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 

#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".

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.

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?