to go there anymore tomorrow. I have work again tomorrow and I just want to stay in the AirBnB.

ECB

Korea Town

Iconsiam

Palanquin

Phra Wo (a.k.a. Wo Cho Fa) – palanquin for the king or queen

I booked the activities today on Klook. Our call time was at 7:30 in the morning and we arrived at the meeting place at 7:20.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

The Damnoen Floating Market (formerly called “canal”) connects two communities: Thachin river and Maekhong river.

Buffalo Cafe

Maeklong Railway Market

This place is a heavily touristic area. It’s too crowded.

The stores one by one closed to give way to the train which was only an armlength away from the stores along the railway. It’s surprising that it’s a tourist attraction because in the Philippines, there are also houses located along the railway but it’s not an attraction. 😅

Anyway, it was a unique experience. I think it was the same for the people riding the train. It was also surreal for them to see people so close to the train as they passed by. Some were smiling and waving to us.

When we went to our meeting place, our tour guide informed us that the princess was going to pass by Ratyatraksa Road. Apparently, she is the younger sister of king Rama the 10th. We only saw the car that the princess was in but not really the princess.

Pictures of the royal family (especially the king) are everywhere!

Royal Barges Museum

We went to Mo Chit station from Phaya Thai BTS station. Then we took a taxi from Mo Chit MRT station. We could’ve taken the bus but we decided to take the taxi because the Royal Barges museum is open only until 4:30 p.m. It was a race against time.

Chatuchak Market

Devo: Mark 6:7-13

“…and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.” V. 7

Jesus called the twelve disciples and sent them out to do the things that He did. He said a similar thing to them in the gospel of John.

“So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” John 20:21

Unbelievers often question our authority to do the things that Jesus did because we are merely humans. However, it says in verse 7 that He gave His disciples power over unclean spirits. Jesus sent them out to do outreaches and things that are similar to what Jesus did.

People who believe in God and accepted Him as their Lord and Savior, are automatically His disciples. As His disciples, they are called to do the things that He did: preach His Word, heal the sick, and cast out demons.

“He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff–no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts–but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.” Vv. 8-9

We might wonder why Jesus did not let them bring anything for their journey. However, it would be difficult for them to go from one place to another if they carried a lot of things. If they brought with them food, clothes, and everything they need to sustain them, they wouldn’t rely on God anymore. Jesus wanted them to learn to depend on Him for everything.

“If the preacher doesn’t trust God, how can he tell others to trust Him?” enduringword.com

“Also He said to them, ‘In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.” Vv. 10-11a

Jesus said that if people do not receive us or accept the message that we bring about God, we should leave. What does “shaking off the dust under our feet” mean? I read in enduringword.com that in that time, Jewish people who went to or through a Gentile city had to shake the dust off their feet when they leave.

“It was a gesture that said, ‘We don’t want to take anything from this Gentile city with us.’ Essentially, Jesus told them to regard a Jewish city that rejects their message as if it were a Gentile city.” enduringword.com

We cannot change people’s minds. We can only present to them the Word of God. It is up to them to receive or reject God’s message from His Word, the Bible.

“Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!” V. 11b

Sodom and Gomorrah were judged and severely punished by God for their sins and unrepentance. I cannot imagine what would happen to those who reject the Word of God. There will be a Judgment Day and everyone will receive according to our decisions on earth.

“The implication is that some will be judged more severely than others in the day of judgment. Of course, none will have it good in hell; but perhaps some will have it worse than others will.” enduringword.com

“So they went out and preached that people should repent.” V. 12

They preached the Word of God so people could repent.

“And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.” V. 13

As the disciples stepped out in faith, God empowered them to do the things that Jesus did.

We went out late in the afternoon because I had to do our itinerary for our entire stay here. Yes, I was only able to finish it today. 😅 We slept late last night. We’re staying just a few minutes away from the Phaya Thai BTS Sky Train station which is good because it’s easy to go to different places here in Bangkok.

Tonight, we went to Ratchada market. They sell different items there. They have food, clothes, accessories, exotic street food, and even cannabis stores! 🫨

From Phaya Thai, we went to Petchaburi. Then we transferred to the subway (Asok station) and got off at Thailand Cultural Center. Ratchada One market is just a few steps away from the subway.

Papa worked in Ajinomoto for more than 30 years. So, when we saw the Ajinomoto building near our AirBnB, I told him I would take a picture of him with it in the background.😊

I always take pictures of the maps in the countries we visit so we wouldn’t get lost.

It was my first time to see cannabis stores. It’s illegal in the Philippines.

Thank God for the safe flight!

I was so stressed last night because I couldn’t check in online on Cebu Pacific for our flight tonight. The airline was rejecting the booking number. I reported it to Air Asia and they said that the payment was unsuccessful. (I used the Air Asia app to purchase our tickets.) I paid it last year. I checked my credit card history and took screenshots in case they look for a proof.

I was awakened early this morning and I prayed and asked God for wisdom. I decided not to go back to sleep and go to the head office to inquire. (Thank You, Jesus, for giving me the wisdom to go to their office.)

I did not tell my parents about the problem because I didn’t want them to be disappointed. Also, I was hoping that the issue would be solved. For me, it’s okay if we don’t go. My worry was my parents. They were blissfully ignorant.

I also decided to fast this morning. While walking on the hallway to the elevator, I was praying and singing a worship song. I was declaring in my mind that God is sovereign and that He knows what’s happening. At the same time, I was asking Him for help.

When I got to the elevator area, I was surprised to see a double rainbow! The outer rainbow was faint but still visible. It was a beautiful sight! I was worried but I became hopeful. God did not let me see that for nothing. Nothing on earth happens without His knowledge.

When one of the elevator doors started opening, the rainbows were almost gone. It was slowly fading in the air. Wow. I could have missed it but God made sure that I wouldn’t. He wanted me to see it. He purposely positioned it there so I would see it. I am grateful. I believe it was God’s message for me.

When I got to NAIA terminal 3, I asked for the location of the Air Asia office. I was told that they already moved to terminal 2. Then the lady said that before going to terminal 2, I should try asking at their sales ticketing kiosk, so I went.

The lady at the desk instructed me to go to the Cebu Pacific kiosk which was just near. I went and again informed the agent about the issue. He checked the system and said that I don’t have any impending balance which means that they received my payment.

I just couldn’t check in online because I did not book directly on the Cebu Pacific website. It’s a lesson learned for me. It was my first time to purchase using a third party. Next time, I will book directly on the site of the airline that we will fly with.

I was told to just check in in person. I was so relieved! Imagine the stress I felt last night and this morning when I didn’t receive any update. Honestly, I was not really confident to travel this time because of all the things that are happening globally. Also, I was convicted about “pleasures of the world”. There’s nothing wrong with traveling, even for pleasure. God also wants us to enjoy. I just had that conviction. I booked that flight because I wanted to bond with my parents more because I won’t get to see them often when I move to the States (if my application is approved).

Seeing the double rainbow this morning really changed my disposition. I believe it was God’s way of telling me not to feel guilty, not to worry, and that we will be safe. God is good. Even when we make hasty decisions, He understands and forgives. He showers us with mercy.

I love rainbows. In the Bible, the rainbow signifies hope. It is a sign from God to Noah and his family after the great flood. It was God’s message of hope. Thank You, Jesus! 🌈🌈