Thankful Mondays

-pretty toes
-girl's day out
-good friends
-good news
-hot coffee
-a great series of books
-oreo ice cream
-new football games to watch
-hearing my niece's sweet, sweet voice for the first time

(Join the crowd! )

106. Silas and Jotham laughing over a silly joke.

107. Isaac reading a book.

108. Anticipation of fellowship.

109. Healing.

110. Enough Velveeta to make Queso.

111. Sharing Queso with friends!

112. Praying with brave women.

113. Comfy jeans.

114. Helpful kiddos.

115. A very hot cup of tea.

Thankful for all of these...

Cartwheels Anyone?

Taking the time to remember and utter thanks for simple, little things makes a difference in my day. I am reminded of an important truth when I mark those moments that bring a smile, a contented sigh or so much joy I think I could pull off cartwheels and back flips! The Truth is God's daily awareness of me and His activity in my life. God is personal. And Persistent. And Faithful. And Good. My friend at Holy Experience introduced me to this particular list and community of Grateful Participants and I invite you to start your own gratitude journal...online or otherwise. There are blessings all around us. Today I give praise for these:

97. Anaiah during praise time.
98. Silas still being willing to sit in my lap.
99. Mam-ma's recipes
100. Psalm 25
101. Hearing Isaac read
102. The countdown to a special day
103. Wearing a beautiful necklace bought on a shopping trip with Mom & Dad
104. Satellites
105. The comfort and hope of prayer.

Chime in, my friends. What are you thankful for today?

Nurturing a Grateful Heart

Thank you Jehovah Jireh for:

81. the resiliency of my children
82. safe take-offs and landings in airplanes
83. heroes
84. being with my children
85. my husband's willingness to manage the household solo so I could fly to a funeral
86. healthy closure
87. singing with our children
88. tears with family
89. laughter with family
90. really good Mexican food
91. reconnecting with long-lost friends
92. my Granddaddy
93. a whole night's sleep
94. sonograms
95. a good internet connection
96. the hope of Heaven

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
I Thessalonians 5:16-18

More Thanks

61. Time to "get away from it all".
62. Johnny Rockets chocolate milkshakes
63. Cool water on a hot day
64. Airconditioning
65. Organized taxi systems
66. Chinese take out
67. Naps
68. Mom and Dad waiting at the airport
69. The safe ending of a long flight
70. Blue bell ice cream
71. Blue bell ice cream
72. Blue bell ice cream :-)
73. Shopping with my Mom and my daughter
74. My boys trailing after Papa
75. My dad laughing with my boys
76. A whole night's sleep
77. Someone else making breakfast for me
78. A really good pair of jeans
79. The perfect pair of shoes
80. Playing Apples to Apples with our kiddos

Oh, So Very...

Thankful.

And here is a list to prove it...

31. Hot fudge cake.
32.Ty's visit
33. Silas singing "Lord I Lift Your Name on High"
34. The first cup of steaming coffee in the morning.
35. Help with the dishes.
36. Isaac's laugh
37. Cuddling with Anaiah
38. Prayer time with the team
39. Sleep
40. A definite plan
41. Hope
42. Cool weather and a hot cup of tea
43. Pale pink nail polish
44. Iced sugar cookies
45. Respite at the close of the day
46. Checking on our sleeping children
47. Listening to Isaac read
48. Reading Kinley's creative writing
49. Alex's love of cardboard boxes
50. Silas opening his birthday presents
51. Succesful potty training
52. Jotham's voice on the phone
53. Furlough plans
54. Paper plates
55. The day after a migraine headache
56. Jeff and the kids doing the dishes
57. New bed linens
58. Baxter
59. An organized pantry
60. Support and love from family

Focus

13. Sunday dinner
14. Isaac washing dishes
15.Christmas lights
16.Electricity
17. Clean laundry (folded and put away)
18.Overnight getaway with Jeff
19.Naps
20.Very cold chocolate mousse
21.Four wonderful meals cooked for me and served to me!
22. Elephants playing in the water
23. Wrapped Christmas gifts
24. Surprises
25. Safe travels
26. Anaiah's smile
27. Audrey's safety
28. Prayer
29. The Great Physician
30. Courage of friends to take leaps of faith

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

The Listers

It is the time of year for lists...Christmas card lists, wish lists, party attendees lists...

I love lists. I really do.

And I’m not alone. Others of you out there also feel the supreme joy of Making The List.

Currently, I have these lists written down and in process:

1. Thanksgiving prep for today's lunch
2. Groceries to buy in town
3. Paperwork to complete for the government
4. Computer To-Do’s
5. Christmas prep
6. Next Trip to Kampala groceries and supplies

I love them all.

But it’s funny. I am also good at keeping other lists.
You know. The List of how many ways someone has ever ticked me off. The List of all the injustices forced upon me in all of time. The list of all my losses...

Sigh.

These are not the lists I write down. Nor are they lists I am proud of. But, it is remarkable how quickly I can recall them in detail when I am hurt.
Why is it that when one situation brings pain…it revives the wounds of other situations that are similar? I stub my toe on some issue and out comes the “list”.

Recently, I read Tracey's thoughts concerning loss and grief. Tracey's thoughts and Sandi's comment about the "loss closet" have had me pondering.

I was affirmed when reading these things, that it is normal to revisit other losses when facing a new one.

I just need to be sure the visit doesn’t turn into a permanent situation.

Another blogging sister, whose writing touches me deeply, has been making a list over the last year called One Thousand Gifts. I have been convicted to start my own thankful list, in an effort to turn my focus...And give thanks.

I’ll be posting parts of the list over the next year. I’m working towards 1000….making note of the things that God is giving me everyday.

And I feel this is the perfect day to start ☺

1. New puppies.
2. My children laughing.
3. My husband reading the Bible to the children.
4. Cornbread Dressing.
5. My Mam-ma’s pie recipes.
6. Pumpkin pie with whipped cream.
7. Memories of wonderful family holidays.
8. Missionary community to share holidays with here.
9. Campfires with the kids.
10. Turkey,bacon sandwiches
11. Smores
12. My Blogland Sisters--your authentic sharing so often spurs me on to love and good deeds!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! May your list of blessings come quickly to mind during this holiday season...

Praise!

(Feel free to grab this graphic and start your own list! Let me know if you do...)