Happy Labour Day

3 gifts summer:
~Soft Serve Ice cream cone from local shop.
~Fresh cucumber from a friend's garden.
~Cool breeze on a hot day.

A gift in faith: Being reminded by my husband's preaching that I am safely under His mighty Hand.

A gift in family: My husband finally feeling the baby kick! (little stinker, I feel her LOTS, she always stops when he tries to feel).

A gift in freedom:
Freedom to worship God publicly.

A gift in red: Tomato sauce on my gnocchi.

A gift in white: Comfortable tank top-my non-maternity ones were starting to cut off my circulation ;).

A gift in blue:
Bottle of tums. I don't know how I would survive without my tums right now!

3 gifts of sand:
Memories of growing up near the ocean
~Building castles.
~Laying on the warm sand.
~So many walks on the board walk.

3 (more) gifts in summer:
~Iced tea.
~Refreshing dips in the pool.
~Time spent soaking up sunshine.

September Begins

I cannot believe it is September already!
And I am still catching up on Ann's listed daily dares. Here are a few more:

3 gifts in what you are reading:
~Joy in reading a beloved childhood book (little women).
~Rest as I read.
~Knowledge about pregnancy and birth.

3 gifts empty:
~Bowl that had my cream of wheat in it.
~Diaper covers washed and ready for use.
~Muffin tins with the muffins popped out of them.

3 gifts that made you really smile:
~Silly little girl.
~Very distinct belly kick when I lay down to give myself my shot.
~Husband being silly late at night.

A gift at 8: awakening from a good night's rest (after a not so great sleep the night before).
A gift at 12: lunch with my girlfriend and her little ones.
A gift at 2: baby clothes lent to me. Oh the cuteness! Those tiny tights kill me!

3 gifts painted:
~Unique artwork on my walls.
~Art for baby girl's room (prints of a friend's paintings).
~ painted finger and toe nails (yes, I can still do it! :) )

3 gifts full:
~Cup full of a fruit smoothie: healthy and delicious!
~Heart full of joy and anticipation for our little girl.
~Mug full of coffee as I had a mommy chat with a friend.

3 gifts smelled:
~Left over frangrance of the rice cooked the night before.
~The comforting smell of a cup of tea.
~Clothes fresh off the line.

A gift unexpected: to be totally sucked in to making a baby quilt.

A gift unwanted: a deeper look at my heart.

A gift unlikely: To enjoy a day at home without the internet and my computer.

3 gifts from His Word:
 ^~ "'And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.'" ~Mark 11:25

  ^~"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." ~Mark 13:31

^~ "...Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." Ecclesiates 12:13

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!

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.

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.  

And more

3 gifts opened up:
~Lives
~Hearts
~and Wills in marriage.

3 gifts budding/blooming:
~ Fruit trees along the road.
~ Flowers in a vase from our landlady.
~ A car covered in blossoms (must have been sitting under a tree during the wild spring rain).

3 gifts worn:
~New maternity dress at wedding.
~Necklace from my in-laws.
~New summer burkenstocks.

3 gifts bright:
~Sun in the middle of a rainy week.
~My new journal.
~Bright blue sky after the rain.

3 gifts found looking up:
~Crazy cloud formations.
~Where my help comes from (the Lord).
~Hope in my Lord, not focusing on circumstances.

"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.

Relaxing weekend

Well, life, as normal right now has been very tiring. I have been keeping track of gifts on and off and I will need to catch up with them on here.
A couple of weeks ago I went away with my teen girls to a family of the church's camp. I wrote down a few gifts:
~Birds singing early in the morning.
~Peaceful lake.
~Sunshine.
~That I could come (work schedule).
~The warmth of summer!
~Cinnamon buns one of the girls made while I read God's Word.
~Laughter and cheers to a game of dutch blitz as I fall asleep.
~ "Your baby is the size of an avocado right? I love avocados. Not that I want to eat your baby."
~Rest for my feet and legs.
~My head feeling mostly normal after a week of headaches.
~The generosity of friends to share their camp so we can have this weekend.
~ Fresh buds blooming.
~ French pressed coffee.