Thankfulness

Tonight is the beginning of a 5 day weekend for Emily and me! As I mentioned last time, we cancelled classes for tomorrow so we can celebrate Thanksgiving. (There will be more about that, along with pictures later this weekend. ;) Keep your eyes peeled!) Friday is Albania's Independence Day, Saturday is Liberation Day and when a holiday here falls on a Saturday, they observe it on the following Monday. Woo hoo!!! Lot's of time for fun and relaxation! There will be plenty of work done, too, but I'm excited for 5 whole days to plan according to my every whim. :)

Being that it's 1:30am here, it's technically already Thanksgiving. One of the things I am most thankful for is my family. Without their support and unconditional continuous love, moving here would have been a lot harder and I would be super lonely right now. But I know that they think about me, just as I think about them. I know they love me and that I love them. And every time I talk with them or get an e-mail or note, I am reminded of their continuing support through the encouraging words they send my way.

My Thanksgiving started with a "visit" from family too. I got to Skype with David!!!! I was sooooo excited! I still am, which is why I'm wide awake and writing this instead of in bed sleeping. It was the first time I have seen his face since the day I bid him adieu, August 9. I've "visited" with my parents via Skype, but since David's computer has some audio issues, he can't Skype. Now that he's at home for Thanksgiving, he called me on Skype. It was fun! He said they'll call tomorrow too when their all at home. :) Oh, how I wish I could be there with them! But no matter where I am--Wisconsin, Albanian, Timbuktu, Antarctica, or wherever--I love them the same and they love me the same. :) God is good!

I have many things to be thankful for this year. The obvious include God, family, and friends. But I also have new Albanian friends and surrogate family to be thankful for. I have had no serious health issues this past year (things could be a lot worse than giardia). I've had safe travels here and been blessed with the opportunity to see and experience new places. I'm thankful that I am able to observe a new culture. I'm thankful that I have gained understanding and respect for people culturally different from me and that I've gained a new found pride in and respect for my own country and culture. I am thankful that God is using me and Emily here in Albania to be an introduction to his word for people. And I am even more thankful that it's up to the Holy Spirit, not us, to cultivate faith in people's hearts. I am thankful for everyone who has sent an encouraging word and/or kept me in their thoughts and prayers. Our Heavenly Father truly is a loving God!

Tomorrow (or later today, if you want to get technical), I will get to celebrate all of this with a feast! God has given me everything I need, even when I'm far from home. Emily and I are thankful for having people to celebrate with. We're thankful for having so much food to cook, but are a little nervous about how it will turn out. ;) We've never tried something of this proportion or importance before. lol Wish us luck! There is no doubt that we will document the day with pictures. Whether the food will appear appetizing or burnt is the million dollar question. ;) Just kidding! There will be so much that if one thing isn't so appealing, we'll eat more of another thing instead! Haha!

But until those pictures come around, here are a few others to keep you occupied. Remember way back in October when we took a sunrise drive through the mountains with the Ahlers? Well, I've got pictures from the road to Elbasan. Here's the link:

http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=125600102&k=X21434TX34YM5FCGYK23RW

There are only a few pictures, but the scenery really was quite beautiful, especially at that time of day. The problem was that because the road was so narrow and was right, and I mean right, on the edge of the mountains that there weren't many spots to pull over for photo opportunities. Anyway, enjoy them! The sights reminded me of Bible stories. :)