Thanksgiving

Wow!! I can’t believe Thanksgiving 2015 is already over. This was my first Thanksgiving not away from my family. It was bittersweet. I mean

I miss my family so much but I am so very thankful for the family that I have here in Vanuatu. Thanksgiving is my second favorite holiday because I love spending the day with the family. This year Thanksgiving was a little different.

In the morning till about 12:30, I helped my wonderful Librarian paint the library and reorganize the books. She wanted to change the system and organize the fiction books by four levels. Easy, Medium, Hard, and Harder. It will be easier for the children to choose the right book for them. She also wanted to add some color to the library so we started painting the windows. We also showed some of the children how we were leveling them and they helped organize the books. Some children just hung out and read books. It was a great morning and I am so thankful for my Librarian and her passion for the school library. It makes my job so much easier.

 

Before

Painting away!

Painting

More Painting

Peace and Painting

We LOVE to paint!

Kids reading! Makes my heart HAPPY!

Let's put some stickers on these books!

Stickers and books everywhere!

Finished for the day!

New look on the windows!

After the library work, we rewarded our helpers with some time on the computers. It was a huge hit and the children love it. Afterwards, I went home to start cooking but of course my Mama was finished with most of the cooking for our Thanksgiving dinner. She just loves cooking so much that she does it while I am gone. So, I ate lunch and then walked the village for a little while with my niece. Afterwards, we went and sat on the beach, ate popcorn and shared a Fanta. It was a nice way to spend the afternoon.

LOVE!!

She did not like it but still drank it!

Love watching them play on the beach!

Then I came home and helped my Mama mash the potatoes by hand and make the gravy while we were waiting on our chicken. We were going to kill a local chicken but Papa had given our local chicken away. So we had to get my cousin to buy us one from Vila. Anyways, the chicken finally came and it was frozen. So we waited for it to defrost then Mama roasted the chicken on an open fire. While Mama was making the chicken, Papa was making candles for our dinner. He is so sweet.

Homemade candles in a bottle cap!

He is so happy! I have my own candlemaker! 

Once dinner was ready, we had a small devotion and worship. Then Papa read a sweet prayer and we prayed all together. Then, it was time to eat. Our meal included chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, corn, and meat pies. Then for dessert Mama went all out and made a pineapple pie and pineapple cake. It was all YUMMY!!!! We ate and ate until we were all stuffed. We also went around and talked about what we were thankful for. It was a really sweet time with my family. Afterwards, Papa and I cleaned up and we all went to bed.

Dinner is served!

Don't be jealous!

Family!

Best Mama and Papa!

Time for bed! Even Juju was tired and full!

Being away from home has been way harder than I ever expected it to be. However, I feel so blessed that God chose this family for me in Vanuatu. They have truly taken me in as their daughter and they make me feel so loved. I really just can’t explain it.

I am so thankful for this experience and thankful for everything it as taught me. I am looking forward to another year here in Vanuatu!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

Thanks for reading!