I Thank You Father

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

#615

I ended at 540, then the last one had 75, so...that makes this...615

615. 8 hours of sleep in one night
616. Places to go for help
617. Friends
618. God's presence--true whether I feel it or not
619. God--always a refuge--no matter how I feel, how badly I've fallen, how poorly I've lived
620. Babies on the way
621. Music
622. Whispers, God speaking...

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

You Count Fish

A reminder from where this "being thankful" thing all began--aholyexperiece.com...and an article I've read before too. Ann...sometimes I love your stuff. Sometimes not so much :o), but this one IS really good--highly recommended: How to Live Through Anything: The Fish Principle.

“You pull in your life and you see that though you felt ripped open —- the net actually didn’t tear."

I feel ripped open, but I have survived...so now, I count the fish.

Willing and able teaching partners last week.
Presenters with FAR more experience and Far better activities than I could have pulled off.
Vulnerability, that made the way for vulnerability.
Awareness--that course IS now transferable.
Students' growth:
-->courage to speak in front of others
-->words on a page--the pain of 'no man's affirmation in my life' (after dad died)
-->acknowledging struggle
a place to rest
air conditioning
quiet
novels
tears
tissue
Promises:
-->broken but not crushed
-->this too shall pass
-->Pursued by His goodness and unfailing love
-->He renews my strength
-->He restores my soul
-->I will never leave you, nor forsake you, will walk close beside you
Always enough:
-->Money
-->energy
-->staff
-->ideas
-->grace
Long-term colleagues
So much learned in the struggle
Those so patient with me
Trust from so many--their stories and deep pain shared
Those that didn't kill themselves
Some that have taken to heart, and applied to their lives
Storms that strengthened
Sun through the clouds, rays right now shining on the bars of my 'cage'
Rays breaking through, demanding more and more space
Hope, always hope
You--my Refuge and Strength
Others to think of and comfort, rather than just think of my own pain
Others ahead...giving hope for the journey, calling back over hard paths
Friends that share the journey:
-->M.A.
-->A&L
-->G.Z.
-->L.C.
-->M&D
17 years, when I didn't know if I could do 1
visas, every year
a beautiful language
a life shaped
people I wish I'd never met--I would never have learned lessons otherwise
many people I'm thankful to have met
books
students
insight
a heart that feels
eyes that can weep
grief groups
team
learning my gifts, strengths
if and when I go, still with You
protection, again and again, from:
-->the snake
-->the centipede
-->the fall--head & back hit...
-->the guy by the river
-->on buses
-->those who would say 'no'
-->fear
-->lonliness
-->routine :o)
Shower Meditation breaking through last Friday
story of an orphan given a home, prayers for fatherless and motherless to know Father
family
technology--inspiration

...and that's all I can think of for now.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

#535

535. Repenting of my attitude, apologizing, asking forgivenes, receiving.
536. Friends to share "The Journey"
537. A more hopeful day.
538. Colleagues that help make it work (the schedule changes I need to make this week)
539. God, Your love, from which I cannot be separated.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

#524

524. Hope returning...again
525. Transformed lives--Joy marvelling at the difference in herself--now versus 3-4 years ago
526. Community being created for them
527. A clean house
528. The privilege of knowing these students!
529. God hears and answers prayer

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

#516

516. Good plans made for re-moving, re-organizing after the flood
517. Friends helping to carry
518. Student volunteers
519. Staff--good team-members
520. Not much else to do tonight...but go to bed!