I give Thanks... Past, Present and Future!

I wrote this blog entry first for www.sparkpeople.com and decided to share it here on my personal blog. If you would like to know more about Sparkpeople.com then click on the above link. It is a site that motivates people to good health. Here is what I shared:

During this week of American Thanksgiving to God for His provision, I want to give thanks to Him and others for my blessings.

Past:
I thank the Lord that at age 12 He accepted me as his child when I believed in Him.
I thank God for leading me to serve him abroad and for keeping me as I have lived overseas since 1975.
I thank the Lord that I live in an African country that is peaceful, beautiful and has friendly people.
I thank the Lord for the many American, Dutch, Canadian and African colleagues that I have worked with over the past 36 years.
I thank my cousin Roxanne for inviting me to SparkPeople in January 2008.

Present:
I am thankful for health. Even though I have various chronic "conditions", I am rarely sick.
I am thankful that I have had the privilege to help start a 158 bed teaching  hospital that started as a very small African dispensary. I am thankful that I still work at that same hospital.
I am thankful for electricity, water into my house, telephone, internet, satellite TV, a comfortable home and a car to use. I do not take these things for granted because I have lived many years without some of them.
I thank all my SparkFriends for their support during these 3- 3/4 years.

Future:
I am thankful that it is time for my six month Home Assignment in the States. I'm tired and do need this break. I will do lots of speaking but it will be a change from living on the equator. I leave home here Nov. 30 to arrive in Omaha, NE on Dec. 3rd.
I am thankful that a couple has offered me a two bedroom townhouse to use during the next six months.
I am thankful that I found a van that I can lease at a reasonable price for my time in the States.
I am thankful that I will  continue to receive support from SparkPeople and Sparkfriends. I will NOT give up my quest to become healthier!