“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)

In an effort to overflow with thankfulness, I’m counting up one thousand gifts for which I am ever-so thankful to God. And this week I’m getting ever-so close to half way there! Thanks for joining me in this adventure in gratitude.

425. yellow warblers dashing through the tree tops

426. low, rumbling thunder in the early morning that sends the littlest, pajama-clad daughter dashing beneath the covers

427.  warm, cozy teddy bears to snuggle tight

428. a pair of robins, bobbin’ along together in the backyard

429. raindrops falling gently on young leaves

430. the color green blanketing the landscape

431. bright yellow polka-dotting the carpet of green

432. goldfinches at the feeder constantly — eating 10 meals a day

433. tulips blooming at last

434. fistfuls of dandelion bouquets

435. a hot, humid playdate at the park with sweet friends

436. 1 Peter 4:8 in her beautiful cursive penmanship — such godly wisdom presented to us on our anniversary

437. bicycles, cul-de-sacs and circles of friends

438. red roses — 15 of them — one for each year we’re celebrating

439. a short and quiet walk, hand-in-hand, after dinner

440. how she leaps and skips and grins ear-to-ear

44. four eggs perfectly cracked by young hands — and no trace of the eggshell

442. her homemade buttermilk biscuits with red raspberry jam

443. raindrops pearling on the hostas

444. a sunny yellow umbrella that lets them splash playfully among the puddles

445. a last-minute robin tea party with the neighbor kids

446. the cooing of the mourning doves

447. how his skillful hands work the long piece of douglas fir

448. smiles of old friends visiting church

449. how beautifully she sings “His Eye is on the Sparrow”

450. lessons learned in Joshua and promises faithfully kept by the One who is Faithful and True

451. encouraging reports from Nicaraguan missionaries

452. the bluebird that makes a rare visit

453. swings sailing high, powered by strong little legs

454. the ice cubes and sweet sisterly prayers that comfort her busted fat lip

455. the perky little ears and bouncy leaps of joy as distant ragtime music floats nearer on the breeze

456. happy hops when the ice cream truck finally comes into view

457. Tweety Bird ice cream on a stick, with bubble gum eyes, and a rainbow snow cone

458. her familiar, friendly words printed neatly on a postcard from Philly

459. the summery smell of fresh-cut grass

460. summer drawing ever-closer

461. coconut fudge