Thanksgiving is really wonderful.  And when I think about all that God has done for me, I'm always a bit dumbfounded.  I'm also so thankful for the people that God has put in my life.  True friends are like living treasures.

I have to share a funny moment from the reception last night.  I was sitting at Table 1 when it came time for the bouquet to be thrown, so the call was made for all the single ladies to come to the dance floor, albeit a very small dance floor.  For the last four weddings I've been to, I've opted to forego this activity.  But this was the first the groom's brother in law made rounds forcing the singles to get up.  So when he asked our table, two of my friends went up willingly, but I stayed put, of course.  He kept asking, and then finally asked to see my hands.  But, ha!  I always have a ring on my ring finger, so I lifted both my hands proudly in the air, slightly wiggling my ring finger with a sly smile.  And he threw up his hands in defeat and said: "Fair enough!" and walked away!  Victory.  It was a thrilling moment and my table had a nice laugh.  Now I did have some moral support from my pastor, who told me not to get up since I was headed to the mission field.  No argument there. 

All the more reason to wear rings on the all-important digit.

Peace.

A much too common phenomena: long days.  I suppose long weeks are worse, but the fact that time is always the same consoles me a little.  Ha.

I can't seem to find the time to actually write in my journal, which bothers me a bit.  I feel like I'm already losing all the memories of the last several days.  But the sheer amount of events that have gone on in this last week is enough to fill up the space in my planner.. granted, it's much smaller than usual.  I'm not really sure what I should jot down here, except that I'm tired and would appreciate slightly warmer weather.  I'm thankful to live on the west coast.  I actually have a chance for survival here..

Cold weather makes life feel a bit lonelier for some reason.. not as many people around, and when you do see them, they're shuffling around with their brows furrowed against the cold and rain.  Just makes you want to see your best friend and those close to you. 

I also wish I was sleepier than what I feel at the moment, then at least I could fall asleep quickly since I really need the sleep.  But at least I'm beginning to yawn!

Well, enough of the whine.  Goodnight!

Peace.

So, I had a rough week.  Maybe you have, too.  I slept at 10:37pm last night, which is rare in my world.  But I was down with a migraine, which is only aggravated by my bad back.  But I woke up and got my work done, and had a nice day.  Weekly ESL classes come by so quickly, I barely have time to sit and make a lesson plan.  It's been a great experience teaching and especially to meet these people who I otherwise would have never crossed paths with. 

It's been a good focus setter as I'm wrapping up my studies in seminary.  It's been reason for me to keep myself in school, so that once I'm on the field, I can be of help and support for those already there.  I think about Thailand more and more these days.  The last couple of years haven't allowed for much time on this, especially since the needs of the church were so immediate.  But sure enough, tides change and so do our eventual directions.  Three years ago, when I first started serving at Eden, I knew it was a three plus year commitment.  And now that I'm almost into my fourth year, I know that the time I have left at Eden is probably less than what I've already invested.  When I talk about Thailand with others and divulge my plans nowadays, they often think I'm leaving sooner than later.  But this isn't the case.  I still have loans to pay back and things to decide and choices to settle on.  Some say that it takes an average of 10 years for missionaries to get on that plane.. from vision to nation.  I can see why such a saying exists. 

In the meantime, part of me has jumped into the deep end of current politics, particularly with health care.  There is no doubt in my mind that this bill can be defeated, especially now that more and more people are beginning to see how distorted the proposed plan is and what it seeks to do.  It will be a sad and tragic day when people stop speaking out against a government or anything or any person that seeks to legalize and somehow sanctify that which is not even good.  It's downright secrecy and trickery.  It is God's grace that a shift is occuring towards the Republicans and conservative Democrats.. and if you agree with the movement that is opposed to government run health care, which will mandate federal funds to be funneled into the system towards elective abortion and Planned Parenthood to be placed inside every public high school in the US, as well as include provision for the end of life controversy, sign the petition at www.aclj.org.  ACLJ organizes all the petitions that they receive and presents them to the individual states, so this has a direct influence on your state legislators, not some random conglomerate. 

Bottom line, those responsible for the creation of this bill have lied straight to our faces, about what it will fund, how much it will cost, etc.  The projected 10 year cost, which has gone up and down over the weeks, is for a bill, that if passed, will be enacted in 4 years from now.  This means the "10 year" cost in actuality will be a 6 year cost.  And for politicians to be able to read the nearly 2,000 page bill that has come out and vote within two weeks is absurd.  Nancy Pelosi has called for an early vote because she knows this fact, and not allowing for debates or any amendments to be voted on is simply ridiculous.  Language is a weapon of deception for politicians, so be careful what you read and hear.

I hate to sound like a fanatic, but this is worth the battle.  Things like this, which are so clearly going to hurt the people whom the government is supposed to protect, need to be stood up against.  Some will certainly disagree, but the issues such as abortion and end of life are things that will quickly erode the moral identity of the US.  Lord, have mercy.

Maranatha.