One Thousand Gifts: A Dare To Live Rightfully Where You are by Ann Voskamp IS A MUST READ! So refreshing and thoroughly inspiring. "One Thousand Gifts is a celebration of grace and a recognition of the power of gratitude" (the website). I wish I had her strength, motivation, patience, and thirst for such a close relationship with the One and only. She did offer much insight about finding the joy in the little things everyday. Not to lose your head when the laundry is overflowing, dinner is burning in the stove and your dog won't stop barking. A great self reflection for myself as a struggle with 7 week old and colic. Ann writes out a thousand gifts/joys/things she is most thankful for. Her "eucharisteo". Eucharisteo – life-filling gratitude – the practice of which is exercised in recording blessings, one by one. I was so inspired by this book that I would also like to write out my thousand. So for the new few days (or as I find time!) you'll see me post my eucharisteo.
{in no particular order}
1. a sleeping baby
2. an empty sink - clean dishes
3. the wag of my pup's tail
4. cuddling in bed with my hubs
5. the smell of fresh cut grass
6. the smell of rain
7. the smell of chocolate chip cookies
8. receiving a hand written letter in the mail from a friend
9. talking to my grandma on the phone ... miles away
10. the sound of the washing machine (means i'm getting things done around here!)
11. my babies coos
12. the precious minutes (or seconds) i get each day doing a devotion
13. the beautiful pansies on my doorstep (that i have managed to keep alive)
14. my babies big blue eyes
15. my husbands laugh
16. skype
17. homemade chocolate chip cookies right of the oven
18. big fluffy snowflakes
19. cowboy boots
20. that song on the radio that fits that perfect moment
21. a good roadtrip with a friend
22. a long and much needed catch up phone call with a close friend
23. that wonderful happiness a bride has on her wedding day
24. my babies little toes that wiggle constantly
25. the christian lullabies playing in my babies nursery that put her to sleep
26. a day at the spa
27. being able to kiss those chubby cheeks of hers
28. the way my husband dances and how it makes me laugh
29. the feeling of contentment
30. fireflies
31. the sound of my nephew saying "hi aunt lauren" on the phone
32. my baby's long and beautiful eyelashes
33. text messaging
34. that refreshing feeling you have after getting a much needed pedicure
35. the time i'm able to find to actually write down prayers and thankfulness
36. my "starting to wear out" bible look
37. new friends at a new church in canada
39. ice cream shops that are only open during the summer
40. hot dogs outside at the park by mrs. curl in greenwood
41. a good sprinkler run
42. the smell of stationary paper
43. organization
44. still being able to hear my grandpa's voice in my head even though he passed away a year ago
45. still being able to remember his smile and laugh even though he passed away a year ago
46. a great yoga class on a saturday morning
47. an evening walk with my husband and pup
48. watching my dog prance around at the dog park in utter bliss
49. the ergo baby carrier my baby loves to cuddle up in while i wear it
50. fresh tomatoes from the gardenLabels: Books, eucharisteo, our house