I spent my first Thanksgiving away from home this year in the country of Botswana. The holiday came and went in an unusual fashion. There was no road trip to go visit and celebrate Thanksgiving with family. There was no giant roast turkey set on our table. There was no Thanksgiving Football. And worst yet, there was no Grandma’s Famous Apple Pie! Now that one took a lot of perseverance to get through!
But Thanksgiving was great nonetheless. My team was able to budget for a great meal, and we got to spend good quality time together making and partaking of it. My wonderful teammate Alina did end up making an Apple Pie, that of which I am so thankful for.
The day was unlike any other Thanksgiving. The guys spent the day building a greenhouse. We were tasked with raising metal arches in an empty area of our host’s property in order to create a new farming area. The work was difficult, but it was not bad. Actually, it was fairly enjoyable. By lunchtime we had done a good amount of work, and our host gave us the afternoon off.
That evening we engaged in eating and fellowship. The meal that was prepared was absolutely fantastic considering our budget. We really stretched the dollar!
Afterwards, our hosts came over and we went around the table to say what we are thankful for. This is an activity my family and I have participated in during Thanksgiving every year. Every year it has been so easy to say that I am thankful for family or thankful for the food set before me, or thankful for the roof over my head. But it never really meant much. I mean, sure, I have always been thankful for family, thankful for food and thankful for the roof over my head. But this year it was different. Because this year, my thankfulness was given another perspective.
I have been without my family for nearly three months. That is the longest I have ever gone without seeing them. And these three months have given me the opportunity to realize how thankful I am for them. I am so thankful for my two amazing grandmothers. They have both been huge parts of my life. They have always been there for me, always supporting me, always extending their love to me. I am so thankful for the relationship I have with them. I am thankful for my whole extended family, all of whom have supported me in everything, especially the Race.
I am thankful for my Dad. The relationship I have built with him over the years is one of friendship, and I cherish the time we spend together. I am thankful for my Mom and all that she has done for me. And yes, even though she is clearing out my room right now so she can move in, I am thankful for my sister. Oh, and I am also thankful for the little beast that resides in my home, Tucker.
I miss every single one of my family members dearly, and it was tough celebrating without them. But I know I am meant to be here, I know God called me here, and I am thankful for that as well.
The Race has given me a new perspective on all hat God has provided for me. He provided for me an amazing family. He provided for me an incredible team. He provided for me the food that I eat on a daily basis. He provided the roof that rises above me. I have seen so much poverty these past few months. I have seen children wandering the streets because their family does not care for them. I have seen malnourished children and adults. It was not until now that I realize how much God has provided for me.
So now, I am thankful for this new perspective. I am thankful that God forced the realization that he provided so much for me. I am thankful that God has shown me how much I have, as to say I have no reason to ever complain about my circumstances. And I am thankful God revealed to me the impact I can have when I use my circumstances for His glorification.
