My 1,000 Gifts - Week 2

I am enjoying the daily challenge to develop a personal list of 1,000 gifts for my 2012. A couple years during our women’s study a friend encouraged us to each list our praises and thanks to God daily. I love a challenge and was in need of guidance to organize my quiet time. This is one of my favorite times during the day, thanking God for the things He has blessed me with each day and praising Him for the gifts only He could have showered me with.

As I purpose to list one-thousand nouns of thanks to God for my blog I find it easier to pay attention to the small things in life. Ann’s “February Joy Dare: capture these gifts” is a wonderful tool and springboard to zoning in items I may not have recognized before.

You can download a copy at:
http://www.aholyexperience.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/FebruaryJoyDare.pdf 
February’s Joy Dares

And my list continues:
11:30 a.m. – a student snuck a hand-drawn valentine onto my table to surprise me

2:30 p.m. – another valentine appeared, from a student not likely to express such care

6:30 p.m. – an appointment ends early which allows us to spend more time together

I overheard my Mom say, “I’m so proud of her…” talking about my daughter

I overheard a colleague mention “It’s that time of year again…

I overheard my daughter share her admiration of Mr. Jordan with her Pop, and Pop’s respect and friendship in return for this amazing man

Writing helps to keep my eyes open for God’s blessings

Blessed with inspiration through the writing of others

Writing brings healing

A shiny copper penny in spite of the February sand in the parking lot

A lost earring, found

A new perspective on life

A hand quilted bag made with love

Blocks for my upcoming speaking engagement – cut, sanded, built, and painted alongside and with the help of my beloved parents (they did most of the work while I was teaching – thank you Mom and Dad)

The strand of single crochet my daughter gave me when she learned to crochet – safely tucked in my jewelry box

A Lake Ontario sunset

Newly fallen snow

The sound of birds chirping

A healthy heart

The cardinal

Blood donated to save lives

My sister’s hair clip - broken

My mother’s locket - fixed

My engagement ring - thrifted

A snow day

A 3 day get-away at my friend’s house on the lake

Sins…forgiven

Laughter in the classroom as children learn

Laughter in the hallways as teachers walk

Laughter at my parents while Pop and Mags chill watching gerbil Olympics

The “Aha” moment for a child

Opportunity to share with others

New friends

For my sister’s kidnapping making me the woman I am today – triumph over tragedy with God’s love and healing

To laugh and enjoy life

Jesus paid it all…

Hot coffee from Dunkin Donuts thanks to my secret pal

A freshly baked chocolate chip cookie when I arrived to school

The laundry already folded and put away

God loves me when my daughter says, “I love you Mom”

God loves me when my husband hugs me tight

God loves me…in spite of myself

I lost my sister…

But found God…

And choose to use this tragedy to share Hope with others

Fears faced

Only God knows

Mystery of life

Hearts healed

Stomachs filled

Souls restored

Handwritten note from my sister

Notes from my parents

Gram’s diaries

A missed turn that saved time

A career I love

A house transformed into a home

For answered prayers

For unanswered prayers

A God who ALWAYS answers prayers – yes, no, not right now