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counting gifts...

as many of you know, i've been counting gifts thanks to ann voskamp and her book. it has proven to change my perspective on a lot of things. a few weeks ago she provided free templates for 7 days of 7 gifts. i decided this would be a great way to prepare for easter here on the farm.

i find that there are many times i would like to complain about something in my life; finances, time, weather, parenting, weight, etc....yet, lately i find myself first look for a gift in that moment. God has not let me down yet and i have always found at least one thing to stop and give thanks for. and when, i've stopped to give thanks, i find joy.

now don't get me wrong - last night, when i got home from youth group i can't say that i was an abundant ball of joy:)

but in my counting of gifts i'm learning to see things a bit differently. last week i came home from picking up the kiddos and found a box at our back door. not the usual shape for dear hubby's maps and it had my name on it! woo hoo!!

i drug it inside and while the kids dumped their loads i found the knife to open the box. i was so excited when i found this little treasure waiting for me!!! while i'm not sure the kids were as impressed, they definitely knew it brought their momma joy!

my hubby came home and wondered why i had bought a new tea pot. i showed him the receipt - someone else had bought it and sent it to us, but they didn't leave their name. he thought maybe i had "complained" to someone. i don't remember that, and if i did i'm sorry. i do remember telling someone that my next tea kettle would be a red one!

i felt blessed.....truly blessed! do you know how cool it is to know that someone is thinking of you when you don't even know it? i do wish i could personally thank my friend. i'd have them over and share hot cocoa or tea and be joyful together.

instead, if you are reading this, know you made it into my 1000 gifts

187. the waiting gift at the back door
188. the joy of red
189. the comfort of a hot cup of tea
190. the joy of being blessed

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