The majority of my Thanksgivings have been spent with my Mom’s side of the family on the east coast. The normal things that usually happen are some football on TV, hand and foot canasta is a must, debating just because some people never stop talking, a movie or two, FOOD, homemade check-mix, my pumpkin pie, traditional family game that ends in money from Pop-pop, laughter, a blessing of thanks, and catching up with what’s been going on. All normal except for that one year I ended up in the hospital…
This year…not my normal Thanksgiving. All that seems to remain the same is that lots of pictures were taken.
Just our drive to work that morning. This month we’re working along side of International Care Ministries (ICM). We went to a city two hours away to help with an open air clinic in Bohol, Philippines.
We stopped to pick up a pastor and some friends after we joined them for lunch. My “Thanksgiving” lunch: crab, spring rolls, rice, fish, tea, bananas, veggie mix with chicken gizzard, and shrimp.
Quickest family photo shoot ever. One take, we’re cute and done.
While we were at the open air clinic (a location where we assist in medical care as locals come to be checked out) the little boy, Kim, made up this great game! It’s called throw-the-rag-then-do-a-flip. He’s a genius. If you’re confused at how it’s played, please allow the following pictures to demonstrate.
We ended up being the waiting room entertainment.
My new friends Kim and Jason.
On our drive back we figured we’d stop at one of the seven wonders of the world…I mean, since we were in the area. These are the Chocolate Hills, though this time of year they’re pretty green.
After dinner we stopped at the mall to pick up some ice cream. Yeah, the Christmas decor?? Filipinos start decorating for Christmas in September.
We brought back the coldest tub of ice cream! It took 3 people scooping the solid mass of Rocky Road and one cone holder to serve everyone the quickest way possible.
Ended the evening laughing with the kids and hanging out at the home of our new friends from ICM.
I hope you had a great day too knowing that everyday God just being God is enough reason to give thanks. Happy Thanksgiving!
[To my family: Mom & Dad, Ry & Jane, Grandma, Bill & Kerry, Annette, Greg & Nancy, Andrew & Melanie, Bren, Kels, Pattie, Lav & Ryan, Eli, Robin, Heather & Anuj, Evan & Katie, Shannon & Scott, Trev, Tyler, and Sydney – I love, love, LOVE you all and am praying for you. PS – Save me some pumpkin pie.]
