Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Weekly Gratitude Post-December 2023 Edition



We are already halfway through January 2024 and I'm just now sitting down to post the last of 2023's gratitude journal posts. God is so good and so kind and so faithful-way beyond anything we could earn or deserve. There is no way I could thank Him enough for His watchful and affectionate and steadfast care for us, our family, our extended families and our church family. The discipline of writing down at least three things that I'm thankful for each day doesn't even scratch the surface of His many, many kindnesses and blessings to me, to us.

This week some old blog posts of mine popped up on my Facebook memories. When I read some of my old writings I realized I am missing taking the time to sit down and write. I think that writing is my primary way of creative expression and my primary way of processing my thoughts as well, which is why I journal. I never intended this blog to become a place where I only post my gratitude journal entries, though it's the one thing I refuse to let go of. I want to not only be faithful to thank God privately as I write my thanksgiving down in my gratitude journal, but publicly as I repost here. I want others to see that there is always something to be thankful for. As for the other stuff I used to post, writing, photography, recipes, home decor, I still love all of those things. I'm not promising, but perhaps in 2024, I'll pop in here a bit more often, God willing. 
***************
Since 2009 I've been counting my blessings thanks to the prompting of Ann Voskamp.
 I continue to count my thanks, 
piling up gratitude day by day in my journal.
(and capturing some of my blessings via my camera or iPhone)

#17,657-#17,765

12-1-2023-
-It's December!
-lunch with my sister and brother-in-law
-God realigning my mind and heart in my quiet time

12-2-2023-
-my oldest brother-today is his birthday!
-a fun day of antiquing and Christmas shopping with a friend
-a long FaceTime chat with my 6 year old grandson

12-3-2023-
-a dear young mama delivered her baby boy safely and unexpectedly at home
-a powerful word from the Lord
-lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant

12-4-2023-
-a Christmas bouquet of foraged greens (see photo above)
-a wonderful walk while listening to a favorite podcast
-writing November's gratitude post, (finally!), while my husband watches a ball game

12-5-2023-
-God hearing and answering prayer
-my middle brother-today is his birthday!
-dinner with our school parents

12-6-2023-
-a clear word from the Lord about staying in the eye of the storm in the midst of the chaos on the earth
-God answering prayer re. our yard and the county work going on
-my six year old grandson reading his book to us on facetime
-dinner with my niece-in-law and the head of our school

12-7-2023-
-our nephew-today is his birthday!
-baking bread
-holding baby P for the first time
-having a young couple from the church over for dinner

12-8-2023-
-the descriptions of Jesus in Revelation 1
-a really good night's sleep
-a nice Friday date day together

12-9-2023-
-my nephew and niece-in-law coming to my rescue when my knife magnet and all my knives fell off the wall and behind my stove! 
-a phone chat with my two California granddaughters
-a photo of my granddaughter all dressed up for her school's winter formal
-a wonderful Cozy Christmas gathering with all of the women from our church

12-10-2023-
-texts from my oldest granddaughter
-powerful worship and word
-a Sunday afternoon nap

12-11-2023-
-the county completed a retaining curb/wall between our side yard and the side walk
-a beautiful evening walk





-a yummy bowl of chili 
-my fourteen year old granddaughter's funny voicemail greeting

12-12-2023-
-finishing all of the Christmas cards for our church family
-a beautiful, blue sky day
-a lovely walk and talk with God
-going to half price movie night together

12-13-2023-
-a cozy fire in the fireplace
-tea, good conversation and prayer 
-God speaking to my heart in a powerful way on my walk

12-14-2023-
-early morning prayer together
-baking cinnamon rolls for our school's silent auction
-our church family
--facetiming with my daughter and grandkids

12-15-2023-
-driving into, through, and up out of a huge fog bank on our way to the beach
-using the last of a gift card from friend's on our lunch
-a stunningly beautiful day for a long walk by the sea


12-16-2023-
-God's help to accomplish what I needed to get done this morning
-a wonderful meal of homemade Puerto Rican food and fellowship with a dear couple from our church
-this beautiful day

12-17-2023-
-watching my grandson sing in the kid's choir at his church via lifestream
-a fun outing to Pittock Mansion in Portland all decorated for Christmas










-family and friends Christmas cards all finished!

12-18-2023-
-God's provision and blessing
-my Christmas cactus in blooming



-Chinese food and good conversation with a couple from church

12-19-2023-
-texts with our oldest grandson
-tests and photos from our daughter who is on a cruise in Europe
-God's protection from an accident on the freeway
-a phone call from my oldest brother

12-20-2023-
-a beautiful, sunny day in Kirkland/Bellevue on our little pre-Christmas getaway


-a lovely sunset dinner at Anthony's on Lake Washington


-getting to see the Christmas boats as we ate

12-21-2023-
-a safe trip home
-receiving Christmas cards in the mail
-the county is all done in our yard!
-a winter solstice evening walk-Christmas lights glowing in the fog and the smell of wood burning fireplaces

12-22-2023-
-being with my guy
-baking Cranberry Cinnamon bread


-"Christ is Born" sung to the tune of Nessun Dorma)

12-23-2024-
-a phone call with my youngest brother
-a phone call with my oldest sister
-an amazing gift in the mail from my brother-a handmade wood bowl


-a call to my guy from his best friend

12-24-2023-
-a beautiful Christmas Eve breakfast, devotions and communion with our church family
-a Christmas Eve walk
-a lovely dinner and great visit with my sister and brother-in-law

12-25-2023-
-Thank You, God, for sending Jesus! Thank You, Jesus, that You came!
-facetiming with our oldest daughter and granddaughters
-facetiming with our middle daughter and grandkids
-cinnamon cranberry bread toasted and spread with marmalade
-prime rib, roasted potatoes and caesar salad for Christmas dinner
-picking up friends from the airport

12-26-2023-
-a gift from my guy that I love
-God's care, provision and blessing
-God answering my prayer for a friend

12-27-2023-
-a nice walk before the rain began
-tea and good conversation with my friend from California
-God speaking to my heart through our conversation

12-28-2023-
-crepes for breakfast
-our cozy home
-this quiet week between Christmas and New Year's

12-29-2023-
-a relaxing Friday date day
-new running shoes
-a refreshing evening walk

12-30-2023-
-breakfast and deep heart conversation with friends
-facetime calls form our three youngest grandkids
-a heart talk with my girl
-all of the Christmas decor is put away for another year


















12-31-2023-
-such a beautiful time of worship
a convicting word from the Lord
-lunch with two dear to us couples
-a really fun New Year's Eve gathering
-God's faithful care for us through 2023

still following,







Monday, December 4, 2023

Weekly Gratitude Post


I should change the title of these gratitude posts from Weekly Gratitude Post to Monthly Gratitude Post. How in the world did I ever used to post on my blog not just every week but several times a week?
November zoomed by. We were blessed to be able to spend time with all three of our daughters and all of our grandchildren, (Technically, I didn't get to spend time with our oldest grandson, but my husband was able to make a quick trip to watch him play in one of his college football games.) Anyway, I'm especially thankful for the time we had with our family. We won't be with family during the Christmas season 😢, but we have a calendar full of church activities and are surrounded by a wonderful church family. 
Well, I have a whole month of things to be thankful for so hang on for a long post!
***************
Since 2009 I've been counting my blessings thanks to the prompting of Ann Voskamp.
 I continue to count my thanks, 
piling up gratitude day by day in my journal.
(and capturing some of my blessings via my camera or iPhone)

#17,560-#17,756

11-1-2023-
-It's November!
-a full refund on a chair that didn't work for my husband and the company told me just to keep the chair! (So I was able to bless a friend that it did work for!)
-God at work even in and through hard things

11-2-2023-
-getting my list of to-dos done
-a meeting that went well
-Bible study on endurance

11-3-2023-
-a sweet Friday date day with my guy
-tulip bulbs for 50% off
-a text from my granddaughter who is excited that we are coming to see her

11-4-2023-
-a prodigal spiritual daughter who has come back to the Lord
-our home
-turning the clock back=an extra hour of sleep!

11-5-2023-
-God's good and trustworthy leadership in our lives
-an evening of prep work for organizing a dear one's kitchen 
-going to bed early so we can get up early to catch our flight

11-6-2025-
-a safe trip to Kansas City
-big hugs from our grandsons at the airport
-spending the evening with our middle daughter, oldest granddaughter, our nine year old grandson and three year old grandson
-an encouraging text from our oldest grandson 
-reading a favorite book to my youngest grandson

11-7-2023-
-going to the WWI museum in downtown K.C.




-God at work in our family
-time in the prayer room

11-8-2023-
-getting to go to the KC zoo together-it was our youngest grandson's first trip to the zoo!














-a new job for our granddaughter 
-K.C.'s beautiful autumn colors

11-9-2023-
-taking our oldest granddaughter shopping for her Christmas gift
-free admission to the Truman museum






-dinner at Cinzetti's with family and unofficially adopted family ❤️

11-10-2023-
-this time with our daughter, granddaughter and grandsons
-a stuffed dinosaur named Rex for our youngest grandson
-hugs and kisses goodbye 
-a safe trip home

11-11-2023-
-God speaking to me through His Word
-all of the women who made D's nesting party a big success
(we cleaned and organized her kitchen and other house chores instead of a traditional baby shower)
-homemade soup and bread made by two of the women for the nesting party

11-12-2023-
-God's provision and care for us
-reading a book to our two Florida grandkids on FaceTime
-God never gives up on us!

11-13-2023-
-God's help with notes for tomorrow's meeting
-God's divine help and wisdom
-a beautiful autumn day for a brisk walk

11-14-2023-
-smoke coming from the neighbors chimney on a frosty cold morning
-freshly mowed grass
-a wonderful monthly meeting with the women of Truelife

11-15-2023-
-God's gracious work and mercy in my life
-a quiet day at home together since my husband is home sick
-getting to watch a livestream of our six year old grandson singing in the kid's choir at their church

11-16-2023-
-praying together 
-a beautiful time of prayer on my walk
-getting the house all decorated for Christmas before going out of town for Thanksgiving

11-17-2023-
-the yummiest oat bran pancakes with Maine maple syrup
-my husband's new chair is getting delivered tomorrow
-planting a whole lot of tulip bulbs with my guy

11-18-2023-
-forgiveness
-my husband loves his new chair!
-exciting grandkids Facetiming me to tell me it's only two sleeps until we see each other!

11-19-2023-
-God's anointing on my husband as he preached today
-a nice lunch together 
-all packed and ready to head to Nor.Cal. for Thanksgiving week!

11-20-2023-
-safe and uneventful flights to California for us and for our Florida daughter and grandkids
-being with family
-beautiful, sunny Nor.Cal.
-hot tub time under starry skies


11-21-2023-
-our six year old grandson and four year old granddaughter climbing into bed with us in the wee hours
-Papa taking the older grands to SBux and Barnes and Noble while our daughters and I take the littles to the park
-an afternoon nap for all
-beautiful sunset



11-22-2023-
-Thanksgiving prep and baking with my girls
-my husband and our freshman granddaughter and first grade grandson taking a drive to see my husband’s grandma's old house in Roseville
-the cousins laughing and playing together

11-23-2023-
-spending Thanksgiving day with family
-texts from our middle daughter that she misses us, (and we miss her!)
-God's abundant blessings

11-24-2023-
-going to Apple Hill to get a Christmas tree






-fresh, warm apple cider donuts
-hottubbing with my girls
-another gorgeous sunset

11-25-2023-
-my oldest daughter making banana bread with chocolate chips with our youngest daughter's little ones
-a safe trip back home
-a sweet text from my/our oldest grandson

11-26-2023-
-our church family
-feasting together at our post-Thanksgiving potluck
-God's faithful and abundant provision

11-27-2023-
-frosty mornings
-a huge harvest moon
-feasting, fellowship, sharing, praying-growth group night at my house

11-28-2023-
-our  third granddaughter is twelve today!
-good reports from the growth groups
-our youngest daughter and her kids made it safely back to Florida from our oldest daughter's in California
-cheesy Christmas movies

11-29-2023-
-an especially sweet time of worship and prayer
-a phone call with my oldest grandson and texting with my oldest granddaughter 
-a cozy day at home baking and making soup

11-30-2023-
-praying together with friends
-not feeling well so taking a day of rest
-yummy leftover soup

still following,