One Thousand Gifts {part 21}

It's been awhile since I've posted my list of 1000 Gifts.  While I've been continuing to count in my journal at home, that pesky little thing called, oh...real life has been getting in the way of my blogging about it!  But I've missed the joy of typing all of these beautifully captured moments here, in word and picture.  So, with the profusion of Spring all around me, I continue making my way to 1000:

746.  basket of fuchsias outside my window, greeting me with bright burst of pink each morning

747.  evening of nachos and laughs with friends

748.  studying honeybees--such fascinating and vitally important creatures!

749.  MOPS tea--time of connection and community

750.  sounds of nature at dusk

751.  spotting Baltimore Orioles!

752.  stranger giving my kids food to feed birds at the park

753.  bullfrog's deep surprising croak

754.  warm banana bread with Trappist Plum jam

755.  candle-lit dinner at home with husband

756.  quick supper fixes after busy days outdoors!

757.  cat birds at the feeder

758.  blueberry blossom honey butter on crescents

759.  rainy day toys to liven up the "pre-dinner witching hour"

760.  stacks and stacks of children's books from bargain store!

761.  finding this old childhood favorite:

762.  stranger who gave me a coupon--extra 30% off!

763.  giddy kids pouring over mountain of new books

764.  lunch with the kids at local "dive"--greasy hotdogs with pepper relish & chocolatey milkshakes

765.  listening to "Peter and the Wolf" with the kids

766.  shadow puppets

...more to come




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One Thousand Gifts (part 16)

This week the beauty of Fall has been all around. From gorgeous sunshiny afternoons outside to apple-baked goodness, we have been soaking up every bit of this golden season while it lasts. And so I continue to count the many ways the Lord blesses me each day:



365. Thrill of finding a bird's nest!

366. Halloween craft fun

367. a good night of sleep

368. sunshine after several days of rain

369. gorgeous afternoon outside with the kids gathering up the beauty of God's creation





370. getting "filled up" by good friends


371. looking through old artwork with the kids--Laughing at toddler projects and enjoying the wonder of development



372. husband's help with housework

373. getting help from others where it was needed!

374. homemade macaroni and cheese--so gooey and delicious




375. the smell of Fall in the air

376-386. birthday celebration: Gorgeous weather, Fall fun at the farm, corn maze, apple cider, pumpkin latte, hayride, pumpkin patch, presents, and popcorn. Such an amazing day of gifts!

...more to come

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One Thousand Gifts (part 15)

The seasons are definitely changing. With Fall's arrival there's a shift in the air. While flowers in the garden wilt and fade, hints of autumn's splendor come creeping in-- cool crisp nights, the smell of wood stoves burning. With this season of change, of shifting, I continue to count the ways the Lord is always present, always giving:

332. New year of MOPS beginning--new friendships, connections and growth


333. tear-talk with sister


334. Adam's self-portrait



335. the smell of scotch tape


336. sunny September play date of baked apples and new friends. Seeing the Lord working His miracle of connecting new lives.


337. a tidy house at the end of a full day. Ready for another dawn.


338. Gorgeous sunlight on a day that called for rain


339. the fun of trying new recipes


340. discovering new blogs that encourage and inspire-kindred spirits across the expanse


341. finding a rhythm for the new school year, settling into new routines


342. homemade French Onion soup to chase away the sniffles



343. sweet precious daughter turning 2



344. 3 year old son's sudden and unexpected interest in learning to read!


345. daughter's pronunciation of "mohhh-key" (monkey) and "puuuhhh-kin" (pumpkin)-so hilarious and adorable


346. husband's second interview for new job!


347. tomato plants continuing to give ripe juicy tomatoes though vines yellow and wilt



348. cricket song


349. old photos and the reminiscing that comes from them


350. foot rub from husband-feeling so loved


351. ice cream cake for daughter's birthday. Orange everywhere!



352. tiny new nephew brought safely into the world


353. cold medicine that makes the symptoms better


...more to come

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Remembering: A Way to Give Thanks

"Remembering is an act of Thanksgiving, a way of thanksgiving, this turn of the heart over time's shoulder to see all the long way His arms have carried."
--excerpt from One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp


Have you ever thought that looking back on the past--on all the ways God has helped you in good times and in bad--is a way of giving thanks? When we pause to remember how God has carried us through the seasons of our lives, our hearts naturally swell with gratitude for His grace. Thinking of past pains and about the healing that has since occurred is a way to keep God close to our hearts. In remembering, we are made aware of how much we need Him and how He is always in control.


And we can also give thanks by remembering the good times--the times of laughter and joy. Since all good things come from God, then our most cherished memories--the ones we hold closest to our hearts--are like little gifts from heaven. Gifts given out of pure love from above. Calling these things to mind helps us learn more about the heart of God.


So take some time to remember this weekend. Think of the ways the Lord has helped you weather life's storms. And think of the happy times, too. Remember long the days gone by of sunshine, family and good times with friends. And in the remembering you are giving thanks to the Creator of all things, The One who teaches us how to love, by sharing His grace with us day by day.

Weekend Reflection: I Thank You God

i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun's birthday; this is the birth
day of life and of love and wings: and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any--lifted from the no
of all nothing--human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

-e.e. cummings


This is one of my absolute favorite poems of all time (and, incidentally one of my favorite poets as well!). In all we do over the weekend, take a moment to give thanks to God for this most amazing day. Take time to really notice the "leaping greenly spirits of trees and a true blue dream of sky". There is a feast for our senses all around us if only we are willing to walk with the "ears of {our} ears awake and the eyes of {our} eyes opened."


I want to share with you a gorgeous musical setting of this poem, by a very talented composer Gwyneth Walker. (It makes me cry every time I listen to it!) Music just has a way of stirring my soul and making words come alive to me. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

One Thousand Gifts (part 13)

Inspired by Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts, I am making a list of 1000 things I am thankful for. Everyday miracles, gifts from above. Here is my continuing journey:

232. Wild goofy sweaty heart-pounding dancing to oldies with the kids


233. paper airplanes with the boys and the wonder of making flight from folding




234. roasted garlic


235. antibiotics for sick children


236. son wearing floppy bike helmet


237. peonies in bloom




238. day at the flea market and appreciation of hard labor


239. planting vegetable garden


240. night out with husband at mexican restaurant


241. 2 hour nap


242. son bringing me wild flower




243. watching bunnies out the window with daughter




244. daughter eating her first taco!


245. cooking with fresh garden herbs by the handful, fingers lingering fragrant aroma




246. smell of summer in the air


247. summer veggies on the grill


248. homemade honey butter




249. back pain healing


250. new friendships


251. the happy homey mess that comes from baking




252. the renewed optimism and hope of a new day


253. warm, kind encouraging words from woman at church when I needed them most


254. first nectarines of summer




255. beautiful sincere simple love letter from husband




256. bright red bug against bright green leaf


...more to come

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One Thousand Gifts (part 12)

Inspired by Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts, I am making a list of 1000 things I am thankful for. Everyday miracles, gifts from above. Here is my continuing journey:

211. golden raspberry bush's little white blossoms


212. Seeing Immaculee Ilibagiza speak--testimony of inspiring faith, message of profound forgiveness and love

image source


213. Evening out with Kevin and wonderful Mother-in-law who watched kids for us


214. fresh mixed berries



215. smell of apple cake baking in the oven


216. cold egg rolls!


217. kind loving words from husband offered spontaneously


218. discovering new section of local library full of wonderful books!


219. Breve Creme coffee creamer made with real cream-so yummy!




220. son's high fever breaking


221. waking up healthy!


222. male cardinal tenderly feeding his mate


223. driving alone at night with the radio loud


224. homemade bruschetta




225. heaven clouds out my front window


226. sun poking through the clouds after 6 straight days of rain


227. sitting by sunlit window--warmth and gentle breeze on my face


228. Big beautiful gentle horse with intelligent eyes. Feeling his hot breath and soft lips tickling my fingers. Awe of God's creation


229. damp cool fragrant air of Spring night wafting through bedroom window


230. loving husband who puts children to bed while I take a much needed nap


231. pumpkin seeds germinating, miracle of growth and new life




...more to come

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