Getting there!

Yes, I have been forever catching up on this list! But I refuse to give up!
It's a reminder that I need to keep my priorities straight, and a good practice in counting God's constant blessings in my life.

Giving thanks has become such a part of my life now. I will be forever grateful for Ann's book!

3 gifts fragile:
~ Christmas tree balls.
~ Special ornament from a cousin.
~ Friendships, may I not take them for granted again.

A gift cut: homemade reusable baby wipes.
Sewn: Quilts made for my sweet girl.
Buttoned: Little dress worn for a short time by the girl on Sunday (guess she decided it wasn't her style ;) )

3 gifts new:
~ The outpouring of love on our family in so many gifts for our daughter. What a gift of grace!
~ A new haircut!
~ Perspectives.

3 gifts long awaited:
~Snuggles.
~Smiles.
~Cries in the night.

A gift one: Wonderful friend who lets me pop in on her.
Two: Sweet girls to visit with.
three: Cups of candy cane coffee.

3 gifts very small:
~ Sweet white chocolate peppermint kisses (a particular weakness of mine!)
~ Tiny toes.
~ Wee little diapers.

3 miracles:
~ That I get to be a mommy. I don't take this for granted, God kept me alive four years ago and allowed us to become parents, though it took a while (in our opinion ;) ).
~Salvation, come as a babe.
~ That God would create for me and prepare for me a husband and a daddy for my girl and that we would all fit together so perfectly.

3 gifts summer (memories now ;) Yes, I am forever catching up):
~ Watermelon.
~ Cool swims.
~ Warm sun kissing the skin.

3 gifts cut:
~ Paper cut on my tongue as I get thank you cards ready. How wonderful that we need to send thank you cards!
~ Slices of homemade bread.
~ Cheese to go in the bread for a sandwich.

3 gifts yellow:
~ My breakfast egg.
~bits of  yellow on tiny little socks.
~ post it notes used to keep track of things during this season of not being able to remember everything!

Whirlwind

The last month has been, to say the least, a little insane.
First, my husband was admitted to the hospital (he had some kind of virus behind his eyes that was affecting his site and giving him headaches). The same day I woke up with a sore neck. I thought I had just slept funny, but I'm still getting over it. That made me  feel lousy and gave me some headaches. All while 37 weeks pregnant!

So, I was wrestling with resting in God and not stressing, all the while only wanting my husband to be okay and be with me in delivery.

He was able to be there.
The day after I was to be induced, I was and after a wild ride, my little lady joined our family. I really don't prefer being induced, but that is my life as I have to be one blood thinner while pregnant and it's safer to do things this way for both of us so we can make sure the thinner is out of my system.
So, this is God's will for me.

As I waited all day in the hospital the day I was scheduled to be induced and my body was waiting for those horrible gels to work, I remembered something my husband's cousin told me about God teaching her something about surrender to Him with each of her births. This was a huge encouragement and reminder to me.

Life is now completely changed, and completely amazing. My little girl is such a treasure to me.

She is my little petite princess.
I get less sleep. I laugh at ridiculous things from being over-tired. I need naps. I forget what day it is. And it's all amazing.
The funny moments when newborn poo comes sailing out onto my couch. The amazing moments of awe as I feed my girl and she grabs my hand and I look at her toes. The sweet moments when she just wants me and needs to snuggle on my shoulder.
I'm learning more about God as our Father and trusting Him to be just that at the same time, as I need so much wisdom to be her Mom.
Her Dad is completely smitten with his peanut and I love seeing this. This also is a huge treasure to me.
On the phone earlier this week he told someone it was all very natural. This is true. It was the same when we got married. Life together was all very natural.
This is God's plan for us, and it's an amazing treasure.

 3 Gifts difficult:
~Being induced.
~Pre-labor
~Labor.

3 gifts white:
~Tiny little newborn diapers.
~Wipes to clean her tiny little bum.
~ Alcohol wipes for keeping her cord/belly button clean.

3 gifts sitting:
~My little honey, sitting in her chair, happily awake, at my feet.
~Getting to relax and heal.
~My new glider rocking chair, a gift from friends.

A gift outside: The first snow of the season.

A gift inside: A cozy day indoors.

A gift upside down: Our whole lives! What a sweet blessing having a baby is.

3 gifts in water:
~My constant glass of water, used to stay hydrated as I start to feed my baby.
~Hot, healing epsom salt baths.
~Water used to make coffee, that I can now enjoy.

A gift at 10 am: Getting ready to bring our girly to church for the first time.
A gift at 1 pm: Lunch for mommy and then little girl.
A gift at 10 pm: Fellowship with friends.


3 gifts in His Word:
 Surely he has borne our griefs
    and carried our sorrows... Isaiah 53:4

 For the mountains may depart
    and the hills be removed,
but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,
    and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,”
    says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10

 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11

A gift hole: A new wee little belly button in our house.
A gift whole: God's grace in labour, teaching me the beauty in pain.
A gift half: Pain decreased as I saw her sweet little face.

3 hard gifts: 
~Learning how to have different sleep patterns in order to properly feed my daughter.
~Learning to be patient with her as I teach her to stay awake and eat.
~Learning to trust the Lord as my husband was in the hospital the days leading up to the day of my induction, knowing God would take care of me in the way that He saw best, whether that meant he would be with me or not.

3 gits of metal:
~My watch, now with a new battery so I can keep track of feeding my girl (among other things ;) )
~My engagement and 
~My wedding rings, which mean so much more now with a new little one around.

3 gifts half-hidden:
~ Life under the freezing ground. 
~piggy toes peaking out from under her nursing cover.
~Sweetness bundled up in blanket, hands freeing themselves every time.

3 gifts in green:
~ My girl's bouncy seat, she has been using it so much!
~Mom's team as we watch Sunday afternoon football.
~Healthy salads brought to me with meal ministry.

And it's October

Wow, it's already October!
That is crazy! I have less than six weeks left until my due date. That is hard to believe.
It's both exciting and scary!

For those who may not realize why I am listing gifts:
I read "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp  earlier this year and I'm following her Joy dare to find one thousand gifts throughout my year. Gifts are all around, and not just during the Thanksgiving season (as it is for us in Canada right now). Having a heart of thanksgiving puts our hearts in the right place of worshiping Him for all things.

Some gifts:

3 gifts curled:
~Falling leaves.
~ Curly pasta that filled my empty stomach at lunch.
~The bracelet I am  currently making that curls and bends as it goes.

 3 gifts yellow:
~Bright yellow beads made into a new necklace.
~My little beading scissors (couldn't do a thing without them).
~Yellow highlighter used as I read God's Word.

3 gifts learned:
~It's ok to not be strong enough to do everything all the time.
~I don't always have to defend myself, humbleness and trust in the Lord is of far more importance.
~Sanctification is a combination of my obedience and His power.

3 gifts musical:
~Andrew Peterson concert this past weekend.

~Worship at the desiring God conference.
~Peaceful music in the car on our trip.

3 gifts baked:
~Chocolate chip cookies to take to the family who put us up this past weekend.
~Banana bread frozen for after baby girl is born.
~Cookies made for the youth for our first event.

A gift in light: bright sunny days on our trip.
A gift in dark: Seeing His truth in what appears to be darkness.
A gift in shadow: Finding Him as our refuge.

3 gifts of story:
~Hearing Andrew Peterson share how God has given him lyrics for many of his songs.
~Listening to  Sally Lloyd-Jones share God's grace in her life and how she followed His will for her in writing children's books.
~Enjoying reading fiction in the back seat this weekend while driving.

3 gifts understated.
~My husband's faithfulness to work through pain each and every day in order to take care of us. His faithfulness to take care of us as he desires to be doing full-time ministry is no small thing.
~ My husband's taking care of us by helping to find baby furniture on our busy trip this past weekend.
~My husband thinking of me and buying little things he knows I will enjoy.

 

"Old" but good

Now that I am home (not working) I can truly catch up on my gifts :). I have quite a few saved on my phone, but I also need to get back on track.

3 gifts found in Christ:
~Our church family.
~Love from and for others.
~Peace in storms.

3 gifts nailed together:
~Our soon to be replaced pews.
~Our sanctuary in our church building.Yes, it is just a building but the refreshment and teaching found there each week is needed and appreciated.
~The communion table.

3 gifts waited for:
~A baby.
~Restful days off.
~Spring (told you these were old!).

3 gifts about your home:
~The begining of a new bead pattern.
~Markers-used to make the new pattern.
~Comfy lazy boy chair.

3 gifts found in a closet:
~New maternity clothes.
~Games.
~Summer shoes.

3 gifts found in the dark:
~Shelter from the storm.
~I am alive (re my pulmonary embolism 4 years ago).
~I am able to have a baby (see above).

A gift outside: Butterfly who seemed to be fighting for life.
A gift inside: Flowers from my love.
A gift upside down: nest on the side of the road that I saw during a walk.

3 gifts rising up:
~Finch flitting through the yard.
~The tempeture.
~ A prop plane seen during a walk.

A gift hiding: My lost tea mug (it was in the trunk!).
A gift held: Fresh fruit.
A gift heard: peppers singing around the lake at night.

And still more

3 hard gifts:
~ My husband being unable to eat normally and knowing we can rest in Him anyway.
~Daily sinus headaches and learning to trust in Him for minute by minute strength.
~Sore legs from pregnancy/circulation problems and being on my feet all day, and strength to make it through each shift.

3 gifts woven together:
~ The woven portions of a pair of shorts a friend has turned into a work of art!
~ Joy woven with pain.
~ My simple, lovely living room curtains.

3 gifts inherited:
~ Creativity from both my parents.
~ A love of reading.
~ An inheritance of those who fear the Lord.

3 gifts square:
~ Napkins to wipe up fingers :).
~ Quilt that warms and comforts each night.
~ Heating pad to eases my neck and head when it aches.

A gift stacked: books.
 A gift stashed: tea in the cupboard.
A gift stilled: the calm in my heart from the Lord even when things are not how I would have planned them.

3 gifts found in Christ:
~ Growth.
~ Confidence in Him.
~ Trust in His plans for us, for His plans are always good.

3 gifts closed:
The ending of different seasons;
~ Getting to be home and get ready for our little girl.
~ Five of my girls graduating from  high school.
~ Seeing friends move on to a new season in their lives and across the country.

3 gifts reflecting:
~The calm lake water as we were at camp.
~My heart
~And mind reflecting the Truths of God and His Word.

3 gifts fragile:
~A new mug from a friend.
~Pictures on my walls.
~Flower vase passed from generation to generation.

A gift cloth: Shorts that are comfortable on my growing belly.
A gift steel: My oven, stove used to make delicious food for my family.
A gift wood: My kitchen table, a place to prepare food, play games and sip tea with friends.

3 gifts moving:
~ The child growing inside me (man can she move!)
~ Tree tops moving in the wind.
~ Changing seasons.

Fuzzy brain

I really hope their is nothing goofy in this posting, but I need to keep doing this. My brain has been off all day long. I think it's just me getting used to not sleeping normally, which is a huge shift for me. I've always been a very sound sleeper. So, if there is something off, chalk it up to exhausted pregnancy brain ;). It's been a long, busy day!

3 gifts ugly beautiful:
~Legs swelling and veins starting to show (gift of our child).
~An exhausting week, full of His grace.
~Pain to bring healing to my husbands knee.

3 gifts in dirt:
~ Daisies growing up out of it.
~Strong noble trees.
~A twilight walk along some.

A gift in a sign:
An old sign still painted on the brick of a building.

A gift in a smile: Smiles of my co-workers.

A gift in a snack: Fresh out of the oven soft biscuits shared with my husband.

3 gifts found in Christ:
~ The steadfast love of the Lord.
~His unending faithfulness.
~His strength in my weakness.

Oh So many

Well, I know it's been way too long. But I've been collecting my gifts on my phone and here I am at last.
I now find that even when I'm not writing gifts down I'm thanking Him for all the gifts around me. It's a great change.

3 things blue:
~My beading cloths, used on a regular basis.
~Comfy bright turquoise shirt I had on today.
~New comfy dress that fits the bump (for now) found on the clearance rack.

A gift before 9 am:
Getting to sleep in a bit.
A gift before noon:
A good job that I enjoy.
A gift after dark:
Fellowship with friends and their boys.

3 gifts that might never have been:
~The husband putting the satellite receiver up-time better spent.
~Evenings spent reading (because the receiver is away).
~A changed heart that sees this season as a gift (season of pain on the husbands part).

3 gifts found in your friends:
~The servant heart of T.
~Joy and laughter spent sharing stories.
~Shared joy in giving thanks for 1000 gifts and more.

A song heard:
"I'm singing" ~Kari Jobe

A soft word:
The husband telling me how he finds me more beautiful today than when we married.

Where you saw light:
Streaming through the living room window.

3 old things seen new:
~Old work shoes-still comfortable for running to the store.
~Rain.
~Pain-being reminded that everything is from our loving God for our good (Trip Lee, "for my good") 

A gift found on paper:
Quote on thankfulness and worry "It's impossible to give thanks and simultaneously feel fear." ~Ann Voskamp, 1000 gifts

A gift found in person:
A humble husband who truly loves me.

In a picture:
The husband being silly with two of my favorite girlies.

3 gifts spoken:
~"How long is intermission?" ~M
"Until they're done selling children."~N (yes it came out wrong ;). She was referring to sponsoring kids at the compassion international table at the concert we went to last weekend. Priceless!)

~"Why do all these pants have panels on them?" S asking me in a maternity store. Great memories!

~The privilege to sit under John Piper's preaching on Sunday.

A gift sung: The music at the Casting Crowns Concert. Matthew West's opening may have been my favorite part. Very refreshing.

A gift written:
A thank you note with the picture of a new blessing to put on my fridge. Love our church family.

A gift painted:\The sky painted pink first thing in the morning.

3 gifts almost gone:
~my nail : it protected my finger when I was clumsily shaving in the shower. It made me think about how something we take for granted does so much!
~ Trail mix: healthy snacking that helps me to get through my days at work with all this pregnancy hunger!

 ~My cup of coffee-a little treat in the middle of my day.

3 gifts redeemed:
~My heart.
~My future.
~My life.

3 gifts entwined:
~Time spent with the youth this past weekend.
~Girls singing silly in the van on the way home.
~Sweet white chocolate.
(all a part of our youth's road trip to see Casting Crowns).

3 gifts of His promises:
~1 Peter 5:7
 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
~2 Peter 1:3
"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."
~Psalm 62:8
 "Trust in him at all times, O people;
   pour out your hearts to him,
   for God is our refuge.
                         Selah"

3 gifts uncovered:
~A box opened to reveal a new mug.

~My first baby (and mama) gift from my sweet friend.
~My birthday gift from my husband: artwork made by an artist friend (he remembered!)

A gift heard:
~The sound of geese echoing.
A gift held:
~My new French Press for the perfect amount of coffee right now.

 A gift hoped for: Rest. Naps are a beautiful thing right now!

Multiplied Blessings

Yay! Today we starting sharing our big (tiny) gift!
We are having a baby!
This is why I've been having such a hard time keeping up with my daily gifts. I have a hard enough time just getting through my work day most days and then collapse unable to move. But, I am NOT complaining!
It's amazing to see how our joy multiplied as we shared our joy with others.

3 gifts from God's Word:
~Psalm 37:5 "Commit your way to the Lord;
     trust in him, and he will act."
~Psalm 37:8 " Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
     Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil."
~Psalm 39:4 " “O Lord, make me know my end
    and what is the measure of my days;
    let me know how fleeting I am!"

3 Gifts read:
~Psalm 139 (the whole thing) 
~Psalm 34:4 "I sought the Lord, and he answered me
    and delivered me from all my fears."
~Hebrews 7:25  "Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."

3 gifts red:
~Fresh raspberries mixed with yogurt.
~The necklace I am working up based on Isaiah 1:18 ( “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.)
~Tetra packs of broth from my in-laws (my husband still needs to eat everything pureed.)

3 gifts eaten:
~Toast with honey and cinnamon made by mom (I'm always starving!)
~ A meal with friends.
~Peaches in my oatmeal.

3 Gifts that made you laugh:
~The girls I work with throughout the day.
~My husband (always teasing).
~The youth :).

A grace in the kitchen:
Me to my husband one night (I thought I was funny): "Hey look! I'm barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen!"
A grace in the weather: The fresh clean smell of spring rain.
A grace that might never have been: Our baby bean.

3 gifts you saw only when you got close up:
~Scripture through  our Pastor's sermon on Sunday and our study on Monday night.
~My first ultra sound on Monday :).
~God working in Andrews heart.

One thing in the sky: Beauty a spring sky.
One thing from your memory: My husband asking me to marry him.
One thing that's ugly-beautiful: Exhaustion from baby :).

3 gifts found in Christ:
~Strength to get through my work days.
~My heart finding rest in His will for us.
~Peace in crazy times.