The World Race is so hard in so many ways. It is very easy to get caught up in your exhaustion, frustrations, and hurts. But the Lord is really teaching me how to see the beauty in the pain and celebrate all the good gifts He bestows me with everyday. So this blog is going to recount 11 blessings (in honor of 11 countries in 11 months) that Jesus lavished on me in the fourth month of the race in the country of Thailand. Enjoy!
- Getting a kiss on the cheek from an elephant and petting a tiger for my birthday!
- Celebrating turning 24 and Christmas in Thailand- how amazing and unique is that?! Not many people outside of that country can say that.
- Vanilla ice cream in my coffee frappe at Zion Café- oh so delicious- also check out their awesome ministry that is in the fight against sex trafficking at http://lighthouseinaction.org/zioncafe/
- Praying for freedom, redemption, and mercy outside of a big Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai- this was such a powerful moment I got to have with my friend Anna
- Lighting and letting go of a lantern on Christmas Eve in significance of letting go of negative idols in my life that have put me in bondage and walking in the freedom of Jesus Christ
- Doing a 5 hour prayer walk through the little town of Phang Nga and having little (broken English) talks with some people about Jesus!
- Getting Starbucks, spending the day soaking up the sun, and then worshipping God at an International Gospel Music Festival on the beautiful beach of Patong Bay on Phuket Island
- Watching the most precious Thai toddlers walk to class in the morning with their backpacks that were as big as they are, and then watching them sleep so peacefully during naptime- most precious sights in the world
- Serving the Kingdom by painting a 730 foot concrete wall outside of a local Christian daycare in Phang Nga- they are planting seeds of hope and life in these little ones who come from mostly Buddhist families
- Putting on a Christmas Nativity play for the toddlers and the teachers at the daycare- I played the part of Mary! It was so much fun!
- Being reminded of God’s presence and love in the midst of so much evil and darkness in the country. He is so good and the victory has already been won.
Praise God for His goodness and kindness. Praise Him for His love. Oh how He loves! My prayer is to have a heart of gratitude that blesses His name both in the good times as well as the bad. Please be in prayer for me that He will continue to create that thankful and joyful spirit within me.
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” Psalm 107:1
“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” 1 Peter 4:10
