Monday, January 10, 2011

Gifts

Our first day at home all day with Daddy back at work ~ I'm busy unpacking and settling back into home and trying to establish some order! But, a picnic lunch beckons and we respond though it was quite chilly!

We each thanked God before eating the food He provided. I brought my gratitude list - have you printed yours yet? I could've filled the entire page right then and there - my heart was so full of all the things I am able to give thanks for.

I asked God who could use a note of love and encouragement. He responded and I wrote and shivered and we ate and laughed and toasted the New Year, all the while hurrying to get back to the warmth of home!

Once again, pictures restore me. Peace-bringing, joy-filling, the fun of taking a good picture, looking at the beauty, remembering the moments.

Here are the gifts I'm appreciating and thanking Him for: (I don't know if this will turn into a thousand or not, we'll see what He chooses!)

1. first strawberries of the season from further south

2. sweet faces to share my days with

3. children's laughter

4. fresh, crisp air

5. nourishing food

6. creative beauty

7. a camera to capture moments

8. eyes to see

9. a warm home to return to

10. charming personalized note cards, thank you - Carrie!

11. sparkling grape juice - fun and special, and a reminder of His sweet blood for me

12. cake from the freezer - just right for today!

13. enjoying the old and the new

14. a new year ahead

15. nature's music and art on canvas all around me


What gifts are you relishing today?


9 comments:

Jenny Lynn said...

The gift of forgiveness is one that right now fills my heart at the start of the New Year. I have much to be grateful for as the day begins.


May you have a wonderful day!

*carrie* said...

Red leaves, a picnic, and fresh strawberries--in January?!! Talk about seasonal confusion. =)

Glad you like the notecards. They're so you.

angie said...

No better way to start out the new year than with a list of things for which we are grateful.
How about the Coca-Cola crate? It definately made me smile.
And freckles on your oldest's nose...add that to your list!

LynnMarie said...

So glad you are having a time of thankfulness. We all need that.

Wendi said...

It looks like a fun time. Counting your blessing is always a good thing!

petrii said...

Monica,

I LOVE your "Gifts" list. I am so thankful for the love of my Savior.

I'm so thankful for my family and friends. And right now snow is falling and it is BEAUTIFUL!!!

Have a Blessed evening,
Dawn

Faith Hope and Cherrytea said...

lovely post! more gratitude at FHC - and a teacup trade if you're interested :) Welcome...

Anne Marie@Married to the Empire said...

That stationery is beautiful! Your sister has good taste!

Today, I'm specifically grateful that our heater is working again, and the repair cost nothing because it's under warranty. Also grateful that when I let our sick cat snuggle in bed with me this morning to keep him warm, he didn't pee in the bed. And his latest antibiotic appears to be working.

Really, I could keep going on...

Kaira said...

You use dried beef jars too? *sigh*

I love dried beef jars as glasses - they are the perfect size for kids and the flat bottom makes them stable so they don't spill. The kids and I drink out of canning jars all the time but I haven't been able to put away my last 6 glasses because my husband just thinks it is too uncivilized to drink out of jars, lol.