I'm Just So Thankful!

Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise Him!

~ Psalm 147:1 

I am currently bundled in my little apartment, snowed in for the second day in a row. The snow is pretty pathetic by many standards, but for a city that doesn't handle heavy rainfall very easily, you can imagine things kinda just shut down when it snows. Everyone tends to hunker down and wait it out, trying to stay warm in decidedly drafty, poorly insulated buildings. And this is perfectly ok with me! I've been getting things done, staying cozy, and reflecting on thankfulness.

As I think about how incredibly thankful I am right now, I remember back to this time last year. I was in the throes of my penultimate semester at Harvey Mudd, overwhelmed with grad school applications, my Watson application, clinic... The future was completely unknown, I was stressed, and honestly I wasn't very thankful. Even the small things, like a delicious vanilla latte from Starbucks, did little to ignite a thankful fire within me. I remember then being frustrated with myself because I wasn't thankful! It's a vicious cycle.

Well, how things can change in just one year! While a year ago, I wasn't even sure how I would make it to graduation, this year I'm spending the holidays in Jordan! And I couldn't be happier. I just want to share a few of the many things I am thankful for:

- I'm thankful I'm here in Jordan. I love this country!
- I'm thankful that the transition to Jordan was so smooth and that I found a roommate and an apartment so quickly.
- I'm thankful for how easy it was to get my visa extended so that I can stay for three months.
- I'm thankful for the amazing project connections I have made here. I have met so many interesting and helpful people!
- I'm thankful I found a church family here! And I got to have Thanksgiving with them! It is such a encouragement and a privilege to worship and fellowship with other Christians all over the world.
- I'm thankful that with this church, I get to pray for the people of this region.
- I'm thankful for my friends and family back home who give me so much support and encouragement. Thanks for listening to all my stories!
- I'm thankful for the amazing new friends I am making on this journey.
- I'm thankful for oatmeal pancakes and hot tea.

And finally, I'm thankful for what I'm learning about being flexible and placing my trust fully in the Lord. I came across these verses a few weeks ago and they have since become my daily prayer.

Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life. Rescue me from my enemies, LORD, for I hide myself in You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

~ Psalm 143: 8-10 

I praise God for my thankful heart and for how He provides for me every single day!