Years ago, I don’t know how it started, our family began a special Thanksgiving tradition. Each year my mom or as the entire family now refers to her Grammie passes out to each person two pieces of paper. We are then write two things we are thankful for that year. When we are each done writing them down they are placed in the “special” box. What I mean by “special” is that each year a different child is elected to create and decorate the box for that year. Needless to say there are some very creative boxes.

After the box is filled it is passed around the room and each person takes out two pieces of paper that are not theirs and reads them aloud.
There are always tears and laughter. The joy of reflecting on how God has blessed our lives every year always overwhelms us and we finish with a time of prayer.  Here are some of the things we are thankful for this year. Feel free to share some of your own.

TAMI’S Thankful for…

The gift of family. I can’t imagine what our life would have been like had God not intervened in my families life and restored my parents marriage. Praise the Lord! His (my Savior’s) daily strength. Without it none of us would be able to take this journey we have been on. Thank you Lord for all you are, all you’ve done, all your doing and all you will do. Your strength is perfect.

JOHN’S Thankful for…

I am most thankful this year for a family that is together. Not because we are or ever were at risk of being separated somehow, but because I have seen so many families that are not together. I take for granted my beautiful wife who I am deeply in love with, and also my two boys who I am so proud of. We are a family who knows the Lord, born again, each one of us. We have a great relationship with each other, not perfect, but great! I cannot think of anything to be more thankful of than this.

RICH JR’S Thankful for…

Every year I grow more and more thankful that God has protected our family allowed us to serve together in music ministry. This year is no different. I thank God again this year for allowing me to stand beside my wife and daughters and lift up the name of Christ through song.

I am thankful for my beautiful wife and that this year we celebrated 27years of marriage. I could never have imagined that God would give me such a precious gift in Lisa. Thank you Lord for my wife!!!

LISA’S Thankful for…

I am thankful this year for God’s protection of His ministry (CFM) that we are privileged to be a part of.  I am also thankful this year for the Godly men that Breana and Jacquelyn are dating. Both have proved to be “keepers”!

BRE’S Thankful for…

I am thankful for my Great Dane, Coraline, who provides me with hours of cheap entertainment. And I am thankful for God’s unwavering faithfulness and provision.

JACKIE’S Thankful for…

I am so thankful that God has continued to bless our ministry. He is our faithful provider, taking care of us in His perfect timing! I am thankful for the hard times our team has gone through this year so that we could grow as a ministry together.

I am also very thankful for the people God has brought into my life over the past few years. To list a few…
Brooke, I am so glad to have this girl in my life and as a part of my family.
Rick and Teresa, I have learned so much from the two of them. They are just amazing people and I feel blessed to be so close to them and to have them in my life.
And last, Micah who is the most incredible boyfriend I could ever dream for (I know this is sappy, but it’s true). He has been my best friend through all my bad times and all my good the past couple years. I could never ask for a better friend! And he’s super good lookin… sooooo BONUS!