Thanksgiving

Today, if I were still in Michigan, we would be at my friends Sammy and Eric’s house with their 3 children along with anyone else who needed to have some adopted family to hang out with for Thanksgiving Day. It has been our tradition for most of the 12 years that Bryan and I have been married. However, if I were there, I am pretty sure that my friends would not be in the process to adopt a sibling set from Lesotho (they may have begun the process of adoption but they probably would not have chosen Lesotho), so I am THANKFUL that I am here in Lesotho.

On this holiday in America, we often stuff our faces with all of our favorite foods, sometimes to the point of having a stomach ache. And then we sit and talk with our family and friends and just enjoy our day, being thankful. Today I walked my children to a cemetery where we buried a little girl who had not reached even two months of life. As we walked I saw Elijah grab the hand of the ‘Me’ that this little girl was named after(one of her house mothers) and comfort her as they walked. It brought tears to my eyes and I am THANKFUL that my kids are here in Lesotho.

Today Bryan would usually be sitting on the couch surrounded by his buddies watching football on TV. And then he would be enjoying some of his favorite desserts. Instead he spent the morning preaching his first sermon at a funeral for a precious baby girl. I saw his heart break as we left the cemetery as he had never planned to preach at a funeral, especially that of a little baby. Then later, I listened to him talking and laughing with some of the Basotho men as they enjoyed the lunch “Me’ Mamatela prepared for us after the funeral. I was so proud of him for being strong enough to preach but also knowing how to let go and relax with his co-workers. I am THANKFUL that Bryan is here in Lesotho.

Yesterday, my friend Edward told me that he and his wife were expecting their 3rd child and they were so happy. But, that last Wednesday his wife began to bleed heavily and he rushed her to the hospital and they lost their baby. He said that he is sad and the pain is so much that they will not try for another baby, but then he said that he trusts God and knows that God is in control and he accepts whatever plan God chooses for him. I am amazed by his testimony through the pain, and I am THANKFUL for my 3 healthy children and I am THANKFUL that God has placed us here to be a comfort to our new friends in their many times of hardship. Today I am counting my blessing and I am THANKFUL for the path God has placed us on, even if it hurts sometimes.
Have a blessed and thankful day!
Anita