Giving thanks

The past month has been challenging for a couple close friends of ours in the Acorn community, and I have been preoccupied with these situations and suffering with those who suffer. But now, as we are about to celebrate Thanksgiving with a party at Acorn tomorrow night, I want to take the opportunity to acknowledge and recognize God's goodness and faithfulness in recent weeks.

I am thankful for the gift of friendship - many people have come alongside me and my friends who are hurting, with gifts of time and money and tangible support. Truly God is present in each of them and they have been his arms and legs, reaching out and caring for others.

I am thankful for the two churches I attend - Calvin Presbyterian, and Iglesia Emanuel - where the love of God and the good news of Jesus Christ are both proclaimed and lived out among the people. The pastors and members of both churches have faithfully prayed for me and my friends who are hurting, and this has been a great encouragement.

I am thankful for my husband and children, who are beautiful examples to me of what it means to seek the Lord with your whole heart, and to pour yourself out for others.

I am thankful for the many people in Corvallis who are reaching out to immigrants and are working to make this community a safe, welcoming place for all. There are several organizations and many churches and other groups who are active on a local and global level.

And finally I am thankful for the volunteers who have given hours of time and energy to this ministry. Besides teaching English and computers every week, they have befriended new students, taken people to the doctor, visited and written to people who were hurting, provided housing and hospitality, and reached out in many other practical ways.

I'd love to hear your stories of God's faithfulness in recent months. Thanks for being part of our story here at Acorn.