2014 May ONE THOUSAND GIFTS #JoyDare

MAY 2014 

One Thousand Gifts (by Ann Voskamp)

#1000Gifts #JoyDare

Buy book here...      

Buy Kindle edition here...

I took the 1,000 Gifts Dare for the year of 2012...
I continued in 2013...
I'm now into 2014! 
GOD IS FULL OF BLESSINGS!

Today I find JOY in...

5/1/14 Thurs

2533. bathing in the joy of Jess making it into Chautauqua
AN ANSWERED PRAYER

2534. my messy, messy house

2535. published my April #JoyDare post today :) 
that's SO much better than 10 days into the month!!

5/2/14 Fri

2536. tromping through a neighbor's cornfield to get a pic of the river that winds through our county

2537. supporting the daughter of some "family-type-friends"
Kelsea's last Masters' recital

2538. Chipotle with a few girlfriends

5/3/14 Sat

2539. breakfast delivered to me in bed by a hubby who knows I am physically & emotionally worn out lately

2540. quietly sitting on the floor in the DARK folding clothes
while a baby naps

2541. great quotes to remind me that God is ALWAYS working!

5/4/14 Sun - May the 4th be with you!

2542. my church family - what a blessing

2543. outdoor pack n plays

2544. making & tasting mud pies

5/5/14 Mon

2545. last Monday of this semester for J :)

2546. caught at Meijer for HOURS - an UGLY BEAUTIFUL STORY

2547. CINCO de MAYO celebration with family

5/6/14 Tues

2548. an early morning waiting for a miracle

2549. how does a beach girl survive & thrive being "stuckinindiana"

I live... out in the country... beside the Sea of Lilacs 
That's how a beach girl lives in & loves life "stuckinindiana" 

2550. dinner & an early bedtime for someone

5/7/14 Wed

2551. celebrating an honorary auntie :)

2552. picnic & park time with A, J & K

2553. killer walk with Ruthann

5/8/14 Thurs

2554. greeting the day with a breath of fresh air

2555. taking advise from my older (& wiser) sister - with a bit of resistance

(and there's a little story HERE about my favorite time to hear those words!)

2556. listening to the "3 kids" talking and laughing about growing up

5/9/14 Fri

2557. someone reading cat books to the cat

2558. being a volunteer for my church...

gave me an opportunity to share this pic of me & my mom

2559. an achingly productive day... time for bed!

5/10/14 Sat
COMMENCEMENT DAY FOR OUR FIRSTBORN
shall I say again... OH THAT JOURNEY!

2560. hectic and VERY HAPPY morning

2561. dreams being realized

2562. my son's choice of friends

there are some great kids in this shot!

5/11/14 Sun - MOTHER'S DAY

2563. family & laughter

2564. reflections

2565. family night at home - didn't go ANYWHERE... just enjoyed each other's company!

5/12/14 Mon

2566. still trying to find the beauty in driving 20 minutes into town to find out that my appointment had been cancelled due to illness in their office

2567. walking & enjoying nature

2568. OH MY WORD... a 3rd child with a 4.0 for this past semester!!
(3 counting our son's girlfriend)

5/13/14 Tues

2569. stepping out of the house to take pics of the sunrise (while wearing my jammies) & locking the door -- thankful that the back door was unlocked

2570. claiming a second daughter :)

2571. the simple joys of life

pouring out & picking up Mommy's markers... repeat... repeat...

5/14/14 Wed

2572. reminders to SLOW DOWN!

"This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:

“Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength."

Sometimes I just need to slow down & smell the... lilacs!

2573. celebrating loved ones

Celebrating three 4.0's and one college graduation
by having dinner at Bonge's

2574. nieces for babysitters :)

5/15/14 Thurs

2575. time to write & scan some pics & relax in a quiet house - rare lately!!

my sister & i at our cabin on the lake
when i was almost 4 yrs old

2576. lasagna soup & a great evening at G-ma Bev's with family

2577. safe drive for T&K to/from Fort Wayne to see my mom

5/16/14 Fri

2578. actually going back to sleep for a short time after my early morning wake-up responsibilities

2579. the sound of music -- not the movie this time
Thankful to have my favorite trombonist & French horn player here!

2580. family dinner around the table b4 the kids leave for Atlanta

5/17/14 Sat

2581. safe travels for T&K to Atlanta
(bittersweet to see them go... but, her family needs some time with them too - LOL!)

2582. yard work - conquered a bushel of weeds in my peonies!

2583. the quiet of the country - love the sounds here!!

5/18/14 Sun

2584. J painting sunrise

2585. morning walk - just what I needed

2586. 

5/19/14 Mon

2587. connecting with friends - lunch w/BFFHeiter!!
2588. mailing a "happy" to K

2589. a little time in the sun while someone napped

5/20/14 Tues

2590. open, honest communication & talk about God
(with one of my nieces)

2591. nice weather = more time outdoors

2592. black beans & a baby :)

5/21/14 Wed

2593. getting a little extra rest & trying to beat a cold!

2594. hand-me-down irises along the back of the pole barn

2595. a "new" set of wheels for our college grad & her sweet baby

5/22/14 Thurs

2596. allergies & cold getting better :)

2597. grocery shopping with bed head from nap time

2598. cuddle time w/a 16-month old snuggler

5/23/14 Fri

2599. a beautiful sunrise... and perspective
sometimes you get the best perspective when you are flat on your back

2600. catching up with a friend over lunch

2601. staying home on a Friday night
(one of my FAVORITE things!)

5/24/14 Sat

2602. coffee in bed

2603. baby pools

2604. fire pits

5/25/14 Sun

2605. great sermons at my church

2606. 3 hour nap for our little one

2607. family time in the shade of a great tree

5/26/14 Mon
MEMORIAL DAY

2608. my husband taking the first "baby shift" of the day

2609. relaxed family Memorial Day lunch under the shagbark hickory

2610. the sound of birds settling down for the night

5/27/14 Tues

2611. leftovers for lunch

2612. music... i L-O-V-E music!!!

2613. Snacking today with Elmo.
"C" is for cereal. "M" is for milk. "B" is for bananas.
"D" is for DeeDee -- of course!

5/28/14 Wed

2614. great truth in the morning - in the written word & on the sky, itself :)

2615. remembering the power of one woman
RIP Maya Angelou

2616. conversations while roasting marshmallows

5/29/14 Thurs

2617. Bob Ross for 5 minutes in the morning with a 16-month old is hilarious!

2618. morning walk WITHOUT PUSHING A STROLLER :D

2619. holding a sleeping baby

5/30/14 Fri

2620. sitting outside & hearing ZERO traffic sounds -- just nature

2621. feeling okay about a messy house -- couldn't do that for YEARS!

2622. a relaxed night with the LOML

5/31/14 Sat
2623. a slow start to the day
2624. the heart of some of my closest friends
2625. going to bed knowing where my closest loved ones are tonight :)

MAY 2014 #1000Gifts #JoyDare

Linking with the Ann Voskamp Holy Experience Community

I've taken the 1,000 Gifts Dare for 2012, 2013 & 2014... click on the links below to see specific months...

1000 Gifts 4/14
1000 Gifts 3/14
1000 Gifts 2/14
1000 Gifts 1/14
1000 Gifts 12/13
1000 Gifts 11/13
1000 Gifts 10/13
1000 Gifts 9/13
1000 Gifts 8/13
1000 Gifts 7/13

1000 Gifts 6/13
1000 Gifts 5/13
1000 Gifts 4/13
1000 Gifts 3/13

1000 Gifts 2/13
1000 Gifts 1/13

1000 Gifts 12/12

1000 Gifts 11/12

1000 Gifts 10/12

1000 Gifts 9/12

1000 Gifts 8/12

1000 Gifts 7/12

1000 Gifts 6/12

1000 Gifts 5/12

1000 Gifts 4/12

1000 Gifts 3/12

1000 Gifts 2/12

1000 Gifts 1/12

PAIRINGS - Goodness & Beauty

 I walked outside my door today & took in the goodness & beauty which surrounds me. And, I was once again reminded not to minimize the "little things" placed right in my view! Things like huge, aromatic peonies lining the east wall of our home & lush green ivy covering the ground in the shady areas where grass would not grow well & lilies which come each spring -- lilies which were gifts to the former woman of the house from her two children. I see the birds returning to our outside hanging plants to nest again this year. I hear the horses in the neighboring pasture dashing across the field green & ready for grazing this spring. In our 4th spring here, none of these things are new to me. Yet, not one of them fails to bring a sense of joy & wonder. 

Each one of these "little things" can bring a lot of joy. Let us not forget...  

"How great is His goodness, and how great is His beauty..." Zechariah 9:17

PAIRINGS - The Power of One Person

The power of one person... do we really understand that? Do we understand that our words can make a difference in the lives of others? Do we understand that how we make others feel is what's remembered over our words and our accomplishments? Do we understand that each of us has the power to make a huge difference in this world?

Today a candle flickered out here on earth. And, I believe, a torch was lit in Heaven to shine a path to God. The life of Maya Angelou made a difference in this world. 

Upon hearing of her passing, I paired one of her quotes with a picture from 2008. I took that picture of my own footsteps in the snow on a cold, yet beautiful, winter day as I went on a walkabout. That day & that walkabout marked the change in the life of my dear friend (and me in many ways) forever! That post is still in progress...

"Listen to yourself. And, in that quietude,
you might hear the voice of God."
Maya Angelou

Today, I celebrate the life of Maya Angelou... who was a well of wisdom. The POWER of ONE person... ONE WOMAN... can be eternal.

Today Girlfriendology shared a link to a video of Maya reciting her own words. We all share sorrow, shame, loss, fear, etc.  We each have the choice to RISE ABOVE it all! Maya chose to RISE!

And Still I Rise!

Never underestimate the power from within! I believe that power is planted within by a loving God... for each of us to call upon and for each of us to share with our world.

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today... 

PAIRINGS - Certainties in an Uncertain World

I got a message from a friend this morning that she'd sent in the night. My heart broke as I read her words. Did I miss seeing signs that this was happening in her life? Aside from prayer, what can I do for her all these miles away. I wrote back and sent her my love, my prayers and a number where she could reach me. I thought, "What can I do to really help!?!?!"

I sent a second note...

I am so sorry if I missed the signs of this... I'm praying earnestly for you now though!!! Words are cold & hollow in times like these. But, I am praying that you will find peace, comfort, safety & strength in the only LIVING WORD!!

I looked back upon the darkest times in my life and remembered the nights when God's Word brought comfort and the name of JESUS was all I could cry out when my heart was speechless.

For my friend... for all of us... as we fight the battle each day...

Who really wants to hear the words, "Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows"? But, what a wonderful reminder of the future... in the words of Jesus, "Take heart, I have overcome this world."

So often there's nothing we can do to change things in this world. In those times, we must hold tightly to the certainty of the world to come!

Be encouraged friends! God completes what He starts!!

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today... 

PAIRINGS - A House By The Sea

Since being a young child & a family vacation in a camper along the Atlantic Ocean on the Outer Banks of North Carolina one summer, I've dreamed of having a house by the sea. I dreamed of the sounds of the sea in the night & the hint of daybreak on the waves. I'll mostly like have to wait until heaven for my "house by the sea". But, my drive home through the newly tilled and planted corn fields of Indiana tonight gave me a feeling that I was living near the sea...

I've lived near the sea before... and spent many a sunrise and sunset walking along it's shore. There's just something about the colors of the sky reflected in the water. On calm days it's almost like a mirror. Tonight was like that I as drove slowly home through my Indiana fields...

I've kidded with people before saying that I want a "waterfront house" even if it means my lawn has poor drainage. We have a little bit of that at this home :) The huge amount of rain we've received in this area in just the past few days has overflowed our creeks & flooded our fields. You can see new sprouts of corn popping up everywhere. I'm hoping the amount of water won't hinder their growth.

I have to admit it, I loved the views driving home tonight. I caught a glimpse of the view... from my house by the sea... in heaven.

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." Matthew 6:19-21

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today... 

Really, What Are Mere Mortals... Photos From My Drive Home...

I could NOT resist stopping again & again to take pictures as I drove home tonight. The beauty was incredible. My camera couldn't capture it. All of the following pics are without any filters -- just God's colors. Here are a few pics I took...

I cry out with the Psalmist:

What are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority—the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents. O lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Psalm 8:4-9

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today... 

PAIRINGS - Bloom Where You're Planted

I heard that from my mother over & over & over again as a child, youth & young adult. It was almost always followed by me shivering & wincing - similar to the reaction some people have when they hear fingernails scrape a chalkboard. I knew what she meant by it. I knew it was true. And, I knew I wasn't in the mood to embrace that truth most of the times she said it.

I didn't even realize that I was following that piece of advise as the years went by. The life of a "PK" resulted in me living in seven different states from birth into my early 20's. Between Kindergarten in Belding, Michigan & college in Anderson, IN, I attended 6 more different schools (in 3 additional states). And, you know what... ? I found wonderful things to do and made great friends in every new place. 

One opportunity we have as the years pass by is to embrace some of the truths we avoided in our youth. Truths like...

• Bloom where you're planted...
• Make lemonade out of the lemons in your life...
• Life's not fair...
• Actions speak louder than words...
• If the shoe fits, wear it...

And those truths become more like familiar friends and less like enemies over the years - when we allow them to do so.

Today I was thinking about the pictures posted by a friend who recently moved back to the city of his origin... the Emerald City... Seattle, Washington.  I see those pictures & think WHY CAN'T I LIVE THERE. Upon having that thought, I heard a voice in my head. But, it wasn't my mother's voice speaking the words. And, I didn't shiver & wince. The voice was ME speaking. The reaction was a feeling of embracing the statement:

Bloom where you're planted!

And then, my silly mind tacked on a personal reminder for today after feeling a bit jealous over all the gorgeous Pacific northwest photos:

After all, not ALL of us can live in Seattle. 

God has proven to me, over & over, that there will always be plenty for which to give thanks - if I open my eyes to those gifts!

"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today...