1000 Gifts Dare

I am sluggish in this dare...the dare I took so long ago. My heart is so willing, but my flesh is so weak. Why is it so hard to write down graces? I am still in it though....

Read this if you want to be inspired to start journaling God's gifts to you: A Holy Experience

Timely Grace

I have had no inspiration for my blog these days. In fact, I have felt mostly numb lately about happenings in our life. I am ready for God to move and do SOMETHING...anything. But, I know that God has His own time. So, in a rare moment of quiet today, I picked up this.


Timely Grace

"One of the great words of comfort that comes to us from the Old Testament is found in the prophecy of Isaiah: 'When thou passeth through the waters, they shall not overflow thee' (Isaiah 43:2)

God does not open paths for us before we need them. He does not promise help before help is necessary. He does not remove obstacles from our path before we reach those obstacles. Yet, when we are on the edge of our need, God's hand is always stretched out.

There are many times when we forget this simple truth. As a consequence, we end up worrying about difficulties which we see ahead, and the future becomes a place that is threatening and obstacle strewn. We expect that God is join to make the path plain and open before us for miles and miles ahead, whereas he has promised to do it only step by step as we need it.

Our call is to go to the waters with our eyes fixed on him. Instead of seeing the floods and the raging seas, we claim his promise. Then, we bodily step forward in faith.

There are those who unnecessarily harbor the dread of the future in their personal lives, in their work, and even in church. The dread may have to do with health, vision, or duty, or even the reality of death.

God's promise stands: grace for whatever is needed will be provided-living grace, timely grace; and even in due time, dying grace. The waves do not overflow us for God is our sufficiency. With that promise claimed, with that vision before our eyes, we are able to go forward confident in him always."

Rob Norris from "To Live the Gospel"

One Year Later:1000 Gifts

"I will sing of your mercies that lead me through valleys of sorrows to rivers of joy."

I have one thing to add to my list today. A someone who is missed every day, who has left a hole in a family that will never be filled. He loved passionately, cared deeply, prayed always. This year has been the hardest for our family. Ever. But, God has us in His hands. We WILL sing of His mercy and He WILL lead us through this time. It still feels so fresh, but we will look to the heavens for He will never leave us. I don't know what the next months will bring, but I do know that we have a God who loves us and shows us His kindness everyday. I thank God for Tom, for letting us have him for a time, and I am even more thankful that God called him His own and Tom now spends the rest of eternity with His Savior. "I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he LIVE." John 11:25-26


#197

Tom

Still Counting:1000 Gifts

"give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

When you don't know what God's will is for you, GIVE THANKS. This I am doing in faith, knowing that God is faithful and will supply all of our needs, never leave us to fend for ourselves, and promises to finish the work He has started. We are weary, but God is good.

So, trusting in our great God, my list continues....

#165-196


almond flour pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream
hot air balloon filled sky
a visit from Grandma
celebrating birthdays from afar
chilly mornings
soccer games
birds still chirping
Red Bull and a straw
feeling his peace
little girl in tulle skirt
rain
morning after rain
walks
a girl who wants to please (praying I am a mom who is easy to please)
apple cider
cozy wraps
my Juicy Couture socks thanks to Tom!
Ugg boots
early mornings
hazelnut lattes
blustery fall day-reminded us of fall in Maryland
colored pencils
macadamia nuts
a large gift---mysteriously arriving in the mailbox--provision
cedar & pine in the fireplace
balloon glow
cloudy skies
fall boots and scarves
little girl and her dog
visits from family
rain and clouds

Fifteen Years

Fifteen years ago today, I married this man. I was 19. Some said that it would never last, that I didn't know what I wanted out of life....they.were.wrong. I knew it then, and I still know it today.

Wherever this journey of life takes us, I want to be by his side for it all. Here's to the next 15 years. I love you Michael.

Spontaneity:Our weekend

Spontaneity is something I am not good at.



I used to be, but for some reason the older I get, the less I want to do things I haven't planned for.



But, this morning we did something spontaneous! And it was so fun.



We got up early, got some coffee and vanilla steamers and drove to a field to watch balloons rise from the near balloon fiesta park. What fun!!



And, I would have missed the gorgeous snowy mountain...one of the prettiest I have seen since we moved here. God is good, and He gives us little graces like this to remind us we are tucked safely in His hands and being used for His purposes. I needed that reminder this morning.




Praying I do more of this...kids are happy and contented and my heart is at rest.

Pumpkin Spice Love

I got this recipe on Pinterest, my new obsession. I have tried to make many pumpkin spice latte recipes, but NONE of them work out too well. Until this one! This recipe for Pumpkin Spice Syrup has made my fall. With a gluten allergy, many, many things bother me. Including one of my favs, the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte! It pains me to speak it out loud. When fall comes around, I CRAVE an S-bucks Pumpkin Spice! I tried this fall, and well....you don't even want to know. So, I have been on the hunt for a new way to satisfy this craving. Pinterest has been an addiction lately, and it has brought such great recipes and ideas. This is one of them! Yum!!! Here is the recipe...

Pumpkin Spice Simple Syrup

1 1/2 c water
1 1/2 c sugar
4 cinnamon sticks
1/2 t ground cloves
1/2 t ground ginger
1 t ground nutmeg
3 T pumpkin puree

Combine water and sugar in medium pot over medium heat. Cook until sugar is dissolved.
Whisk in remaining ingredients. Cook for about 6 minutes, stirring frequently. Do not bring to a boil

Strain in cheesecloth. (I did not have cheesecloth, so I used my French press)

So, another way to use this syrup is in a martini!! It was yum...I already tried! Mix equal parts with your favorite vodka or vanilla vodka, the syrup, a little cream or a little Bailey's....it is soooo good! I am sure you could find lots of ways to use this stuff!

Enjoy!