Giving Thanks

November 26, 2010

Giving Thanks

We have so much to be thankful for this year. God has blessed us with our sweet baby gift in Laura who is healthy and such a darling joy. We have our full of energy, curious and playful Will who lights up our world. Our families have had another year of good health, and while the economy isn't kind to anyone right now we're all doing fine. We are about to get a new sister-in-law, when my brother marries his sweet fiance this June. We found out last week that we are being transferred to Alabama in February which will put us about three short hours from our family (after 5 years of 10-12 hrs respectively, 3 hrs is fantastic). We have a great house here in Woodbridge that holds a roof over our head, food in our kitchen and a heater to keep us warm. We have each other and as we come up on our 7th anniversary in February, neither of us is remiss to realize the treasure we have in our commitment to each other and that we can still make each other laugh - sometimes at each other and sometimes with each other. Ha!

We're thankful to watch Will's heart turn towards God at such a young age. He has started asking to pray before our dinner each night. He always starts with "Dear Jesus" and then thanks Him for the people who love him and he loves by name and then closes with a hearty "Amen." He loves to read the stories in His Bible and recently he has learned to sing "Jesus Loves Me." Sometimes I hear him in the other room playing his guitar or the piano while singing the words which just touches my heart completely. As strong willed and trying as this little kiddo can be, we are blessed beyond words that he is ours and we get to watch him grow into the man God is calling him to be.

As our time in Woodbridge draws to a close, we are very aware of how richly God has blessed us while here. When we moved to the area we didn't know anyone. Over the last five years we have made countless friends, some who still live here while others have moved on from this transient area, and a terrific support system while we are far from our families. We were reminded of this gift again yesterday on Thanksgiving when we shared the big meal with two of these families. When Nate and I reflect upon what we are thankful for this year we are well aware and grateful for each of these individuals, couples and families who have shared their lives with us while watching our families grow, celebrating the victories, embracing the valleys and laughing sometime hysterically along the way.

Thanksgiving at the Spencer's House