Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. A full day to spend in celebration of all that we are thankful for! As I sat and pondered the events of 2010, I was constantly reminded not of things, but of people. My girls. My family. My friends. The supporters of my work in China. The orphans. The village girls. Birthparents. People I have met, and those I have yet to meet. People who will undoubtedly touch my life, making it forever changed.



I thought back to the two villages we were privledged to spend time in several months ago. In each of these special places, people showed us such kindness and generosity. We met people, both young and old, who continuously made us smile.














As I think back to these small villages and the people who live in them, I can't help but smile. People with so little had such joy, just by the presence of others being with them. They clearly valued people, and were grateful for the people in their lives. Despite their hardships, they reminded me to be grateful for the gift of others. This is what is most important in life.












And so this Thanksgiving, I am grateful for the people who have been placed in my path. People who show me how to love, how to give, and how to hope.

A video summary...

This years trip was made extra special with the addition of the spectacular Lucy who was a 20 year old (now 21 year old) college student from Wellesley College. Lucy's presence was a gift from Him and an answer to a prayer. This trip had to be different for so many different reasons, and we were clearly meant to have Lucy with us. Lucy met us after visiting her family who lives in Shanghai, and spent all of her sleeping and waking hours with us...not always an easy task :) Lucy worked alongside me at each orphanage we visited, and at each village. She worked inside the orphanage with older kids as I gave workshops to staff. They kids clearly delighted in her presence, as she connected with them so effortlessly. She always jumped right in, without any hesitation, sharing her amazing ideas and insights. She chose to love and bring hope to all of the precious kids we met.

Lucy created a video summary of our trip which I thought I would share:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKfjUCExCDQ

And she is already thinking of other ways that we can give back to the special children of Guangxi who are so dear in our hearts.