As I reflect on Thanksgiving this year, several things come to mind….

I am thankful for family. I am thankful for a healthy husband who has gotten up at 5:00ish on Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning for the last several months to work out. I don’t know how he does it, he is looking SO good 🙂 A husband who is working hard physically to build a wakeboard park with Alf and reach the community around him. I am thankful for a healthy, growing little boy who is learning to read and is constantly active. I am thankful for my extended family who loves us unconditionally, no matter where we are or what we are doing. I am thankful for our “Cambodia” family who keeps us going on a daily basis.

I am thankful to teach at Logos International School where I have the freedom to talk about the mighty God we serve. Where students are able to ask the hard questions, they are able to explore and learn new things in a safe environment. I am thankful for administration who asks for the opinions and ideas of their staff and are open to changing things to make things better. I am thankful for the encouragement from the parents who have said things like, “God sent you here specifically for my child”, “I was going to homeschool my child but chose not to because I heard you were coming”, “You are a wonderful teacher, we are blessed to have you.”

I am thankful for my students who come to school ready to learn. When I was interviewing for this position last spring, I was told they were a rough group of kiddos….. I am thankful God is working in their hearts. I get choked up when I hear things like, “The only reason I came to school today was to hear the Bible story and to hear what you would say” or “Could you be our teacher next year? (even though I expect a lot from them both with their behavior and academically)”. I get excited when students memorize Scripture and hide it in their heart even though their parents are not Christians. I am thankful when I see the students struggling how to be a Christian but live in a Buddhist society. When a little boy asked this week, “How do I obey my parents and go to the Wat (Buddhist temple) with them every week but also worship God?”, I know the students are thinking about what we have discussed in class.

I am thankful for the opportunity to do life in Cambodia and share God’s life and love to the people here. Thank you to those who pray for us and keep us in your thoughts. Thank you to those who financially support us so we are able to do the work God has called us to do! We love you and are thankful for you!

~Ashley