A Word of Thanks

So, who else is tired of hearing about the economic crisis? It seems like everywhere we turn someone is talking about it. We turn on the TV, its on the news, we call friends and family back home and hear about more people being laid off. Even when we meet new friends here, one of the first questions we are always asked is "So, what do you think of the economic crisis?"

Sometimes it can be easy to fall out of touch with how much this is affecting everyone back home. Its easy to get caught up in our lives here, and push things like an economic crisis out of our minds. But, when we hear about difficult things back home we hurt for you just as I know you hurt for us when we face hard things.

And we just want you to know how truly thankful we are. Words cannot express the gratitude we have in our hearts. We know that we could not be here without the sacrifice our "Family" is making, not just financially, but by continually talking to Dad on our behalf.  Our "Family" is just as much a part of the work here as we are.

I don't know how many other people struggle with focusing on the negative things like I do. But in times like this its easy for me to start wondering about the future and what we're going to do if things keep getting worse.

Then I came across Matt 17:27. Peter is being questioned about whether or not J pays the temple tax, and when he comes to J, He tells P to go down to the sea, cast in a hook and the first fish he pulls out, open its mouth and he would find the money to pay the taxes for both of them.

I don't know if that encourages anyone else, but it encourged me. It was such a reminder that J is not worried about this crisis. He loves His children, and He has promised to provide for us, and He's not wondering where He's going to find the resources to provide for us. He may not provide as much as I want, or the way I want Him to, but He will provide ALL OUR NEEDS.

How awesome is it to know, we serve One who owns "the cattle on a thousand hills" Ps. 50:10

My Pearl of Great Price

I was doing my quiet time today and came across a verse that really struck me with something I've been dealing with lately. Funny how that happens, huh?

Moving here has been awesome. I really am enjoying myself. I love the people, the craziness of the city, and even learning the language :) We are finally getting settled in and learning how to live here, and it really is starting to feel like home. But sometimes, I do struggle with wanting something different. 

Its easy to look at pictures of friends back in the states and see them celebrating the holidays with friends and family. Baking, decorating, and doing all the fun things you do around the holidays. Then I think about my tiny kitchen and how I went from more kitchen stuff then I knew what to do with to having one pot and one wok to cook in. And don't forget about the easy bake oven! 

I know it sounds really materialistic, and it is. But try giving away everything you just received from your wedding shower a year ago and fitting all your belongings into a few suitcases and telling me if its easy. It's not. 

So when things go wrong here, its easy to dwell on that. Its easy to think "what am I doing here? Have I lost my mind?"

Then I was reading this morning and came across Matt. 6:19-21 "Do not lay up treasure for yourselves on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasure in heven, where neither moth nor rust desroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

I really stopped and thought about this, and am still thinking about it. Where is my treasure? Is my treasure in the things I gave away or in storage boxes back home, or is it here? Is it in dreams of someday settling down in a nice house back home, or is it in seeking His plans for me? 

Then I remembered the parable of the pearl of great price in Matt. 13:45-46 "the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant, seeking beautiful pearls, who when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it."

I would like to say that its easy. Packing, moving, adjusting. Its fun, its an adventure, but sometimes its hard. But then I'm reminded this is my pearl of great price - and its worth everything.