Gifts Counted

I decided to make my list of gift counting public.  Well, at least the gifts that are appropriate to share publicly.

If you are visiting my blog for the first time and have no idea what I'm talking about, START HERE. 

I have been wading deeper in to the water of gratitude since me dear friend, Casey, sent me Ann's book.  Since that moment last week however, the counting looks different, it feels different.  With  every gift sought and found and numbered, the gratitude is pounded deeper and deeper in to this broken, weary heart.  I am looking, seeking, hungry for finding the gifts and joy in ALL things and at all times.

And I'm finding it!  This girl, that gets it wrong more than she gets it right, is finding joy.... joy in ALL things.  Joy in careless words whispered against her because she knows her worth is not measured by other people's commentaries.  Joy in paying bills - no matter how late - because she is working her jewelry business consistently finally.  Joy in THIS house... this messy, small, looks like a dorm room house.... because THIS house is where she, her family and her friends share life together.

Are you counting your gifts?  Are you looking for them?  Are you numbering them?

It's not too late to join us on this #Newjoydare scavenger hunt for gifts.  If you clicked on the link to my previous post - it will tell you how to get on board.  If you didn't, here's another chance : CLICK HERE.

If you would rather do it privately - I respect that completely.  I would love to hear from you though.  Is counting gifts changing your heart?


GIFT COUNTING: TAKE 2     #Newjoydare

1. Catching the fever for counting gifts. The depth of my gratitude increases the height of my joy. 
2. Releasing the expectations of others. Acknowledging that I can only control and accept responsibility for how I treat others': not how they receive it or how they respond to it. 
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5. Birthday blessings from fantastic friends: several cards, free hair cut and color, three lunches, one dinner and an assortment of darling gifts.  
6. Inspiring lunch conversations with an inspiring friend about taking action to impact the violence in our community and love on some teenagers that really need it. 
7. Friends that show up to do life with me. 
8. This kid
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10. The journey.  I will always be mid-way.  Of this, I am sure.  I'm closer than I was, but not yet where I want to be. 
11. New job for a friend recently unemployed.
12. Baby made it through surgery and is recovering well 
13. Discipline to act kindly no matter how I feel. 
14. Giggling and laughter in the morning - extreme rarity in this house of morning-loathers.
15. Up front parking spot at school when running late. 
16. Amazing evening of learning and leadership with my Premier family.
17. Premier, in general, is seriously possible that this company is this good?  YES it is!   
18. There is always lots of laughing when this group gets together. 
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20. Friendships that can be loving and honest at the same time. 
21. Husband and son giggling over the silliest things. 
22. Husbands that take the trash to the curb on seriously cold mornings. 
23. Husband took a half day off of work to help me clean. 
24. Encouraging phone call from a friend confirming potential employment in a job I would LOVE to have. 
25. A friend that made all the goodies for my sample sale. 
26. Walked three times this week. 
27. Fall. Almost everything about fall feels like a gift. 
28. I always enjoy our Bible Study Fridays, but being able to watch this sweet face grow up on those Fridays is among one of my favorite gifts. 
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30. Discussion at small group reminding me to pursue my idea of what a simple life looks like, because chaos can clog the channels of God's love and mercy. 
31. Much needed play date for both Royce and I. 
32. An entire Friday evening,  alone, in bed.  I know- I'm a dork- but I needed to be still; physically and spiritually.  
33. Three mile walk/run on a gorgeous fall morning in my neighborhood. 
34. The privilege of praying for a friend that is 'showing up' for a pretty intimidating event this weekend. 
35. Offer of a friend to help me 'face my piles.' 
36. Yummiest 270 calorie salad I've ever eaten! 
37. Gifts re-read.  #joydare: One Thousand Gifts; Ann Voskamp
38. Gifts re-read.  #joydare: Hand, Hand, Finger Thumb; Dr Seuss
39. Gifts re-read.  #joydare  My Jesus Calling Devotional - I re-read it almost every day. :)
40. Ugly beautiful: #joydare  A year + unemployed, no more unemployment benefits.  It hasn't been easy. I am SO thankful for this season though.  This season has taught me how to live more fully in THIS moment. It has taught me how to trust God and to depend on Him SO much more.  It has taught me that giving thanks is the channel to true joy and happiness, not changed circumstances.  Oh how I desperately wanted it to be more about my circumstances and not about change I needed to make. 
41. Ugly Beautiful #joydare:  THIS house!  This house that used to make me crazy because it is drafty and small and set up poorly for family living.  This house that I purchased too quickly without considering other options.  Had I not, and opted for a slightly more expensive house, I'm sure I would be in forclosure by now.  Instead, I'm far warmer and much more comfortable than we would be at the rescue mission.  That is the truth.
42. Ugly Beautiful #joydare:  Addiction.  Much of this story I will keep private, but as much hurt and fear and anger addiction has imposed on me and my family, it has also opened the opportunities to refine my character to love more and to be open to those that need to be loved because they have been impacted by addiction.
43. Momastery blog. Seriously.
44. I woke up the morning this picture was taken full of ugly.  It was a rough night. Followed by a less than supportive morning from my husband.  I was exhausted.  I did NOT want to count to gifts.  I wanted someone else to grow up and 'be the change' for once.  In the middle of my temper tantrum that morning, this girl realized I needed help.  Not so much with potatoes, but with perspective.  We laughed. We peeled potatoes.  I started counting gifts again.
45. 

To continue to follow my Gift Counting list go HERE.  This formatting is  trying to take the joy out of sharing my gift counting experience - and that is just NOT okay with me :)  I will just do it by month :)  

1. These girls. My daughter and my friend's daughter building a friendship of their own at middle school leadership camp.
   
   
   
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It's true - God is merely waiting to for me to turn to Him instead of focusing on the things that are tearing me apart.











3. This sermon - such a huge reminder that our behavior can vandalize our relationship with God and with others. 

To continue to follow my Gift Counting list go HERE.  This formatting is  trying to take the joy out of sharing my gift counting experience - and that is just NOT okay with me :)  I will just do it by month :)