Happy Thai-nksgiving!

I have the old song in my mind today,

Give thanks, with a grateful heart,

Give thanks, to the Holy One,

Give thanks, because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son…

I hope that all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving day and are able to celebrate with friends and/or family 🙂  Don’t let Black Friday overshadow the more important Thursday that comes before it!

I am thankful for my family and the encouragement and support they give me through everything. I can’t imagine what I would do if my family were not behind me 100%.

I’m thankful for my friends in America, who talk to me and make an effort to keep in touch even when it’s hard!  The miles and time differences between us and our busy schedules make it difficult to connect sometimes but I am thankful for my friends’ efforts to stay friends!!!

I’m thankful for my Thai friends and family here in Chiang Mai (and Bangkok, and Udon…).  Thanks for helping me adjust to Thai language and culture, and for teaching me how to be more like Jesus.  I’m thankful for our students at the English Center too, that they come study and participate in activities, and allow us to be their friends.

I’m thankful for my “farang” (foreign) family here too – other AG missionaries in town and in Thailand, my Norwegian missionary family complete with nieces and nephews, and other friends living and working in Chiang Mai.  This family is a support to me here in many ways, adjusting to culture, riding bikes together, spending time as friends, and they’re always the first source of English language input, if I am ever feeling like my English skill is declining!

I’m thankful for my supporters!  I’m thankful that so many families, pastors, and churches have faithfully partnered with me financially for the last two years as I serve in Thailand and reach university students for Christ.  I’m thankful that even though not everyone will go overseas, God has given everyone a way to participate in expanding His kingdom abroad!  I’m thankful too that God is still calling people to missions, and putting Thailand on people’s hearts, to pray, give, and go (come!).

I’m thankful for my bike, I’m thankful for the amazing bodies that God has given us to be able to run and swim and do all sorts of things, I’m thankful for triathlon as a gift of stress relief and a way to build friendships, I’m thankful for rest!

I’m thankful for GOOD FOOD. I’m thankful that Chiang Mai is not lacking in any kind of cuisine I want, and I’m thankful that Thai food is really sooooooo delicious!

I’m thankful for trials.  I’m thankful that even when things don’t go my way, God teaches me through the difficulties and I can learn more about myself and what I need to change in my life.  I’m thankful that God is gracious when I don’t get the lesson right away.

I’m thankful for a nice place to live. I’m thankful for my motorbike. I’m thankful that God has protected me and kept me safe as I drive, ride, run, and walk around!

I’m thankful for the sacrifice that Jesus made for us so that I don’t have to make merit to increase my good karma and hope for a better next-life and next-life and next-life.  I’m thankful that God has freely given us salvation and that He has promised us eternity with Him!