Ice Breaker – Giving Thanks at Thanksgiving
Each week on The Stretched Blog, we ask an ice breaker question. The questions are designed to help us get to know each other here in The Stretched Community. I’ll provide my answer to the question here in the post, and then you can leave your response in the comments. While you’re in the comments section, see how others answered the ice breaker question.
This week’s question is inspired by a Thanksgiving tradition in our house. Each year, we put a tablecloth on the Thanksgiving table. Each person in attendance traces their hand-print onto the tablecloth. Then they write down five things for which they are thankful – one for each finger. Over the years, our tablecloth has filled up with hand-prints of many sizes and shapes. There are hand-prints for loved ones who have passed away. Each hand-print represents a year of thanksgiving. We’ve almost filled up our first tablecloth as we’ve been doing this for over ten years. I’m looking forward to reading your responses to today’s Thanksgiving Ice Breaker!
Question: Name 5 things for which you are thankful this year.
My Answer: (1) I’m thankful for my trip to Xenacoj, Guatemala this summer. This trip was a major leap of faith for me. Through the trip, I saw God provide and I experienced major stretching as I interacted with the teenagers on the trip and with the people of Xenacoj. This was certainly a milestone experience for me.
(2) I’m thankful for the blogging community. I continue to stretch as I participate in this community as both a writer and a reader. I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.
(3) I’m thankful for my job. I’m an operations manager for a company that designs and installs building automation systems. Besides the technology, I love the people I work with every day, and I appreciate the opportunities I have to help people in their own career journeys.
(4) I’m thankful for my kids. Wow! They keep growing, and they keep amazing me with their talents and with their thoughtfulness. In many respects, they teach me every day about the importance of putting others first. They teach me patience. And they teach me to aim for the stars.
(5) I’m thankful for my wife. This is last but clearly not least. Leanne is my treasure. I appreciate the opportunities we have to work towards goals. I appreciate the insights she brings into my sometimes thick skull. I admire her heart for others – her servant’s heart. I’m blown away by her beauty. And I’m inspired by her example of encouragement that she brings to our marriage, to our family, and to all of her relationships. I am blessed.
There you have it – my answer. Now, it’s your turn. Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response!