give thanks.

I've been doing a lot of thinking these past few days as Thanksgiving is approaching us (still can't believe it's tomorrow) and have been meditating on what I'm thankful for over this past year specifically. As my mind was racing through all the transition, hardships, fun times, new people we've met, new culture and language we learned, and all the change that Steve and I have gone through, I realized that there will NEVER be another year like this past one.

Living in Tanzania and having our first precious child were and are HUGE transitions that have forever changed me and Steve. When I think about a year ago today - we were probably on an overly crowded, stuffy daladala going to visit our friends Lucy or Andrew; or perhaps we were hanging out at our house or visiting our neighbors. Our life over there seems light years away, especially now as I look at my life and we're back in America living in an amazing place as parents to a new baby boy. Wow how things have changed.

In the midst of all this change in our lives, Steve and I have so much to be thankful for - so much that it's overwhelming actually - so I wanted to share just a few of these things:

1. Providing the finances and support for us to serve in Tanzania for a year

2. Working alongside Hayden, the McBrides, and other missionaries in Dar es Salaam

3. Meeting Lucy, Elias, George, Mama Nuru and their families in TZ and the impact they had on our lives

4. Keeping us safe in Dar

5. Teaching us how to have the Lord as our true joy and delight even in the midst of struggle

6. Keeping me and Caleb healthy throughout the 7 months of my pregnancy in Tanzania

7. The Lord's comfort and peace that He bestowed upon us in doubting and troubling times

8. Allowing both of our parents to come visit us in Dar

9. Using us as His hands and feet to spread the Gospel through the Plan a Better Business classes

10. Mkombozi Group - a group of Tanzanians who stepped up as leaders and took the initiative to continue Plan a Better Business classes without missionary support

11. Humbling us throughout our time in Dar

12. Allowing us to see with our own eyes some of the most beautiful parts of God's creation - the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, and so much more

13. Providing Steve a job that allows me to stay at home with Caleb

14. Providing us with a house in what we think is the best part of the city that's affordable and meets our needs

15. The continual love and overwhelming support from both of our parents

16. My parents' hard work of painting, building various things, and overall generosity throughout our transition to Richmond

17. And obviously we are ever-so-thankful for our new bundle of joy - Caleb Stephen - that he was 100% healthy

Thought I'd post some pics from last year's Thanksgiving just for kicks:

Our very own turkey shipped specially from Dubai (no turkeys in Tanzania would look that good)

As you can tell, Steve and I both were SUPER excited about our Thanksgiving meal with our fellow missionary friends...we hadn't eaten that good in months!