Thanksgiving time !
Today is one of my all time favorite days ! A day filled with loads of delicious food, ESPECIALLY pies ( I admit I'm a bit of a sugarholic) , family, laughs, cooking, naps, and games ! This year will not be like any other thanksgiving, as I am miles and miles away from my family, so 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 , no matter how stubborn I am He continues to shower me with grace and love !
2. my family and friends being away from them has only grown my appreciation and love for them . My aunts and uncles who have supported me throughout my life, have laughed with me , and have reached out their hands to me countless times . My cousins who have protected me , showered me with words of life and love ! 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 !
3. my best friend Lindsay Gallegos. A beautiful woman who knows the depths of my soul, but also one whom i can historically laugh over EVERYTHING with , the woman that has lent me her shoulder to cry on more times than I can count, the gal who knows me like the back of her hand, the sister I always wanted, the person I couldn't live without . ( I left the historically for you to laugh at knowing how great I am at spelling at all hehe I miss and love you )
4.My amazing parents , I'm spoiled I have been given four amazing caretakers in my life , Linda, Kelly, Kenny, and Patrick , four people who love me genuinely , who support me in every dream and desire that God has given me ! Ones who have taught me more through their actions and giving ! Ones who have loved me unconditionally , and who have kept me in line when needed , but also ones who have shown me the true meaning of grace and forgiveness , I wouldn't be the woman I am today without them .
5. 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 abuelita Nellie and grandma and grandpa trepczeck.
6. My amazing older brother, his children, and my sister in law, ! My brother Jason for all the times he played barbies with me when I was little, for taking me on my first date in middle school, and for making gorgeous children who are so sweet and brighten up my days ! My sister in law for loving me as if I was her true sister for giving and trusting in the Lord with everything she has ! My brother Craig , and all the time God allowed me to spend with him, all the goofy laughs we shared , and crazy hair days, his crazy sense of humor, but most of all how he allowed the Lord to shine through him.
7. the people He has surrounded me with this Thanksgiving , people that were strangers four months ago , are now family and friends I couldn't imagine doing life without .
8. The team he has put me on , team El Roi , they have been such a blessing to be around ! They are all true beautiful woman of God, who inspire me to grow in my relationship with God daily. Who love like none I have seen , women who shine Jesus beautifully !
9.The people whom have supported me 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 blogs , it brings so much joy and encouragement to read your comments 🙂 !
10.The opportunity to befriend two turkeys before realizing that they are the turkeys we will be eating on thanksgiving day ! Nothing I have ever taken part in before !
11. Mashed potatoes and gravy, pumpkin pie topped with loads of cool whip , and rolls my favorite parts of the Thanksgiving feast !
12.The beautiful children I have encountered in South Africa and Swaziland , children that will run up to you and hug you 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 .
13. being born in America , I have never been so thankful for this , until I have come to South Africa and Swaziland ! The poverty here knocks the wind out of me , in awe of how people live and sleep on concrete , with no running water, children running around with no shoes , sometimes no pants , and empty bottles ! The health care is almost nonexistent here , and when it is the medication is very limited !
14.I am so thankful that our time on earth is short , and a flash compared to eternity in heaven ! This really set in when visiting a woman named Dudu who is HIV positive, and also has cancer ! She lays in a bed naked accompanied with pain and suffering, her situation is hopeless without eternity . As we pray over her , God reminds me how short our time is here and what He has waiting for us! Thank Jesus for this because I couldn't handle seeing her live this way without knowing God has glorious gifts awaiting her , and how soon they are coming. This also sparks compassion accompanied with desire to live each day wholeheartedly for God allowing Him to use every part of me for His kingdom!
15.I am thankful for manual labor, showers (hot or cold now haha ) , the beautiful mountains , and scenery we are surrounded by. Beds to sleep on , a kitchen to cook in , chocolate and a little bit of coffee accompanied with loads of sugar and cream 🙂 ! ( a little afraid this addiction has consumed me he he )
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 your feast would be filled with love, laughter , and delicious food , with lots and lots of pie !
Love you all and Happy Thanksgiving , Feliz Dia De Gracias as they would say in my native tongue ( that one is for you Patrick haha ) !
Until next time !
