Last month was Beth\u2019s birthday and I really wanted to do something nice for her. I decided that since we hardly ever go out to eat, dinner at one of our local restaurants would be a great birthday present. We were both tired, so I hoped this would be just what we needed to encourage us. We sat down, ordered and waited for our food. We waited and waited and waited. Finally our food came but Beth\u2019s greatly anticipated steak was not edible. Then many thoughts of ingratitude started flowing\u2026. this area only has two restaurants\u2026 we waited 40 minutes with a 20 month old toddler\u2026 when we finally got our food it wasn\u2019t cooked\u2026. and we needed a rest but it wasn\u2019t restful. My great birthday present was ruined.<\/p>\n
Yes, these were my thoughts and it wasn\u2019t until much later that I realized that if I would have just allowed God to change my attitude, I could have had a great time instead of letting my negative thoughts take over. Yes, the restaurants here are not up to North American standards. However, we were able to talk with the workers because they aren\u2019t rushing around serving lots of people. The waitresses came to play with Jonathan and we were allowed to sit around and enjoy ourselves (sometimes we play games) while the workers got us drinks and chatted with us. Plus the restaurant that we went to was on the ocean, so we were able to jump in and cool off while we waited. There are so many unique and great things about the restaurants here in PNG! After all, when was the last time you were able to sit at a restaurant in November and enjoy a warm breeze and a view of the ocean. Oh and by the way the steak was returned, cooked, and Beth enjoyed the taste.<\/p>\n
Ingratitude steals the good things out of our lives. \u2026.\u201dIngratitude steals it all \u2013 healthy relationships, humility, contentment, enjoyment, and the sweet walk with Christ that provides our only access to abundant life.\u201d If we are not being thankful, not living with a grateful spirit then we default to an ungrateful spirit without even thinking about it. God is challenging our thinking\u2026 we are reading a book about Gratitude which is making us more and more excited about being a child of God. \u201cIn fact, so powerful is the influence exerted by ingratitude, that when we displace it with gratitude, we will likely find a multitude of other sins dislodged from our lives\u2026. When gratefulness returns, it brings with it the attending blessings and beauties of holiness.\u201d Choosing Gratitude, your journey to joy by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.<\/p>\n
This gives us something to ponder \u2026. We want to ask you to pray for us, that we would choose gratitude over ingratitude as we go through our daily lives. So many times we pray for strength to deal with the struggles here. But maybe we should focus on the good things instead of our struggles. Focusing on all of God\u2019s many blessings will in turn make our struggles seem smaller in our minds.<\/p>\n
Praises!<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A Savior who loves us, takes care of us and knows every detail of our lives!<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Many opportunities to have fresh lettuce, tomatoes, green peppers, zucchini, sugar fruit and carrots flown in from the Highlands!<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Celebrated 5 years of marriage on Nov 7th<\/sup>!<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jonathan is now 21 months old\u2026 talking in conversation form\u2026 even though is sentences consists of one word. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jacob\u2019s grandmother\u2019s tumor is not cancerous.<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Opportunities to celebrate special days at restaurants in town!<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 God\u2019s continued provision for our needs moment by moment!<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Safety at work for Jacob!<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Over half of the cement is completed on the Boat house project!<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Opportunity to help out with the Interface program in Madang region next summer! Beth will cook and Jacob will fix everything that breaks.<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jacob\u2019s mom will be coming over to help next summer too, to take care of Jonathan so Beth can work in the kitchen!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Prayer requests:<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ability to choose gratitude instead of our default of ingratitude in the circumstances of our daily lives.<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rest in God as we enjoy being parents each day.<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wisdom as Jacob works each day to repair and maintain the NTM Center.<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wisdom for Jacob and Bill as they plan and work on the new Boat House.<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Healing of our friend, Elissa, so she can work full time in PNG.<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Myer and Goheen families as the men head out into the bush tomorrow to start building their houses\u2026. Where they will learn the language & culture in order to present the Gospel message!<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Opportunity to help out with Interface \u2013 Prayer for Jacob\u2019s mom as she plans to come over to help and take care of Jonathan\u2026 finances for travels.<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 God would continue to raise up more missionaries to come to the Sepik region and bring the Gospel to those who have never heard it their own heart language.<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rich and Dawn Foster & family, as they recover from health issues so they can return to PNG and settle back into a ministry with the Bena.<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 More co-workers to work alongside Rich and Dawn Foster.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Last month was Beth\u2019s birthday and I really wanted to do something nice for her. I decided that since we hardly ever go out to eat, dinner at one of our local restaurants would be a great birthday present. 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