It's easier to jump right into Christmas in a land that doesn't celebrate American Thanksgiving. :) We are making it a point to enjoy a typical Thanksgiving and remember to be grateful.
Many people are daily posting what they are thankful for on Facebook throughout the month of November. I have decided on November 1 to write what I am thankful for and add to it each day and then post it at the end of the month.
NOVEMBER 1: God's grace. Some days I lie in bed thinking of all the stupid decisions I have made in the past. I know, I know, I shouldn't harp on them but ugh, it bothers me to think I made such horrid choices! Thankfully I am reminded of God's amazing mercy and grace. Oh, His love is amazing!
NOVEMBER 2: If God is first, Jack is definitely the next one to be thankful for! Readers, I do not know how it's possible but Jack is an even better husband in a foreign land than he was in the comforts of the US. He is just so extremely kind. I remember when we were first married I would tell people I knew God loved me because He gave me Jack. I still feel this way, 16 years later.
NOVEMBER 3: My parents are coming in just two days. I am so stinking excited to see them! When I feel lonely, it is simply because they are not near. It has been such a blessing to live near them in NC over the past few years and my children adore them.
NOVEMBER 4: I am thankful for Ava's never ending chatter today. She just cracks me up. We went to the market today and I do not believe she stopped talking the entire time. Love her to pieces.
NOVEMBER 5: Today I am thankful the church allowed us to borrow a vehicle to pick my parents up from the airport! This is just a wonderful day. Thank You, Lord, for giving my parents the health to be able to travel and the desire!
NOVEMBER 6: Last week Joseph fell. His front tooth went up into his gums. After a traumatizing xray which took 6 adults to hold him down, the dentist decided to give him antibiotics and wait a week to see him because the area was so swollen. Thankfully he is okay but today I am reminded to thank God for Joseph. Some days are just so incredible. I am thankful for his smile and giggle and health.
NOVEMBER 7: I am so thankful for Annabelle. She is such a go getter with a future planned out. She wants to be a lawyer. I take her to the market because she bargains for me and sometimes she is pretty ruthless. She says, "walk away mom, that's not the best price," in Spanish and the seller will almost always come down. Thankfully she has picked up Spanish like a BOSS and enjoys meeting new Guatemalans.
NOVEMBER 8: I am grateful for my friends in the US. They often send an email, text or FB message which make me laugh and smile. I miss some remarkable people and look forward to seeing them again one day.
NOVEMBER 9: My aunt flew in this afternoon. She has an active life with her grandkids in Delaware and yet she took time off to fly to Guatemala (by herself!) to visit her niece and family. This same aunt and her daughter and a handful of grandkids drove down to NC right before we left for Guatemala to say goodbye. They also came to see Joseph at his surf camp after a long drive. Stuff like this is just huge to me. My other awesome aunt and uncle are planning to come to Guatemala for a visit in the Spring. Today I am reminded how blessed I have been with such an amazing extended family.
NOVEMBER 10: I am so thankful for my Sophie-girl. Yes, she is smart and creative but what I love most is her heart. I look forward to seeing what the Lord has planned for her future.
NOVEMBER 11: I am so thankful for my fruit truck men! I know I have mention this before
here, but I absolutely love getting to know these fine gentlemen and speaking Spanish with them!
NOVEMBER 12: Thank you, Lord for blessing me with parents who don't mind traveling in a Spanish speaking country with their non-Spanish speaking daughter! Today, my parents, aunt and I traveled to Panajachel and took a boat on Lake Atitlan to a small village named Jaibilito. My family totally let me plan this short trip. We are childless (Jack stayed home to babysit) for the next 3 days. Thank you, Lord, for this time of rest and rejuvenation.
NOVEMBER 13: I am so thankful for my dad. Today the two of us took an unexpected, wild hike to get to the town of Jaibilito. Our caregiver said it would take 15 minutes for us and only 5 for him and we laughed at him. We told him we were runners! We could do this! Ummm, it was a CRAZY hike. Like sliding on rocks, out of breath in the first 5 minutes and passing little girls with machetes and really no path at all. It was awesome and I am thankful I got to spend the morning with my 75 year old dad who is still in such excellent shape!
NOVEMBER 14: Today I thank God for Pearl. It's fun to watch her personality develop. She admires her sisters dearly and plays nicely with her brothers. She's becoming a cute little hugger too. She is the first to run and hug Pop-Pop and Grandma when she sees them.
NOVEMBER 15: My Grandma Sara is 98 years old and going strong. I am thankful for the many years she lived near us in Wilmington. She is a spitfire!
NOVEMBER 16: So thankful for my little boy, Jude! He is a sweet, sweet boy and loves his grandparents so much. I am so grateful for their special relationship. And now that they are here, he climbs into THEIR bed in the middle of the night instead of ours! ;)
NOVEMBER 17: The local river is brown here. When I walk by it, I see people cleaning their clothes, cooking food, living aside it. People, the water is so extremely dirty and this is drinking water for many. Today I am so thankful that I grew up in a land where I didn't have to worry about disease infested water.
NOVEMBER 18: I really miss my sister, Michele, and her family. Every summer my sister and her kids spend nearly a month in NC. It's such a wonderful bonding time for us, as well as the cousins. It's been a difficult transition and I am especially going to miss her during Christmas time. I am so thankful for her friendship and look forward to her texts.
NOVEMBER 19: I also have a wonderful brother, Rick. We also see his great family during the holidays and it's a week of playing cards, putting puzzles together and eating! He makes me laugh and I am thankful for his friendship.
NOVEMBER 20: I am thankful we found a turkey in Guatemala City. I am thankful my aunt brought a few cans of pumpkin down with her. It may seem trivial, but I am grateful to celebrate a traditional Thanksgiving meal with my family this week.
NOVEMBER 21: I love the market! I am so thankful I have learned enough Spanish to buy our groceries at the market. A wonderful friend showed me who to go to and now I don't even need to bargain anymore! It's a joy to bring a few of the girls with me on market days and I am thankful for this time to interact with Guatemalans.
NOVEMBER 22: This morning I thank God for so many wonderful new friends here in Guatemala. I never anticipated being greeted so quickly by individuals who were willing to help us adjust so quickly. I am so blessed and although I think about naming names, I wouldn't want to leave anyone out.
NOVEMBER 23: I was blessed with my very special Grandma Chando who died way too soon. The memories I have are such a gift and I find myself sharing them with our children. I miss her so much and sometimes it hurts. I thank God for the many years and memories we made together.
NOVEMBER 24: This evening I am reflecting on how many opportunities I have been afforded. I walk by so many people every single day who struggle with addiction, poverty and homelessness. I am so thankful for so many things I have always taken for granted, such as food, a home, an education and so much more.
NOVEMBER 25: Again, I am thankful for my mom. Man, I hit the jackpot with her. She is extremely supportive, even when our decisions might not be the easiest or most popular choices. Today I thank the Lord for my spectacular mom.
NOVEMBER 26: There are so many people to name but I am so thankful for all of our supporters, both financial supporters and prayer warriors. This journey is incredible and I am so glad called us to Guatemala and allowed us to work with an amazing ministry but it could not happen without the many churches, families and individuals who made a commitment to come alongside us.
NOVEMBER 27: THANKSGIVING DAY! So extremely thankful for the relationship I have with my Savior. Surely I take this relationship for granted but He is my Friend, my Father, my Love and my Salvation.
