Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Weekly Gratitude Journal



The text asked us to please pray. A loved one was hurting. The last few years have been hard and cruel, wearying and wounding, especially for young people. Life had turned gray, hopeless, pointless. My heart ached. I could relate to the battle with depression as I had first encountered the same battle when I was our dear one's same age. As I prayed I felt the assurance that God had this one in His hand, just as He had had me all those decades ago. I felt that this battle would become an intersection in our loved one's life put there by God, just as that same battle had been in mine. 

Later that morning, I went on a previously scheduled outing with a friend. Our original plans had changed, however, due to a medical issue she had had the night before. Instead of a day trip out of town, we stayed close to home, visiting some antique stores only a few miles from my house.

For weeks I had been searching online for a Le Creuset white grand teapot. I already own a smaller white Le Creuset teapot with a matching cream pitcher and sugar bowl. I wanted the matching larger teapot because I do a lot of hosting of groups of women who love to drink tea. Sadly, I was not having any luck finding the teapot. I either couldn't find the color or it was too expensive with shipping fees from the UK added on top of the already high price.

Some places labeled "antique store" should more truthfully be labeled "thrift store" and that was the case of the last store my friend and I had on our agenda for the day. As we were heading toward the exit to leave the store, I noticed the top of a white teapot tucked behind other miscellaneous junk on a shelf. When I picked it up to have a closer look, I was shocked to find that it was a white Le Creuset grand teapot in mint condition! In fact it looked as though it may never have been used. The price tag said twelve dollars! I was overjoyed! Instantly, I knew that this was a God moment. I also knew that it wasn't about Him giving me the exact teapot I wanted. It was about knowing that He sees me, hears me and cares for me. He is aware of every tiny detail, care, need, desire and longing in my life. He cares for me watchfully and affectionately. And I knew He was reassuring me, though the lesson of the teapot, that He has my loved one securely in His loving, watchful care as well. 

***************************
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)

(Catching up on August's gratitude journal posts.)
#15,984-#16,063

8-1-2022-
-the handsome bald eagle that likes to perch on the tree across the river from the cabin


-a perfect Oregon coast beach day together 












-the most delicious Marionberry pie purchased at a little coastal bakery 
-finding my lens cover after losing it the brush on the path to the river
-kayaking with my little buddy

8-2-2022-
-God's faithfulness, care, provision, protection, mercy, grace and love toward me 
every moment of all of these past sixty five years
-all three of my girls together to celebrate my birthday with me as well as
six of my grandkids. And phone calls from the oldest two grands that couldn't be here.
-a trip to Maine the end of this month for my birthday surprise!

8-3-2022-
-this time with my daughters and grandkids
-a windy day, a kayak that almost came off the top of the car on the freeway, 
but we made it safely back home from the cabin!
-good reports from tonight's men's gathering at church

8-4-2022-
-all of the cards, texts, messages I got for my birthday
-a good night's sleep
-praying with a friend

8-5-2022-
-our daughters and grandkids had safe travels back home to the east coast
-a great big hot coffee and a sweet time in prayer and the word
-a quiet day to rest after having a houseful for 2 1/2 weeks

8-6-2022-
-listening to good teaching while doing my chores
-a deep cleaned house
-a farewell dinner with our growth group for a dear friends who is moving away

8-7-2022-
-a wonderful day at church
-a good talk with a friend
-a really yummy lunch - London Broil on the grill, corn on the cob, Caesar salad
-a good time of prayer, sharing and planning with my VLT

8-8-2022-
-a quiet day to study
-facetime chats with my east coast kids and grandkids
-a thoughtful birthday gifts from a friend

8-9-2022-
-a sweet time in prayer
-my husband bringing me dinner so I don't have to cook before my meeting
-a faithful one who always helps with set-up for our meetings
-such a good crowd at our gathering-God is building our church!

8-10-2022-
-a new chair for my home office
-a husband who is super easy to please about dinner
-talking to and praying with my granddaughter
-a walk after dinner

8-11-2022-
-our grandson's first day of kindergarten
-my eight year old grandson FaceTiming me to tell me he knows the history of the song
 we sing together, "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus. 
"It was written in "Nana times!" You know, the 1900's!" ðŸ˜‚😂😂
-dinner with my guy at our favorite Mexican restaurant

8-12-2022-
-a day to rest before a very full weekend that begins tonight 
-a brisk walk with the dog before tonight's meeting
-God's continued work in us as a church

8-13-2022-
-wakng up to the voice of our five year old grandson facetiming Papa
-my sister! Today is her birthday!
-waking up feeling better after a migraine
-a beautiful day of growing in God and in relationship with one another 

8-14-2022-
-a beautiful time of worship
-a word that challenges old mindsets
-God at work in people in a visible way
-God at work in us as a church in a way that is noticeable to others

8-15-2022-
-Facetime calls from our east coast girls and grandkids
-God's care and provision for us
-my cozy morning quiet time spot

8-16-2022-
-homemade blueberry pancakes
-a big pot of yellow mums
-a BOGO sale on vitamins

8-17-2022-
-our son-in-law safely home from a trip to Rwanda
-lunch together at one of our favorite spots
-a FaceTime chat with my granddaughter
-a good report from a friend 

8-18-2022-
beautiful morning sky
-a beautiful morning in prayer and the word
-cooler weather than forecasted 

8-19-2022-
-my guy caught a 17lb salmon
-trusting God's work in my hurting loved one
-a perfect condition white Le Creuset grand teapot for $12!

8-20-2022-
-a morning with the Lord
-an "I love you nana" text
-a clean house
-writing a "book" to mail to my grandkids

8-21-2022-
-the beautiful presence of God
-the power of the Word to break and to heal, to tear down and to build
-a FaceTime chat with my grandson
-my big brother got water baptized!

8-22-2022-
-my cozy home office
-the pink sunrise
-a little creative crafting project
-yard work that I've been procrastinating finally done
-The I Exalt Thee album that I've been feasting on for days
-a beautiful dinner and time of growing together with our growth group

still following,




Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Weekly Gratitude Journal



My last post was all the way back on July fifth! I don't think I've ever gone this long without posting here. I have a lot of excuses-our busy ministry life, a nice long visit from my east coast kids and grandkids-but then those excuses don't really cover the days that I did have the time to sit down and post but just didn't do it. Well, today I'm determined to do some catching up for those of you that may still be hanging around here in the blogosphere. I'll post all of the rest of July's gratitude list today and then next week I'll catch up on August's gratitude list.

***************************
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)
#15,889-#15,983

7-5-2022-
-finally getting some dreaded paperwork finished
-big yellow butterflies flitting about in our neighborhood park
-my Visionary Leadership Team
-the women of our church participating in a How to Study the Bible class via zoom! 
(Taught by our unofficially adopted granddaughter who did a wonderful job teaching it! 
I'm so proud of her!)

7-6-2022-
-my youngest brother-today is his birthday!
-laughing aloud with my two granddaughters at the newest Minions movie
-an important approval on that paperwork I did
-a good report about tonight's meeting

7-7-2022-
-talking and praying with my oldest granddaughter
-a really good Bible study and conversation afterwards
-God answering prayer

7-8-2022-
-a beautiful day trip to the beach and a nice long beach walk






-finding a piece of seaglass


-seeing a bald eagle perched in a treetop
-my husband playing fetch with our dog on the beach


7-9-2022-
-a beautiful summer morning
-a long phone chat with my youngest daughter
-listening to good teaching and worship while doing chores
-my husband doing some grocery shopping for me
-a clean house

7-10-2022-
-God's Word
-lunch with friends
-answered prayer for my daughter getting tickets home

7-11-2022-
-hot summer days and a house with AC
-a walk before it gets too hot
-study time for tomorrow's meeting

7-12-2002-
-Nathaniel Bassey's Names of God album
-baking a lemon-blueberry cake
-a beautiful gathering with the women of Truelife

7-13-2022-
-tickets purchased by my daughter to come home for grandkid cabin time!
-a beautiful drive around Mt. Hood and through the Columbia River Gorge 







-God's provision of a job for our granddaughter

7-14-2022-
-getting some yard work done
-the Sermon on the Mount
-a safe flight here for our youngest daughter and her two kiddos
-a really good Truelife Heritage meeting
-making homemade cinnamon rolls

7-15-2022-
-a beautiful drive to Estacada
-a fun morning with our daughter and her in-laws and our two grandkids 




-a summer afternoon nap

7-16-2022-
-John 13-17
- time with my guy before all of the kids and grandkids are here
-phone calls with my sisters

7-17-2022-
-the wonderful presence of God in worship and in the word
-a good visit with our oldest daughter and her family and our youngest daughter and her two littles
-our daughters and our grandkids

7-18-2022-
-this time with our daughter and grandkids
-my nephew bringing over donuts



-Papa buying the grandkids, and me!, a treat at the store
-an big answer to prayer for a loved one

7-19-2022-
-a day at Lake Merwin




-our grandkids love for my nephew and his love for them
-fresh summer fruit

7-20-2022-
-a walk to the park with two of my grandkids
-a safe drive to Seattle and back to pick up my second born daughter and her two youngest kids
-worshipping on the drive 

7-21-2022-
-N's weekly prayer points
-our youngest daughter giving our youngest grandson a haircut on our back yard patio
-grandkids taking bubble baths one by one in our big spa tub
-new shoes and a new lunch box for our grandson's upcoming first day of kindergarten
-some quiet time with my guy after everyone went to bed

7-22-2022-
-finding moments to spend some quiet time with Jesus with a house full of family
-a bit of time with just me and my youngest grandson
-taking him on a nice long walk (in his stroller)

7-23-2022-
-grandkids playing in the sprinkler
-this time with my girls and grandkids
-our daughter's generosity

7-24-2022-
-a good day in God's house
-new faces and some not so new ones back again
-root beer floats on a hot summer day
-God's provision

7-25-2022-
-baking bread
-a bit of time to tidy the house while youngest grandson naps and everyone else is out of the house
-a beautiful evening with our growth group
-good reports from the other GG as well

7-26-2022-
-my husband's medical procedure went well
-going to the lake and splash pad with my daughters and grandkids





-burgers and hotdogs on the grill for dinner

7-27-2022-
-breakfast and coffee outside on the patio with the family
-a beautiful day at the river in Canby




-$2 for large root beer floats at the A&W
-an old fashioned merry-go-round at the park

7-28-2022-
-my youngest daughter helping me shop for grandkid cabin time
-laughing with my five year old grandson over old phone photos and videos
-central air! a dishwasher! -a washer and dryer!

7-29-2022-
-two little grandkids sleeping in my bed
-another posterior viscous detachment in my other eye-but no retinal damage!
-a super helpful health insurance rep.

7-30-2022-
-breakfast with friends
-a few quiet hours to get ready for tomorrow's trip to the cabin
-my guy buying me something I've been wanting

7-31-2022-
-hot coffee and reading the book of Philippians in the wee hours
-a great message 
-a safe drive to the cabin
-being with my girls and grandkids at the cabin














still following,