Things I'm thankful for in 2020

 I know 2020 was a tough year for everyone. I am not arguing that. I spent nearly the whole year in a tiny town in Alaska and it took much more effort to not feel forgotten. It was kind of lonely, but I was also blessed by friends reaching out and/or visiting. Even though it was a challenging year, I have found things to be thankful for. Below is my list I have created throughout the year.

     January

• For a new year and a new decade, for new starts.
• For relaxing and slow-paced days.
• Thankful for skiing adventures.
• Thankful for our car.
• Thankful for my blog.
• Thankful for old friends.
• Thankful for movie nights and my family.
• Thankful for Sabbath, comfort and my dog.
• Thankful for family taking care of me when I'm sick.
• Thankful for reflection time in the morning before work.
• Thankful for time to read.
• Thankful for friends connecting with me.
• Thankful for warm showers.
• Thankful for good meals.
• Thankful for letters- both reading and writing them.
• Thankful for my health.
• Thankful for stars and for books.
• Thankful for babies to sweeten the world.
• Thankful for fellowship and my sister.
• Thankful for beautiful yarn.
• Thankful for God guiding and providing for me.
• Thankful to have people in my life who are comfortable to talk to.

February-April

• Thankful for children, music, books and good food.
• Thankful for the good feeling I got from complimenting someone and receiving a compliment in return. And for smiling at each other (before masks ;) )
• Thankful for all the love I have from friends and family and for chocolate and flowers.
• Thankful for Sabbath and music.
• Thankful for cuddles and stories when I don't feel so well.
• Thankful for my Christian heritage and upbringing.
• Thankful for sunrises that fill my heart with joy.
• Thankful for getting to see some Alaskan college friends at the Winter Camp meeting in my town. It was nice to have company. Thankful for important messages and for getting to play games (Dutch Blitz club) after so long. (this was right before covid shutdown)
• Thankful that my sisters had safe travels back from Hawaii, and Peru especially. And for all my other friends who were overseas.

May-August

• Thankful for stickers and celebrating my sisters' graduations from 8th and 12th grade.
• Thankful for seeing a friend and hiking and Sabbath.
• Thankful for my sister's birthday and good food.
• Thankful for sunshine and new starts.
• Thankful for finishing a project.
• Thankful for friends, sun, and good bread.
• Thankful for beaches and my family.
• Thankful for creativity that I can share with my friends.
• Thankful for camping trips and the sunset and flowers.
• Thankful for the freedom we still have and fireworks at midnight.
• Thankful for beauty and God's love and not getting lost.
• Thankful for sun and my income and friends and yellow yarn.
• Thankful for fellowship and hiking with friends on a sunny Sabbath day.
• Thankful for my birthday and my friends' and family's love.
• Thankful for broody gray days.
• Thankful for dreams and letters and God always guiding and taking care of me.

September-November

• Thankful for my college classes and growing myself as a person this quarter. And for possible new friends I met this weekend.
• Thankful for finishing my homework quickly and that it is almost the weekend. Excited to celebrate my mom's birthday also.
• Thankful for books and Bible study and friends.
• Thankful that our quarantine is almost over so we can go to church.
• Thankful for teachers who reach out and encourage you. And classes that are challenging and growing me as a person. And our new Student Missionary.
• Thankful for stories and sunshine.
• Thankful for sunshine and music and the Sabbath that is coming.
• Thankful for sunshine and mist and bonfires.
• Thankful for good stories.
• Thankful for my vanishing headache.
• Thankful for skating in the rain.
• Thankful for extra time to work on projects.
• Thankful that I will be able to see my family soon.

December

• Thankful that I was able to spend time with some friends and family in Alaska (a different area from where I live) and also some family and a friend in Washington. 
• Thankful that my Wisdom tooth surgery went well.

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Cast all your cares upon Him

 I've had a few songs on my mind this week. They all have the same general theme. 

The first one is 'The Cares Chorus'. "I cast all my cares upon You, I lay all of my burdens upon You, and anytime that I don't know what to do, I lay all of my burdens down at Your feet."

Then my friend Brooke shared a special music she sang called 'Give them all to Jesus'. There are a couple of nice verses, but the chorus I really like. "Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus. Shattered dreams, wounded hearts, and broken toys. Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus, and He will turn your sorrows into joy. "

Finally, although this one hasn't been stuck in my head as much..."What's your worry, why the big hurry, I've got all the time in the world. So why don't you let go, of what you can't control, let me take it for you."---All the Time in the World by Matt & Josie Minikus. 

I think God is trying to tell me something. And to share it with you all. So if you have cares, burdens, shattered dreams, pain, or not enough time-- just give it to Jesus, He's got you. Hope you have a carefree week!

---Sara

To be Brave

I watched a movie recently called The Final Days. It was about Sophie and Hans Scholl during World War 2. They were doing their best to help others understand how evil the Nazi propaganda was. They were caught spreading flyers, and when they knew there was no escaping the consequences they stayed strong and tried to get as many people as possible to hear about what was happening to them. They were brave and strong in their faith. Even unto death...
Sophie was 21. She was my age. Hans was 25. Another man executed along with them was a young father. These were young people standing strong for their convictions. They are inspiring to me. I know we have become lazy in the 21st century. We are tied to our devices and there is a certain fear of political conversations on social media. Politics is tricky and no one wants to be dragged into a fight, it is easier to pretend to be politically correct. But I know things are rapidly changing and some things are still wrong. We can't stay silent forever, we must choose which side we are going to be on.
I want to have the kind of faith Sophie and her brother had. I want to stay strong like Abel, Esther, Isaiah and Jeremiah, Daniel and his friends, and Christians through the ages. I want to be firm like those who formed the United States when they broke from England, like those who were involved in resistance during World War 2, and like Martin Luther King Jr. and others who were involved in civil rights movements.
Right now we need to get connected with Jesus as a power source so we will be ready to be brave and strong in our convictions when the time comes. I know, I'm talking to myself here. I don't want to go with the flow. I know who I am and I don't want to be the girl who stays silent in the midst of injustice and wrongdoing. I want to be brave. God help me. Please.
Sara

How encouraging someone encourages you

So I have to share this with you all. Last spring I gave some of my friends something special. You see, these friends had been planning to go abroad, graduate, or change their campus the next year. I gave them notes of encouragement for the coming year. Most of the notes included this verse: "Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 

I had no idea how these notes would come back to me. Just last week I got an email from my friend who is in another country as a student missionary. In this country she has to be careful of using certain words having to do with Christianity. So in this excerpt of the email you may see some words changed, that is just for her protection. We've had to be creative and think of new ways to get certain ideas across. 

"Sara, I have to tell you. Last week was my first week of teaching here, and it was really stressful figuring out all the ropes. Tuesday morning, I was really discouraged and downright scared to go back to teach, even though that was totally irrational. I talked with my father and asked him, how on earth am I supposed to bond with my students and make them feel at home in my class when I’m so scared? How will it be possible to become friends with them? And then, your note you gave me last year fell out of the book I was reading: “Do not be afraid, and do not be dismayed…Thank you for being my friend…you can do it!” It brought tears to my eyes when I read that. I taught class that day and the next, and was still nervous, but I survived. Then, on Thursday, the burden of fear was suddenly lifted. So thank you for that note. It made a big difference."

I thought I would share this with you to show how giving notes of encouragement can make a big difference in someone's life, and in yours too. This email was encouraging to me, that I made a difference. If I hadn't given her the note who knows how she would have dealt with that day? She would have but it would have been different for sure. 

She's not the only one. Other friends told me the note has been encouraging to them, although not a particular instance like the one above, but they have been helped. So I want to encourage you to give friends a note every once in awhile. It will make a big difference. 

Such Wondrous Love- Poem#4

Here is another poem, not sure what my sister would call it, but this is what I would.


In the arms of my Savior
My Father and Friend
Here I rest, in the middle I pray
All of my troubles at His feet I lay down

His love goes all through me 
Like tea on New Years'
Brighter than sunshine
Yet soft like moonlight

It's warm and it's silky
It's happy this way
Not a joy or a sorrow
With Him I don't share

Through Jesus I'll do it 
Through Jesus alone
Dear God please help me
I can't on my own