Rain, blankets, and dengue

To begin this blog, you should know that we are doing very well. It is rainy season and the rivers are running swift and strong - I am wearing a sweatshirt, comfy socks, and am under a fleece blanket (although it's only 68 degrees). Our marriage is strong and growing - Mike truly is my best friend. We have had confirmation after confirmation that this (La Ceiba) is where we belong and have seen God work in miraculous ways every week of our time here. As a team, we are learning how to communicate clearly and speak each other's love languages without resentment. Friendships are blossoming with nationals - Heysol, 18, and I are especially good friends. Our best friends, the Cains, are less than a year away from joining us in La Ceiba. Our home is comfortable and safe. Our car is working well and hopefully can last a little longer with the current tires. We are supported and prayed for by our churches, families and friends in the States. We have a dog, Ritmo, who loves to curl up and spend time  snuggling with me. Several weeks ago, we became residents of Honduras so we are not required to leave the country every 90 days to renew our VISA. My garden is green and growing. We are so thankful for all of these things!

Continuing this blog, there are some difficult things going on as well. As our relationships with nationals are growing, we are impacted deeply by the broken families that compose the majority of La Fe. The abandoned women, children, and families... Cases of dengue are popping up everywhere. Our fridge beeps nonstop - annoying. The owner of our house is raising the rent price. We will be spending Thanksgiving and Christmas away from our families. My allergies are ridiculous right now. We are still not parents. For some reason, ants have begun to show their little selves more often in our home. We are so thankful for all of these things!

[4] For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, [5] for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

(1 Timothy 4:4-5 ESV)

See that, "everything created by God". "Nothing is to be rejected." Ants, dengue, allergies, barrenness, beeping fridges - everything is to be received with THANKSGIVING.

[17] I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving

and call on the name of the LORD.

(Psalm 116:17 ESV)

So, thanksgiving is a sacrifice. Thanksgiving isn't always easy or happy. It's something I must practice and it's not always fun.

[6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

(Philippians 4:6 ESV)

That doesn't mean that I have to say thank you for ants, allergies, not having children, dengue and the deaths it can cause... but it does mean that I look to see God at work in and through them. I may not be able to see Him at work and that is where faith comes in.

[2] Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

(Colossians 4:2 ESV)

I must be watchful (look to see) with thanksgiving. Who am I to say God's purpose in closing my womb? What right do I have to question His choices and actions? If I am truly His, I am able to look at all things with thanksgiving - including the beeping fridge and ants.

Don't get me wrong, I do not walk around saying, "Thank you for that beep of the fridge, and that one too," but I must tell my heart to be thankful and practice it each moment.