Thanksgiving has been extremely different this year. No turkey, no blood related family to see, and no mass text messages from my youth group wishing me a Happy Thanksgiving. It has however been a sweet sweet day. I wouldn't change today for anything. All week we have been going to a pre-school run by Bliss Women and Children Project. We have gotten to play with about 45 precious kids doing songs, games, and just loving on them. We tried to watch Lion King with them but that didn't work out so well. Today was their last day of school before their month long break so we helped host a graduation ceremony for the oldest class. In January they will move up to primary school. It was precious. They had prizes for the top students in each class and we handed out certificates to those moving up. After that we led a prayer and worship session with local pastors and church leaders, which we have been doing every day after school, in prep for the crusade starting this weekend. And then we decided it was a good idea to do pile 7 people in a little car to go to the grocery store to get some Thanksgiving day treats. Bad idea. Bad bad idea. Too many people. The car stopped running and Kate and Jill had to get out and push…in the rain haha. But don't worry, after lots of laughs and everyone getting out, the car is fine 🙂 We came home to a wonderful meal of chicken, potatoes, peas, cabbage, and pumpkin. Such a good ending to the day!
I loved every second of today. The Lord is so good to us. Throughout the day my team and I would talk about what we did last Thanksgiving, our favorite one, worst one, and just family traditions we have. That was probably one of my favorite things of the day. I also remembered halfway through the day that last year a day or two before Thanksgiving was when I got accepted to the World Race…so that was super cool to think back on. What an incredible journey I have been on the last year.
Thank you Jesus for this beautiful life you have given me.
The biggest thing I am thankful for this year is LIFE. Every day is such a gift and after last month and the accident I will never take another day for granted again. I am thankful for my team (and squad). My new family that I get the priviledge of living life with and sharing everything with. I love them so much and can't imagine my life without them. They have become my best friends and know me better than most people back home. I am thankful for my family at home. My love and appreciation for them has grown a lot being away. I am thankful for being challenged and pushed out of my comfort zone because it brings growth. It's not easy and I hate it at the time, but in the end I'm thankful for it. I am thankful for this experience. I am growing and learning in more ways than I ever imagined and I LOVE what God is doing in my life and in those around me. Obviously I am thankful for a whole lot more but just wanted to share a few big ones!
Also just for fun. I am thankful to be far far far away from all the black friday stuff in the states and I am thankful that I have yet to see the mouse that lives in our living room. Everyone else spots it ALL the time. But I am thankful I haven't….because I really hate mice 🙂
