The last two years I did that thing on FB where you post what you're thankful for daily. However, I don't always have regular FB access, and when I've started something I like to finish it and do it consistently, which adds to my frustration if something goes wrong with my internet access. So to spare myself that but still show thankfulness, here are 31 things I am thankful for this year.
1. Internet. You and I can communicate easily from halfway across the world. What a gift!!
2. Small children. What joy they bring to life! I'm thankful to have children to build relationships with in this new city as well. Nothing brings joy to your heart like a small child who knows you and is happy to see you!!
3. Pencils and erasers. I've used them hard this year as I struggle to remember how to write Chinese characters and as I erase over and over again.
4. Pleco software that makes it easy for me to learn and study additional vocabulary on my iPhone.
5. Having an iPhone and all the features it brings, the millions of ways it helps me in daily life.
6. That all the earthquakes we've had these last two months haven't damaged anything, just made me examine my true priorities.
7. That I don't need to fear earthquakes or other disasters, there is One who has planned all my days for me and is totally, omnipotently in control.
8. My friend Michelle who invited me to eat at her house twice this weekend and always has such a great upbeat attitude.
9. The second years here at language school who have helped us first years in so many ways. I could go on and on about this. I'm so thankful.
10. A crockpot. This is a new addition to my kitchen stuff, and it has made my life so happy already, when I come home to warm food and good smells. Thanks again, Jenn, for letting me babysit it!
11. Neon lights. It gets dark at 4:15 these days, but the neon lights on all the buildings are beautiful and make me so thankful to see them out my window.
12. The whiteness of snow. Aren't you glad it's not an ugly color? Especially if we have to slip and slide around on it? At least it's pretty!
13. My family and friends who love me so much and send love to me so regularly.
14. The cross and the wholeness it bestows.
15. How easy it is to buy butter and cheese and groceries of all sorts in this new city.
16. That in China there aren't many box mixes or cans of food, so all the food I cook for myself is from scratch and therefore, although painstaking, much more delicious.
17. Great teachers, past and present, who have impacted me so deeply and continue to deepen me.
18. Tutors who are willing to sit and listen to me fumble around with the language and then help me hammer out correct grammar and pronunciation.
19. The chance to just buckle down and learn Chinese at this time so I can later concentrate on fulltime teaching but with the language and understanding I need.
20. That Chinese verbs don't need to be conjugated. There's enough to remember with measure words and characters, I'm thankful that you don't have to memorize long charts of verb conjugations as well. Just throw in what time it happens/ed and it's done!!
21. How easily the Big Bang Theory still makes me laugh every time.
22. Having copies of the Word in multiple versions so I can easily see the nuances of the text. Mainland Chinese people don't have that luxury.
23. My new coat from Lands' End and how soft and warm it is, helping me stay happy even in crazy cold temperatures.
24. How much I've been privileged to travel in my life.
25. That my house this year is neither too hot (like the last two years) nor too cold (really important when it's so cold outside) but just right. I can't control the temperature settings, so the comfortable temperature is a real blessing.
26. Wool socks and merino long underwear.
27. Every Chinese stranger who is patient with me when they have to interact with me.
28. E-books. My life is much richer because I can read so much even while so far away.
29. Hot showers and good laundry equipment.
30. Health. This time last year I really learned how important good health is.
31. You all reading this blog!!!
Have you been deliberately sitting down this season to think about your blessings? Once you get started it's amazing how many you can find every second.
1. Internet. You and I can communicate easily from halfway across the world. What a gift!!
2. Small children. What joy they bring to life! I'm thankful to have children to build relationships with in this new city as well. Nothing brings joy to your heart like a small child who knows you and is happy to see you!!
3. Pencils and erasers. I've used them hard this year as I struggle to remember how to write Chinese characters and as I erase over and over again.
4. Pleco software that makes it easy for me to learn and study additional vocabulary on my iPhone.
5. Having an iPhone and all the features it brings, the millions of ways it helps me in daily life.
6. That all the earthquakes we've had these last two months haven't damaged anything, just made me examine my true priorities.
7. That I don't need to fear earthquakes or other disasters, there is One who has planned all my days for me and is totally, omnipotently in control.
8. My friend Michelle who invited me to eat at her house twice this weekend and always has such a great upbeat attitude.
9. The second years here at language school who have helped us first years in so many ways. I could go on and on about this. I'm so thankful.
10. A crockpot. This is a new addition to my kitchen stuff, and it has made my life so happy already, when I come home to warm food and good smells. Thanks again, Jenn, for letting me babysit it!
11. Neon lights. It gets dark at 4:15 these days, but the neon lights on all the buildings are beautiful and make me so thankful to see them out my window.
12. The whiteness of snow. Aren't you glad it's not an ugly color? Especially if we have to slip and slide around on it? At least it's pretty!
13. My family and friends who love me so much and send love to me so regularly.
14. The cross and the wholeness it bestows.
15. How easy it is to buy butter and cheese and groceries of all sorts in this new city.
16. That in China there aren't many box mixes or cans of food, so all the food I cook for myself is from scratch and therefore, although painstaking, much more delicious.
17. Great teachers, past and present, who have impacted me so deeply and continue to deepen me.
18. Tutors who are willing to sit and listen to me fumble around with the language and then help me hammer out correct grammar and pronunciation.
19. The chance to just buckle down and learn Chinese at this time so I can later concentrate on fulltime teaching but with the language and understanding I need.
20. That Chinese verbs don't need to be conjugated. There's enough to remember with measure words and characters, I'm thankful that you don't have to memorize long charts of verb conjugations as well. Just throw in what time it happens/ed and it's done!!
21. How easily the Big Bang Theory still makes me laugh every time.
22. Having copies of the Word in multiple versions so I can easily see the nuances of the text. Mainland Chinese people don't have that luxury.
23. My new coat from Lands' End and how soft and warm it is, helping me stay happy even in crazy cold temperatures.
24. How much I've been privileged to travel in my life.
25. That my house this year is neither too hot (like the last two years) nor too cold (really important when it's so cold outside) but just right. I can't control the temperature settings, so the comfortable temperature is a real blessing.
26. Wool socks and merino long underwear.
27. Every Chinese stranger who is patient with me when they have to interact with me.
28. E-books. My life is much richer because I can read so much even while so far away.
29. Hot showers and good laundry equipment.
30. Health. This time last year I really learned how important good health is.
31. You all reading this blog!!!
Have you been deliberately sitting down this season to think about your blessings? Once you get started it's amazing how many you can find every second.
