Jumping for Joy

I was traveling at the end of last week, so I didn’t have access to the Internet so I was unable to post, I got back on Saturday and had to catch up on work emails and the new cases.  I have a lot to be thankful for, I will write about the ones from my travels later, I started that blog entry and it will be up soon.  

First, is that I got a lot done on my trip, it ended up being a multipurpose trip I worked on two cases, and I found out why I have not been feeling all that great.  I am starting to get some stuff to do which is helping me feel more needed an important here so that has been very nice.  

So anyway, today is Monday here and yesterday obviously was Sunday, I have started singing in the praise band at the contemporary service and yesterday we sang “I’m Trading my Sorrows” if you haven’t heard the song it is very good and uplifting.  Normally I am the one who stands there, not stiff but tapping my foot or whatever and that is about it, but during that song the bridge it repeats “yes lord…” and I have learned that you jump during that part (thanks to my time at Westside Baptist Church) So I started jumping and it was truly wonderful.  I know that sounds weird but it was, others started jumping as well and we just had a great time praising God and worshiping, everybody kind of loosened up a bit, which isn’t always easy over here.  I was truly blessed by that and thankful, that was something I have needed to feel for a long time, free and comfortable worshiping.  So that is what I’m thankful for today or yesterday.

Thankful for the Gym

Today I am thankful for the Gym.  I like the fact that it is so close and I can just head over there, I am also thankful for it because I have met some people through my time in the gym.  I don't always want to go, that is for sure, sometimes I just want to go back to my room and lay down but I feel good after I go to the gym.

But, it is also a struggle, although I have met some people at the gym, I don't have anyone to go to the gym with, someone who is about the same level as I am.  Plus I run inside and it is stuffy and hot and with the already high altitude it is sometimes very difficult to breath and I would love to run outside but I don't want to run by myself.  So as thankful as I am for the gym so I can relieve stress and agitation, I also would ask that you pray that I find someone to work out with, someone that can push me and I can push to keep getting better.

Couldn’t do it Without My Sisters

Today I want to say how thankful I am for my two sisters, without them I would truly be struggling.  We haven’t always seen eye to eye but we have always been there for each other and this is no exception.  They helped me since I’ve been here and they gave me the confidence and support before I left to know that I could do this.  My sisters and I are so different we have some good things in common but we are very different each unique in our own right.  Without them I would not be who I am today and there support and the little packages they send show how even though we are older and live far apart they still know me and know what little things to send to make me smile and give me something to do.

Like most family my sisters and I fought but we were always there for each other and we also always supported each other, without their support and our conversations growing up I wouldn’t have the confidence I do today.  So thank you for being such wonderful sisters even with our problems I wouldn’t trade either of you for the world.

Thankfulness is uplifting!

   Been a couple of days since I posted, not because their aren’t things to be thankful for, just got busy and didn’t spend much time writing, well busy relative to what I have been so I got distracted.  My sister blogs and she schedules times during her day in order to be sure that she blogs, I think I should probably do that, that way I would makes sure to get something up every couple of days.  But don’t hold your breath, I am not a regimented person when it comes to stuff like that.  But anyway this is about what I am thankful for.

                I am thankful for being on a instillation with a lot of different nationalities, although for the most part we stick with our own country there are times where I have spoken to others.  Most recently I talked to a Soldier from Romania, he has a very interesting story and I am thankful for the opportunity to meet him.  Less than a year ago he was in a horrific plan crash where everyone else died, he was the only survivor.  All the others were from his unit as well.  After 3 months in the hospital with a broken back and a mess up leg he started to heal and he is here less than a year later.  I was humbled by his story.  Wow was all I could say.

                I am thankful for the nice weather, many of us have been reading the news and hearing reports of the horrible storms going through the South and are praying for the safety of loved ones and hope those who lost everything are getting the support they need to put their lives back together.  I am thankful that with the other things here to worry about we are not worried about those types of weather concerns.

Thankful for Today and Most days

Today and most days I am thankful for the internet, I have the ablitity to call my family and talk with them even with the great time differance and it is not overly expensive.  I mean I do pay a lot for internet and it is slow but it works and it is consistant and it gives me the ability to communicate with family and friends.  I can't imagine how this time would be without that ability!  So today I am thankful for the internet.

Thankful for today

So I didn't get to post yesterday, mostly just poor planning on my part, I posted a couple weeks ago about my friend Laura who died, yesterday was her birthday, she was an avid runner and so a friend of her started a group and asked people to dedicate their miles in her honor.  It was a great way to honor her life, so I wanted to take part in that.  I am thankful for that opportunity.  It is those type of things that reminds you that this life is not about you it is about glorifying God and doing for others.  I know running may not really be doing anything for others but what it was, was a reminder of all that Laura did for others and how one life can touch so many.  That is a reminder that we all should have sometimes.  A reminder that no matter how small we think our contribution maybe, me just being a lawyer over here, our life can impact someone else’s so we should do our jobs live our lives to the fullest because you never know when it will be over and your life will make a difference to someone, your life is not trivial, no matter how trivial YOU think you are, You are not, not if you are living your life to the fullest and to serve others.

This brings me to what I am thankful for today!  I am thankful for the Risen son of God, Jesus.  I would be nothing without my faith.  I have from the beginning known that this is where I am suppose to be because of my faith.  There are many struggles and there are times I am in a funk, but that knowledge that peace of knowing I am still where I need to be has always been present.  “ And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this.” Ruth 14b.  That verse runs through my head constantly when I am struggling, it is a reminder that All things work for the good of those who love Him.  I am thankful for Christian mentors who help remind me and point me in the right direction, there is a lot of time to reflect on things here because you are isolated more alone.  I realize I need to force myself to be outwardly focused and give my struggles over to God, I am thankful I have the cross to turn to.

I am Thankful For Reminders From Home

Before I left I went to see my Grandpa and he gave me a two dollar bill, said that he was always told to carry it around for luck and he wanted to pass that along to me, so where ever I go I take that bill with me.  Please excuse the look we were in a tent in the middle of a sand storm.  A tent does not keep the sand out.  But it is a constant reminder of my family back home whom I love and miss.

This is my wall in my office, it is the cards and pictures my family and friends and others have sent, I plan on filling this wall.  I come into my office everyday and I am reminded how lucky I am to have people at home supporting and praying for me.  Getting a card or a note or a reminder really boosts my spirits because I remember I am not alone.  So today I am thankful for reminders from home!