What I'm Thankful For (by Thom)

Several years back - when I started working in radio - I had to work every Thanksgiving. This was before a lot of radio stations began automating things (I'm not old, but I'm feeling like it a bit right now!) and someone had to be at the station. I decided to make the best of it and during my time speaking on the air I shared bits of "What I'm thankful for...." every 15 minutes or so. I've continued that tradition here at mcmali.com for the last couple of years, as well. Here's the 2006 version and here's what I wrote about our first Thanksgiving in Mali in 2005.
I am so very thankful for my family. Amanda is a great wife who loves the girls a lot and puts up with more than I'll ever understand by staying at home with the twins. Miriam is a little bundle of energy and personality and I'm thankful to be a part of her life and her adventurous spirit. Hannah is more reserved and loves to cuddle, read books, and can sit and stare into your eyes for a long time. I am thankful for her quiet strength and gentile, affectionate personality.
I'm thankful for the wonderful gift of grace. I wouldn't be anywhere without it.
I'm thankful that God gives us different gifts. I'm not gifted at preaching but I'm very good with math and computers and, amazingly enough, there's a place for those gifts on the mission field!
I'm thankful for the wonderful support we received when we were in the US this past spring. We were so encouraged to meet so many people who had prayed for our family. I'm also thankful for all the feedback we continue to get. Emails are wonderful! (hint, hint)
I'm thankful for our upcoming vacation opportunity to spend the month of December in the United States and have our first Christmas with family since 2004. It will be the girls' 2nd Christmas but first with family.
Thanks to all who stop by this blog! Your (virtual) fellowship is why we do this site.

Oh, one quick final note: we are the only Alliance missionaries in our town now so we've decided to invite over some Malian friends tonight for a traditional American meal that is NOT a traditional Thanksgiving meal. We'll be having pizza! I'm going to try and explain the history of the holiday in French. I've been practicing but I'm still praying all goes well.