Thanksgiving day arrived, and I head the sounds of mummers in our dinning room, laughing and talking and visiting going on right down the stairs. I entered the dinning room to see the 60 people gathered, familiar faces, friends, new and old, family and I felt the overflowing of thankfulness in my heart. Over 40 of our kids arrived to celebrate with us. As I looked around I saw kids I met my first summer here in Romania, seven years ago; a few of them married now with babies, starting their own families. Everyone seemed so happy and joyful. I looked around and saw all the people I have been honored to serve with this last year and felt blessed. Conversations, hugs and laughter going on all around me; old faces, new faces and baby faces. As we shared what we were thankful for not one of our kids got up without mentioning how thankful they are for the family they have found through H2H. It gave me misty eyes thinking that I got to be a part of making these kids feel loved, welcomed and part of a family. And being there with the kids it felt more like family than I ever imagined. Even as we prepared the house it was so beautiful, but nothing was better than that moment I looked around and realize just how immeasurably blessed I am! Thanks be to God that I was able to spend another year here in Romania loving on these wonderful kids and enjoying the fellowship and friendships I've built here. Nothing could make sacrificing the holidays with my biological family more worth it than to spend it with my spiritual family!
Our newest member of the H2H family, little Ruthie!
I made pumpkin cheesecake with orange zest, yummy!
Some of the kids I met seven years ago, they aren't kids anymore!
And as I reflect on Thanksgiving now, I think most of all besides the love of my Father above, I am so honored, blessed and thankful for the friendships, new and old, the family, biological and spiritual that fill my heart with a love and gives me strength, desire and passion to live every day to the fullest.
