Thanksgiving!

Today is Thanksgiving in St. Lucia. It is nothing like American Thanksgiving. No American football is played, and no turkey is consumed. St. Lucia just really loves its holidays, and St. Lucians especially love days off of work and school. This year, I get to celebrate Thanksgiving three times: St. Lucian Thanksgiving, Canadian Thanksgiving (one of my roommates is from Canada), and American Thanksgiving. I want to share just a few of the things I am thankful for:
1. I have 17 students who I get to watch grow. They are excited about learning and they show me an insane amount of love and hugs. Also, my co-teacher and assistant teacher are an amazing support system and help me with whatever I need.
2. I am thankful for my two roommates who put up with me. I cannot imagine moving to and teaching in St. Lucia alone. They are currently teaching me how to cook, and are being very patient with me. Last week while making mac and cheese, I accidentally dumped the cheese packet into the boiling water. Last week I almost set the kitchen on fire by lighting the gas stove which had been on for a while. (Long story... making brownies in a gas oven is tricky.)
3. I have an amazing boyfriend who is extremely patient with me. Long distance relationships are challenging, especially when both people are busy and trying to work around each other's schedules. It's not easy, but I know that our patience will be worth it.
4. Our church family, especially the pastor and his wife, give us rides when we need them, take us to amazing beaches, host pizza and movie parties, teach us how to grocery shop and prepare food down, and make us feel at home down here.
5. God has greatly blessed me by allowing me to call St. Lucia my home for the year. Pictures do not do this gorgeous island justice.
6. My family and friends back home--I appreciate all of you and your support. The initial adjustment period here was hard. Being able to Skype, see faces from home, and catch up on life makes the distance feel not so extreme. I am looking forward to seeing as many of you over Christmas break!
7. Food. I am so thankful for food. When we first arrived, I ate like every meal was my last. Now, I realize that God will provide for all of our needs and I do not have to worry about starving. Which was never going to be an issue, I just really like food.
In short, God is good. "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." 1 Chronicles 16:34