A Month of Thanks, Day 19

I am thankful that there are people who still write snail mail. I used to write a LOT more snail mail but many of the people I was corresponding with have died or can no longer write. But, I do still have a few faithful writers, and some of them are from my generation!

Today when I got home I checked my mail and found NO junk mail, maybe the rain helped with that (in Japan it is okay to walk around house to house putting fliers into mailboxes). But , there was one lone envelope with familiar handwriting. What a blessing to receive that letter.

I also love that Awana has children write to missionaries. This guarantees at least a letter a year, but usually a lot more. Some children are using email these days, but I do still get real letters, too.

Thank you to all of you who have ever written me a letter. I appreciate it.

I guess I should remember how much I like to get mail and send it to others, too!

(The picture was taken from a free clip art site!)

A Month of Thanks, Day 18

Tonight was missionary fellowship. Several of us gather about once a month to eat, share, encourage, pray and laugh together. I am incredibly grateful for this space where I can be with people who, like me, have left their country of origin to live in a culture so different from what we grew up in, because we have been called by God to share His love with people here. We don't have to talk about that. We understand each other. Even though we are all in different cities doing different ministries, we are one in heart. What a blessing!

(I haven't a clue where a picture of all of us is right now and it is too late for me to find. Maybe when I am more awake I will post one!)

A Month of Thanks, Day 17

I am thankful for God's faithfulness. I am so inconsistent you'd think I was a wave in the ocean! I want to be faithful. I want to be consistent. I want to be stable. I desire these things. I try to do these things, sometimes in my own strength which never ever works out.

BUT, God is faithful. Even when I am wavering around. Even when I take a step away. Even when I feel as close as ever. In all of these times God is faithful. He doesn't change. He loves me the same, each and every day, each and every moment.

As I thought about a picture to post with this, the hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness" came to mind, especially the line 'morning by morning new mercies I see.' So, I decided a picture of the sunrise would be a good picture to post!

A Month of Thanks, Day 16

I am thankful for friends. I am thankful for the way God unfolds a friendship the way a rose unfolds, one petal at a time until it is in full bloom, beautiful and fragrant. I am thankful that God planned for us to live in community, not only with family but also with friends who laugh when we laugh, who grieve when we grieve, who encourage when we are down, who open their hearts and let us climb inside, loving us and caring for us.

I have been blessed to get to live in two countries, three states, and more cities than I care to count. (When I give you my address, just put it in the 'X' section because you will cross it out several times!:) Along with all of this moving has come the joy of friendships. Even when I knew I was moving away and tried not to make friends so that my heart would not be ripped out again, there was God setting someone in front of me who I could not avoid befriending! And, even with all of that heart ripping, I am always so thankful for the friends God has placed in my path. Some are friends for a season, some are sister-like friends, but all are precious to me.

Thank You, God, for my lovely friends!

I want to post pictures of my friends here. I am afraid I will forget someone! If I do, I am sorry! It is not because I have forgotten you, it is that I couldn't find a good picture to post or didn't go back far enough in the archives!

A Month of Thanks, Day 15

Water.
I take it for granted every day.
Until I went to Peru.
We had to drink bottled water.
One night our hotel had a water problem and the hot water was off.

These things reminded me how important clean water is.
I am thankful that I can turn on the tap, fill up a glass of water and drink it, safely.
I am thankful that I can turn on the shower, stand under the hot water and know that it will run as long as I want it to.

Thank You, Lord, for water!

A month of Thanks, Day 14

Today's topic: new friends!

I had other plans for today's post, but my sudden meeting of three teachers from a school for the disabled changed things. Today I went to USJ (Universal Studios Japan) by myself. I really wanted to see the Christmas show and ride the roller coaster. When I got there, I first got ice cream-a girl has to have priorities! Then I was planning to get in line for the roller coaster. However, the wait was 105 minutes, perhaps enough time to ride and get a good spot for the show, but maybe not. So, I went to Space Fantasy first, an indoor roller coaster meets controlled tilt-a-whirl that is also pretty fun. The line for that was only about 45 minutes.

Then I went to stake out my place for the show, which didn't turn out to be as great of a place as I had first thought it would be.

I enjoyed the show but it took forever to get back to the roller coaster line. I finally made it and got in the single riders' line. I got to ride with a girl of about 11 who said it was her third time today, and two people who I thought were a couple at first. We had a great ride-I LOVE roller coasters! (This one is way too short, but it is the best one close to me.)

As we exited the two I thought were a couple started chatting with me and I found out they are teachers at a school for the disabled in Nara and the guy teaches English. They were so excited to talk with me. We found their other friend who doesn't like roller coasters-which is why I got to ride with them-and decided to watch the starlight parade together while eating hamburgers from the diner.


I went to USJ by myself-first time I have ever gone to an amusement park by myself-and left with three new friends and plans to get together for a potluck party in January and maybe some hiking before that! What a fun day!




If it weren't so late, I would go on about other new friends I have made recently...

like Makiko


or these wonderful ladies I met in Peru

A Month of Thanks, Days 12 & 13

Today, and everyday, I am thankful for God's Word. There are days when I don't realize how thankful I am. There are days when I don't take time to sit down and read and meditate. However, even on those days, I remember God's Word. I am thankful that my parents felt it was necessary for us to go to church together and study God's Word together from the time I was born until the day I left for college. Because of their commitment to God and demonstrating their love for Him by teaching us, I have more of God's Word hidden in my heart than I realize.

God's Word has the power of life. It is living. It guides. It instructs. It admonishes. It encourages. It comforts. It truly is the answer. Sometimes it is tough, tough to understand, tough to accept. Sometimes it seems too good to be real. But, always, it is Truth.

Lord, may I never take for granted the privilege of having Your Word, of being allowed to read it freely. Thank You for providing this way of knowing You, who You are, how You work and think, and about Your love.