One Thousand Gifts

A friend introduced me to a new book that I'm really looking forward to reading. I haven't even purchased it yet, but have already been blessed to read the authors blog called A Holy Experience  What beautiful, artistic, insightful writing. Here is a little trailer about the book...called the gift of now.  I think the photographer in me longs to slow down, breath deep and enjoy and capture the gifts god gives in the simple everyday moments of life.

One Thousand Gifts....is a practice that I am going to start. It is called Multitude on Mondays...It's starting a list of things I am grateful for.

One Thousand Gifts ( #1- 44 )

1.  The Love of my Savior

2.  A fresh start every morning, every hour, every moment of everyday

3.  Music, that sooths the soul and lifts the spirit

4.  My husband who is my best friend and soul mate

5.  The two children God has gifted us to love and tend for Him

6.  Sunshine and Blue Skies

7.  Morning, afternoon and a dessert cup of coffee

8.  Seeing the delight in my sons eyes when I tell a story about when I was little

9.  Listening to my daughters thoughts & heart as she maneuvers through life, relationships and day to day challenges. Talking it through & praying together too

10. Kiss on my forehead from each family member & a prayer that mommies headache goes away soon.

11. Feeling my dogs warm body and soft fur beneath my feet as he curls under my desk as I type.

12.  Laughing and maybe even screaming as the cat does a sneak attack from behind

13.  A clean and quite house, even if for just a moment

14.  Fresh, clean, warm laundry right out of the dryer

15.  My golden soft pillow, green plush blanket and King size bed

16.  Gods word every morning, noon and night

17.  Stars in a deep dark sky

18.  Breathing deep...in, out, in and slowly out again

19.  Stretching my mind, body and soul

20.  Being still, calming down, slowing down...Hearing Gods voice  

21.  The number 4 ... in any form or fashion

22.  Visiting a neighbor; getting to know them; learning how to pray and reach out to them 

23. Smiling with a friend over the little things that "just the two of you" get

23.  Exchanging a smile with a stranger...blessing them and being blessed in return

24.  Freshly cute flowers placed in an antique jar on my kitchen windowsill

25.  Zucchini fresh from the garden cooked with lots of garlic

26. The sound of laughter; the deep belly kind
27. Playing Tickle Tackle with my kids... fseeing the excitement and anticipation in their eyes

28. Watching things grow from the tiniest seed to the biggest tree

29.  Marking our children's height on a growth chart,as a reminder that time is surely passing

30.  Hearing the sound of the school bus rounding the corner in the afternoon

31.  Petting our kitty and making him purr

32.  Walking to the creek to skip rocks, hunt for fish or go for a dip

33.  Looking up to the treetops, mountaintops and hills

34.  Going for a country drive, just to enjoy the view

35. Singing in the car, weather it alone or as a family

36.  Stroking my daughters long golden hair out of her eyes

37.  Seeing what outfit my kids choose for the day

38.  Witnessing our daughter teaching her brother little things each day

39.  Helping my son learn how to read and listening to him read us a story

40.  Having a good talk with my folks on the phone

41.  Connecting with another busy mom who "gets it"

42.  Spending time with friends that really "get me" and "love me"

43.  Being heard and feeling understood 

44.  Resting in Gods presence

Wow...I can see how this can get addicting...I just want to keep going and going....I'm all for happy, healthy habits that will give thanks and glory to God.

For every Good and perfect gift comes from Him.