happy thanksgiving!!!!! we might be in Guatemala but that doesn’t stop the celebrating.
today we all cooked different sides like green beans, sweet potato casserole, and even stuffing! we bought a chicken for each team to split. we made desserts like cookies! and brownies! and we ate as a family-a family of 53- outside at one long table, decorated by flowers & turkey hands.
so much excitement FILLED the air! we wrote all the things we were thankful for on a white board. danced in the kitchen to Christmas music. took family photos outside the living room. then absolutely stuffed our bellies before laying in our green field to nap and call home. we played games of ultimate frisbee and we have a bonfire and a christmas movie waiting for us tonight!
this day is day number 74. 74 days on the race. 74 days away from home. these 74 days away from home haven’t always been easy , but there’s always things to be thankful for.
here’s 74 different things I’ve written in my journal since I’ve been here that I am thankful for!!
1. exploring new cities
2. whispers from the Lord
3. popcorn
4. sunday’s
5. friends who feel like family
6. clean tattoo shops who have really good wifi
7. healing hearts
8. dreams coming true
9. the beach!
10. sunrises
11. health
12. clean water
13. a full nights sleep
14. pollo campero
15. sunshine
16. grace
17. friends who celebrate even the small victories with you
18. podcasts my jonathan david and melissa helser
19. the landscape walking to ministry
20. blue hour
21. sunsets
22. washers & dryers when everyone has lice
23. leftover chocolate pecan pie
24. MG
25. Lauren
26. a bed
27. dirty chai
28. warm sleeping bags
29. motivation to run
30. paint wars
31. kids smiling
32. women of Llano
33. kind people
34. God dreams
35. friends who call you higher
36. country music
37. GOOD PENS
38. headphones
39. fields to lay in, run in, sit in, play in
40. friends who can braid hair
41. translators
42. homemade tortillas
43. real good friends
44. kids in my english class
45. time with the Lord
46. love
47. movie nights!
48. nights when you go to bed at 8:30
49. not busy chicken buses
50. hannah pauwels
51. my people @ home
52. bonfires
53. naps
54. freedom
55. chicken nuggets
56. pinguiinos
57. friends who share their clothes
58. kyleigh’s heart for teaching
59. ice cream for 5Q (that’s like 70 cents)
60. answers prayers
61. my team
62. flowers
63. off days for thanksgiving
64. paint parties
65. sweatpants
66. reconciled friendships
67. families who invite you to birthday parties
68. getting to ride horses
69. kind people
70. donuts
71. God’s Truth
72. safety from volcanic eruptions
73. instant oatmeal
74. opportunities like this
There’s so much more to be thankful for beyond the small things I wrote here. This family of mine is incredible. Guatemala is incredible. LIFE is incredible!
Today was one of the best days. I never want to forget it.
