Early Thanksgiving

This morning I did some stretches while listening to some cds of Ken Rudolph (http://www.kenrudolphministries.com/sermons/) that my mom sent me ages ago when I first came back to Macau.


One sentence really stuck out to me: "Don't let the little things become big things." Ken was preaching on Genesis 2/3 and how the fall of man came because instead of focusing on all the things that were given to them; Adam and Eve listened to Satan's lies and began to think about the one tree of which they could not eat.


Thanksgiving fights off the preoccupation to be self-centered; to moan about what we don't have. I will be traveling during the holiday next week, so it seems like a good idea to kick-start Thanksgiving now, not only for next week, but as a life habit.



These are some top people that I'm thankful for in my life:


- My mom and dad, who sang me old hymns and told me stories at night, who taught me to learn with curiosity about the world, and who (along with the rest of Oceana County), taught me that hard work is a blessing (even the 70+ hour harvest work weeks at PFI) :)

-My grandmas-- Grandma Moul who teaches me by example never to complain and still prayers for me every day, Grandma G who showed me how to be faithful to God my whole life, and Gma P, who sacrificed to help out with my school bill at Moody

-My brothers and sisters- I'm so thankful that we support each other now as adults- in making family decisions, when times get tough, through prayer and understanding...I'm proud of who we are becoming

-Karen N.- for your faithful example of trusting that God is good even when life events seem to say otherwise and your prayers for me over the years.

-For my Bethel team from years ago: Phil, Ginny, Paul, Caye, Becky, Mike, April, Sandy, Jackie, Tiff, etc...- you guys taught me that serving God together is so powerful and so fun. You showed me how to pursue God and His work wholeheartedly. I hope I have a chance to have an experience like that again.

-For my Moody friends and roommates: Becky, Laurie, and Em (and Sara)- Coming home to hang out with you guys and fellowship was always the highlight of my day. Thanks for loving me with Jesus' love for so many years

-For Linda and Carol, Jim and Terry- who parented me through years at school

-For Esther- you've become a true spiritual sister to me ...thanks for all the Skype talks that keep me going these days :) (And to think our first conversation was just about Korean TV!)

-For Jan- What am I going to do when you retire? You always keep my thinking on track, you love me and you know when to scold me too. Thanks for being a real friend here!


Jesus, in these members of your Body, you have showed me yourself. Thank you for all my blessings!!