The Link

If you wish to join me and the community of gratitude in some way or want to know the source of the idea, here's the link:

Literature

I am SO thankful for books. Literature has been a gift in my adulthood that went undiscovered in my youth. I relish the privilege of owning them! And I love that I can buy books new, used and on-line...or just borrow from a friend or library. Going to bookstores, new and used, has become a favorite, if infrequent, past time. I have two great friends that continually feed me good book recommendations. Without them, I would still be floundering...thank you Naomi and Amy! I have encouraged Naomi to blog a reading list because she is SO widely read AND has excellent taste. I'll let you know if one emerges.

My paper hanging lamp is a gift to me as well. It hangs over an old-fashioned white chair in our library...one of our reading nooks. We love our reading nooks!

Seventeen gifts total blogged. Looking forward to the journey!

Fashion Inspiration

My daughter's love for fashion, style and beauty is a gift to me. I am enjoying watching her become a woman, finding her inner and outer beauty. She loves color, fabric and design. I am blessed with seeing her enjoy fashion without centering her life around it!

Pigtails

Can I be thankful for pigtails? There's been a lot of them around my house lately. They've made a comeback with all three of my daughters and I LOVE them! They are a gift to me and a reminder of simple beauty.

Number Four & Five

I'm thankful for Lily's creative hands AND her endless enjoyment of Legos. She made a teepee for her Lego people out of modeling clay yesterday. Genius!

Gift Number Three

My last big front tooth lost...OK, not mine, my youngest's. Already I see the final adult tooth appearing. I have to admit that I feel a little sad about it. But what I feel most is gratitude that I am able to enjoy it and notice it each and every time she smiles. One more step of growing up....please take it slow, my little one!

Blessing Number One

I know I do not have to prioritize my gratitude, but as I pondered my thankfulness for my husband it brought me back to the source. I'm most thankful for the gift of Jesus. My husband is so incredible to me because he gives me Jesus...he is Jesus to me. “Husbands love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it." I am filled with adoration for my husband as I watch him daily give himself for me. And this stirs in my heart a deep worship and reverence for God who came to earth serving and loving. How does he give himself for me? Is it how hard he works, his quickness to forgive my failings, his relentless propensity to understand me (even if I have to help him a little), his desire to protect and defend me, his persevering service to me, his gentle and unapologetic leadership? It's that in all these things (and more), HE LOVES ME. THIS is my Jesus. THIS is my beautiful friend, my most trusted companion and teacher.

So, I guess that's two gifts. I am abundantly blessed.

One Thousand Gifts

I decided to join a community of gratitude, to intentionally notice, capture, and dwell on the many gifts in my life. If you'd like to join me, here are some steps as recommended on www.aholyexperience.com. And if you do, I'd love to hear about it!

A few simple thoughts to begin the 1000 Gift List:

1. Pray that He may open the eyes of our hearts

2. Begin giving thanks for the daily washing in His fountain of Gifts--just on a scrap piece of paper or in a journal. Notice and write down from the obvious to little. And begin to feel more joy, less stress, better health, more connected in your relationships, and more delight in your everyday life. Praise is what we are made for!

3. I found setting a time goal of choosing to give thanks for a 1000 gifts over a course of a few months was beneficial --- kept me attending to all the ways in which He whispers "I love you." Some folks set a goal of counting ten graces a day, others spend one day a week intensely counting. But consider yourself warned: counting gifts is addictive and becomes the happiest of habits that becomes away of living praise!

4. I try to add to the endless list of gifts every Monday... to begin the week with a heart spilling with gratitude!

5. If you'd like to blog your list, feel free to use the 1000 Gifts graphic. (code above)

6. If you'd like to add your blog to the Gratitude Community, we'd love to hear from you! Email me a link to your blog, and your worship will edify the body of believers.

7. If you'd prefer to quietly jot your list down in a journal, you are still warmly invited to join the community-- drop a line, and we'll just add your first name to the list, and we'll feel one with you in thanksgiving.

8. Just begin counting the endless blessings!

Food...What More Can I Say?

Periodically, I take photos of the delicious food my husband and I make. This summer there were A LOT of cakes! Mmmmm....