Laurie Ishii

Well, I think it’s finally starting to hit me that I’m leaving in five days!!! Arrrgh!

So I think I’m pretty much ready, as much as I can be – I called the bank and told them that I’ll be in Bankok between January 6th till the 16th and in Cambodia sometime between… so I can use my debit and Visa cards without getting them blocked. Hopefully I won’t even need to spend much while I’m there – I’m not planning on shopping, but hey, I’m a female, what can I say – even though I’m not much of a shopper here in LA (except for the dogs) who knows what I’ll see over there…someone said that they have doggie clothes in Bangkok…lol!

I bought mosquito repellant, a couple of water bottles for the first day or two (in case the water isn’t great there) an tiny alarm clock…I checked the time difference – it’s 15 hours ahead of us in Bangkok. I want to be able to call Daryl while I’m there and not call some crazy hour when he’s asleep. (Although he does get up at 2am for work sometimes) but I have to check on my babies – otherwise I’ll worry. I know that I’ll miss them so much as it is – I won’t have my Pablo warming my neck on my pillow…oh yeah – it will be 90 degrees over there – I won’t need any extra heat…

When I was praying the other morning, I kept telling the Lord that I was very concerned about Ziggy and Pablo feeling abandoned – especially because they’re used to having me home and because I take them out alot during the day. Our friend Ty’s name kept coming up – I felt like I was supposed to call Ty and ask him if he’d mind watching them while I’m gone. I felt like I’d be inconveniencing him and I almost didn’t bother asking, but I thought what did I have to lose – he could just say No.

But he said YES!!! PRAISE GOD!!! So yesterday I had keys made for both him and our friend Jennifer, so that someone will be with my babies! Ziggy and Pablo both know Ty and Jennifer, so they’ll be happy about that. Plus I had an opportunity to speak with our next door neighbor for quite a while yesterday, so he knows what’s up as well. I also had a chance to share my testimony and the Lord with him – please pray for him! I invited him to church, but he said that his live in girlfriend is very ‘logical’ and doesn’t believe in God or religion.

Anyway, while I’m in Bangkok we are going to visit the bars where the prostitutes work and also do some shopping, sight seeing etc. so that should be interesting. It will be somewhat of a vacation for me I guess – I haven’t done anything like this for – (ever! Since I was a kid) – I mean, just to get out of LA for more than a few days will be an experience. I just don’t want to get sick while I’m there. That’s my biggest concern. So if anyone wants to pray specifically – please keep pray for my health!!! I’m also still waiting to get my passport holder by UPS – they came last week and Daryl answered the door and didn’t know I was expecting anything – and plus they didn’t have the correct name – the UPS guy asked for “Null Null” (uh like null and void???) so of course Daryl said that there was no one here by that name…where they got that name is beyond me!

Well, I also want to give a BIG THANK YOU for all of your tips, support, encouragement and donations – I am forever grateful!!! I know that God is going to do amazing things while I’m there, and of course I’ll tell you everything that happens while I’m there when I get back – who knows, maybe I’ll even be able to get some computer time while I’m still there and you’ll hear from me sooner!!!

Happy, BLESSED New Year!!!