So, I know what you must be thinking: Thanksgiving in Nicaragua? What would that even look like? When I imagined this holiday, I pictured tamales, rice, black beans, and plantains. Even though I love all those foods it was not exactly my idea of a Thanksgiving dinner.
Leading up to the Race, I heard from many former Racers that Thanksgiving is the hardest holiday to miss. Other countries don’t celebrate it so there’s a strange disconnect between you and your family. To me, it was the first tangible evidence that life goes on whether I’m there or not and trust me, I was less than excited.
I woke up yesterday morning unsure of what the day would look like and I honestly expected it to sort of be a drag. As all 45 of my squadmates and I sat down around the table for breakfast we got some much needed and unexpected news. A few tech-savvy friends had figured out a way for us to live stream the Macy’s Day Parade! We all downed our pancakes and coffee and made a mad dash for the mission center to watch the parade on our freshly painted projector screen. There’s something strange yet comforting about watching all the people in New York bundled up in coats and scarves while we’re sitting in shorts and t-shirts in 80-90 degree weather.
But the day only got better from there! The wifi connection was a little jumpy for the parade (okay it completely froze on us) so we switched to watching every Thanksgiving episode of FRIENDS we could get our hands on and laughed until all thoughts of homesickness faded away. Throughout the day we also all had time to skype our families back home which was probably the most needed gift I ever could have received. I’ll admit it, I’ve really missed my people.
The big question though: what about the food? Y’all I must say, it was SO good. The ladies who volunteered to cook really out did themselves! At random points in the day they gave us snacks of veggies with ranch and these bomb wraps that had bacon and jalapeños. However, when dinner time rolled around I was still a little skeptical about how good Thanksgiving in Nicaragua could really be. I knew there was no way we’d have turkey because at $4 a pound it was way too expensive to make that work for 46 people. Plus “ballin on a budget” can be kind of hard sometimes. But without a doubt the wonderful ladies in the kitchen provided more than I ever could’ve imagined. We feasted on chicken, mashed potatoes, rolls, veggies, deviled eggs, and cream corn (second only to my mom’s). We even had soda to drink! After dinner, we all had ice cream Sundays and a spontaneous dance party in the kitchen while some squadmates washed and dried the dishes. Talk about a good night! #spoiled #rich #2blessed2bstressed
I started my day slightly filled with dread because I knew the homesickness would be real and ended the day so filled with joy I thought I might explode. This year I have been blessed way beyond measure. That phrase is so cliché but so applicable. I went to Europe, celebrated an anniversary with my best friend, graduated from college, worked the best internship ever, watched 4 of my favorite people marry the loves of their lives, met my awesome squad that has become my family, started the World Race, and began to walk in real, authentic freedom for the first time in my life. One of the biggest and most awesome blessings: raising upwards of $12,000 to be a missionary around the world. Guys, what an amazing and generous God we serve! He provided ALL of these things in only 11 months, that blows my mind!
As I sit in a coffee shop in Leon, Nicaragua, I still can’t believe I’m actually on the Race. There’s no way I’d be here if it weren’t for God’s blessings and provision. He provided me with so many financial partners, prayer partners, and emotional supporters that it’s hard to count them all. Know that if you’ve ever said a kind word, donated as little as $1, shared a post/blog, or told someone about my adventure you have blessed my life immensely. I need you, value you, and love you so deeply. You’ve made my biggest dreams come true and there aren’t enough words to thank you for that.
I pray that today you remember those who have helped make your dreams come true. If you can’t thank them personally, pray blessings over them. Ultimately, thank the God who provided those people and praise His name. He is mighty, He is wonderful, and He loves us all so so much.
“Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 34:7
Love always,
Katie
Our entire squad gathered for our feast!
My sweet team!
