Steps of Faith: October 2013

Our first holiday away from family. Thanksgiving is always spent with family, going for hikes, enjoying the beautiful fall weather. And, really, what better way to celebrate? It's a time to get together and look at the things we are thankful for. Even when we are going through difficult times in our lives, it is so important to set time aside and look at the things we are thankful for. We are not necessarily going through difficult times, but changes are difficult and we miss Canada. Over the last number of weeks I have been trying to find things, big or small, that I am thankful for and writing them down. Here are a few of them:

the inspiring sermon I heard; God is bigger than we can ever imagine
Sunday afternoon naps
conversation and wine with a friend
a successful first trip to the hospital
a son who loves to cuddle and and get hugs and kisses
helpful and encouraging friends
technology to talk with my family and friends

Paul and the kids have their own list of things they are thankful for. Paul is thankful for his job and for his wife and kids who are willing to come and experience this adventure with him. He is thankful for the opportunity to be challenged in a positive way as a teacher and to grow from the many things he is learning. He is also thankful for his good looks...I'd have to agree!

The kids are thankful for simple things like their toys, trees, flowers, mom and dad, Jesus dying on the cross (not so simple, actually), and their house and bed to sleep in. Vince reminded me to appreciate the small things in life...this morning, while biking to a friend's house, he commented on the cooler temperature saying "Mom, it feels really nice out this morning. It feels like we're camping...with the birds chirping and the cool air. It feels like we're biking at Grundy and we're biking down to the lake." Funny how my 7 year old son can make me stop and appreciate the little things in life. These are the things we are thankful for.

We may not have family to celebrate Thanksgiving with, but we have wonderful friends from Barrie here in Indonesia, which feels the closest thing to family that we have. Our dinner turned out fabulous and the food was delicious. I posted most of these pictures on facebook already, but wanted to put it up on the blog as well.

Because we don't have a lot to make it feel like Thanksgiving, I thought I would do
a little extra and make a thanksgiving tree (thank you pinterest).