"This is the day that the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118.24) Each day has it's things to be thankful for. Of course, Thanksgiving is not taking place in every part of the world today. In fact Canada celebrated their Thanksgiving last month and it is just a regular work day here in China. Some times it's hard to celebrate your national holiday while everyone else around you is just going about life. But we are extremely grateful for dear friends to come together with and share a tremendous meal. In fact, we had two such opportunities this year. A glorious five family feast complete with regional southern recipe contributions from all and then a special turkey meal at a small expat and Chinese run restaurant nearby. It was such fun to give our dear Chinese friends their first taste of turkey. My blessings are too many to count... good friends, health, a safe warm place to lay my head, a loving family, and a husband and three sons who bring more joy to my life than my words can express. This Thanksgiving my predominant feeling has been a deep gratefulness to have this last year as a family altogether here in China. Next Thanksgiving will find us with two sons in college and settled in some cozy southwest corner of Virginia. Hope this day is delightful for you, with many reasons small and large for giving thanks.
It looks like you had a delightful Thanksgiving dinner! Blessings to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved celebrating American holidays in other lands...and visa versa. It's great to have friends in many nations and to share traditions. Happy Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fab post thanks
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving, Steph! It is a blessing to know you, and to read your wonderful posts.
ReplyDeleteYour opening line to this post is my daily prayer. I am thankful for each day the Lord has made.
Take care!
Beth
We had a similar expat experience here in Romania. We had a traditional dinner at an American-owned restaurant yesterday, and we'll gather with friends tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteHello again...thanks for your comments on my blog as well. Funny thing...when I first saw your comment with the thumb-nail photo of you, I thought it was a friend whose name is also Steph...the photo looks very much like her. But when I read the comment I thought that can't be Steph...she's writing as if she doesn't know me... anyway, you have a "double" in California.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I looked at your other blog. Those dolls are amazing!
Have a great weekend.
It looks like you had a very happy Thanksgiving feast. Those ex-pat celebrations have a special feeling, so far from home.
ReplyDeleteHi Steph! Happy Thanksgiving (albeit a few days late..) I'm in Arlington VA a lot - live there part time. When you get back in the states, look me up! Sue
ReplyDeleteHi Steph, what a beautiful gathering! I love the story of your blended crowd...how wonderful to share cultures and customs and have everyone share in the spirit of the day!
ReplyDeleteThis post was really neat. I am just smiling here like crazy!
Thank you!