Today is one of my all time favorite days. A day filled with loads of delicious food, family, laughs, cooking, naps, and football games. This year will not be like any other Thanksgiving, as I am miles and miles away from my family, the games and laughs are going to be quite different. What I love is that there are still many things to be thankful for on this day and every day of my life.
Here are the ones that come to my mind:
1. God and how He continues to reveal Himself to me. Who He is, and how He loves me so intimately and sweetly. How He knows all of me and continues to love me no matter what choices I make and no matter how stubborn I can be, He continues to shower me with grace and love.
2. My amazing parents. I’m blessed that I have been given two amazing caretakers in my life, Robert and Teri. Two people who love me genuinely, who support me in every dream and desire that God has given me. Ones who have loved me unconditionally and who have shown me the true meaning of grace and forgiveness. I wouldn’t be the woman I am today without them.
3. My family and friends. Being away from them has only grown my appreciation and love for them. My cousins, aunts and uncles who have supported me throughout my life, have laughed with me, and have reached out their hands to me countless times. The friends who have encouraged me and walked with me in many different seasons of my life, sharing laughs, tears and growth. Thank you all.
4. My sweet, sweet grandparents who pray continually for me and have supported me in so many ways, who have loved me richly, who have spent countless hours cooking and embracing me in their arms. Thank you G-mom, G-dad and Granny.
5. My best friend, Ashley Lampkins Hochevar. A beautiful woman who knows the depths of my soul, but also one whom I can laugh over everything with. The woman that has lent me her shoulder to cry on more times than I can count, the one who knows me like the back of her hand, the sister I always wanted, the person I couldn’t live without.
6. My two precious dogs, Coco and Chanel. Two animals that are so loyal, compassionate and who have brought so much joy into my life. I long for the day to hold them in my arms again.
7. The people God has surrounded me with this Thanksgiving. I have a wonderful ministry host family, Tom, Amy & Troy Morrow, that have poured endless love out to my team and I this month. They have gone out of their way to make this Thanksgiving very special for us. Even though this day is extremely hard being away from my family in the States, the Morrows are a part of my new family.
8. The team the Lord has placed me on, Team Audacity. These girls have been such a blessing to be around and I couldn’t imagine doing life without them. They are all true beautiful women of God who inspire me daily to grow deeper in my relationship with Him.
9. The people whom have supported me, prayerfully and/or financially, and walked with me hand in hand on this journey. I would not be able to experience any of this without you and your love. Also, those of you who follow my blog, it brings so much joy and encouragement to read your comments.
10. The beautiful children I have encountered in Zambia, children that will run up to me and hug me for hours as if they haven’t been hugged in years. As they wrap their arms around my neck, a part of my heart stays with each one of them.
11. Being born in America. I have never been so thankful for this until I traveled the world. The poverty in some countries knocks the wind out of me. I have been in awe of how people live and sleep on concrete with no running water, children running around with no shoes, sometimes no pants. The health care is almost nonexistent and when it is the medication is very limited.
The list could go on and on as God has truly blessed me beyond measure and continues to do so.
I miss you all at home and am thinking about you on this day. Praying that your feast will be filled with love, laughter, and delicious food.
Love you all and Happy Thanksgiving.
Allison
