...because this year's Thanksgiving sequel is pretty much the complete opposite to last year's The Worst Thanksgiving Day Ever
...because this year we did take a day to reflect on our blessings and spend the day with the people who are family
...because this year we had an oven that worked to make food. This year we DID have turkey and stuffing and gravy and pumpkin pie
...because this year we have a large vehicle that works great and got us through the flooded streets without a problem
...because this year the house was full of laughter and cheer and dancing (lots of dancing!) - no tears of frustration
...because this year while I was in the kitchen helping to cook a Thanksgiving Day feast, I could hear staff and girls alike singing praises to Jesus during morning worship
...for a team who constantly reflects the love of Jesus to the world around us, even when it gets tough, and the job seems a thankless one; people who have become like family, from housemoms and cooks to social workers and counselors to teachers and administrative staff and our day guard/groundskeeper - last year we were 4 and have now grown to 14
...for the girls whose lives we are able to impact, even without knowing how far the ripple effect will go, who hold a piece of my heart wherever they are and will ever be - all 22 of them
...that we live in a time of technology and communication with family and friends "back home" is easier than ever
...that God has called me "for a time such as this" and that He keeps increasing opportunities and gaining ground
...that there are good days that outweigh the bad and times of rest when our souls need refreshment
And I am thankful for Miguel.
cliche, I know.
But he has stuck around for ten months, through the chaos and tears and happiness and smiles and frustration and anger and laughing and dancing, and somehow managed to keep up with it all and still want to get down on one knee and ask for a lifetime of putting up with me. If this year has been any kind of reflection of how the next 10+ will go...baby, hold on to your seat cuz it's gonna be a wild ride!
It's hard to know where to stop. We wouldn't be here without the worst bad days. We wouldn't be here without a reason bigger than ourselves.
And I Am Thankful. For the pain as well as the joy.
To quote last year's post:
"One thing I know - He is everything. The Son of the living, active, doing God.
He is strength. And He is peace in the storm.
He is the one who commands the winds and the waves to be quiet and tells the father of a dead daughter, "Do not fear. Just believe."
...because this year we did take a day to reflect on our blessings and spend the day with the people who are family
...because this year we had an oven that worked to make food. This year we DID have turkey and stuffing and gravy and pumpkin pie
...because this year we have a large vehicle that works great and got us through the flooded streets without a problem
...for a team who constantly reflects the love of Jesus to the world around us, even when it gets tough, and the job seems a thankless one; people who have become like family, from housemoms and cooks to social workers and counselors to teachers and administrative staff and our day guard/groundskeeper - last year we were 4 and have now grown to 14
...that we live in a time of technology and communication with family and friends "back home" is easier than ever
...that there are good days that outweigh the bad and times of rest when our souls need refreshment
And I am thankful for Miguel.
cliche, I know.
It's hard to know where to stop. We wouldn't be here without the worst bad days. We wouldn't be here without a reason bigger than ourselves.
And I Am Thankful. For the pain as well as the joy.
To quote last year's post:
"One thing I know - He is everything. The Son of the living, active, doing God.
He is strength. And He is peace in the storm.
He is the one who commands the winds and the waves to be quiet and tells the father of a dead daughter, "Do not fear. Just believe."
