Last night I found out that I was going to be getting up at 4am this morning, and amongst my not wanting to have to wake up so early in the morning, I did it. I got up at 4am this morning and with my double-team, Wild Depths, took a sungtau to Doi Suthep-Pui National Park.
I could not be more thankful for my team dragging me along because watching the sun rise over Chiang Mai has definitely been one of the most beautiful scenes I’ve ever seen.
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I am going to admit, I was not looking forward to this day. To Thanksgiving out of the states. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and it’s mainly because of the celebration that it is with my family. But, over the last couple of days I have had a change of heart. There is so much to be thankful for, and as I chose to be thankful and see the good, I became so much more aware of all that I have to be thankful for.
1. I am thankful for my family. For my mom, my brothers, my sister and Chewbacca. I am thankful that I can still celebrate this holiday with them even 9000 miles away in Thailand (FaceTime is a beautiful invention).
2. I am thankful for my Squad who encourage me, pour into me, speak truth over me and have truly become 39 more members in my family. I have always said I’ve never spent a holiday away from family, and I realize now that that statement is still true.
3. I am thankful for God’s purpose and will for my life. If you talked to me a year ago, I don’t think either one of us would have said I’d be spending the next Thanksgiving in Chiang Mai, Thailand on an 11 month mission trip. I will never understand God’s purpose, but I know that it will always exceed any plans I could ever make.
4. I am thankful for the dogs in Chiang Mai who bring me so much joy and laughter. They are everywhere and they are beautiful. In the last week I think I have gotten to pet more dogs than I have in my life.
5. I am thankful for God’s creation. God created the world, the whole universe. He daily creates the sunrises and He chose to create me.
6. I am thankful for ALL of you! I am constantly aware that I would not be here without all of your prayers and support. I would not be here without all of your faith and your belief in me. Thank you for serving God and bringing Kingdom through your prayers for me.
7. I am thankful for the friendships I have back home because they have been some of my strong rocks. Again FaceTime is a beautiful thing as I have had the opportunity to FaceTime with them
8. I am thankful for the bonds I have created with my squadmates. I am thankful for common interests and coffee dates. I am thankful for being able to learn the small details about people.
9. I am thankful that I am able to expand and grow in the passions God has given me. In pursuing creativity and walk in that.
10. I am thankful that I am not who I was a year ago or a month ago or a week ago or even a day ago. I am thankful that growth is not something that ends, but is a constant part of our life.
11. I am thankful for the ability to have an American thanksgiving with my squad. For squadmates who took it upon themselves and found a restaurant that is doing an American style thanksgiving.
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Today was still a day of ministry. My team went on our morning prayer walk, we did our morning debrief and our own quiet times. We did team time, and worship and prayer. We even did ministry after our squad dinner and debriefed it this evening.
The only difference to today is the fact that for dinner my squad came together and had a buffet style American Thanksgiving dinner with Turkey, Ham, Salmon and all the trimmings and fillings. We even got pumpkin and apple pie!
It hit me today that in the midst of Thanksgiving being my favorite holiday for all it’s traditions I’ve had in the past with it, this year Thanksgiving has been a huge encouragement and blessing. I know for fact that from now on I will be getting up super early and hiking to the top of a mountain to see the sun rise on my thanksgiving mornings and I hope that all my future thanksgivings don’t lose the mission minded aspect that this one held.
I hope you all enjoy the rest of your thanksgiving day and are able to spend it with those you love.
Till Next Time,
Kara Faber
PS – Details about Malaysia coming soon!!
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Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to Your name give glory, for the sake of Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness!
Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases.
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.
O Israel, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield. O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield. You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield.
The Lord has remembered us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron; He will bless those who fear the Lord, both the small and the great.
May the Lord give you increase, you and your children! May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth!
The heavens are the Lord’s heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man. The dead do not praise the Lord, nor do any who go down into silence. But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.
Praise the Lord!
~ Psalm 115
