with a heart full of thanks

as another year has come and gone, i can't help but stop and reflect on all the things i am thankful for...being away from my family has been difficult to accept as the holiday approaches but the Lord has been so good. He has graciously shown me to embrace what is around me here in uganda. embrace the newness, the changes, the differences and look to make sweet memories where i am. life is always changing for me and what i love are the annual family traditions back in the states, but this year it's different...and so as i think about those back home, my heart is full of thanks for so many things...

- my entire family that i have been blessed to do life with for 26 years & all the support they have given me especially over this past year

- my dad and the additional days the Lord has given him since his first diagnoses in 2008. 

- the opportunity to live with my parents for a few months last year and then with my sisters (JJ) family for 9 months

- my best friends who have never wavered in believing in me, challenging me, loving me, and encouraging me through each season. for the ways they have pushed me to run after Jesus!

- for my supporters/prayer warriors who have shared their prayers, wisdom, tangible support, and uplifting words. God is using you to fulfill His promises in me!

- for all the letters, emails, skype conversations, facebook messages, or gmail chats since living in uganda. i cherish each one

- for the new friends God is introduced me to over this year!

- for the lessons of learning to love people, no matter what

- for all the relationships that were built over this year

- for God's provision in putting every piece of the puzzle of my life together

- for God's constant faithfulness and steadfast love

- for the roger's family and welcoming me into their lives in uganda

- for ROWAN and all the work God is doing through them in Mawanga

- for all the ways God continues to draw me to Him through everything. wouldn't want to be anywhere else because i would miss out on knowing Him more!

as i celebrate thanksgiving with a different family this year, my heart is with my mine back in the states. i am so incredibly thankful to be where i am; though separated, it challenges me to be even more fervent in prayer over them and all those i am not with. praying you each have a wonderful holiday. may you take time to embrace what's around you and enjoy your family and friends! 

happy thanksgiving!

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; 

give thanks to Him and praise His name. 

For the Lord is good and His love endures forever;

His faithfulness continues through all generations."

Psalm 100:4-5

Encouraging Words

"May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it." 

1 Thes 5:23,24

"Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name. I will priase you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever." 

Ps 86:11-12

"The Lord reigns, He is robed in majesty...He is armed with strength. The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved. Your throne was established long ago, you are from all eternity

...holiness adorns your house for endless days, O Lord." 

Ps 93:1,2,5

"The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth...You are exalted far above all gods. Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous and praise His holy Name." 

Ps 98:5,9,12

"Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His footstol, He is holy." 

Ps 99:5

"...by His power may He fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith...so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in Him." 

2 Thes 1:11-12

"Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ." 

2 Thes 3:5

"Blessed are You, Lord God os Israel, Our Father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and You are exalted as head over all...in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all." 

1 Chron. 29:10-12

"...from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the spirit and through belief in the truth...stand firm and hold to the teachings...May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." 

2 Thes 2:13-17

a few recent thoughts

He draws us back every time. He gently reveals to us more of who He is. He lovingly guides us with each step. He holds us in His hands. He makes us more like Him through everything we endure. He continues to show me that my life on this earth is not about me for one minute. It has nothing to do with my life. but it's ALL about Him. everything is pointing back to Him. EVERYTHING. from the way the sun rises over the hills in kampala. from the birds chriping, to the sound of rain hitting the ground, to my attitude towards each person. to my words that leave my mouth. it is all for the praise of His name! 

i have grown up in a culture with a "want it now" mentality that i wish i didn't automatically have. i instinctively set goals to accomplish and want to see results soon. and now, here i am in a completely opposite culture of what i am used to. a culture of "slow and steady". i'm seeing something i didn't before though. i'm seeing that my wants are self-centered and selfish. i'm wanting to accomplish certain goals and see results. however, i have to ask myself the question, "what am i ultimately striving for? self fulfillment or God's?" i recognize that no matter how monotunous something may be, God asks desires for me to be faithful! to be faithful in the small things. to be faithful in today. don't get overwhelmed with the larger picture. but just be faithful on a daily basis. and believe He will fulfill His purposes for me.

it's so easy to say and more difficult to live out. i have to believe that God would not bring me where i am today if He wasn't working. i have to believe that He is working all things together for His good and purposes. my prayer is that my spirit will be sensitive to when He speaks and to move in action accordingly. i have to die to myself everyday and choose to be faithful, obedient, and patient. 

i'm thankful to serve a God who is always for me and draws me back to Him through all things.

He is making me more like Him and that is what i would choose over anything else!