THANKFUL MOMENTS AND POEM FROM BONNIE

Greetings from Melting Malang this Late November:)

THANKSGIVING HAS JUST PASSED. It was a hot sultry day with a huge two hour electric storm which took out my electricity for over two hours. Yet I was with the OMS team and friends for a wonderful lunch -- shared some pumpkin bread, made by my cooking class, with a group of wonderful Moslem teachers, and hosted twelve of my English seminary students for a Thanksgiving "etiquette" meal. This photo only shows the ones who came on time. The rest came a 'little' later- Indonesian style:) Looking back over that day -- it was one of the most Thankful days I've had in a long time. It is not the circumstances in which we find ourselves, but the people around us that make all the difference. PTL!!

The previous week I was invited to share in a three day retreat for the level TWO seminary students at a fishing village just off the Indian Ocean. It was held in a little building on stilts out in the middle of a little harbor. Three days of fish three times a day - no running water - mainly Indonesian lanugage (which is still a foreign language to this ole lady), a boat ride and an hour hike to a hidden lagoon, (photo) and fellowship with "wonderful students" made up the texture of those three memorable days. Once again God showed me it is not the circumstances --beautifully rustic though they may be - but the people you are with. It was a retreat I'll never forget. It was also my first trip outside of Malang -- about 2 hours away. What a JOY to be part of such a culture.

One other little note that I want to share involves my Christmas plans. I was told that it would be almost impossible to spend Christmas in Australia with a special family I met many years ago. It has been a dream of mine for literally decades. However, after MANY hours on internet -- I was able to confirm that I HAVE a ticket to Australia - leaving December 16 - and returning January 2. It is another little miracle and something for which I am truly VERY thankful. Please remember me as I prepare and travel during this time.

Finally, I want to share a poem written by one of my university students. The assignment was to write about What you are thankful for and why. I was a bit dissapointed as I was working through the written part of the assignment. Writing is difficult for these students and it is a 'speaking' class, soo why was I having such a difficult written assignment. After hours of corrections, I began to see that these students were thinking in a thankful way. Maybe they were struggling to express it -- but they were sharing some wonderful things.

Then I came across Olive's poem. It touched my heart and I thought that maybe there IS a reaon for my being here. Maybe I am helping a little. I want to close this blog with her poem. She has given me permission to share it! And I am thrilled! Some say she may not have written it herself. Be that as it may! As you read it may your hearts be stirred once again to look about you as you move through this busy holiday season, and truly BE THANKFUL for all that has been granted to each and every one of us. We are SOOO blessed - no matter where in this world we are at this moment. IT IS NOT THE CIRCUMSTANCES -- BUT THE PEOPLE IN OUR WORLD WHO TRULY MATTER. SOOOO - REACH OUT AND TOUCH THEM IN LOVE AND ENJOY THE RESPONSE :)

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog and remembering ME -- :) You are blessing me!

And now the poem:)

I AM THANKFUL:

For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means that I am alive
For the people complaining about my faults, because it means they want to make me better.
For the lady near me in church who sings off key, because it means I can hear.
For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear.
For the boyfriend who forbade me to do something I liked because it means he cared for me.
For the people who do not like, even hate me, because It means I get a chance to repay good for evil.
For the sunshine that burns my skin, because it means that God’s Love keeps on shining on me.
For the pain in life, because it means that I know that price of joyfulness.
For the friends who ask for my help, because it means I can be their supporters in difficulty.
For the mess to clean after a party, because it means that I have been surrounded by friends.
For the boyfriend who sat right beside me and said nothing at all, because he was there with me, not with someone else.
For the weariness of doing a pile of tasks, because it means I have been capable of working hard.
For helping mother to wash dirty dishes, because it means I have useful hands.
For the disappointment left by the one who I love so much, because it means that I now know how not to make others disappointed.
For the differences between man and woman, because I can know how to appreciate others.

For once having no money, because it means I can feel the misery of the poor.
For the regretful past of life, because if means I can hope for a bright future.
For the separation from the one I love, because it makes me know how to appreciate togetherness.
For the mother who orders me to do this and that because it means I am useful.
For a long time waiting for public transportation by the roadside, because it means I have feet to stand on.
For the people who hurt me, because I can be more careful about I one I trust next time around.
For the frustration that came upon me, because I know how to strengthen the disheartened fellows.
For Mrs. Bonnie’s questions about what I am thankful for, because it means she teaches me to be thankful much more!

Written as part of a class assignment –
Olive November 20, 2006