Thanksgiving 2006 (by Thom)

1 Samuel 1:27 - I asked the LORD to give me this child, and he has given me my request.

We have a lot to be thankful for this year. The Lord has blessed Amanda and I with more than we could have asked for or expected. We prayed for a child and we were blessed with two beautiful and wonderful girls: Miriam Ruth and Hannah Marie.
Some other things we are thankful for this year:

• Our friends in Mali, both missionaries and Malians
• Hannah's improved health
• A doctor in Bamako who has helped us a lot with the girls
• Our family's love and support
• Our church family's love and support
• Miri's illuminating smile
• Hannah's deep, searching eyes
• Strength through sleepless nights
• That Amanda's dad and friend, Kathleen, could visit us in Mali
• Our prayer supporters
• Opportunities to serve, like in my video project for the local church

The list could go on and on. We have a lot to be grateful for this year. Thanks most of all to the Lord for His perfect and undeserved gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. His example of love makes it possible to show love to our girls and each other.