As I start month four, I believe I’ve entered the hardest month of the Race. The holiday season. Even though Thanksgiving has come and gone, Christmas is still on its way and this is the first time I’ve ever spent either of these holidays away from my family. It’s been a deep struggle for me. Homesickness hits me hard these cool days of December (Cool? In India? Crazy huh). So for this newest blog post I decided to look back on the things I took for granted at home. After that list, I will give you another one. This one will focus on all of the things the Lord has granted me on this trip and how important it is to count your blessings and enjoy them while you have them.
So without further ado…
Things I’ve Taken For Granted:
- Amazingly fast wifi/data wherever I go
- Having my family around me all the time (Homeschool life!)
- The ability to drive around places
- A bed
- My comfortable life
- The ease of communication in the States
- Holiday traditions
Things I’ve Been Granted:
- Getting small bits of wifi at cafés and coffee shops
- Having a team who has become like a family to me
- The ability to explore these new countries
- Having bunk beds (even if they are metal) in India
- Being pushed beyond my comfort zone
- Being able to call my family and friends at least once a week with wifi
- The ability to make new traditions with my team and my squad
If you noticed, everything I’ve taken for granted has been granted to me on the race, even if it’s not exactly the same. I’m thankful for everything on both of these lists, even if not everything on the second list makes me happy or comfortable. I know the first list seems like they’re just “first world problems” but everything on that list was, and still is, a blessing. I just didn’t always recognize it until those things were gone. So I look back, thank God for the blessing of home, and the blessings of my new home.
If you haven’t already done a list of “things you’re thankful for” for thanksgiving, do them now! Nothing is stopping you from thanking God for all of the blessings He has bestowed upon you. You may say you don’t have time but all I’m asking is that you take 5 minutes, even if it’s just in your head, to create a small list of things you’re thankful for. Who knows? You might just start to enjoy that thing or that person more because you know God has blessed you with them/it.
Thank you for all of your love and support! I’m grateful for all of you, friends, family, and acquaintances alike. May God bless you and keep you!
