Thankful. #s 181-190

I'm a day late, but here goes...

181.  After six weeks of tutoring with CC, finally getting a paycheck, and Scott saying it was mine to do with as I wish.

182.  Wonderful, insane deals to go with that paycheck.  (For example, a Banana Republic dress, originally 60.00, I got it for 13.00.)

183.  A random Home Depot coupon for buy two, get one free mum, adding a little bit of fall to my front and back porch.

184.  Finally, finally, finding a hair salon that I like here in McDonough--two minutes from my house and open on Saturdays (so Scott can stay with the kids).

185.  John's little hand softly patting my back when I cuddle with him in the mornings after he wakes up.

186.  Ada reading several words without us getting in an argument to make it happen.  We're getting there.

187.  So many wonderful fall days spent outside with the kids.

188.  Bringing fall inside with two new candles from Bath and Body works (bought with a B1G1 coupon)--leaves and spiced apple toddy.

189.  No afternoon tutoring this week.  A welcome break!!!

190.  Beautiful canopy of trees on the backroads between here and school on Tuesday mornings.  It is just the pick me up I need to snap me out of my sleepy state each Tuesday morning.

As always, there is much to be thankful for.  I love fall.  I love it.  It is good for my soul.

It makes me want to escape to a cabin somewhere surrounded by nothing but gorgeous trees and crisp air.  It's a tempting thought...

Thankful. #s 171-180

It's been a while since I've listed all of these things that God has gifted me with.

It is late on Monday night, and we have school tomorrow.  Bright and early.  Early, early.  And I should be in bed, but there is something so enticing about a quiet, lamp-lit house.

Here goes...

171.  My children adjusting to sharing a room so well.  Crazily well.  I am so, so thankful that we are all sleeping each night as if they have shared a room always.

172.  Our yard, and the time spent outside with the whole family each evening after dinner.

 Scott was throwing a ball as high up in the air as he could, and John was loving it.  I think it was his first little boy moment of, "wow, look at my dad and this cool thing he can do."  John would squat down, and then jump up and throw his arms up as Scott threw the ball.  He would literally squeal with glee over it.

 Ada said, "Let's take a silly one!"

173.  Remembering that Ada is only four, and I have to stay focused on phonics only--the other stuff is just icing on the cake.  It's okay if she doesn't get it this year.  It's okay.

174.  That tomorrow Scott starts his new job.  I want to say that I will never take a paycheck for granted again.  I probably will, though.  But for now, I do not!!!!!  


175.  Our church.  We have been so loved by the people of our church.

176.  frivolous, I know, but cable.  We have cable for the first time in four years.  We don't have a home phone here, and the internet/cable package is cheaper than our internet/phone package that we had at our house.  I am loving watching What Not To Wear again.  It's been too long;)

177.  And DVR.  We have DVR.  So, while I fold clothes at night, in my quiet, lamp-lit house, I can watch my recorded episodes of What Not To Wear.


178.  Cooler weather.  I LOVE fall.  Who doesn't, right?

179.  Another frivolous one.  Auburn's win on Saturday.  I just wasn't ready for the winning streak to be over, especially with that game.  War Eagle!!!  A win's, a win.

180.  Women's Bible Study starting back this week.  I love that one night a week to get away and study God's word with other women.  It is incredibly refreshing, and I miss it in the summer!!!

(Okay, so it's Tuesday when I am finally posting this, and I should add that I am also thankful that each week of CC gets better.  I think these four year olds are adjusting to the classroom.  Yay, thank you, Lord!!)

Thankful #s 162-170.

Thankful

162.  for God's provision and obvious hand on our lives at every twist and turn.

163.  a rental house that will provide some stability in the midst of the crazy

164.  Classical Conversation and beginning the Homeschooling journey  (and having friends alongside me as we begin!!)

165.  A fun birthday party for my big four year old, and friends who celebrated with us

166.  So many gifts from friends and family.  I will say it again and again and again, it has been overwhelming to the point of tears. I went to Publix last night, using a gift card from friends, and thanks to sales, the gift card should last us for two weeks worth of groceries.  I have story after story after story of ways that friends and family have come alongside us over the past year.  Chili's for lunch yesterday, thanks to a gift card, really, story after story.

167.  Work for Scott that will pay rent and put food on the table during this transition period.  So thankful for work!!

168.  Several interviews and job possibilities--hope.

169.  5.00 lamp shades at Target--marked down from 25.00.  Affordable ways to make the rental house feel cozy and like home.

170.  Spray paint--amazing what I can transform with spray paint (the lamp bases are next in line).

He is always sovereign.  He is always good.

Thankful. #s 152-161

I'm back to list the gifts that God has given right in the middle of this crazy season we find ourselves in.

He is here, right here, carrying us through this.  I know that he is.

152.  My family, healthy and intact

153.  Staying home with my children, even in the midst of this.  Their world is not shaken.

154.  A plan.  Moving forward.  One foot in front of the other.

155.  Ada going to sleep easily tonight, despite the thunder outside.

156.  Sweaty, dirty kids at the end of the day.  A sign of a day fully lived.

157. The smell of my children after bath time.

158.  I know I'm a broken record, but my friends and my family.  We feel so very supported.

159.  Getting to sleep in just a bit with Scott at home in the mornings.  I haven't been nearly as tired lately.

160.  Provision in so many little ways.

161.  .49 cent movie rentals at Blockbuster on Sundays.  A relaxing way to start the week.

Thankful. #s 141-150.

Another Monday; Another thankful list.

141. My little family. These people. They are my stability in the midst of the crazy.

Thanks for the pictures, Ashley!!!! 

142. A night with old friends (where the pictures were taken).

143. Cousins. New babies. More family.

(photo from my  mom's blog)

144. Food on the table; Money in the bank; A roof over our heads.

145. That God's grace is sufficient. always

146. Free Sonic Diet Coke. I have always been thankful for this, but I am now more thankful than ever as our budget gets whittled down to the barest of bones.

147. So many people praying for us. Humbling.

148. The pleasure of a good book. It is my favorite escape.

149. A trip to Publix all by myself. It's the little things, right?

150. That He promises to give us wisdom if we ask. That I can cling to that promise.

Okay, I have to do one more and break my pattern of tens.

151. This computer, a gift from friends. Have I mentioned that we are overwhelmed by how friends have loved us in very tangible ways during this season of life? Again, humbling.

Thankful. #131-140

131.  My dad--such a great dad.

132.  Scott--such a great dad.

133.  The library open until 8:00 pm = a childless trip to the library this afternoon after Scott got home from work.

134.  Having four new Mitford books to read thanks to the trip to the library.

135.  Another run, another chance to "work out the stress."

136.  A new skirted swim suit ordered off of Zulily, using credit.  No money out of pocket!!

137.  Right after ordering the swim suit, receiving an e-mail letting me know that I have MORE credit on Zulily, thanks to someone signing up under me.

138.  The anticipation of a brand new niece arriving any day now.

139.  John's chubby, little finger pointing out, "John's nose," when prompted.

140.  Ada announcing that she wants to be a princess when she grows up, but asking that, "no mean guys be in it." 

Thankful. #s 121-130.

121.  Feeling very loved and taken care of by my extended family--both my side and Scott's side. 

122.  The unexpected and much, much, much appreciated means to get the air conditioner in the SUV fixed.  So thankful.

123.  An appointment at Emory on Friday--thankful for all of the doctors that have been and are working so hard to get my skin situation figured out.

124.  John's little chubby feet stomping and splashing in the baby pool.

125.  That I will not be alone as I begin my first year of homeschooling.  Friends will be right there with me. 

126.  Fresh vegetables from the co-op, combined with the carrots and lettuce already in the fridge, to make a wonderful salad.  Perfect on a summer evening.

127.  That, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," Philippians 4:16(?)

128.  Restored wireless internet, thanks to a friend of Scott's!!!

129.  A fairly clean house at the end of this day.

130.  A quiet house after the kids are tucked in.

Thankful. #s 110-120.

Oh this season right now in the Moore household is an uncomfortable one.  It pinches just a bit, financially, and we wish that God would reach down and just change that with one snap of his fingers.  It seems, though, that he wants to keep us in the pinching place for a little bit longer. 

Today I read this quote by C.S. Lewis, and it absolutely voiced my fears of late

We're not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be

So true, so true.

So, in this season of pinching, I take this moment on Monday evenings to reflect on all of the comforts in my life, these things that take the sting out of God's best ;)

110.  That here in Georgia, the sun doesn't set until 9 pm-ish, meaning I can slip out the door at 8 for a quick run .  Which is just the ticket these days...time to think, pray, drink in the dusky humidity...and then I come home with a whole new outlook. 

111.  That tonight on that run mentioned above, just the right music played on my Pandora station.  The lyrics speaking the exact truth that I needed to hear.  Have you heard, "What Do I Know of Holy?"  I had not until tonight, but it was the perfect ending song to my run.

112.  A fixed car.  No air conditioning for now, but that's what windows are for, right?  One car down, one to go.

113.  The daily conveniences--washing machine and dryer, dishwasher, ice maker.  These things make the day to day so much easier.

114.  Reading The Mitford Series again.  I feel like all of the characters are my dear friends.  Such a simple pleasure each afternoon during "rest time."

115.  Stove popped popcorn. 

116.  My house.  That I have a home.

117.  An evening with friends.  Spending time with my family.  Bottom line, not being lonely.

118.  Scott's job.  My tutoring.  Couponing.  The food co-op.  God's provision.

119.  An evening out with just "the ladies," a much needed break from life.

120.  Fresh from the bath children in clean pajamas.  Such a perfect way to end the day.

And Ada's list tonight--her three things before bed

1.  Going to the pool.
2.  Having a nice dinner [it was Burger King for dinner after spending the afternoon/evening getting the car fixed and then Target, so that's Ada's nice dinner;) ]
3.  Saying thanks to Jesus at dinner

Thankful. #s 101-110.

100.  Freedom.  The men and women who died and are serving to make that possible.  I love these images over at The Pioneer Woman's site. 

101.  Summer.  Summer will be a reoccurring thing in tonight's list.  Remind me of that in a few weeks when I am DESPISING the heat. 

102.  The first watermelon of summer.

103.  John's first time in the baby pool.

104.  Little girls' screaming in delight over the sprinkler.

105.  Lightening bugs.

106.  Ten dollar pizza deals when I forget to put the pork roast in the crock pot and all other dinner options are frozen rock solid.

107.  Redbox dollar movies with Scott after the kids are in bed.  Relaxation

108.  John's loving books, even if right now the love includes throwing and slinging and making a mess.  We'll get there;)

109.  A shampooed carpet.  Stains removed--stress removed.  Thank you, friends!!

110.  Bedtime issues halfway solved.  Now if I would only stop waking up in Ada's bed--I have no memory of actually going in there when I wake up in the morning, which makes it hard to deal with in the middle of the night;)

Oh...and because Ada often has an ungrateful spirit (to say the least), I am teaching her be thankful when she wants to pitch. a. fit. instead.  So, her list so far...

Ada is thankful for

1.  playing in her pool
2.  playing in the mud
3.  cheese

Thankful. #s 91-100.

"We deserve nothing from God but eternal judgement.  We are continuous debtors, not only for His sovereign mercy in saving us, but for every breath we draw, every bite of food we eat.  We have no rights before God.  Everything is of His grace,"  (Jerry Bridges from his Trusting God.)

91.  That the days end--they aren't endless-- every morning we can start over.  (I should say that during this season they aren't endless.  Days with a newborn are rather endless.  I am praying for grace for you mamas who are doing the all-night dance with your newborns.  Grace, grace, grace, and SLEEP!!)

92.  John with two clear eyes!!!

93.  Parents (my own and others) who have gone before me and pass on their wisdom.  Because, goodness gracious, I need guidance!!!

94.  Saturday night, after much crying, rocking, and spanking, Ada went to bed on her own!!!!  No lying down with her.  She really was a big, brave girl.

95.  LOTS of fresh pineapple and grapes from our food co-op.  Nothing beats frozen grapes in the summer.

96.  John eating and loving the fresh pineapple.  And then, today, strawberries.

97.  A kitchen so stocked that I didn't even have to go to the grocery store today.

98.  Chicken in the crockpot--an easy dinner that both of my kids loved!!

99.  Ada so excited about an afternoon to spend in the sprinkler and baby pool, that she insisted on wearing her bathing suit and sunglasses to Sunday lunch.

100.  The use of my sister's car while she is in China for the next several weeks.  Some time to make room in the budget to once again fix our "broken" car.

Thankful. #s 81-90

Multitude on Mondays.

I love that title because, really, it is a multitude, isn't it?  A multitude of things that God is doing and giving and gracing right here in the everyday.

81.  Mom, safely here on a Sunday night, to watch miss Ada while John has his procedure done.

82.  Again, my mom, in a matter of minutes, straightening up my room, which has threatened to bury itself in a mountain of "stuff."  (as always!!)

83.  Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, so glad it's just a short drive away.

84.  A fridge stocked so full I can hardly shut the door.  The pantry is the same way.  

85.  My comfortable, warm bed that I get to climb into every night.  Think of those who don't have this.  Think of it.

86.  South Point PCA, our church.  We have found a home there.  

87.  The women in my discipleship group, who let me unload every Thursday night.  And then they kindly speak truth in the face of my junk.  It's life-changing in the simplest of ways.

88.  A day spent in Birmingham with college friends, talking motherhood and marriage and life after Auburn--celebrating a new life that is on the way.  (Amanda, I am stealing this picture off of your blog.  I hopes that's okay).

89.  A unexpected trip to Big Blue Bagel, right there in Birmingham.  Crazy, really.

90.  The strange pain in my arms, back, and neck--a side effect of the skin "condition"--is GONE.  The vitamins perhaps?  I am relieved, to say the least.

And we would greatly appreciate your prayers in the morning as we head into "the city" to have John's eye fixed.  (So excited to finally have it done).  The part I am dreading the most is a morning spent with a hungry, thirsty John.  It seems like torture to not be able to give him any food or drink.  And of course I pray that the surgery is completed with no complications and that it WORKS.  Please, Lord, don't let us be that 10% that has to have further work done.  It's never fun to have your child given anesthesia, but I am also thankful that he won't feel a thing.  I will be back with an update tomorrow afternoon.  Bless his heart, my little John-John.

Thankful. #s 71-80.

So thankful, when I take the time to look past my natural tendency to complain.  I am a glass-half-empty kind of girl, but this purposeful thanksgiving is quite the remedy for that.

1.  My mom.  She is still so my mom.  She comes to the rescue, every time.

2.  The box of vitamins and "things" that mom had sent to my house.  Not inexpensive, I tell you, but she believes that it might be just the thing to get rid of this mysterious skin "condition."  THANK YOU, MOM.

3.  My mom's mom, holding me in the above picture.  My sweet, sweet grandmother.  Look at her being such a mom in the above picture.  Because when do you need your mom more than in those first days with a newborn?  

4.  That positive pregnancy test six months into marriage.  Little did I know that it was my Ada that God was growing inside of me.  I am so, so, so thankful that God's plan was so much bigger than my own.

5.  And my John Thomas.  My cranky, stinker, rascal of a boy, John.  It is Heaven when he hugs me so tight.  In the midst of his crankiness, he is my precious cuddle bug. 

6.  The safety of this house.  Think of the moms out there, living in fear every night.  I am so thankful that my children are tucked so safe-and-sound in their beds.  What a gift

7.  That God's grace is sufficient.  Because no matter how safe this house feels, I don't know what a day holds.  Thank you, Lord, that your grace is sufficient for whatever comes our way.  That is where the peace is found.

8.  That I am at home with the kiddos.  Think of it.  It is not a given, and yet, I am here with them everyday.

9.  My mother's day nap yesterday.  Scott let me sleep the afternoon away.  It's all I really wanted. 

10.  On top of the nap, Scott cooked sweet potato chips for dinner.  It was like he brought a piece of Auburn to our kitchen.  Amsterdam Cafe right here in Georgia.

All of this.  Stressful?  Yes.  Stains and spills and crumbs and toys in every. single. corner?  Yes.  Exhausted to the very core?  Yes.  But, motherhood.  Thank you, Lord.  Thank you.

Thankful. #61-70. And some updates.

61.  A simple procedure to fix John's eye, scheduled for May 17th.
62.  In the mean time, eye drops to easily fix his 10 millionth case of pink eye.
63.  My house standing; my family safe.
64.  Power and warm showers.
65.  The book Trusting God.  The timing of my reading that book could not be more perfect.
66.  God's word, which is always true in the midst of my circumstances.
67.  John eating the strawberry-banana muffins that I made today.  We are making progress in the area of fruits and vegetables.
68.  John beginning to like lots of people other than me; it's giving me some breathing room.
69.  I have listed this before; can I list it again?  I am thankful for it again today-- Friends who carry my burdens.
70.  The homemade soap that my mom bought for my hurting skin.  It's so easy on my skin.

It's an ordinary week here at our house.  There is not much to report.  I continue to watch the videos of last week's tornadoes and to read the different stories.  I continue to be blown away by it all.  I also feel like I haven't gotten enough of the Royal Wedding.  Such a contrast, right?  And then there is the Osama Bin Laden news.  So much to think about and all such different ends of the spectrum. 

As for our family, as I mentioned above, John has pink eye--AGAIN, but that is to be expected until we finally get his tear duct unclogged.  I can't wait to see him with two clear eyes. 

My skin is not clearing up, so I will most likely be going to yet another doctor.  I am feeling quite discouraged with that whole situation because no one can figure out what is wrong with me, which means no one can figure out a solution, and it is becoming quite painful.  Not to provide too much information, but in case anyone has any insight--it is like my feet and hands are covered in broken blisters.  It starts out with a spot itching very badly, and when I scratch, the blister forms and breaks.  It covers my right foot--top and bottom and toes, though the bottom of my foot has now cleared up.  It also covers a lot of my fingers, the tops of my hands, and a few spots on the palm of my hands.  It's especially painful on my hands because, obviously, I use my hands for everything.  I have a few random spots on my legs and and arms.  I have been to a general doctor and a dermatologist here, and my childhood pediatrician and a dermatologist in Huntsville, and everyone is baffled.  All doctors have given me something to try, and the most recent solution has helped the most, but it's still spreading on my hands.  I thought my feet were clearing up, but today the spots have begun to form again.  The Huntsville dermatologist will most likely be referring me to a new doctor here.  So, that is a more detailed explanation of what is going on with that, in hopes that someone has some insight :)  Probably not, right?

Anyway, I really am so thankful that we are safe and sound.  I was not even a part of the tornadoes last week, other than one quick scare, and, still, I will be taking tornado warnings very seriously in the future.  Even the other night, I debated not waking Ada and John to get them into the closet--it will not be a debate next time.  I repeat, I can't stop watching the videos.  It's unreal. 

Thankful. #s 51-60.

This past weekend I read The Hiding Place for the first time.

Oh my word.  I couldn't put the book down.  The entire story just blew me away (and left me with a heavy heart when I finally got to the end and the reality of what the concentration camp was like).  There was one part in particular that gave me chill bumps and caused a few tears to come to my eyes.

At the last concentration camp where Corrie Ten Boom and her sister Betsy were before Betsy died and Corrie was released, Corrie and Betsy were in a room (with so many other prisoners, stacked floor to ceiling when they slept at night) that was absolutely infested with fleas.  On the night that they arrived at the concentration camp, and they realized the room was covered in fleas, Corrie asked Betsy, "how can we live like this?"  And Betsy, always looking to Heaven and to the work of Christ in everything, said that they would turn to the word (which was a miracle in itself that they were able to smuggle in a tiny bible).  And they turned to Thessalonians, where we are instructed to give thanks for EVERYTHING.  So, Betsy proceeded to thank the Lord for the fleas, and Corrie just couldn't join in.  She didn't understand how they could be thankful for the fleas.  (can you imagine?!!!!)  Over the weeks, Corrie and Betsy noticed that the guards, who covered every inch of that concentration camp, never actually came into the bunk room.  As a result, they were able to lead a nightly bible study with the smuggled-in bible.  A few weeks went by, and Betsy was questioning another prisoner about why the guards never came near the bunk room, and the prisoner said, "don't you know?  They won't come near the fleas."  God was working for their good by infesting their sleeping quarters with fleas!!!!  The book is filled with one story after another of how God works for good in the midst of horrific circumstances.  Circumstances so nightmarish that they are beyond the realm of my understanding.  But, I walked away from the story with the reality that God is absolutely sovereign and good in our lives.  HE IS.

And so, I thank Him.

51.  My mother's backyard and back porch--home.
52.  Watching Ada have a fun-filled day with her cousins.
53.  A night out with my husband.
54.  A quick, safe trip to Alabama, despite threats of storms
55.  You Tube, and the ability to listen to John Piper right here on this Tuesday morning.  Amazing what technology allows.
56.  Books.  Books, books, books.
57.  Sunday morning, listening to Steve preach.
58.  Ada's continued disobedience and bad reactions--always humbling me and reminding me that I am helpless apart from Christ (I am to thank him for everything, right?).
59.  John sleeping well the past two nights.  No endless crying in the middle of the night.
60.  Yo-toddler yogurt with fruit puree.  One more way to sneak in the fruits and veggies.

Everyday, grace upon grace upon grace upon grace.  HE IS ENOUGH.  ALWAYS.  (One of the many things Steve preached about this past Sunday)

Thankful. #s 39-50

Thankful again, so thankful.  The blessings are always there when I take the time to look for them. 

39.  The toddler stage.  I love that John's personality is starting to develop so much, but that at the same time he is still my cuddly baby boy.  Precious thing.
40.  Ada tickling John, and the squeals and laughter from both of them.
41.  Doctors and health insurance.  So very thankful for health insurance.
42.  Two, working cars!!!! 
43.  Peace in the midst of chaos.  God's word is true--do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
44.  Discovering a broken air conditioner before the heat of the summer sets in.
45.  Quick, fixable problems, and we have cool air again!!
46.  Dirt roads and green fields.  I think I am a city girl, and then I breath in all that fresh air, and I second guess myself.
47.  Real questions from Ada about how Jesus felt when he died on the cross.  Keep her questioning, Lord, keep her questioning.
48.  Couponing.
49.  Dove coconut and dark chocolate eggs.
50.  This family--I joke that I am "just living the dream," but isn't that exactly what I am doing?  Because at the end of the day, there is nothing I want more than these people right here with me within the four walls of my house.  My treasures.

Thankful. #s 29-39

And it's Monday again, and I am still counting all the ways that God gifts me every single day. 

29.  Sunshine.  Glorious sunshine.
30.  Hay on the leveled empty lot beside our house.  Does this mean grass?  (did I list this last week?)
31.  John eating all of his peanut butter and banana sandwich at lunch time.  That's one fruit in!!  (one piece of banana fell out of his sandwich onto his tray.  He wouldn't touch it; that crazy boy)
32.  Blogging that allows me to get so many great ideas from so many other moms.
33.  Friends continuing to carry our burdens--specifically the burden of a broken car.
34.  Very clear answers to prayers about my tutoring job.  I will be venturing out on my own, away from the company that I did work for.
35.  A Sunday afternoon spent with my Ada and dear friends from church, watching those beautiful dancers. 
36.  Ada praying today.  I have been praying that she would want to pray.  Today she did.
37.  Three nights of not lying down with Ada at bedtime.  Again, answered prayer.
38.  That God cares more about my good than my comfort. 
39.  The end of the day, Scott by my side. 

Thankful. #s 15-28

Today is the perfect day for me to list all that I am thankful for because today is a day where I could get bogged down in anxiety and craziness.  I am glad for an excuse to turn my eyes to all of the good in my life.

So here I go...

15.  John's sleeping all night
16.  Sleeping until 8 am in the morning (I have given up on waking up early.  It's not in the cards for this season of life).
17.  Memorized scripture--a miracle!!
18.  Laundry on schedule, still--another miracle!!
19.  child laughter while I clean the kitchen
20.  Rest time in the afternoon while John naps
21.  pediatric eye doctors and neurologists--very fixable problems
22.  the baby years and the children clinging to my leg years, I will blink...
23.  friends who carry my burdens
24.  twenty minute work out video that gets the job done
25.  my washing machine and dryer--imagine if I had to do all of this by hand?!!
26.  allergy medicine
27.  new bag for 3.99 on clearance.  Big enough to hold diapers, wipes, and everything else, but still passes for a purse

28.  nightly family prayer that has accidentally become routine

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Phillipians 4:6

One Thousand Gifts

Do you know Ann Voskamp?  Surely you do, because it seems everyone does. 

I have been reading her blog for a while now (and finding myself in awe that she can wake up everyday and the words flow out of her the way that they do.), and I am encouraged by her intentional parenting and wifing and homemaking and educating and the list goes on and on.  She is all about finding the sacred in the everyday. 

Well, I recently ordered her book, One Thousand Gifts, and I have been encouraged to join her in looking for the good, the sacred, the gifts of God in the midst of the daily, and even in the midst of the suffering and the tragic.  Even there she thanks him. 

And so begins my list of 1000 (and beyond?)

1.  friends who know me well enough that even when it's been months, we start right where we left off
2.  the squeal of my children when I come in the door after a night away
3.  John's fat cheek up against mine
4.  A husband who encourages me to go, even when he has been very sick only days before
5.  In-laws who come to help out, giving me even greater peace of mind about being away
6.  A mom who can come in and figure out an organizational system that, shockingly, works.  (after praying that the Lord would help me get out from under the chaos)
7.  Health Insurance
8.  the smell of my new dryer sheets
9.  the sound of a neighbor's weed eater on this Spring evening and the smell of freshly cut grass
10.  Sonic diet coke for .99
11.  the library and the endless amount of books it supplies
12.  my Rainbow vacuum cleaner
13.  pajama pants and a t-shirt at the close of the day
14.  a full night's sleep on Saturday night
15.  the community I have found in this town I had never even heard of only a few years ago

The Lord is, indeed, good.  Always.