Being Grace-Givers December-January Blog

     Hope everyone had a special Christmas with loved ones and friends and we pray God's richest blessings in the New Year.  There is not much Christmas celebration here--not the many reminders everywhere you look but New Year celebrations and gifts are common.  So we have giving gifts to our neighbors wishing them a Happy New Year (Swade bpee mai).  Of course if you give a gift to a Thai, you will most likely get one in return, but we want to in all ways reflect our God and be grace-givers.
      Grace is something frequently talked about in Christian circles but often difficult to apply in our daily lives.  We, who have experienced the grace of God so magnificently in our lives should be liberal in giving it to others.  However, at least in my own life, I'm afraid this is not always so.  I have been strongly convicted by a book by Richard Blackaby called Putting a Face on Grace.

What grace of our loving Father that we could be here not only with Matthew and Audrey to share in this place and culture but that we could also be here with sweet Ezra.  I'm not sure how much he cares yet about the Buckeyes, but with his grandpa and Dad he will soon have no choice.
      Here's some of Richard Blackaby's thoughts about grace:
"We can give grace to others by looking at them through the same grace lens God does.  We know no one has arrived yet.  Just as God continues to apply grace to people's lives each day, so we must view the work of grace as a process.  That means we don't show grace only for a while or mete it out as deserved.  We open our lives up to become a conduit of God's grace.  For until you give it away, you'll never fully grasp the reality of God's grace."  
      We are enjoying God's call to this place for many reasons though there are often challenges and difficulties.  We are getting more acclimated and constantly learning new things.  One of the difficulties is having missed the funeral services for both of my parents.  On December 22nd, my dad went home to be with the Lord. (Just 5 months after my mom)  I will greatly miss both of them.  I was blessed to have loving, godly parents and blessed to have them for so long. (Dad was 93 and Mom was 92), but I can't help but  realize that a significant part and phase of my life is now gone.

    My dad (both my parents) set a great example for us in faith, diligence, and commitment.  I am grateful for a godly heritage.  My dad often worked 2 jobs to provide for his family.   In 70 years of marriage, they knew the meaning of commitment.  "In sickness and health"--my dad lovingly cared for my mom when MS made it difficult for her to get around.  "For better or for worse"--these were not mere words but a commitment to stick together no matter what.  My dad was a loving, caring father devoted to his wife and family.  He loved giving and serving others--whether it be from his ample garden or helping someone to repair a car, a lawn mower, a machine, or really any item.  We do not grieve like  those who have no hope,"(I Thessalonians 4:13) but we do grieve our loss.  Our conviction and hope is that because of Christ, we have the assurance of eternal life.  I believe my dad is now united with loved ones that have gone before and one day we will join them.   Our loss is heaven's gain; my dad is in the presence of the Savior he loved and served.

Beautiful display honoring the king

Grace,,.
Builds up;doesn't tear down
Gives what is undeserved
Is costly
Gives without expecting anything in return
Emphasizes mercy not justice
Helps people become more like Christ
Doesn't condemn or give up on people
We are so grateful for God's grace in our lives.  May the Holy Spirit of God enable us to be a conduit of grace in the lives of others.
      We had a wonderful celebration of our Savior's birth with our international church on Christmas day: Powerful message from the Word of God, Great music and worship, and the high light for me, 23 people from different countries quoting Luke 2:10-11 in their native tongue.

We enjoyed fellowship at our home for lunch with several friends form church--some of them single people with no family here.  It was a blessed time together.  One of those single people was Heide--a Filipino--we met at Santisuk English School in Bangkok.  She was here with us for 4 days,arriving on Christmas Eve.  We had a great visit with her.  While she was here, we visited Doi Su Tep, one of the closest mountains here in Chiang Mai.  We ascended about 200 steps to see a great view of the city.

Young village children, in their tribal costumes are happy to have their pictures taken with you.

We are very excited about the arrival of Jay, Heidi and the girls on January 14th.  Pleas pray for their safety in travel.  We continue to covet prayers for us that we may be effective ambassadors of Christ in this place.  May we be grace-givers.  May we open our lives to God so He can fill us with His love and mercy.  On our own, we could not do it.  Please pray:

• For health and strength so we can effectively minister.
• For wisdom in making a decision about Dave's kidney stone
• Discernment to provide support and encouragement for the people of our church
• To effectively reflect God's grace to all people we meet