Thursday, August 2, 2012

Counting to One Thousand Gifts

I first told you why I was counting to One Thousand Gifts here, because of Ann's beautiful book One Thousand Gifts, given to me by a sweet friend.

"for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need." {Phil. 4:11-13} Yes, Paul says here that he learned how to be content...whether his situation was awful or if life was perfect at the moment. These words use to haunt me. I couldn't relate to Paul even though I desperately wanted to. 

 Each day I try to count, and name my thank yous to God. The "every day" blessings that I've been previously blinded to. Nothing has changed in the Big K life, our situation is still the same, God hasn't answered our prayer from here, but something in my heart has started to change. This daily practicing of naming my blessings and thanks for both the good and the bad has started to lift the scales off my eyes, and is giving me the lenses to see clearly. I'm beginning to be content. Yes Paul, it is something to be learned. My foundation is my walk with God and abiding in His Word, and with the giving thanks and abiding in God...well...it is bringing heart change. 

Thanks Ann, and thanks Kate for that book.

My List Continues to One Thousand Gifts: 
49. chick-fil-a
50. family visits
51. yummy food
52. baby dedication
53. Christian community--great friends
54. hubby taking care of me when sick
55. 1 Samuel and God's Word
56. Ariel throwing up
57. for being sick
58. for magical antibiotics
59. to send a text to my doc for meds
60. for long naps for CK so I can sleep
61. fairytales
62. for having to clean the house
63. friends and fireworks
64. pool days
65. days off work
66. wurprise gaylord staycation
67. beeritas! yum!
68. babysitter (free)
69. tex-mex food
70. waterpark adventures
71. acting like a kid
72. fun in the sun with just Bryan
73. bryan and his romantic weekend
74. movie night outs
75. out of town family visits
76. tx bbq
77. friends and laughs
78. washer machine
79. free stuff from Amazon!
80. crafting time
81. monograms
82. a loving and kind husband
83. my babysitting sista!
84. free Enfamil =)
85. movie with friends
86. watching caleb crawl and pull up for the first time with Bryan
87. Missa
88. 1Samuel
89. free Mi Cocina
90. awkward lunch with doctors
91. more free Enfamil
92. phone conversations
93. working from home



18 comments:

  1. Hi! I am a new follower from the TX Bloggers facebook group!

    I read One Thousand Gifts last year and started my own list. I got a little sidetracked and stopped keeping up with it as much as I should have but recently got back on track. It's amazing how something as simple as just recognizing the things you are thankful for can make such a huge impact on your life!

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  2. Hey Jessica! Isn't that book AH-mazing! You're so right, the simple thanks makes a huge impact!! I'm following you now too! =)

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  3. This list, verse and overall post is incredibly true and great.


    Drop by nichollvincent.blogspot.com and say hello! Have a great day!

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  4. aww this is lovely :) cute blog :) you should check the giveaway im having on my blog! it ends tomorrow!

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  5. love this... your list is quickly growing! i have this book waiting on my bedside table... but haven't started yet. have heard so many wonderful things about it. i also read your "waiting" post... beautifully written and I have a very similar post on my own blog. the Lord has been teaching me a lot about what it means to wait WITH Him... praying He continues to do the same for you. so glad you linked up this week! happy thursday!

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    1. You'll have to let me know what you think of the book. For me the first couple of chapters were hard to get through and then I couldn't put it down. It's encouraging to know that God's teaching you the same lesson...to wait on the LORD...learning to rest in Him! Thanks for hosting this link-up!!! xo, viv

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  6. I love your list, and that you have chosen to have a thankful heart despite the fact that your situation as has stayed the same.

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    1. thanks! all thanks to God for slowly but surely changing my heart! may He have all the glory! =)

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  7. What a great idea. I need to do this, and I also need to read the book. Thank you for sharing. I am now inspired to do the same! Have a great weekend!!

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    1. yes the book is fantastic! Ann also blogs daily here: http://www.aholyexperience.com/ She rocks! xo, viv

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  8. Hi Viv! Thanks for linking up! I love your list. It is so good to be able to look at the ways God is blessing us in the things we wouldn't necessarily call "blessings." But, blessing abound everywhere. I think of the hymn "count your many blessings." Often it does surprise me how many things God has done. My outlook is so much better when I focus on being thankful. Have a great weekend!

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    1. Thanks Laura for hosting this link-up! you're so right about it changing my outlook! =)

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  9. Thanks for teaching me today :)

    Sorry I AM SO LATE!!! I am getting so bad at commenting lately and I feel terrible. Life is just nuts - for the best - sometimes. Thanks for linking up to Thankful Thursday with First Day of My Life <3

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  10. aww this is wonderful! thanks for sharing :) stopping by from the link up and i'm so glad i did! i love your blog by the way! i can't wait to read more! happy tuesday!

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  11. I LOVE the book and I LOVE Ann! Last summer I took photos for her at a women's conference book signing and she gave me her book as a thank you. It completely changed my perspective on things. I'm happy I found your blog! You're posts are very encouraging! I look forward to reading more as your newest follower :)

    Mrs. Wilson's World

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    1. That's so cool that you got to meet Ann! Her writing and passion for God is so addicting! I'm following you too =)

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