One Thousand of My Gifts

photo courtesy of Ann Voskamp www.aholyexperience.com

Continuing my count of one thousand gifts, numbering each one.

53. Tears of grief and so much love
54. Crisp, clean sheets
55. Heavy down comforter pulled up to my chin
56. Sparkling trees in the morning sun
57. My mom's chicken and dumplings
58. Mother/Daughter time...when I'm the daughter
59. Excellent food whose flavor and aroma just leave you speechless
60. A new broom
61. Vase of daffodils inside while the wind howls outside
62. Tulips from my husband
63. The smell of new carpet
64. Telling the story of Jesus' death and resurrection to those who haven't heard it before
65. Having our kids understand that Jesus died to save us
66. Watching Reagan take communion for the first time and knowing that she understands the meaning of it.
67. The giddy laughter an Easter egg hunt brings.

One Thousand of My Gifts

photo courtesy Ann Voskamp www.aholyexperience.com

Continuing my count of one thousand gifts, numbering each one.

48. A true day of rest
49. Healthy children
50. Gently falling snow
51. Electric Mattress Pad for a warm bed
52. Singing "Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling" in church, a favorite

One Thousand of My Gifts

photo courtesy of Ann Voskamp at www.aholyexperience.com

Continuing my count of one thousand gifts, numbering each one.

39. Supper with my parents and sister, catching up.

40. Reminder of Ash Wednesday and HIS ultimate sacrifice

41. Excitement bubbling over for our annual Valentine's Scavenger Hunt

42. Unexpected romance

43. Love note

44. Date night

45. Taking a great sunset photo and just the right moment

46. Screams and yelling while enjoying a hotel pool

47. A quiet hotel room to sleep off a cold

One Thousand of My Gifts

photo courtesy of Ann Voskamp www.aholyexperience.com

Continuing my count of one thousand gifts, numbering each one.

33. Laughing with girlfriends til you cry
34. Surprised by Patrick's solo in show choir and his vocal talent
35. Reagan coming out of her shell and playing great basketball
36. Reagan's beaming smile after scoring basket
37. One-on-one girl time with Reagan
38. Sunshine after a rainy day

One Thousand of My Gifts

photo courtesy of Ann Voskamp at www.aholyexperience.com

Continuing my count of one thousand gifts, numbering each one.

26. Enjoying extra time at home with Pat and kids due to snow days
27. Hearing great things about our school and teachers
28. Compliments - received and given
29. Quick, easy and delicious supper
30. Laughing
31. Smiles on the faces of adorable toddlers
32. Rosy cheeks after playing outside

One Thousand of My Gifts

photo courtesy of Ann Voskamp of www.aholyexperience.com

Continuing my count of one thousand gifts, numbering each one.

20. Finding a new Pandora station to love- Piano music by Yiruma

21. Hearing Canon in D with ocean sounds

22. Lunch with a friend

23. Panera's Broccoli Cheese Soup

24. Beauty of an Amaryllis on a dreary day

25. Lunch with my husband at "our place"

One Thousand of My Gifts

photo courtesy of Ann Voskamp at www.aholyexperience.com

Continuing my count of One Thousand Gifts, numbering each one.

1000 Gifts

16. Warm blackberry cobbler with ice cream
17. Ending the day with a glass of red wine
18. Forgotten money arriving in the mail
19. Getting dressed up for a night out

One Thousand of My Gifts

photo courtesy of www.aholyexperience.com

Continuing my count of One Thousand Gifts, numbering each one.

1000 Gifts

9. Getting back on the treadmill after holiday eating
10. Downton Abbey Season 3 starting
11. Watching Patrick play his first middle school basketball game
12. Birthdays
13. A clean house
14. Giggling girls
15. Answered prayers

One Thousand of My Gifts

I have been following Ann Voskamp on Twitter and reading her blog for some time.  Last year I used her Page-A-Day calendar based on her book for my daily encouragement.  Her book, ONE THOUSAND GIFTS has been on my to-read list for at least a year.  (I know you are thinking, why haven't you read it yet???)   So, this year, I am determined to read ONE THOUSAND GIFTS and while I am reading it I will be keeping my own list of 1000 gifts.  I think this goes right along with my resolve to be happy, find the good in everything, and appreciate the small moments. I hope this will also inspire you to see God in the big and the small moments of life.

photo courtesy of www.aholyexperience.com by Ann Voskamp

I will try to post here on Sundays with an update to my list for each week.  Or you can always click on the link on the top right side of the blog labeled 1000 Gifts.

1000 GIFTS

1. Quiet house after the kids are back in school

2. Conversation with a 3 year old at Storytime.

3. Watching Reagan play with her baby doll and zhu zhu pets...long forgotten toys...and having a blast.

4. Pat renewing Sirius Radio for the van as a surprise to me.

5. Hearing songs and artists that I haven't heard in a long time like Jewel and "We Built This City" by Starship.

6. As I am lectoring in church about letting THE LIGHT come in at the start of our worship....the sun comes out and illuminates our church through the stained glass windows.
7. After nearly 8 months...finally having blinds on the windows again.
8. Homemade Cheeseburger Soup