On the train...homeward bound

I'm on the train back from London and a lovely Christmas break. I have a great friend who pretty much gave me Christmas. Claire asked me over for the holiday, then she flew me over and blessed me with a English Christmas, a wonderful holiday.

Currently I am sitting on the train, I'm on the way back and I'm looking out the window being reminded I live in a beautiful country. I am trying to switch my mind back to being in Norway (the language is a clear indication). ;)

I get to ring in the New Year in Norway. Not sure of what lies in front of me, but i am grateful. I can think of MANY blessings over this last year. I, also, hope there are more to come.

Home! Norway! Grateful! Thinking!

The Secret of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving...a time to recall all you are thankful for.  This is exactly what my Thanksgiving was this year, but it began a week or two before.  I watched a podcast from my church in Colorado (http://vimeo.com/30391841).  This was a reminder that a thankful heart can battle the negative thoughts in my life.  Gratitude and worry/stress/frustration are at opposite ends.  I'm not saying it is easy to choose gratitude, but I am beginning to think this might be one of the best weapons to stress and the poop life throws at you. 

Also, in my reading I've come across Philippians 3:1 "Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord.  I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith" and Colossians 2:7 "Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him, then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness."  Okay, these verses say that being thankful is safeguards your heart and is a result of your roots being strong in God.  Thankfulness is like a ninja secret weapon.  Serious! 

Some of you may know of the "airport game", it's inception was when I was leading a team to Ukraine, when we arrived one of the students entry visa had problems and they chose to deport her.  It was after 36 hours of travel (of which I had slept only 4) and the time was 1 am when we arrived in the airport.  So I'm tired, a student is being deported (meaning they took her away and wouldn't let us have any contact whatsoever with her).  We (my wonderful assistant Derrick) and I sent the rest of the team to the place we were staying to sleep and the two of us waited at the airport as the contact (who I knew from a previous outreach) went to get someone who spoke better Russian.  During our wait time, I started telling Derrick how grateful I was that: I was awake, I had a clear head, I knew our contact, our contact was an American and could understand all I said, that I wasn't stressed, etc...Derrick and I "played" this game until the contact arrived with the translator.  (Long story short, it all worked out I flew Derrick back to Germany on the same flight as the student they were deporting and they arrived to meet us back a couple days later)  So the "airport game" is just going back and forth with the people you are around and saying what you are thankful for.  It is amazing that from gratitude flows...well more gratitude. 

I guess what I'm trying to say is that God really has been showing me the power of thankfulness.  It's actually quite funny because I'm typing this as I have been sick for 3 days and I've actually been quite frustrated at the fact that I am sick.  So maybe, yes maybe I should play a little of the airport game now:

I'm thankful for...it does take a moment after you've been sitting in frustration for a few days, but I do have a lot to be thankful for.  Okay...

• The clothes I've gotten out of the boutique (give away) here at the base, I could not have afforded to buy all those things. 
• The winter boots my aunt gave me, they are toasty warm. 
• I have really wonderful friends, I realize even more so now that I have left the country, blessed I am - I really am grateful for all my friends. 
• I have this laptop to write this blog and keep in touch. 
• Skype, I'm thankful that people aren't as far away as they truly are. 
• Bubbles, I really am grateful for bubbly water, it really does make my heart happy (and zero calories, so I can save the calories to eat GOOD dark chocolate instead).
•  I am grateful for warm floors, the person who invented floor warmers is GENIUS (we have warm floors in the shower room here).
• I am grateful for creativity as seen in art/photos/writing/paintings and I know so many people who are wonderfully creative
• I'm grateful God loves me and that I know he loves me and can say that aloud - GOD LOVES ME!
• I'm grateful for painted toenails, there is just something FUN about them AND
• I'm grateful that simple delights really truly do delight my heart.  Therefore, I could go on and on, but I want you to want to read my blog, so I'll stop here.

My challenge to you.  For a whole week write (not just say) what you are grateful for.  Play the "airport game" and include others when possible.  See how God's secret weapon really does conquer so much. 

I'm Thankful!