Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

This has been a Thanksgiving unlike any I have ever had. It sure did not seem like Thanksgiving to me (Costa Rica does not celebrate Thanksgiving, being as Thanksgiving is an American holiday). The nice thing was that I was able to talk, at least for a short while, to my family (it was a different year for all in my family because we were spread out in 4 different locations this year). Then this evening we had our normal Thursday night cell group. We ended the Bible study time with my director talking about what Thanksgiving was and a tradition many families hold to, giving thanks to God for things He has done/given us throughout the year, so we all shared. That is when I realized I should write about what I am thankful for on my blog, so you can know what I am thankful for this year.

This year I have many things to be thankful for. When we were told to share something this evening, the first thing that came to my mind was the time I had at home in October. I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to return home for a month and not only help with the Peruvian pastors, but also to be able to see family and friends whom I had not seen in at least 10 months. What a blessing it was to be home and be rejuvenated by everyone I saw!

However, the thing I realized I am most thankful for is what God has done and who He has become to me this last year. It was a year ago today I celebrated my last holiday at home and I was anticipating my trip to Costa Rica. When I look back at what I thought I would experience and how I thought I would feel a year ago during my time here, I realize how great God is and how much I have to be thankful for.

For those of you who know me well, you know I love being with my family. I am the "homebody" of our family. I thought I would cry every night for at least my first month here, yet I did not. I thought I would be extremely homesick, but I have not been. I thought I would be a bit lonely, but I am not. (That is not to say I have not had moments of each because, believe me, I have been homesick, I have cried, and I have been lonely, but definitely not to the extent that I imagined.) I definitely did not think I would sign on for an extra 9 months, yet I am. God has shown me how He is enough and that when I act in obedience to Him, He provides for me, He fills me, and He gives me what I need.

I am thankful for the family He has given me here in Costa Rica. I have many new little brothers and sisters here. I have aunts and uncles, and in some ways, parents. Even though I am living FAR from my blood family, God has provided me with a family here, and for that I am greatful.

I am thankful for my blood family back home. I am thankful for my parents who have stood beside me and supported me my whole life and even now, when I have moved to another country where communication is not always possible and we have gone long months without seeing each other. I am thankful they love God (and me) enough to let me go, even though they would rather hold on. I am thankful for my brother and sisters who have supported me as well. It has been difficult being so far from them, but they have continually given me encouragement. I am thankful for my grandparents. The have also supported me in everything. What a blessing it has been for me to grow up in a Christian home, with not only godly parents, but godly grandparents as well, all of whom have provided great examples to follow.

I am thankful for the spiritual family back home. I thank you for the support you have given, in sending me out and then continue supporting me in praying. What a huge blessing to have so many people behind and beside me, supporting me, lifting me up in prayer. It is humbling.

I thank each of you who have given me the opportunity to be here, serving God. May the Lord bless you!

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. Do not forget to give thanks every day for the things God has provided for you. Thanksgiving should be an every day celebration.