Happy Thanksgiving

It will be about 77 degrees today.
Turkeys have to be ordered.
A can of pumpkin cost about $5.
It is a normal workday for our neighbors.
And no one is talking about Black Friday!


But yet, I am thankful! Yes, it has not, will not, be a "normal" Thanksgiving for the Dingus family, but that doesn't mean we are not thankful for the things God has blessed us with over this past year.

1. No matter where we travel, God is there!  (Psalm 139:7-10 Abbi's favorite verse)

2. God not only knows our past, our present, but most importantly, our FUTURE!  (Jeremiah 29:11 Kelli's favorite verse)

3. God continues to direct our paths- even when the road signs are in Chinese!
    (Proverbs 3:5-6  Carl's favorite verse)



4. Skype- So we can see those we love, even when they are on the other side of the world! And thankful that those we love were willing to overcome their "new technology" fears. (I guess if I searched and searched I could find a Bible verse for this one, but I won't!)

5. New friends/old friends- Isn't there a song about this.... silver and gold.... Or am I just delusional?  Seriously, God has blessed us abundantly-- both with the old and new!  We miss so many of the relationships that were formed over the last 25 years but God is faithful, and has been providing us with new friends.

6. A day off from school/work- Hey, its an American school, and its an American holiday, so we get two and a half days off, just like schools in America. Actually, we are double blessed- we get American holidays AND Chinese holidays!

7. Food- We don't like being hungry! And yes, we are thankful for all our food- even the odd and strange. I must add that I haven't had any restaraunt American food since moving. We can see McDonalds from our apartment and there is a Starbucks next to it. Chili's is very popular. We also have Kentucky Fried Chicken, Baskin-Robbins, and Gorden Biersch. But as you can imagine, prices are high, so I abstain.

8. Our scooter-  This makes Carl's many trips to the various stores much easier. Not to mention, getting the five gallon water container back from the school. And, I just love riding around town! If only we could fit all six of us on it!

9. Our home- not a perfect place, especially when the neighbors below you are very picky, but its home! It has all the necessities, plenty of space, and a really great view of the mountains beyond the city. Plus, its just a five minute walk to school!

10.You- People who care enough about us to continually check out this blog, even when days (sometimes weeks) go by with no new posts. And as you check up on us, we hope you are praying! We thank God for all of you- our friends, family, and  partners in ministry!

 

So while I could go on and on, I am sure you get the idea- We are thankful, even here in Taiwan where few know the Pilgrim story. Where few know the culinary joy of a roasted turkey, fluffy mashed potatoes, tangy cranberry sauce, smooth, rich pumpkin pie. But while all that is yummy, it is truly the heart that makes or breaks this holiday.

But don't worry. Last night, among fifty other OMS missionaries and friends, we ate the traditional Thanksgiving meal. I was even able to contribute my usual corn bake and sweet potato casserole. There was even pumpkin and pecan pie, so see, God does care about the little things!

And speaking of little things, Carl said he was thankful for this shoe! It literally saved him from being thrown up off his bike onto the hood and windshield of the white Mercedes that hit him back in September. Who knows how many other little things God used to protect us, that we may never know about, except God himself?