blessed to be a blessing

Being missionaries we are in a unique position to receive.  I know, I know, It's better to give than to receive....but I tell ya, being on the "getting end" so often blesses our socks off.  Sure it's humbling and even embarrassing at times, and yes it keeps us feeling needy and small.  But isn't that the best place to be?  We've experienced over and over the family of God in precious ways; soaking up His gifts given through His children's loving, thoughtful hands.

When I arrived on my own with the boys last summer I was overwhelmed (OK, scared to death!) with the idea of moving in to our house without my capable hubby.  Yet God was going before us to WELCOME US HOME in His gracious, loving way.  I drove into the driveway ready to clean with a friend before moving in the next day....only to find our friends (and even people we hadn't ever met) had already loaded, transported, and moved in our furniture.  And other friends had already cleaned our house, threw out garbage, arranged furniture nicely and even lit candles to welcome us to our sweet smelling home.  Isn't God good?  And aren't His children so gracious and giving and serving?  And isn't this child of His humbled and encouraged? You bet.

The list could go on and on, but here are some ways that we have been blessed this home assignment...

• bags of Japanese rice
• sweet juicy Southern California oranges
• pantry items to fill our kitchen shelves
• pillows and towels
• blankets to borrow
• bikes for the boys
• a car to own
• another car to borrow now and then
• a nail gun and sewing machine to borrow
• hospitable friends letting us stay in their comfy guest rooms
• wood for cozy fires
  
• 2 free cell phones
• friends who helped trim trees and bushes, throw away garbage, put up a TV antenna and replace a disposal
• a couch, table and lamps given to us
• dinners and tea-outtings treated by friends
• cash and gas money
• remodelling and putting-in-lights help from contractor and electrician friends