- I am thankful for 3 young girls (a 4th grader, 6th grader, and 10th grader) who jumped to defend the reason I am going to East Asia when criticism came. Oh for faith like a child!!
- I am thankful for a friend who drove 6+ hours to visit this past weekend.
- I am thankful for friends who threw an "Asia" party (complete with chopsticks, Hello Kitty cake, East Asia Jeopardy", and a mini photo shoot)
- I am thankful for each girl in my small group. I am thankful for their encouragement, prayers, support, and friendship.
- I am thankful for snow days that gave me 2 extra days to spend with my little sister.
- I am thankful for that same ice storm that gave me time to read Elizabeth Elliot's "Passion and Purity" (and I highly recommend it!)
- I am thankful for one last pretty day to run in Jemison Park (silly, but I did pray for it a week ago)
- I am thankful for my church for the constant reminder that the good news needs to go to the nations.
- I am thankful for one last time to worship with my faith family (Wednesday at 6:30 PM if anyone want to come)
- I am thankful that He is preparing me to leave. The past month has not been easy. I have had many fears about leaving home for 6 whole months. To explain this, here is part of an e-mail I sent to a few friends two weeks ago:
In the busy Christmas season I have gotten so comfortable with life here. There are so many good options to fill the time. As it usually happens, the busier I get with good friends and fun plans, the more i want to fill my time with those things. The Lord has graciously provided some amazing community here in bham and I'm just being selfish and don't want to leave it. I think the heaviest thing that has been on my heart the past few weeks is the fear of being all alone. but no worries, I am still planning on boarding that plane :) and here is why...
Christ is sufficient-. He is sufficient in all things, even loneliness. what is more, He is more fulfilling and desirous than any other person or thing on this earth!
Christ is faithful - even when I am faithless.
Christ is merciful - He knows the frailties of my flesh. He is familiar with all of my weaknesses
Christ is gracious - He graciously gives us all things pertaining to life and godliness. No good thing does He withhold from him whose walk is blameless! (and I am made righteous through him).
and so, I needed to be reminded that He will not cease to be these things over the next 6 months just because I am somewhere else in the world. In fact, I think I will see these things more and more.
Thank you to those of ya'll who have been praying! He has given me much peace in leaving bham and renewed excitement about going to East Asia!
with all of this said,
I am most thankful for Christ.
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