Give Thanks

This week marked the halfway point of Nick's deployment: he's been gone for 3 months and will be gone for another 3 months. Today is Thanksgiving. Christmas is just a month away and New Year's is right after that. Nick will miss all of it. He won't be here to share the family's turkey dinner, attend a candlelight service at church, watch his children open their presents, or kiss me at midnight. And while he is missing these things he will be missed, especially by me.

But it's not the end of the world. It's just a day on a calendar that tells us to celebrate when, in reality, we should be celebrating every day in our hearts. Giving thanks and celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, are personal affairs. I need to daily rejoice in my Lord and celebrate His life (and death) which He gave for me. I'm so thankful, today and every day, that I married a man who wholeheartedly agrees. He said it best in his Thanksgiving letter to the family:

Dear Tay, Mom, Dad, Austin, Hudson and Rowan,

To my favorite people in the world... Happy Thanksgiving guys! I just wanted you to know that I'm thinking about all of you and missing you dearly. I just woke up in the middle of my normal sleep cycle in order to partake in the chow hall's attempt at a Thanksgiving feast. Let's just say the 30-45 minute wait was hardly worth it. The turkey was overcooked, the yams undercooked, the egg nog had an odd and discomforting taste to it... even the pumpkin pie was a bit off. They really tried and the effort was evident (there was a plethora of over-the-top decorations as well as a considerable amount of pageantry involved with the overall presentation) but alas, they just couldn't pull it off.

Looking around the dining facility, I didn't see anyone else from the night crew inside. Rather than sit elbow-to-elbow with a pack of strangers to "enjoy" my meal, I decided to grab my food to go and headed back to the comfort and solitude of my room. I figured that if I couldn't enjoy the company of the ones I love, I might as well put on an episode of Arrested Development and spend it with the beloved Bluth Family. As I watched our dysfunctional heroes stumble their hapless way through another hilarious series of blunders, I pictured being in the living room with you all and it brought a smile to my face.

In my mind, Dad is laying there on the floor, chuckling hysterically at the Bluth family's latest series of misadventures and in doing so, lighting up the room with his unbridled joy in that magical, care-free way that only Dad can. Hudson and Rowan are running around the house, chasing each other and being the cutest things ever. Austin is giving Mom a well-deserved hug for a delicious meal. Tay is right in front of me, enjoying a much-needed shoulder massage. Ah... this is the good life, I thought. And, thanks to you all, this is what the future holds for me. Or I suppose I should say, if I am to give credit where it is due, thanks be to God.

As painful as it is to be away from you all on this blessed day, I am reminded that I have so much to be thankful for. Indeed, God has blessed me with the greatest family in the world. Beautiful children... wonderful and loving adopted parents... an awesome brother-in-law with a heart of gold... and the best wife and companion a man could ever ask for. For the first time in my life, I truly feel loved and appreciated. And as hard as it is to be away from you all right now, I realize fully just how much I have to be thankful for.

In closing, I wanted to share with you one of my all-time favorite hymns. Most likely, you've probably already heard it. It has been on my heart heavily today and I hope it will touch you the same way it has touched me.

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks unto the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks unto the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us"
And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us"

Happy Thanksgiving you guys. I love you and miss you all!

Love, Nick