You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.


Deuteronomy 6:5-9

Lena's (first) mission trip to
Haiti turned into our
Adoption Adventure!
Can't wait to see what God has in store next.....
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Sunday, July 20, 2008

Things I no longer take for granted

While in Haiti, I recognized that I take a LOT of things for granted. So, while there, I started a list in my journal. I like to write things like that down, because I forget so often....my memory fades as life goes on. Here are some of the things on my list.

  • Ice cubes


  • Cold water/Cold drinks


  • Safe/clean water that tastes good-tap water!


  • Electricity without multiple power outages a day


  • Having a variety of food-fresh fruits and veggies, having enough food, having extra food-getting a snack whenever I want


  • Flushing the toilet every time I use it


  • Being able to flush toilet paper


  • Air conditioning (the only places that had a/c were the airport and the market)


  • Fans and ceiling fans (relates to electricity that stays on)


  • Safe travel and driving-stop signs, traffic laws/rules, four way stop signs


  • Jobs, a way to earn a living and provide/pay bills


  • Showers-long, warm, coming out feeling clean and refreshed


  • Curbside trash pick up and recycling at my home


  • Freeways, paved roads, crosswalks


  • Sandy beaches


  • Seat belts


  • Toilet paper


  • My health, and access to quality medical care whenever I need it.


  • My home-which is way bigger than the orphanage housing nearly 40 kids


  • My family, imperfect as it is, they are my people.


  • Relaxing on the couch


Thank you Jesus. I am grateful for each and everything on this list. I am grateful for your great love demonstrated through your sacrifice for me. I really don't have the words to convey my gratitude and thankfulness. I am so blessed-beyond measure-and I realize it. Every day is a gift, every person in my life is a gift. Each day is filled with a gazillion opportunities to share Christ's love with other people. I'm so thankful. Lord, please help me to make the most of all the opportunities you have for me. I love you and am forever yours. Amen.

2 comments:

  1. I have a feeling I will be more thankful for these things after my first trip in September. We take so much for granted.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes, indeed we take so much for granted. I hope that my posts don't scare you....I just was so AWARE of what/how much I take for granted that I wanted to share/post. I plan to go back...in spite of the 'discomforts'....it's so amazing....

    Thanks for writing-and good luck on your journey!

    Lena

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for interacting with me thru my blog. I love hearing from you.

Thanks again!

Lena