The List

So as has been previously stated I am a terrible blogger, but I have a project to do and some how this seems to be the best place for it. I've been reading a book entitled One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp (I haven't finished it yet but I'm getting there) and I've been challenged to focus more on the things I have to thank God for. She speaks of a friend who dares her to come up with a list of 1000 specific things she is thankful to the Lord for. She writes;

"I, too, had read it often, the oft-quoted verse: 'And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ' (Ephesians 5:20) And I, too, would nod and say straight-faced, 'I'm thankful for everything' But in this counting of gifts, to one thousand, more, I discover that slapping a sloppy brush of thanksgiving over everything in my life leaves me deeply thankful for very few things in my life. . . I testify: life changing gratitude does not fasten to a life unless nailed through with one very specific nail at a time."

Specific nails of blessings God pours out in abundance. Blessing that could go unnoticed if if not grasped held tight and pounded into the heart with praise to the giver of all good gifts. So the project one thousand gifts.

Why here? Why on a Blog? Simple I am prone to forget to praise the Lord and I need people who are willing to push me. I have an ungrateful heart that needs to be tuned to sing God's praise. I have eyes that are drawn to the cares of this world and do not naturally see the praises of God. So here I am for accountabilty and also to share the awesome things God does. I don't plan on posting everything here cause there's some things on my list the world doesn't need to know (the TMI's of thankfulness that only God should know) and even some of the stuff I do post may make absolutely no sense to those reading. I must say I've had a head start and am posting today from a list that was started before I sat down to type so there's more today all at once than I may post in future installments, but here goes. . .

1. When the sun shines so bright you have to squint
2. Fresh brewed Tim Hortons coffee
3. Crispy cinammon crunch bagels and buttery crescent rolls
4. Good Music
5. Old thank you notes to reread
6. Glitter!!!
7. New dirt smell
8. Quiet moments
9. Customers with British accents
10. Phibo!!!
11. Double Rainbow and Justin Beiber pins from a friend
12. Accidently singing when someone says goodbye on the phone but doesn't hang up
13. New Englanders saying "car"
14. Good news texts
15. Egg rolls and Lo Mein
16. Chinese Tupperware containers
17. When God's providence is obvious
18. How eating with chopsticks makes food last longer
19. Finding the perfect greeting card
20. Shiny colored straight pins
21. Having a laugh that makes other people laugh
22. Mommy
23. Tape dispensers full of sticky scotch tape
24. Rollerball pens
25. When people tell me to tie my shoes
26. Breaktime walks
27. My blue desk fabric
28. Laura Story's lyrics
29. 64 packs of crayola crayons
30. Oh the deep deep love of Jesus
31. Cow bells
32. When people with Spanish last names speak Russian
33. Headphones
34. A King on a throne full of power
35. Bursting out laughing
36. Chelsea being all Chelsea-like
37. Singing along with the TV
38. Little steaks
39. Finding perfectly good chairs by the dumpster
40. Warm evening walks
41. Unexpected texts from friends
42. Joy in the morning
43. Peace that passes understanding
44. Birds chirping and Geese honking in the morning
45. Tulip petals
46. The cadillac of coffee makers
47. When God works through me to help someone else
48. Milk in individual containers
49. A day of rest
50. That joy is commanded so obedience to the command is possible in Christ
51. When Scripture comes to mind
52. World wide prayer warriors
53. Pandora Radio
54. Serve the LORD with fear and trembling Psalm 1:11
55. Being found
56. Grocery stores
57. When I get jokes way after I should
58. Mercy running rampent
59. Gummy worms
60. Almond joy coffee creamer
61. Hymns with substance
62. Thinking about camp
63. When Phibs knocks the guitar over and scares himself
64. Getting up early (I should try to remember I like this)
65. That God out of His mere good pleasure from all eternity chose me
66. Strength to breath today
67. How God is ever present
68. Hope
69. Mr Alberts stories
70. Everything starting at 6:30
71. Camera phones
72. Strong arms
73. E-mail
74. When other people start conversations
75. Car passing inspection
76. Windshield wipers
77. A good nights sleep
78. Hot showers
79. Elevators waiting for you
80. Free canned goods
81. Singing with Julia
82. Hearing how God is working in others
83. The dishwasher
84. Giant bags of ravioli
85. Abundant life
86. Rainbows
87. The Frog Prince
88. Love will not cease at the end of time
89. Sweatshirts
90. When chores actually get done
91. Belonging to the LORD
92. Fresh cut grass smell
93. That I don't have to mow my lawn
94. The LORD rejoicing over me with singing and quieting me with His love
95. Casual Days
96. Reese's Peanutbutter Cups
97. Back pockets
98. Warmer weather
99. Chasing Cadence
100. When people understand what I'm saying
101. Sun rises
102. Fresh notebooks
103. Friends that care about me
104. Michelle's texts
105. Camp Facebook event page
106. In the middle of my little mess remembering how big I'm blessed
107. Grand plans
108. Grilled cheese and tomato soup
109. Threshhold of eternity
110. God's suffient grace
111. Vows that are kept
112. Knowing that I'm loved
113. Chipotle
114. Surprises
115. Flashes of Brilliance
116. God is everything that He says He is
117. Joy that is deeper than tears
118. Fabric softener
119. Long, deep, conversations
120. Resolved chords