30 January 2012
Motherhood as a Missionfield
Clearing out my blogger drafts, I came across this article. Very much worth the time it takes to read it. Sometimes we forget that we are very much missionaries no matter where we are or how glamorous is our work.
29 January 2012
Joy Dare: Days 22-29
What better way to start a week than listing His gifts? Blessings on you this week, friends, as you look for His gifts with a thankful heart.
#66. cool cloth bringing relief to this aching head just when it need it the most.
#67. plans going awry, but everything comes together perfectly in the end.
#68. freshly washed clothes when the drawers become empty. so thankful for this convenience.
#69. the assurance of his sovereignty, i can't see it yet but it is all for a reason and it'll work out in the end.
#70. freedom from the shackles of fear, i know the future is in His hands.
#71. sanctification...need i say more?
#72. the blue eyes of the little one I get to cradle in my arms.
#73. clorox wipes, a fantastic tool to create a sparkling bathroom.
#74. blue flowers dancing along the dishes, a little bit of beauty to lighten up an everyday item.
#75. a book lent by a friend, encouraging and teaching just what one needs to hear.
#76. a wonderful sale glimpsed in the corner of the eye.
#77. perfect necklace to complete an outfit, handed down to me from my grandmother.
#78. being able to hit snooze just one last time.
#79. trying a new recipe, discovering a new favorite.
#80. stars twinkling in the heavens, declaring His glory. how brightly they shine!
#81. her laugh when tickled just so.
#82. leaving late, but arriving just in time.
#83. him showing off his room.
#84. flash bouncing off just right. perfect snapshot to preserve perfect moments.
#85. the friend that makes me laugh so much when we're together.
#86. the friend always ready with the encouraging thought.
#87. the friend that makes any bad day seem better after a short chat.
#88. blessings by laura story playing on the radio, perfect reminder to give thanks for everything.
#89. good morning hugs and kisses.
#90. worshipping Him together, just a glimpse of His glory.
#91. working so hard and enjoying the reward.
#92. laughter echoing through the house as friends and family eat and fellowship together.
#93. sharing food with loved ones, eating the fruits of hard labor.
#94. uncertainty about a new recipe, yet it coming together and turning out so well.
#95. making memories as he prepares to leave the country for a few months.
#96. looking through photos, laughing almost as hard as we did when we took them.
#97. happy planing as i learn that my friend wants to take the same course. Yay!
#98. little ones sitting through church quietly.
#66. cool cloth bringing relief to this aching head just when it need it the most.
#67. plans going awry, but everything comes together perfectly in the end.
#68. freshly washed clothes when the drawers become empty. so thankful for this convenience.
#69. the assurance of his sovereignty, i can't see it yet but it is all for a reason and it'll work out in the end.
#70. freedom from the shackles of fear, i know the future is in His hands.
#71. sanctification...need i say more?
#72. the blue eyes of the little one I get to cradle in my arms.
#73. clorox wipes, a fantastic tool to create a sparkling bathroom.
#74. blue flowers dancing along the dishes, a little bit of beauty to lighten up an everyday item.
#75. a book lent by a friend, encouraging and teaching just what one needs to hear.
#76. a wonderful sale glimpsed in the corner of the eye.
#77. perfect necklace to complete an outfit, handed down to me from my grandmother.
#78. being able to hit snooze just one last time.
#79. trying a new recipe, discovering a new favorite.
#80. stars twinkling in the heavens, declaring His glory. how brightly they shine!
#81. her laugh when tickled just so.
#82. leaving late, but arriving just in time.
#83. him showing off his room.
#84. flash bouncing off just right. perfect snapshot to preserve perfect moments.
#85. the friend that makes me laugh so much when we're together.
#86. the friend always ready with the encouraging thought.
#87. the friend that makes any bad day seem better after a short chat.
#88. blessings by laura story playing on the radio, perfect reminder to give thanks for everything.
#89. good morning hugs and kisses.
#90. worshipping Him together, just a glimpse of His glory.
#91. working so hard and enjoying the reward.
#92. laughter echoing through the house as friends and family eat and fellowship together.
#93. sharing food with loved ones, eating the fruits of hard labor.
#94. uncertainty about a new recipe, yet it coming together and turning out so well.
#95. making memories as he prepares to leave the country for a few months.
#96. looking through photos, laughing almost as hard as we did when we took them.
#97. happy planing as i learn that my friend wants to take the same course. Yay!
#98. little ones sitting through church quietly.
28 January 2012
Joy Dare: Days 15-21
running behind, and still not quite caught up, so perhaps two posts this day as we look forward to worshiping Him tomorrow?
#45. perfect ball dress that fits just right.
#46. that little thing that wasn't being used, making someone else so happy.
#47. dish of goodies coming out just perfect, because you never know what will happen when baking.
#48. so much love in the eyes of the new mama and papa.
#49. she getting to go to a debate, her perfect happiness when it all works out.
#50. grandmama holding her first grandbaby.
#51. photos edited by a friend, a small snapshot of the fun we had, bringing a smile to my face
#52. getting lost...thinking how much i need His patience
#55. that needed reminder of His faithful love towards us, love that i can't even begin to comprehend.
#56. just this, His words, love letters on paper to cherish forever.
#57. someone cleaning that dish i hate to wash. so thankful.
#58. the raining letting up just as i leave the grocery store. yay for not having to unload groceries in the rain!
#59. pumping gas in sc. the price makes me smile. i didn't want to drive down here, but so glad he gave me the gift of finding gas along the route for the perfect price.
#60. getting a text at 4:30 in the morning. what better way to wake up in the middle of the night than for the first picture of your beautiful niece?
#61. holding this little gift for the very first time. babies are such miracles.
#62. uncle love. this little girl has so many relatives that love her so.
#63. flaming colors painting the sky at the death of the day.
#64. holding this little girl for the first time, remembering holding janae and jon for the very first time. so many happy memories.
#65. ink made into circles and lines across the page. not the most beautiful picture, but when the little one says "that's me and you!" it certainly makes you smile and see the beauty in the "ugly".
#45. perfect ball dress that fits just right.
#46. that little thing that wasn't being used, making someone else so happy.
#47. dish of goodies coming out just perfect, because you never know what will happen when baking.
#48. so much love in the eyes of the new mama and papa.
#49. she getting to go to a debate, her perfect happiness when it all works out.
#50. grandmama holding her first grandbaby.
#51. photos edited by a friend, a small snapshot of the fun we had, bringing a smile to my face
#52. getting lost...thinking how much i need His patience
#53. an unexpected thank you from a little one. little ones learn by imitation - oh that they will pick up the good and not the bad!
#54. His endless grace, always given just when i need it.#55. that needed reminder of His faithful love towards us, love that i can't even begin to comprehend.
#56. just this, His words, love letters on paper to cherish forever.
#57. someone cleaning that dish i hate to wash. so thankful.
#58. the raining letting up just as i leave the grocery store. yay for not having to unload groceries in the rain!
#59. pumping gas in sc. the price makes me smile. i didn't want to drive down here, but so glad he gave me the gift of finding gas along the route for the perfect price.
#60. getting a text at 4:30 in the morning. what better way to wake up in the middle of the night than for the first picture of your beautiful niece?
#61. holding this little gift for the very first time. babies are such miracles.
#62. uncle love. this little girl has so many relatives that love her so.
#63. flaming colors painting the sky at the death of the day.
#64. holding this little girl for the first time, remembering holding janae and jon for the very first time. so many happy memories.
#65. ink made into circles and lines across the page. not the most beautiful picture, but when the little one says "that's me and you!" it certainly makes you smile and see the beauty in the "ugly".
15 January 2012
Joy Dare: Day 8-14
#22. that moment when His word shines as a lamp in the moment when need it most, when the path is at its darkest.
#23. a reflection of thankfulness - a thank you when you least expect it, from the person from whom you expect it the least, and the joy catches you by surprise.
#24. shadows of things past, reflecting on happy days that bring a smile to ones face.
#25. an unexpected thank you card with a sweet note and gift. what a way to make someones day.
#26. peeking in the oven, and that new recipe has come out rather well. so happy to avoid a potential major disaster.
#27. my brothers and sisters in Christ, eating together, singing together, playing together, learning together, laughing together. precious moments indeed.
#28. cancelling the ball the day before. a sour moment indeed, but such a gift because it worked out so much better. so thankful He worked it all out.
#29. little ones coming up and hugging you, saying "i love you". such a bright spot in a day.
#30. parents that offer guidance that sometimes tastes sweet, sometimes tastes sour, yet always right and for my best.
#31. the sun rising above the horizon. every day a gift, every hour a blessing, every breath a gracious mercy from Him.
#32. a caution light staying lit just long enough for you to squeeze by, such a mercy when one is running late.
#33. finding gas at a fantastic price while the cost begins to rise once again.
#34. a roof above my head keeping me dry.
#35. the beautiful wood floor my parents bought for the kitchen just 'cause I love wood floors.
#36. my sister and younger brother, belting out Les Mis songs with me as we ride in the car.
#37. heat blasting through the vents - so thankful to have heat in my car on blistery days like this.
#38. laughter bouncing off the wall, so happy to see everyone enjoying themselves.
#39. fine music coming together in harmony, sounding so wonderful.
#40. abundance of food thanks to multiple contributes.
#41. so close to paying the musicians the amount mentioned - so grateful for the generous donations.
#42. being reminded through His word how His love never changes. how hard for us to imagine and so comforting to know.
#43. passing by the scene of a car wreck, being reminded how gracious God is every time we get behind the wheel. sometimes we don't think about it until it is taken away.
#44. running late, and discovering everyone else is running late too so it all works out anyway.
Until next week ~ have a wonderful Sabbath, and a joy-filled week!
#23. a reflection of thankfulness - a thank you when you least expect it, from the person from whom you expect it the least, and the joy catches you by surprise.
#24. shadows of things past, reflecting on happy days that bring a smile to ones face.
#25. an unexpected thank you card with a sweet note and gift. what a way to make someones day.
#26. peeking in the oven, and that new recipe has come out rather well. so happy to avoid a potential major disaster.
#27. my brothers and sisters in Christ, eating together, singing together, playing together, learning together, laughing together. precious moments indeed.
#28. cancelling the ball the day before. a sour moment indeed, but such a gift because it worked out so much better. so thankful He worked it all out.
#29. little ones coming up and hugging you, saying "i love you". such a bright spot in a day.
#30. parents that offer guidance that sometimes tastes sweet, sometimes tastes sour, yet always right and for my best.
#31. the sun rising above the horizon. every day a gift, every hour a blessing, every breath a gracious mercy from Him.
#32. a caution light staying lit just long enough for you to squeeze by, such a mercy when one is running late.
#33. finding gas at a fantastic price while the cost begins to rise once again.
#34. a roof above my head keeping me dry.
#35. the beautiful wood floor my parents bought for the kitchen just 'cause I love wood floors.
#36. my sister and younger brother, belting out Les Mis songs with me as we ride in the car.
#37. heat blasting through the vents - so thankful to have heat in my car on blistery days like this.
#38. laughter bouncing off the wall, so happy to see everyone enjoying themselves.
#39. fine music coming together in harmony, sounding so wonderful.
#40. abundance of food thanks to multiple contributes.
#41. so close to paying the musicians the amount mentioned - so grateful for the generous donations.
#42. being reminded through His word how His love never changes. how hard for us to imagine and so comforting to know.
#43. passing by the scene of a car wreck, being reminded how gracious God is every time we get behind the wheel. sometimes we don't think about it until it is taken away.
#44. running late, and discovering everyone else is running late too so it all works out anyway.
Until next week ~ have a wonderful Sabbath, and a joy-filled week!
07 January 2012
January Joy Dare: Day 1-7
#1. good health
#2. the use of my hands and feet
#3. the sight of my eyes
#4. the christmas lights our neighbours put up - makes me smile!
#5. a clean carpet - hard work, but worth it
#6. all this fresh, yummy food - so thankful for the abundance available to me
#7. commenting how delicious the food is, even when one knows it was imperfect
#8. a little boy "reading" a book by himself.
#9. "oh, i get it now." such a happy feeling to hear someone mutter these words after you try to explain a complicated concept.
#10. that bit of writing in a notebook from a year ago, a reminder of how far we've come.
#11. those toys that bring such delight to little faces.
#12. snuggling under a blue comforter with some of my favorite little ones.
#13. One Thousand Gifts, a borrowed gift from a friend. trying to resist underlining nearly every page... ;)
#14. working on this gift of love, a late present, for my newly married couple.
#15. a grinning face, happy, holding a snack in his hand. so good to have him like this again.
#16. a pink and black otterbox cover for my iPad. aren't there many things that are better pink? ;)
#17. ingredients for baked alaska. just waiting to try out this nifty dish on monday!
#18. longing...a reminder that things will change, this too shall pass.
#19. forgiveness so freely given. i need so much of it.
#20. a sinkful of my dirty dishes, washed by my amazing father while i was shopping.
#21. coming down to discover they've already carried in the week's worth of groceries from the car.
#2. the use of my hands and feet
#3. the sight of my eyes
#4. the christmas lights our neighbours put up - makes me smile!
#5. a clean carpet - hard work, but worth it
#6. all this fresh, yummy food - so thankful for the abundance available to me
#7. commenting how delicious the food is, even when one knows it was imperfect
#8. a little boy "reading" a book by himself.
#9. "oh, i get it now." such a happy feeling to hear someone mutter these words after you try to explain a complicated concept.
#10. that bit of writing in a notebook from a year ago, a reminder of how far we've come.
#11. those toys that bring such delight to little faces.
#12. snuggling under a blue comforter with some of my favorite little ones.
#13. One Thousand Gifts, a borrowed gift from a friend. trying to resist underlining nearly every page... ;)
#14. working on this gift of love, a late present, for my newly married couple.
#15. a grinning face, happy, holding a snack in his hand. so good to have him like this again.
#16. a pink and black otterbox cover for my iPad. aren't there many things that are better pink? ;)
#17. ingredients for baked alaska. just waiting to try out this nifty dish on monday!
#18. longing...a reminder that things will change, this too shall pass.
#19. forgiveness so freely given. i need so much of it.
#20. a sinkful of my dirty dishes, washed by my amazing father while i was shopping.
#21. coming down to discover they've already carried in the week's worth of groceries from the car.
A Dare to Joy
A little behind here, but my New Year's resolution is to make it to one thousand gifts. I didn't get far last year, but with the help of the joy dare, by God's grace I shall certainly seek to make it to at least one thousand gifts this year. Care to join me?
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