The morning starts with Kara and I smiling. We pin on our homemade “ tiny turkey trot” bibs and lace up. Dawson arrives as a day of entry and we make him a bib as well. The permitter of the base we live at is maybe 300 meters long. 10 minutes in we decided to go for the goal of 1.31 miles. ( a half marathon but move the decimal). We talk about all the things we are thankful for in that moment. In our common room a projector as been set up and there is a small crowd of people watching the Macys thanksgiving parade. Everyone shouts when they see a float from a familiar tv show or celebrity. We feast on some delicious pancakes and before we know it 10am rolls around. The Chiky cup of champions thanksgiving soccer tournament is a go. ( named after our favorite Guatemalan cookie )There are four teams that are named after the four next countries we are going to, Vietnam, Cambodia, South Africa and my team Eswatini. Cones are placed on the field to mark the boundaries and green pennies are giving to one team. First round Cambodia takes the win while going into PK against Vietnam. Eswatini put up a good fight against South Africa, but we lost 2–1. I was in goal for the first time and really tried my best. Now the championship is a go and it’s definitely a close game. Cookies are on the line. As I watch, I’m just happy. Being able to spend a whole day alongside my friends and talk about how amazing God is! We share our family’s thanksgiving traditions and make new ones. Cambodia takes the ultimate win and they all get a pack of Chiky cookies. Kara and I then went into town to have a little bit of wifi and I got an amazing mango smoothie!!! Back at base most of our squad pitched in to make a meal for 60 people!! We had chicken ( it was so dry is may as well been turkey) , mac and cheese, mash potatoes , gravy, green beans, stuffing, rolls with peach cobbler and ice cream for dessert! One long table, everyone dressed up nice. Things are good. I loved every minute of it! Afterwards everyone helped clean up. Except me and 4 others stayed at our table talking for over an hour about the cars movies.( what’s your ranking?) It was definitely a highlight. We finished the night with projecting the 49ers and Seahawks game. ( go ninners)! I can confidently say this was the best thanksgiving I’ve ever had. I did miss my grandmas rolls, but being able to be with my friends all day and love on the Lord through all of it made today the best! The niners won and I went to bed happy:)
I sure missed having you here for Thanksgiving this year….but it makes my heart happy to hear all the cool things you did that day! I love seeing your pictures and reading your updates. Guatemala is going to miss you. I know you’ve touched many lives there!
Hi Abby, love to see and hear about all the good things you are doing. Christmas is a great time to be doing the work you’re doing.
We missed you! We all had to help eat your share of my homemade rolls and raspberry jam! Love you – and am proud of you!! G-ma