In Everything?

In order to combat my grumbling and complaining heart as of late, I am keeping a thanksgiving list in my journal. Thank you for wind and rain, a good night’s sleep, my short conversation with the lady from 801, the sound of music drifting up from the park, progress in language, a quiet house, the book I’m reading…

So many good things to be thankful for!

What about the bad?

Upon moving to a new, dismally dirty concentration camp barracks during WWII, prisoner Corrie ten Boom’s sister, Betsy, encouraged Corrie to give thanks for everything in their new lodgings--even the fleas that had infested their beds, clothes and hair. Corrie went along with her sister in word only. How could she truly give thanks for the biting fleas that tormented her day and night? In the coming days, Corrie realized that even the guards were so bothered by the pesky insects, that they stayed as far away from Barracks 28 as possible. This enabled the sisters to have precious times of study and prayer with their fellow prisoners, something that would never have been allowed otherwise.

Lesson for me:

Betsy gave thanks for the fleas before she knew how they would be used to help her. I need to cultivate a heart that trusts Him and thanks Him in all circumstances.

Knocked out by food poisoning the other day, I had a perfect opportunity to practice.

“Thank you for this illness, for stomach cramps and nausea. I don’t know your purposes, but I know that you are good and that what you bring into my life is for my good and for your glory. So, I trust you and thank you, even for this.”

In EVERYTHING give thanks!

(Sorry, no food poisoning photos.)

Lenny gets a lift from Amy. We were in search of Hawthorn trees.

Found some! But the fruit was pretty high up. Angela was glad she had a "ladder!"

Fun day!

We went to IKEA on the last Saturday of a holiday week (along with the rest of Beijing). Won't do that again, but it was fun to be a part of the throng this once!

Nap-time at IKEA! So funny!