The first gift

When we first moved to Colorado, I started a new blog to keep friends and family updated on the exciting changes in our lives.  In my mind I was going to post pictures of the new house, pictures of things we did to the house, and soon be making announcements about additions to our family.  God has not yet seen fit to bless us with children to add to the mix, and I've had to adjust my expectations.  I've also spent the past couple years dealing with the impact that two miscarriages have had on my relationship with Him.  And this week the next step in my journey arrived - a gift from a friend, a book called One Thousand Gifts.  In it, the author embarks on a dare to create a list of 1,000 things she's grateful for, and in the process learns God's goodness enough to trust him through tragedy and the stresses of life, learns to become a blessing to others, and learns communion with God in a whole new way.  She's human, and faces the same setbacks and distractions we all do, but refuses to quit counting the gifts he brings to her, day by day, moment by moment.

I have decided to follow her lead and begin my own list.  And for accountability, for my own processing, and hopefully for your encouragement I've decided to post my list here.  And hopefully I will find in my life - like hers - growth into the woman of grace I'm straining to become.  I won't expound here, but if you're curious about any of the items on my list, I'm not a private person, so feel free to ask.  And without further ado:

1. packages in the mail
2. the continuation of a theme
3. waking to play
4. baby hand reaching for palm kisses
5. running into the breeze
6. the difference a week makes
7. fragrant blossoms wafting
8. hidden beauty inside a tulip
9. berries and cream dessert

....

the difference a week makes

hidden beauty inside a tulip