Morning

 Today is a morning when I should, could

be scurrying about

sweeping, mopping, vacuuming

and I will.

But for now I sit calm, quiet,

drawing in peace that will be in and with me throughout the day.

His beauty. His gifts. 

A prayer that I will serve Him and those I love

as I wash dishes, fold laundry, clean the house, prepare a lesson for Sunday School.

A prayer for joy, His joy, that is already poured out, overflowing in me, that I can now pour out and give away to others. A prayer of thanks for this true joy and peace that only ever flows from Him and transforms me. A prayer of thanks for

21. Stories of true love and sacrifice typed out by beautiful hearts

22. Warm tears on my face

23. Provision, unending provision, the ability to continue on when by all earthly means the cup should have run dry  long ago

24. Growth in our marriage

25. The incredible gift God has given me of a man tender, wise, strong, who puts serving God first regardless of the cost, who loves (agape) me far more than I ever imagined any human would or could

26. Learning how to work, how to love others there

27.  Seeing a friend grow in love for others

28. Family near and far

29. That my girls at church will and are growing with the growth that is from God (Colossians 2:19)

30. A cat who catches our tiny mouse invaders

31. A puppy who has grown every time I turn around

32. Heat in our home on the coldest days, even more affordable with our new heater

33. A sweet neighbor to cook and share recipes with

34. The daily conundrum of making the perfect pot of coffee, which is yet to be

35. A newfound delight in cooking for others

36. A sister (my only) coming for six days!

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of Your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.

Psalm 9:1-2

Eucharisteo

"What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits to me?" Psalm 116:2

Today I give thanks because I do not understand. Today I give thanks because worrying about tomorrow will not grow me a cubit, or even an inch. Today I give thanks because He sees every sparrow that falls, and He will not let me fall.

   This tangible record of gratitude is not a trend. It is the only way, right now, that I can figure out how to survive, to turn back to Him, to rejoice, to revel in life in the face of deep mysteries I cannot grasp.

        1. A safe journey on crowded, icy mountain roads with low visibility

        2. Time spent with my dad

        3. The hospitality and concern of others who barely know us in putting us up for the night

        4. Snow, never ending, turning the mountains into a winter wonderland

        5. A fireplace

        6. Grace- God giving me a free gift I do not deserve. Free gifts. This life. My middle name- grace- all that I have, I do not deserve. This life, I do not deserve. Grace...I am here and He is in me.

        7. Our needs met, day by day, moment by moment

        8. A continual fierce struggle for growth in my walk with Christ, different than ever before

        9. God's provision of a firefighting job for my husband

       10. God's purpose in all things

       11. Being taught joy in places I never thought possible

       12. One of those places...another provision, my job

       13. More women to cultivate relationships with and minister to here

       14. A delightful day cleaning the house and cooking homemade pasta

       15. Family with whom to share our home and a meal

       16. My sister coming, SOON!

       17. A week off of work to spend time with her and our youth group girls

       18. New babies in the family- two already here and two coming very soon! :)

       19. The fruits of the Spirit slowly, painfully coming alive in my fleshly self. 

       20. Sharing life together with a sweet friend and watching her grow

     Grace to you and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ!