30 days of Thanks--Day 1

It's November, and this month I'm going to make a conscious effort to write my thanks every day. I often think of things I am grateful for and thank the Lord for them throughout the day. This is good. But when I actually pause to write those things down, they become a testimony of the Lord's grace in my life--a gift that keeps on giving every time I read and remember.

I am not committing to making a list of a certain number of things each day. Some days I may only write one thing I'm thankful for, other days I may write several. Perhaps sometimes list the same thing twice (I daily thank the Lord for my wonderful husband and daughter!). There are no rules to this--except that every day for the next 30 days I will GIVE THANKS. Would you care to join me?

*~*~*~*~*

456. A wonderful Reformation Day

"Junker George" on the L, The playwrite/narrator/director (Brenden) on the R

This year was the first year in over a decade that I have not helped to plan our reformation day celebration at church (it was a good thing, because I was sick that night and wouldn't have been able to do much anyway). I was excited about being an observer, because in the past I've been involved to the point that I couldn't get a good feel for what it was like to simply enjoy the evening. The highlight this year was a play written and directed by one of the young men at the church. It was absolutely fantastic (and just a tad bit crazy!). If I can I'll post the video of it, but in the meantime, here are a few pictures:

My hubby was Martin, and had a good time getting into the spirit of the play

Two sisters--Grace and Hope--playing Kathryn Von Bora (L) and random nun companion (R)

OTHER THINGS
457. Hubby reading to Tirza a poem he wrote himself
458. Tirza being willing to snuggle when that's all the energy I had time for
459. Spending (most) of the day without a sore throat
460. Energy to do some housework!
461. A whole case of scrapbooking things to go through--treasure hunting!
462. Hubby doing the dishes for me after dinner

Babies, marriage, and Gods gifts

Looking through the last few 1000 gifts posts I realize how incredibly intense the last few months have been for me. Spiritually, emotionally, physically--when I sit down each week and review what has happened just thinking about it feels exhausting. 

This past week was different. It was a week of recovery. I did spend a few days "flattened," but I rested through them. I stayed home. I worked on the house (and made great progress!). I did some fun things (like napping :P). It was a hard, abrupt stop after the busyness of the last few weeks. And God knew it was just the kind of week I've needed. 

After such a restful week, this past weekend we had my first baby shower. We had so much fun! The decorations were lovely--on the theme of Peter Rabbit and Beatrix Potter. The games were absolutely hilarious, and had most of us in stitches at least once. I got to see some old friends, a few of whom went VERY out of their way to make it there. And once the shower was over I was showing Richard my presents and realized were a lot closer to "being ready" for Baby than I realized. That's a very, very nice feeling for this mom-to-be. :-)

All in all, this past week has been a gift from God. First in giving me the time to relax and be productive at the same time (while I did rest a LOT last week, I also got a lot accomplished around the house--from cleaning and organizing to daily chipping away at my freezer cooking goals). Second, the encouragement that I've gotten this weekend from old friends, family, and on baby prep has been wonderful. I had been feeling overwhelmed with what I had left to do, now I'm not. We've got a month, we can do this!



446. A week with my mom and brother
447. Intense sessions making me focus on Christ
448. Making a list of my favorite books
449. purchasing the very, very best books
450. a york mint frappe

451. Lunch with my sister, Grace
452. Putting my feet up in the AC after a long, hot day
453. Seeing my man after days of being apart
454. Rest
455. A whole evening with my man--no planning, no figuring, no stress (and no dishes). Just us.

I thought the cabbage bowls (top L, and bottom middle) were so cute! (472)

456. A love letter
457. Being reminded of what marriage is about
458. Laughter in a room full of women as we gave each other shoulder rubs on a break
459. A generous gift
460. Seeing progress--little by little

461. Freezer meals, cooked and ready
462. Days of rest after a week of "on my feet"
463. An unexpected evening at home (and the foot rub that followed)
464. Encouraging numbers
465. Putting words to paper
466. Natalie and her arm rubs

470

467. Going to see a movie with my family
468. Getting all dolled up--pretty clothes, pretty face, pretty day
469. My first shower!
470. Seeing old friends
471. Abi, who flew down so she could come to my shower
472. Cabbage dishes

475

473. Cute, cute decorations
474. Beautiful, thoughtful presents--perfect!
475. Games that kept us in stitches
476. Hugs from friends
477. Looking through my baby supplies and realizing I'm not as far off as I thought anymore

Grace in the hard times

I didn't write out my list day by day this week, and as I sit down to put a weeks worth of joys to paper I'm pretty foggy. This has been the most intense week I've had in awhile, both physically and emotionally.

Physically the pregnancy is catching up with me. I have to pace myself in a way I haven't needed to before. It isn't that I can't do things anymore, it's that I can't do everything anymore. I have to prioritize. If the priority is getting out of the house and doing grocery shopping, or family visiting, or my registry--well, I can do that. But I can't do that and all the days housework.

Counting the Grace Gifts

Counting the Grace Gifts from this week:

407. Time with BOTH sides of the family on Easter Sunday
408. A hairstyle done by my sweet SIL, Faith
409. Sharing my "brilliant Christmas plans" with my female relatives.
410. Visits with my SIL next door

411. Lox on a bagel (yum!)
412. Laughing (and cringing) with my man during birthing class
413. A clean house
414. An hour with my sweet doulas, getting to know them better
415. Taking the kids out for a surprise Cold Stone run

416. Putting my feet up after a day on the run
417. The Keepers quilt, started
418. A scissortailed flycatcher perched on a fence just a few feet away
419. An afternoon nap

420. Community group, after so many weeks
421. Laughing with friends over ridiculous things (our son, if we  have a son, named "Superman Wolfrider?" I doubt it :-P)
422. A new book
423. Accomplishing a long-term goal

424. Finishing the registries--or at least, getting the legwork done
425. Pizza, after a long morning of walking
426. Finding the perfect fabrics for my quilt
427. Coming home to a man willing to fix dinner while I put my feet up (these pregnant feet aren't willing to go as far as they used to go, and I forget and attempt more than I can do, and these feet protest and dinner seems insurmountable)

My dearest little one,

My dearest little one,

 Even though I've never met you, I feel like I've been getting to know you over the last few weeks. You are so energetic! Last week your daddy woke up in the middle of the night and felt you dancing around in me while I was sleeping. He couldn't believe how busy you were (or that I could sleep right through it!). He said that any baby who has that much energy has to be either a strapping warrior-in-the-making or a jungle princess.

Even our midwife, Donna, said you were unusually energetic. Of course, that morning your mama had given you your first "taste" of doughnuts (a piece of information she didn't volunteer...), so the sugar may have had something to do with your quick little movements. You didn't like the junk food, though. In fact, although your mama had greatly anticipated the unusual treat, she wasn't even able to finish it! Maybe you will be one of those rare children who prefer fruits and veggies to candy bars and suckers. Your mama certainly wouldn't mind (though she isn't holding her breath).

This past weekend your mama and daddy went to a concert with your your granddad and grandmother. It was in honor of St. Patricks Day, and was entirely Celtic music (which happens to be a favorite of your mama's). There were even some Irish dancers for some of the songs (did you know your mama used to take Irish Dance?). You certainly seemed to enjoy the concert--any time the music was going you were awake and dancing away, but when the music stopped you took a nap. Your daddy assured me that meant you were either going to be a bag piper, or an irish dancer.

Did you know that your great-aunt Denise gave your mama and daddy a bag of fortune cookies she stuffed herself? Each fortune cookie, there are a dozen, has a different instrument. She said we were to open one for each baby, and that way we'd know what kind of instrument to assign each little one. She was only joking, but your mama really did keep the cookies, and has opened one for each pregnancy. You got the Trombone.

It's a good thing God is the one that directs our future and our interests, and not our parents/family. If you were to fulfill all of these predictions you'd end up as either a musical warrior with bagpipes and a trombone, or an jungle princess who does Irish dance while playing her trombone. Either picture makes your mama giggle.

Well, my little one, I need to finish this. I am looking forward to meeting you in just three months.

With love,

Your mama

 

305. A week off of work
306. working down a "to-do" list, and finishing. Or at least getting close
307. The sound of birds in the morning
308. Rain pattering on the roof
309. Whole days spent at home, choosing not to rush off

#310

310. Sister Grace spending the night
311. God's schedule planning (so much better than mine!)
312. A surprise gift
313. Helping out with the Cherished Ministry--and that Grace could come also
314. Cold stone creamery coffee ice cream

#319

315. A long conversation with a friend (who taught me a few new things about my home business!)
316. Heat embossing, with the keepers (I've been looking forward to learning this all semester--and it was just as fun as I expected!!)
317. A mid-day phone call from my dad
318. A funny conversation about Harleys and ice cream at the Braums checkout line
319. Two dozen pink roses from my man, spread all over the house--the table, the bathrooms, the counter.

#319

320. Baby, kicking away
321. A Celtic concert, complete with dancing, acting, and amazing singing.
322. Chinese food--specifically duck. Mmmmmmm
323. Our first Shelf Reliance party--and it went well!
324. The moment we realized that AT that first party, instead of serving the made up Chicken Salad, we'd accidentally served an unseasoned mixture of freeze dried chicken, celery, and onion--but no one noticed. And the laughter that ensued (I'm still giggling).
325. Foot rubs from my man--always appreciated!
326. A bouquet of wildflowers from my Keepers girls

#326

Lemons to Lemon Aid

This past week was full, but not in the usual way. Sunday my husband caught a stomach bug that knocked him for a loop. Within a couple days I'd caught it also, and let me tell you--a stomach bug is VERY confusing when a girl is also pregnant! It took most of a day for me to realize I was genuinely sick, and not dealing with a random unusual bout of morning sickness. 

Although being sick isn't much fun, I did appreciate the extra evenings at home with my man. I may be "on the go" a lot, but my very favorite place to be is at home, especially if my man is there also. Sick or not, it isn't hard to turn lemons into lemon aid when we're together. :-)

Spring flowers

It's been an eventful week. Sitting down to write this I know there were several ideas I'd had for today's Thousand Gift post. I can't remember any of them. Either because this week was too brimful, or because I'm pregnant and now struggle to remember basic things (like my own age...).

One of the things that really brought joy to my heart this week was visiting the gardening center of Wal-Mart after I went grocery shopping. Spring is definitely my favorite season, and it has come early to Texas this year.

I am absolutely in love with spring flowers. The vibrant, cheerful colors make the whole world feel fresh and new.  The flowers also make me think of my wedding, because although I was married in late summer, I'd determined long before the date was set that regardless of what time of year our wedding ended up being, the feel would be Spring. I took the color scheme for the wedding from Snapdragons (which, sadly, weren't in season) and alstromera. Can you see the resemblance?

# 265

Celebrations

Continuing to count on to a Thousand Gifts with Ann Voscamp. I'm keeping a record of the gifts that God has given me each day--whether small or large, all given from His gracious hand.

228. Days off
229. A good book, read late (too late!) at night
230. Shared smiles over common ground
231. Dinner and a movie

Pictures taken by Forever Faithful Photography
for our anniversary a few months ago

232. the computer/printer working. Finally.
233. Print drivers installed (may seem little, but it isn't!)
234. Keepers gone smoothly
235. Energy to attend church after Keepers--I'm usually wiped out!
236. Community group, finishing a series, best evening yet

Parties and Blessings

On Saturday my house was full. Eight young ladies came over for a party. It was the biggest party I've thrown since my wedding, and it took weeks of planning. The table was set with finger sandwiches--chicken salad and cucumber. Strawberries, cookies and cupcakes brightened the setting, but not so much as the crystal bowl of punch in the middle of the table. It reflected bright pink off everything. My grandmother's crystal pitcher was brought out as well, and yellow lemonade reflected its own cheerful light.

Dreaming castles

My man and I have done a lot of dreaming this week. A LOT of dreaming--all of it starting with just a grain of reality and then built into a absolutely beautiful castle in the sky. I know all the dreaming probably won't end up being reality, and that's really okay with me. It isn't reasonable to expect all castles to come out just the way we've planned them in our head. I've just enjoyed the freedom we have to build those lovely castles together.




191. Lots of little girls that need to be occupied, just at a time when I'm free. Maybe time for a Keepers program? A dream castle long standing.

192. Walking through a fabric store again, dreaming of possibilities (the last time was before I was married!)
193. Fabric for not one new dress, but TWO

194. sewing again, after a year off
195. Anniversary planning

196. An offer of help in packing--gladly accepted!
197. A tasty meal with family
198. watching the droopy leaves of a houseplant perk up after getting water
199. The first few boxes-packed
200. My hamster, Kitty Strunksworthy the First

201. ALL the laundry DONE (well, except folding, but still! It was a great work!)
202. Happy memories packed in boxes (and the anticipation of UNpacking them in just a month
203. Resolution

204.  A new morning
205.  dreaming with my man
206. Castles in the sky

His mercies are new every morning

It's a new month, a new week, all rolled into one. I am so glad that God created the days, the seasons, for us to mark time by. Each time a season changes, a new month arrives, the calendar flips over to a new week, or the sun rises over a yet-untouched day we are given the opportunity for a fresh start. As I'm marking down my gifts this week, I am thinking most of the freshness of a new day, and what a gift it is simply to wake up in the morning and have to opportunity to give the day back to Him.

 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning;great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,“therefore I will hope in him.” (Lam3:22-24)

168. Excellent Sunday school lesson from my man
169. The Body of Christ, the healed wounded, praying for a wound to be healed
170. Peach cake
171. An evening at home—needed!
172. An engagement ring—searched for and found!! (and a soon-to-be proposal!)
173. Looking for a new home
174. Man grins
175. Family time with siblings
176. "Till we meet again" plans

177. Early bedtime
178. Fresh, new morning
179. Rain clouds!

180. Date night at the Olive Garden--a special treat

181. My favorite salad dressing

182. Waiting ended

183. Church additions, more souls

184. Kay, all stretched out thin in a TP roll

185. Books on the table, dreaming

186. A fresh start all beautiful

187. Time with my Lord

188. Dishes done, kitchen clean

189. Reading aloud as we travel together
190. Interesting patterns in homemade potato chips

Marching to 1000 with company

141. Parents over for dinner

142. A bracelet

143. Impromptu “date night”

144. Shopping with my man

145. A good deal on a pretty painting

146. God “clearing the way” as we talked business with our landlord

147. Brightly colored roses on the table

148. A book by Elisabeth Elliot

149. My man’s arms

150. Tears

151. A cleared schedule

152. Anticipated arrival

153. Loooong clearance isles, marked 50% off clearance price

154. Our first midnight showing, together

155. Heart-to-heart talk with my man while waiting

156. 3D glasses, and silly faces

157. Impromptu company and game

158. Late nights!!! (unusual thing for me to thank God for!! :P)

159. Moxie *grin*

160. Dinner in the freezer (easy for company!)

161. Meeting old friends for the first time

162. Colossal Reunion!!

163. A $1-$5 book clearance section at Mardels

164. Walking to the store

165. Gummy worms

166. Shared testimony

167. Brother over for 10^th BD

Sisters

"What would it be like to only have in my life today that which I murmured thanks to God for last night?" ~Ann Voscamp

118. New pets

119. Eyes to recognize the evil inside

120. Impatience for purity, to be refined

121. Freshly done laundry

122. Herbs! Arrived!!

123. Homemade mayonnaise—a batch that finally “worked”

124. A package from China

125. A gallon of cleaner

126. Glass vases, 30 cents each

127. Homemade lotion, tweaked to perfection

128. Green mud masks

129. Laying on the floor by my sister, cucumber slices over our eyes

130. Painting her face green

131. Fresh flowers on the mantle

132. Being able to pray for my husband when we are apart

133. Knowledge of a God whose ways are mysterious, but good

134. Dreams of future adventure (not future fear!)

135. A headrub for a headache

136. Enjoying old-time movies, together

137. Learning to desire, again

138. Freshly painted nails (with glitter!!)

139. Pretty glass jars

140. Laundry--clean!

1000 gifts

I haven't written down much in my little book the past week, but I have taken some pictures--so this week "Multitude Monday" will be fully illustrated!! :-)

110. Silly sister pictures on a family vacation

111. Learning how to use a
camera timer!!

112. A 100th birthday reached!!
Praise God!

113. a belated Fathers Day gift for my man.

114. Pretty ballerina hair for a pretty ballerina

115. Little people giggles posing for a picture

116. Miles of flags lining the street.

117. Fireworks,  unexpectedly seen from our porch.

Life has been moving slowly lately. Every day and every week seems to take longer than it has the right to, as if each moment is vying for my attention. Sometimes this is hard... Sometimes there are moments that I really would rather skip. But I've been packing a whole lotta living into each week, and that's a good thing.

In the last week I have done a lot of living, a lot of tasting of life. I've tasted loss, and am still working through the grieving process. Some days are great, other days are minute-by-minute. I've tasted the joy that God can give in the midst of suffering. I've tasted the concern a shepherd (or in this case, shepherd's wife) feels when she sees sheep headed in a potentially hazardous direction.  And I'm tasting again the prayerful vigilance kept over a saint preparing to make their final trip Home.

The last couple weeks haven't been easy... but life isn't supposed to be. They have been hour-by-hour days. Days to trust God with. Days to pray through. Days to learn from. Days to drink deeply from this sweet, beautiful, bitter, hard cup called Life.

And in the mean time, I've been counting my blessings.

97. Watching my hubby at a history exibit
98. An afternoon at home
99. Joyfilled thoughts of heaven

100. An old joke told to new people
101. An encouraging letter from a friend
102. Google!!
103. Meeting (again) a modern day heroine of the faith
104. My husband, holding me through the contractions

Elisabeth Gren (previously Elisabeth Elliot) was in town
last week. The day I lost my baby, I was able to personally thank
a woman who helped teach me how to grieve.

105. A husband who truly loves, sacrificing self.
106. A husband who seasons his speech with wisdom
107. Juicy tasty steaks on sale!
108. Tears, every one of them intimately known.
109. Shade on a summer day

Life songs--1000 gifts

It's Monday. Another Monday. I woke up this morning--or rather, didn't quite wake up--and made French toast for my man for breakfast. I wasn't unthankful. But I wasn't really thankful either. I just wanted to stay awake long enough to get to work. I wasn't living in the minute, I wasn't savoring each of those precious seconds that God has given me on this Earth--I wasn't milking every moment of the joy it has.

I didn't look around my home and see the order there--order that only was possible because God gave me the strength yesterday to work when I wasn't in the mood. I didn't look at my couch, where the laundry is neatly sorted and ready to be put away (a feat only accomplished by God's grace!!). I didn't look at the bread I sliced and wonder in awe that God had designed 6 ingredients forming a tiny little ball of dough to work together in such a way that it will feed my man and I bread for several days. Nor did I truly appreciate the creative gifting my God gave to man, made in his image, to make a machine that would work this wonder on those 6 ingredients while I slept last night.  

I didn't look at the roses on my table, a present from my man for my birthday last week, and thank the Lord from the depths of my heart that he gave me a godly husband who loves and serves the Lord with his whole heart. I didn't look at the verse posted over the office door--John 3:16 in Ukranian--and thank God that he has given me the opportunity to share His love with a lost and dying world.

I wasn't complaining either... but was I really living life this morning as I groggily poured my Grade B organic maple syrup over my home made French toast? Was I really living life in the way God intended? As a song of praise to Him? As a joyful response to his Love?

No, I really wasn't. But the day is only half gone. May the rest of the day, Lord, be a song of praise to you. May the song of praise in my life inspire other praise-songs in the lives of every individual I come in contact with.  


49. The forgiveness of my Savior
50. "Thy sins are forgiven... Go in peace." (Ref Luke 7:48-50)
51. The slight pinch of new shoes
52. watching pancake batter after adding soda
53. my own baby butter bell
54. The feel of a lusciously long broomstick skirt swishing at my ankles
55. A road trip with my husband and a good friend
56. Hearing a first concert

57. Bluebonnet fields
58. A loving, patient husband
59. A God whom I can trust with material things
60.  Birthday wishes sung over the phone
61. helping my man with his Sunday school lesson
62. My husband, making my birthday dinner himself
63. Laughter
64. A car break down that shows God's sovereignty
65. A good movie shared
66. A free book
67. Finding a kindred spirit to teach me to witness
68. Community group--growing!!!
69. Candle-lit