Thankful

I am thankful for my wonderful family and friends. They have made a very challenging year filled with two deployments go by quickly.

Another Thanksgiving With my Bride

On Thanksgiving 2001, I wondered if it would be my last Thanksgiving with my beautiful wife. I wondered if her brain tumor would return. I wondered what I would do if it did. I thought (probably too much at times) about what life would be like without her (and thought it would seem very empty). 9 Thanksgivings later, I am so thankful that my bride, my soulmate, my best friend is making pies in our kitchen. My life is immeasurably richer because of her continued presence on this planet.

~Kneil

The Smile That Changes the World

Thankfully, it's fairly rare that I have a "bad" day. However, there are times when I might be a little frustrated, tired, or just have a bad attitude. I've noticed lately that it only takes a smile from Abi and a "daddy!" to change my whole world. To say that I'm thankful for that smile (and the whole person who flashes it at me) seems like a gross understatement, but I'll say it anyway.

~Kneil

I am thankful for my new niece, Ava. God is so faithful. Happy Thanksgiving-Marcy M, Denver, CO

Virginia Thanksgiving

I'm thankful to get to spend this "overlooked" holiday in VA with Kneil, Jodi and Abigail (and Zeke).

Thankful most of all to live in a free country to be able to worship freely. Thank you all who have served and continue to serve and sacrifice to keep America free.

Thankful for friends, family, church, Rhett, Precept class members, husband, husbands job, ability to fly to VA (finances), living in the state of Colorado, missionaryfriends around the world, etc. Not necessarily in the above order!!

Friends

This year I lost my puppy Winston to a brain tumor. I began to more clearly recognize how much our little furry friends teach us. So, it is Winston and all of our pets that I am most thankful for. Someone once told me that they did not like the way I said hello to them...probably 10 years ago now. "Why do you say hi to everyone like they are a dog or something" she said. I didn't realize what a compliment she paid me (certainly not her intention) until right now. Dogs greet us with unbounding enthusiasm, complete love and a loyalty we may never know from another living creature. What an amazing world it would be if we all greted, loved and supported eachother they we they do us. Winston was the best friend I have had in my life and I am truly thankful that he was given to me. No doubt by God to teach me what true love really is.

We are SO THANKFUL for the many blessing for ourselves and our family---our health, our happiness, our wonderful home and blessing of family and friends. Each day is a gift!! We are grateful for that.

Nicole and David Johnson