Simply Thankful

26.  Smell of new baby’s head

27.  So many little helper

28.  Netflix instant viewing on the Wii

29.  Second chances

30.  Strong shoulders to cry on

31.  Quiet moments

32.  Solitude of a walk without any children

33.  Side lying position

34.  Naps

35.  Meals brought by friends

36.  Friends who take pictures

37.  Visits with friends

38.  Friends watching children so we can take care of errands

39.  Warm wind blowing the chill away

40.  Snow on a spring day

41.  Green shoots sticking up through the snow

42.  This year’s maple syrup on hot pancakes

11.  dilating, thinning, and effacing

12.  chiropractic adjustments

13.  rueben sandwiches on pumpernickel sourdough bread

14.  when the teenager changes his heart

15.  strong, muscular, veiny arms all flexed for me to behold

16.  doing a chore with a happy attitude

17.  little ones trying to find the baby hiding behind mommy's belly button

18.  a dear friend being there for the birth

19.  DSLR cameras

20.  taking pictures of food on a sunny day

21.  melting snow running down the driveway

22.  green shasta daisy shoots poking through the last of the snow

23.  sunshine, warm on my belly

24.  quiet of bedtime

25.  anticpation

1. little ones pretending to be puppies

2. a winter day that is 50 degrees above zero with sunshine

3. single serve coffee machines

4. coffee syrups

5. trucks that keep running

6. snowball fights

7. reese’s peanut butter eggs

8. homemade laundry soap recipes

9. birds chirping in the brown branches

10. pink laced clouds on the edge of the sunrise

Fresh Start

I have been reading Ann Voskamp’s book, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are.  I am only on Chapter Two, but am so inspired by the living of Eucharisteo.  Eucharisteo means thanksgiving.

Funny that.  Years ago when I set up this particular blog, that was my intention.  To find three things a day to be thankful for.  Sounds easy enough.  Well, it’s been almost three years, since my last post on Simply Thankful.

As with anything that you set out to do that gives glory to the Lord, you are bound to face some opposition.  Part of my opposition was my own perfectionism.  I wanted each item I posted out here that I was thankful for to be profound and expound upon it.  There were other contributing factors, to be sure, but the main one was the perfectionism.

After reading the book, up to chapter two, ahem… I find that it can be as simple as being thankful for a cup of coffee, a kiss on the cheek, sunshine on my shoulders.  Simply simple.  You would think I would have figured that one out on my own.  Also I like the format of a numbered list.  It falls right in line with counting blessings, which Bing Crosby croons about falling asleep while doing…so it’s gotta be a good thing.

Anyhow, that is how I will do it.  A list.  Increasing with each post.  Hopefully consistently.  Perhaps daily.  Always simply and thankfully.

I welcome you to follow along.  Should you choose to do so as well, feel free to let me know and I can start a blog roll to the left.

If you haven’t had a chance to read Ann Voskamp’s, One Thousand Gifts, I highly recommend it and I haven’t even finished it yet!

Lovies,DJ

Tuesday, July 14, 2001

I am thankful…

• that I have made some new friends and have been able to fellowship with them and the Lord on Tuesdays.  I know that even though my ability to continue meeting weekly may be drawing to a close, that the friendships we have forged will weather through my absence.
• that I am inspired by people all the time to aspire to have a closer, deeper, and more intimate relationship with my Savior.
• for humility… every once in a while, when I totally, and I mean TOTALLY blow it, that through a humble, penitent, and forgiveness seeking heart I can ask for forgiveness, receive it and draw closer to the one who paid for my sin.

Monday, March 31, 2008

• I am thankful that even though I cannot make myself be more consistent and disiplined in the things that I do, no matter how hard I try, that God will show me the way and that he will bring about lasting changes.
• I am thankful that even though I am a real weanie about seeing my kids sad and unhappy, even if they may need to be on occasion, that God will give me strength to facilitate changes for thier good, even if it means thier discomfort.
• I am thankful that my husband is named David...a man after God's heart...I am so thankful he has made the decision to live his life for Christ and that the Lord is moulding and shaping him into a Godly man and a fantastic father.

March 27, 2008

• I am thankful that just one week ago, I started updating this blog again, with the intent to actually be consistent DAILY and am getting around to updating it again a WEEK later...best made plans of mice and men...heehee!
• I am thankful that I am going on an outing with two special people tomorrow for a little girl time and then I get to go again in the evening...God spoils me!
• I am thankful that I get to spend today with my wonderful kids (because despite thier flaws, they really are wonderful!), and that this weekend they will be experiencing thier first Royal Rangers and Missionettes type fun.  I have been waiting for this for a long time.

March 20, 2008

• I am going to try to start journaling my thankfulness again
• I have such a great husband
• That God REALLY is providing for all of our needs

January 8, 2008

• that I have such great assistant team leads for the life groups I lead
• that God ALWAYS has a better plan than I can come up with
• that I have great kids

January 4, 2008

• that I can do some fascinating things with my camera, even though I am not sure how to duplicate it
• that I really do enjoy research, as long as the kids are sleeping
• that my hubby is such a good provider and has a heart for the Lord