Giving Thanks

Give thanks to the Lord and pray to him.

Tell the nations what he has done.

Sing to him; sing praises to him.

Tell about all his miracles.~ 1 Chronicles 16:8-

Thanks again, new friend Ann for making me mindful of my joy--to be thankful and to praise the Giver of good gifts.

My Multitude Monday--More Gifts

I forgot to list last week's gifts--but since I attended two funerals in 24 hours, I think it is more important than ever to remember and give thanks for every detail of my life.

Here goes:

74. windy days

75. beautiful bride, beaming groom

76. long drive with Mom over miles and miles of nothing; makes the conversation seem more exciting. catching up, sharing hearts

77. clean hotel after not-so-clean hotel

78. bangs that cover up wrinkly foreheads--not frown lines! poor-woman's botox--bangs to frame the aging face

79. cartooning boys

80. parent's 39th anniversary...in sickness and in health, for better or for worse. death has not parted them--not even their own son's

81. watching little girls scurry and sweep and sway to Nutcracker Suite

82. witnessing little girl dreams come true

83. little boy standing beside Daddy at the Laker's game--such a treat for one son.

84. generous student at husband's school--he so willing to teach the teacher

85. soccer coach and daddy all-in-one: four tired, sweaty boys

86. Chipotle with friends--and long drives to solve the troubles of the world :)

87. the sound of wind whipping through the poplar trees on our street

88. safe in his arms again

89. lost pillow, found pillow

90. psalm 34:18 "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." good words when headed to funerals of fragmented people

91. white doves flying in the sky, headed home. reminds us that our loved one is finally home

92. tearful and heartbreaking eulogies--a life remembered, a treasured life

93. the resilience of children

94. funny little boys who make others laugh even when the circumstances are so tragic

95. hugging dear friends

96. photographs--no longer just images seared on our memories, on our hearts--but there to smile over and cry over

97. a packed church--standing room only: evidence of how many lives just one can touch

98. a well-lived life, a grace-filled death

99. a really good cry, cleansing for the soul, healing for the heart, puffing for the eyes

100. best friend that cares: "i'm worried about you. i prayed for you."

101. good counsel, wise counsel, Biblical counsel

102. a funny production of Shakespeare--well done by teenagers; an ancient story that still makes us giggle

103. little girl giggles--the sound of it makes me giggle and grin. contagious

104. husband who knows not to talk, just to hold

105. sitting on Daddy's lap--me! does a girl ever get to big to sit on her daddy's lap

106. the sound of husband walking through the front door

107. getting his first kiss--children must wait!

108. gentle hands in the morning, laid on me in prayer

109. warm baby snuggled close--falling back to sleep for an extra half-hour

110. no more diapers

111. watching little girl nimble fingers crochet--even if scarves are misshapen and funny

112. boys on trampolines--oh the joy!

113. passionate science teacher--thanks Eno.

114. seeing children engaged and active in their learning: eyes bright, hands busy, minds racing

115. science experiments that i don't have to perform! love co-op!

116. house full of friends and children

117. object lessons--solid wood, dry-rotted wood--which will i build with?

118. baby slings--oh to see little ones snuggles close to a mama's bosom

119. adoption--heavenly and earthly: so glad to be a co-heir, can't wait to meet you Rylie.

120. growing families

121. memorizing His Word with my kids

122. quiet, stillness

123. hubby who stumbles in to check on children, half asleep but brave: to make sure his wife sleeps sound knowing "what was that?" was NOT one of his babies falling out of bunkbeds

124. gardens growing

125. friends who share what they grow

126. pick-up game of baseball in the front yard; little boys in the playoffs?

127. happy homerun-hitters

128. good books

129. second-chances, fresh starts, new beginnings, clean slates, brand new days

130. "shout to the Lord, all the earth let us sing" "i sing for joy at the work of His hands, forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand" watching clara soar! tears in my eyes, gooseflesh and big grins

131. a day of rest

132. homecomings--so thankful you are safely Home Marilyn and Shelley

133. sweet friends who pursue you, even when they know you are hiding. thanks Kellie!

134. precious family returning to America with glorious stories of their time in China,; can't wait to hear them all; thankful for those with hearts for orphans

135. little hands returning from the mailbox and ripping open"their" mail

Someone wise once said that the shortest, surest way to happiness is to make a rule for yourself to thank and praise God for everything that happens to you. I am on my way. My list is growing. My heart is grateful.