More than just Turkey

Last Friday night I finally went to Church! It was a youth group type thing. I went by myself, took a buss and walked in not knowing what the expect. I thought to myself before I arrived, “no matter what it is like, I am the one who needs to pursue the people there. I cannot and will not take on the victim attitude.” When I arrived, the youth pastor and his wife greeted me and I talked with them for a while. They were so great, very friendly and introduced me to the people there. During the sermon, I could understand the gist of what he was saying, but could not understand it all. That was a little discouraging just because it again reminded me that I am not fluent, and I still have a ways to go. Well, afterwards a bunch of the girls came up to me and started talked with me. One girl, named Jessica, was an exchange student last year to Germany and we talked for a while. Everyone said my Portuguese was great and they were all astounded that I could hold conversations. So that was encouraging about the language. After, the pastor and his wife brought me home and invited me to come more and join in on other things too. I am going to start going to church there on Sunday mornings (at least as many as I can go to). Well that night as I got home, I was thinking about all that happened. I thought, “Ya, I’m not fluent in Portuguese, but I am doing well, and I will be fluent at some point, and I cannot let it get me down or let it drive me into the victim attitude. I need to get out and start pursuing opportunities. I am at the level with Portuguese that I can start pursuing, I can get out and do things on my own. I feel like so much time is wasted throughout the week, I want to make the best of my time here.” I thank you all so much for your prayers about Church for me. It truly is a blessing, and I already feel like a part of that church even with just one visit. God is truly good.

Well as you all probably know, Thanks Giving was last Thursday. It was my first Thanks Giving ever without my family and friends. Well, I got to skype with my family back home which was great. It did honestly make me a little more homesick, and I did really just want to be there right then. That night as I lay in bed journaling before I went to sleep, God laid it on my heart to just start writing down things that I am thankful for. I thought, “I need to be doing what the name of the Holiday actually says to do.” So many time I know that I and so many Americans forget what Thanks Giving is all about. Yes it is a time for good time with family and friends, but even without that, we can celebrate by giving thanks to God who has blessed us with so much! I see how we stray from the true meaning of this Holiday when I see things like “Happy Turkey Day!” writen all over facebook. I mean really, since when in Thanks Giving about turkey? Well, as I was writing the things I am thankful for, I was overwhelmed with how much God has blessed me. He has given me the most amazing family and friends ever, He has given me an opportunity of a life time to live in Brasil for a year, He has given me life and health, and love, and most of all His Son Jesus Christ. He has raised me from death in my sin and given me a new life, and the ability to live that life abundantly. He has given all of this to me for no cost at all. I owe my life, my everything to my God, my Savoir, my Friend, my Comforter, my Strength, my King, my Prince, my Everything.

What are you thankful for? Just think about it…