Thanksgiving or just another day?!

I know that technically Thanksgiving was on Thursday, but our team here in Croatia celebrated Thanksgiving this afternoon. It is always interesting trying to follow American traditions when you live in another country and must somehow try to duplicate the things you find in America, like pies, meat, stuffing, etc. It can't really be expected that we would find the same things here because Thanksgiving is American, and there are different traditions here. The realization that I had last year and that hit me again this year is that it doesn't feel like the holidays here. It makes sense that it doesn't feel like Thanksgiving, but even once decorations are up and things are going on, it doesn't really feel like Christmas either. I don't know why that is, but the only thing I can think of is that the typical traditions and things I am used to just aren't here. This really does baffle me though because these holidays are not about what you get or do, but about the reason they exist and what you celebrate. Thanksgiving is a time to stop and remember what God has provided for you, and Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Maybe this time away from tradition will be good for me and help me to focus on what's important, but I know it will also make me appreciate those other things even more. And even though I am not used to it, I have the chance to share my traditions and experience others' traditions. Yesterday we shared American pies with the Croatian students we know and it was fun, but we have a lot left over, though at home the left overs are the best part. Now as I watch a Christmas movie, and as I listened to Christmas music earlier, it was nice but felt a little out of place. I am praying for snow here, maybe that will help=0)

Favorite Quote of the Week: "Hey, I am gonna be late 'cause I lost my purse and can't find it anywhere." -Pete