Weekly Gratitude Journal

Happy Monday morning to all of you who may read this post! It's been three weeks since I posted. We were on a wonderful vacation in Maine. We celebrated our forty fifth wedding anniversary while there, We spent a day with my cousin and his wife and got to visit with my aunt, (Mama's only living sibling). We thoroughly enjoyed relaxing with one another, exploring parts of Maine we hadn't seen before and enjoying the beauty of Maine and eating lots of fresh lobster, clams, scallops and haddock. I personally ate quite a bit of Maine blueberry pie, blueberry pancakes and blueberry ice cream as well. Now I have to pay the piper and get back to healthier eating and exercising, but dare I say it was worth it? 

I am so very thankful to God for the way He provided for this time away and the way He smoothed out the path ahead of us. He provided financially. He provided those who watched over and cared for things at our home and our church. He even provided smooth travels and great weather when we wondered if hurricane Henri was going to scuttle our plans. I know that God is good and worthy of our praise even when things don't go our way, even when things don't go the way we planned. We've had plenty of that happen in our lives this year, as well! Even then, there is always something to be thankful for, and so I continue to count my blessings day by day.

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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)

#14,785-#14,879

Thank You, God, for-

8-16-2021-

-Your patience with me and Your tender mercies that help to keep me on the right path

-praying together for Afghanistan

-the Unceasing App.

8-17-2021-

-a good report of God's healing

-worshipping as I walk which gives me a different perspective on this world's news

-good reports from a gathering at church tonight

8-18-2021-

-a good night's sleep

-a super fun afternoon with the four grands, (the ones that live nearby)

-God's provision for our oldest granddaughter who got a job

8-19-2021-

-Your love

-praying with a young mama who used to go to our church before moving out of town

-such encouragement as we study the book of Romans together

8-20-2021-

-my sweet hairstylist

-a visit from our youngest daughter and her two kiddos

-friends from Missouri that have really helped our oldest granddaughter in her transition to life away from home

8-21-2021-

-a really fun church picnic

-fabulous food cooked by dear ones from our church

-packing for vacation with my guy!

8-22-2021-

-church was so good and so encouraging today

-time to rest before our red eye flight tonight

-hurricane Henri will miss Maine!

8-23-2021-

-smooth and uneventful flights

-our tradition-first stop in Maine is Becky's Diner in Portland, Maine for blueberry pancakes, 

(my husband had a lobster omelette!)

-walking around beautiful Bath, Maine-my Mama's hometown

-a relaxing evening together in our AirBnB 

(which is an an upstairs apartment in an historic building in downtown Bath)

8-24-2021-

-a good night's sleep

-God's comforting reminder during my devotions-John 14:1 and 27- "let not your heart be troubled"

-walking together at Popham Beach on this practically perfect day

-Maine sea scallops for dinner and blueberry pie for dessert

8-25-2021-

-sweet morning quiet time digging deep into John 13-17

-four year old grandson's dream coming true of getting to ride on the digger

-exploring parts of Maine we've not seen before

-dinner outside on the Kennebec River

8-26-2021-

-our oldest granddaughter facetiming us about how happy she is 

-a beautiful, relaxing time at the beach on a sunny summer day

-a long phone chat with my cousin

8-27-2021-

-a truly wonderful day with my cousin and his wife

-the most delicious Maine clams for lunch

-getting to pray for my cousin's wife who is facing a huge health challenge

-getting to watch the new Navy destroyer, (built in Bath, Maine) go out to sea for sea trials

8-28-2021-

-a good book to read 

-a pottery mug and bowl make in Maine

-all of those who are taking care of things at home for us

8-29-2021-

-good reports from home

-a sweet visit with my aunt

-church bells chiming on the hour

-quiet evenings with only the sound of crickets chirping 

8-30-2021-

-a safe drive to Bar Harbor

-yummy blueberry ice cream

-finding sea glass along the rocky shoreline

8-31-2021-

-this beautiful summer day

-the loveliest sunset seen while on a sunset cruise

-my husband surprising me with tickets to go see my South Carolina kids in October

9-1-2021-

-a lifetime senior citizens National Park Pass

-the free busses that take you all around Acadia National Park

-finding sea glass as we explored Sand Beach

-driving to the top of Cadillac Mountain, (the free busses don't go there) 

9-2-2021-

-a lovely AirBnB in Bristol for our last week of vacation

-stopping on the way to enjoy exploring Camden, Maine

-facetiming our middle daughter and our grandkids

-the sweetest little grocery store that has everything we need

9-3-2021-

-Maine's dramatic, rocky coastline

-snug harbors full of boats with little restaurants and cute shops tucked all around it

-cozy, soft sweatshirts and my comfiest jeans on a cooler day

-more sea glass ☺️

9-4-2021-

-God's faithfulness these 45 years

-our 45th anniversary

-a wonderful time at Pemaquid Beach

-a beautiful dinner at the Harbor Room

-anniversary greetings from family and friends

9-5-2021-

-learning more of You while digging deep into John 13-17

-listening to church at home

-watching a favorite movie together

9-6-2021-

-a detour that led us to see a beautiful harbor we'd not seen before

-a last visit to Bath for this trip

-a surprise rain burst while beach combing

9-7-2021-

-a good night's sleep

-eating fresh lobster together on the wharf in Boothbay Harbor

-new levels of trust and surrender about the unknown future 

9-8-2021-

-feasting on lobster rolls at Red's Eats

-one last walk on Pemaquid Beach before we go home tomorrow

-God's provision for his wonderful vacation!

9-9-2021-

-a safe uneventful flight home

-those who did such a good job taking care of things at church for us

-HOME!

9-10-2021-

-my friend who kept all of my plant babies alive

-changing weather and autumn colors just beginning on some of the trees

-both of us saying how our vacation was the best one ever

9-11-2021-

-a wonderful tea party and good conversation about what God is doing in us with one of our growth groups

-having our (local area) kids and grandkids over for dinner

-our youngest grandson trying to kiss me on FaceTime

-remembering the heroes, the lost and our own experiences of trying to get home from New England on 9-11-2001

9-12-2021-

-God is doing such a beautiful work in our church

-a facetime chat with our oldest granddaughter

-a peach colored pumpkin

still following,

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.

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

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,