Happy Easter!!!!

Happy Easter everybody. I know, I know, we are slackers and haven't update our blog for quite some time. Sorry about that. Life has a way of speeding along without you realizing it. Our Pastor of our church decided to hold a Easter egg hunt at his house and of course we wouldn't miss that. The kids were all gathered around to hear the story of Easter and then with anxious anticipation were allowed to find the eggs after the story. We saw lots of friends there and was able to have a relaxing afternoon catching up. It was weird to have Easter in Thailand not because it was Thailand, but because is was so hot and humid. I've never had such a hot Easter. We were all drained from the afternoon heat and decided to invite friends from the Easter egg hunt to join us at our neighborhood pool. We had a great time and it was nice to cool off. We hope all of you out there had a great Easter. We will try not to wait so long to update the blog.
Lots of love to everybody
The Faucetts

Goodbye to a friend, goodbye to Love Bug

It was a sad, sad day today. Unfortunately, our beloved kitty Love Bug died. We only had him 4 1/2 months, but he was well-loved and a member of the family. Love Bug is Acacia's first ever pet and he was extremely helpful to Acacia's transition. When she was missing family and friends back home she could always count on Love Bug to make her feel better. He was one of those great cats that played with the girls, even when they played a little too rough. He always greeted us when we got home and in the evening he loved to sit on our laps. One of those rare cats that always came when you called and always put a smile on your face with his goofy antics.

Brett, our friend Jeem, Annapurna, Acacia and I held a memorial service today. We wrote and read to each other about how much we loved Love Bug and all the great memories we had. Acacia decorated Love Bug's box "coffin" and we buried him in the yard, along with his favorite toys, one being a dolly that he would drag around. Then we attached the notes to a kohm loi(a paper hot-air lantern)and sent them up to God. We all held hands in a circle and prayed for our dear sweet Love Bug. It's going to be a rough few weeks here, especially at night-time, since Love Bug always slept with Acacia. He would meow pitifully, and loudly, outside Acacia's door until we let him in to curl up next to her and fall sleep.

We will miss our beloved kitty.

Green with envy

What is this? Some rare tropical disease that turns little girls legs and arms all green polka dotty. I sure hope it isn't contagious. I thought we banned Anna from using all markers in the house. Apparently, I was wrong!

McKean Hospital (Leprosy Colony)

I visited a colleage that works at McKean and received the guided tour. Leprosy is nearly eradicated, due to education and care,however, McKean continues to administer care to a few rare cases of leprosy, but now is more focused on elderly care. Quite a few former leper patients are now working for McKean by doing handicrafts, making prosthetic limbs and making bicycles. The island also has housing for assisted living patients.

McKean Hospital was founded in 1908 by Presbyterian Missionaries Mr and Mrs McKean. This was the first Leprosy center in Thailand. McKean is located on a island surrounded on one side by a river and a stream that connects the river to create an island of sorts. McKean is located south of the Chiang Mai city center. The hospital grew in stages of being a leprosy colony and hospital to a leprosy rehabilitation center providing physical and occupational therapy. Their goal is to empower these patients to attain their maximum potential physically and to be psychologically healthy with a sense of worth and self acceptance, and to be able to live productive lives with acceptance and dignity in their own community.


The whole island is beautiful and lush and is its own self-contained little community. I felt very thankful to see the center and talk with the staff and patients at McKean. McKean is a success story here in Thailand. There no longer is a stigmatization of lepers like there once was, due to educating the public about leprosy and the caring and nuturing work of the people that work at McKean.

Wrong turn

A couple of weeks ago we were told of a great outdoor market called the "Royal Project". We had our directions but ended up making a wrong turn and ended up at the foot of the mountain by a beautiful lake. You never know what lies on the road ahead. We stayed here for a little while and finally packed up and asked someone for directions to the Royal Project. Yes, I asked directions even though I am a man, it has been done before. We finally found it and walked all around. The girls got sugar cane juice served in bamboo glasses. What fun!!

Sunflower fields forever

This field of sunflowers is located at Payap University where we go to church every Sunday. We pass this field and often think it would be fun for the girls to play in there. Not to mention a great photo opportunity as well. The day was suprisingly hot, but the girls had fun tramping around the flowers. We even found a dead snake in amongst the flowers. Ok, girls I think it is time to go. I was kind of worried about snakes there. Afterwards we cooled of with a fruit shake and an iced coffee for Dad at the Coffee Bus. (Our favorite place for drinks).

Acacia's Christmas presentation at CMIS

Acacia actually had 2 different performances, one at school during the day and one a couple of days later at a outdoor theater near school. She is not as animated as Anna but she loves to perform. Lots of Christmas songs and dancing. The girls are growing up too fast. I feel like time is flying by and I'm running to keep up, sometimes literally.