Thanksgiving is all the best parts of a holiday: a break from the ordinary where we initially focus on spending time with family and friends, and of course, all while enjoying sweet potato casserole and pecan pie. Sorry, in my book, turkey just isn't the most important part.
Do I really need to relive the adventure of last year's Thanksgiving? Ten people squeezed into Suz's room gathered around our big table, sitting on couches and the built-in shelf turned bench. Enjoying turkey legs (I'm not so sure a whole turkey would have fit in the oven, honestly), carrot soufflé (subbing for the sweet potatoes), Moldovan placinte, and sweet tea (I had to share some southernness). But the best part was celebrating a holiday that is a definitive part of our American culture with seven other Americans that I didn't know all that well, one Brit, and one Moldovan. As Americans, we each recognized Thanksgiving as traditional and meaningful, and even though none of us could be with our families, we all understood and shared the significance of this holiday. And then to be able to introduce our friends from other cultures to Thanksgiving and to show them, in the deepest sense of this day, that is simply about coming together with your community, whether your family, or your friends, or the ragtag assembly you gather in a home away from home, and celebrating life and health and provision. For the chaos and mishaps that marked our preparation, it was a beautiful celebration.
Did I mention we actually celebrated two days after? Funny thing about working in a foreign country, we still had to work on Thursday :)
That was just one of the incredible experiences of the year in Moldova, but I'm so excited to be able to spend this Thanksgiving with my family.
So in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I have a list of things I'm particularly thankful for. Warning, these may be boring, vague, and irrelevant to you. But I'm writing this mostly to mark in my mind the lessons of God's faithfulness and timeliness.
- Logan & Liz are back in Brazil! If you followed their blog, you may have noticed a long gap in posts. They had been in the States since April waiting on visa approval. God is faithful and at the beginning of the month opened the door for them to return.
- My cousin got his acceptance into Marine Corps OTC. I've been expecting this since we were about 12, but it's exciting to see him finally getting to step into his dreams.
- NEW BABIES!!!! Another dear cousin and her husband are celebrating the coming of a little one. This new life is an answer to many years of prayer, and AAH! I'm so excited!!! I just caught up with my former boss from Moldova, and he and his wife are expecting their first child too!!! I might have screamed and done a little dance when I read that email. They'll be amazing parents.
- My parking space is rented out! Hey, that helps lower my rent!
- I'm living in metro DC. Seven beds in the first seven weeks back in the States. Three moves in two months, but I'm here. And I know it's where I'm supposed to be for now.
- ROADTRIPS and living in the same city as some of my best friends.
- an American passport - still one of the greatest privileges
- A bigger heart, a broader perspective, and better health than before
That's all for now. Happy Thanksgiving!
