Thankful

This Thanksgiving break was way less break and way more Thanks. And by Thanks I mean WOA...WHAT?!?!

Every year since my father passed away, I've had a really hard time dealing with the holidays. God has blessed me with incredibly gracious friends who have always opened their homes and their hearts to me. I could never truly thank them enough for their generosity. (This means you Bethany!) But their was always something missing. As much as I enjoyed spending time with friends and their family, it always was a silent reminder of how lonely I was without my family.

And then this year happened.

A couple of months ago (when change became my middle name) I started talking to my nieces again. I have missed them for what feels like FOREVER. We have all (miraculously) become teachers so the three of us had this past week off. We decided to meet for dinner and massages on Wednesday. Seeing them again...it was like no time had passed. We literally jumped into conversation as if we were kids again, only now as adults. (PS. Best massage I've ever had as well!) When we parted that night, I thanked God for allowing me the time to spend with them again.

Imagine my surprise when I received a text the following day inviting Scott and I over to my sister's house. I haven't spent Thanksgiving there since my father was alive...12 years ago. I cried. Then I asked Scott what he thought. He started getting ready. I did too.

And when I got there it was as if nothing had changed. Time had stopped. Except for the part where we were all adults now (which was a trip!). I hugged my sister and was touched when her husband prayed and said, "...and thank you God for Giuseppina being with us again...". And I met new people! Like my nephew's wife and two sons. And my niece's daughter (who truly looks like a baby doll come to life). I'm a great aunt! How crazy is that?!

I couldn't be more thankful for God's timing and His ability to fill in that hole that has been aching for so long.

I hope your Thanksgiving was as memorable and as amazing as mine was!

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
- Jeremiah 29:11-13