So I’ve been writing some things down that I now know are definitely blessings and not just a necessary part of daily needs. I am writing this mostly to myself so I don’t forget how very blessed I am and how the rest of the world lives. I've made a list of 30 things I am thankful for (some silly and some serious) here in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday! 🙂
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First and foremost I am thankful that I know the love of Christ and that He is my personal savior because of the great sacrifice He made for me. I just pray that I can learn how to love Him and His people as much as He loves me.
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Over the past 11 months I’ve learned very clearly how lucky I am to be born in America in a land that has freedom of religion and not only that but was founded on Christianity. Too many places around the world I’ve seen people oppressed because of their government on what religion they can practice and claim.
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I am SO SO very thankful for my friends and family! They have been soooo supportive and loving not only in the past 11 months but my whole life! I’m thankful they never gave up on me when I went through rough times and kept loving on me and praying for me.
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I am also VERY thankful for my church family! I couldn’t have asked for a more supportive or loving church of believers than the ones I am blessed to know at Oakwood Baptist Church! Love you guys 🙂
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I am thankful for all of the ways I have grown in my relationship with Christ and for all the things that I have learned about myself and the world over the past 11 months.
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I’m very thankful that in America there is access to free clean water each and every day. I am appreciative of working taps in the house so that I don’t even have to go outside and fill a big bucket with water any time that I want or need to use it. That there is such a thing as a hot water heater in my house so I don’t have to boil water for a hot shower, and I can use more than a single bucket for my whole body.
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I am thankful that we have reliable electricity 24/7 and don’t have daily power cuts and can see in the house when it is night time.
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I am thankful for the “western” style toilet opposed to the “squatty” and SO thankful for the bountiful amounts of toilet paper in America, and the fact that we can flush the tp and it won’t back up the toilet.
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I am thankful for refrigerators to keep food fresh longer and drinks cold…oh and for ice!
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I am thankful for being able to have my own big soft bed and room, and sheets that actually fit the bed.
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After hand-washing my clothes for the past 11 months I am very thankful for the invention of a washer and dryer.
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I am thankful for my car and the ability to go wherever I want (essentially), and that I if I walk anywhere it’s for exercise or fun haha.
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I’m thankful for having furniture like a table, chairs, and couches available to sit on instead of having to sit on the floor.
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I am thankful for full sized towels and hand towels…the rest of the world doesn’t believe in hand towels haha
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I will have a closet and a chest of drawers to put my clothes in.
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I am thankful for a home that is built soundly with a strong roof and floors that are finished and not made of dirt or thin concrete.
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I’m thankful for garbage cans, garbage trucks, and landfills to control the trash that we create and it doesn’t just get thrown on the ground and the whole country is dirty.
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I am thankful for utensils so that I don’t have to eat food with my hands unless I want to.
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I am thankful that it is much easier to eat a balanced healthy meal that includes a good source of protein. AND that rice won’t be the staple food in my diet haha.
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I am thankful that we have the freedom to wear shorts or other clothing that allows your ankles to be shown.
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I am thankful that when I cook that I have access to a stove and oven and do not have to light a fire outside or use a charcoal stove.
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I am thankful for cell phones and the ability to text/call people when I want to talk to them.
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I am thankful for access to wifi pretty much anywhere I go for free…especially being able to have fast wireless in my own home.
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I am thankful for being able to live in a temperature controlled environment. Having just fans doesn’t always cut it in the hot countries but what else can you do? Haha
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I am thankful for being able to get real Heinz ketchup, cheese and pickles if I want them! …these actually aren’t easy finds around the world. Haha
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I am thankful that I can easily communicate with people in America and they actually understand what I am saying! (although I have gotten pretty good at charades haha) 🙂
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I am thankful for being able to get proper tools for doing yard work or construction.
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I am thankful for lawn mowers instead of having to use machetes or sickles to cut the grass by hand.
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I am thankful for food that I know what is in it-no more mystery meat! I’m especially thankful when that food is cooked by either my Mom or my Granny Nancy!
- Last but definitely not least I am thankful for my dog Sky! 🙂
Over the last 11 months the God and the world has taught me a lot, but one of the things I'm very grateful for is learning how to be content with less and seeing what I have in America to be huge blessings. I can't tell you how many times I saw families living in houses the size of my bathroom in America made out of plastic sheets with a dirt floor BUT there was so much love and joy in their hearts because of their relationship with God. They have blessed me by teaching me to be joyful in all situations.
I have a very short 11 days left on this amazing journey and I’m praying that they are amazing and that when I get back in the States that I will never forget all the things that I have learned from this race.
I’ll be seeing ya’ll soon! Get ready for all sorts of shenanigans that your lives have been deprived of for 11 months 😉 haha
