This is a little backtrack of my month here in Asia, including my time while traveling. My team along with another team clocked in with 8 days of travel. These were not all consecutive though. But with over a week of not being settled along with hearing hard news from home, this allowed me to spiral into hard times of discouragement. Through that, I didn’t want to wallow in sadness and self-pity. I then made myself make thankful lists. Lists of all the things the Lord was blessing me with. Whenever my thoughts weren’t well, I would create these lists to center me back to worship and praise. My hope in the sharing of these lists would be that the Lord may be glorified and encourage you as the reader to make a thankful list when you’re discouraged yourself. Because this life is not about us, it’s about the Lord most high and giving praise to Him. Thank you in advance for reading!! 🙂
December 9, 2019
Bella Goose Coffee, Chiang Mai, Thailand
6:36 am
I’m thankful that I spent the whole first day getting coffee with Lauren. I’m thankful that coffee is $1 here. I’m thankful that I could sleep in till noon and get rest. I’m thankful that McDonald’s hit the spot yesterday. I’m thankful that I’m sitting in a sweet ol’ coffee shop drinking cold brew, about to eat granola and milk. I was wanting cereal. And get this, I’m listening to Christmas music, jazz. I’m thankful that I found out how to download movies. I’m thankful that I can see the sunrise from where I’m staying here, just outside my window. I’m thankful there are Christmas trees and decorations in some buildings. I’m thankful that I got items to decorate gifts with. Im thankful that we have scoped our places to go if we ever want to come back. I’m thankful that the showers are on the rooftop, how cool is that?! I’m thankful that I’m excited to be in Asia. I’m thankful that I was able to contact my mom or Harrison [my brother] at any point of my stay at Zion, get this, I’m 14 hours ahead of mom. That means I’m 15 hours ahead of Harrison! I’m thankful that there is a coffee shop connected to where we are staying. I’m thankful I could hangout with Elisa yesterday. I’m really thankful for that time yesterday where Kate, Elisa and I were on the bed and we were just laughing. I’m thankful for Elle’s sweet text yesterday.
December 10, 2019
Braverly Cafe, Mae Sot, Thailand
12:23 pm
Thank you that I’m sitting in a coffee shop and there’s a Christmas tree and my iced mocha was delicious and there’s Christmas music playing. Thank you that I got to meet Americans who are living Asia and doing full time ministry. Thank you that whoever I ask for prayer, will pray. Thank you that I can experience a city that’s not touristy. Thank you for getting to experience not being able to communicate to anyone I wish to.
December 4, 2019
A Guesthouse in Southeast Asia
8:42 am
Thank you. Thank you that I get to live in the city. Thank you that it’s winter and I got to sleep with a million blankets. Thank you that Lauren moved into and now she keeps me warm in our twin size bed [squeezing in one bed is very common on the race]. Thank you that there’s a coffee shop down the road. Thank you that we can turn over and make a French press. Thank you that there’s hot water to shower in. Thank you that the community here is Christian and the stores are named after characteristics of You. Thank you that I’m able to contact my family at any point of the day. Thank you that we have an actual toilet that flushes. You’re really blessing me Lord. Thank you for taking care of my family. Thank you for allowing me to contact my friends back home. Just thank you. Thank you for everything.
Thank you again for reading.
Blessings,
Lillian
