With a fourth grader and two kindergartners in the house and all the “Thanksgiving” puzzles, turkeys and feasts taking place at school, we cannot resist putting together our own “Thanksgiving” acrostic. Forgive our “poultry” attempts to update you during this special holiday.

T is for the traveling we have been so privileged to experience. We think it is one of the great perks of being a missionary! The friends we met during this last trip are a blessing. The amazing thing is that we feel this way after every journey!

H is for the southern hospitality that we enjoyed. People were friendly everywhere we went! Travis, who couldn’t be more of a northerner (hailing from Canada!), was even impressed by the courteous drivers in the south. How quickly we managed to pick up the draaaawwl!

A is for Alabama and adoption. The purpose of our trip was to be part of a mission’s conference in four different churches in the Mobile area. We ALL enjoyed sharing about Kenya and the kids were able to sing “Asante sana, Yesu” (Thank you very much, Jesus) for two children’s Bible clubs. Levi (our 2 year old) had a solo at the conference kick-off banquet as he would occasionally (of course, when it was the least noisy) belt out, at the top of his lungs, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so…”. We also had the opportunity to share at an adoption banquet for OATH (Orphans Awaiting Their Homes), which is an organization that helps people who desire to adopt children. It was fun to share how God gave us Joshua and Tia! The evening was quite emotional, to say the least. We felt so honored that they asked us to tell our adoption story!

N is for north. As we regretfully left the warm south and headed toward Michigan, each stop we made gradually traveling north reminded us of where we had just been. As much as we dislike the cold, there is no place like home!

K is for Kenya. We’re glad there isn’t snow there (at least, where we will be there isn’t!)! We enjoyed talking about Kenya with so many people and our passion was rekindled each time we shared how God has led us back there to work with missionary kids. It’s always on our minds!

S is for the support that continues to slowly come in. As we seek God’s perfect timing, we know that we will reap a harvest if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9)

G is for God’s goodness to us. We often wonder why God chose to give us four healthy children, a reliable job for Travis to be able to provide for us, an abundance of food in our pantry, a spacious warm house (by the world’s standard, a mansion!), and enough clothes to keep our washing machine going at a frenetic pace. What have we done to warrant these blessings?

I is for impossible. We stand on the promise that nothing is impossible for God. No matter how limited our focus or our resources, no matter what our present circumstances are, no matter how bleak the future may seem at times, we serve the God of the impossible and if we will just humble ourselves and turn to Him in prayer, He will help us.

V is for visiting so many precious brothers and sisters in Christ. The more people we have the opportunity to visit with, the more we yearn for heaven. Time and time again we leave the homes of new friends (old ones too!) and think, “Our visit was just too short!” We are convinced that eternity will grant us the opportunity to commune with so many loved ones. We are constantly reminded that we are just visitors here on earth and God is giving us a taste of what we will enjoy with fellow believers in heaven one day soon!

I is for infallible. Confession time. We had to delve into the dictionary for this “I”. The definition is striking: NEVER failing or making mistakes. This attribute of our Creator is the same attribute of our heavenly Abba Father — our daddy. How we wish we as parents had this quality! How thankful we are that our Father never fails or makes mistakes!

N is for November. Though we’ve chosen this month to celebrate the national holiday we call Thanksgiving, how fitting that we sustain this spirit of giving thanks in all things and in every situation in all the other months of the year as well! (Ephesians 5:20)

G is for the generosity of so many givers over the last year and a half. We are often in awe of how God has provided so many to come along side us. We give thanks to Him and to you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

With much love,

The Nielsens (Travis, Patti, Kylea, Joshua, Tia, and Levi)