made it! (971-1002 of 1000 gifts)

"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out." - Robert Collier

If you've been reading my blog regularly or from time to time, you will realize I've been doing some strange count-my-blessings thing here. It originated with Ann Voskamp who, after accepting the challenge of finding and naming 1000 gifts/blessings/things for which to be thankful, found herself focusing on a life of gratefulness. She wrote a book about it and in the community that has grown up around her blog and that book, invites participants to share blessings. That's what my posts have been a part of.

At the beginning of this year she threw out a new challenge. To enable  people to reach 1000 blessings in one year she issued "The Joy Dare" which challenges folks to name three gifts a day.

She puts out a monthly prompt for these blessings. To help me reach my 1000 more quickly (and to discipline myself to look for something every day) I've been following May's prompts. And with that bit of help, TA-DA! I reach 1000 gifts this week, a journey I began on July 2010 with "a dose of thankfulness."

I will repeat the prompts from her May Joy Dare list, along with the blessings I found through it:

May 7th: Three gifts about my home:
971. The upstairs laundry.
972. A sunny kitchen.
973. Two decks and a patio—with lots of through-breezes, sun and fresh air.

May 8th: Three gifts inside a closet:
974. Our summer quilt, now out of the closet and on the bed.
975. My gardening shoes, now also often out of the closet and on my feet.
976. Summer T's and other light clothes for warming days.

May 9th. Three gifts in the dark:
977. The fridge  and the food it holds. It's always light when I ope the door and look inside, but most of the time the door is closed and it's dark.
978. Piano notes—hammered out in the dark.
979. God's secret plans. When I'm in the dark my faith is stretched.

May 10th A gift outside, one inside, one upside down:
980. Outside—my hanging baskets from Costco.

981. Inside—my quiet office. How much has been wrought here.
982. Upside-down—my feelings as I anticipate the journey ahead for my book: happy to be done but a little dismayed by the publicity/marketing job ahead.

May 11th three gifts from parents:
983. My mom's push to do things early, do things now.
984. My mom's love of plants.
985. The memory of Daddy talking to the farm animals.

May 12 - Three gifts held in hand:
986. A bowl of roses and baby's breath (a wifey Mother's Day present from hubby).

987. Ibuprofen.
988. Washrags, for cleaning up the patio furniture on a summery day.

May 13 - Three gifts in my mother:
989. Her creativity and how she encouraged us to be imaginative and resourceful.
990. Her kindness—she was very aware of hurting people's feelings and didn't often do it.
991. Her enthusiasm for her current project, showing us the attractiveness of a zest for life.

993. On Mother's Day, I'm so grateful for my family, who honoured me in many ways. Thank you, my lovely peeps!

May 14th - A gift picked, put away, and put back.
994. I picked up my white flower-painted enamel teapot, a daily pick-up I use all summer to water my patio baskets.
995. I put away folded and fragrant laundry.
996. At the end of the day I put back all my pens and pencils. They now rest in their respective mugs on my desk, waiting for tomorrow.

May 15th - Three gifts about me:
997. I'm usually on time.
998. I try to finish things
999. I'm healthy, more or less—mostly more.

May 16th - Three gifts about God's Word:
1000. It is the source of wisdom - James 3:13-16 gives a good definition.
1001. It gives direction - Proverbs 3:5-6.
1002. It gives us fodder for hopes and dreams - Zechariah 8:20-23.

I will stop at this point. But thankfulness doesn't end at 1000 (or 1002). I know that this project has sharpened my awareness  of how much good fills my life. So, though I won't continue to list any more of last week's gifts here, I don't know if I'll be able to completely kick the habit of broadcasting such lists on my blog.  I hope you'll indulge me if  I share more of  my gratefulnesses here from time to time.

And now for the last time:

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If  you'd like to join me and many others collecting One Thousand  
Gifts,  please do. Some members of this gratefulness community post  
their gifts  on blogs, while others list them in private journals.  
Instructions on  how to join are here.

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gifts of celebration (#951-970 of 1000 gifts)

New-dressed trees line path

cool evening keeps dogwoods crisp

Shy girls bloom prom-wear

Over a couple of glorious days in the last little while the world has turned green. The walking path behind our house, lined with skeleton trees all winter, has transformed itself into a verdant avenue. This is only the first (#951) of many blessings this past week has held.

I downloaded Ann Voskamp's "May Joy Dare"  and am using it as a blessing prompt.

May 1st  - 3 gifts tasted:
952. Coffee

953. Greek lamb kebob.

954. Tuxedo Truffle Cake—for my birthday.

May 2nd - 3 gifts flat:

955. Knife blade for cutting my breakfast banana.

956. My Kindle e-reader. A hundred or so books and it still retains its trim 7/8-inch girth.

957. This lovely garden stepping stone, a gift from my sis.

May 3rd - 3 gifts found in difficult people.
958. They teach me to listen.

959. They teach me the discipline of kindness.

960. They give me practice in the soft answer.

May 4th - 3 gifts before 9:00 a.m.
961. A hot shower.

962. Reading the Bible, thinking about what it means, and praying.

963. Blooming wisteria, seen on our walk (yes, we walk before 9:00 a.m.).

May 5th - Gifts in a sign, a smile, and a snack.

We happened to take a day trip to La Conner, Washington on Saturday. It was tailor-made for these gifts.

964. These signs were seen in the Calico Cupboard and while window shopping.

964. There were smiles all around as we heckled the pirate ships going by during the La Conner boat parade.

965. Ice-cream cones were the snack gift, made all the more so when we ran into the honeymooners we had just seen at the boat parade and whom M. had photographed. They asked for another photo on the occasion of finding non-sugar ice-cream which meant diabetic he could have a rare ice-cream cone with ice-cream-loving she.

966. Of course La Conner had more than three gifts. A big one was the beautiful  Quilt and Textile Museum, housed in Gaches Mansion. Here is a sample of some of the beauties we were allowed to photograph. (The second floor with its "Deep Spaces" show was off limits to cameras. Pity, because it was an amazing display of creativity executed with fabric and thread, as were the quilts pictured.)

May 6th - 3 gifts found in Christ.
967. A history. Yesterday our church celebrated its 75th Anniversary. Spoken memories and a video recalled highlights from the past 75 years.

968. Worship. The service  included songs from about five eras of worship music. There's nothing like music to refresh memories of one's relationship with Jesus.

969. A celebration with food. In the spirit of David celebrating the return of the Ark to Jerusalem by sending everyone home with a gift of meat, bread and a cake of raisins, we went home with bag lunches that contained meat (ham), bread (wrapped around the meat) and a (cup)cake along with carrot sticks, dip and juice box.

970. To round out this week's gifts, yesterday our own sweet son came over. He took us on a vicarious trip of New York with his photos, flattered me on my cookies, and left  some sunshine for my garden.

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If  you'd like to join me and many others collecting One Thousand Gifts,  please do. Some members of this gratefulness community post their gifts  on blogs, while others list them in private journals. Instructions on  how to join are here.

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a good week (#933-950 of 1000 gifts)

"Happiness not in another place, but in this place ... Not for another hour, but this hour." - Walt Whitman

This has been a good week in many ways. Here are some of those ways.

933. The rabbits are out and about again!

934. A wonderful talk at our women's group (last Women By Design of the season).


935. Lunch with a friend.

936. This sign gave us a chuckle.

937. Hubby's veggie chili.

938. Light coming through blossoms.

939. Shopping at Mark's.

940. Another camouflaged hydro box.

941. Birdsong sung by the likes of this Redwing blackbird.

942. Spring shapes, like the arching sprays of this spirea. Is this gorgeous or what?

943. So enjoying this book by Luci Swindoll. Sage advice from an (almost) octogenarian. E.g.: "I believe making lists is one of the most important secrets to a happy life" (Kindle Location 1242). I couldn't agree more!

944.  Talking about lists, I was thrilled to make The Word Guild's 2012 Writing Awards shortlist (twice).

945.The gossip bench.

946. Condiments: ketchup, dressing, mustard, horseradish, vinegar... I love condiments!

947. Registered for this conference at the end of May. Excited!

948. Spring pastels.

949. Ended our walk yesterday by trying out Pho Vietnamese Restaurant in Langley. This is #69 on the menu. Beautiful and tasty!

950. Being able to make lists on Facebook. Suddenly I 'like' Facebook! (Okay, lists aren't new, but I finally got around to setting them up.)

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If  you'd like to join me and many others collecting One Thousand Gifts,  please do. Some members of this gratefulness community post their gifts  on blogs, while others list them in private journals. Instructions on  how to join are here.

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creativity everywhere (#919-932 of 1000 gifts)

"Nature does not ask permission. Blossom and birth whenever you feel like it" - Clarissa Pinkola Estes

I missed putting up my 1000 gift post last week so this week a double portion. Lots of gifts here, and I could name many more.

919. More and more blossoms, like a wedding veil.

Trees in bloom

920. Trees of tulips (magnolias really). These pink ones are gorgeously plentiful.

Pink magnolias

921. More birdsong. Our walk is alive with it these days.

Joyful sparrow

922. Some very helpful information for my WIP.

923. Last Saturday's mission trip training. It helps when some of your teachers are comedians! On the serious side, I especially enjoyed the thoughts about the need for cultural sensitivity to the people in the place you visit, and sensitivity to your missionary host, offered by this dynamic duo.

924. Last Sunday's walk along the Nicomekl Creek Trail, where we came upon Brydon Nature Park Lagoon—a serene setting with no lack of spring-busy ducks and coots.

Brydon Park Nature Lagoon on the Nicomekl Creek Trail

925. Love the way my city decorates their utility boxes. Perhaps it's their attempt to shame the surrounding meadow into putting out a little more color of its own.

Quite the blooming box

926. After our walk by the creek, we wandered into a Thai restaurant for a yummy lunch.


927. Monday's reading with my poet buddies.

928. Pointers from a real gardener on what to do with spring blooms. I especially like the tulips with stems cut at varying lengths, displayed within a tall glass vase (3rd from right).

Spring flower demo

929. Captured—the first new spring family of the season!

Goose family on an outing

930. A new camera! If you've read here any length of time, you know I love photography. My first digital camera—a birthday gift six years ago—has been my constant companion since I got it. But it's beginning to show its age. I've been researching DSLRs for months now but holding off on the purchase (so much to learn, so much money).

Lately I've rethought my yen for a DSLR. I love the lightness and tuck-in-your-purse size of my old digital and have been asking myself, Do I really want a big heavy camera? Will I be able to use it the way I customarily use a camera? Saturday I decided to forsake the DSLR route, at least for now, and bought another Panasonic, a zippy little DMC-ZS15. So far I'm loving it!

New camera tryouts: Top: original shot, Bottom: detail of the engine.

931. Yesterday's walk at Crescent Beach—one of my all-time favorite places in the Lower Mainland.

Crescent Beach - April 22, 2012

932. Late last week got the suggested edits for my book, which I'm still working through. Editor's words in the covering email: "...let me tell you how much I enjoyed your manuscript. I found this to be utterly captivating and well-written!" He liked it. Whew! He's the first person who has read it since I rewrote, and he liked it. So relieved!!

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If  you'd like to join me and many others collecting One Thousand Gifts,  please do. Some members of this gratefulness community post their gifts  on blogs, while others list them in private journals. Instructions on  how to join are here.

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soldiering on (#853-860 of 1000 gifts)

"Persistence is not a long race; it is many short races one after another." - Walter Elliott

I am in the middle of a book edit. It's a scary time. I know, in my imagination, what I want to achieve. But sometimes it feels like I'll never get there.

My temptation is avoidance. The fridge beckons. So does the TV. I am fighting the urge to tidy my office. Sometimes I daydream lists of things I'll do when this is finished. I try to make the job less overwhelming by setting small goals. One chapter at a time. Just do it!

853. I am thankful that I cleared the deck of my life to have time to do this.

854. Spring is starting to show her lovely face.

Snowdrops

Pussy Willows

855. The fans have done their work and the house is dry.

856. A Valentine dinner with hubby at Galini's.


857. I left my editing seclusion on Wednesday morning to spend time with friends at Women By Design. So glad I did.

858. For some hours on Saturday I watched Whitney Huston's funeral. It was sad and beautiful and even uplifting—a huge testimony to the importance of faith in God and what's important in life.


859. Our church begins its annual month of missions emphasis each year with a flag parade. The photo below was yesterday. Love it!

A parade of flags starts our annual missions emphasis

860. Church + a walk by the river + lunch at Ricky's + curling (on TV) = a perfect Sunday in February.

Dragon Boat training on the Fraser River

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If  you'd like to join me and many others collecting One Thousand Gifts,  please do. Some members of this gratefulness community post their gifts  on blogs, while others list them in private journals. Instructions on  how to join are here.

praise the Lord anyway (#841- 852 of 1000 gifts)

"Being positive in a positive situation is easy. Anyone can do that. But when we are positive in a negative situation it shows a genuine trust in God and a spiritual maturity that pleases and glorifies God" - Joyce Meyer, Battlefield of the Mind.

In the matter of about an hour last Wednesday the course of our lives—and house— took a different turn than we had ever planned or anticipated. It was around 2 p.m. and I was making coffee when I glanced out the window and noticed a wateriness to the back yard that was altogether not right.

I stepped onto the deck to check it out and the sound of angry water, like a swollen creek, put me on alert. I had heard this sound before. It brought me back to the early morning of February 21, 2009 when our unit got the brunt of a burst water main. Last time it was beside our townhouse building. This time it turned out to be directly under the utility room attached to our home.

I alerted my husband. He started calling people. I ran downstairs, but already black water was flowing onto the three-year-old laminate. In the hour that it took for the city to shut off the flow, our den, storage area, and much of the garage was inundated with biohazard water. Ugh!

Then I started counting my blessing:

841. We were warm and dry;

842. We had a big jug of Safeway water on hand for the hours our complex was waterless;

843. We were insured;

844. A restoration company was taking care of the mess;

845. I was so glad this hadn't happened two weeks earlier when we were away on holidays.

846. When my attitude threatened to slump, I came upon my own words, written for my devo blog and published Thursday morning—the morning after our watery encounter. The quote I had included from Joyce Meyer was especially meaningful:

"Practice being positive in each situation that arises. Even if whatever is taking place in your life at the moment is not so good, expect God to bring good out of it, as He has promised in His Word....


...Being positive in a positive situation is easy. Anyone can do that. But when we are positive in a negative situation it shows a genuine trust in God and a spiritual maturity that pleases and glorifies God" - Joyce Meyer, Battlefield of the Mind, pp. 38, 44.

Other blessings from the past two weeks:

847. My healthy, pain-free body, appreciated especially after seeing my friend, who broke her shoulder just before Christmas, ease into her jacket.

848. Raspberry chocolates. We got some for Christmas and have been working on them ever since (they are now gone *sigh*). There should be a law against such!

849. A sweetheart whose Valentine roses are opening beautifully on the kitchen table. Thanks honey! 

850. Walks in the fog on crisp mornings.

851. And walks on clear afternoons.

Looking across the Fraser River near Derby's Reach,  toward Maple Ridge.

852. Curling season has begun!

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If  you'd like to join me and many others collecting One Thousand Gifts,  please do. Some members of this gratefulness community post their gifts  on blogs, while others list them in private journals. Instructions on  how to join are here.