Day 19: Chai

Chai. An Indian favorite. A Patricia favorite. So she makes it for us in the afternoon sometimes, and it's so tasty. Thank you, Father, for chai!

Day 18: The Word

Tonight I studied the Word with some ladies, and I was amazed at how much they have grown in the last few months. It's because of the Word. It transforms hearts and lives. I am so thankful for the Word. It speaks for itself.

I didn't actually take this one today...but I like it a lot, so I'm using it. :)

The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. -Psalm 19:7-10

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. -Hebrews 4:12-13

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. -2 Timothy 3:16-17

Day 17: Umbrellas...

Today was the one day during monsoon that I left the house without my raincoat, and it rained pretty much everywhere we went. So I spent most of the day noticing (somewhat enviously) everyone else's umbrellas. They are bright and fun and colorful and varied. Since I wasn't hiding under an umbrella or the hood of a jacket, I was able to see a different angle on things.

Day 16: Dashing Cars

Dashing cars. My guess was a race car. Turns out, they are bumper cars. Tonight Lena, Patricia, and I rode dashing cars with Fiona and her little brother. The dashing cars were fun, and I am thankful for them. However, I have to say that I am most thankful for the people I spent today with. God has given me great friends in Mumbai!

There you have it...dashing cars.

Day 15...Half-way there!

This morning I woke up grumpy...on the wrong side of my twin bed. I did not want to get up. I did not want to face life. I wanted to throw my cell phone out the window, mainly because at that moment it was serving as my alarm clock. I was banging the snooze button as if to punish it for doing exactly what I set it to do. However, staying in bed all day was not an option. The door bell was buzzing obnoxiously. My phone was ringing. I have to face the world today. I walk out of my room to let our house helper in and am greeted by all our dishes which are in our dining room. Why? Because we found baby cock roaches in our cabinet last night. Gross. So we took everything out and sprayed the kitchen down. Ugh. Now I am really longing to go back to bed. 

And then I remember: Eucharisteo. Have I given thanks for anything this morning? 

Thank You God for...cock roaches? Gotta start somewhere.

Thank You for this mess...

Thank You for Vaishali, our house helper, who helps us with our mess. 

Thank You for coffee in the morning.

Thank you for eggs for breakfast.

Thank You for providing everything I need each day.

Thank You that today is Tuesday! (I really do enjoy Tuesdays...we get to see Rajesh and Susheela today!) 

Thank You for giving me another day to enjoy You.

Thank You for being patient with me when I don't remember You or acknowledge Your grace.

"Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." -Psalm 90:14

From One Thousand Gifts.

Day 14: The Office

"The Office." It's ridiculous. It's hilarious. At the end of any day, it's good to laugh. I am thankful for it. :)

Day 13: Fiona's birthday

Today I found it really hard to give thanks. It's September 11th, for one--which is a rough day as an American. So many people lost their lives senselessly 10 years ago today. So many people have been hurt and affected since that day. And I can't believe it's been 10 years!

It's also the final day of the Ganapati festival for Hindus. It's so hard to watch millions of people give glory to a god that isn't God. It's nauseating. It's unsettling. They go buy their Ganapati and bring the statue into their home and worship it for up to 11 days, then they take it in a big processional to the water and put it in. There have been processionals all day with drums and dancing and music and lights and people following behind this idol. So many people say, "All gods are the same." And my heart just hurts. No. No all gods are not the same. Jesus cannot be put into the same category as an elephant-man, nor any other god! 

Thousands of people in the street beside our apartment taking Ganapati to the water.

However, the highlight of today was celebrating Fiona's birthday. She is one of my best friends in India, and she is turning 18 tomorrow. Today we celebrated at church with her church family. In India it's tradition for someone to smear icing all over the birthday person's face. So Fiona got cake smeared on her face. And it was a lot of fun. :) I'm so thankful for Fiona. I'm thankful for her birthday. I'm thankful that God is still seated on His throne regardless of what's happening. "Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases." -Psalm 115:3 "God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne." -Psalm 47:8