Counting Gratitude thru July: Gratitude Gift Calendar

Counting our Joy throughout the year with Ann Voskamp, author of 1000 Gifts. Record 3 Gifts of Gratitude per day = 1000+ Gifts per year... {Plus more peace and joy!} * Here is July's calendar of prompts for our Gratitude Scavenger Hunt

* 1- 3 gifts loved? my children, their mates, my 1st grandchild  + 2- 3 gifts read? books for review, books for pleasure, books for nurture + 3- a gift in faith? family?  freedom? provision, acceptance, joy! + 4- a gift in red? white? blue? my car - a gift of independence! lite weight white summer shirts! today's gorgeous country sky... + 5- 3 gifts of persistence? strength, endurance, tenacity + 6- 3 gifts of enthusiasm? joy, anticipation, empowerment + 7- A gift of challenge, conflict, change? reflection, contemplation, growth + 8- 3 gifts water? lemonade, running through sprinklers in summer heat, raspberry white icetea + 9- A gift of rhythm, rhyme, reason? music, poetry, wisdom + 10- 3 gifts in weakness? interdependence, inner strength, opps for others to "do to the least of these my brethren" + 11- 3 gifts in jars? peaches, apple juice, pineapple jam + 12- a gift of life, growth, decline? birth of grandbaby, children, mom + 13- 3 gifts curled? tiny baby fingers, petals, doing mom's hair +

+ 14- 3 gifts yellow? +

+ + 15- 3 gifts of stone? garden pathway, stone walled bridge, stone steps +

+ 16- 3 gifts hanging down?

+ 17- 3 gifts learned? hospitality, grace, kindness + 18- 3 gifts musical? each of my children =) + 19- 3 gifts baked? scones, banana cake, coconut muffins + 20- a gift in light, dark, shadow? vision, comfort, future + 21- 3 gifts of story? enjoyment, history, understanding + 22- 3 gifts understated? a new quilt find at the charity shop - colours and composition, subtle tea blends, life long friendships + 23- a gift high, low, far away? today's sun, humidity! and family.... + 24- 3 gifts of sand? time, sunny beach warmth, beauty + 25- 3 gifts of endings? great books, satisfaction, sense of completion + 26- 3 gifts fresh? country air, strawberries, laundry done + 27- a gift on vacation? at home? in relaxation? rest, comfort, renewal + 28-  3 gifts of beginnings? fresh vision, joy, empowerment + 29- 3 gifts together? tea times shared, books + reading time, sun on days off + 30- 3 gifts heard? birdsong, welcome, music + 31- 3 gifts difficult? keeping everything going online, having children living distant, opportunities vs time +

*

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1000 Gifts: Counting Gratitude for June

 June's Gratitude List Providing suggestions to look daily for 3 gifts  for which we're grateful ...

3 gifts per day = 1000 gifts per year  {More info at author Ann Voskamp - blog or FB} Ready for June's ? * 1- 3 gifts orange? cantaloupe, carrots, apricots * 2- 3 gifts funny? me being up this late to write posts! friend FB comments! what some peeps do to get attention =) * 3- 3 gifts from today's conversations? laughter, imagination, creativity * 4- 3 gifts found in Christ? baby grandson born today! son & daughter in law all found in the body of Christ * 5- a gift of Peace, of Hope, of Love? My Peace I leave with you... -Yeshua/Jesus John 14.27 God, the source of Hope ... Romans 15.13 experience for yourselves the Love of Christ... Ephesians 3.19 * 6- 3 gifts 'ugly' beautiful? rusty vintage wrought iron fencing, new growth from winter's leftovers, compost and its outcome * 7- 3 gifts in what you are reading? joy, adventure, introduction to new places * 8- 3 gifts empty? kitchen sink, laundry basket, dishes after supper * 9- 3 gifts that made you really smile? tweets, authors pleased with my reviews, IM from a friend on FB * 10-  a gift at 8, at 12, at 2 ? waking to sunshine, delish lunch, 50% off books at the charity shop! * 11- 3 gifts painted? book mark, shabby chic wood tray, book cupboard *

* 12- 3 gifts full? my heart, my bookshelves!, my cup of tea... * 13- 3 gifts smelled? Luscious Lilacs !   Cherry Danish  and  Morning Chai...                               

* 14 - A gift unexpected, unwanted, unlikely ? a scanner/copier, wind, drop in gas price * 15- 3 gifts in His Word? guidance, counsel, comfort * 16- 3 gifts moving? sun, shadow, clouds * 17- 3 gifts found in my Dad? wisdom, contentment, laughter * 18- 3 gifts from my heavenly Father? welcome, love, shelter [Psalm 91] click to link directly * 19- 3 gifts you became today in serving? kinder, compassionate, giving * 20- a gift bent, beautiful, loved? book page corners, new life, grandbaby * 21- 3 gifts found in light? truth, vision, revelation * 22- 3 gifts that are difficult? going to meet my grandbaby knowing I must return the 1400 miles home, having the joy of going yet having to arrange departure, spending time together, yet not knowing when we will have that opportunity again.. * 23- 3 gifts found around a table? fun, laughter, family * 24- a gift in water, in words, in white?  refreshment, encouragement, boarding pass for tomorrow's flight * 25- 3 gifts today in someone older than me? assistance getting to the airport, assistance in checking boarding pass, assistance with luggage * 26- 3 gifts in fabric? sweet new grandbaby wrapped in flannelette,  scarves to create in skeins of yarn, summer freedom in lite fabric! * 27- 3 gifts framed by a frame? grandbaby framed by camera, my children framed by photos, views from my windows * 28- 3 gifts eaten? perogies, farmer sausage from home, with white cream sauce * 29- a gift small, BIG, just right? darling grandbaby, my son his daddy,  the day out enjoying each other's presence * 30- 3 gifts YOU GAVE today? forgiveness, love, time
* ~~~~~~~~ * ~~~~~~~~ *

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Counting Gratitude for April's BLessings!

Here's this month's Gratitude Calendar
enabling us to count our 1000 Gifts for 2013

Are you joining the count?  Welcome...

1. 3 gifts round
oranges, vine wreath, sun 

2. 3 gifts white
shirt, sunlight, knitting yarn 

3. 3 gifts surprisingly found
xtra skeins for knitting, hoped for colours, shopping company

4. 3 gifts in His Word
Wisdom, Joy, Truth, Counsel, Peace,...
Definitely more than 3 Gifts found in God's Word!

5. 3 gifts at 11 am, 2 pm, 6 pm
11 am - cosmetology teacher doing my hair :)
2 pm - handy available parking spot for doing errands
6 pm - inspiriting news on a social justice issue 

6. 3 gifts nailed together
lovely wood picture frame, wainscotting in kitchen,
my bookshelves!

7. 3 gifts waited for
visit from daughter/sil, family time, Easter at son/dil's

8. 3 gifts rising up
Arise! Women's Conference!
my anticipation of attending :) , creativity...

9. a gift hiding, held, heard
Spring! definitely hiding, wee demitasse teacup, birdsong

10. 3 gifts opened up
book, heart, home

11. 3 gifts budding/blooming
hope in my heart for spring's arrival!
my DIL as pregnancy progresses!
some new ventures ...

12. 3 gifts worn
earrings, sunglasses, hair clip

13. 3 gifts bright
beads for bracelets, ideas, Christ's guiding Light 

14. 3 gifts found looking up
sun shining, God's smile, wider further vision

15. a gift in a bag, in a box, in a book
3 tins soup, a book win in my postbox, autographed bookmarks

16. 3 hard eucharisteos
waiting on variables for conference attendance,
waiting for healing,
family deaths

17. 3 gifts woven together
lives with my children's mates, friendships, sofa throw

18. 3 gifts inherited
a friend's xtra printer, frugality, innovation

19. 3 gifts square
photo frame, photos posted, thumbnail pix
20. a gift stacked, stashed, stilled
dishes, chocolate, my heart regarding missing the conference...

21. 3 gifts found in Christ
Peace, Presence, Provision

22. 3 gifts close
family, friends, laptop

23. 3 gifts reflecting
the gorgeous morning sun into my livingroom,
the grace of God in my life,
the goodness of God new every morning

24. 3 gifts fragile
friendship, family, life

25. a gift cloth, steel, wool
tea towel, engine, winter sweater

26.  3 gifts moving
my future, time, life

27. 3 gifts 'ugly beautiful'
flower beds, muddy tracks, medications

28. 3 gifts orange
serviettes, placemats, tulips

29.  3 gifts in dirt
flowers emerging, compost, creation

30. a gift given, made, sacrificed
love, lunch, time


April Gratitudes Shared 
Now we Welcome May's!
Find more info at Ann Voskamp's sites
on twitter, fb and her blog Holy Experience.
Link is on the Right sidebar.

1000 Gifts: March Gratitude Prompts 2013

1. 3 gifts at 3 pm

charity shop finds of 1- vintage demitasse teacup at 1/2 price,

4  vintage china dinner plates at 1/2 price,

a safe return journey home 

2. 3 gifts green

potted tulips, afghan, bracelet 

3. 3 gifts worn

winter jacket, warm mitts, scarf 

4. 3 gifts hard to give thanks for

winter dragging on, empty nesting, daily meds for living

5. 3 gifts found
new and wanted dvd, available to borrow today from the library,
fortitude to complete errands on a snowy day,
beads needed to complete a St Patrick's bracelet

6. a gift bent, broken, beautiful
evergreen boughs bent under weight of snowfall, 
pathway broken through the snow, my world through softly falling snow

7. 3 gifts in the kitchen
fruit filled muffins, glasses, Irish breakfast tea 

8. 3 gifts loud
my Music!, my daughter's laugh :), family get togethers

9. 3 gifts carved
reading time, sunday roast, ruts in the snowy road

10. 3 gifts in Christ
constancy, defense, vindication

11. 3 gifts read
Psalms, Prophets, Gospels

12. a gift in wind, in water, in white
evaporation of snow, watering resurrection of spring growth,
cloud cover in white

13. 3 gifts round
bracelet beads, spring wreath, ring

14. 3 gifts found in silence
Presence of 3 in 1 - Father, Son and Holy Spirit

15. 3 gifts given away

time, attention, counsel

16. 3 hard eucharisteos
knowing I will be a longdistance 1st time Nana,
seeing a friend making bad life decisions,
empty nesting

Happy St. Patrick's Day Remembering...!

17. a gift turned, folded, hung
book pages, quilt, teatowel

18. 3 gifts red
raspberries, English Breakfast Tea package, tomatoes

19. 3 gifts eaten
yummy oatmeal to start, cinnamon, rye toast!

20. 3 gifts that made you laugh
friend, book, fb message

21. a gift salty, sweet, just right
soup, chocolate, waffles

22. 3 gifts found in His Word
justice, promise, provision

23. 3 gifts found in women today
identity, empowerment, knowledge

24. 3 gifts spoken
Palm Sunday Hosannas, Peace, The Word

25. a gift sung, written, painted

'Open Up the Sky' by Deluge Band, Holy Week readings,
my antique wrought iron bed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPOKbgNP1ik

26. 3 gifts almost gone
winter's snow?!, Lenten journey, hibernation

27. 3 gifts redeemed
humanity [me included] past, present, future

28. 3 gifts entwined
this 'branch' entwined with The Vine, Christ's heart entwined with mine,
Holy Spirit entwined with my spirit !
TY Lord!  #
THat's enough to Live forever in awe and wonder!!
#LiveWonderstruck

29. 3 gifts of His promises
Life by abiding in Christ, His Kingdom within, Forever Loved...

30. 3 gifts uncovered
Yeshua's care of His mother while on the cross.
Christ's total triumph over satan by death and descent to free captives,
Christ's Light within me

31. a gift heard, held, hoped for...
Christ Has Risen!, Christ held in my heart, Eternal Life with Christ 

March is now complete!
Ready for April's Gratitude Hunt?

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.
It turns what we have into enough, and more. 
It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. 
It can turn a meal into a feast,
a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. 
Gratitude makes sense of our past,
brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.

~ Melody Beattie

If a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got,
he isn't likely to be thankful for what he's going to get. 

~ Frank A. Clark

Reflect on your present blessings,
of which every man has many -
not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.

~ Charles Dickens

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February's Gratitude {1000 Gifts} List

 Counting February's Gratitudes

3 per day = 1000 Gifts per year !

February Gratitudes ~

1. 3 gifts red:  Canada maple leaf mitts, valentines, my hot little car 

2. 3 gifts on paper:  God's morning message in scripture, story in book, mail

3. 3 gifts found in writing:
 creativity, connection, fresh thinking

4. 3 gifts found when bent down:
 cd cover, electrical plug, loose change 

5. a gift stitched, hammered, woven: quilt, vintage cupboard, scarf 

6. 3 gifts found outside:
 milder weather, parking for dr appt, snow cleared on sidewalk  

7. a gift at 11.30a, 2.30p, 6.30 pm:
 teatime, freedom to watch a dvd, wanted coupons in the mail

8. a gift broken, fixed, thrifted:
 teacup handle, blog links, gift bags

9. 3 Surprise Gifts! - Unexpected Grace:
 FB reconnxn w/ friend frm Scotland!, message frm cousin on Pinterest,

project catch up time 

10. 3 xs I heard laughter today:

neighbour, self, store clerk 

11. 3 gifts in working:

satisfaction, joy in ability, pride of accomplishment

12. 3 hard eucharisteos:

long distances for family connecting, health, winter's depth and length

13. 3 gifts behind a door:

Eternal Life in Christ, The Door, 

sanctuary behind the door to my home,

Ash Wednesday services behind the church door 

14. 3 ways I feel the Love of God:

Presence, Peace, Embrace 

15. a gift in losing, finding, and making something:

losing distractions gifts me with time,

joy re-gained in finding time to create,

inner satisfaction in making velvet bookmarks

16. 3 gifts in shadows:

the refuge, shelter and protection of 'Elyon in Psalm 91 

17. 3 gifts found giving/serving:

hospitality, generosity, Christlikeness 

18. 3 gifts on paper:

Automobile Association membership gifted by brother & sister-in-law, 

a book win from a blog giveaway ,

Words of Life on pages of my Bible 

19. 3 gifts that were 'plan b's':

alternative mission training in Scotland, city living, UK trip extension

20. a gift at breakfast, lunch, dinner:

Breakfast tea, worship music refuel @ lunch, son's visit

21. 3 gifts white:

fresh fallen snow, pillow case, jewellry ribbon 

22. 3 gifts that changed today:

neighbour willing to try starting my car, mild weather, 

charity store manager's kindness 

23. a gift of tin, glass, wood:

tin wall hanging, pine hutch doors with muntined glass fronts

24. 3 gifts before 11 am:
great sleep, time with God, revelation 

25. a gift worn out, new, made-do:
car tire, new tire, kitchen table  

26. 3 gifts seen as reflections:
the moon as it reflects the sun, God's glory reflected in us, 
fiery sunset reflected on downtown high rises

27. 3 ugly-beautiful gifts:
muddy car = snow melting/spring ahead
Yeshua's scars = covenant of completion,
dirty dishes = food available to be eaten 

28. 3 gifts from the past that help me trust the future:
God's Faithfulness, God's Word given, 
God's always present never ending Love


And that's it for February!
 Counting our Gratitude for March up next...

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January's Gratitude {1000 Gifts} List

Counting Gifts of my Gratitude
for 2013 ~

3 per day = 1000 per year!

January Gratitudes ~

1. 3 gifts heard: New Yr greetings, words of appreciation, birdsong 

2. a gift inside, outside, on a plate: cookies/tea, son arriving, healthy meal 

3. 3 graces I overheard: God's whisper, compliments, counsel  

4. a gift old, new, blue: books, fab quilted comforter, son's eyes

5. something I'm reading, making, seeing: blog posts, Scotland reading challenge, new perspectives

6. 1 thing in my bag, fridge, heart: books, chicken, gratitude

7. 3 graces from people i love: patience, time, prayers

8. dusky light, surprising reflection, lovely shadow:at sunset, Christmas lites on curtains, from candles 

9. a gift held, passed by, sat with:

10. a gift sour, sweet, just right: sour cream, flavoured cream, whipped cream

11. 3 yellow gifts of fresh mercy: sun, light, peppers

12. something above, below, beside: clouds, roads, friends

13. 3 things about myself I am grateful for: heart for God, love of reading, humour

14. 3 startling graces of God: 

being carried by God, unexpected Provision, Protection 

15. a gift worn, given away, shared: coat, counsel, laughter

16. 3 witnessed blessings: 3 children in law 

17. a gift bringing laughter, prayer, quiet: comedy dvd, children, God's Word 

18. 3 gifts from God's Word: Life, Light, Insight

19. 3 gifts that might never have been: son, daughter, son

20. 3 gifts only seen up close: colours of eyes, intricacy of flowers, delicacy of lace 

21. a gift in sky, water, memory: snow, reflections, UK trip

22. a gift wrinkled, smoothed, unfolded: babies, sheets, towels

23. 3 gifts found in Christ: Love, acceptance, mercy

24. 3 things blue: ink, bookcover, felt pen

25. a grace borrowed, found, inherited:a borrowed book, favour, hospitality 

26. a gift before dawn, at noon, after dark: colours of sunrise, lunch, peace 

27. 3 gifts in the kitchen: beautiful teacups, new pine hutch frm charity shop, teacup stand

28. 3 graces found in friends: generosity, interest, support

29. a song heard, a soft word, Light seen:'Your Love is a Song', from God, in Scripture 

30. 3 old things seen new:psalms, antique china plates from charity shop, rest

31. a gift on a paper, in a person, in a picture:the message on a card, faithfulness, P&P movie 

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Wordless Wednesday Gratitude Habit: 1/9/13

A Gift ~passed by, held, sat with...

'HABITS'

My pictured response to the Wednesday prompt at

Walk with Him Wednesday 

and Ann's Joy Dare of 1000 Gifts of Gratitude in a Year...

Find more Joy Dares at Ann's blog, twitter and fb

more Wordless Wednesday photos at Ramona's

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Joy Dare Gratitude Journalling: January 2013

Beginning a New Year of Gratitude journalling,

thought I'd share these January prompts

from Ann Voskamp ~

Many more Gratitude based printouts to download at

including Ann's beautiful Year of Graces calendar

of pages with Gratitude quotes and photos to inspirit you

or numbered pages in her newest

Need motivation to prompt your own Gratitude journalling?
Ann lists these for starters...

1. Have a relative absence of stress and depression.
(Woods et al., 2008)

2. Make progress towards important personal goals
(Emmons and McCullough, 2003)

3. Report higher levels of determination and energy
(Emmons and McCullough, 2003)

4. Feel closer in their relationships/
 desire to build stronger relationships
(Algoe and Haidt, 2009)

5. Increase your happiness by 25% —
(Who wouldn’t want a quarter more happiness!)
(McCullough et al., 2002)

   I am linking my own 1000 Gifts of Gratitude
to each Monday post at Ann's blog.

You're welcome to join us!

For the 1st Monday of January ?

1. 3 gifts heard ~ New Yr greetings,
words of appreciation, birdsong

2. a gift outside~ son arriving 

inside~ pkg of Christmas cookies + tea   

on a plate~ healthy meal

3. graces you overheard ~ prayers,
compliments, helpful counsel

4. a gift old~ china cups
new~ fantastic quilted comforter
blue~my son's eyes

5. something you're reading~ daily lectionary
making~ blog reading challenge  
seeing ~ new life perspectives

6. one thing in your bag~ books

your fridge~ chicken  your <3 i="i">Epiphany

7. 3 graces from people you love~
friendship, time shared, embraces

Ready to add yours or read more?

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