day in between the others

29.  70 degrees on January 27, 2012!

:-D

Off the chart for the night....

I started grumbling today.  Just tired and needed some encouragement. I asked for it from my Facebook buds, received the gifts, and then felt better in a record amount of time. 

Things do not stay the same. They are constantly changing.  So my motto is, "It isn't always gonna be like this."  I can say that, but some things haven't changed in 15 years. I realized today that I'm still not totally content with this "sameness" - for lack of a better word. I tell myself I am for a while, then a night like this comes in and tries to steal my joy.  I really believe God isn't going to move certain things until I get content with where I am.  To wear it and appreciate it like an old worn sweatshirt.  God wants my undivided attention. I'm His baby girl, and  I need to be content with that, and that alone. He sees me, hears me, and knows my heart better than any human.  That's a gift.  To be His.  

So, here are some gifts that I was thinking about the past few days....

22) The gift of being a God's kid.

23) Hot shower on a bone-cold day.

24) Blankets (lots of them!)

25) The hairdryer that blows hot air (can you tell I was cold that day?)

26) My Facebook friends that I don't get to see too much in person.

27) The smell of the fireplace smoke in the mornings coming from my neighbor's house.

28) Precious neighbors that look out for me.

Day 7 ~ three graces from people you love

19 ) Rita Ann's laugh.


20) My mother's simplicity.


21) Cherlyn's genuine joy when she sees me and gives me one of those awesome hugs! 

Day 6 ~ Something in your bag, your frig, your heart

16) In my bag is this autographed Christmas CD of Maeve ~ The Soul Felt its Worth. A dear internet friend sent it to me from New Hampshire.  He seems to know exactly what kind of music I like 

even though we've never met in person. 

17) In my frig is the last piece of Icebox Pie ~ this recipe was given as a gift from Linda C. Most scrummy (that's scrumptious and yummy) and most simplest to make. Linda C. is a gift in my life, too.  

18) Something in my heart is a tough one. My heart, at this moment, is over-brimming with love for dear friends that have acted as my family; they don't even know how important and special they are to me. They encourage me, help me to grow in Christ, and nudge back on track when I need to be. 

They are truly "safe" people.

day 5 ~ something you're reading, you're making, you're seeing

 13 ~ This is the book I was telling you about. I actually read a few books at the same time ~ next week, I'll be reading a psychology text book ~ yay school!

14 ~ I started this after the term ended in December - scarf, hat. Something.  Now, its a handbag.  I just learned to knit and crochet last year, so because my hands/brain can't be still, I do this when I'm not studying. 

15 ~ Something I'm seeing isn't anything I can photograph because I see so much.  I s'pose I'm reflecting on what I see happening within me and my girls. We're learning so much about each other and being more tolerant of our differences as individuals.  A wise, once-single mom told me that their choices were theirs and not a reflection of me as they can choose what they want as they get older. Choose what they want to wear, do for a living, the boyfriends they'll have (God help them, please!), and the friends they'll choose. They'll also choose to follow Jesus or not.  I pray they choose Jesus and safe people to help them on that Journey.

  What am I seeing?  I'm seeing growth ~ spiritually and physically.

day 4 ~ an old gift, a new gift, and a blue gift

10)  Old gift.... my Gramma made these little poodles ~ and lots of other crafts. She gave me this when I was around 8 - oh. boy. About 35 years ago.   

11)   This my new gift : )  A sweet Scentsy trade from my friend.  

12)  Something blue:  My mother bought this whole set of Currier and Ives dishes at a yard sale.  She was very proud of her find.  They sit in my hutch waiting to be used. 

What am I waiting for? 

Day 3 ~ Three lines you overheard that were graces

mmm.. I read a lot and I talk a lot.  

So only 3 lines isn't going to cut it.

7. "You are smart. You are kind.  

And you are important."  ~ The Help

8. "Sarayu interrupted him, " Mack, if anything matters then everything matters. Because you are important, everything you do is important. Every time you forgive, the universe changes; every time you reach out and touch a heart or a life, the world changes; with every kindness and service, seen or unseen, my purposes are accomplished and nothing will ever be the same again."  ~ The Shack by Wm. Paul Young, p. 237 Wiindblown Media. 2007

9. "When you are tied on to God, you don't have to be afraid." ~ Angela Thomas Pharr's friend, Dennis. From the book, Do You Think I'm Beautiful? 

Day 2 of Joy Dare 2012

                             Day 2 ~ something outside, inside, and on plate

#4  ~ Outside ~ Happy that the Richmond Library spends money on flowers in the winter.

#5 ~ Inside ~ A can I shot a hole through this summer at a baby shower!

 It was a game. You mean you Northerners have never done this!?  I think I'll keep this forever.  

#6 ~ Something on a plate - Tah Dah!  My favorite food.  

One Thousand Gifts ~ I'm challenging myself to stick with something

I'm probably the only one that reads this, so ~ Hi Jennifer, you've decided to do something and stick to it.  You can - you stick with school projects, get A's in most all the classes and you haven't run away from home (yet).  There ARE things you can commit to.

My Bible Study Class at CCF (Community Christian Fellowship) is reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.  Ann has a Joy Dare for 2012 and I'm going to do it.  We are to write 1,000 things in our life to be grateful for.  We can photograph them or write them.  I'll do both.

Day 1 (for me): 3 things about yourself you are grateful for:  1)  Height - I can help vertically challenged people get things in high places.  2) I have eyes that can see - in color.  I love flowers and yellow.  I couldn't imagine life without seeing either.  3 )  I have a love of reading ~ I can go anywhere; travel in time; crawl inside someone's head; hear from God.