I plan to do this as we leave each country. We have talked a lot about always exhibiting a spirit of thankfulness. Obviously, going outside of America makes you aware of all of the tangible and material things we have to be thankful for but I want to be able to find thankfulness in everything; even in the hard times. P.S These are in no particular order.
1. Dr. Pepper – Apparently you can find DP at Bubba Gump in Manila. Thank you Jordan and Ryan! I think I will survive with one a month…my waistline is appreciating it.
4. Cold Showers – Never thought I would say that, but it is hot and humid here and I am thankful to have a cold shower to cool me off! One of the few times I feel refreshed and clean. Doesn’t last long but it’s nice in the moment.
5. Efficient hospitals – I am totally one of those people who hate to go to the doctor, but after spending so much time at the hospital here in the Philippines, I wouldn’t mind moving into a hospital back home. Not really, but I have a new found appreciation for how well our medical facilities are run in the states. Pretty thankful that we aren’t responsible to get our own prescriptions within the hospital at home.
6. Public Transportation – I’m not from a place where public transportation is used often, but I am a big fan of trikes and jeepneys here in the Philippines! So much fun (especially the ones with sound systems) and so cheap! Our whole team can get to the mall and back for under $2.
7. Smiling faces – I love friendly people! Filipinos are some of the warmest, welcoming people I have ever met. We are always greeted with smiles and ‘hellos.’ I think I should get used to it because I will be in the minority everywhere I go on this trip, but we get stared at a lot. Luckily, there’s a smile accompanying the stare.
8. My Bible – I have developed a hunger for reading the word. I am thankful for my team and how we are learning ‘stories’ from the Bible together. I crave my quiet time and what part of the Bible I’m going to get to read that day. I think I’m also thankful for fewer distractions which have made me more available to reading my Bible. The Bible is definitely something I’ve taken for granted and I am loving that my perspective is changing already.
9. Basketball – After high school, I was kind of over basketball, but I have a new found appreciation for the sport. Filipinos love basketball and it is slightly contagious! I conveniently blocked out all the running that is involved in basketball…and am trying to forget it again so that I can look back on our time with a smile J It definitely makes me miss football too. It doesn’t seem like October without football.
10. Community – We’ll see if I still feel this way in the months to come…just kidding. I know that this next year, the way I will be living in community is unique to the ways I will live in community the rest of my life and it has already been such a blessing. I am without my biological family this next year, and God has given me a family to support me, laugh with me, cry with me, encourage and challenge me.
As we are challenged and stretched this year and moved out of our comfort zone, pray that we can always keep a spirit of thanksgiving present in our hearts!
1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances.”
