Today I sent out my first batch of support letters to friends and family. Each person received a few generic paragraphs of what I will be doing in Bolivia, why I am going and how I can use prayer, but each person also received a hand written note from me. I unexpectedly enjoyed the process of writing these notes more than I could have foretold. Gratitude was awakened in me as I thanked people for their friendship, the way that they spoke into my life, or just stating the joy that I had seeing them over Thanksgiving. I reflected upon all of the various ways that God enriched my life through each person–oftentimes through sacrifice on their behalf.

Paul writes that “as grace extends to more and more people it increases thanksgiving, to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 4:15). I give thanks to God for the grace that He has extended to me through others.