Category: thanksgiving

Counting to 1,000 (784-813)

Diana B.Leave a comment

“Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex!”

–Psalm 139:14a (NLT)

 

This week is Vacation Bible School at our church. God’s goodness and love have followed me there, and I have the joy of leading a crew of half a dozen 3rd graders from praise and worship to games, crafts, Bible lessons and snacks. Last night I fell into bed exhausted in such a soul-satisfying way. Where else can you go to wear panda ears, hear “God made us!” proclaimed and repeatedly shout “Thank You, God!” in response? Better is one day in His courts than a thousand elsewhere, and for that I am thankful.

I am complex and tired, too, but best of all I am truly loved by God. You are, too.

Counting the ways He loves me keeps me thankful; here are items 784 to 813 in my One Thousand Gifts list:

784. creamy, frozen peanut butter pie on a hot evening

785. girl talk over Mexican food

786. the cheery buzz of the otherwise anonymous cicadas, hiding in the trees

787. the 20 cents she spends buying her big sister a green lollipop, a special surprise

788. how grown up she acts carrying that sparkly pink purse on her wrist as we stroll down the sidewalk

789. new little friends chatting about scrapbooking and quilting in the back of the mini-van

790. a tea luncheon with one spunky 5-year-old, Raggedy Ann, Fancy Nancy, a black gorilla named Licorice, and a dozen blueberry muffins

791. the happy clang of the garage door opener, signaling his return home from work

792. celebrating the big question popped and the saying “yes” 16 summers later

793. the man who comes home with a fist-full of flowers, happy to whisk me away for dinner

794. how mindful he is as he tells them stories about their Great-Great-Grandma Alice

795. the smile on her red Kool-aid stained face as she proclaims “I feel like I’m eating humming-bird food!”

796. the close parking spots and the rainstorm that lets up while we’re running errands

797. the unexpected joy of teaching them how to bounce-pass a basketball

798. the sweet 2-month-old who snuggles in close to her mom

799. how her big blue eyes sparkle with excitement as we enjoy the “best lunch ever” at Antiquity Rose

800. shopping with an 8-year-old who finds me the perfect tea party hat

801. how she adores clay camp

802. all her 80 years — and how she loves her great-grandchildren

803. curling up on the couch with him to watch Flywheel

804. the breeze that finds its way through open windows

805. the air conditioner repair man who decides to drop the extra charge for a Saturday service call

806. lessons on prayer and righteousness from Nehemiah

807. the passionate youth pastor who presents Already Gone to our Sunday School class

808. the lovely dwelling place where one day is better than a thousand elsewhere (Psalm 84)

809. making new friends in the parking lot after church

810. a divine grocery store appointment with a sweet friend

811. his fajitas and the salsa that tastes just right

812. making new friends at VBS

813. singing praise to Him and loudly shouting together “Thank You, God!” over and over with the VBS crew

You’re invited! Check out other posts in the One Thousand Gifts community by clicking the graphic below.

Counting to 1,000 (752-783)

Diana B.2 Comments

“When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the LORD, as prescribed by David king of Israel. With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD:

   “He is good; 
   His love to Israel endures forever.”

   And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away.

-Ezra 3:10-13

Are we taking our places to praise the Lord today? Are our shouts and weeps of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord being heard far away?

My list of One Thousand Gifts continues this week as an intentional way to proclaim that God is good and His love endures forever.

752. playgroup at the park and the chance to fellowship with other moms

753. tender hugs from the sweetest little boys

754. chatting with my fun friend Alice at the beach while the kids frolick in the warm water

755. sand between my toes

756. how she helps me cut fresh hydrangeas for the blue vase

757. making popsicles and watching puppet shows on hot days

758. the baptism article that runs word for word in the newspaper

759. how she thanks me for helping clean her room

760. wise words to remember when dreading Mt. Laundry

761. empty sketchbooks full of promise for art class

762. one-year-olds toddling through the waves

763. giant cardboard boxes decorated to become a playhouse “lodge up north”

764. the washing machine that keeps up with all the sandy wet beach towels

765. smart, passionate people to serve alongside

766. lessons in faithfulness and sacrifice taught by missionaries

767. how we laugh about kids being kids

768. the happy big camper who heads off to the campground with two little happy campers

769. their happy leaps and hugs as I pass out Dilly Bars to little girls with lake-soaked jeans

770. how confident she is riding her big bike around the campsite

771. all smiles around the campfire as they sink teeth into “doughboys”

772. my dear friend Jonda who celebrated her birthday this week

773. nifty new lunch boxes

774. words of wisdom from a 92-year-old widow

775. little girls star gazing, sleepless in the big red tent

776. tired campers napping the afternoon away

777. chips and salsa

778. monarch butterflies dancing through the hydrangeas

779. the freedom to forgive and be forgiven

780. exploring part of the mysterious ghost-town on the island

781. a cook-out picnic with family friends and their boys — one hanging upside down from a bent tree and the other hanging fish on his line

782. three hours just lingering in the lake, talking with a kind friend and watching the kids jump off the boat — all happy and wet

783. soft beds on which to rest swim-tired bodies

You’re invited! Check out other posts in the One Thousand Gifts community by clicking the graphic below.

Counting to 1,000 (719-751)

Diana B.Leave a comment

“Now, our God, we give You thanks, and praise Your glorious name.”

-1 Chronicles 29:13

A few years ago my friend Darla and I taught a Sunday School class of 5th and 6th graders. The focus of the entire year of study was God’s names — He has hundreds. I’m not sure how much those 5th and 6th graders learned, but I was forever changed by discovering what the names of God reveal about His character. Because His names are so closely tied to His reputation, God cares about them and how we use them. His name is glorious and worthy of praise, and He is to be thanked much!

719. hearing 26 people tell of their love for Jesus and then watching them all get baptized — what joy!

720. a tea party to remember what would have been her 65th birthday

721. backyard water fights and sprinklers on a hot afternoon

722. how they delight in and applaud the daring acts of the one-ring, traveling circus

723. chocolate chip cookies — again

724. snuggling on the couch reading Gone-Away Lake

725. shopping for school supplies

726. brown paper packages full of new school books

727. encouragement from John Piper’s interview with Louie Giglio

728. Bible lessons in compassion and humility

729. a whole Saturday afternoon spent developing a literature study for little girls

730. a surprise visit from their piano teacher

731. the monthly prayer meeting at church

732. eating pizza to help send several of my former Sunday School students on a short-term mission trip

733. flowers blooming like snowballs — those classy annabelle hydrangeas

734. rainy mornings

735. Jesus’s acts of compassion and mercy

736. hearing their sweet prayers for rain in Ethiopia

737. the kind babysitter with whom they greatly adore every moment

738. a quiet dinner and time to talk — just the two of us

739. hollyhocks in bloom

740. lifting songs to praise Him

741. simple Sunday picnics on the lake while we wave to friends on their boats

742. courage to dive in deep — and how refreshing the water feels as I escape the heat

743. their ear-to-ear grins as they crash into the big waves

744. sails to get us back to the marina when the motor breaks down

745. the last dose of antibiotics

746. a call across the miles from my daddy

747. a friend’s hug

748. joyfully wrapping up an online book club event and continuing to dig deeper into Colossians 3:12-15

749. pursuing the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 2:1-5) as hidden treasure

750. the little girl who’d rather read books and play tic-tac-toe in the orthodontist’s waiting room

751. smile fixers

 

You’re invited! Check out other posts in the One Thousand Gifts community by clicking the graphic below.

Counting to 1,000 (#718)

Diana B.6 Comments

718. Linnea’s baptism — following her profession of faith a few years ago

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, Linnea.

We have heard you tell of your faith in Christ Jesus, and we have seen the love you have for Jesus and for others.

Faith and love spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven, and you have already heard about this faith and love in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you.

Since before you were born, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

And we continue to pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your heart on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

-from Colossians 1:3-14 and 3:1-4

Check out other posts in the One Thousand Gifts community by clicking the graphic below.

Counting to 1,000 (677-717)

Diana B.Leave a comment

“I will praise God’s name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving.”

–Psalm 69:30

I’m a little later than usual in posting additions to my list of one thousand gifts. I’ve been off unwrapping gifts this week and last. Our family enjoyed a special trip to our “happy place” up north, delighting in God’s wondrous creation, boating, canoeing, hiking, enjoying each other, delighting in time with some extra special friends, and just being still for while.

Thanksgiving has been especially meaningful to me lately as we have been dealing with some scary health issues in our family. Putting down planks of gratitude day after day does indeed build the bridge of trust in God, Who is carrying us across this season of uncertainty. Praise Him for His all-sufficient grace, enduring love and faithfulness.

Today is bittersweet — it would have been my mother’s 65th birthday. How thankful I am to have had her the first 17 years of my life. So many of the things on my list remind me of her because I know she would have considered them gifts, too. (Number 677, #694, #698, #700, and #710, just to name a few.)

677. chocolate chip cookies right from the oven

678. July 4th sponge bomb wars in the backyard

679. red, white and blue

680. sliding wildly down their monstrous, home-engineered slip-and-slide

681. seeing church friends on the lake as we sail the evening away

682. how she finally enjoys the fireworks this year without shrieking

683. laughing with friends as the fireworks explode overhead

684. how the stars shine in the late summer sky — God’s stellar creation contrasting the short-lived, man-made fireworks

685. the sudden downpour followed by a huge rainbow stretching across the sky

686. their prayers for my sore pinky finger

687. that God forgives much (Luke 7:36-50)

688. lessons in forgiveness from Col. 3:13

688. the pinky finger that is healing because He is Jehovah Rophe, the Lord Who Heals and Restores

689. the wisdom of Proverbs 27:6

690. DeYoung’s series on the gift of friendship

691. quality time with godly friends who sharpen us

692. cucumber sandwiches

693. cheerful daisies scattered happily along the roadside

694. tall lupines adorning the roadside in majestic shades of blue and purple

695. cool, sweet sips of peach iced tea

696. Betty’s Pies and Beth’s Fudge

697. s’mores and smiles that welcome us to our happy place

698. a comfy chair for reading near the roaring fire in a quaint cabin on a lazy, rainy Saturday

699. a pontoon joy-ride at sunset and the mama loon with her two fuzzy, grey babies in tow

700. the sun’s last rays tickling the rippling water

701. smiley faces in happy places

702. the hard eucharisteo, the bull’s-eye rash on her face, signaling Lyme’s Disease

703. the antibiotics already prescribed and administered for 10 days, and the doctor who listens closely

704. kind, godly friends who pray with us for peace and healing

705. the faithful God in Whom we trust

706. lessons in inner peace, genuine humility and deep compassion

707. how the morning light glows behind the curtains

708. tall, tall trees that bravely reach the sky and generously scent the air

709. the testy turtle that tries to top the tree trunk but t’was not triumphant

710. her scrumptious blueberry cobbler

711. how they linger to witness the popcorn piling up like snow

712. a quiet spot where even the buzzing humming-bird pauses to be still

713. bottles overflowing with cool, refreshing spring water

714. the day that would have been my mama’s 65th birthday — 7/14

715. more prayers sent up on Linnea’s behalf

716. blue skies and sky-tinted waters

717. their courage to go and our courage to let them

Check out other posts in the One Thousand Gifts community by clicking the graphic below.

Counting to 1,000 (645-676)

Diana B.7 Comments

“I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you.”

–Psalm 35:18

 

Happy 4th of July! Let’s thank God today, not just for the freedoms we enjoy here in the U.S., but also for our freedom from sin. Because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we are no longer captives to sin. What freedom!

Continuing my list of one thousand gifts this week — #645 is the best gift so far!

645. her meeting with the pastor about her upcoming baptism (Oh! What joy for those whose hope is in the name of the Lord!)

646. the two free books earned from Barnes & Noble — because they love to read

647. new friends at swim camp

648. a picnic lunch on the patio at the Arboretum

649. sunny, 70-degree weather

650. water lilies and tadpoles

651. how she longs for her sketchbook and colored pencils

652. catching the rose garden at peak bloom

653. girls in white dresses

654. her fascination with finding sticks

655. the smooth, curved edges of the oak leaves

656. the mighty oak that stretches its branches so far and wide, giving us shade

657. just breathing the sweet, intoxicating smell of the roses

658. roses, roses and more roses

659. little girls in the rose garden

660. a second, same-day trip to the rose garden, with camera and sketchbooks in tow

661. how wild they run in the lush grass

662. the sunlight that turns hair and grass and everything golden

662. watching and learning from sisterly love as it blooms

663. a short wait and a wise doctor at urgent care

664. medicine and insurance and the healing that comes from Jehovah Rophe, the Lord Who Heals and Restores

665. the little one who diligently prays for her big sister to recover

666. air conditioning on a hot, humid day

667. news of Annie’s birth

668. God’s faithful protection over him as he launches the sailboat

669. shelter from the severe wind storm that brings in cooler weather

670. how the clouds glow after the storm passes over

671. the first sail of the season

672. a 5-year-old’s prayer for wisdom

673. captivating clouds at sunset

674. lessons in contentment and God’s provision

675. reading John 4:7 after giving water and popsicles to the men working hard in the heat

676. hydrangeas blooming on the patio

Counting to 1,000 (608-644)

Diana B.1 Comment

“The whole life of a Christian should be nothing but praises and thanks to God; we should neither eat nor sleep, but eat to God and sleep to God and work to God and talk to God, do all to His glory and praise.”

–Richard Sibbes

 

Likewise, Colossians 3:17 says: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

My list of one thousand gifts  continues to grow — so much grace He gives us.

608. reassurance from Colossians 3:12 that I am chosen, set apart, and dearly loved

609. God’s kindness, which leads us to repentance

610. her beautiful fish painting, the Smurf-blue paint between her toes, and how she excitedly explains her truck painting

611. one-on-one time with a chatty and helpful 8-year-old

612. comfort given the crying 2-year-old after a scary fall in the kitchen

613. the friends who are such good, strong mamas, even on the hardest days

614. the goat’s milk soap that smells like geraniums

615. their backyard chipmunk trapping adventure

616. Tuesday morning playgroup at the park

617. holding baby Dorothy as she naps

618. the gentle pitter-pat of the rain

619. an unseasonably cool June day

620. how they delight in playing with the neighbor girls all afternoon

621. a re-organized drawer just for my tea party stuff

622. a little pie packed with fresh peaches

623. a cool glass of ice water

624. the dear, sweet friend who hosts a very lovely belated birthday breakfast for me

625. the Spiderman picture he drew just for me

626. the picnic table under the mighty oaks — the perfect spot for studying Colossians on a gorgeous June afternoon

627. how she diligently reads and marks up her Bible

628. her excitement about meeting with the pastor

629. three boxes of my grandpa’s antique cameras, which cross many miles and arrive safely on my doorstep

630. shouts of glee as little feet bounce happily on the bubble wrap

631. the brave little biker who ventures off without her training wheels

632. the cheering big sister and loving daddy, so eager to help and encourage her

633. the county sheriff’s deputy who pulls her over for wearing her helmet and gives her a free ice cream ticket

634. the vibrant green grass

635. marshmallows roasting over the fire pit

636. fascinating books about missionaries

637. God’s compassion on all He has made

638. how her long, thick hair shines in the sunlight

639. the daddy who loves his little girls, prays with them and tucks them into bed

640. watching her hold sleeping Dorothy on her shoulder

641. how her hands cover her ears as we drive through the carwash

642. a late-night phone call from my big brother

643. news of my nephew’s high school graduation — Hooray!

644. cabin plans

A Day in the Homeschool Life: 100th Day Project

Diana B.1 Comment

In his prayer to God in Psalm 90, Moses says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Our little homeschool started numbering school days in September, and in March we celebrated my 5-year-old’s 100th day of pre-Kindergarten.

Laurel had been carefully counting and greatly anticipating special math projects and fun activities for the milestone day, and 8-year-old Linnea was happy to join in the celebration.

This year I have been counting to 1,000 myself (inspired by Ann Voskamp’s book One Thousand Gifts), and that led me to add to our plans a Bible lesson in thankfulness and God’s love and faithfulness. Psalm 100, a favorite of mine, is a psalm for giving thanks and a great one to memorize.

Psalm 100

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

Worship the LORD with gladness;

come before Him with joyful songs.

Know that the LORD is God.

It is He who made us, and we are His;

We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving

and His courts with praise;

give thanks to Him and praise His name.

For the LORD is good and His love endures forever;

His faithfulness continues through all generations.

After the girls and I read Psalm 100 together, we talked about giving thanks to God and counting the ways He loves us. We discussed the Israelites en route to the Promised Land and how they had not given thanks to God and had not trusted Him, even though He had faithfully provided everything they needed. We discussed how grumbling and complaining displeases God and how thankfulness pleases Him.

We also talked about how long counting to 100 days took. We did count 100 days, but we couldn’t count forever.  Forever is much, much longer than 100 days, and God’s love and faithfulness endures forever. Forever!

I gave the girls this special sheet to help them start counting and giving thanks for 100 gifts from God. (You can download the PDF to use with your children if you click here.)

In Colossians 3:15-17, Paul encourages us to be thankful and to sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to God with gratitude in our hearts, giving thanks to God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ.

We put this idea into practice by singing praises along with Maranatha Music’s “He Hath Made Me Glad” and Chris Tomlin’s “Forever” — the lyrics of both songs include strong ties to Psalm 100.

Here’s a downloadable version of Psalm 100 to help with memorization.

By the way, I’ve included more photos, lessons and downloadable materials from our 100th Day Project in these posts:

Counting to 1,000 (549-607)

Diana B.2 Comments

David’s prayer in 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 —

   “Praise be to you, O LORD,
   God of our father Israel,
   from everlasting to everlasting. 
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
   and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
   for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
   you are exalted as head over all. 
Wealth and honor come from you;
   you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
   to exalt and give strength to all.
Now, our God, we give you thanks,
   and praise your glorious name.

Like David, I am praising God’s glorious name today and offering Him thanks as I continue my list of one thousand gifts . Everything in heaven and earth is His, and His grace is sufficient for me.

549. encouragement from Colossians 3:4-6 and 2 Corinthians 12:9

550. his words that remind us to keep praying

551. the hot summer wind and 104 degrees (above zero!) in Minnesota

552. the white peony opening in bloom the day I leave for vacation, and the hope of peonies still blooming when I return

553. piggy braids after bath time

554. how she sleeps upside-down like Pippi Longstocking

555. her sweet, round face resting on the pillow

556. Sonic ice to crunch on a hot afternoon and how he delights in his blazin’ BBQ hamburger

557. Homeschool Presentation Day — and all the love, sweat and tears that go into this fabulous year-end event

558. Iowa corn growing taller and the wind making waves across the amber-colored wheat fields of Kansas

559. bright orange wildflowers along the wayside in Kansas

560. the scissor-tail fly-catcher zipping through the Oklahoma sky

561. the flash of lightning bugs in the darkness

562. cloud-to-cloud lightning and protection from the storm

563. the cowgirl dancer that asks her to boot-scoot, too

564. Braum’s peppermint ice cream with our favorite chocolate cake, served up on glass dishes

565. a celebration of my 36 years and a banner of love-notes posted in the window

566. riding in the car with just my daddy, praying the ice cream doesn’t melt before we get home

567. grandparents who care for the kids for four whole days

568. their sweet farewells as we make a getaway trip to St. Charles

569. riding in the car with just my husband

570. enjoying Mardel and Chick-Fil-A, just the two of us

571. how he loudly proclaims “Candy!” and makes me giggle at the billboards along the interstate

572. finding a lovely place to stay in historic St. Charles

573. the quaint brick streets of St. Charles — lined with gas lamps, flowers, little shops and romantic restaurants

574. eating mint-chip ice cream on the steps of the gazebo

575. biking the Katy Trail together on a lazy afternoon

576. a pleasant dinner at Union Station with a wonderful and beautiful young couple

577. the grandeur of the Grand Hall at Union Station

578. protection through an accidental late-night trip into East St. Louis, IL

579. the Gateway Arch that welcomes us as we cross back into Missouri

580. the cardinal in the trees along the Katy Trail

581. Bandana BBQ’s donut holes — dipped in powdered sugar and tasting just like funnel cake

582. absence that makes our hearts grow fonder

583. little girl hugs and kisses and affection when we reunite — because we love each other

584. cowgirl hats and free pony rides on Patches and Butterscotch

585. the distinct smell of Green Country’s grass in June and how the locusts and crickets make music deep in the trees

586. how my daddy escorts my husband’s grandma up the stairs

587. little girls running wildly up the hill, through the grass, into Grammy’s embrace

588. the lovely gold brooch she gave me that once belonged to my husband’s great-grandmother

589. the Gypsy Mama’s honest, heart-felt words on daughters and beauty

590. how they enjoy listening to Jonathan Park and Adventures in Odessy as the miles add up

591. holding hands with my husband

592. safety throughout a long road trip and the joy of returning to home sweet home

593. the parade of blooming peonies that line the patio, a plethora of petals welcoming us home

594. the blue irises that bloom and remind me of the ones my mama grew

595. peonies, peonies and more peonies

596. the last whiff of the dwarf lilac’s enchanting fragrance

597. little girls just playing, running, being silly-happy on the swings

598. the nutshell pram kit and the dedicated grandpa who dug it, piece by piece, out of the dumpster for us

599. how they all eagerly agree to paint it red and name it “Ruby”

600. the first plump robin to visit the new bird bath

601. my daddy

602. the husband who prays and listens and studies and teaches and works so diligently to lead our family

603. a Sunday nap that quenches like a cool drink of water

604. how they all line up on the dock and eagerly launch the little toy boat

605. her happy dancing on the dock

606. father-daughter projects enjoyed on the water

607. little hands dipping and splashing in the lake water

Counting to 1,000 (vacation flashback)

Diana B.Leave a comment

NOTE: While my list of one thousand gifts continues, this week I am taking a much-needed break from blogging. I’m busy spending time with family and taking pictures, and I will be back next week with additions to my list. In the meantime, please enjoy a little vacation flashback: a re-post of 23 blessings from last summer’s vacation to northern Minnesota. (This was before I read Ann’s book or started my official list counting to 1,000.)

Today I write in celebration of God’s divine goodness toward our family during our Boundary Waters vacation earlier this month.

  1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Psalm 23

Father in heaven, thank You for leading us to this captivating place where I count so many blessings.

1. Fresh, gentle breezes drifting through open windows.

 

2. Daisies showing You love me.

 

3. Raspberries ripening, wild and sweet.

4. Waters parting as canoes glide quietly.

5. Water lilies floating elegantly.

6. A strong man persevering.

7. Hikers exploring new boundaries.

8. Rocks welcoming young climbers.

9. Water falling like stair steps.

10. Little girls wading deep in clear water.

11. Pine trees scenting the air.

12. Wind rustling the leaves, which encourage it to slow down.

13. Hummingbirds darting to and fro while chickadees sing cheerfully.

14. Chipmunks bravely scurrying to play hide-and-seek.

 

15. Friends treasuring time together.

16. A sailboat whisking away in the wind.

17. A dog flying, fetching into the water.

18. Lupines growing tall but fading.

19. The moose evading the camera.

20. Popcorn promising to pile up like winter snow.

 

21. Tired little girls resting in snug bunk beds.

22. Loons crying lonesome in the night.

23. Your Love Lights, aurora borealis, brightening the dark night sky in the wee small hours.

Thank You, Father in heaven, for this peaceful place beside the water, this place where You give me rest and restore my soul. Your goodness and love follows me. My cup overflows.

“Gratitude is the culture of the sinners made saints.” –Ann Voskamp