1401-1519 The year passes by in thanks.

1. I am thankful for multiculturalism. 
2. For various views on life. 
3. For the energy I had for subbing. 
4. My supportive wife. 
5. Our plan to tackle my depression. 
6. Eavesdropping. 
7. Neighbours who control their big dogs. 
8. Thankful for the old friends I saw today. 
9. Thankful I could introduce SJ as my wife. 
10. Thankful for plates
11. Bowls
12. Cups
13. Forks
14. Spoons
15. Knives. 
16. New cutlery. 
17. Pots. 
18. Shiny sharp knives. 
19. My wife's organizational skills. 
20. My intestines. 
21. Babies. 
22. My friend K. 
23. Her gentleness and kindheartedness. 
24. New friends at the church we've been attending. 
25. Pictures on our walls. 
26. People at church who like tomato plants. 
27. And the ones who relate to broken ankles. 
28. That I got to see me friend R today. That was exciting!
29. People who strive to be like and think like Christ. 
30. I'm thankful that my wife is willing to try new things. 
31. The skills I can teach her. 
32. The way she encourages me to be my best. 
33. Thankful for a warm September. 
34. Thankful there hasn't been frost yet. 
35. My tomatoes keep growing. 
36. My wife can walk. 
37. Our walk today. 
38. Beautiful river valley. 
39. Yellow leaves. 
40. Beautiful parks. 
41. Adventures. 
42. Dotty 
43. Jonah
44. The colour purple. 
45. And blue
46. And rainbows. 
47. All the work I got done at work today. 
48. The colour of the sky at dusk. 
49. Milestones. 
50. Collaboration at work. 
51. My wife's help. 
52. The final product. 
53. Playfulness with coworkers. 
54. More work experience 
55. That I am slowly going to stop taking antidepressants. 
56. A plan for happiness. 
57. PCNs
58. Re-meeting S. 
59. hanging out with people after church
60. Swimming with J and his family.
61. Swimming with my sister and her family. 
62. Swimming with SJ. 
63. Swimming with K. 
64. Hot springs. 
65. Hot springs with A and A. 
66. BC
67. Mountains in BC 
68. Safe drives. 
69. Winter tires. 
70. That J put on my tires for me. 
71. The story of Stuff
72. Frost
73. Pd days
74. Learning ideas.
75. Teaching ideas. 
76. Playing charades in the hot springs. 
77. Friends who drive. 
78. Babies
79. Playing boggle with A and A
80. And pictionary
81. And catch phrase
82. A's grandpa's cabin. 
83. Her family. 
84. The beautiful place where the cabin is. 
85. I finished a painting. 
86. Afternoon heat. 
87. Tutoring job. 
88. Amazing neighbours. 
89. That share cookies. 
90. And garden goods. 
91. And conversations. 
92. Insights about life!
93. Thankful for sharing food with friends. 
94. Ideas for vegan potato patties. 
95. Lots of work last month. 
96. Less work this month. Maybe. 
97. Fall. 
98. Crunchy leaves. 
99. Sunshine. 
100. Baking buns.
101. Pasta
102. Quick meals
103. Vegan tacos 
104. Udon noodles. 
105. Wood burning stoves. 
106. Playing with fire. 
107. Sleeping next to my wife. 
108. Learning from my coworker M. 
109. The possibility of more hours next semester. 
110. Coworkers who choose to work less. 
111. Assessments 
112. Water
113. Fish pond at school
114. Time to relax
115. Yoga
116. Sleep
117. I am thankful for people who care about me. 
118. Friends who have fun
119. And those I can care about. 

Thanksgiving (1001-1400)

1. Thankful for my wife. 
2. I am thankful for her persistence. 
3. For her understanding. 
4. For her compassion. 
5. For her love. 
6. I am thankful we found each other. 
7. I am thankful for the counsellor I saw, B. 
8. Thankful he didn't believe in conversion therapy, even if I wanted to. 
9. Thankful for the ways he helped me deal with anxiety. 
10. The ways he helped me accept myself. 
11. His ability to understand my situation better than I could. 
12. His willingness to help me. 
13. His openness. 
14. I am thankful for my counsellor K.
15. For her excitement about my relationship with SJ. 
16. For her desire to get to the root cause of issues. 
17. For her kindness. 
18. For her acceptance. 
19. For her friendliness. 
20. I am grateful that I had the chance to sub in the evenings. 
21. For the students I was able to teach. 
22. For my motivation to plan. 
23. For the structure I brought in the classroom. 
24. For the student who thanked me for my passion. 
25. For the willingness of the students to participate. 
26. For the chance to connect more with my coworker L. 
27. The way she asked me about my wife. 
28. ESL go fish style games. 
29. My students who threw a birthday party for me. 
30. Yummy cake that they bought. 
31. The card they gave me. 
32. Dancing together with them. 
33. Music. 
34. Thankful for our friends A and A. 
35. Thankful that we can be ourselves around them. 
36. Thankful they like board games. 
37. And word games. 
38. And that they came over to play games with us. 
39. And for their Mexican party. 
40. The piñata. 
41. The new people I met. 
42. Friendly conversations. 
43. The ability to believe that gay relationships can last. 
44. For my coworkers. 
45. Interesting conversations in the staff room. 
46. Daily crossword puzzles. 
47. Comparing answers with my coworker F. 
48. Messages from my niece. 
49. I am thankful for Duolingo. 
50. I am thankful my Spanish is slowly improving. 
51. I am thankful that the bus stopped to pick me up. 
52. I am thankful for the sunshine helping my tomato plants to grow.
53. For rain. 
54. I am thankful for friends that help me learn Spanish. 
55. For my job. 
56. For the community of coworkers.   
57. For my desire to do well. 
58. That this job is less stressful than jobs in the past. 
59. That different is beautiful. 
60. That I could talk to my students about harassment. 
61. For Canadian rules against harassment. 
62. That my students think I'm kind. 
63. Bubble tea. 
64. Teaching ideas that come from subbing. 
65. SJ's skills. 
66. That people at work miss her. 
67. That other people recognize her value too. 
68. Stat holidays. 
69. My sister's church. 
70. The way they cared for her family. 
71. The meals they provided. 
72. The familiar songs they sang. 
73. My nephew's birthday party. 
74. His friends. 
75. My nieces birthday party. 
76. That I get new nieces now that I married SJ. 
77. That one called me her aunt. 
78. That I get new nephews too. 
79. For SJ's parents. 
80. The way they adopt me. 
81. The way they care about us. 
82. The remedies they send us. 
83. Their concern for our health. 
84. When SJ and I have a chance just to cuddle and talk. 
85. Our inside jokes. 
86. Our mutual friends. 
87. Cookies from our neighbours. 
88. Silly phone games. 
89. Cultures. 
90. Friendly interaction with man at bus stop. 
91. That I didn't give him misleading information. 
92. That he didn't hit on me. 
93. Thankful that I could drive safely during the wind storm. 
94. Thankful that I don't drink and drive.
95. Thankful for bunny rabbits. 
96. And birds. 
97. And toilets. 
98. And shoes. 
99. And my student who likes purple. 
100. I am thankful it is possible to learn new languages. 
101. I'm thankful for the LDS chapel where I've spent most of my time. 
102. For its location. 
103. For its familiarity. 
104. For the community space. 
105. The opportunity to be there tonight with SJ's family. 
106. That I met my friend G there. 
107. And that I met SJ there. 
108. That the chance to talk with R there tonight. 
109. His patience. 
110. His willingness to allow me to practice my Spanish. 
111. The way it reminded me of the first time I met SJ.
112. L's smile. 
113. Her singing. 
114. Her dancing. 
115. Her family's generosity. 
116. Tres leches cake. 
117. Tao - leftover food. 
118. Lots of plums. 
119. Lettuce. 
120. Jello. 
121. Tasty meat. 
122. Yummy pasta. 
123. Days off. 
124. Free parking. 
125. Translation services. 
126. My car that keeps going. 
127. The chance to see my sister again before she moves north. 
128. Story time with my niece L. 
129. Her interest in my life. 
130. The power of stories. 
131. Crazy Canadian weather. 
132. Sushi. 
133. Ramen. 
134. The generosity of my sisters. 
135. Fresh raspberries. 
136. Fresh strawberries. 
137. The short, but capable growing season. 
138. My wife who calms me when I feel anxious. 
139. Charades!
140. The happy memories of playing charades. 
141. Beavers. 
142. Smart board to use in my level one classroom today. 
143. Opportunities to work with youth. 
144. Police check. 
145. An understanding of my feelings. 
146. Students who stick up for me.
147. Cucumbers
148. Pain ends. 
149. My understanding of residential schools. 
150. I'm thankful when we can admit we did wrong. 
151. And that change is possible. 
152. I'm thankful for forgiveness. 
153. That cultures can adapt and grow. 
154. The time I spent at the university. 
155. Challenging professors. 
156. Both the professors who challenged me, and for the times I challenged them. 
157. Lakes and beaches. 
158. SJ's family. 
159. The time I got to spend with them. 
160. That they got to meet my mom. 
161. Spontaneous lesson plans. 
162. Sleep
163. Rainbows in the sky. 
164. Rainbows in malls. 
165. Rainbows on clothing. 
166. My so very supportive wife. 
167. The way she looks after me and understands me. 
168. Every time I drive my car, and it doesn't break. 
169. Warm weather. 
170. Air conditioning. 
171. That SJ's bone doesn't hurt. 
172. Our bodies' ability to heal. 
173. My bank. 
174. Online banking. 
175. Mosaic mentality. 
176. People who feel welcome. 
177. Coworkers. 
178. That my job is with adults. 
179. My bed. 
180. The woman who shares my bed. 
181. Cuddling at night. 
182. My name.
183. Thankful I know my way around the university. 
184. Grateful for my writing class. 
185. Grateful for my philosophy class. 
186. Thankful for generous lawyers who notarize for free. 
187. Thankful for friendly neighbours who give us free veggies. 
188. Thankful for gardens. 
189. Thankful for our growing season. 
190. Thankful for a positive chat with the neighbour upstairs. 
191. Thankful for field trips. 
192. Thankful that PR stuff is almost ready to send.
193. Photos we took. 
194. Friends we have. 
195. Home baked cookies. 
196. Sharing with our neighbours. 
197. Gardening with our neighbours. 
198. Field trips to city hall. 
199. Flexibility. 
200. Ideas for teaching. 
201. A reusable water bottle. 
202. General peace in my neighbourhood. 
203. SJ's recovery. 
204. Her ability to walk a little. 
205. The chance to say goodbye to her family. 
206. The acceptance from her family of our relationship. 
207. Healthy meals. 
208. Flowing water. 
209. Ability to wake up. 
210. Our nap yesterday. 
211. Government funding for projects. 
212. My friend J. 
213. His flexibility and willingness to be my friend even though sometimes I am distant. 
214. Birthdays, as an excuse to catch up with people. 
215. Innovation of my coworkers. 
216. Creative looking buildings in Calgary. 
217. Daily free newspapers. 
218. Happy news. 
219. The coming end of the semester. 
220. Lazy days. 
221. Teen volunteer at work. 
222. Playing games with kids. 
223. Going outside for work. 
224. Running yesterday, even it is almost killed me. 
225. Sore muscles. That means I have muscles. 
226. B and T and that they came to visit. 
227. Our discussion about church together. 
228. B's willingness to help us out. 
229. PR paper work that is almost done!
230. Naps. 
231. Humanity
232. Safety
233. Home. 
234. A place to go home where my girl is waiting for me. 
235. That my doctor's appointment tomorrow is cancelled. 
236. My doctor. 
237. That after running, I caught the bus. 
238. I got a seat on the bus. 
239. Games to play with my students. 
240. The end of the semester is near. 
241. Ideas. 
242. Potluck
243. Eavesdropping. 
244. I am thankful to know about my schedule for next year. 
245. Thankful that I can apply for new jobs. 
246. Job interviews. 
247. Police who volunteer for me. 
248. Canada's position against domestic violence. 
249. Homophobia becoming less socially acceptable 
250. Friendly people 
251. Interesting games
252. The competition in my class today. 
253. That I could invite teacher M to join our class game. 
254. Time to work on my course today. 
255. Ice cream and pie. 
256. Apples from apple trees. 
257. Fruit that grows in Canada. 
258. Friendly neighbours who share. 
259. I am thankful to have hope for better tenants upstairs. 
260. Summer that feels like summer. 
261. That SJ can walk a bit. 
262. Recovery is possible. 
263. Similar experiences that I can share with my friend J when she is feeling depressed. 
264. The place I worked when I worked for a catering company. 
265. My mini tomato that is growing on my tomato plant. 
266. Student conferences are done. 
267. Students who passed. 
268. Students who will benefit from repeating. 
269. Students who are thankful. 
270. Students who are thankful regardless of their marks. 
271. Candy from coworkers. 
272. Commitment from the CLB 1 class. 
273. Freedom of religion. 
274. Freedom of speech. 
275. Freedom to gather. 
276. Freedom to not be discriminated against. 
277. That I don't need to live with fear in my life. (Even if I am still anxious)
278. Festivals. 
279. Shakespeare for free. 
280. Free festivals. 
281. Reasons to leave the house. 
282. The way SJ holds me and loves me when I cry. 
283. The peace I feel with her. 
284. The safety I have to explore my emotions when I am with her. 
285. I am thankful for libraries. 
286. I am thankful for books 
287. That I can read. 
288. The fast train. 
289. Feminine hygiene options. 
290. Pride in Calgary. 
291. Friends to play games with. 
292. An ability to help new people. 
293. The ability and free time to help friends. 
294. Sleep. 
295. Teaching students. 
296. New neighbours. 
297. The old neighbours are gone. 
298. Every tomato on my tomato plants, I've counted 11!
299. Lunch break. 
300. People who support the LGBTQ community. 
301. Thankful for my knowledge of Spanish. 
302. Por una otra iglesia. 
303. Por la conversión con mis vecinos. 
304. Por los estudiantes quienes hablan español. 
305. Por el sol. 
306. Por muchas horas de trabajo. 
307. Por perros calmas. 
308. Por comida. 
309. Por mi doctora. 
310. Pos los medicinas. 
311. Por yoga. 
312. Por mi cama. 
313. Por la tiempos yo siento tranquila. 
314. Por mi esposa y su trabajo en mi trabajar. 
315. Por mi nuevo amigo De la Iglesia. 
316. Por libros yo puedo leer. 
317. Por libros en español. 
318. Por libros para niños. 
319. Por la paciencia de mi esposa. 
320. Por niños. 
321. I am thankful that I didn't just witness an accident (even if I saw some crazy driving)
322. For the food bank. 
323. For the time I got to spend outside today. 
324. That I don't have to drive. 
325. For Mexican stores 
326. Por flores de Jamaica. 
327. Por bibliotecas. 
328. Por más motivación ser vegana. 
329. Por todo la comida en mi casa. 
330. Por qué you puedo hacer comida. 
331. Manzanas de Canadá. 
332. Toda la fruta de Canadá. 
333. Por la endurece de mi esposa. 
334. Por la cabello de mi esposa. 
335. Por su corte de pelo. 
336. Por siestas. 
337. Yo puedo hacer pie de manzana. 
338. Y por helados. 
339. Y roles de canela. 
340. I'm thankful for my new class. 
341. I'm thankful that my coworker keeps asking me to sub. 
342. I am thankful I grew up speaking English. 
343. I am thankful I continue to learn and understand English. 
344. For my ability to teach the language. 
345. That I began writing again. 
346. That the sun shone on my tomato plants today. 
347. The nearly full moon. 
348. Democracy. 
349. The chance I will have to vote. 
350. Freedom to have opinions. 
351. Generous people. 
352. The courage I've gained through many experiences and much practice to talk with strangers. 
353. That I am going home to my wife. 
354. Productivity today. 
355. That my wife has a great relationship with her parents. 
356. For my friend B. 
357. For her honesty. 
358. And her willingness to be my friend regardless of my choices.
359. For her husband T. 
360. For his kindness. 
361. For their hard work. 
362. And their example. 
363. I am grateful for the body's ability to heal. 
364. That my wife can walk. 
365. That she is improving every day. 
366. For healthy habits we can have. 
367. For yoga. 
368. The way yoga helps me feel less anxious. 
369. Stories from Bolivia. 
370. Cookbook from Bolivia. 
371. Happy reminders of my dad. 
372. Happy dreams. 
373. The courage of my niece J. 
374. The happiness of my niece L. 
375. And her thoughtfulness. 
376. The helpfulness of my nephew G. 
377. The love of my niece M. 
378. And the easygoingness of my niece A. 
379. I am grateful that my mom can be in a happy relationship again. 
380. I am grateful for V's kindness. 
381. His ability to play guitar. 
382. His gentleness. 
383. The way he plays with my nieces and nephew. 
384. His adventurous spirit. 
385. The respect he has. 
386. That he is hard working. 
387. And he kayaks. 
388. And bikes. 
389. And camps. 
390. And cooks. 
391. And brings joy into my mom's life. 
392. That he has travelled 
393. And has many stories to share. 
394. That he loves to learn 
395. And discover new things. 
396. That he cares for his mom
397. And for my mom. 
398. That he is easygoing 
399. Kind 
400. Accepting. 

Where's the Peace?

There is peace in Christ
When we’re straight like him
We’ll feel the love he felt for us
If we’re free from sins.
Listen to his words
Let them condemn me
If we know him and are cis
There is peace in Christ.

He gives us hope
Hope to be straight
He gives us strength
So we can’t move on
He gives us shelter
A closet to hide
When there’s no peace in me
Where’s the peace in Christ?

There is peace in Christ
If we sacrifice
The way he’s made us to be
If we lose ourselves
It will break our hearts
We’ll have tear-filled eyes
When we live as straight as him
There is peace in Christ.*

* Adapted from: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/youth/bc/youth/theme/2018/music/lyrics-sheets/peace-in-Christ-lyrics.pdf?lang=eng 

I am not bitter nor angry, just confused and not at peace.