JANUARY 2013
One Thousand Gifts (by Ann Voskamp)
I've taken the 1,000 Gifts Dare for 2013... and I am already to number...
January 2013
Today I find JOY in...
Tues 1/01
3 gifts heard: 1. snoring of the LOML while I watched "When Harry Met Sally" 2. the cat purring sitting on the headboard 3. the news of baby piglets being born this morning :)
1079. a night that ended around 4am -
1079. a night that ended around 4am -
however, the LOML was asleep beside me around 3am :)
1080. nowhere to go - nothing to do :)
1081. visiting brand new neighbor baby piglets :D
Wed 1/02
3 gifts outside, inside, on a plate:
1082. covered with THICK frosting of frost today & a wonderful walk about
1083. warm hog barn full of sights, sounds & smells!
.JPG)
1084. awesome leftovers for the LOML & I... warmed up after 1st day back to work!
Thurs 1/03
3 graces I overheard:
1085. HEARD: the YouVersion on my iPad - reading aloud the word of God!
1086. HEARD: children playing & getting along by giving apologies
1087. HEARD (and FELT): my friends not giving me a hard time when I cried at the death of one of the little piglets
1080. nowhere to go - nothing to do :)
1081. visiting brand new neighbor baby piglets :D
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| Born on 01/01/13 - 8 baby piglets to Chesie (a Cheshire White) |
3 gifts outside, inside, on a plate:
1082. covered with THICK frosting of frost today & a wonderful walk about
1083. warm hog barn full of sights, sounds & smells!
.JPG)
1084. awesome leftovers for the LOML & I... warmed up after 1st day back to work!
Thurs 1/03
3 graces I overheard:
1085. HEARD: the YouVersion on my iPad - reading aloud the word of God!
1086. HEARD: children playing & getting along by giving apologies
1087. HEARD (and FELT): my friends not giving me a hard time when I cried at the death of one of the little piglets
Fri 1/04
HAPPY 23rd BIRTHDAY TO OUR DAUGHTER TODAY!!
3 gifts old, new, blue:
1088. A gift OLD... the house down the road which is over 150 years old... and such a beautiful place to see each day when I walk or drive somewhere :D1089. A gift NEW... Chesie's baby piglets (born on the first day of the year) doing better (most of them)...
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| Dinner time :) |
1090. A gift BLUE... the color of the sky on a snow-covered day...
3 gifts of something I'm reading, making, seeing:
1091. READING - the Bible through in 2013 :D
1092. MAKING - new resolutions
1093. SEEING - God working all around me! SO GLAD TO BE DRIVING BEHIND MY VERY PREGNANT DAUGHTER WHEN HER CAR STOPPED WORKING & STARTED SMOKING!!!
 |
| Birthday present for the mother of a soon to be here daughter :) |
Sun 1/06
3 gifts your bag, your fridge, your heart: 1. pictures of loved ones 2. FOOD - many don't have that 3. assurance of a hope & a future!
1094. church & breakfast with Tyler & Kelsey
1095. a Sunday afternoon nap
(despite an unhappy husband over the play-off games)
1096. a safe (yet very quiet) drive to/from Cinci to drop the kids off
Mon 1/07
3 graces from people you love...
1097. GRACE from my husband who loves me despite my winter blues
1098. GRACE from my girlfriends who read my "brief updates" that usually aren't that brief!
1099. GRACE from friends who understand that my husband is obsessed with his HiDef TV & wanted to bring his flat-screen over for the Notre Dame/Alabama game :O
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| Seriously? Take a TV over to friends' house? |
Dusky light, surprising reflection, lovely shadow... 1. the sunsets in my new location 2. the stream along my walk 3. the long shadows that cover the snow on the lawn
1100. lunch w/daughter & the LOML1101. contractions & cramps that calmed down!!
1102. loving children who might be needing some extra love!
Wed 1/09
A gift held, passed by, sat with...
1103. HELD: a gift from a friend for our soon-to-be here girl
1104. PASSED BY: the beauty along the way to work
1105. SAT WITH: memories of sitting by my father as he went to be with the LORD - will never be forgotten or feel any less significant
Thur 1/10
A gift sour, sweet, just right... 1. my stomach was sour - but, I got to stay home from work & rest 2. my boss was sweet for understanding 3. the EXTRA rest was just right for making me feel better through the night!
1106. a quick walk on country roads
1107. good music on my iPod
(helps when you don't feel well!)
1108. lots of rest - perhaps due to being sick but, none the less :)
Fri 1/11
3 yellow gifts of fresh mercy: not really sure about this one :)
1109. feeling better
1110. work going well :)
1111. home on a Friday night
(I LOVE that!)
Sat 1/12
Something above, below, beside... 1. the Lord's plans are ABOVE my hopes 2. the ground below was mushy when I walked 3. the LOML (aka, my husband of almost 25 years) is a huge blessing as he walks beside me in this crazy chapter of our lives!
1112. walking outside with Ruthann & Koko - conversations that I pray will bring both of us closer to the women God knows we can be
1113. laundry for a new LIFE soon to be here
1114. time to write - again... FINALLY!
Sun 1/13
3 things about ME that I am grateful for: 1. crazy, passionate love for the LORD 2. stubborn about the promises of God 3. I don't mind being silly & having fun
1115. reflections of the sky in puddles (and PONDS) in the fields as we drove to church
1116. 3 hours sitting beside my sweet daughter (soon to be mother)
1117. relationship, connection, support from my Women's Ministries sister-friends
Mon 1/14
3 startling graces of God: 1. beauty from ashes 2. new mercies every morning from Him - no matter what!
3. sins forgiven & cast further than the east is from the west!
1118. text from a friend just to check up on me
1119. making kids smile by being "Mrs. Frizzle"
1120. Downton Abbey with the LOML
Tues 1/15
3 gifts worn, given away, shared: 1. layers to keep warm in NorthKids van! 2. hugs to kids who don't seem to get enough 3. stories about childbirth with my soon-to-be-a-mom daughter
1121. 19 degrees & a beautiful sunrise!
1122. sitting by my daughter at her doctor's appt
1122. sitting by my daughter at her doctor's appt
1123. being worn out from a busy day (sounds bad but, really a blessing!)
Wed 1/16
3 witnessed blessings: 1. face to face w/Jesse 2. being there for my daughter giving birth to our sweet grand baby 3. new beginnings in many relationships
1124. 2:30am phone call from daughter in labor
1125. 3:30am at hospital beside my daughter
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| Approximately 1 hour before giving birth!! |
1126. 8:18am sweet, sweet Ayla Morgaine
Thur 1/17
A gift bringing laughter, prayer & quiet: This would have to be Ayla!
1127. a friend God sent as I was bursting into tears
1128. Jessica wanting me to be with her as much as possible
1128. Jessica wanting me to be with her as much as possible
 |
31 hours old
|
Fri 1/18
3 gifts from God's Word: 1. Romans 8:1 2. Psalm 119:50 3. John 10:10
1130. getting ready to leave the hospital with a NEW life :)
1131. Mini Coopers being SO small
1132. first shared meal... in almost a year...
1131. Mini Coopers being SO small
1132. first shared meal... in almost a year...
Sat 1/19
3 gifts that might never have been: 1. Ayla (we are glad our daughter chose LIFE) 2. a room full of family members that were estranged 3. our daughter as a mom
1133. visit by GreatGrandma B from Fort Wayne
1134. visit from Jessica's friend since the College Corner days!
1135. an interruption in our romantic evening
1134. visit from Jessica's friend since the College Corner days!
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| Nikki is expecting Gunner any day now :) |
Sun 1/20
THE DUE DATE -- and Ayla is 4 days old & home now!
3 gifts only seen up close: 1. baby's eyelashes 2. true love 3. a 4 leaf clover
1136. sleeping in w/the LOML beside me
1137. Operation Keep Out the Possums - my hubby (aka the LOML) is too funny
1138. avoiding the basement!
1138. avoiding the basement!
Mon 1/21
a gift in sky, water, memory: 1. the sunrises & sunsets lately 2. reflections of God's glory 3. my own little red-haired girl
1139. first visit to DeeDee's house
1140. naps by the fire
1141. PINK dryer lint :)
1139. first visit to DeeDee's house
1140. naps by the fire
1141. PINK dryer lint :)
Tues 1/22
3 gifts wrinkled, smoothed, unfolded: 1. me 2. my heart 3. the mysteries ahead will be unfolded by God's own hand!
1143. the love of my family
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| my older sister can't stop sending little care packages for Ayla |
Wed 1/23
3 gifts found in Christ: 1. hope 2. peace 3. assurance
1145. gaining weight
1146. making a difference by being "Miss Frizzle" on the church day care van
1147.the awesome LOML possum catcher
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| From 7lbs 5.5oz to 7lbs 15oz in 1 week! |
1147.the awesome LOML possum catcher
Thur 1/24
3 things blue: 1. sky 2. ocean 3. every car that my father ever bought - LOL!
1148. gorgeous sunrise on a VERY COLD morning
1149. listening to awesome music w/Ayla in the car as "Mommy" meets w/her professor
1150. it's almost Friday!
1149. listening to awesome music w/Ayla in the car as "Mommy" meets w/her professor
1150. it's almost Friday!
Fri 1/25
a grace borrowed, found, inherited: 1. lots of things for Ayla 2. a new hope 3. my family values
1151. Silly photo shoots with DeeDee
1152. There's nothing like a mother's love
Sat 1/26
1151. Silly photo shoots with DeeDee
1152. There's nothing like a mother's love
1153. Friends who send me text pictures while I'm at work are the BEST!
Sat 1/26
a gift before dawn...
1154. woke up EARLY in the morning & had a great time of prayer
at noon...
1155. breakfast in bed by the LOML
after dark...
1156. a new little one born to Jessica's good friend Nikki
1154. woke up EARLY in the morning & had a great time of prayer
at noon...
1155. breakfast in bed by the LOML
after dark...
1156. a new little one born to Jessica's good friend Nikki
Sun 1/27
3 gifts in the kitchen: 1. my husband (who is enjoying cooking more & more lately) 2. 4 people around a dinner table that haven't been together for TOO long 3. a great view of the south field
1157. Jesse, Jessica & Ayla over for a YUMMY Sunday dinner
1158. Visitors from Cinci
1159. Family members with RED hair :)
1157. Jesse, Jessica & Ayla over for a YUMMY Sunday dinner
1158. Visitors from Cinci
1159. Family members with RED hair :)
Mon 1/28
3 graces found in friends:
1160. Melanie Denniston for letting me have time off to be with Jess & Ayla today
1161. Lisa Bitar & Kimberly Majeski for tangibly showing LOVE to my "girls"
1162. Bethann Webb for reaching out to us at the "BreastFeeding Club Meeting"
1160. Melanie Denniston for letting me have time off to be with Jess & Ayla today
1161. Lisa Bitar & Kimberly Majeski for tangibly showing LOVE to my "girls"
1162. Bethann Webb for reaching out to us at the "BreastFeeding Club Meeting"
Tues 1/29
a gift in a song heard, a soft word, a light seen: 1. Schumann - Byron Janis. Romance in F Sharp 2. whispering while Ayla sleeps 3. sunlight & shadows at Maplewood Cemetery
1163. Jessica back to classes at AU = me babysitter :)
1164. wonderful classical music & heated car seats
1165. working on my bad attitude about working part-time :/
Wed 1/30
a gift in a song heard, a soft word, a light seen: 1. Schumann - Byron Janis. Romance in F Sharp 2. whispering while Ayla sleeps 3. sunlight & shadows at Maplewood Cemetery
1163. Jessica back to classes at AU = me babysitter :)
1164. wonderful classical music & heated car seats
1165. working on my bad attitude about working part-time :/
Wed 1/30
3 old things seen new: 1. places now with new meanings 2. former failures as learning opportunities 3. reusing things from when my own 2 children were babies
1166. Deluxe Donuts - went there in college - today went there with Ayla
1166. Deluxe Donuts - went there in college - today went there with Ayla
1167. 1st pediatician appt w/Ayla
1168. Dinner at Bonge's w/the LOML
1168. Dinner at Bonge's w/the LOML
Thur 1/31
a gift seen on a paper, in a person, in a picture...
1169. PAPER: adorable baby cards that still keep coming in
1170. PERSON: AYLA - can't get enough of her!!
1171. PICTURE after picture after picture of our sweet grand daughter!
a gift seen on a paper, in a person, in a picture...
1169. PAPER: adorable baby cards that still keep coming in
1170. PERSON: AYLA - can't get enough of her!!
1171. PICTURE after picture after picture of our sweet grand daughter!
JANUARY 2013 #1000Gifts #JoyDare
I've taken the 1,000 Gifts Dare for 2013... click on the name of each month below for each one...
One Thousand Gifts (by Ann Voskamp)
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