Monday, December 4, 2023

Weekly Gratitude Journal


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,




Thursday, November 2, 2023

Weekly Gratitude Journal



It's November, the month of Thanksgiving! I love the Thanksgiving holiday and the way that it reminds us to express our gratitude. However, gratitude is an attitude that should be fostered as a lifestyle. We should express gratitude to the people God has placed in our life but above all we should be mindful to give thanks to God, "For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen." Romans 11:36  I'm posting all the rest of October's gratitude journal entries today. This month I will be giving thanks every day of the month, not just on Thanksgiving day, because every single day there is always something to be thankful for! 

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

#17,466-#17,559

10-5-2023-
-early morning prayer with some of the women from church
-the perfect color of TV stand/credenza for our living room refurbishing
-Thursday night Bible study that is so good!

10-6-2023-
-Friday date day with my guy
-a very summer-like autumn day
-new chairs, art and pillows for our living room
a perfect half "day moon" in the cloudless blue autumn sky

10-7-2023-
-my nephew and niece in-law's help putting the TV stand together
-help with our yard from two young men from our church
-my husband's care for me

10-8-2023-
-a powerful and challenging message
-a delicious lunch with my guy
-a safe flight to California-my daughter and granddaughter's greeting me at baggage claim

10-9-2023-
-stunningly beautiful morning sunrise




-baking for my loved ones (banana bread and french bread)
-a lovely afternoon walk
-watching the sunset with my son-in-law, daughter and granddaughters


10-10-2023-
-giant pinecones
-my family singing along to worship songs on the drive to Roseville
-shopping with my granddaughter for her homecoming dress

10-11-2023-
-watching a silly Hallmark moving with my granddaughters
-cooking dinner with my daughter
-good talks with my girl

10-12-2023-
-praying the same prayer points today as all of the women at our church at home are praying even though I'm in California
-getting to see my son-in-law and daughter's new church, (they are pastors), and meet some of the staff
-giant cups of Dole pineapple whip




-another amazing sunset


10-13-2023-
-giant apple fritters



-pumpkin patches


-hills covered with vineyards, orchards and Christmas trees
-Mexican food for dinner
-this great day with my oldest girl and her family


10-14-2023-
-giving my granddaughter a mani/pedi in prep for her first homecoming
-getting to watch her and her friends get photos taken


-hugs goodbye
-a safe trip home

10-15-2023-
-God's work in and through my husband
-God's beautiful work in a new believer
-more new faces at church

10-16-2023-
-tickets to go to our daughter's for Thanksgiving
-God speaking to my heart
-phone calls from my daughter and grandkids
-a freshly bathed pup
-homemade chicken soup on a rainy day

10-17-2023-
-foggy, fall mornings 
-fun plans for Thanksgiving
-texts with my oldest granddaughter
-homemade chicken parmesan for dinner
-spending the evening with J and D

10-18-2023-
-this beautiful sunny, warm autumn day
-fish tacos and a little mid-week outing with my guy
-new curtain rods and curtains

10-19-2023-
-praying with the women from our church on Thursday mornings
-our whole church family praying together for a dear one facing some health issues
-God's loving correction in my life

10-20-2023-
-a safe trip for my guy
-a peace-filled productive day
-God's provision

10-21-2023-
-a rare slow relaxing Saturday morning
-a fun day spent with a dear friend
-a face time call with my oldest grandson

10-22-2023-
-beautiful worship
-powerful word from DFC
-a new chair for my guy

10-23-2023-
-strength to get ready for tonight's growth group in spite of a migraine
-God's provision
-an encouraging night with growth group

10-24-2023-
-good reports
-a cozy, rainy day at home
-autumn colored orange-y nail polish
-a sweet time in the Word and prayer

10-25-2023-
-my guy safely hone
- a refreshing early morning walk
-a cozy, quiet evening at home together

10-26-2023-
-early morning prayer with friends
-a full refund on the chair that didn't work for my guy
-a beautiful autumn afternoon
-a much needed nap after two nights of little sleep

10-27-2023-
-Friday date day!
-a great Harvest party at church and all of our wonderful volunteers who made it happen
-our old living room furniture being put to good use by someone else

10-28-2023-
-another new chair ordered!
-new mercies every day and joy that comes in the morning
-praying together with my guy in the mornings

10-29-2023-
-powerful, profound message
-lunch with friends
-a beautiful autumn walk

10-30-2023-
-an early morning phone call from my daughter
-C coming to the Lord!
-our 6 year old grandson memorizing scripture  (20 verses!)

10-31-2023-
-a good night's sleep
-a new recipe for lemon biscotti


-tea, prayer and planning with N.
-texts with photos of our grandkids in their Halloween costumes


still following,