Wednesday, August 8, 2012

I will get there

3 gifts found in church:
~ Love of our family.
~ Corporate worship.
~ Growth of the church.

A gift white: The pages of my journal.

3 gifts in today's work:
~Toddler chatter.
~Joy in serving (both the families at church and my husband).
~ Love given back as it was given.

3 gifts blue:
~Fresh blueberries.
~Fun blue nail polish.
~Clear blue sky.

A gift whispered:
My mother in law whispering she loved me in my ear.

A gift at 8 am:
Sleeping in snuggled next to my husband on a holiday-I know it's one of the last times!

A gift at 12 pm: A reminder that God is a faithful Father.

A gift at 8 pm: Time to snuggle up with a book.

3 gifts blue:
~ Fresh blueberries.
~Fun blue nail polish.
~Clear blue skies.

3 gifts you gave today:
~Tidying our house (serving our family).
~Forgiveness.
~Priority to time with God. It is such a gift to not have to rush off!

3 gifts orange:
~Comfortable pajama pants.
~A lost earring found.
~Cheese in my scrambled eggs.

3 gifts funny:
~Inside joke with my husband that kept me in stitches all day.
~Listening to my husband and friends play a game where they had to answer a question with a question in the car.
~Seeing my friend's little girl as the only one making a silly face in a family photo (what a goof!).

3 gifts from today's conversations:
~Love from my husband.
~Joy in silliness.
~Encouragement in seeing God at work all over.

3 gifts found in Christ:
~ Encouragement that He is changing me over time.
~Grace
~Truth that never changes.

A gift of peace:
Peace knowing God has our whole lives planned out and we can rest in Him.

A gift of hope:
Knowing God will lead us (our church family) to the right man to lead our youth and young adults.

A gift of love:
Reading in Matthew and realizing how much God loves children and then realizing how much He already loves my little girl.

3 gifts ugly-beautiful:
~A hard situation properly dealt with and God's abounding grace.
~Eight months of my husbands illnesses. It feels never ending.  But, we know God has a purpose and a plan in it. Learning to trust Him more and more.
~An unworkable piece of jewelry. My idea didn't work, but I started something new instead that is great!

Thursday, August 2, 2012

And we are caught up!

A gift in a box: Organized files out of a box and into their proper place.

A gift in a bag: Bananas from a friend for freezing for smoothies and banana bread.

A gift in a book: The gift of imagination and adventure! (Two Towers :) )

3 gifts unexpected:
~ Things found while organizing! The only physical letter my husband wrote me when we were dating and a part to my sewing machine that means I can use it again!
~ Such complete trust in God's Sovereignty that He has grown in me.
~ My Ipod dying, realizing what is important.

3 gifts from your childhood:
~Summers spend with my nose in books.
~Learning the joy of baking and cooking.
~Learning so many mommy skills.

A gift sweet:  White chocolate kit kat

A gift sour: The lemon in my water each day.

A gift salty: Pickles with my lunch.

3 gifts found in little people:
~A snuggle on Canada day.
~Getting to paint Little Girl Friends nails for her.
~A little drawing made for my baby girl.

3 gifts that made you laugh:
~A silly commercial.
~Watching a silly movie with my husband.
~ Husband making up a silly laugh.

3 gifts found in community:
~A meal shared.
~ Appreciation  for lives poured out.
~ Hugs, tears and joy in God's plans.

A gift on a plate: Key lime pie from my landlady (what a nice treat!).

A gift in a pot: A new recipe tried for dinner last night. It was delicious!

A gift in package: New diapers and diaper covers.

3 gifts hard giving thanks for:
~ Gaining pregnancy weight. Learning to not put my significance in how I think I should look.
(The other two are personal)


A gift worn: Comfy maternity tank top.



Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Mistaking God's working

I am reading through Matthew right now as part of my time with God. I was reading Chapter 14 today and saw something new (to me) today:
  Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,  but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.  And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.   But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” .” Matthew 14:22-27

I was struck by verses 26 and 27 in a way I don't think I ever have been before.
The disciples were afraid because they mistook Jesus for a Ghost. I've glibly passed over this fact thinking how silly the disciples were and moving on the the later verses. But really, were they foolish? Or just human? What would I do in the same situation? 
How often do I not recognize Jesus and the work He is doing in my life, mistaking it for something else? How often do I respond by crying out in fear?
God is always at work in each of our lives.
He uses pain, suffering and storms for His own perfect plan.
May I see Him in all He is doing in our lives right now and in the future and take His hand in confidence instead of cringing in fear.

Some more saved gifts:
 3 gifts orange:
~Sunset
~Orange vanilla yogurt popsicle
~Cheese nips


3 gifts found in the dark:
~Trust in a Father who loves us more than we can ever know.
~A reminder from God's Word that He knows what we need before we ask Him.
~A reminder that His grace is sufficient.

A gift outside: summer breeze


A gift inside : clean drinking water (no small deal).


A gift upside down: My schedule-I get to stay home now!


3 gifts about your parents:
~Faithfulness in bringing me to church each week.
~Not having a television on all the time growing up.
~A love for God's Word.


3 gifts held in your hand today:
~CD of pictures of our baby girl.
~Tiny shoes for announcing it's a girl!
~Veggies prepared by a friend to get some healthy snacks in me!


3 gifts found in your mother:
~ A servant's heart.
~ Time given to us, her children.
~Example of making time with God a priority. 


A gift picked up:My friend's sweet girl.


A gift put away: Clean dishes.

A gift put back: Sweet maple syrup put back into the refrigerator after preparing my waffles.