30 Days of Thankfulness: Days 15-25

30 Days of Thankfulness

Day 15: Free Flu Shot & Health

Today, I am thankful for a free flu shot on Wednesday and for NOT getting the flu! It was my first flu shot and I've heard too many people say something like, "Whenever I got a flu shot, I got the flu" or "I only got the flu when I got a flu shot." Titus got a flu shot a few weeks ago and didn't get the flu either, thank you God!

Day 16: Relaxing, Productive Saturdays with Pdai!

Today I am thankful for relaxing and productive Saturdays at home with pdai! Lots of nesting, homework, and writing baby shower thank you's.

Day 17: Safety in the Storm
 

Survived the storm.. sustained no damage.. celebrating with fried noodles. Thank you, Jesus! (Picture taken at our church.)

Day 18: A Surprise Paid Day-Off!

Today I am thankful for a surprise paid day-off, in a warm home with electricity, for all that was accomplished, and for the time spent with my husband!

Day 19: My Parents

Today I am thankful for parents who have been there whenever I have needed them... and still are! Parents who are willing to inconvenience themselves so I can borrow a car.

Day 20: TIME with my husband!

I am thankful for extra time spent with my husband this week!  My office hasn't had power for four days and I have been working only part-time in a makeshift office and part-time at home!

 

Day 21: Baby Movements

Today, I am thankful for baby movements! I am a blessed woman!  To feel a baby move inside of you... it's a wonderfully indescribable feeling.

Day 22: Healer...Teacher...Father

I've been wishing since early October that something annoying would stop happening. Earlier this week, I started praying about it.. and it's been gone for two days. Today, I am thankful that it's gone. I am thankful that Father God is HEALER and a gentle TEACHER. I am thankful for every moment that He opens my eyes to His goodness! Today, I am feeling overwhelmingly blessed!

Day 23: TIME with my husband!

Today, I am thankful for another day just me and Pdai!  We had such a good weekend just spending time together! Only *10* more weeks and our lives will never be the same!

Day 24: Brookhaven Family

Today, I am thankful for a church family that truly inspires me every time we are together! Thankful that it seems so natural to rejoice together and to mourn together. I was blessed to witness their love and service today! Thankful for those who have welcomed my husband into the Family. Thankful for those who have and are investing in us. Thankful for those who lead by example. Thankful for new church family and for those who have been around for years!

Day 25: Grandmom's Nativity Set

Today, I'm thankful for a possession and what it represents: Grandmom's nativity set. It not only represents the true meaning of Christmas, but for me it represents her passion for it! It represents a family heritage. As a little girl, she let me set up all the figurines; she made it a "special job." Wish I could at it up at her house just one more Christmas, but... feeling truly blessed to have at mine. Love you, Grandmom! Thankful for her faithfulness, her example, her teaching (with and without words), and for lasting memories.

Thankful,
Jewel

30 Days of Thankfulness: Days 6-14

30 Days of Thankfulness

Day 6: A Warm Home

Today, I am thankful for a warm home to abide in.  When I was a sophomore and junior in college, I participated in weekly early morning prayer walks on campus. One bitterly cold January morning, I was overwhelmed with compassion for the homeless - for those who have no warm shelter in which to take refuge. On cold winter days, I often remember that moment and I am grateful for my home, for its warmth, for the blessing that I have never had to worry about where I will sleep and how I will stay warm and safe.

Day 7: Full Kitchen Cupboards

Today, like yesterday, I am increasingly thankful for how the Lord provides and has always provided.  I do not take for granted that I have food to eat.  Thank you, Father God, for providing for your humble children.

Day 8: Healthy Cravings & the Lord provides!

I neglected to have my regular glass if orange juice this morning, but when I got to work there was a bag of tangerines waiting for me to devour! The Lord provides!! Pregnant girl's best friend! Simple pleasures. Thankful for a pregnancy void of much morning sickness and for healthy cravings!  

Day 9: Sleep

I am thankful for a few more weeks of good sleep! I instinctively woke up at 6:00am this morning, remembered today is Saturday, and rolled over and slept until 10:00am! Probably won't be ANY mornings like that after Baby Girl arrives.

Day 10: Memories with my Cambodian family

Today, we are feeling sad that we could not attend our brother Chamrang's wedding in Cambodia, but I am feeling very thankful for the memories that we have already shared together.  I cherish the memories that we have already made together - family meals, watching the nephews play, going to the market for groceries, and family vacation at the beach - and I look forward to the many memories to be made together in the future! 

Day 11: Safety

Today, I'm thankful for a safe (albeit LONG) trip home from a meeting in Indianapolis. I got stuck behind either an accident or a breakdown and either way, I'm just thankful that the Lord was watching over me. God is so good to me! Creator, Sustainer, Protector, and Provider!

 

Day 12: Baby Girl Gifts

Today, I am thankful for all the ways that friends and family are already blessing us and Baby Girl with baby clothes and baby wipes and baby wash and baby elephant toys and so much more!

Day 13: Schooling

Today, I am thankful for the wisdom, strength, and determination that the Lord has given my husband to go back to school. Titus got a 98.8% in his first class and is in week two of his second class. REALLY proud of him!! Also, very thankful to the Lord for blessing us with Titus' FREE TUITION!

Day 14: The Lord's Promises

This morning, I woke up very heavy-hearted - burdened by the thought of Thanksgiving without Grandmom and burdened by all the devastation in the Philippines. Today, I am thankful for the Lord's promises.

*I will never leave you nor forsake you! (Deuteronomy 31:6)

*I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart... (John 14:27)

*I am with you always! (Matthew 28:29)

Thankful,
Jewel

30 Days of Thankfulness: Days 4 and 5

30 Days of Thankfulness

Day Four: Nurse Mom

Today, I am thankful that my mom is a nurse. Nurses make the best moms! That was especially true when I was little, but its still true today!

Day Five: Work

Today, I am thankful for my job. I don't love it everyday... and that's all I will say about that.. HOWEVER, it really is a huge blessing to our little, growing Romdenh family. It pays enough. I get a good amount of sick and vacation time as well as paid holidays. They are paying for Titus to go to school. The health insurance is good. I have made great friends in my office. My boss might be crazy, but he might just also be the perfect boss for me. With so many people not able to find work, I am really thankful for a good job at a really great place. PS: It sure beats the months that I worked three jobs (waitress, church janitor, and daycare worker) before Titus came to America!

Thankful,
Jewel

30 Days of Thankfulness: Days 2 and 3

30 Days of Thankfulness

Day Two: Baby Movement

Today, I am thankful to feel Baby Girl moving!  It wasn't too long ago that I started to feel what is undeniably baby movement. For weeks, I didn't feel any thing, but I would see movements in my belly! I am so thankful for the precious reminders of the growing life inside me and for the resulting assurance that she's okay.

We love you already Baby Girl - so much - and can't wait to meet you in just 3 short months!

Day Three: Grandmom is in Heaven

Today, I'm thankful that Grandmom is in Heaven. I am missing her a lot today and nothing makes me feel better than knowing she is with God, the One she wholeheartedly gave her whole life to. She's praising Him with the angels! She has received her eternal reward! 
"Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" (Matthew 25:23) ♥ ♥ ♥

Thankful,
Jewel

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 1 - Marriage

Goodbye pumpkins, hello snowflakes! Goodbye candy corn, hello candy canes! Goodbye oranges and yellows, hello reds and greens! Time for Christmas decorating, Christmas shopping, Christmas cookies, Christmas movies, Christmas carols, and everything Christmas!

While I might seem overly enthused with the Christmas season already, I cannot let the season of thankfulness slip by without daily recognizing the many many blessings in my life.  Today, November 1, is the first in a new blogging series: 30 Days of Thankfulness.

30 Days of Thankfulness

Day One: Marriage

Tuesday (October 29) was our second wedding anniversary.  The last two years have been both the hardest and the best years of my life!  My husband is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I cannot imagine life without him!
He makes me laugh.
He keeps me accountable.
He makes me feel safe.
He encourages me to dream big.
He believes in me.
He spoils me and helps me!
He cooks!
He cleans!
He loves me! He loves Jesus! He loves my family! I know all of this without a doubt.
He is my best friend and we have so much fun together!

Today, I am thankful for the gift that Titus is and for what the Lord has done in and through our marriage.

Thankful,
Jewel

1000 Gifts

I am reading Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts for the second time (I first read it in early January, after receiving it for Christmas from my husband.)  "One Thousand Gifts is a celebration of grace and a recognition of the power of gratitude."  This book is seriously changing my life!  It's like a love song from my awesome Creator God and sweet Savior Jesus.   I'm seeing new things.  I'm feeling new things. I'm finding myself eternally grateful for things before never noticed and/or taken for granted.  Gratitude that's causing joy and peace and love to swell in my heart.

"‎On the night when He was betrayed, Jesus took some bread and 'gave thanks' to God for it, then broke it in pieces... Jesus offers thanks to even that which will break Him and wound Him and yield a bounty of joy... all for our Joy."

"Satan’s sin becomes the first sin of all humanity: the sin of ingratitude."

"We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Thanksgiving is the manifestation of our YES! to his grace. Thanksgiving is inherent to a true salvation experience; thanksgiving is necessary to live the well, whole, fullest life."

"God is in the details; God is in the moment. God is in all that blurs by in a life — even hurts in a life. GOD!"

"Joy is the realest reality, the fullest life, and joy is always given, never grasped. God gives gifts and I give thanks and I unwrap the gift given: joy!"

"Thanksgiving creates abundance; and the miracle of multiplying happens when I give thanks–take the just one loaf, say it is enough, and give thanks– and He miraculously makes it more than enough."

"The brave who focus on all things good and all things beautiful and all things true, even in the small, who give thanks for it and discover joy even in the here and now, they are the change agents who bring fullest Light to all the world."

"The gift list is thinking upon His goodness–and this, this please him most."

So here's the small beginnings of a list of God's blessings in my "everyday" - everyday epiphanies... everywhere... gifts:

1. Birds chirping in the morning
2. The colors in a sunrise
3. Spring's 1st bloom
4. Watching babies learn and grow
5. Babies' soft, smooth skin
6. Grass on bare feet
7. Children's laughter
8. The purity of freshly fallen snow
9. The sound of Bible pages turned
10. The sun's warm rays on a chily day
11. A cool breeze on a hot day
12. A stranger's sincere smile

13. A world full of color

rainbow over Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

"...let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe." [Hebrews 12:28b]

Love love love, 
Jewel

Beautiful Reminders on a Beautiful Day

Saturday morning I intentionally arrived early for a lunch date with a dear friend. I parked my car at the quaint tea room where we would be meeting, and I walked across the street to a small park and sat myself on a swing. I basked in the glory that was God revealing Himself in His Creation - the heavens and earth, the skies, and trees, and breeze. It was a beautiful day. It was SUCH a beautiful day!  I swung. I sang. I smiled. I took these pictures (from the swing) and found myself so so so grateful for so many things!

Marion General Hospital through the clearing of the trees

I am grateful for access to healthcare - something that is not available so many places outside of the United States.  It is not only easily accessible, but it is GOOD!  Also, I have wonderful medical insurance, making healthcare it more affordable.

The Mississinewa River

I am grateful for clean water.  I don't have to travel to where there is clean water.  I do not have to boil my water. I turn on my faucet, and there is clean water (hot or cold!) 

God's omnipresence. He is always with me.  Always. Always. Always. I am grateful for the peace, security, and that comes when I recognize that He is present with me through my sorrows and my gladness.

Psalm 19:1-6 - "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat."



As Spring approaches, the grass turns to green, flowers bud, and birds sing outside my window, I am reminded of God's promise, “Behold, I make all things new.” [Revelation 21:5]

Spring is coming, it always does.

I can see and feel the evidence of Spring approaching, and I am reminded that we have hope. For although the leaves wither and fall, we can have confidence that after Autumn and Winter pass, Spring will come, and with it, new life. God is faithful; He has always been and He always will be. Spring has never failed us; the leaves always return to life -- beautiful life.

Psalm 8:3,4 -  "When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them."


This is my Father's world,
and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world:
I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
his hand the wonders wrought.

Love love love, 
Jewel

Psalm 139 LOVE

O Lord, You have searched me and You know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise;

You perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down;

You are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue, You know it completely, O Lord...

Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Where can I flee from Your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, You are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will give me,

your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light will become night around me,"

even the darkness will not be dark to You, the night will shine like the day,

for darkness is as light to You.

For you created my inmost being;

You knit me together in my mother's womb.

[Psalm 139:1-4, 7-16; NIV]

I am not only the daughter of this big and awesome God - the King of kings, Savior and Creator of all - I am His creation. He put me together with

strong hands and a heart full of love. I am the child of a heavenly father. He created who I am, my inmost being. He gave me emotions that can feel His love, strength, joy, and peace. He gave me LIFE! He made me in His image - wonderfully and fearfully. I am His and He is mine. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL THOUGHT! I am His and He knows me -- better than I know myself, and better than anyone ever will. He knows my ways, my thoughts, and my words before they are a reality. Nothing, not the darkness nor the depths, can hide who I am from Him. He goes with me -- into the Heavens or into the depths, on the wings of the dawn, and to the far side of the sea. There His hand will guide me; His hand will hold me.

His love is inescapable.

God, I am sitting still in Your love, Your goodness, and Your beauty. I am amazed at who You are, and what You have done -- what You have done in me and what You have done through me. May I see myself in You, and be who You created me to be. I am Yours; all that I am is Yours. You made me wonderful, and You gave me life. I give the deepest part of who I am to You. I am Your child -- may I be honorable, obedient, and worthy of my maker.

God, I cherish You, my Maker. I trust your hand to hold me and guide me in the darkness and the far side of the seas. Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Search me, try me, and guide me to everlasting life in You. Lord, I make this my prayer, that I may be eternally and gratefully Yours, for all the days of the life that You have given me.

Eternally Yours,

Jewel

Big & Little Blessings

Love love love,
Jewel

TODAY's Blessings

Yesterday afternoon I found myself overwhelmed by "His new blessings every morning." It was such a good day! I went to bed feeling blessed, loved, grateful, etc. I am reminded of xonghan song that I learned in Mozambique last summer. The lyrics are translated,
Even if my mother leaves me, Jesus is still treating me well.
Even if my health leaves me, Jesus is still treating me well.
Even if my goats leave me, Jesus is still treating me well.
Etc. Etc. Etc.And I think of my own life. Grandmom may have cancer, but my Sovereign God is Father and Healer.  Finances may not always be sufficient, but God always provides. My fiance may be on the other side of this big planet, but by God's grace, we will soon be reunited. Etc. Etc. Etc. ♥♥♥

♥ Jessie is home! Yesterday afternoon my twin sister flew into Indianapolis after seven long weeks in the Philippines [long for me, short for her.] It was so so so good to see her. I could have hugged her all afternoon in the food court at the airport, but I think she had enough was anxious to see if her luggage had followed her. HA! I am definitely looking forward to the next three weeks with her before she moves to New York for one year, and everything changes. ♥

♥ Yesterday morning in Central Indiana, the clouds were dark and heavy, and rain poured upon the land. Often times we refer to the "storms of life" has difficult, dark, and depressing circumstances [and I can understand the metaphor,] but I love storms [the "weather kind!"] We have certainly had a fair number of storms this season, and I am so glad to have a picture perfect storm-watching window in my office. Storms make me feel little. They give me energy. They remind me of God's power. Thank you Jesus for your protecting hand on Mom and Grandmom as they traveled through heavy rain and flooded streets.  ♥

♥ I received two very special pieces of mail yesterday: A note from the National Visa Center regarding the stateside approval of Titus' fiance visa petition, and a letter from my bff and penpal, Loren. The note from the visa center informed us that our information has been forwarded to the US Embassy in Phnom Penh Cambodia, and Titus will be contacted within a week with instructions to schedule his interview. Loren wrote to me about her new job in Houston, and although Texas is much much farther than Cincinnati, I am super excited for her. Loren and I graduated together, went to Cambodia together, walked to Wal-Mart in a blizzard together, etc. etc. etc. and I know she will be awesome as a live-in foster mom for babies and young children down in Texas. ♥

♥ I have begun the search for an apartment, which is really exciting!! I looked at two last Saturday; both were itty bitty [affordable] one room apartments, each with a list of pros and cons. I have one super ideal prospect, and I am praying that the current tenant finds a job elsewhere, making the cottage available. I am grateful for friends who have given leads on spaces for rent, and offered old knives, tvs, etc., and even bedrooms! ♥

♥ My job in the cemetery might usually be boring, always too quiet, and pay only minimum wage, but as I get to know my co-workers, I like it more and more. I attended my first staff meeting this morning with all the area NSW staff. There were presentations on finances, conduct, performance, vacations, etc... weird "grown-up job" sorts of things. We were even taught how to use a fire extinguisher. My position is only temporary, but my intentions are to "wow" them into keeping me until I have to voluntarily leave for Discipleship Training School and eventually Cambodia! ♥

Ok, that's all for now! I encourage you to sit and think of all the ways God is blessing you today. It truly is a life-changing [perspective-changing at least!] habit.

Love Love Love,
Jewel

A Life of Little Adventure

I wish I had something more exciting or meaningful to write about.

If I were my sister, I could write about my exciting adventures on the mission field in the Philippines. I could tell you about visiting a church in the dump, sleeping on the beach, speaking at a Compassion International Youth Camp, trying fried crickets, and living in a house with three generations of Filippino Christians.

If I were my mother, I could write about my new car, and how after 22 long years, I am no longer a "mini van mama." I could also tell you about my recent trip to Boston with a friend from work.

If I were my sister Joni, I could write about my new purchase and becoming a "mini van mama." I could also write about how 13-month-old Mallory Jo is entering a new stage of mobility: walking!

I also have friends right now doing missions work and internships in Jamaica, Albania, the Middle East, Guatemala, and soon, Uganda. Others are working at fun summer camps across the country. I am sure they have exciting stories.

Me? Today is my third day at my new job in a little office at the cemetery. The majority of my day passes while I wait for the computer to refresh and load a new page. During today's lunch break, I went to a local Christian bookstore to read a few chapters of David Platt's Radical for Sunday School. [FYI: If you do not damage or remove from the store, they will not make you pay for the book! How great!! :)]

Despite a present lack of adventure in my life, I am grateful - grateful for the sun and for airconditioning, for good books, for an incredible church family, for a Skype date with my fiance last night, for Joni's great assistance in planning my wedding, for challenging and encouraging Scripture, and much etc. etc. etc.

Love love love, Jewel

Sweet Blessedness

I am blessed... so so so blessed. In my senior capstone class this semester, one of the assignments was to craft a personal mission statement.  One of the lines in my personal mission statement reads, "...to direct attention to God's love and powerful activity in the world..." and part of that is accomplished by helping others (and myself) to recognize how blessed we are. I am blessed... so so so blessed.

Part One of a list that is to be continued::
1. In so many perspectives I am "poor", but on a world-wide scale, I am so indescribably wealthy. When and where that benefits His Kingdom, I am grateful. Did you know only 8% [EIGHT PERCENT!] of people in the world eat 3 meals a day?!

2. I was born into a Christian family. As a child, I heard about Jesus and I had Christian role models. My heart breaks for those who have chosen another way, but especially for those who know no other way. We believe so deeply what we were taught as truth from birth and it is a difficult decision to believe something otherwise, especially a way of life that is contrary to culture. What a gift of love that God placed me right where I am. He is good... so so so good. Please pray with me for the Buddhists in Cambodia and for others who were born into families of other faiths.

3. I can read. I feel so blessed that I can read the Living Word and meet God in Scripture. So many cannot read, and so many do not have a copy of God's Word in their language.

4. Technology. There are a few people many many many miles away that are very special to me, and various forms of technology have allowed us to stay connected and involved in each other’s lives. No, it isn't the most wonderful circumstance, but praise Jesus for Skype, email, Facebook, and telephones.

5. People who pray.  God's awesome power is released when His people pray.  As you are faithful in prayer, Jesus moves mountains and raises valleys, He heals and He provides. THANK YOU!

6. I am thankful that Yahweh, our God, is a personal and relational God. I recently had a great conversation with an old friend who asked me how I can feel so excited and at-peace about living in "a country like Cambodia." I had the opportunity to share with him the story of how the God, who had spoken to Abram (Genesis 12:1) and to Joshua (Joshua 1:9) came and spoke to me and asked me to go. Then I got to share with my friend the incredible miracle that God is still talking and by His grace, I am still listening. It is not a stagnant, commanding dictatorship, but a love relationship.


I am blessed... so so so blessed .The more I open my eyes and my heart, the more I realized how blessed I am.  In the last few months, I have been beginning each morning with the prayer, "Lord, reveal Yourself to me today and help me to be always conscious of you."  He is faithful. I am blessed... so so so blessed.

Love love love, Jewel