Day 27, Odessa Thanksgivings

Today, on Day 27, I'm feeling a tad nostalgic and homesick for Odessa and the fantastic memories that came from my three Thanksgivings spent there. It's kind of funny since I'm at home and spending the holiday with my family, right? But the Odessa Thanksgivings were a super special time with the training center students and various other friends and roommates, as well as my brother's family. It entailed lots of planning and two days of cooking, and finding and borrowing chairs, and squashing 15-20 people around a table meant for half that number of people. But the food was good, and the fellowship was great, and the memories are many. Memories of students and friends from Poland, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Nigeria, and America trying sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, pineapple casserole, stuffing, pumpkin pie, and pecan pie- all for the first time. Memories of my brother's family being in the midst of it all, children running around. Memories of games and sing-alongs, and a lot of laughter. Sweet, sweet memories. And today, as I'm feeling those stirrings of homesickness for my second home, I'm so thankful for those beautiful memories, and the beautiful friendships that remain.

Thanksgiving 2011