Thankful

I have 2 weeks left here in Honduras. WOW. Here is some of what I'm feeling. Grateful that I am returning in August. Sad about leaving friends who won't be returning to teach next year. Sad about ending my current job. Happy to be going home - 9 months away is a long time. Excited to see friends and family. Eagerly anticipating the things God is going to do at Camp Patt this summer. Tired. Content with where I am. Very thankful for all my friends here.

Yesterday on the way home from Valle de los Angeles (which is not a valley and doesn't actually have any angels), I was watching the scenery zip past and loving the way the fog settled on the mountains and I was overwhelmed with love for this country. I love Honduras and the people here. A lot. I was almost brought to tears from the strength of the emotion. One of my goals for next year is to intentionally make more friendships with Hondurans. I just want to be Jesus' hands and feet in this world and my friend and I are going to become best friends with our neighbors and we're going to start with abundant baked goods and friendly smiles.

Recently I started a thankfulness and joy journal. Right now I'm numbering each entry. It is really helping me to curb my complaining and search for things I am thankful for and things that give me joy each day. I'm a little bit addicted to writing in it. I leave it open with a pen in it all the time. There are so many things to be thankful for. I wanted to share some of the entries with you.

1. funny texts from good friends
3. whispering and giggling during movies in the theater.
8. baleadas at Norberta's
11. great books
15. shoes all lined up in a row
18. laughing over nothing
20. waking up with one more hour to sleep
25. friends who listen
32. getting dumped in a fountain
36. laughing so hard it hurts
39. a pastor who preaches from the Word
41. gentle rain
57. making a mess while cooking.
59. good songs stuck in my head
74. times when no words are necessary
78. worshiping with friends
88. skpye
91. peach Mennonite ice cream
95. red leather sneakers that fit perfectly
98. beautiful photographs
106. apologies and freely offered forgiveness
111. hot water
121. wearing my TOMS shoes
134. eating raw asparagus
141. hot sunny mornings
147. holding chubby babies
150. falling asleep while reading

That is all I have to share but I came across this scripture this week and wanted to share it.


"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
    with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
    and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
    and your night will become like the noonday.
 The Lord will guide you always;
    he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
    and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
    like a spring whose waters never fail."


~Isaiah 58: 9-11