give thanks

it's been a busy and full week.  a week of thanks. a week of thanksgiving. a week of thanks and giving and giving thanks.  i have so much. to be. thankful for.

we had two thanksgiving celebrations- two 'expat' feasts.  they were beautiful and special and different and both reminded me that while we miss our friends and family dearly- we have family here too.  we become more for each other here.

today zoe got an award at the school assembly.  it was for "writing a fantastic science report about the effects of gravity."  that's right. it wasn't for sitting still. or not interrupting. it was for doing a great job. it was legit.  it was for...of all things...writing.  wow.  now that is HUGE.  that is something to be seriously thankful for.  i am really speechless.

and my headaches are better- it seems adding gatorade and returning to gluten- and getting rid of chocolate and any alcohol and all amoebas- makes a big difference.

and my children are healthy. 
and there are 4 of them.
and my husband made it safely to america.
and we have food.
and we have shelter.
and we are loved deeply by a God who cares for us, who doesn't abandon us.
and it's almost Christmas time.
and the sky will soon be dark and the sky will fill up with little white lights from so far away that i will feel small and close to all those people around the world who are looking at the same moon.