101 Things I’m thankful for

1. Christ's sacrifice for me and for everyone, inviting us all to know him!
2. My faith
3. The Holy Spirit, who invites me to know God more deeply and who guides me in truth.
4. The Word of God, given to us without error and boldly declaring the truth of Christ as Lord and God's plan to rescue the whole word from the mess we've created for ourselves.
5. Life
6. God's financial provision for me, even in spite of living in poverty by American standards.
7. Health
8. Days when I am free of pain.
9. My family back in the states
10. All the people who are so willing to support my ministry here in Mexico!
11. Mexico!
12. Compa
13. The Compa cell (small group)at the ESCA
14. Mario, the staff worker for Compa in Mexico City, whose job is truly larger than one person should have on their own, yet his joy in his students is so wonderfully obvious in every moment!
15. Iglesia Cristiana Sion, my church on the mountain
16. Trees!
17. Grass!
18. Cody, in whose life the transforming power of Jesus Christ is more evident every day!
19. Prisca, who knows me so well she hears what I'm not sayin and speaks right to the heart of every problem, even when I'm having trouble admitting it!
20. Brandy, who loves to share all the amazing things going on back in the states, which truly encourages me!
21. Electricity, which went out as I was writing the original copy of this list...
22. Hermana Maru, who loves taking care of me, making sure I'm eating enough (which actually means too much...) of her amazing, homecooked food!
23. Having a backyard, in a city where grass and green things in general are minimal, unless you count the buses, which are painted green...
24. Dasys wehn I can eat when I'm hungry and only what I'm hungry for
25. Shiloh, whose wisdom and willingness to speak truth into my life is one of the greatest blessings I've ever recieved!
26. Carolyn, whose loving words are truly encouraging.
27. The new washing machine Hermana Maru bought this month!
28. Lupita (adult), who is always so eager to welcome me into her home and to feed me!
29. Jonathan (9), Lupita's son, wh makes me laugh and smile, especially when I ask him how he is and he responds "Bien, pero bien mal" ("Gode, but good bad."), with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
30. Space to enjoy God's creation
31. Hector and Milca, whose home has become my second home, the first place I go when I go to the church, up to four times a week!
32. Neri (1), Hector and Milca's yungest child, who is a joy to me, because she is always so happy and calm
33. Hectorin (4), Hector and Milca's middle child, whose energy and mischievous smile re a delight to me.
34. Sergio (15), Hector and Milca's oldest child, whose deep, clear voice is truly a delightful addition to the mostly off-key sounds of worship at church
35. Diana (17), whose delight to see me each week makes me feel so at home in her presence! And her voice is like an angel!
36. Betty (15), whose eagerness to know me is so encouraging to my heart!
37. Lupita (11), whose patience with her younger siblings, all four of them, is truly an inspiration to everyone who sees her!
38. Josephina (Jose) and Jaime, who welcome me into their home so often!
39. Paulina (15), Jose and Jaime's oldest child, because she is just a delight to get to know!
40. Sleep and good rest
41. Brian (9), Jose and Jaime's middle child, whose attempts to use eawch English word I teach him as often as possible are truly delightful.
42. Karina (8), Jose and Jaime's youngest child, is always ready for the biggest hugs!
43. Gaby 2, whose delight in greeting each person is truly infectious.
44. Hot showers
45. Days when I can sit down on the micro
46. Days when I can sit down on the Tren Ligero
47. Days when I can sit down on the Metro
48. Paul and Nydia Johnson, for being amazing directors of Spearhead!
49. Wendy Der, for being an amazing director of Spearhead!
50. Lotion... It just feels that good!
51. Good books
52. Good music
53. Ben Stuart/Breakaway podcasts
54. Tacos! Who knew you could eat out and feed 3 people a full meal for less than $8!
55. Bright colors because they brighten my day!
56. The houses in Mexico, which are painted in such wonderful, bright colors, that it makes me smile just to see them!
57. Time alone
58. Caro, who is truly a delight to know and serve with, and her perseverance in the face of truly challenging situations in her ministry is so encouraging!
59. Ashley, another of the truly wonderful people I serve with, whose perseverance to love in truly hard circumstances is truly encouraging!
60. Stephanie, whose quiet spirit is a joy and delight!
61. Patrick, whose desired qualities in his future spouse have caused our team untold hours of joy and laughter
62. Jonathan, whose sense of humor and easy-going personality are truly wonderful
63. Living in a house with walls that won't blow away in a strong breeze
64. Living in a house where neighborhood animals cannot enter at every whim
65. Having my own room, where I can truly decompress each day
66. Phill and Brandee, who I can have the shortest, most insignificant conversations with and still come away so encouraged and feel so delighted in!
67. STiM and the wonderful preparations I recieved through them
68. STiM's newest STiM team, which is still being formed, ut will send me some wonderful new Spearheaders next summer!
69. The musical abilities of my team, which make it truly delightful to sing and worship with them!
70. My own musical abilities, which allow me to turn my own room or the patio into a wonderful place of worship, drwing me into the heart of God.
71. The chance to see a good movie every once in a while
72. Having the computer with me to record my thoughts
73. The opportunity to serve in this place and in this time
74. The desire God has placed in my heart to continue to serve in Mexico, after my year is up.
75. The joy of unexpected adventures!
76. The hike up the mountain each week, it's a nice bit of exercise.
77. Finding a taxi quickly on my way up the mountain
78. Finding a taxi, period, on my way down...
79. The way God continues to bless me with safety in travel
80. Knowing that I am truly loved by God
81. The gift for language that God has given me, which has allowed me to learn so much Spanish in such a short time.
82. Hermana Lulu, whose faithful attendance at every church event is truly encouraging
83. The upcoming baptisms at my church, on December 11th!
84. Being able to return to Texas for a few days on my way home for Christmas
85. Being able to return home for Christmas
86. The two new believers in my church this month, Carmel and Mari
87. The open and trusting way that the Compa small group has invited me into their fellowship and into their lives
88. Johan and Gaby, my pastor and pastora, who are just wonderful!
89. Afternoons when I can just hang out with people from the church, whether that means looking after Neri while Milca helps make lunch or long conversations with the women from my church
90. Every chance I get to get to know the people of my church a little bit better
91. God's desire to draw people to himself
92. God's way of using people to accomplish his work, even though we screw up and aren't always real good at following his directions
93. The fact tht God has already taught me so much patience and flexibility... I still have more to learn, but what I have comes in handy...
94. Having built enough trust with people not to have to eat things that truly disgust me, like nopales (no-pa-lays; cactus) and chicharon (chee-cha-roan; pork rinds)
95. Days off, which I can spend with God!
96. Having a bathroom where the water comes to me, I don't have to bring it with me...
97. The joy I have in Christ!
98. All the lessons I've learned from countless experiences in ministry back in the States that are guiding me in making decisions in each new situation I face.
99. The understanding God has given me of his word
100. My parents' faithfulness to provide an education for me!
101. Having 100 things I can name that I'm thankful for!