Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving! Today I ate turkey. I know this fact is not very surprising since most American families celebrate this holiday with turkey. But for me it was (maybe) the beginning of a new trend--celebrating the holiday on its actual day. I haven't had an "American" Thanksgiving meal on Thanksgiving day since 2003.

We have chapel at Northwest Nazarene University 3 times a week--Monday, Wednesday and Friday. We had chapel yesterday for the few students that acually stayed around to attend class. Gene Schandorff, our Chaplain, set up a treat for the students and staff who showed up. We sang a few songs just like normal. But then he asked everyone to take out their cell phone. He invited us to call (or text) people we wanted to say "thank you" to. Students loved it. They loved even more that chapel was let out after 20 minutes in order that students could enjoy hot cocoa and muffins.

I met one of our students brother after chapel. The students brother is a person with down syndrome. He made eye contact with me and said hello. We chatted a little and then he put his hand up to give me a high five. Then he opened his arms wide open and invited me into a huge hug. We talked some more and he gave me another hug. Later I watched as he gave others hugs. I'm not sure what others were thinking but I felt gifted by this kid's joy and unbarring love. It made my day! And I was thankful.

There is a whole lot to be thankful for this year--a new place to live, a new way of being in ministry, and a new community. A year ago I never could have guessed that I'd be here. Thanks be to God for how He has been guiding.