Gleðilega þakkargjörðhátið! It’s my first thanksgiving away from home, and I have quite a lot to be thankful for this year.
- This year I moved to Iceland. That’s enough awesome to be grateful for the next decade. But there’s more…
- I met great friends within my first week. I have been surrounded by wonderful people from the get go, which has made moving abroad such a wonderful experience.
- I get to live in the middle of the city, and experience the best that Reykjavik has to offer.
- I found a great church soon after moving here and made a wonderful Christian friend with whom I can talk about faith and God.
- I have gotten to go on so many amazing outdoor adventures in the Westfjords, outside of Reykajvik, and in the south.
- I’ve gotten to relax in natural hot springs in the middle nature… and in the snow!
- I saw an incredible display of the northern lights…. in the city.. from my backyard that was so unbelievable, I don’t except another sighting will ever top it. (The picture is of the actual display I saw. Photo by Jennie Grayburn).
- In a few days, I will have finished my first semester of graduate school. And I love my studies!. To think, this time last year I thought I’d never get to go back to school.
- God has provided for me this year beyond my expectations. His peace and joy have multiplied exponentially in my life, and I have grown so much as a person and a Christian in the last half year.
- My family has been so supportive, financially and emotionally. My brother even saved up his money to buy a plane ticket here for New Years. I can’t wait to see him.
- My friends and church back home have been amazing about keeping in touch, encouraging me when I feel homesick, and sharing my joy and excitement about my new life (a special shout out to Callie and Katey…thanks for being amazing friends).
- And last but not least, I am thankful for all the cool people on the internet who have read, followed, and shared my blog. Thanks for listening.
I am so thankful for the ups and the downs of the past year. I am particularly grateful for how lame last year was, because it makes this new phase of life that much more special (and gave me a great perspective that I can use to encourage others.) I can’t wait to see what comes next. Ok, enough blogging. I have a pie to make and a wonderful holiday of dubious origins to celebrate!
It All Started In Iceland... 