Today I was fortunate enough to have been able to spend some
of the day with a college friend that studied Spanish with me, Kelsey, and it
was good to see a familiar face! We ended up going downtown Dallas, Texas and 1st
of all; I want to say that I am NOT looking forward to driving in Dallas since
the traffic is horrible (definitely worse than Indiana). Traveling in Texas is
different than Indiana for a few reasons, which are…
1 is the traffic…
2 is that they have a lane separated from the other lanes
that’s for people with more than 1 person and is a lot faster…
3 is that many stoplights in downtown Dallas are on poles
rather than in front and ahead of you…
4 is the over paths that can be stacks of 4 or more…
5 is that they have actual U-turn lanes…
Now to get off of the driving part of Texas, I want to talk
about the adventure that Kelsey and I had in downtown Dallas. We didn’t have an
agenda but to just get out and hang out so we ended up walking around Dallas.
We finally ended up at the Thanks-Giving Square, which was a good reminder that
we need to give thanks for what we have been given. Too often we take things
for granted and forget to give thanks for what we have. So, what are you
thankful for? I know I am thankful for this ministry opportunity, for the
chance to partner with 2 amazing organizations (General Board of Global
Ministries and The Dallas Leadership Foundation). From what it seems like right
now, everyone I will be working with are great people and truly know what being
servant leaders look like.
We are meant to live simply for the next 2 years and when I
think about living simply, I think about living in Costa Rica and how they
lived since they literally had little but were very happy with what they did
have. They had family and they had their faith and that’s what truly matters.
As I am living in the house that I am right now, I feel like I have so much and
on a normal basis I wouldn’t even think about it but with this ministry
opportunity, I am thinking about it and I am thankful for what I have right now
since there are people in this world that may never had the chance to have what
I have. I mean, have you ever really stopped and thought about what it is that
you have and how privileged you are? There are so many people in this world
that can only think about themselves and they don’t see the others in this
world, they can only think about what they “need” but really it’s a want, they
want the next newest thing, and so forth. Are you one of those people?
I was reminded today through a simple area of land that I
need to look at my life and be thankful of it rather than look at the things
that I have given up. Leaving for ministry is hard but there are people in the
world, including the United States, that don’t have family, they don’t have the
same opportunity as I do to do ministry or share about something that I am
passionate about, they don’t have amazing people to work with and be around,
they don’t have networks so that where ever they are they have someone to talk
to, and so forth. My life truly is good and there is so much that I need to be
reminded about to be thankful for and the reminder came from a short trip in
downtown Dallas with a college friend! So my challenge for you is to look at
the good in your life rather than the bad and start to be thankful of what you
have and where you are rather than thinking about what could be or could have
been.
So, when it comes to driving, at least I am able to drive
and have a driver’s license. At least I will have transportation. And at least
I will be able to maneuver and get around to different places to do the
ministry that I will be doing since there are people that are stuck where they
are. They have no way to get around and they have never driven a vehicle or had
a license. So, I will be thankful for driving in Texas and try to remember that
when traffic gets bad and not fun to drive!
Here's some pictures from today's adventure in downtown Dallas!
Me going through the Thanks-Giving ring
Be joyful in the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness; come into His presence with singing!
Thanks-Giving Square
One of the many plaques on the wall at the Square
Come into His courts with praise! Psalm 100
We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture
Always remember to pray!
First Baptist Church
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts will praise