Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving in Canada. Our family gathered in the capital of New Brunswick for some turkey and skype with the relatives out West. Here is what I am thankful for: ................................................................................................................................................................. Education

I think education is really something to be thankful for. Although I sometimes complain about school and IB and the extended essay, I still really love the opportunity to get an education. A couple of days ago, our IB graduating class had a retreat and I had a lot of fun. Still, it was sad to think that in a couple of years, these friends I have will turn into people who I will remember only when I see their picture in the yearbook and think "Oh, I went to high school with him. I wonder what happened to him." So I think that is a little sad. But I am so grateful for education, that I am learning these really cool things in school, things that just blow my mind. I was learning about four-dimensional figures the other day. Insane. I am so happy to have equal educational opportunity as a male. I think the IB program has a lot of opportunities. I like learning two languages (three if you count gaelic) besides English. I like that, although I have lived in the Maritimes for my whole life and have never travelled farther than Ottawa, I can know what life is like in far away lands and at other time periods.

Music

I guess music is awesome. Yeah I am pretty sure it is. Not too long ago I read a sixeyes post listing some great Canadian music. I think I am pretty lucky to live in Canada. Right now I am into Hey Rosetta! a lot and Joel Plaskett. Jason Collett is pretty cool and Jon Bryant, an up and coming Halifax acoustic performer, is also someone who is a great musician. Even in the smallish town where I live there is a supergreat band program and well music is great. A character in The Swallows of Kabul said "Music is the true breath of life. We eat so we won't starve to death. We sing so we can hear ourselves live."

The Church

So, I think it is a given that I am thankful for Jesus and God and the ultimate gift of life, but I would also like to say I am super thankful for the church. The Catholic church has taken a lot of flak lately because of priests who are pedophiles and such, and that sucks out loud. But the church can do way better than that. I am not Catholic. My church is not Catholic. And I love my church. I love the church in general I think. About a week ago, some people at a church my family is friends with gathered at a leader's cottage. We discussed what our perfect church would look like. Since I had been reading Acts, all I could think of was the Acts church:

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.
With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
-Acts 4:32-35, NIV

I am thankful for this model of a good church. I am thankful for my church and the web of support it is.
Happy Thanksgiving All!