What am I thankful for this Thanksgiving?

I have so much to be thankful for this thanksgiving. I have a wonderful husband, two beautiful daughters, an amazing dog, and we all have the security of living in a warm house with clean running water.  Not only that, but we are fortunate enough to be surrounded by so many supportive, caring friends and family, and blessed to say that everyone is healthy.  Surprisingly, among the many other things I am thankful for this year in particular, is the fact that I did not get a teaching job this year when I graduated.  While I had all intentions of using the degree that I received from Millersville University  in Secondary Education this past May, God had other plans.  He has opened so many other doors for me this year, and I would like to share how he has blessed my family and I, and provided for us, beyond what we could ever ask for.

First, and foremost, the past few years have been a blur.  Raising two daughters, while my husband and I both go to school and work numerous part-time jobs to pay the bills, has not been easy.  At times, what we were attempting to do seemed impossible, and most definitely would have been if not for the help of the Lord.  Because of him, my family and I have never gone without, and our schedules have always blended together perfectly.  Looking back at calendars I have created in the past years, with days scheduled down to the minutes, filled with classes, exams, work schedules, meetings, Destynn's school events, soccer and basketball games and practices, horseback riding lessons, ect., it is inspiring to know that our family survived it all, and in fact, it brought us closer together.  It tested our communication skills and our ability to work hard.  It taught is to appreciate everything, especially the amazing people in our lives, to always think about the big picture, and to always put God first.

Upon graduating, I began applying for numerous teaching jobs.  With no luck, I began to consider what would happen if I could not find a job using the degree I had worked so hard to earn.  It did not take long for me to realize that it was not up to me, it was up to God.  As I continued applying for jobs, I also began looking for opportunities to serve and give back to my community.  I volunteered for random opportunities to serve, including Arts in the Park, Jr. Achievement, and 900 for 90 street sweep.  I signed up to help with the middle and high school youth groups at Living Word Community Church, where I have the opportunity to greet and interact with adolescents every Sunday morning, and even got to chaperon the high school overnight event.   As the school year began, I took advantage of some of the extra time I had and started volunteering in both of my daughter's classrooms at school, and even got to help with Destynn's classroom Halloween party this year.  I became more involved in the Ladies Auxillary, volunteering with them as they serve the community and honor the many people who serve and have served this country. I began working with a few new clients through Youth advocate Program, and also decided to work with 2 TSS clients again.  While previously I had only have the opportunity to work with adolescents with behavioral disorders, these two opportunities have blessed me with the experience of working with a child with autism, and also a child with down-syndrome, both of which have taught me so much.  Not only have all these experienced further enhanced my abilities as a future educator, but they have made me more and more thankful to not have found a teaching job right out of college.  My next endeavor is no exception...

Sunday, January 12, 2014, I will be leaving for Sendafa, Ethiopia, where I will be working with the Project Adopt a Village team.  During this missions trip through Living Word Community Church, I will be visiting with AIDS patients, distributing vitamins and iodine to the children of the poorest of the poor, visiting the local schools and orphanage, laying tarps over the dirt floors of people's homes, among other things.  LWCC has a longstanding relationship with this village and I am honored to be able to join them as they reach out to God's people and demonstrate his love for them through their works.  I have always wanted to participate in a missions trip, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve.

Have a wonderful thanksgiving everyone, and if you get a chance, please consider visiting my fundraising page Send-off-a to Sendafa.  If you make a donation, please consider leaving a message of what you are most thankful for this year.  

Thank you, and God bless,

Kenna McClane