Saturday, December 15, 2012

Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

Through thick and thin, good and bad, hard days and soft days...there is always something to be thankful for.

446. Christmas movies  
447. reconnecting with long lost friends I haven't seen for awhile
448. birthday parties as reasons to reconnect with old friends
449. neighborhood marionette shows that happen EVERY night at 7, for the holidays
450. inspirational books
451. The Message Version of the Bible
452. free books for Kindle
453. fireplace on Netflix
454. vitamins
455. great deals
456. a new-to-me-grown-up bed
457. a sunflower in the middle of my yard
458. fresh tires
459. the rainy season
460. answered prayers
461. Joy while waiting
462. something to do
463. adopting a family
464. books from the grocery store
465. the lights on Naples Island
466. Christmas traditions
467. Advent
468. Advent readings
469. gum
470. $10 shoes
471. $10 dresses
472. ideas
473. memories
474. truth
475. justice
476. odd jobs
477. ridiculous rounds of family laughter
478. climbing doorways
479. hopping one legged races down the hallway
480. wool roving
481. new felting needles
482. change
483. seeing the positive
484. hand-me-down kid clothes
485. the romance  of Christmas
486. the Christmas story
487. people who ask, 'How are you doing?'
488. people who don't
489. friends who remember
490. being missed
491. love
492. cozy sweaters
493. perfect timing
494. walks along candle lit sidewalks
495. being loved
496. the scent of Christmas trees
497. garlands on sale
498. all the memories contained within a single ornament
499. Christmas lights
500. a great Christian radio station
501. piers lit up Christmas style
502. underwater light shows via glow in the dark planktin
503. oldest first art show
504. sold art
505. hand made rings from vintage jewelry
506. pumpkin spice tea
507. a bright future
508. pink suede shoes
509. crochet blankets that coordinate with my love seat
510. crochet blankets from my grandma
511. homemade rosemary wreaths
512. seeing formerly famous people at auditions
513. a full tank of gas
514. Christmas lights reflecting on the water in the canals at night
515. curved shower bars












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Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving

No matter what the day or evening brings...what sets each moment apart is finding thankfulness. There is always a reason to be thankful. When you can focus on something to be thankful for...it eases the present suffering. Sometimes it cures it.

Spiritually speaking, I have found that thankfulness & praise not only changes the spiritual & physical atmosphere but empowers the spirit too. Thanksgiving isn't just an American holiday..but an attitude and state of being.

The more we find to be thankful for, the MORE we find we have to be thankful for.
Gratitude is always lovely.


366. supportive friends & family of faith
367. a generous church body-family
368. good health
369. amazing children
370. peace that passes understanding
371. faithful prayer partners
372. blessed words to write
373. thrift store deals
374. a new-to-me love seat
375. $1 brownie mixes
376. Winco
377. bulk food selection
378. great grocery deals
379. being able to help others
380. foodbanks
381. Trader Joe's food bank donations
382.the freedom to vote
383. youtube playlists
384. like minded believers
385. an encouraging word in due time
386. Big Lots
387. curved shower curtain bars
388. Ivory soap
389. nightly prayer line
390. spiritual insights
391. catching my first writing break
392. my editor
393. friendly debate
394. understanding
395. positive words of passion
396. watching my 3yo dance
397. childhood memories of holidays past
398. extended family
399. a praying Mother-in-Love
400. grey stripes
401. endurance
402. dreams
403. weekly walks on the beach
404. walks w/ friends
405. Food4Less chocolate chip cookies
406. never knowing true physical hunger
407. free homeschool days @ the Natural History Museum
408. the Psalms
409. reconnecting w/ friends
410. real truth
411. vanilla chai tea
412. licorice spice tea
413. the Holy Spirit
414. pots & pans
415. birthday party invitations
416. YOU
417. the musical stylings of Jesus Culture
418. new found FB sisters in Christ
419. the memory of TMI's boot camp
420. someone to share that memory with
421.  remembering the giant rubber tire mountain
422. the word 'author'
423. dreams that come true
424. John Steinbeck
425. potlucks
426. the kids charter school
427. cheap as-seen-on-tv hooks to hang things on the wall, that actually work
430. scented candles
431. distractions
432. worship
433. endurance
434. safety
435. parents that stayed together
436. witnessing changed lives
437. a mother who chose life
438. stories of restoration
439. good preaching
440. beaded jewelry
441. supportive Mother-in-Love
442. a praying Mother-in-Love
443. PBS television shows
444. scented candles
445. homemade chicken soup



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Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Song from my Daughter

My daughter sang this song to me today, accompanied by a miniature guitar the Mr. found at the thrift store.
She wrote it herself. The tune is upbeat and fun...and now *I* want to go to Mars!

I'm Traveling to Mars

Oh, I'm traveling to Mars
Oh, I'm traveling to Mars
Oh, I'm traveling to Mars in a rocket ship that only holds two.

And I wonder if they'll take my paper dollars
Oh, I wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder
wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder
wonder, wonder, wonder if they'll take my paper dollars.

Cause I really, really, really,
really, really, really,
really, really,  want to get a souvenir for my family.

And I have a magnifying glass
and a microphone
to speak to my family at home.

Oh, I'm traveling to Mars
Oh, I'm traveling to Mars
Oh, I'm traveling to Mars in  a rocket ship that only holds two.


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Monday, July 2, 2012

Especially Thankful for #352 & #353

321. nature trails
322. state parks
323. federal parks
324. empty campsites
325. dreams
326. prophetic words
327. encouraging words
328. new insights into God's Word
329. future jobs
330. that I have never been starving
331. I have never been homeless
333. cheap fun
334. unexpected rocky waters to wade in
335. an honest pastor
336. generosity of others
337. friends that seek to hear & obey God
338. my 8 yo-but paid for-van
339. sheer curtains that let  the sun shine in
340. full moons
341. shooting stars
342. backyard bonfires
343. flexible schedules
344. 2 camping tents
345. air mattresses
346. the love of camping
347. a photobucket account filled w/ visual memories
348. monarch butterflies in my backyard
349. free parking near the beach
350. my favorite pink, school logo sweat shirt
351. my new writing job
352. finding out the guy sitting next to you in church was once in jail for murder
353. realizing THAT is the meaning behind the verse 'love covers a multitude of sins.'
354. grace that allows others to perceive me as stronger than I am
355. wisdom when needed
356. forgiving children
357. the ability to keep on keeping on
358. adversity that builds character
359. a steady stream of memories that prove God's faithfulness in my life
360. friends willing to listen
361. friends willing to pray
362. new friends
363. finding unconditional love in unexpected places
364. the striped quilt my dad let me have--just because I liked it
365. my dad. period.






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Friday, June 15, 2012

Summer Version: Poem of the Month

 The Summer Day 
 Mary Oliver 


 Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?












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Wednesday, June 6, 2012

I am still thankful.

It's been awhile...but I am still counting my blessings.

274. graduating
275. the way God worked out all my classes during a very stressful time in my life.
276. the support of very generous friends who provided the menu for my graduation party.
277. the fact that I have never been homeless.
278. I have never been starving.
279. God's provision.
280. encouragement from unexpected places.
281. gift cards for a special treat.
282. fine point pens for journalling.
283. Target clearance aisles.
284. the diligent prayers of prayer warriors.
285. car insurance.
286. being able to afford this month's car insurance.
287. a car accident that had minimal damage.
288. grace under pressure.
289. God's gentle character training.
290. meeting new sisters in Christ.
291. a home full of love.
292. a heart full of love.
293. tears.
294. a camera on my phone.
295. brownies.
296. a son who is a fine young man.
297. a heart of prayer.
298. fresh strawberries.
299. freshly bathed children.
300. free parking @ the beach.
301. close parking spaces.
302. giant inflatable inner tubes.
303. God's unconditional love.
304. that God is the same yesterday, today & forever.
305. cheap dog food from Winco.
306. Winco. period.
307. my preschooler's smiling face greeting me every morning.
308. Joann's fabric coupons.
309. lovely printed paper.
310. long term friends.
311. my brother & his family.
312. the fragrant scent of jasmine.
313. that I'm finished w/ school....for now.
314. vacation memories.
315. friends that always bring the focus back to our creator.
316. that I was the only person in my car for the accident yesterday.
317. that the car seat was not in the car during the accident.
318. that the Mr. happen to drive by when he did.
319. that he was able to stop & pull over to assist me.
320. being broke.

I am truly thankful for all that I have. My heart is full to over-flowing w/ gratefulness. I am blessed to see God's hand moving....& even blessed when I can't see it but still believe He is at work in my life.

What are you thankful for today? When I am at my lowest...I seek to be thankful and through the process of thanksgiving...it takes me out of that low place. When I am patient in the dark moments--the light reveals itself and the dark passes. I need not give in to it. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.















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Monday, April 23, 2012

In Christ Alone


Songwriters: Getty, Julian Keith; Townend, Stuart Richard

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save

Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From a life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand
Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand

I will stand, I will stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground, all other ground
Is sinking sand, is sinking sand
So I stand









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Monday, April 16, 2012

I adore this sweet song.




Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing~Robert Robinson

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.

Sorrowing I shall be in spirit,
Till released from flesh and sin,
Yet from what I do inherit,
Here Thy praises I’ll begin;
Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Here by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood;
How His kindness yet pursues me
Mortal tongue can never tell,
Clothed in flesh, till death shall loose me
I cannot proclaim it well.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.



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Saturday, April 14, 2012

Life's a Beach!

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Right!?! Today was such a gorgeous day, I saw NO reason why we should stay inside. After picking up oldest form work, I decided we'd go to the beach for a little while at least.

It was really nice. It wasn't crowded. We didn't have to tote around a ton of gear. It was cool enough to wear jeans. Actually, there were quite a few families, dressed casually, just hanging out. The sky was clear blue. A nice reprieve from the storm showers a few days ago. The ktbunch enjoyed playing in the sand....until they decided to get their feet wet.

Oldest commented, "First their feet, then their butts." He was right. It wasn't long before Birdy walked up soaked to her rear--by a rogue wave. Behind her came Kurtis, dripping, head to toe, thanks to the same wave. He had salt, sand and snot coming out of his nose. He was trying to run away from the wave when he tripped, face first and was over taken.

This picture was taken before the wave incident. Isn't the sky gorgeous?

I knew, as soon as I saw him, it was time to go home. Which was fine. It was enough time to soak up some vitamin D and then head home to get ready for the cousins...who are spending the night tonight.

I made chicken pasta primavera for lunch. I think we'll just have hamburgers for dinner.

Weekends like this are such a blessing to my heart and soul.









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Saturday, March 31, 2012

a gift heard, a gift held, a gift hoped for

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271. A song my mother sang to me when I was little: You are My Sunshine

272. Each of my sweet babies for the first time.

273. My heart to be reconciled, once and for all.

There you have it, a full month dedicated to giving thanX in all circumstances. A month dedicated to marching around those walls of adversity with joy and thanksgiving. I didn't always succeed but in the end, through tears, frustration and pain, I know my God is with me. I know I have so much to be thankful for. I made it through, another month. I survived, again.

Now, in April, the month to celebrate; the resurrection of my Lord and Savior, my youngest's birth--who has been an immense joy & blessing to my life, and my own birthday.













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Friday, March 30, 2012

3 gifts uncovered

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268. the joy of writing IN a book, over what is already written.

269. using colored pencils to color.

270. working on creating an art journal...finally.





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Thursday, March 29, 2012

3 gifts of His Promises

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265. He will never leave me, no forsake me. Deut. 31:8

266. He has a plan for my life, to give me a hope and a future...Jer 29:11

267. If I ask, it will be given, if I seek, I will find, if I knock the door will be opened to me. Matt 7:7









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Wednesday, March 28, 2012

3 gifts entwined

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262. my heart, to another

263. the hearts of my children to their family

264. the trunk of my ficus tree.










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Tuesday, March 27, 2012

3 gifts redeemed

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259. My soul

260. My marriage, @ least two times, resulting in the birth of my amazing children.

261. other important relationships.










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Monday, March 26, 2012

3 gifts almost done

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256. Sammy's Alice in Wonderland inspired quilt. I started it a few years ago & ALL it needs is to be quilted.

257. A blanket of crocheted squares, all the squares need to be assembled. I was blessed to find bags of them at the thrift store for a a steal. They are lovely but tedious to assemble.

258. A blanket of crocheted octagons. Again, need to be assembled.



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Sunday, March 25, 2012

A gift sung, a gift written, a gift painted

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253. Amazing Grace

254. A poem my mother wrote to her kids, which we read at her funeral.

255. The picture of Mickey Mouse my daughter made me, in art class, cause she knows I love Disneyland.


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Saturday, March 24, 2012

Friday, March 23, 2012

3 gifts found in women today





247. the ability to offer comfort in hard times.
248. empathy just when you need it.
249. perseverance.





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Thursday, March 22, 2012

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

a gift salty, a gift sweet, a gift just right

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241. I love ritz crackers.
242. apple cinnamon tea
243. peanut butter cracker sandwiches

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Tuesday, March 20, 2012

3 gifts that made me laugh

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238. every time Kurtis "hides", as if we really can't see him.
239. being on the trampoline
240. when Kurtis retells a siblings story as if it happened to him.

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Monday, March 19, 2012

3 gifts eaten

Photobucket235. dinner with my brother and his family every Saturday night.
236. my home-made from scratch muffin recipe
237. the recipe I found online for ginger strips


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Sunday, March 18, 2012

3 gifts red



232. my vintage velvet coat.
233. my favorite flats
234. the purse in the same shade as the flats....ALL of these from the thrift store.







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Saturday, March 17, 2012

a gift turned, a gift folded, a gift hung





229. the pages of library books.
230. my favorite table cloth when it's in the hallway cupboard.
231. the large star hanging in my living room, from a memorable trip to S.F.

Friday, March 16, 2012

3 hard Eucharistos


226. finding joy in the midst of trials.
227. tears of sorrow that can only be experienced because they are rooted in love
228. thoughtfulness of friends during trying times.











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Thursday, March 15, 2012

3 gifts given away


223. a crochet blanket with purple striped hearts.
224. wonderful hand-me-downs that keep my family well dressed.
225. cards of encouragement in the mail.



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