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TheFreunds
Susan Blog
Susan Photos
Johns Blog
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MutedBeauty
Photo Galleries
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Susan Freund is a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) who currently  blogs about her experience volunteering outside of Nong Khai, Thailand. She is Volunteering through Good Shepherd Volunteers (GSV), working with the Good Shepherd Sisters, and primarily working at Hands of Hope .

Susan Freund
October 1, 2016

The winds of change amidst downward mobility

Susan Freund
October 1, 2016
The winds of change amidst downward mobility

A few thoughts on living more simply and some 'newsy' updates.

Tagged: adjustment, GSVolunteers, Community, Simplicity

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Susan Freund
September 8, 2016

The Midwest Tour and more

Susan Freund
September 8, 2016
The Midwest Tour and more

Another potential blog title was: In gratitude. For all of our friends and family back home. How I enjoyed the time stateside, which I attempt to share about in this blog.

Tagged: travel, vacation, TasteofHome, GSVolunteers

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Susan Freund
August 27, 2016

Renewal and Reflection

Susan Freund
August 27, 2016
Renewal and Reflection

A few thoughts on reflection and self-care after our first full week in Nongkhai. I'm trying to give myself some time for my 'spirit to catch up with me' (Isn't that a lovely phrase that someone shared with us a year ago?). 

Tagged: GSVolunteers, vacation, adjustment, CommunityOfFour

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Susan Freund
July 24, 2016

Finding the words

Susan Freund
July 24, 2016
Finding the words

A reflection of the past year and what I have learned so far.

Tagged: SocialJustice, privilege, GSVolunteers, SistersOfGoodShepherd

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Susan Freund
July 17, 2016

Anticipation

Susan Freund
July 17, 2016
Anticipation

I'm preparing to go home, to leave this community for a few weeks, and continuing to reflect on the past 11 months in Thailand.

Tagged: adjustment, animals, dailylife

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Susan Freund
July 10, 2016

Three, and then Four

Susan Freund
July 10, 2016
Three, and then Four

What I am looking forward to and preparing for in the coming month or two (or as close as the weekend), a memorial at Hands of Hope, and letting go of control - all that and more in this week's blog.

Tagged: death, Garden of Friendship, CommunityOfTwo, adjustment

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Susan Freund
July 3, 2016

Rainy Season

Susan Freund
July 3, 2016
Rainy Season

A review of the week in the midst of the rainy season, with some highs & lows - and a few photos from our outing with the patients.

Tagged: Visitors, HandsofHope, GSVolunteers, SocialJustice, spirituality

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Susan Freund
June 26, 2016

Everyday Life & the Life Center

Susan Freund
June 26, 2016
Everyday Life & the Life Center

It's a quick review of the past week, as we continue to process the change of the new building.

Tagged: EverydayLife, HandsofHope, newbuilding

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Susan Freund
June 18, 2016

History lessons

Susan Freund
June 18, 2016
History lessons

I share about some of the books I have read this week, a brief review of my week, and guess what? Some photos of the sky, but if that's not your thing, there are some other photos too.

Tagged: SocialJustice, HandsofHope, Book Recommendations

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Susan Freund
June 11, 2016

Volunteers Revisited

Susan Freund
June 11, 2016
Volunteers Revisited

Volunteers past come for a visit, interspersed with the new building opening - that's the news the past two weeks.

Tagged: visitors, newbuilding, SrMary, CareCenter

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Susan Freund
June 4, 2016

The flood gates open

Susan Freund
June 4, 2016
The flood gates open

I share about the many things happening right now, including the new building opening this upcoming Tuesday, June 7th.

Tagged: death, newbuilding, Garden of Friendship, Patients, MusicTherapy

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Susan Freund
May 28, 2016

Boundaries & Busy-ness

Susan Freund
May 28, 2016
Boundaries & Busy-ness

A review of the week - from Hands of Hope to overnight duty to everyday moments.

Tagged: HandsofHope, adjustment, homesick, children

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Susan Freund
May 22, 2016

You know how to make a girl feel special

Susan Freund
May 22, 2016
You know how to make a girl feel special

A birthday review from last week.

Tagged: EverydayLife, CommunityOfTwo

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Susan Freund
May 15, 2016

The Four Tenets

Susan Freund
May 15, 2016
The Four Tenets

A few photos from the week and a chance to read my recent blog for Good Shepherd Volunteers (GSV).

Tagged: GSVolunteers, GSV, EverydayLife

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Susan Freund
May 8, 2016

Back to normal

Susan Freund
May 8, 2016
Back to normal

I share the return to ordinary life... and some other big news at the end.

Tagged: dailylife, CommunityOfTwo, time

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Susan Freund
April 30, 2016

Scorching heat and cooling rain

Susan Freund
April 30, 2016
Scorching heat and cooling rain

I re-visit our time with recent visitors.

Tagged: Visitors, heat, vacation, adjustment

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Susan Freund
April 19, 2016

Great fun and deep loss

Susan Freund
April 19, 2016
Great fun and deep loss

I think my title sums it up well...

Tagged: Visitors, vacation, Songkran, CareCenter, death

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Susan Freund
March 30, 2016

Mountains Beyond Mountains

Susan Freund
March 30, 2016
Mountains Beyond Mountains

I share about the book I'm reading and what my thoughts on social justice are... I think it's a fairly digestible read, though!

Tagged: GSVolunteers, GSV, SocialJustice, privilege

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Susan Freund
March 26, 2016

The Week in Review

Susan Freund
March 26, 2016
The Week in Review

A short summary of my week, from bike rides to more solemn moments.

Tagged: Garden of Friendship, children, dailylife, death

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Susan Freund
March 19, 2016

Wednesday

Susan Freund
March 19, 2016
Wednesday

Here's what my Wednesday looked like this week - from the normal routine to the highs and lows.

Tagged: HandsofHope, dailylife, Patients

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Newer Posts
Older Posts

Topics

  • HandsofHope 19
  • GSVolunteers 14
  • Patients 12
  • adjustment 11
  • death 9
  • vacation 8
  • CommunityOfTwo 7
  • Firsts 7
  • SocialJustice 7
  • dailylife 7
  • privilege 7
  • EverydayLife 6
  • Garden of Friendship 6
  • Goodbyes 6
  • SrMary 6
  • Visitors 6
  • Christmas 5
  • children 5
  • massage 5
  • travel 5
  • CareCenter 4
  • Community 4
  • ThaiCulture 4
  • homesick 4
  • newbuilding 4
  • time 4
  • Food 3
  • Indonesia 3
  • MusicTherapy 3
  • animals 3
  • culture 3
  • grief 3
  • Bali 2
  • Book Recommendations 2
  • DeeperFulfillment 2
  • GSV 2
  • HandsofHopeBlog 2
  • LoyKrathong 2
  • NewYears 2
  • Simplicity 2
  • SistersOfGoodShepherd 2
  • TasteofHome 2
  • Thanksgiving 2
  • coconut 2
  • spirituality 2
  • America 1
  • Australia 1
  • Birthday 1
  • Buddhism 1
  • CommunityOfFour 1
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Susan's Blog
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Chicago, Illinois 60622, United States of Americajohn@mutedbeauty.com

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