Perseverance:1000 Gifts

Perseverance. It's hard in the face of adversity. We are all as a family learning this in many different ways.  In the face of broken dreams, it takes perseverance to get up and face a new day with joy and gratitude for what lies before you. Isn't that what Mary must have felt throughout her journey? What ups and downs of emotions she must have endured during the time waiting for Jesus to be born. This season is a season of waiting, and I feel so keenly aware of that feeling.  Waiting to see what God has planned through all this struggle of change. My oldest has just had an experience in which she too has to face perseverance in the face of challenge.  Oh she danced so beautifully and always has. This time wasn't her time. The tears flowed. And she goes on. She has faced many obstacles along her journey.  And. She. Just. Presses. On. She is an example of what it means to persevere. Her time WILL come, and so it will for all of us who follow Christ. This time of year always brings me to the heart of the Gospel. The waiting. The expectation.  And God WAS and IS faithful to fulfill all of our longing. We have all been writing our gratitude down and our list continues...

#208 Starbucks (KK)
#209 School (Grace)
#210 Getting to work at a job I love (Karen)
#211 A quiet day
#212 Smell of fresh laundry
#213 Sleep (KK)
#214 Medicine (Mikey)
#215 Hot Coffee
#216 A short school week
#217 Time w/ family
#218 TV (Grace)
#219 Christmas Music
#220 Thanksgiving Play at school
#221 Warm House (Sharon)
#222 My life is in God's hands (Sharon)
#223 Clothes (KK)
#224 Mikey leaning in for a hug
#225 KK asking "Mom, brush my hair?"
#226 Peace today
#227 Storage Units
#228 Girlie playdates
#229 Cousins (Grace)
#230 Cars (Mikey)
#231 Chick-Fil-A (KK)
#232 Toothless "goodmorning" from my girl
#233 Houses & Pool (Grace)
#234 Little sisters (KK)
#235 Clothes (KK)
#236 Music (Sharon)
#237 All the various colored birds (Sharon)
#238 Blue Sky (Sharon)
#239 Watching Mikey make cranberry relish
#240 Meeting an old friend for coffee and catching up
#241 Slow Thanksgiving morning
#242 Melting Pot dinner
#243 Outside & Playground (Grace)
#244 Thanksgiving (Mikey)
#245 Family (KK)
#246 A beautiful sunrise
#247 Dogs (Grace)
#248 Animal Control (Mikey)
#249 Playdates & Sleepovers (Grace)
#250 Dogs & Cats (Grace)
#251 A visit with cousins
#252 School (KK)
#253 Recess (Grace)
#254 Clothes (Mikey)
#255 iPhone 4S (KK)
#256 Christmas Decorations
#257 My little girl reading better
#258 An upcoming trip with my oldest
#259 Plays (Grace)
#260 Homework (Grace)
#261 Friends Belle & Ella (Grace)
#262 cereal (KK)
#263 Food & Daisy Scouts (Grace)
#264 books (KK)
#265 Christmas lights
#266 Homework (Grace)
#267 time with KK