1,000 Gifts

It's been awhile, but I'm still determined to finish the list...

171.  This yummy perfume given to me by my beautiful sister who came for a few days visit  recently.
172.  The opportunity to travel to see two of my daughters next month.
173.  A daughter who left Scripture notes all throughout the house to encourage me before she left to return to college.
174.  This wonderful book that is helping me to think once again.
175.  A friend who meets me for coffee and sharing on a weekly basis.
176.  Reconnecting with old friends via Facebook.
177.  Sunny days and cool, crisp nights.178.  Hydrangeas and tulips from the grocery store placed in my little white pitcher. 
179.  Grandsons who come for a visit with their mommy almost every Friday.
180.  This little table that now graces the space beside my sofa.
181.  Fresh green smoothies or green lemonade for breakfast every morning...yum.
182.  Online friends who give me the opportunity to use my gifts when they ask for help.
183.  A new haircut that I actually like :)
184.  The light that streams in through the French door in my bedroom...so soft and pretty.
185.  My patio swing and the huge oak tree it sits under.
186.  My recent introduction to the poet Rainer Rilke.
187.  The ritual of eating Butterscotch pudding that I share with my mom and dad when I visit the.
188.  This little book that reminds me to do just what I'm doing here that my mom and dad's friend, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, wrote.
189.  A new favorite place to visit on the web.
190.  This  ribbon box that my mom bought for me when she visited me.
191.  The cutest ornament that my very talented sister made for our Christmas tree.

even more....

151.  HIS gentle and patient  hand extended to me...as we walk out this journey together

152.  the daily sound and sight of a lone mocking bird perched in a leafless tree silhouetted against a day-breaking sky reminding me that we are never more lonely than when we are trying to sing everyone else's song

153.  the gift of  the book The Valley of Vision from a friend who faithfully nourishes my soul here

154. a morning cup of hot water with freshed squeezed lemon juice

155.  my current Thursday morning Bible study in 1 Peter with women in my church

156.  time  spent in the kitchen baking and decorating cookies with Jenna

157. clean floors

158. the book  The Chosen by Chaim Potok

159. the slight change in the slant of the sun's light announcing autumn's arrival

160. the Lord's reminder to me this week that  true beauty in a woman is not to be looked for but to be listened for.....

161. the camera my husband gave to me for my birthday this year

162. the rhythm of the rain tapping against the awnings on my little home-sweet-home

163. a morning-full of all new mercies

164. a telephone call from my 15 year old niece...just to say, "Hi, Aunt Debi"  :)

165. the rest of my wonderful family

166. one of my favorite kitchen  tools

167. the opportunity to be a part of what God has done and is doing  here 

168. the smile of recognition that lights up my grandson's face when he sees me

169. the smell of clean clothes as steam from the iron presses out their wrinkles

170. old recipes in my grandmother's handwriting

120.  My husband's 5:30 AM nudge that signals it's time to get out of bed and excercise with him
121.  March morning breezes
122.  The smell of jasmine in the air
123.  Meals shared around the table with Jenna, Nolan, and Trey on Wednesday nights
124.  My current read--Living Artfully--a book that inspires me
125.  Buttercups in the alley behind my house
126.  People willing to share their knowledge and skills via the internet
127.  My early birthday gift from my husband
128.  That  Peace  described above
129.  Watching Leah play shortstop with so much energy
130.  New mercies everyday
140.  This from the StoryPeople
141.  A hug and kiss from my husband as he left this morning
142.  Floppy hats on baby boys...ie Trey
143.  Answers to prayers uttered in dark places
144.  The Guittard Green Mint Chips Katy sent to us on Valentine's Day
145.  The wounds of a friend rather than the kisses of an enemy
146.  Daylight Savings Time
147.  Morning walks through my little neighborhood as it's just waking up ...seeing lights go on, smelling coffee brewing, wondering about the people inside...how they are greeting the morning
148.  The pleasure of watching the redheaded woodpecker that visits our front yard oak tree
149.  The beep beep beep sound of heavy equipment as men work it to improve the city
150.  The anticipation of shopping with Jenna for an Easter outfit for Trey

ooops! Times up....have a great day!

and the list goes on...

108.  Christmas greetings from friends
109.  the joy of revisiting the truths shared in  Charlotte's Web
110.   people who know my needs and still love me
111.  Lisa's artichoke heart dip
112.  the opportunity to travel
113.  a daughter who is willing to be used
114.  servant hearted church leaders
115.  country lane reflections
116.  those who are committed to helping me achieve my purpose
117.  candlelight in a dark room
118.  a husband with a heart to give
119.  encouraging email and comments

still counting

    83. sparkling clean dishes
    84. the backporch swing
    85. breezy days full of sunshine rays
    86. Friday night dinner sans cooking
    87. drives through the country
    88. "just because" notes
    89. biography of Hudson Taylor by Howard and Geraldine Taylor
    90. lying on Leah's bed and whispering in the quiet just before bedtime
    91. words echoed through the bedroom wall of the books on tape that                      Leah falls asleep to
    92. the memoryof my mom's chile cooking on cold winter days
    93. parents who, through example, have taught me the delight of giving
    94. the desire to forgive those who have wounded me
    95. lavender sage Yankee candles
   96. Essential Baroque CD's
   97. heart wooing posts like this one
100. the delight of snapping fresh green beans
101. clean clothes warm from the dryer
102. Grandma Delli's fresh baked French Bread
103. the soft gurgle of baby coos
104. gebra daisies with Queen Anne's lace
105. the sound of the UPS truck
106. barefoot little girls clad in cotton sundresses
107. the pop and crackle of logs on the fire

....and more

42.  a freshly painted house
43.  children who encourage me
44.  my husband's patience
45.  a recent visit from my parents
46.  the cool evening breeze
47.  the pleasure of memories
48.  old photographs
49.  sisters who are my best friends
50.  Whole Foods Market
51.   Gileskirk  curriculum
52.  La-Loo's  Vanilla Snowflake goat's milk ice cream
53.  a God who gave everything He had that I might be healed
54.  old, old books
55.  my little bird's nest  with the empty egg in it
56.  my grandmother's old china
57.  a table full of food and family
58.  each revelation the Lord has granted me
59.  conversations with seasoned saints
60.  the stories my dad tells about my grandparents
70.  the double impatiens that grace the front flowerbed of my home
71.  Yo-Yo Ma , baroque cello CD
72.  the power to connect with others through the Internet
73.  the amazing wisdom of my Father
74.  the promise of II Corinthians 9:8-11
75.  the opportunity to grow up in a small town
76.  a big bowl of popcorn
77.  getting to see the movie Facing the Giants
78.  beautiful scrapbook paper
79.  women I've discovered through blogging who have encouraged me immensly
80.  the honor of fixing meals for my family
81.  fresh cut flowers
82.  a future trip to Chicago with my family

more gifts

28. conversations with Him at 5:30 am
29. Ezekial Bread
30. a husband who works hard to provide for our family
31. clean sheets on my bed
32. the invitation to partner with Him in serving and giving
33. FW Boreham essays
33. lonliness that leads me to seek communion with Him
34. photoshop tutorials
35. the movie You Can't Take it With You
36. the smile of a grandson
38. a voice to express my praise in song
39. the smell of Jasmine on morning walks
40. my backporch swing
41. the desire to love as He does

My List

x1. grace, free, unboundless, perfect
x2. an opportunity to change
x3. little tiny toes and hands
x4. spice scented potpourri
x5. a world full of color
x6. garlic roasted brussels sprouts
x7. my camera
x8. mate vana tea
x9. a Godly heritage
10. a daughter's phone call
11. my computer
12. a Bible teaching church
13. bubbles
14. Fernando Ortega CD
15. mint & basil candles
16. photoshop cs
17. the pitter patter of puppy feet
18. the smell of Tide
19. Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest  devotional book
20. the smell of chile cooking on the stove
21. wind chimes in the breeze
22. magic erasers
23. great grandmother's pillow cases
24. the slant of the light through my living room windows
25. William Gurnall's The Christian in Complete Spiritual Armour Volumes 1,2, 3
26. an old rugged cross
27. rain lilies