Well since it was Thanksgiving yesterday, and I was not in America celebrating, I just wanted to make a list of what I am thankful for. This idea is credited to my gals Stella and Emily, who can be the first thing on my list that I am thankful for.
I am thankful for my girls on my team. They have been my rock in situations, a shoulder I can cry on, and the people who make me laugh until my stomach hurts. I love that they get me and are such good friends to me all the time. The Lord has blessed me so much with a strong sisterhood that I know won’t be broken.
I am thankful for the guys on my team. They constantly have my back and once again make me laugh, whether it’s with Bo’s yo-yo skills, Rodrigo’s accents and facial expressions, or Jackson’s jokes. This family that my team has made is one of my favorite parts of being on the Race. I love doing life with them every single day. Our home on the World Race is where “Aliento de Vida (Breath of Life)” is.
I am thankful for my family back at home. I am thankful that they are supporting me on this journey and that they loved me enough to let me go. I miss them so much, but it is very reassuring to know that they will always be there for me when I get back home. Living around the world these past few months and during my time in Honduras has most absolutely helped me appreciate my family and all the opportunities that God has given me so much more.
I am thankful for my friends too (you know who you are) whether that be on the race, at home, or from Honduras. I love relationships so much and people are just so important to me. Of course I miss all of my people back home, but I love the chances I do get to talk to them. The encourage me even though they are many, many miles away.
I am thankful for the bed I sleep on, the delicious food in Africa, and the easily accessible wifi this month. I am blessed with an actual bed this month. These are things I have taken for granted until the Race. I am thankful for the luxuries I have, but I am also thankful for the nights where I am hungry sleeping on a sleeping pad because those moments have made me more thankful for the good things in my life.
I am thankful for the opportunities I’ve had. The fact is I am living my dream of traveling the world and serving the Lord. I have the chance to go to a good school when I return and the education I already have is beyond what I have seen in all these other countries. The Lord has blessed me, and I know that I want to continue to bless others around me.
I am thankful for the continual growth in my relationship with the Lord. Everyday He walks with me and is teaching me things. His provision, goodness, friendship, strength, love, and so much more helps me continue striving to glorify Him allowing Him to use me as a vessel to bring His kingdom daily.
Those are all the serious things I am thankful for. The list would be so so so long if I wrote everything like my health, our beautiful host family, or all the fruit I am consuming while in Africa. I am thankful for the 50 cent ice cream cones at Creamy Inn, Emily whipping and dabbing in front of 150 children, our popcorn and movie nights, the joking around we do with our ministry hosts, the two precious girls climbing all over me, our endless games of Settlers of Catan, watching Jackson eat a large pizza in one sitting, getting children to scream “EDUCATION” before we leave a school, the stampede and gazillion hugs I get to give out at schools daily, and just everything that has happened!
Lastly, I am thankful for YOU, all my supporters. If you are family, friends, my parent’s friends, other world race friends, or whoever you may be, I AM THANKFUL for YOU!!! You have in some way, shape, or form helped me get to where I am today. You’ve impacted my life and for that I am thankful. You have blessed me and given me a chance to bless others in the name of our Lord! So thank you from the bottom of my heart. Yes, I can say I am jealous I’m not at the beach, but I’m in Africa so I can’t actual be jealous!!! Anyway, I love you all and thank you for what you mean to me!!!
