Thursday, October 26, 2006

With a grateful heart - part 1

Scripture tells us to give thanks with a grateful heart. I was sitting out on the porch today, reflecting about life in Malaysia and I came up with a long list of things for which I am thankful.

* this adventure we are on - my discontented soul likes change and new experiences. Moving halfway around the world after 40 years of life in Saskatchewan definitely qualifies!
* Tim - working together everyday and living in a small space can sometimes get on your nerves. He annoyed me the other day and I said, "I don't like you today." Then the next day, I annoyed him but he just said that he loved me AND he liked me. He has always been far more humble than me.
* simple living - I'm not big into lots of stuff (although the storage room in the cottage back at Arlington might tell otherwise!)
* the beauty of creation - its around us everyday with the sky, the tropical plants, the ocean....
* Kaleb - he's fun and easy going and has a great sense of humor. I really, really like him as a teenager :) The crisis of the move has been good for him in a hard way (does that make sense?) and his faith in the Lord has grown alot.
* Annie Mae - she's changed so completely from a few years ago, brimming with confidence and independence (except when it comes to crawly things!). And her tenderheartedness, which is starting to show itself, is very magnetic.
* speaking of our cottage, it makes the list as does Arlington Beach for so many reasons I can't list them all.
* email and blogs - we're still connected to all we left behind (digital pics are cool, too!)
* worship music - either online or my overused, much-listened-to CD's
* tandoori chicken with cheese naan - you knew I'd have to mention food eventually :)
* cheap calling cards - we get 8.5 hours to Canada or 7 hours to the States for $18 (just a thought for all our dear friends who work for SaskTel!)
* Nellie - our good friend here at Dalat who shows up unannounced with fresh baked goodies for our family. She's made this transition so much easier. I wish you all could hear one of her hearty laughs!

This is only the partial list but its getting near supper time so I have to find and herd kids towards the cafeteria. I'll post more another time.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love your transparancy! Thanks for being my daughter-in-law!

Kate said...

Ditto...freetobeme...only I am grateful, thankful and blessed that you are my daughter. I too am grateful for the blogging, the photos and intend to get some more posted on mine real quick like...freetobeme is just so very good at it.

Anonymous said...

lovely list - you made me smile