This was the first Thanksgiving I have ever been away from my family. I was apprehensive about experiencing major holidays abroad and thought I would be homesick. However, it was the best Thanksgiving I could have asked for, away from my family that is. This holiday means a lot to my team, so we started planning the menu a couple weeks in advance and were willing to splurge on food. We ended up going to one of our very hospitable ministry contact’s gorgeous home and prepared a traditional Thanksgiving meal for them. We had turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, corn, rolls, salad, pumpkin pie, and chocolate cream pie. I am so thankful for our Thanksgiving experience!!
Things I am thankful for, especially while on the race:
- A loving family, no matter how far apart we may be
- New South African friends
- My awesome team and growing closer to each other as we grow closer to God
- Hospitality. So many people have blessed us by inviting us over for dinner!
- Technology that allows me to Skype with my family and friends
- The opportunity to travel the world and be surrounded by the beautiful sea and South African landscape
- The sweet, lovable children that we get to minister to everyday
- Our wonderful, wise, and giving ministry contacts
- My education
- My freedom and rights as an American
- A roof over my head
- Learning how to surf
- Delicious food that tastes like home
- A relationship with a god that blesses and romances me with all of these things
