Reasons for Joy

Rejoice in the Lord always.
Again I will say, rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 NKJV

“How’s life?” someone asks.
And we who’ve been resurrected from the dead say,
“Well, things could be better.”
Or “Couldn’t get a parking place.”
Or “My parents won’t let me move to Hawaii.”
Or “People won’t leave me alone
so I can finish my sermon on unselfishness”. . .

Are you so focused on what you don’t have
that your are blind to what you do?

You have a ticket to heaven no thief can take,
an eternal home no divorce can break.
Every sin of your life has been cast to the sea.
Every mistake you’ve made is nailed to the tree.
You’re blood-bought and heaven-made.
A child of God—forever saved.

So be grateful, joyful—for isn’t it true?
What you don’t have is much less than what you do.

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,
and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
For where your treasure is,
there will your heart be also.
Matthew 6:20-21

Published in: on June 20, 2017 at 3:55 am  Comments (1)  
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Our 50th Wedding Anniversary


June 16, 1967

We are not the same persons this year as last;
(or 50 years ago – me)
nor are those we love.
It is a happy chance if we,
changing,
continue to love a changed person.
W. Somerset Maugham

December 18, 2016

We do and we are thankful.

We have been abundantly blessed.

Published in: on June 16, 2017 at 4:14 am  Leave a Comment  
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Today’s thought – Shall Not Be Moved

aug 11 003I love this ‘standing’ oak tree.

Good Morning

Psalms 46:5
God is in the midst of her;
she shall not be moved:
God shall help her,
and that right early

“Shall not be moved”–what an inspiring declaration!
Can it be possible that we,
who are so easily moved by the things of earth,
can arrive at a place where
nothing can upset us or disturb our calm?
Yes, it is possible;
and the Apostle Paul knew it.
When he was on his way to Jerusalem
where he foresaw that “bonds and afflictions” awaited him,
he could say triumphantly,
“But none of these things move me.”

Everything in Paul’s life and experience
that could be shaken had been shaken,
and he no longer counted his life,
or any of life’s possessions, dear to him.
And we, if we will but let God have His way with us,
may come to the same place,
so that neither the fret and tear of little things of life,
nor the great and heavy trials,
can have power to move us
from the peace that passeth understanding,
which is declared to be the portion
of those who have learned to rest only on God.

“Him that overcometh
will I make a pillar in the temple of my God;
and he shall go no more out.”
To be as immovable as a pillar in the house of our God,
is an end for which one would gladly endure all the shakings
that may be necessary to bring us there!
–Hannah Whitall Smith

“They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion,
which cannot be removed, but abideth forever.”
There is a quaint old Scottish version that puts iron into our blood:

Who sticketh to God in stable trust
As Zion’s mount he stands full just,
Which moveth no whit, nor yet doth reel,
But standeth forever as stiff as steel!

Stand . . . Today
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie

Published in: on January 30, 2015 at 11:29 am  Leave a Comment  
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February Joy Dare – 1st –14th

Being thankful is very important to me. Thankfulness has such rich rewards.
february

3 gifts red – 1. beets, 2. the soft red yarn of my WIP shawl, my goal to have it finished to wear next winter, 3. red ink, I love writing in red.
3 gifts on paper – 1. receipts for groceries, God’s provision, 2. a journal for thankfuls, 3. knitting patterns, more than I could ever do.
3 gifts found in writing = 1. when I write it clers my thoughts and helps separate the emotion from the problem, it seems to open a window to God almost as if the writing is a prayer and God brings His words to me. 2. poems, 3. wisdom from blogs I read.
3 gifts when bent down = 1. dirt in the corners I can’t see when standing up, 2. the right place to prune the roses, 3. the lifted up arms of a toddler are found. . .
a gift stitched – the blocks of Deanna’s quilt
a gift hammered – the walls and roof of the greenhouse
a gift woven – the cover of my footstool
3 gifts found outside – 1. blue and white violets, 2. tulips poking their noses up out of the pots, 3. pruned roses
gift at 11:30 – family came for lunch
gift at 2:30 – enjoyed new vegan restaurant
gift at 6:30 – getting ready for worship service
gift broken – my heart when I think of prodigal children
gift fixed – bank account, $40. unexpected
gift thrifted – tops no longer favorites
3 gifts surprising – delightful new nursery found, 2. butternut squash soup, delish and simple, I have all the ingredients 3. Blood sugar # after lunch in range
3 times hearing laughter – 1. laughing with friends while talking about our children, 2. during a ‘May I’ game at old jokes, 3. a silly 1 year old while she ate dinner
3 gifts working – 1. our heater, 2. Bro Bob’s washer and drier, 3. my feather weight singer sewing machine
3 hard eucharistoes – 1. retirement different than planned, 2. watching a family member suffer but knowing God knows. 3. facing personal short comings
3 gifts behind a door – 1. my clothes, 2. a room ready for guests, 3. a cool box for veggies
3 ways I feel God’s love – 1. the constantness of seasons, the reliability of God, 2. seeing the moon, I love checking the sky every night, 3. pruning roses to almost nothing, the rebirth of the bush and then roses bloom all summer long

Gifts numbering 452.

Published in: on February 15, 2013 at 12:04 pm  Leave a Comment  

January Joy Dare – 19th-31st

Being thankful is a big deal to me.
I am joining many people who will be making a list of the things for which they are thankful. I’ve been listing but not posting.
january

Gifts that might never have been: Except for the stirring of a recent revival, I would not have gone to a baptismal service and received the gift of (1)being reminded of a life made new, (2)heard testimonies of deliverance from sin and (3)talked with some I didn’t know
Gift seen close up or looked for: dirt in the corners, it’s time to sweep
Gift seen close up or looked for: stitch definition in knitting
Gift seen close up or looked for: when I see a mistake in my knitting I can usually fix it
Gift – sky: the ever changing-ness, always new, always beautiful in all its seasons, yet always there
Gift – water: clean cold water from my kitchen sink
Gift – memory: walking in the Atlantic ocean at Myrtle Beach
Gift – wrinkled: the beautiful face of a dear sister in Christ, a pillar of faith, smiling
Gift – smooth: the brand new face of a two week old new born, no lines of care or sorrow
Gift – unfolded: a receipt totaling our tithe offering to the Lord’s work
Gifts found in Christ: forgiveness, chastisement, help
Gift blue: the warm blue and white comforter, just the right weight
Gift blue: the many shades of blue, I’m not stuck with just one shade
Gift blue: looking forward to the blue hydrangeas of summer
Gift found: the love of knitting
Gift borrowed: Mary’s Ipod
Gift inherited: need to have words spelled correctly
Gift before dawn: I’m still sleeping
Gift at noon: visiting with my daughters
Gift after dark: motion lights that come on to light my path
Gift in the kitchen: cutco knives
Gift in the kitchen: abundance of hot water
Gift in the kitchen: favorite coffee cups
Gift found in friends: laughter, encouragement, understanding
Gift a song heard: He’s More Wonderful, sung by Trish and Cynthia
Gift a soft word: whispered, “Lord, help us.”
Gift light seen: through a testimony of insight of the story of the rich man and Lazarus
Gift of old things seen new: an iron in the hands of a beginning sewer
Gift of old things seen new: a smile on an ‘older’ person’s face finding love again
Gift of old things seen new: an id card lost and found again
Gift on paper: an invitation to a party
Gift in person: generosity –Brother Bob
Gift in a picture: of my dad, bringing memories thought forgotten

Gifts 371-409

Published in: on January 31, 2013 at 12:13 pm  Leave a Comment  

January Joy Dare, 1st-17th

Being thankful is a big deal to me.
I am joining many people who will be making a list of the things for which they are thankful. I’ve been listing but not posting. Hopefully today and the 31st will catch up January.

january

Gift heard: Christmas carols one more time
Gift heard: ‘I love you’ from the Farmer
Gift heard: bird song in the night
Gift outside: winter roses
Gift inside: a heater
Gift on a plate: ceasar turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce
Gift overheard: the engine of my car starting right up
Gift overheard: lesson on FOCUS
Gift overheard: lesson on whole hearted service
Gift old: songs of praise, I sang as a child
Gift new: start to walk daily
Gift blue: rug on the floor before the door
Gift I’m reading: God’s word chronologically
Gift I’m making”: hats for little friends
Gift I’m seeing: God’s will for me in a new light
Gift in your bag: my keys
Gift in your fridge: Ceasar salad dressing
Gift in your heart: desire for Christ’s compassion for people
Gift from people you love: the Farmer repairing the trailer for our trip
Gift from people you love: Grandson Kyle’s thanks for lunch, gum, used books, and young carrots, “It’s been fun!”
Gift from people you love: Uncle Bob “this is her hand” – but I still lost.
Gift held: my knitting needles
Gift passed by: our trailer being readied for our trip
Gift sat with: the Farmer and Uncle Bob playing ‘May I’
Gift sweet: maple bar with a good cup of coffee
Gift just right: homemade meat loaf
Yellow Gift of fresh mercy: sunshine, warming the cold, like God’s word warms my soul
Yellow Gift of fresh mercy:flower on a new to me coffee cup – reminding me that God promised seasons would follow one another according to His plan
Yellow Gift of fresh mercy: Golden corn eaten in a dinner with in-law family that I didn’t have to cook, although I did dry the dishes
Gift above: Mt Shasta, snow covered raising above the Redding area
Gift below: even pavement beneath my feet
Gift beside: the Farmer walking beside me during many years of marriage
Gift about me for which I am grateful: my ability to knit and sew
Gift about me for which I am grateful: my ability to organize and plan
Gift about me for which I am grateful: I am content
Startling gift from God: Psalms 22:24

For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted;
neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.

Startling gift from God: God answers before I call
Startling gift from God:Lamentations 3:22-23

It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed,
because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Gift worn: my ‘muted jazz’ shawl
Gift given away: my time to visit with Velma
Gift shared: Velma’s laughter at a funny picture of herself
Gift bringing laughter: ducks playing on the river
Gift bringing prayer: a burden for a young prodigal girl
Gift bringing quietness: blessed quietness of being home again

Gifts 327-370

Published in: on January 30, 2013 at 12:37 pm  Comments (4)  

March Joy Dare — Part 1

One Thousand Gifts in 2012

March Joy Dare–capturing these gifts and joining Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience.

“Joy is always a function of gratitude — and gratitude is always a function of perspective. If we are going to change our lives, what we’re going to have to change is the way we see.”

March 1 — 3 gifts at 3pm

Watching the chickens run out of their pen for free-range eating
The quiet of nap time
Gathering fresh laid eggs

March 2   — 3 gifts green

I have started two knitting projects of the same pattern
both in green different size yarn
                                

but oh how different

New Spring green growth

March 3  —  3 gifts wore

A hair net to keep the bun in place
Tights, I love tights.
My shawls, knit, ripped, re knit by me, until I got it right.

March 4  –3 gifts HARD to give thanks for

Leaving our home
The illness of a daughter-in-law
The learning in this season of my life

March 5  — 3 gifts found

Primroses pushing up out of the barren looking soil
Knitting needles hiding in yarn dens being organized
A place for a dresser returned

March 6  —  gift bent, gift broken, gift beautiful

Our deck furniture is wrought iron –bent
My idea for my future is broken
God’ perfect plan for me is beautiful,
Psalm 18:30  As for God, his way is perfect:

March 7  –3 gifts in the kitchen

New pans from Brother Bob
Just enough storage space
A window over the sink

March 8 —  3 gifts  loud

This littlie is very loud

the Farmer’s tractor (sometimes the loud is a bit too much)
The singing at family night

March 9 — 3 gifts carved

A pair of knitting needles made from the walnut trees grown
at the farm where I purchased them
White washed wooden candlesticks
A bear from my Mom and Brother

March 10  3 gifts in Christ

Every need supplied
Job 23:10  But He knoweth the way that I take:
2Corinthians 1:3 -4 Blessed be God, . . . the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,

Gifts 296 — 326

Published in: on March 12, 2012 at 2:09 am  Leave a Comment  

One Thousand Gifts — February Joy Dare part 3

One Thousand Gifts in 2012

February Joy Dare–capturing these gifts and joining Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience.

“Joy is always a function of gratitude — and gratitude is always a function of perspective. If we are going to change our lives, what we’re going to have to change is the way we see.”

February 21  —   3 gifts white

White violets arriving every spring,
White clouds turning pink after the rain,

Clean white sheets of paper waiting to receive

February 22  — 3 gifts that changed today

Solid veggies that change into juice,
Water that changed into hot coffee from Bro Bob via the Farmer,
A cool morning changed into a warm afternoon then back cool in the evening

February 23 —  a gift of tin, a gift of  glass, a gift of  wood

My tuna from a tin can,
Many glass windows so I don’t have to live in a cave,
Wood doors for privacy

February 24 —  3 gifts before 11am
A hug from the Farmer,

Devotions with my Father,
Smiles from the littlies

February 25  — a gift nearly worn out, a gift new, a gift made do

Worn out – my favorite jean skirt
New – every day is a new gift
Made do  –  a sea crate instead of a garage

February 26 –3 gifts seen as reflections

Watching a little girl make faces art herself in a mirror,
The love seen in the faces of a senior couple as they smile at a secret thought,
The distorted view of my kitchen in the crome sides of the coffee pot

February 27 — 3 ugly-beautiful gifts (see beauty in ugly)   My brain just couldn’t put this one together, I see a kind of beauty in everything.

February 28 — 3 gifts from the past that help you trust the future
The book “Streams in the Desert’ a devotional given to me June, 1983  by my sister in law  –  each day seems to fit my need.
The Bible I bought for myself, December, 1975, reading it every day

The vows I exchanged on June 16, 1967 “until death do us part” are constant in an ever-changing world.

February 29  — a gift dull, a gift shimmering, a gift cleaned

Dull – The rusty antic iron tractor from my father

Glimmering – Light shining on my knitting needle collection

Cleaned – Fresh washed sheets dried in the sun and wind

Gifts 269-294

Published in: on March 5, 2012 at 11:23 am  Leave a Comment  

One Thousand Gifts — February Joy Dare, part 2

One Thousand Gifts in2012

February Joy Dare–capturing these gifts and joining Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience.

“Joy is always a function of gratitude — and gratitude is always a function of perspective. If we are going to change our lives, what we’re going to have to change is the way we see.”

February 11  3 gifts found in working

The gift of a job well done

The gift of accomplishment  for persevering when learning a new knitting pattern and finally figuring it out.

The gift of rest after hard toil

February 12   3 hard eucharisteos

The estrangement  and the healing between my daughter and I.

The losing of our business and home, opening the door to new possibilities.

The illness I experienced when  at 19 the drs. gave me a week to live; married 15 months with a premature daughter. The Lord giving me the promise in Psalms 91  with long life I will satisfy ….44 years ago.

February 13  3 gifts you found behind a door today

The gift of a straightening after finding a mess in the cupboard where we toss empty plastic/paper bags

The gift of a fresh morning after opening the front door for the first time this morning

The gift of opportunity to create when I open the door of my Stash Home.

February 14  3 ways you feel the love of God

I feel God’s love in every sunset.
I feel God’s love in the Farmer’s arms.
I feel God’s love as I bow before Him in prayer.

February 15

A gift in losing something  —  During my first miscarriage I learned God could take me through what I had feared and ‘the anchor holds’.

A gift in finding something  —  finding ‘contentment in whatsoever state I’m in’

A gift in making something  —

February 16 3 gifts in shadows

Care  —  Psalms 17:8  Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

Comfort  —  Psalm 23:4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Hope  —  1Corinthians 13:12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

February 17 3 gifts giving/serving

The gift to be able organize the planning, preparation and serving of the yearly Church of God fellowship meeting meals.

The gift of hearing  ‘this is tasty’ when serving a new recipe.

The gift of being able to care for my mother-in-law occasionally.

February 18  3 gifts on paper

Gift of instructions to learn how to knit, I taught myself initially, and since all the written patterns and books I’ve read that increased that knowledge

 Gift of the first birthday card I received from the Farmer on my 18th birthday, “Fun being young, wasn’t it!”

  Gift of books, books, books, all kinds  —   children’s, novels, poetry, devotionals, instructional, cookbooks. . .

February 19  3 gifts that were “plan B’s”

I haven’t consciously set goals or made definite plans for my life that have failed. I mostly have just taken life as it came and  tried to do the best I could.  That is the Gift I was given, acceptance.

This isn’t a picture of  me, just the attitude I strive for.

February 20  a gift at breakfast lunch and dinner

The gifts of my favorite foods:

Breakfast  –  Chicken Fried Steak at the Coffee Pot (no longer in business, but it wasn’t my fault).

Lunch  –  Bacon, tomato and avocado sandwich with a cup of tomato soup.

Dinner  —  recipe from Mom  — meatloaf  !

Gifts 240-268

Published in: on February 19, 2012 at 6:14 pm  Leave a Comment  

One Thousand Gifts — February Joy Dare

One Thousand Gifts in2012

February Joy Dare–capturing these gifts and joining Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience.

“Joy is always a function of gratitude — and gratitude is always a function of perspective. If we are going to change our lives, what we’re going to have to change is the way we see.”

February 1

a gift found at 11:30, at 2:30 and at 6:30

at 11:30 am   —  fresh vegetable juice from the Farmer
at 2:30 pm  —  littlies sleeping
at 6:30 pm  —  safely arriving home

February 2

3 things over heard today all gifts

“Temper your expectations so you aren’t  overcome with discouragement”

Chorus from a song  — “God will make this trial a blessing though it sends me to my knees, Though my tears flow like a river yet in Him there’s sweet relief, There’s no need to get discouraged there’s no need to talk defeat, God will make this trial a blessing and the whole wide world will see”

“I put 30.00 worth of gas in the car today” the Farmer

February 3

3 gifts found in writing

Linking with Five Minute Friday and being reminded that Jesus and His sacrifice is Real

An excerpt from Streams in the Desert  February 1, This Thing is from Me

In my devotions;  Proverbs 16:23  “The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips”. ever striving to have “the law of kindness is in her mouth.”

February 4

3 gifts found when bent down

I have difficulty physically bending down, so in my heart I am bowing:

A gift while bending low in devotions I found: Proverbs 17:8  A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. In the center column for ‘a precious stone’ I read ‘a stone of grace’.

Receiving the  gift of forgiveness while bending low in saying I’m sorry.

When bending down, little hands reach up.

February 5

One gift stitched:  A quilt as a memento of our Journey across the USA

One gift , hammered  This shed hammered, nailed, sawed, painted by my son and his friends became my pantry, office supply station, yarn and fabric stash home, daycare storage, and pile it place. Thank you!

One gift woven:  The love of  a daughter and mother can have woven together

February 6

3 gifts found outside

The front porch deck

Just after the deck was finished, October 2010

What the deck looked like in July, 2011

 A row of iris blooming happily in their new home
The green leaves of bulbs heralding the coming of spring

February 7

3 gifts red

The Words of Christ
A new-to-me sweater
A red almond  M&M

February8

a gift broken,  what I brought to Christ  – a broken and contrite heart

a gift fixed,    the foot control for my sewing machine by the  Farmer

a gift thrifted  —  a long sleeved blue flat knit sweater I’d been wanting to use to layer

February 9

3 gifts that were surprises  —  unexpected grace

“Would you like to do something Tuesday?

How easy Christ’s yoke has been regarding a need that seemed so hard!

Last year’s hyacinth re-blooming

February 10

3 times you heard laughter today

My three daughters laughing at something I said.

During Sunday’s message at an example of Christian living that rang true, lemons trees and lemons

Friendly laughter while visiting an ill friend

Gifts 209  —  239

Published in: on February 13, 2012 at 3:59 pm  Leave a Comment  

One Thousand Gifts — January Joy Dare

ONE THOUSAND GIFTS in 2012

January Joy Dare–capturing these gifts and joining Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience.

“Joy is always a function of gratitude — and gratitude is always a function of perspective. If we are going to change our lives, what we’re going to have to change is the way we see.”

January 23

three gifts found in Christ

An example to follow, Forgiveness and  An intercessor

January 24

three things blue

My favorite denim skirt
Shades of blue, from palest of a winter sky to the deepest of the blue black of night
The happy blue of Dutch Irises

January 25

One grace borrowed —  this prompt list of gifts to discover
One grace found  —  God’s promises are never failing
One grace inherited   —   carnival glass bowl from my mother, it’s packed   so no picture

January 26

One gift before 9 am  —  A morning kiss from the Farmer
One gift before noon  —  Encouragement from blogger ‘friends’
One gift before dark  —  Quietness at Cozy Acres as the chickens return to their nests and the day rests

January 27

Three gifts that might never have been

4 of my children if what the doctor said had been true.
A 53 day road trip across the USA if we had not owned a business.
Cozy Acres would never have been if we had not lost that same business.

January 28

3 graces found in your friends

Laughter, adventure, and acceptance

January 29

A song heard  —  “Every Need Supplied, Cleansing, Healing, Sweet peace inside, Every Need Supplied.”
A soft word  —  “Well, Good Morning” every day by the Farmer.
Where you saw light  —  Every night I look up to the heavens and check to see the moon and the stars, and I’m thankful for yet another day.

January 30

3 old things seen new

My walk with the Lord, improving this year.
My relationship with the Farmer as we adjust to new times in our lives
Our ways of eating seen new to better health.

January 31

a gift found

On a paper–  “Bought in 1923. In Peters Drug store in Pawnee, Okla. 19cents each.” Written on a scrap of paper by my Grandmother Ripley and tucked in between three clear glass bowls. I have loved using them. Now they live with my daughters.

On a person  —  enjoying that fresh washed baby powder scent  on a little one while rocking it to sleep

In a picture  —  I love this Grannie’s arms and hands, sheltering, supporting, loving, being there with all she can

Gifts 181 —  208

Published in: on February 6, 2012 at 10:48 am  Leave a Comment  

One Thousand Gifts — January Joy Dare

ONE THOUSAND GIFTS in 2012

January Joy Dare–capturing these gifts and joining Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience.

“Joy is always a function of gratitude — and gratitude is always a function of perspective. If we are going to change our lives, what we’re going to have to change is the way we see.”

January 8.  light that caught you,     morning sun in my eyes as I awake

a reflection that surprised you,     the reflection of his mother across my husband’s face

a shadow that fell lovely –    the  sun through the blinds across this sweet face

January 9.

a gift in your hand,    a little girl that says, “hand, hand” reaching up as we walk together;

  a gift you walk by,   stepping pavers laid three times until the Farmer got them right for me

a gift you sat with   sitting with a dear saintly friend laughing,  praying, . . . weeping

January 10.

 a gift that is sour,   fresh lemon juice in my tea

a gift that is sweet    Yummy,  See’s dark chocolates with nuts

and a gift that is just right   my bed at night is just right

January 11.three yellow things that strike you as fresh mercy

I always smile at Yellow roses

dandelions they are so persistent

the golden yellow of a fresh range free egg

January 12.

something above you,   Skylights, I love skylights

something below you,   hardwood floors

something beside you   the Farmer as we walk hand in hand

January 13.three sounds you hear

the tractor engine, it tells me the Farmer busy having fun

the tick of the clock  – take time for God

the hummmmmm of my computer, electricity lives in my house

January 14.three ways you glimpsed the startling grace of God

when the nurse said “this one isn’t going to make it,”
God said “I’ve just begun”

my anchor holds

Mal 3:6  For I am the Lord, I do not change;

Gifts 138–155

Published in: on January 23, 2012 at 12:38 pm  Comments (1)  

One Thousand Gifts — January Joy Dare

ONE THOUSAND GIFTS in 2012

January Joy Dare–capturing these gifts and joining Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience.

“Joy is always a function of gratitude — and gratitude is always a function of perspective. If we are going to change our lives, what we’re going to have to change is the way we see.”

January 1. three things about your self you are grateful for

I can organize; I enjoy trying new knitting patterns ;

and I am content on    Cozy Acres.

January 2.  three a gifts outside, inside , and on a plate

Lilac bushes, my comfortable swivel rocker, and bacon, tomato and guacamole sandwiches

January 3.  three lines that you overheard that were graces

A young grandson who loves playing the game with me   “I love you bigger than_______”;

“I love you” from the Farmer regardless; and a precious promise from God when I so desperately needed it:

Psalms 91:14-16  Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness–trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never].  He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation. Amplified Bible

January 4. three gifts  –  one gift old, new, blue

An old gift, finding the first quilt I made; a new gift, tangerine marmalade, and a blue gift, the eyes of my first born daughter

January 5.    something you’re reading, you’re making, you’re seeing

I’m reading the Bible, morning and evening; I’m making a shawl, and I’m seeing my first grandson grow taller and mature

January  6.    one thing in your bag your fridge, your heart

I have in my bag a slim New Testament/Psalms and Proverbs;

in my fridge fresh brown eggs from our flock,

               in my heart a desire to live pleasing to God.

January 7.  three graces from people you love

From my parents  – an appreciation for nature;  from my in-laws love and acceptance before they knew who I was just because their son loved me; and from my husband, the Farmer, constant, faithful, abiding love.

counting  116-137 gifts.

Published in: on January 15, 2012 at 6:44 pm  Leave a Comment  

One Thousand Gifts and a Scripture

Adding to my One Thousand gifts:

101.  This cat, Busterford Jones, who moved to Cozy Acres scared and untrusting, has adapted and become the #1 lap cat. I get this look if the computer is in his way.

102. Ideas from a quilt show.

103. I am very thankful for my mom. She is such an example of the Proverbs 31 woman. Thank you.

I am very thankful for my home.

104. This cozy spot where I write, knit, read, eat, doze, hold cats, rock babies, gaze out the door, pray and weep.

105. This is the cozy spot where I create .

106. This is my cozy kitchen most of the time it is neater than this but I love the way the light played in this picture.


107. Here is the Farmer’s cozy spot.

108. And COZY, though it may be, I am thankful for indoor plumbing. Please excuse the camera strap.

I thankful for memories, still, of cruise taken in 2009, with these dear-to-my-heart people.

109. On our way to dinner in New York City.

110. Checking out New York City.


111.  Quebec City

112. A carriage ride in Quebec City.

113. A real gift- to be able to cruise with the Farmer.

114. The trip of our life time ‘from sea to shining sea’ in 2007.

115. A favorite memento from ‘the trip’ – The Story Teller, purchased in New Mexico.

And a Scripture:
. . .   trust . . .  in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 1Timothy 6:17

linking with:  http://www.aholyexperience.com

Published in: on December 12, 2011 at 1:02 pm  Leave a Comment  
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{this moment} the Farmer

 

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Linking here: http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2011/12/this-moment-1.html

Published in: on December 9, 2011 at 12:44 pm  Leave a Comment  
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