Thankful Thursday

A friend of mine started having a "Thankful Thursday" entry on her blog and encouraged others to join in. I LOVE the idea, so here's my first Thankful Thursday entry. I'm very thankful for Operation Christmas Child and all of the children touched by this ministry. It is amazing to me the stories of how God uses each box for a specific child. The children are amazed when they open their box to reveal what they had wished for or better. Here's a few of the boxes our church filled:

I'm thankful for my three handsome sons who each picked out special items to go in the boxes they packed for three little boys (Catherine & I packed two for little girls, although she had a hard time parting with the new little girl things that were going to others). I love how great their minds are and how they're learning with each other and friends and strangers to try and think of others - not that they have that lesson learned yet, but that they're getting there.
I'm thankful for a beautiful little daughter who is so much entertainment. I love to hear her say "clean" when she gets out of the bath. I love that she poses for pictures like this one:

I'm thankful for a wonderful husband of 15 years that is willing to stay with the kids while I go on a retreat (I am also thankful for a wonderful retreat packed with Christian fellowship with some awesome ladies of God and for God's words to me regarding risk and moving to England), stay home to help with sick kids, loves me unconditionally & grows closer to God and me every day - he's the best!

I am thankful that my sick kids are getting better, my son's broken tooth will get fixed by the dentist today, and that we have wonderful extended families that love us and send us wonderful gifts & love us even when we're so busy we don't get to call or write them very often. I am also VERY thankful for our church family - Covenant Presbyterian Church - they are such a blessing to our family and they are family to us while we are so far away from our relatives - yay!!