Thanksgiving

We have been back in Sweden for a couple weeks now and even though the feeling is a little bit bittersweet, I have so many things to be thankful for.
Coming in to Sweden is never too much fun. It's normally cold and dark (I always fly back home in November for some reason which is also known as Sweden's worst month.) and it's absolutely nothing like coming in to Hawaii where you get to walk out straight from the airplane and be welcomed by a wonderful warmth hitting your face. This time was different though. Both Luke and I felt very happy to be home. I really feel like our time in Hawaii couldn't have been better but it did feel good to be home.
Not because our 26 hours of traveling were finally over or the fact that we would get to sleep in our own bed for the first time in almost three months but because we both feel like we're supposed to be here and we're happy with it.
We're obviously not stoked about it getting dark at three in the afternoon and that the temperature is hitting freezing point, but it doesn't bother us that much still.

About a year ago we prayed about our future asking God to lead us. We want to do missions someday and have had the Philippines in our thoughts for a while, so we didn't know if we're supposed to stay here, go into some mission school to prepare or move somewhere else. God answered by us getting pregnant which we took as a sign to stay here but even still we've felt like we couldn't put down roots here really. But now we feel excited to invest in people here and see this as our missions field which is a great feeling.
Thinking this is only temporary and dreaming about a future somewhere will truly make you miss out on life here and now and not take advantage of what's around you.


Yesterday we celebrated thanksgiving with two other Swedish-American couples from our church. It's a few more days to the actual thanksgiving but since this was the only day we could do it, we went ahead and celebrated a few days early.
I love going around the table and hearing what everyone is thankful for. It gives you perspective and reminds you of things to be thankful for. At first it can seem hard to find things to be thankful for, but once you get going you see all the little things that makes your life a little bit more magical.

No matter what and no matter where I want to follow the bible verse below. Always always always thankful, not just on a too-early-thanksgiving day.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Right now I am so thankful for those two couples. It makes it easier and more fun for all of us having people around us that knows what it's like to move across the big blue to be with your spouse.