Monday, November 28, 2011

Oops... (and giving thanks!)

I must be the worst blogger ever. I kept waiting to have pictures before posting another blog, but have I taken any pictures in the past month? Nope. Fail. I love people, and I love reading and seeing how they're doing. For example,

- my friends Roger and Abi, who are already in Japan and just posted an awesome video about the role music is playing in the relief effort in Japan (a ministry I'm super excited about!) here.

- my sister who recently started a blog faithfully posts pictures and updates of the adventures of my adorable nieces (If any home-school/un-schoolers are interested, check it out!)

- my friends Trey and Kiki, a fabulous couple who just got to Thailand: yay! (pictures from their first Thanksgiving there)

But do I remember to take pictures? Nope. Oops.

But I do have a (belated) list, in honor of Thanksgiving, of a few things I am thankful for. Like...
...hot tea on cold mornings, the sound of rain and sleet pattering on windows, family and friends from VA to MS and all over the globe who shine God's light and love in a way that is absolutely contagious, getting to share with others about God's work in Japan, dark chocolate, gaudy Christmas decorations, worshiping God through His incredible bit of creation called "music", encouragement from new friends who lift me up in prayer, "coffee" dates with old friends I haven't seen in months, the beautiful wedding of my best friend to an absolutely great guy...
Give thanks to the Lord, for He. is. good.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Boundaries

"Before I built a wall I'd ask to know
What I was walling in or walling out
...Good fences make good neighbours."
~from Frost's "Mending Wall"

I'm pretty sure that poem is actually talking about the ridiculousness of doing things for tradition's sake (like mending fences every spring when both neighbors are only growing trees- not keeping cows or something in danger of escaping). Ooh, and I discovered this fun Japanese-style art: (This blog has bunches of this "etegami" artwork- cool stuff!)

So yes, some boundaries are pointless, but I'm quite sure good boundaries do indeed make good neighbors. In fact I've been reading a book on just that (be proud, MTW! I'm finally reading it), Boundaries(when to say yes/no, and how that affects ourselves and everyone else around us). Even if you don't (or don't think) you have any problems here, I'd recommend it. So far it's a good (and Biblical) read.

In other news: by next week I should know for sure when I will get to complete my training (depending on financial support as well as other factors out of my control). Please pray especially this week for continued trust, guidance, and peace. Thanks!