One Thousand Gifts

(I've been reading this book called, one thousand gifts, by Ann Voskamp, thanks to my friend, Emily, who gave me the book before we left for Africa.  Now - I'm finding that it's not an easy read.  I don't understand half of it and I'm very slowly wading through it.  I'm maybe halfway through?  But I've grabbed some tidbits out of it and it's the inspiration behind this blog post).  

We were able to go to Macha (about an hour north of Choma) for Saturday and overnight until Sunday.  We celebrated American Thanksgiving with new friends.  I had a great time.  We had a lot of good food… guinea fowl, impala stew, raspberry jello with craisins and apples, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and a whole lot more!  (Pumpkin roll with cream cheese in the middle - yum!) and saw a couple MCC ladies that live in Macha and some new friends too.  It being Thanksgiving (again) made me think about Christmas coming.  Now - I know Christmas is going to be different this year.  A whole LOT different.  (Though we do have a tree!) I want my attitude to be one of Thanksgiving and not one of sadness for what I'm missing.  I know I'm going to have to put a concentrated effort into this but if I start now I think maybe I'll have an attitude of gratitude by Christmas?  

The kids after decorating the tree.  They barely stood still so this is one of
the only not blurry photos!

And I know many of you in North America would agree that you need to focus more on being thankful and less on the consumerism and commercialism and stress that Christmas can bring.  (If you're on Facebook - the Advent Conspiracy is a neat group to check out!)

So - who wants to count 100 or 1000 blessings with me before Christmas?  I'm starting a bit late - but it still averages out to be about 4 blessings a day (for the 100).  Very possible.  1000 by next Christmas should be easy enough....

Let's do it together!  Here's a sneak peak at the first few of mine…  please leave a comment below, or e-mail me, if you want to do this challenge with me and I'd love to hear some of the first blessings on your list!  (They are 1000 gifts from God!) :)

1) I'm not cold!  (It was 99F on an actual fancy thermometer when we left Macha yesterday.  Probably got hotter after that).

2) That we have a gardener to slash the long grass and he's "taking care" of the snakes he finds while he's slashing.  (So far - a small one, and a large "poisonous" one… which was not a cobra… so not sure what!)

3) For a Christmas tree and it's fake so we can have it for the next 3 years!

4) For decorations for the tree and watching the kids have a great time putting them on.

5) For family and friends who are working to bring rubber type swings to us so we can give the kids a swing set for Christmas.

6) That work has been going well and the head teachers are very accepting of me.

7) That school "closes" for the year on December 6th.  I'm starting to feel like I need a break already! (Or at least a slow down!)

8) For a friend to do coffee with once a week to catch up

9) For Wonderbake that makes really great coffee

10) For half price coffee before 10am at Wonderbake

11) For the (different) friend that told me about the half price coffee before 10!

12) For iced coffee at home

13) For Memory, our house help

14) For internet so I can stay connected to old friends.

15) For discovering new stores in Choma all the time! (A new photocopying place that sells lots of office supplies too! And a "beauty parlour" that my friend showed me so I can buy shampoo!)

16) For long newsy e-mails from friends

17) For the impala and the bush buck and the monitor lizard I've seen while driving around.  (Okay - the two deer were behind fences in places I know keep some animals… but I hadn't seen them before!)

and so much more - but I should save some for another day!

Put on your Thanksgiving Glasses (perspectacles - glasses that change your perspective!) and start counting your blessings and see how those glasses change your perspective as you journey down this road with me!

Give Thanks!