Thursday, December 31, 2015

A Year to Remember, A Year to Forget

Please forgive me.
This isn't the blog post I had planned.
After all, this isn't the year I had planned either.

It's New Year's Eve.

I am supposed to post some sappy motivational post on the new year. I am supposed to encourage you with positive words. That's what New Year's posts are right?

Oh, and of course I have to throw these verses in there:

Philippians 3:13-14  "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

It just doesn't qualify for a New Year's post without those verses.

But, like I said...
This year wasn't anything like I anticipated.
It wasn't anything like I had planned.

(Please don't call me a missionary hero. I think this post will show you I am as human as you. No, the Hero of this story is much greater... much wiser... much more patient than me.)

2015 started off amazingly!
I had my goals, my dreams, my plans.
I had organized and prepared.

I know it sounds all carnal, but I really had great goals in mind. I wanted to grow in Christ, so I redesigned my private devotion time and Bible study time to be more productive. I wanted to improve in ministry, so I had grand plans for that, too. I wanted to get in shape, so I began eating right and exercising. I wanted to grow as a wife and mother and... and... and... I had the goals and the plans of how I was going to get there.

It wasn't that my goals or my plans were misplaced. But something was definitely misplaced...

Like I said, the year started off great. I lost 25 pounds and was heading down the path I had planned and prepared for from January 1st.

Then came March.
I had a sudden battle with insomnia. For the entire month, I slept only an hour or two a night. Toward the end of the month, I couldn't think. I couldn't function. I couldn't make decisions well. I couldn't even drive my scooter because I was afraid I would hurt someone. And then as suddenly as the insomnia came, it was gone. So I continued down the path of my plans.

Early in April, just as I was finally recovering from insomnia, I had the joy of getting giardia. In case you don't know what giardia is, think tummy parasites. It was a nasty case of it, too. Again, I was getting little sleep, but it wasn't because I wasn't sleepy! I was just sick! But finally, I began recovering from that, too. My energy returned. It helped with weight loss in the most unpleasant ways, but I had to work hard to get back into exercising.

Then came April 25...
The day my world shook to the core... literally. A devastating earthquake brought my illusions of control crashing to the ground. My plans stopped that day.



I guess it was from that moment I really began understanding what God was doing in my life. The hardships I was enduring were not by accident. They were by design. I began seeing how little I was really in control. It was good to have goals and to aim toward those goals, but there are some things God chooses to teach us through the refining fires of trials.


1 Peter 1:7 "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:"

With the earthquakes came the relief work. For four months, we worked and labored to exhaustion. We had no schedule. We had no plans. I am a person who thrives off of calendars and clocks and lists... but it was all yanked away from me like a parent yanking away danger from a small child. And just like a child, I cried. I wanted my routine back.

As relief work began to finally slow down and we began to catch our breath, the next crisis began. Our country began experiencing major shortages of supplies and fuels due to protests and blockades at the border entry points. We had to learn to cook differently because of lack of cooking gas. We had to learn to get around the city differently because of lack of petrol and diesel. We purchased bicycles for the family and used those as much as we possibly could. We spent hours in petrol lines, and sometimes walked away empty-handed.




My daughter's birthday was at the end of November. A protest kept us from doing our original plan. Daddy took her on a fun bicycle ride, just the two of them. When they returned home, I was reminded again just how little I am in control. She crashed hard trying to go down a steep, rocky hill. As she walked through the door, I could see blood streaming down her arms. She was hobbling as she came in so I knew there was more to her injuries than just her arms. As we went to get her cleaned up, I saw her side looked like spaghetti. This would be the worst injury I ever dealt with on my own. Through tears, hers and a few of my own, we got her cleaned up. We praised the Lord that nothing was broken and that her special smile drowned out the pain. It took a couple of weeks for her to heal and be able to get around like normal.




And just as she recovered...

I got a call from my son. He had taken his bicycle to go to language school for his final exam. He didn't make it there. His call was confusing, and I could tell he was injured pretty badly. Someone had walked out in front of his bicycle and caused him to lose control. He crashed and hit his head on the corner of a sidewalk. His helmet strap had cracked and caused his helmet to slide forward, exposing the back of his head to the concrete. I was thankful he could even think clearly enough to call me, though he actually called twice because he forgot he had already called. When I arrived where he was, I knew it was bad. Blood streamed from his head and he wasn't remembering things. He still doesn't remember me picking him up or taking him to the emergency room. He and I stayed in the hospital overnight together. It was special quality time, taking care of my baby boy before he heads off to college next year. It wasn't exactly ideal mother-son time, but I was glad I could be there for him. He finally had his stitches removed from his head...



Just in time for the next emergency for our family.

We were heading on the way to church. The roads on our way to church are more like an adventure you would see on a reality TV show about guys showing off their 4x4 vehicles. While on the road, suddenly my side began to hurt. The pain grew quickly. By the time we got to the church, all I could do is lay in the floor and cry. There was no way around it... it was time to go to the emergency room. Unfortunately, that meant going back over the road we just came on... while feeling pain that was no less than child birth level.

When we arrived at the hospital, the diagnosis was easy and quick. There was a huge stone lodged in the tube exiting my gallbladder. The gallbladder would have to go. This was not exactly the plans I had. We had the biggest ministry day of the year coming up in two days... on Christmas! But I would be in the hospital. My two older children took turns staying with me overnight. And though it wasn't exactly a great date location to spend time with them, I wouldn't trade those moments for anything.

This was not the year I had planned.
But God's plans were much better.


Isaiah 55:9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

You see, God didn't put all these things in my path to punish me or humiliate me or to even prove to me He is the boss and I am not. His plan was much more well-designed than those petty things. He was lovingly refining me.

2015
The year I learned to trust His sovereignty.

Psalm 115:3 "But our God [is] in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased."


2015
The year I learned to cast my fears upon Him. I had always known well how to strong-arm my fears and to cage them in a closet. I thought I was being spiritual because I wasn't being controlled by my fears. But really, I was being fleshly and doing things in my own strength. Earthquakes, dangers, injuries... When the fears mounted up and threatened to come crashing around me, I realized it was time to learn how to do things God's way. I learned how to admit my fears and cast them at His feet, trusting Him in faith.


1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." 


2015
The year I learned to count it all joy.

James 1:2-3 "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience."


2015
The year I watched Him do a work that man can never do... softening hearts toward the Gospel... opening doors that seemed impossible.


Revelation 3:8 "... I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it..."


2015
The year I learned what it means to PRESS toward... and not just stroll forward.

Philippians 3:14b  "... I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."


I grew closer to my children, closer to my husband, and closer to the Lord.


There are many parts of this year that were difficult and I would rather not do it again, but I wouldn't trade 2015 for anything. The most difficult year of my life was also the most rewarding. And I accomplished so many of my goals, though clearly God chose the method.

2015

The year I let go of my plans and wholeheartedly finally embraced HIS plans for me.


Yes, some growth only happens through purging and through the refining fires of trials.

Goodbye, 2015.

Hello, 2016.

Philippians 1:12 "But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;"













Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Chocolate Cake Mix Recipe

This is my favorite chocolate cake recipe. It can be used for cupcakes as well with no modifications necessary.



INGREDIENTS:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar (the finer the better)
3/4 cup cocoa
2 tsp. baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
4 Tbsp. vegetable shortening (I substitute with a baking margarine)

Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir to combine. Add shortening, using electric mixer on medium speed to blend the shortening into the dry ingredients. Completely mix shortening until no chunks are visible.

Add in:
1 1/3 cups water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 350*F. Grease sides and bottoms of two 9" baking pans, or one 9x13" pan. Lightly flour the greased pans. Blend the dry cake mix(above) with water, oil, and eggs in a large bowl with the mixer at low speed until just moistened. Increase the speed to medium and mix 2 more minutes.
Pour batter into pans and bake 30-33 minutes for the 9" pans and 35-38 minutes for the 9x13" pan.
If you wish to make cupcakes, bake for 19-22 minutes.



Tuesday, December 15, 2015

12 Days of Christmas Winners!

Thank you all for participating in our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways.  We hope you had a wonderful time.  Please see below to find out if you won!  We have emailed you or sent you messages on facebook, so please check your spam folders and get back to us with your mailing address.

Congratulations to the winners!
 
Lindsey Askins Megahee
Mary Earnhart Brewer
Dalene Clark
 
Camille Elam
 
Luwanda Duarte
 
Missy Sanders
 
Mendy Ruiz
 
Kelly Rapp Thomason
 
Penny Joy
 
Adriana
 
 Rachel Winkler

Bonus Giveaway!
Linda Gangemella


Thank you to everyone who contributed to this great giveaway,
and thank you to all you who entered!

Merry Christmas!!





 
 
 

Monday, December 14, 2015

One day left to enter our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways!


We hope you have enjoyed our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways.

You have until December 15th to enter.
Winners will be chosen on the 16th, so please come back here to find out if you are a winner!

Please share with your friends and family.
Remember anyone can enter,
you just need a US address.
If you don't have one, ask a friend who does!


MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Bonus Christmas Giveaway!

I hope you have enjoyed our 12 days of Christmas giveaways!  Be sure to enter every giveaway and share with your friends!  We have one last giveaway!  I know I said 12 days of Christmas, but I know you're not going to complain!


Sarah, our missionary friend in Guam, has donated this beautiful bracelet.  The people from Guam are known as Chamorros and  Chamorrita is a young, single girl from Guam.  They use rocks and shells on the beach to turn into jewellery to sell to the tourists. Since many of us will never make it to Guam, here is your chance to win a beautiful bracelet.

To enter, simply leave a comment!  No rafflecopter today.  Merry Christmas!

Giveaways close on December 15th, and winners will be announced a day or so later.






Saturday, December 12, 2015

Day 12 - Matryshka Dolls from Siberia




Aren't these dolls beautiful?!!  These Matryshka Dolls have been donated by Dee Dee our missionary in Siberia.  She's the one that shares all those yummy recipes on Tuesdays!  Be sure to enter this giveaway below.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

All the giveaways end on December 15.    So be sure to let your friends know!  Thank you for joining our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways.  We love our readers and wanted to a blessing to you.

Merry Christmas!!


Friday, December 11, 2015

Day 11 - African Market Basket from Ghana


Can I just say, I love these baskets!!  These are African Market Baskets, or Bolga Baskets, made by women in Ghana.  Julie (who is on deputation to go to Liberia) so generously donated a basket for our giveaway.  Her family sells these baskets while they are on deputation to help the orphanages and schools in Liberia.  Please visit Julie's website here.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Come back tomorrow for our final giveaway!  Be sure to go back through the past 10 days to make sure you didn't miss a giveaway!!


Thursday, December 10, 2015

Day 10 - Broken Seashells Music CD




This beautiful music cd has been donated by Felicia from Florida.  Her daughter, Cami, just recently released this cd.  Thank you, Felicia!

  
a Rafflecopter giveaway


I hope you're enjoying the 12 Days of Christmas!  Keep coming back each day to enter!


Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Day 9 - Hand-made Earrings from Tapalpa, Mexico



This giveaway is for 2 sets of beautiful hand-made earrings from Tapalpa, Mexico, so we will pick 2 winners from this giveaway!  These were so sweetly donated by Carol, one of our missionaries in there in Tapalpa, Mexico.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Day 8 - Llama Nativity from Peru


Isn't this nativity beautiful?!  It comes all the way from Peru.  This giveaway is donated by Elmo and Kat Compton, Church Planting Missionaries in Lima, Peru. Check out their website here.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Monday, December 7, 2015

Day 7 - TERRA Esential Oils Intro Pack of Lemon, Lavender & Peppermint


Cynthia who is a Wellness Oil Advocate as well as a missionary in Mexico has so generously donated this wonderful essential oils intro kit.  If you've never tried essential oils now is the time to enter the giveaway to win this set.  Also, here is a link of the every day uses for your oils, it's very helpful!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

You have until December 15th to enter all the giveaways.  Come back tomorrow for another fun giveaway!


Sunday, December 6, 2015

Day 6 - Bracelets from Greenland

This giveaway is for some beautiful Greenlandic jewelry. They all go to one winner!


Do you want a touch of the cool, frosty beauty of Greenland? Enter this giveaway to win these three bracelets! These are handmade and donated by our missionary in Greenland, Carole and her daughters.


This green and pink bracelet represents the Northern Lights.





This is a traditional Greenlandic beaded bracelet. They are very popular among the natives and tourists alike. The Greenlandic women have made and worn beaded jewelry for hundreds of years and the style has pretty much stayed the same. 




A few snowflakes from Greenland



a Rafflecopter giveaway


Saturday, December 5, 2015

Day 5 - My People by Dr. Mike Patterson


I hope you are enjoying all the giveaways!  
Please remember to come back each day for a new giveaway!

Today's giveaway is for a copy of  My People by Mike Patterson.  This has been so kindly donated by Mike Patterson's daughter, Joy, who is a missionary to the Jews in NYC.  We recently did a book review for My People, you can find it here.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Friday, December 4, 2015

Day 4 - Jamberry Nail Wraps


Who doesn't love Jamberry?!!  This half sheet of nail wraps has been graciously donated.  Don't they look festive?  Did you know they're of the Belarusian flag?  Do you know where Belarus is located?  I'll admit, I had to look it up!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't forget to keep coming back every day!


Thursday, December 3, 2015

Day 3 - Virtue Training Bible

Virtue Training Bible

A few years ago, I purchased the Child Training Bible kit, and it has been an amazing parenting tool.  If you've never heard of it, I highly encourage you to check out the website.  We still use this often.  They have also come out with the Virtue Training Bible.  I have an extra kit that I would like to offer for the giveaway!

You will also need a Bible (I prefer KJV), tabs, and crayon, highlighters, or colored pencils.  That's it!  It is time consuming to assemble, as you have to locate each verse (and there are many!) highlight the verse and attach the tab to the page, but the end result is so worth every minute.


This would be ideal to use for family devotions.  You pick the topic and then follow the tabs to find each of the verses.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Day 2 - The Ministry of Marriage (Kindle Version) by Jim Binney


Welcome to day 2 of our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways!  Be sure to come back every day.  Entries close December 15th.

One of our regular blog contributors, Charity, has been so kind to donate a Kindle Version of The Ministry of Marriage by Jim Binney.  Check out the link to read more about the book.  It looks like a good one!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Day 1 - Gleanings from the Fields


Welcome to our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways!  Please be sure to come back every day!  We are starting off our giveaways with 3 copies of our devotional book, Gleanings from the Fields.

I know some of you are still waiting for your copy, and we do apologize for this.  We've had so many issues with the printers, and have only received 700 of the 1000 we ordered.  We are trying a different printer to hopefully get those last 300 copies.  But until then, some of the BMW would like to share their extra copy they have received with you.  We have 3 to giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can come back every day and enter each of the giveaways.  Giveaways closes on December 15th.

Merry Christmas!



Friday, November 27, 2015

Going from Hero to Foreigner in One Day and Why It's Worth It



You’re on deputation or furlough. Every church welcomes you with smiles. You put up your display, pass out prayer cards, meet and greet, enjoy Grandma’s casserole and Aunt Suzie’s famous coconut cake. You give your testimony and show your DVD presentation. You’re the center of attention. The church is emphasizing missions, and missionaries are the stars. Some churches even treat you very special with gift bags and fruit baskets. Life is good!

You go from church to church. You sing missionary songs. Your heart is full—as it should be. After all, this is your calling and your life! We are missionaries! (Do I hear an Amen?)

The day comes, and you board the plane. It may be the first time or the tenth. You buckle up, sit back, hear the roar of the engines, and you look down on your home country as you soar upwards. Reaching cruising altitude, you’re above the clouds and able to relax—unless you have two toddlers and a baby. In which case . . . you’ll try to relax the best you can, once you get to your field.

Your plane lands, everyone claps for the pilot, and you wait in lines for passport control and baggage. Then comes the next journey—however you get to your city, your town. Ox carts, anyone?

You’re there! On your very own mission field. People look at you funny. Really. Staring. Do you look that strange? You walk by a window and look at your reflection. Yep, you look weird. You’re the foreigner. They can tell! If you open your mouth, it’s even more obvious. What an accent! Even if you’re fluent, the natives gawk at you.

And, you’re not longer a star.

You’re an oddity.




Gone are the flag-festooned missions conferences. 
Here’s where the rubber meets the road. This is missions! This is real missions.

“Lord, send me anywhere.” You sang it last week. Well, now you’re “anywhere.” You asked for it! (Insert smiley face.)

Why is it so different? Why are you so different?

You just became the foreigner. And, on top of that, you’re the foreigner with the foreign message. A God of love? The gospel of peace? The Son of God Who gave Himself for everyone’s sins? It’s foreign to them.

But, it’s for them, just as it is for you!


It’s the best message in the world.

Consider the gospel perspective. Let’s start with John 3:16. Yes, I know you know it by heart—in several languages—but it’s important. We’re going to read through verse 18 to really bring it home to your heart and your field.
  • For God so loved the world, (every single person in the whole, wide world. That’s why you’re going to your field. You really believe this!)
  • that he gave his only begotten Son, (Jesus is the only way!)
  • that whosoever (anyone from any nation)
  • believeth in him (Our mission is to tell them what this means.)
  • should not perish, (What powerful motivation! We want everyone to know how not to go to hell!)
  • but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (Jesus’ purpose in coming to the world is to save it. We can share this!)
  • He that believeth on him is not condemned: (Glory!)
  • but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (Sadly, much of the world is condemned already. We must share the gospel with them!)

It’s our duty. The Apostle Paul understood this. He said, I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise (Romans 1:14). (By the way, Paul was a foreigner, too, when he went to Greece and Turkey.)

God bless you as you share the greatest message in the world. God bless you as you put up with prejudice, hardships, sporadic electricity, lack of heating, washing your veggies in vinegar (and bleach and other stuff), religious opposition, persecution, and all the rest. God help you to make friends where you are—even though you’re different.

God give you fruit for your labor.

It isn’t easy to make the transitions. Each time we cross from one world to the other, we adapt. On most fields, there’s a sense of loneliness and loss. 

That’s why our focus is so very important. It needs to be on Jesus. It needs to be forward, not backward.

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
who for the joy that was set before him 
endured the cross, despising the shame,
and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
(Hebrews 12:2)

And they sung a new song, saying,
Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof:
for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood
 out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.
(Revelation 5:9)

Just think: in heaven, we’ll all be missionary “stars”—glorified, sanctified, and praising God—beside those who’ve come to Christ on our field. 

Jesus is worthy!
  

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

A BMW Thanksgiving

I have to admit...

I didn't really celebrate Thanksgiving in the States.

Oh, sure... our family got together. We ate turkey and banana pudding and pumpkin pies until we could barely move. On a few occasions we even took a few minutes to say we were thankful for things. Once we even made a "thankful tree," and hung leaves with words written on them of what we were thankful for.

But in the comfort of America... in the luxuries and abundance... I never really understood true thankfulness for little things. Our "thankful tree" would look very different if we made it today.




Coming to the field has been such a blessing in my spiritual growth. I am sad that the Lord had to take me to the other side of the world to teach me true, heartfelt, deep gratitude.

And I am not alone. Several BMWs took the time to share with us things that seemed so insignificant to them in their passport country, but now on the field they are true treasures.

If the BMWs got together and made a "thankful tree," what would their leaves say?

Have you every gotten on your knees and thanked the Lord for your turkey... with tears in your eyes? When 12 pound turkeys cost $70-$120, It's a tough thing to swallow. Yes, many BMWs substitute chicken. So when that turkey unexpectedly goes on sale... or someone sends a check specifically for a turkey??? I promise you will fall to your knees and thank the Lord.

Sending an email, using Skype, and Facebook posts? Have you ever poured your heart out to the Lord about how precious these things are? When your child or grand babies are thousands of miles away on Thanksgiving, your gratitude for these modern conveniences will flourish.


Creative Skype with Grandparents


Do you take birthday gatherings for granted? BMWs have learned to treasure getting together with friends for a birthday cake.



Have you spent time in prayer thanking the Lord you got at least one thing done today? I can promise some BMWs have.

Have you ever turned on the shower and broke out in praise and thanksgiving because there was hot water? Or even that there was water at all?

If you have ever seen a woman holding a box of cranberries and crying? Or maybe it was cream cheese or blueberries or butterscotch morsels or chocolate chips or Pepsi Cola or CHEDDAR CHEESE... To many people, these things are nothing. They walk into a store, grab a bag of brown sugar, pay, and leave. But a BMW? She realizes just how precious these items are. You are likely to find her praying over a pumpkin... thanking the Lord for loving her that much. And if she gets a CAN of pumpkin, she may just have a running spell. Do I need to even explain what happens when butter goes on sale?





Have you ever put clothes in your washing machine, pressed the button to start it up, and started singing a song of God's grace? If you ever have to wash your clothes by hand for a lengthy period of time, it will put a song in your heart and thanksgiving in your mouth to have such a wonderful contraption. And for a BMW, having a dryer can bring you to singing three part harmony all by yourself. Yes, we are thankful for appliances.



By the way, did I mention gratitude for OXY Clean? It's real.

Have you ever been humbled in prayer over thirty minutes of quiet time? If you ever have to take care of a children's home with twenty children, you will find yourself shedding tears of gratitude to the Lord.

We have all walked into a doctor's office, seen the wait, and grumbled. If you are a BMW, you are more likely to walk in, see the line, find a place to sit or stand... and then praise the Lord for affordable, quality care. It is rare on many fields.

And lines??? There is something precious about learning to give thanks because you are in the top 150 for the petrol line. When your children sit around the dinner table and pray, thanking the Lord for diesel fuel and bacon... you realize the Lord has truly done a work in the hearts of the whole family.



Are you a Sunday school teacher or women's ministry leader? When is the last time you have praised the Lord for your Sunday school curriculum or Bible study helps? There are BMWs all over the world on their knees regularly thanking the Lord for materials like that. They have learned their value because many of them have had to labor for a long time to translate materials, write materials... or even just collect the materials over time.

Peanut butter... I could have added it to the grocery store scene above, but peanut butter deserves a section all to itself. I am convinced more prayers of thanksgiving have gone up for the gift of peanut butter than for any other grocery item.

Easy access to clean public toilets? Yes, you learn to appreciate those things. How many times have you thanked the Lord for them?

Encouraging emails, letters, and packages? It was sweet to get those things in the States, but they never gripped my heart the way they do on the field.

Smooth roads... Oh, I could park on this topic for hours! (Excuse the pun... I couldn't resist.) When a road gets paved here, my whole family bursts into praises!

I remember complaining in the States when it rained. It ruined my plans. But on the field? Water is life. It fills the cisterns. It keeps the electricity on for extra hours. Rain? Yes, BMWs have spent many hours thanking God for rain.

Speaking of electricity... You will never understand true gratitude for electricity until you begin thanking the Lord for an extra hour of electricity.

So many BMWs do not get to experience the changing of the leaves in Fall. They long for it and have learned how to spot the slightest change of color from a great distance. Oh, they truly have learned to appreciate the autumn leaves.



Have you thanked the Lord lately for your past? BMWs do it regularly. They have seen the Lord's fingerprints in their past preparing them for what they are doing now... and they are truly thankful.

Have you praised the Lord today for Pinterest and for "from scratch" recipes? When you don't have access to marshmallows and saltines... you will grow in gratitude for these things.

How thankful are you for your warm clothes and your heater and your boots in winter? These things have produced mountains of praise on many fields... and for other fields, a cold spell of 70 degrees makes choruses of thanksgiving gush forth.



Have you ever sat in a church service and thanked the Lord that it was in your own language? Have you ever sat in a Christmas cantata/Easter pageant/teen singspiration/Awana or Masters Club meeting/ladies meeting and couldn't control your praise that you even have access to these things?  What about church fellowships like simple hay rides and camping trips? Go without those for a while... your gratitude will swell like the tide. It does for us.

Do you want to see thankfulness ooze from every pore of a BMW? Hoist the Stars and Stripes high and start playing the national anthem.

You see, Thanksgiving isn't the turkey and dressing. It isn't getting together with family (though we sure do love the rare opportunity!) It isn't football games and parades. If it were these things, many BMWs couldn't celebrate. But the heart of Thanksgiving is... well... giving thanks!

We may be spending Thanksgiving thousands of miles away from our families. We may be eating giblets and refried beans with nationals or other missionaries. We may have to substitute a chicken for the turkey. But praise the Lord that He is teaching us the true meaning of Thanksgiving! We BMWs are blessed beyond measure. His grace is sufficient today... and every day.

And for that... we give thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving from
Baptist Missionary Women
around the world!

(Thank you, ladies, for sharing your hearts and thanking the Lord for His goodness... even in the little things.)