Weekly Gratitude Journal

It's easy to feel overwhelmed with despair as you look at the news. Afghanistan has been taken over by the Taliban, Haiti has had another horrific earthquake, Our cities are full of violence. And the virus that has dominated our news and our lives since March of 2020 is still making headlines and wreaking havoc. If not for elevated sight, if not for looking up to God and looking into His Word daily, I would definitely be in the depths of despair. But, I know that God knows about every detail of it all. He knows about the rise and fall of nations and He knows about the life decisions my kids are trying to make that has me on my knees. Nothing escapes His notice or care. My faith and trust in Him and in His care for us in the midst of life's chaos has been strenghthened by keeping track of all the little ways He cares for me and my needs as well as my wants, In all of the seasons of life these past twelve years that I've been gratitude journaling, in all of the hard times and the good times, He has never failed to care for us affectionately and watchfully. I can trust His leadership in this crazy world.

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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)

#14,759-#14,784

8-9-2021-

-good coffee in my new birthday mug

-God's faithful provision and care for us

-a walk with my guy after dinner

8-10-2021-

-quiet time to prepping for tonight's meeting

-choosing peace and trusting God with my kids and grandkids

-a really good meeting with the women in our church tonight

-a huge fingernail moon in a blue hour sky on my drive home

8-11-2021-

-a little hummingbird flittering outside our kitchen window

-our neighborhood park's shaded walking path on these hot days

-a photo of our two youngest granddaughters together

8-12-2021-

-our church's new satellite school starts today

-air conditioning!

-God's Word-loving our weekly Bible study on the book of Romans

8-13-2021-

-Friday Date Day-and my oldest sister's birthday, too!

-taking two of our grandkids to the splash pad

-dinner out with our youngest daughter and her family

-a ride up the old Oregon City elevator with two of the grandkids

8-14-2021-

-live streaming the prayer room while cleaning

-my guy bringing me home a Yumm bowl for dinner

-ending a busy day reading in bed and munching popcorn 

8-15-2021-

-beautiful Word and work of God in our church

-lunch with friends

-trusting God's leadership in this crazy world

still following,

Weekly Gratitude Journal

Wow! I don't think I've ever missed three weeks in a row of posting my weekly gratitude journal entries before! Life is full and busy and blessed. Our South Carolina son-in-law still does business here in the Pacific Northwest so he and our seven year old grandson were here for ten days. A week later our daughter from S.C. and our seven and one year old grandsons were back here again for our annual grandkid getaway at the little cabin on the Umpqua River, which our youngest daughter's in-laws graciously let us use. On top of all of that, our schedule at the church goes on as normal. And so, three weeks zoomed by without me having the time or gumption to sit down and write a post. Today, I determined to finally do so!

*****************

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)

#14.693-#14,758

7-19-2021-

-a good prayer time in the wee hours before everyone woke up

-fun exploring with my grandson

-our four year old grandson asked Jesus into his heart today!

-hearing my grandson singing "God is so good" while he's playing in the other room

-plans coming together after praying about it

7-20-2021-

-sweet quiet time with Jesus

-God's faithful provision

-a fun afternoon with three of the grandkids at the river

7-21-2021-

-breakfast at La Provence with our son-in-law and grandson before they fly home

-my husband's help

-prayer support for a loved one that's going through a hard time

7-22-2021-

-a day to myself

-a walk while listening to a great sermon

-a super encouraging text

7-23-2021-

-a beautiful Friday date day drive to the beach with my guy

-a long walk on the beach

-laying on the sand relaxing in the sun with a driftwood log as our headrest

7-24-2021-

-God speaking clearly to my husband re. a hurting loved one

-fun/funny texts from our 12 year old granddaughter

-a text from a loved one- "I'm not going to give up."

7-25-2021-

-our secondary leadership team

-bearing one another's burdens in prayer

-going to bed early

7-26-2021-

-already seeing amazing answers to yesterday's prayers!

-people in our church reaching out to a hurting one

-seeing God at work

7-27-2021-

-another answer to prayer!

-praying with a friend over the phone

-dinner at our youngest daughter's

7-28-2021-

-our good friends spending time with our granddaughter

-a testimony that really encouraged me

-our daughter popping by

7-29-2021-

-Thursday prayer/fasting day with the ladies from our church

-our youngest daughter and her family coming over

-cooking and baking done for next week's grandkid getaway

-a fantastic Bible study

7-30-2021-

-a safe drive to our friend's funeral, 

(my husband was honored to conduct the service) 

-getting to comfort and pray with his wife

-my South Carolina daughter and kids here for grandkid getaway

7-31-2021-

-getting to see a photo of my brand new great niece, 

(my oldest brother is a first time grandpa!)

-a rare afternoon nap

-God's good work in our family

8-1-2021-

-worshipping with our church family

-a powerful call to prayer for the 16-25 year olds

-a safe trip to the cabin!

8-2-2021-

-64 years of God's faithfulness

-kayaking with my grandkids

-getting scared when a huge salmon jumped right in front of my kayak as I went by

-my girls cooking me a yummy birthday dinner (and I got to have my favorite-homemade warm berry crisp topped with vanilla ice cream-for my birthday dessert)

-so many birthday messages and texts and FaceTime calls from our two oldest grandkids

8-3-2021-

-morning coffee brought to me by my guy and him telling me I'm beautiful

-my sister and brother-in-law coming to the cabin to see us

-snuggling with my guy in a bed that's too small for us

8-4-2021-

-Papa taking the grandkids fishing

-going to the beach 

-a few minutes of quiet time after everyone else went to bed

8-5-2021-

-another memory filled grandkid getaway in the books!

-worn out grandkids leaning on each each other and snoozing on the drive home

-our daughter ordering dinner delivered so this tired Nana doesn't have to cook

8-6-2021-

-our nephew letting our grandson play all day with day with his cousin

-a summer rain after two months of drought

-Papa taking us to my favorite restaurant before our middle daughter flies home

8-7-2021-

-our daughter and her two littles safely back home

-facetiming our oldest granddaughter

-sweet quiet time with Jesus

8-8-2021-

-a fantastic message on the shield of faith

-planning and praying with the Visionary Leadership team

-a willing volunteer to cover some of my responsibilities during our upcoming vacation

still following,

Weekly Gratitude Journal

With my seven year old grandson from South Carolina here for a visit we've been spending as much time as possible with the other grandkids that still live near us and having some summer fun together. Today, the cousins weren't available and Papa was working, so just he and I went on a little adventure. Recently, we discovered that we have some lovely waterfalls so ridiculously near to where we live that I can't believe we've lived here almost six years and only recently discovered them. I decided to take my grandson to see them. In walking together on one of the trails we found a beautiful swimming hole in the river that some young families and teenagers were enjoying. The waterfalls and the swimming hole have always been there, but it was only when I made an effort to explore the area that I discovered them. Similarly, it was only when I decided to explore this idea of keeping a gratitude journal, of counting at least three blessings every day, that I discovered the truth that hidden in my ordinary life were blessings I'd just never noticed before. 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)

#14.669-#14,692

7-12-2021-

-a new journal

-knowing that God is at work in us, in our family and in our church

-our tender hearted seven year old grandson

-an all clear cat scan on my husband after a little scare

-heart talks with our son-in-law

7-13-2021-

-God is able to keep/guard that which I entrust to Him

-this time with our grandson

-gathering with the women from our church

7-14-2021-

-a long walk to the river with three of the grandkids

-reading a favorite book to the littlest grandkids over and over

-a sleepover with just our youngest granddaughter 

7-15-2021-

-a lovely early morning walk before it gets hot

-a fluffy cotton tailed bunny hopping across the sidewalk in front of me on my walk

-encouraging texts from women in our church telling me the changes that God is making in their lives

-our Bible study on the book of Romans

7-16-2021-

-breakfast with friends

-our nephew inviting our grandson to spend the day playing with his son

-going to bed early with a good book to read

7-17-2021-

-my husband helping me with some chores

-him spoiling our grandson with new swimming shoes and goggles

-a fun afternoon at the lake

7-18-2021-

-unity and God's presence as we worship

-a powerful message to our church from our friend/guest speaker

-a phone call from our oldest granddaughter

still following,

Weekly Gratitude Journal

I didn't have anyway of knowing what life would look like once my middle daughter and son-in-law and four out of eight of our grandkids moved from the same town we live in to clear across the country to my son-in-law's home state of South Carolina. All I did know is that it felt like mourning, like my heart was being torn. But, since their move we have been able to fly and see them for our grandsons' birthdays, then they flew back here for our oldest granddaughter's eighteenth birthday and high school graduation. And now, my son-in-law, who still does business here is back here for some work and he brought our seven year old grandson with him. YaY! It's not the same as having them living nearby. It's not the same as being able to see them whenever we want. But, it's better than I imagined and for that I give God thanks!

*****************

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)

#14.644-#14,668

7-5-2021-

-talking to my oldest granddaughter on FaceTime

-a wonderful time of discussion and prayer together with our Visionary Leadership Team

-seeing a doe and her two fawns on the drive home from our meeting 

-a yummy new cake recipe

7-6-2021-

-thanking God for my youngest brother on his birthday

-being able to listen to the Bible and podcasts when I'm working in the yard or on my walk

-a beautiful response to our call to fast and pray once a week

7-7-2021-

-spending the afternoon with a friend that I haven't seen since before the covid shutdown

-finding the mirror of my dreams at an antique mall for only $45 

 (It's frame was wood, but with the magic of paint 

I made it look similar to this Anthropologie mirror.)

-spending time with my four year old grandson who is having a sleepover at our house

7-8-2021-

-an unexpected cash back reward that paid for half of a gift I purchased for a friend

-fasting and praying together

-my oldest brother FaceTiming me to show me his remodeling on his house

7-9-2021-

-another beautiful summer day

-our day off!

-taking our two middle granddaughters out to lunch and to Barnes and Noble

 to buy new books to take on their vacation

7-10-2021-

-my Visionary Leadership Team and their support

-the riches of God's Word

-a walk with a friend

-such encouragement at what God is doing in His church/people

-our son-in-law and seven year old grandson safely here from South Carolina, 

(my SIL has work here and he brought our grandson out with him-YaY!)

 7-11-2021-

-beautiful worship

-such a powerful Word from God

-the youth group came and did some yard work for us!

-youngest daughter and her two kiddos came to see us

still following,

Weekly Gratitude Journal

I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July celebrating with family and friends. Obviously, our nation is flawed in so many ways, from its beginning to its present. So is every person and nation since sin twisted and broke the human race. If we waited for perfection to be grateful, thankful and appreciative we would be waiting forever-in fact, I believe we'd become consumed with bitterness. We must focus on our blessings, on the goodness of God in our lives, while at the same time facing with both realism and faith those things that still need to change. Instead of pointing fingers at others with a heart of accusation that says, "You should change things!" we must humble ourselves and pray, "Lord, change ME and show me what You want me to do to change the world around me."

On another note, I don't mean to be so hit and miss over here on my much neglected blog. I have good intentions to get back to writing, hopefully soon! 

*****************

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)

#14.598-#14,643

6-21-2021-

-a phone chat with my sister

-a fresh, whole salmon from a friend to grill for dinner-so delicious!

-dinner with our family, (except our South Carolina kids😢)

6-22-2021-

-God's provision for every need

-the old Asian man that always greets me when I'm out walking

-thank you God for what you are doing in our growth groups

6-23-2021-

-time to spend in your Word

-a beautiful evening walk around Lake Sacajawea

-listening to a book on Audible together in the car

6-24-2021-

-my middle son-in-law-today is his birthday!

-sweet time in the Word and prayer

-encouraging discussions at our growth groups and Bible study

6-25-2021-

-a really good night's sleep

-discovering a great new to us park to bring the grandkids to

-an air conditioned home during this heat wave

6-26-2021-

-chores done in the cool of the morning

-lunch with G.

-forgiveness and new mercies

6-27-2021-

-great time of worship and the Word

-praying with others

-lunch with my nephew and his family

-a sweet text from our daughter

6-28-2021-

-our youngest son-in-law-today is his birthday!

-God speaking to me clearly from His Word

-a sweet time gathering with our growth group at my house

6-29-2021-

-God is perfect in all of His ways to me - Psalm 18 and 145

-being able to walk outside after days of way too hot weather

-my husband being so easy to please on what's for dinner when I'm not feeling like cooking

6-30-2021-

-spending the day at the lake with the grandkids

-rocking and singing to our youngest granddaughter and her falling asleep in my arms

-oldest daughter thinking ahead on sending a first aid kit with us so we had something to take care of the bad cut our granddaughter got on her foot

-a Papa who spoils his grandkids

7-1-2021-

-facetime calls with our South Carolina daughter and grandkids

-a little summer rain shower after days of heat

-my husband cleaned the garage!

-a good report from the eye doctor

7-2-2021-

-waking up in the wee hours to spend time with God

-my yellow rose bush, that I planted with my grandson, is blooming

-heart talks with my guy

7-3-2021-

-a new day with new mercies

-sweet grandkid texts and photos

-a husband who goes to the store for me when I'm in the middle of cooking and need something

7-4-2021-

-our nation's 245th birthday

-my dad-who would have been 100 today

-playing in the sprinkler with the grandkids

-laughing so hard, playing silly games with our youngest daughter and her family and our nephew and his family

still following,