Here I will journey through the book "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. You'll find take aways from the book and the making of my 1,000 gifts: things I am thankful for, to continually cultivate a heart of gratitude. My ultimate gratitude lies in the saving and reconciling grace and power of Christ. Without Him we are lost and always searching for more in life when all life makes sense in light of His purposes and glory.
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them...Luke 22:19
he gave thanks in the original greek is Eucharisteo, this word contains the greek word for grace, charis and chara meaning joy. Eucharisteo - thanksgiving - always precedes the miracle.
Eucharisteo...thanksgiving, grace, and joy living. Eucharistic living, that's what I want to cultivate in my heart and life.
1. Jesus is my portion, salvation, purpose, vision, and worth.
2. Because of Jesus I have been saved, redeemed, justified, reconciled, restored, given His righteousness and being sanctified ever day until glory.
3. That God formed me in the womb, gave me breath, placed me here in this generation to know Him and to trust Him more with each step of uncertainty of what's ahead knowing He is sovereign over all and holds the world and my life in the palm of His very hands.
4. Having the Word in our hands to give us life, perspective, direction
5. Fall weather and Fall colors
6. For rest that God designed for us to take.
7. Laughing with friends
8. For my current roommates Sarah and Jayne. Not only do I share a home with them, but I find home in and with them.
9. For the memories, fun, growth, and lessons learned from previous roommates.
24. The Holiday Soundtrack. That music speaks to the rhythm of life I desire. Slow. Reflective. Thankful. Life giving. Refreshing.
25. The way my friends know me and what I love.
26. How music makes me focus at work.
27. Putting fresh contacts in. What a relief from old contacts.
28. The moments when I tell another Ashley that my name is Ashley.
29. Deep golden sun light in dark/overcast areas.
30. Sherbet sunsets leaving work and the deep breath it causes me to take.
31. My friend Corie's pregnant belly and the baby's name, Isla.
32. One-on-One time with girls in my life group
33. Seasonal coffee creamers to have at home and work: Pumpkin spice, Peppermint mocha.
60. Life group girls excited and anxious to be together.
61. Reminders of truth when discouraged or hearing lies.
62. Anticipating life group Tuesday nights.
63. Images in scripture. My favorites: deeply rooted tree and birds
64. The story of Ruth pointing to Jesus as my redeemer. He carries me on His wings.
65. Travis being used to remind me the Lord is El Roi, the Lord who sees and hears you.
66. Fall colored tress lining the streets inviting you down their path.
67. Beau, he encourages me in the Lord.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. 2 Chronicles 16:34
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them...Luke 22:19
he gave thanks in the original greek is Eucharisteo, this word contains the greek word for grace, charis and chara meaning joy. Eucharisteo - thanksgiving - always precedes the miracle.
Eucharisteo...thanksgiving, grace, and joy living. Eucharistic living, that's what I want to cultivate in my heart and life.
"Now in the Bible a name....reveals the very essence of a thing, or rather its essence as God's gift...To name a thing is to manifest the meaning and value God gave it, to know it as coming from God and to know its place and function within the cosmos created by God. To name a thing, in other words is to bless God for it and in it." p.53
"I don't even know they are gifts really until I write them down and that is really what they look like. Gifts He bestows. This writing it down - it is sort of like...unwrapping love." p. 45
1. Jesus is my portion, salvation, purpose, vision, and worth.
2. Because of Jesus I have been saved, redeemed, justified, reconciled, restored, given His righteousness and being sanctified ever day until glory.
3. That God formed me in the womb, gave me breath, placed me here in this generation to know Him and to trust Him more with each step of uncertainty of what's ahead knowing He is sovereign over all and holds the world and my life in the palm of His very hands.
4. Having the Word in our hands to give us life, perspective, direction
5. Fall weather and Fall colors
6. For rest that God designed for us to take.
7. Laughing with friends
8. For my current roommates Sarah and Jayne. Not only do I share a home with them, but I find home in and with them.
9. For the memories, fun, growth, and lessons learned from previous roommates.
10. Laughing with my parents
11. For new mornings
12. The way that Psalm 119 speaks to me
13. Lunches with Yvonne and Christina
14. Marshmallows in hot chocolate
15. the book of Joshua and his courage and leadership
16. Friends and community at church.
17. The desire the to leave a legacy and a Christ- grace- centered heritage.
18. That I can joke and laugh with my co-workers
19. Second stories. A co-workers spouse passed away awhile ago and is engaged to be married again.
20. A warm shower on a cold winter morning
21. The time in between being really cold in your car and waiting for it to warm up.
22. The different way people say "Good Morning" and "Hello"
23. Text messages that start with an affectionate name.
I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness. Psalm 7:17
"If clinging to His goodness is the highest form of prayer, then this seeing His goodness with a pen, with a shutter, with a word of thanks, there really are the most sacred acts conceivable." p. 61
I will give thanks to the Lord will all my heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. Psalm 9:1
"Give thanks...slow time down with all your attention - and your basket of not-enough-time multiplies into more than enough time...Hurry always empties a soul...The fast have spiritually slow hearts...Thanksgiving creates abundance; and the miracle of multiplying happens when I give thanks - take the just one loaf, say it is enough, and give thanks - and He miraculously makes it more than enough."
24. The Holiday Soundtrack. That music speaks to the rhythm of life I desire. Slow. Reflective. Thankful. Life giving. Refreshing.
25. The way my friends know me and what I love.
26. How music makes me focus at work.
27. Putting fresh contacts in. What a relief from old contacts.
28. The moments when I tell another Ashley that my name is Ashley.
29. Deep golden sun light in dark/overcast areas.
30. Sherbet sunsets leaving work and the deep breath it causes me to take.
31. My friend Corie's pregnant belly and the baby's name, Isla.
32. One-on-One time with girls in my life group
33. Seasonal coffee creamers to have at home and work: Pumpkin spice, Peppermint mocha.
34. Waiting for an evening of fun and looking forward to it all day.
35. Hosting and creating an environment for people to gather.
36. Having a new recipe come out great!
37. The way Kaelyn gets me.
38. Sharing what the Lord has been teaching and growing in us, with friends over a meal.
39. Hot chocolate ice cream!
40. The sound of Fridays at work and my co-workers Friday morning song.
41. Unexpected phone calls from friends when they are on the road.
42. Christmas shopping with Kaelyn.
43. Overcast rainy days.
44. Being in the car with a friend and not having any conversation for a little bit is not awkward.
45. Slow Saturday mornings with friends.
46. Sitting in the rain at a football game and loving it.
47. Catch up phone conversations with friends.
48. Playing tennis with my life group girls.
49. Drinking out of my clear mug and thinking of Julie Bell.
50. The way the Lord fills you when you give, when you give of yourself. Living with an open hand allows you to give and receive even more.
51. My nephews Sam and Ethan. They are so fun and the cutest babies you will ever see, truly :)
52. Sending and receiving snail mail
53. Watching people of the church taking communion together, reflecting on the cross.
54. The leaves changing colors. Red. Oranges. Brown. My favorite season and colors.
55. Friends asking good questions.
56. Seeing my friend's Walter and Nancy on Sunday mornings.
57. Greeting at the door at church with Mary Ann and our time together.
58. Celebrating birthdays and reflecting on another year of life.
The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trust, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. Psalm 28:7
"The brave who focus on all things good and all things beautiful and all things true, even in the small, who give thanks for it and discover joy even in the here and now, they are the change agents who bring fullest Light to all the world. When we lay the soil of our hard lives open to the rain of grace and let joy penetrate our cracked and dry places, let joy soak into our broken skin and deep crevices, life grows." p.58
59. Hearing someones voice as you read their text60. Life group girls excited and anxious to be together.
61. Reminders of truth when discouraged or hearing lies.
62. Anticipating life group Tuesday nights.
63. Images in scripture. My favorites: deeply rooted tree and birds
64. The story of Ruth pointing to Jesus as my redeemer. He carries me on His wings.
65. Travis being used to remind me the Lord is El Roi, the Lord who sees and hears you.
66. Fall colored tress lining the streets inviting you down their path.
67. Beau, he encourages me in the Lord.
68. The opportunity to go to Israel, January 2012. Preparing and thinking about it.
69. Friends who carry the weight with you of your prayers and burdens.
70. My nephews Sam and Ethan. Ethan crawling video!
71. The candy Mamba, and the time Julie and I ate all of them together leaving wrappers piled high :)
72. The kindness of my boss.
73. Lunch with Malissa when she is down the hill.
74. Malissa's laughter.
75. How solitude and dreamer time fills my tank.
76. Picture of Donna on my bookshelf, a woman who so deeply shaped and influenced. Causes me to stop and look at it and think about our time together before she was taken, what she instilled in me and modeled for me.
77. My brothers and sister-in-law. I love them and every moment and the times of laughter with them. They feel like home.
78. Seeing people in the car next to you moving/singing along to their music. Glad to know I'm not the only one. Yet wondering what they are listening to.
79. The trees when I leave work arching the walk way changing to fall red colors.
80. Sneezing. I love sneezing and always look to a bright light or the sun to draw more sneezes out.
81. Sitting by the fire at my parents
82. How one tree can have so many changing colors at one time.
83. Starbucks store decorated for Christmas
84. The red aprons the baristas wear at Starbucks during the Holiday season
85. Time on 2 Timothy 2 - what a calling
86. Our Friday morning group talking through life and scripture
87. Micaela's laugh, it's my favorite
88. Sabbath Sundays
89. Candy Cane Joe Joe's
90. Kaelyn's sweet thoughtfulness
91. Watching a movie fireside
92. Lunch with Maria. She blessed me by treating me.
93. Life Group Christmas Dinner Italian style at Olive Garden
94. Laughter around a dinner table.
95. Watching old friends re-unite
96. Warm soup on cold days
97. Living close to work
98. Love reading other people's thoughts and processing on their blogs.
99. People's creativity.
100. Encouraging text from Jayne in the morning.
101. Thanksgiving day with my family.
102. Sam's worm crawl.
103. Learning about myself more and more each day.
104. Getting Christmas decorations out.
105. A day at Yosemite with Megan.
106. Megan's honesty.
107. A house dimly lit by Christmas lights, candles, and decorations inside.
108. A week off from work.
109. Worship, brings perspetive. Corporate worship reminded us we are not walking this alone.
110. The warmth from the sun through a car window on a cold day.
111. Having lunch with my grandma and listening to her stories and laughter.
112. Slow afternoon's at the Revue.
113. Driving through the fog layer of the valley and reaching sunny clear blue skies on the grapevine. Breaking through that cloud like bursting to freedom, fresh air.
114. Arriving after a long drive.
115. Trusting His plans are better.
116. Just me on the road.
117. Good conversations with Victoria; seeing how much she has grown and matured from her Amazing Race experience without her even realizing it.
118. Seeing Melissa. Her cozy room that welcomed me for a few days and nights.
119. Warmth of the sunshine walking at Seaport Village in San Diego.
120. The adventure of finding something new.
121. The Christmas store Melissa and I went searching for wondering where in the world we were driving
122. A search that was worth the find.
123. Once finding the Christmas store, not being disappointed and being like little kids in a candy store.
124. A good nights sleep after a rough night of little sleep.
125. Time with Jon in Costa Mesa. His friendship. His laughter. The way he thinks before he speaks.
126. Friends hanging out at our house all day on Saturdays. Love our house to be a gathering place.
127. Celebrating C.J.'s birthday traditionally at Me-N-Eds with her family. Find home in them.
128. Time listening to, encouraging, and praying with life groups leaders.
129. Laughing when recipes go wrong.
130. A sweet text from Rachel Wilhelm.
131. For Yvonne. And the candle and mug that she went out of her way to give me at work.
132. I love my cupboard of eclectic mugs each with a story and thinking of that each time I use them.
133. Sitting outside in the sunshine to warm when the house is cold.
134. The blanket of Fall leaves that have been wind blown every where.
135. The sound of fallen Autumn leaves crunching under your feet.
136. My nephews' squeal when I come in the room.
137. How my nephews' smile at me across the room.
138. Making eye contact with someone knowing you are thinking the same thing without saying a word. 139. Being with CJ and Wesley.
140. Nights I say not to something and stay in and have rest.
141. Walking Cindy Lane with my life group. Love their laughter and conversation.
142. Leaves falling in front of you when walking or driving.
143. Those few extra moments on my lunch break when running errands to stop, slow down, and notice people around me. Reminding me to slow down and set aside my own agenda.
144. Time with Jen. Refreshing. Fun. Easy. Encouraging.
145. The Bell girls. Kendall's spicy and Peyton's sweet personalities.
146. A few days off work and days filled with my family and the Doswald's taking my nephews to Disneyland.
147. Disneyland at Christmas time is so magical. I love strolling around at night time but all the dim lighting, my favorite.
148. Sweet gifts from my co-workers.
149. Conversations with roomies about life after work.
150. Nights in with Sarah, reading.
151. The release of one thing, to hold with an open hand, allowing to receive something else.
152. Spending the night with Hannah the night before we leave for Israel and neither of us could hardly sleep.
80. Sneezing. I love sneezing and always look to a bright light or the sun to draw more sneezes out.
81. Sitting by the fire at my parents
82. How one tree can have so many changing colors at one time.
83. Starbucks store decorated for Christmas
84. The red aprons the baristas wear at Starbucks during the Holiday season
85. Time on 2 Timothy 2 - what a calling
86. Our Friday morning group talking through life and scripture
87. Micaela's laugh, it's my favorite
88. Sabbath Sundays
89. Candy Cane Joe Joe's
90. Kaelyn's sweet thoughtfulness
91. Watching a movie fireside
92. Lunch with Maria. She blessed me by treating me.
93. Life Group Christmas Dinner Italian style at Olive Garden
94. Laughter around a dinner table.
95. Watching old friends re-unite
96. Warm soup on cold days
97. Living close to work
98. Love reading other people's thoughts and processing on their blogs.
99. People's creativity.
100. Encouraging text from Jayne in the morning.
101. Thanksgiving day with my family.
102. Sam's worm crawl.
103. Learning about myself more and more each day.
In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good. Psalm 54:6
" 'Wherever you are, be all there' is only possible in the posture of eucharisteo. I want to slow down and taste life, give thanks, and see God...The slower the living, the greater the sense of fullness and satisfaction."
104. Getting Christmas decorations out.
105. A day at Yosemite with Megan.
106. Megan's honesty.
107. A house dimly lit by Christmas lights, candles, and decorations inside.
108. A week off from work.
109. Worship, brings perspetive. Corporate worship reminded us we are not walking this alone.
110. The warmth from the sun through a car window on a cold day.
111. Having lunch with my grandma and listening to her stories and laughter.
112. Slow afternoon's at the Revue.
113. Driving through the fog layer of the valley and reaching sunny clear blue skies on the grapevine. Breaking through that cloud like bursting to freedom, fresh air.
114. Arriving after a long drive.
115. Trusting His plans are better.
116. Just me on the road.
117. Good conversations with Victoria; seeing how much she has grown and matured from her Amazing Race experience without her even realizing it.
118. Seeing Melissa. Her cozy room that welcomed me for a few days and nights.
119. Warmth of the sunshine walking at Seaport Village in San Diego.
120. The adventure of finding something new.
121. The Christmas store Melissa and I went searching for wondering where in the world we were driving
122. A search that was worth the find.
123. Once finding the Christmas store, not being disappointed and being like little kids in a candy store.
124. A good nights sleep after a rough night of little sleep.
125. Time with Jon in Costa Mesa. His friendship. His laughter. The way he thinks before he speaks.
126. Friends hanging out at our house all day on Saturdays. Love our house to be a gathering place.
127. Celebrating C.J.'s birthday traditionally at Me-N-Eds with her family. Find home in them.
128. Time listening to, encouraging, and praying with life groups leaders.
129. Laughing when recipes go wrong.
130. A sweet text from Rachel Wilhelm.
131. For Yvonne. And the candle and mug that she went out of her way to give me at work.
132. I love my cupboard of eclectic mugs each with a story and thinking of that each time I use them.
133. Sitting outside in the sunshine to warm when the house is cold.
134. The blanket of Fall leaves that have been wind blown every where.
135. The sound of fallen Autumn leaves crunching under your feet.
136. My nephews' squeal when I come in the room.
137. How my nephews' smile at me across the room.
138. Making eye contact with someone knowing you are thinking the same thing without saying a word. 139. Being with CJ and Wesley.
140. Nights I say not to something and stay in and have rest.
141. Walking Cindy Lane with my life group. Love their laughter and conversation.
142. Leaves falling in front of you when walking or driving.
143. Those few extra moments on my lunch break when running errands to stop, slow down, and notice people around me. Reminding me to slow down and set aside my own agenda.
144. Time with Jen. Refreshing. Fun. Easy. Encouraging.
145. The Bell girls. Kendall's spicy and Peyton's sweet personalities.
146. A few days off work and days filled with my family and the Doswald's taking my nephews to Disneyland.
147. Disneyland at Christmas time is so magical. I love strolling around at night time but all the dim lighting, my favorite.
148. Sweet gifts from my co-workers.
149. Conversations with roomies about life after work.
150. Nights in with Sarah, reading.
151. The release of one thing, to hold with an open hand, allowing to receive something else.
152. Spending the night with Hannah the night before we leave for Israel and neither of us could hardly sleep.
We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. Psalm 75:1
"Thanks makes now a sanctuary...Thanksgiving is the evidence of our acceptance of whatever He gives. Thanksgiving is the manifestation of our Yes! to His grace."
153. Fresh air and stretching your legs after a 14 hour flgiht
154. The sweet new friends from the Israel trip
155. Leaving on the trip knowing 3 people and returning with 34 new friends!
156. The new heights and sights my feet journeyed on in Israel
157. The Lord being so specific to me in Israel
158. The view from Azekah, Masada, Qumran, Susita, Mt Arbel. New heights and sights.
159. David's faith in the God of Israel to defeat Goliath and picking up stones from the same river bed proclaiming the same faith.
160. Sitting on the shore of sea of galilee picturing Jesus on the water and his ministry around the area
161. The stillness of the sea of galilee on our boat ride
162. Ellie sleeping on my lap just about everyday on the bus
163. Being "mom" to many of the girls on the trip
164. Having a bond and memory with that group that I have with no one else
165. The stretch of hiking many mountains and always looking down at what we just climbed.
166. Perspective giving views atop the mountains.
167. Praying over the Western Wall knowing what these walls will proclaim some day when the new kingdom comes! Feeling the new life in them that is to come.
168. Huddling together on cold, rainy, and windy days. We need each other.
169. Good conversations on the bus every day between sights.
170. The way my parents are behind me in everything, their support is immeasureable.
171. The excitement, conversation, and laughter of our life group after being off for a few weeks.
172. Stretching times that grow my faith in the God who provides just enough (Prov 30:..). He is my provider.
173. Going to bed early thursday nights in anticipcation of early friday morning group.
174. Good, honest, processing, tearful, healing conversaitons.
175. Friday morning treats at work - marble pound cake...yumm!
176. Willingness of friends to help.
177. Conversations with friends from Israel trip processing together.
178. My new ring from Israel that says "chesed shel adonai"! "The steadfast love of the most High"! Putting it on my finger every day, reminded, thankful for His covenanting, unwavering love.
179. Opportunity to tell people about Eucharistic living.
180. Isaiah 58 - spending a week in this chapter, letting it do a work in me.
181. Sharing a crafty idea or project with my mom.
182. Finishing a home project I dreamed and envisioned and actually finishing it.
183. Wesley calling me and telling me how proud he is of me and the hutch I re-finished.
184. How Pat at work asks me often what book I am reading and what opportunity I get to share with him every time.
185. Kristen Kirby. What a breath of fresh air. How her laughter fills a room. Her strength and honesty.
186. The sunshine of this week.
187. Asking for help reminds me I can't do things or this life alone.
188. My mom's reminder text of Eucharisteo!
189. Hannah's long emails. Love her thought process and so challenged by her.
190. Watching the Lord be Jehovah-Jireh (the Lord who provides) over and over again in this process of buying a house.
191. That I can voxer Jeff and Jenny when they are up at Hume.
192. Spending time with Kaelyn and Dominick and not feel like I'm intruding on them.
193. The movie Courageous. Crying through 3/4 of the movie. Such a powerful call and desire for men to lead and be the men God designed them to be. More like wept through 3/4 of the movie :)
194. Thomas' (my co-worker) excitement for his new baby girl to come. He is so giddy and dying for the day to end as she comes tomorrow.
195. Thankful for His timing and that it is always better.
196. Conversations about the church and Jesus with my mormon neighbor. Praying for more time and opportunity, to be faithful with the truth of the gospel.
197. My mom's squeel of excitement. She is always for me.
198. My parents have given so much to help with getting the house ready for the move. They have gone above and beyond. They are incredible and invaluable.
199. Watching the faithfulnes of the Lord as Provider in every aspect of buying this house.
200. I have the most wonderful, willing, helpful and useful friends.
201. Darin and JD's willingness to help me move my fridge to the new house.
202. Laughing at how difficult it was to get the fridge inside as it would not fit through just about any doorway. High maintenance fridge :)
203. Last minute details working out because He is Sovereign Provider.
204. Roy being God's provision for the day to get the blinds installed!
205. Knowing and feeling the love and support of the Lord tangibly through my parents.
206. Hanging the first things up in the new house.
207. The excitement of moving day!
208. Watching as all the cars roll up with everyone coming to help! What an army of help we had, so thankful.
209. The sweet moment of sitting on Wesley's trailer eating their well deserved pizza after finishing moving everything.
210. Moving day record - an hour and a half!
211. Accepting help
212. The kindness of my life group to help me unpack and organize the kitchen and garage.
213. Laughing to tears with my life group over funny stories, but funnier laughter. While eating ice cream sundaes. Love just being with them.
170. The way my parents are behind me in everything, their support is immeasureable.
171. The excitement, conversation, and laughter of our life group after being off for a few weeks.
172. Stretching times that grow my faith in the God who provides just enough (Prov 30:..). He is my provider.
173. Going to bed early thursday nights in anticipcation of early friday morning group.
174. Good, honest, processing, tearful, healing conversaitons.
175. Friday morning treats at work - marble pound cake...yumm!
176. Willingness of friends to help.
177. Conversations with friends from Israel trip processing together.
178. My new ring from Israel that says "chesed shel adonai"! "The steadfast love of the most High"! Putting it on my finger every day, reminded, thankful for His covenanting, unwavering love.
179. Opportunity to tell people about Eucharistic living.
180. Isaiah 58 - spending a week in this chapter, letting it do a work in me.
181. Sharing a crafty idea or project with my mom.
182. Finishing a home project I dreamed and envisioned and actually finishing it.
183. Wesley calling me and telling me how proud he is of me and the hutch I re-finished.
184. How Pat at work asks me often what book I am reading and what opportunity I get to share with him every time.
185. Kristen Kirby. What a breath of fresh air. How her laughter fills a room. Her strength and honesty.
186. The sunshine of this week.
187. Asking for help reminds me I can't do things or this life alone.
188. My mom's reminder text of Eucharisteo!
189. Hannah's long emails. Love her thought process and so challenged by her.
190. Watching the Lord be Jehovah-Jireh (the Lord who provides) over and over again in this process of buying a house.
191. That I can voxer Jeff and Jenny when they are up at Hume.
192. Spending time with Kaelyn and Dominick and not feel like I'm intruding on them.
193. The movie Courageous. Crying through 3/4 of the movie. Such a powerful call and desire for men to lead and be the men God designed them to be. More like wept through 3/4 of the movie :)
194. Thomas' (my co-worker) excitement for his new baby girl to come. He is so giddy and dying for the day to end as she comes tomorrow.
195. Thankful for His timing and that it is always better.
196. Conversations about the church and Jesus with my mormon neighbor. Praying for more time and opportunity, to be faithful with the truth of the gospel.
197. My mom's squeel of excitement. She is always for me.
198. My parents have given so much to help with getting the house ready for the move. They have gone above and beyond. They are incredible and invaluable.
199. Watching the faithfulnes of the Lord as Provider in every aspect of buying this house.
200. I have the most wonderful, willing, helpful and useful friends.
201. Darin and JD's willingness to help me move my fridge to the new house.
202. Laughing at how difficult it was to get the fridge inside as it would not fit through just about any doorway. High maintenance fridge :)
203. Last minute details working out because He is Sovereign Provider.
204. Roy being God's provision for the day to get the blinds installed!
205. Knowing and feeling the love and support of the Lord tangibly through my parents.
206. Hanging the first things up in the new house.
207. The excitement of moving day!
208. Watching as all the cars roll up with everyone coming to help! What an army of help we had, so thankful.
209. The sweet moment of sitting on Wesley's trailer eating their well deserved pizza after finishing moving everything.
210. Moving day record - an hour and a half!
211. Accepting help
212. The kindness of my life group to help me unpack and organize the kitchen and garage.
213. Laughing to tears with my life group over funny stories, but funnier laughter. While eating ice cream sundaes. Love just being with them.
But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise. Psalm 79:13
"'The life of true holiness is rooted in the soil of awed adoration. It does not grow elsewhere, writes J.I. Packer.' I am bowed like wheat, raised like grass blades, grounded and rooted to now, and from Him and through Him and to Him are all things and all is His and everything that has breath praises Him and I whisper it again, again, again, remembering, remembering, remembering."
214. A book from Dan and Karen Goetz knowing me and my love for this study and author.
215. When you know you are truly known by someone.
216. Life group potluck night. Too much food. New faces. So much laughter. Overflowing heart.
217. That first in hale of the mountain pine air when driving up to Hume.
218. Weekend at Hume, waking up to mountains, trees, and fresh pine air.
219. Time with Malissa, here laughter and conversation.
220. Watching my brother Jeff on stage as the Winter Camp director at Hume. He's a hero of mine and I am so proud to be his sister, love him.
221. My nephews noises and how they reach their arm out for everything ooo'ing an ah'ing. They have been learning, Please, Thank You, More, and All Done in sign language.
222. View of the valley driving home reminding me of Israel, Jesus is the land.
223. A wrecked heart, growing for a deeper giving faith lived out.
224. Lunch with Brittany - refreshing and life giving. We so easily pick up right where we left off last. Newness in her life and relationship.
225. Word study on "He is able". So edifying, strengthening, and encouraging.
226. Alan - his laughter, friendship, words, and perceptions.
227. Maria - she never ceases to surprise me and make me laugh. I'm discovering new layers about her the deeper into her life I get and I love knowing her more. She always asks such great questions of my life when we have lunch - others focused.
228. The Three Amigos / Musketeers: Garrett, Alan, and Phil. When all three of them come over and all three of their motorcycles are parked outside my house. All is right in the world.
229. Roommate stories. Of our own house and learning other household roommate stories and quirks. Forever making memories.
230. Watching projects I'm working on come together.
231. My pages wreath filled with the pages of scripture to be an aroma in our house of His very words to us upon on our walls.
I bow down towards your holy temple and give thanks to your name for you steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you exalted above all things. Psalm 138:2
"I have to seek God beauty. Because isn't my internal circuitry wired to seek out something worthy of worship? Every moment I live, I live bowed to something. And if I don't see God, I'll bow down before something else."
232. Having breakfast with Garrett, Phil, and Justin (on
the phone) dreaming and casting vision together. I love following their
leadership.
233. Time with my life group girls and other women at the
Women’s retreat at Hume Lake.
234. Taking those first timers to Hume and sharing that
place with them.
235. Squeaky bunk beds, late night Yoga/stretching/work
out in a room the 10 of us shared.
236. Their sleepy faces as they would wake up in the
morning.
237. Playing spoons in the dining room at Hume, laughing
and screaming together.
238. Scattered all over reading Psalm 145and journaling
through it alone, then to come together and talk about it.
239. Walking away from a situation and wrestling how to
live distinctly in this world.
240. Celebrating Ashley Bonenfant’s birthday at life group
and home make pizzas.
241. Strings of encouragement that were shared in life
group, it strengthens and upholds us.
242. Helping my brother with the boys while Jenny was out
of town. Going to Costco and Jeff letting people think I was there mom, just
for an hour, it was a dream. We love showing them off.
243. Time with my brother Jeff.
244. The beauty, simplicity, serenity of Charlotte’s
shower and all who were gathered there.
245. Open windows and The Holiday soundtrack filling the
house.
246. Kate making it to Friday morning group when we’ve
missed her for several weeks.
247. Lunch at my favorite park with my family. Ethan
trying to help by carrying the ice chest, dragging behind me.
248. Sam’s waves and smiles. Ethan’s smirks and stares.
249. Catching up with Kaley and continually hearing and
rejoicing at the Lord restoring her life and her and Chuck’s
relationship/remarriage.
250. Lunch with Roslyn talking about the Word and ways to
study it.
251. Elyse Fitzpatrick conference, her authenticity and
freedom. Remembering the gospel, the need, truth and love in it.
252. Enjoying a nice slow dinner at Cracked Pepper with
Kaelyn’s family. Discovering their bread pudding.
253. Kaelyn’s grandpa’s fun personality, just like her dad’s.
254. Good, honest, hard conversations with Brandon.
255. Seeing “Avenger’s” with Jill. Honest conversations
before and her experiencing all my reaction noises to action movies, oh boy.
256. Playing tennis and looking ridiculous to the other
serious tennis players. My girls are the best and we love having fun.
257. When Micaela and I played singles at tennis, I was
just overwhelmed with how much I love her and am going to miss her being gone
this summer at Hume.
258. The annual birthday dinner at Garrett’s parents with
friends, eating, laughing, and reminiscing. Such a sweet time. I love that guy.
259. When So You Think You Can Dance starts for the
summer! I turn into a giddy little girl!
260. The way my friends know the little things I love (and
hate – Sarah texting me a picture of an alligator, grrrr).
261. Starting Romans in our Friday morning group.
262. Still sitting it, wrestling with Isaiah 58 and it
continually being brought up all around me.
263. Micah 6:7-8 “With what shall I come before the Lord and
bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings…?...He
has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require (desire) of
you? To ACT JUSTLY and to LOVE MERCY and to WALK HUMBLY with your God.”
He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before His God, as he had done previously. Daniel 6:10
"I pay tribute to God by paying attention...Looking is the love. Looking is evidence of the believing."
264. Working with Justin & Val to pray and plan for our summer group
265. A weekend with the Wolfshorndl's
266. The sound of driving on gravel roads
267. A summer filled with volleyball, BBQs, late nights, endless hanging out!
268. The smell of chlorine in the locker room at the gym from the pool
269. Nina's laugh, contagious and makes you feel like you are a comedian.
270. Serving a family in need, together with our summer group. The laughter and sweat from working hard together.
271. The start of a new life group, familiar and new faces. Multigenerational encouragement.
272. A spontaneous trip to Yosemite with Jocelyn. Refreshing. Slow. Rest. Silly drive home.
273. Fall leaves candles and smells.
274. Color Me Rad with a group of friends. Scrub party to get the paint off.
275. Live music as fairs. Watching the grey heads sit together, groove with the music.
276. When my parents spend time over at my house.
277. Watching/talking football with my dad and him asking me what my strategy would be in certain plays.
278. The first sign of cooler weather, sleeping with my windows open.
279. Stepping on the first Fall crunchy leaf
280. Seeing a guy pursue a girl so well with great clarity and intentionality.
281. Uncertainties that leave me on my toes, clinging to the Lord.
282. A table filled with some of the greatest and dearest women for my birthday dinner.
283. My mini and personal watermelon from Nina - such a great gift giver.
284. A night with Megan of honest conversation, laughter, spontaneous trip to Trader Joe's, watching a movie.
285. Trader Joe's Pumpkin Spice enjoyed with Megan.
286. Feeling my first earthquake.
287. Fall's first rainy day and the first use of the heater in the car.
288. A spontaneous trip to New York.
289. The friends you make while traveling because of the commonality you have in traveling.
290. Girl sleep overs!
291. Friendship with Nina deepening
292. Finding just the right journal
293. Time with the ladies at Rescue the Children. Their stories, life change, challenges, honesty and beauty.
294. How sweet it is that a friendship deepens as we learn more and more how different we are and we make each other better, Nina :)
295. Reading through the Bible (in less than a year version) with a group of ladies and hearing what they are processing through. God grabs a hold of, speaks to, challenges us to uniquely and it's so beautiful to hear.
296. Jesus' words. Those red letters. That are so sweet and refreshing as we've been studying the Old Testament for awhile at church.
297. Meeting's a Malissa's new boyfriend and the observation time I got to see them together. Seeing her glow.
298. My nephew's voices especially when they ask for Auntie or Ashy
299. When Maria's spicy personality comes out and her dance moves.
300. A date night with my dad
301. My heart oveflows with gratitude the way my dad serves me and helps me and works hard with me on my house and yard.
302. Micaela's thoughtfulness and surprising me with the peppermint mocha via from starbucks.
303. Sharing more of myself with someone, to be known deeper and deeper.
304. Conversation in the car with Jen.
305. Having Susan over for lunch and hearing
306. Serving alongside my life group ladies to help out at Rescue the Children.
307. People seeing Rescue the Children's facility for the first time and their reaction. Beautiful. What an oasis. A safe haven.
308. Lindsey wearing the giant dog suit and Shayla dancing!
309. "ASK, and it will be given to you; SEEK, and you will find; KNOCK, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, adn the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." Matthew 7:7-9
310. Writing notes to a friend who will be gone, knowing I'll be with her each day.
311. Broken honesty of friends.
312. Even when I'm tired and hurting, the Lord sustains me to have such a productive day.
313. Sharing Shane and Shane's music for hours well into the night with Nina..some things do turn me into a night person :)
314. First Easter Egg hunt with my nephews and a water gun fight in the back yard.
315. Life group girls cramming in my car to Yodigity. A car full laughter.
he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. Matthew 15:36
"Faith is the gaze of a soul upon a saving God...How we behold determines if we hold joy. Behold glory and be held by God. How we look determines how we live...if we live."
316. Summer nights - volleyball, laughter, friends, connecting.
317. Having lunch with Ashley Q catching up
318. July 21st - one year friendiversary with Nina!
319. Sitting in great dreamy back yards at night.
320. Sharing with Julie ways to study your Word, this energizes me!
321. Alan going with me to get the bench for my yard. Making new friends with him with the couple I bought it from.
322. Lindsey from RTC inviting me and seeing her get baptized.
323. Talking with Marlene about here getting restless in her last few months at RTC.
324. Melissa Danisi and I sharing the same wrestlings at the idea of pursuing seminary.
325. Your name is enough and power. "I have no silver or gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazareth, rise up and walk!" Acts 3:5
326. Being so humbled as I receive support in the mail for my Uganda trip.
327. Trusting You Lord a little more and more as my Provider as funds come in for my trip.
328. Phone time with Julie Bell sharing similar perspectives on why we can trust you Lord easily in some areas, and difficult in other areas.
329. Reconnecting with life group girls over dinner, conversation, laughter, and a game of Catch Phrase.
330. Alan being handy, helpful, and willing to come multiple days to replace our garbage disposal.
331. Encouraging and prayerful morning texts from my dad. Overwhelmed with the earthly father you have given me.
332. Tears in my dad eyes as he tells me he prays for a husband for me every day.
333. My parents giving each other a high-five in response to some news I shared with them.
334. My mom's faithfulness to care for her mother
335. Reconnecting with a couple, from my old church, at the Well, who know my parents and ask about them.
336. Sitting outside in the slow morning stillness and sounds.
337. "Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Acts 3:6
338. The few moments all of the roommates are home together.
339. Brian Downs dancing
340. My dad's consistent love, encouragement and always checking in with me. You have blessed me beyond what I deserve for an earthly father.
341. Watching SYTYCD videos for hours with Tia.
342. Phone conversations with my dad when he's in a spicy goofy mood.
343. Orange flowers on my birthday.
344. Videos from my nephews.
345. The thoughtfulness of Stan on my birthday at work.
346. Whispering about our superpowers with my nephews.
347. Goofy laughing to tears with my family late at night.
giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20
"I know what I want: to see deeply, to thank deeply, to feel joy deeply. How my eyes see, perspective, is my key to enter into His gates...The art of deep seeing makes gratitude possible. And it is the art of gratitude that makes joy possible...'The glory of God is the human being fully alive and the life of the human consists of beholding God.' "
"Give thanks...slow time down with all your attention - and your basket of not-enough-time multiples into more than enough time...I am thank-full. I am time-full.
"The fast have spiritually slow hearts...The slower the living, the greater the sense of fullness and satisfaction...simplicity is ultimately a matter of focus. "
"When I realize that it is not God who is in my debt but I who am in His great debt, then doesn't all become gifts?"
"I have to seek God beauty. Because isn't my internal circuitry wired to seek out something worthy of worship? Every moment I live, I live bowed to something. And if I don't see God, I'll bow down before something else."
"We don't have to change what we see. Only the way we see."
"Give thanks...slow time down with all your attention - and your basket of not-enough-time multiples into more than enough time...I am thank-full. I am time-full.
"The fast have spiritually slow hearts...The slower the living, the greater the sense of fullness and satisfaction...simplicity is ultimately a matter of focus. "
"When I realize that it is not God who is in my debt but I who am in His great debt, then doesn't all become gifts?"
"I have to seek God beauty. Because isn't my internal circuitry wired to seek out something worthy of worship? Every moment I live, I live bowed to something. And if I don't see God, I'll bow down before something else."
"We don't have to change what we see. Only the way we see."
and whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the same of our Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17
"If I am rejecting the joy that is hidden somewhere deep in this moment - am I not ultimately rejecting God? Whenever I am blind to joy's well, isn't it because I don't believe in God's care? That God cares enough about me to always offer me joy's water, wherever I am, regardless of circumstances. But if I don't believe God cares, if I don't want or seek the joy He definitely offers somewhere in this moment - I don't want God."
"Feel thanks and it's absolutely impossible to feel angry."
"All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Worry is the facade of taking action when prayer really is...Stress isn't only a joy stealer. The way we respond to it can be sin."
"Thanks is what builds trust. ..If authentic, saving belief is the act of trusting, then to choose stress is an act of disbelief."
"Trust is the bridge from yesterday to tomorrow, built with planks of thanks. Remembering frames up gratitude. Gratitude lays out the planks of trust. I can walk the planks - from known to unknown - and know: He holds."
We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign. Revelation 11:17
"All gratitude is ultimately gratitude for Christ, all remembering a remembrance of Him. For in Him all things were created, are sustained, have their being."
