Thankfulness

thank·ful [thangk-fuhl] 

feeling or expressing gratitude; appreciative.

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As week begin the beautiful, stressful, fun, and adventurous week that is Thanksgiving, there should be a moment to step back and express the simple and wonderful things that we truly are thankful for. It is easy to respond to a favor or response someone gives you with "thank you" and then they respond with a "you're welcome", but what if saying "thank you" truly meant, "I am thankful for you and who you are, your heart and life are a priority to me and I respect the person that you are." What if this Thanksgiving as we eat too much turkey, wear new clothes, and express our thanks for the people we love, what if we truly shared with the ones we love how much and why we love them. What if we hugged those we love tighter, kissed the ones we kiss harder, and never take our time with the ones we love for granted. Through this longing I have to express to people how much I love them and how grateful I am for them, I need to recognize how grateful and how much I truly love the people I met in Kenya this summer. Anyone who spends 10 minutes with me, knows that I am in love with everyone I met in Masii. This whole month I have been struck this over zealous need to finish school and go back to the place where I belong. As I sit and look at pictures and videos of my beautiful students and amazing friends, I can't help but be grateful and thankful for ache that I have in my heart and the love I have for people who live differently and who are so different from me. I love that I have seen Jesus' real love through those whose skin is a different color than mine. I love that I have learned what genuine thankfulness looks like from those who have little or no material posessions. I am grateful to have a different outlook on Thanksgiving this year, as I yearn for everyone to feel the joy that I have felt through standing in the very specific spot that God has called me to and for people to understand what genuine thankfulness looks like. 

I am thank for the staff of Tumaini.

You are incredible, selfless people who give of your selves every day. Thank you for taking care of me and being great to me. I am so grateful for you. I love you all so much. 

  

 I am thankful for the people of MCC. 
You have a special place in my heart. I love you all so much. You all are my home and my heart. I miss you all! 

I am thankful for my beautiful students of Masii Academy.

Arguably the most important people of my whole time in Masii, I am so thankful for each student (99 total) and their enormous hearts to learn and grow. Thank you for squeals, hugs, stares, and laughs. They brought me joy every single day. Thank you for letting me take too many pictures of you and for making me smile every day. You all are so incredible and I dont know what I would have done without you. I love you each so much and I miss you dearly!

I am thankful for the staff at Masii Academy.

Thank you for letting me into your work place and into the hearts of your students. I am so grateful for your patience and grace. You all have a special place in my heart.

I am thankful for Esther, Kelvin and Mum.
Thank you for playing such a big role in my time in Masii. Your family blessed me so much and I cannot be more thankful. Thank you for spending time with me while I was sick, thank you laughing me when I needed it, thank you for hugging me when I felt lonely, and for feeding me when I was hungry. I miss you three so very much. 

I am thankful for Annett. 
Thank you for teaching me what courage looks like. You are the most intelligent little girl I have ever met and I am blessed to be your teacher. I love that I got to go with you to spend time with your mom, Victor, and Aunt. I love that I got to teach you the "B-I-B-L-E". Thank you for your hugs and your kisses. I love you and miss you more than words can express. 

I am thankful for Keziah.
 Thank you for your sweet hugs, your beautiful singing voice, and your joyful laugh. I miss your giant hugs and your cute laugh. I miss you so much. I love you.

I am thankful for Faith.

Thank you for being my best friend. You have showed me what joy is and opened my eyes to what love is. I am grateful for you and for your place in my heart. Thank you for singing with me, laughing with me, and playing barbies with me. I love you so very much. I miss you every minute of every day. 

I am thankful for Benja. 

Thank you for being the best big brother in the whole wide world.Thank you for coming to visit when I was sick, inviting me to your rehearsals, valuing my opinion, and for laughing with me when I needed it the most. I value your heart and your opinion. I am grateful to have you in my life. love you big brother. miss you so much.

Finally to the people who gave up the most for me:

I am thankful for Pastor William and Maggy (adopted dad and mom)

Thank you for being gracious with me when I "tripped", for feeding me when I hadn't eaten all day, for hugging me when I felt homesick, for pinching me when I deserved it, for taking care of me when I was sick and for helping me step out of the things I would normally do. I love you both so much and I am not sure how I would have gotten through my three months without your love and grace. 

(I have pictures for the blank ones, they just wouldn't load)