everyday joy

Our mom's group is going through the book, "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp, and though this is the second time I've read this book, I am being blown away by some of the content and how deeply it is speaking to me.

I am going to share a few quotes with you today.

"Grace, it means "favor," from the Latin gratia. It connotesa free readiness. A free and ready favor. That's grace. It is one thing to choose to take the grace offered at the cross. But to choose to live as one filling with His grace? Choosing to fill with all that He freely gives and fully live-- with glory and grace and God?" pg 18

"I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little." Philippians 4:11-12

"The greatest thing is to give thanks for everything. He who has learned this knows what it means to live...He has penetrated the whole mystery of life: giving thanks for everything." Albert Schweitzer pg. 33-34

regarding change- "Sometimes you don't know when you're taking the first step through a door until you are already through." Pg 45

"A nail is driven out by another nail; a habit is overcome by habit." pg 49

"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, inother words is to bless God for it and in it." Alexander Schmemann pg 53

"If you think of this world as a place intended as a place intended simply for our happiness, you find it quite intolerable: think of it as a place of training and correction, and it's not so bad." C.S Lewis pg 55

"Joy is the realest reality, the fullest life, and joy is always given, never grasped. God gives gifts and I give thanks and I unwrap the gift given, joy."

"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." pg 58

The above quotes are all from Ann VosKamps book, "One thousand gifts." These quotes are from only the first 3 chapters. It is a powerful book. If you like what you read here now, go get her book, or check out her blog

 http://www.aholyexperience.com/.

blessing upon blessing upon blessing

They are piled high. The blessings we do not deserve.
I am so greatful.

These days are full to the brim of things to be thankful for.

I sit down to spend time with God and the "thank yous" come pouring out.

I am blessed!

This past week was a busy harvest week, with birthday celebrations to finish it off.

I was surrounded by people who wanted to help me with the kids, people who shared many thoughts and prayers for a good harvest, people who wondered how it was going for me cooking, homeschooling, housekeeping and preparing for the birthday party. People cared, and I was thankful.

I was blessed by the presence of those who come into my home and life and do what needs to be done. My mom is one of those. My birthday is in the middle of harvest... and every year she comes here to serve me and my family in the middle of this crazy season and works her butt off to show us that she cares. We appreciate every load of laundry she folds, floors washed, meal prepared, kitchen cleaned and story read. One of her great gifts is in doing what needs to be done. This was such a refreshing gift to me, one I really needed.

 Because my husband and I have birthdays back to back, we are always overwhelmed by the kind words people send our way. I know it is somewhat obligatory that people tell you they love you and that you are wonderful on your birthday, but I will take that any day. It feeds my soul to hear those words.

Like a plant in need of water in a dry land, I was watered with care by those who love me. Not an overwhelming downpour, but the kind the soaks in and lasts a long time.

And as I reflected on this past year for my husband and I (because our birthdays are one day apart), I saw incredible growth for both of us. In this year we've had some battles, we've climbed some mountains, we've celebrated milestones and momentus occasions. We've grown and we've learned. We are older. I feel older than I did last year. This past year has aged me, in good ways too.

But at the end of it all, I can say that the Lord has heaped blessing upon blessing upon blessing on us. We do not deserve this life. We do not deserve His blessings and yet He is pouring them out so freely upon us. He delights in us. Sigh... isn't that a wonderful image. The creator of the universe smiling with joy as he touches us with His presence, His mercy, His grace, His love, His forgiveness, His joy, and the gifts He freely gives us in the form of those we love.

And so I look at the dishes on the counter knowing I fed those hungry mouths healthy food, and I preserved apple juice and tomato sauce for my family to enjoy this winter. I see the remnants of good learning done, creative play enjoyed, gifts given and projects still to be tended- and today rather than feel defeated by what lays ahead of me I am joyful. Because thankfulness results in joy. Joy comes from thankfulness.

more gifts

I woke up this morning before everyone else in my home. I get to sit on my couch, drink yummy coffee and stare out of the window- all alone, in the silence. This is a gift. I am thankful for this. This makes me giddy happy inside. Thankful. Joyful. This is my own special time... a gift, a treasure that I embrace.

As I look out said window, it is dreary, sprinking rain. And I see growth in me because I didn't get grumpy about the poor weather for the BBQ we are going to today, I didn't even think about it... instead I saw the ducks livin it up in our pond... the lines in the lawn from the grass being freshly mowed... the way the grey sky makes all the greens look more vibrant... the water in the puddles on our laneway. It was not my first inclination to see the bad, I choose to see the beauty and be happy about it.

This is, in another way, my personal challenge. I have started a page on my blog called "my one thousand gifts" and it has been awesome for me to be seeing, looking, noticing those things of beauty that surround me day after day. It has shown me a new life filled with wonder and expectation. Take a look at my list, read the book I've been referring to, "One thousand gifts," by Ann Voskamp and watch your life be changed too. This list, is just some of the simple everyday things that I am loving, and that I am thankful for. Gifts given to me by the creator who loves me.

freshly mowed green grass

ducks playing in our pond

water in puddles

Usborne books sticker dressing books!

first spray park visit of the year

stillness of the morning

robins on my lawn

My iphone

kittens meowing

expectations for a new day

Singapore math textbooks

coffee hot in the pot

long bike rides with my beautiful kids

Fresh bread
Norwex face cloths

taking care of our trees

Bear Brownie

Narnia audio series by Focus on the Family

first camp fire of the year

a child's excitement over roasting marshmellows

creating and crafting

holding babies

coloring and drawing with the boys


free glasses from Clearly Contacts!
watching my garden change and grow

lily of the valley

"Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
His faithful love endures forever,
Give thanks to Him who alone does mighty miracles,
His faithful love endures forever,
Give thanks to Him whe made the heavens to skillfully
His faithful love endures forever
Give thanks to him who place the earth among the waters,
His faithful love endures forever
Give thanks to Him who made the heavenly lights-
His faithfullove endures forever." (Psalm 136: 3-7)