I felt an earthquake the night before last. It was awesome. It rattled the windows and lasted for just a second. Now all I need is to see a tornado form in the sky and I'll feel complete.

We had a wonderful thanksgiving. All the teachers got together, Arab and American (even a couple Koreans and Columbians), and we shared a huge dinner. Everything you could want was there; all the traditional fare, and Arabic food as well. If I may brag for a moment, I do believe my sweet potato souffle was the most popular dish by far. It's nice to be able to share our very American holiday with others. At least it gives us a chance to eat together.

I am so thankful for so many things: for the chance to be doing what I'm doing; for my friends who are my lifeline, and without whom I could not be who I am; for every one of my students; my family (and the fact that my brother is here with me). I'm thankful for trivial things as well, like my hair, and chocolate, and the new clothes I got for my birthday.

Thinking about being thankful reminds me of how much I fall short in this area, how little I show God how much I love him. Not only am I incapable of showing enough gratitude, but I seem to forget most of the time, too. I am very thankful for my God who loves me despite how miserable of a person I am.

It seems that some people are coming my way soon, and there are some things that I would love to have brought to me. Maybe you're feeling extra generous this Christmas season, and would like to give me one of these things. Then you could give it to Alli, and she would make sure it would get to me. I would really appreciate it. :) Then maybe I could send you a little something special from the Holy Land!

The List:
Good Earth Tea (from Trader Joe's)
B & B Works Warm Vanilla Sugar lotion
brown paper lunch bags (for spirit bags)
albacore tuna in the foil packs
Hershey's kisses and assorted christmas candy
apple cider mix (packets)
Paul for Everyone/Tom Wright books (used, borrowed until next summer, I don't care)



I also have a couple of bigger, more odd requests. I mentioned that I make spirit bags for the sports players. (They've never gotten anything like this before.) Our mascot is the Yellow Jacket. You live in Atlanta (probably). You have a lot of Yellow Jacket stuff around you. I would love to get about 35-40 of the "Buzz" yellow jacket tattoos for the basketball players. They would have to be just the jacket, no Ga Tech logo on them, or anything. They are probably expensive. Maybe you could join forces.

Also, I have a weekly Bible study for jr. high girls, and lately we've been going over what it means to be beautiful, inside and out. I thought, with my connections, it would be great to get them each a lip gloss from MAC for Christmas. I'm pretty sure Yesenia could help me out with this (though I haven't asked her yet!) There are about 10 of them, and I would want them to get close to the same color. I was going to pay for them myself, but if someone would like to help, that would be awesome.

OK. I've exhausted myself. :) Now on to grade papers!

p.s. love you!