Oh my goodness - the last time I wrote about 1000 gifts was 11 years ago - where does time go!
11 years ago my friend Josie and I were recording 1000 gifts but somewhere, it seemed I stalled out at 50.
And here we are today - and I am leading the Bible Study on One Thousand Gifts based on the book of the same title by Ann Voskamp - a Christian woman/author from Ontario. Every two weeks a group of us who have been meeting for the past many years meets and spends 2-3 hours together - chatting, reflecting, watching a video, doing some "talk back", and praying with each other.
We are meeting every two weeks, for six sessions and tonight we are on Session 3. I have figured it out that if we write out 12 gifts a day, for the weeks we are meeting as a group - we will hit 1000 by the time we are done! Seems like a tall order when you say ONE THOUSAND. However, when we say 12 a day - who can't think of twelve?
Eucharisteo which is what Ann brings us to reflect on - is about grace, thanksgiving and joy. Ann said that "the height of my "chara" joy - depends on the depths of my "eucharisteo" thanks" and boy do I believe that.
This study - which I highly suggest you do for yoruself - is about looking at our lives - seeing where "eucharisteo is the answer to the time starved and soul famished" person. Sometimes we may not see the "gifts" till much later - OR maybe we will only see that in Heaven. Even in the mundane - we need to open up our eyes to the beautiful eucharisteo.
I know myself that God surprises us when we least expect it. I also know that often I live a life that is so hurried - that I miss out on the beauty around me. Eucharisteo teaches us about slowing down - about resting - about just "being" and about taking our cue from Jesus who modeled the need to rest and just be, and spend time with His father. Really - if Jesus (being Jesus) needed to rest - and to renew/refresh and just be .... then who are we to think we don't? I never understand that concept personally. I have learned the hard way in my life about slowing down, and breathing, and just spending time with Him.
ANYHOW ... doing this study has taken me back to doing the 1000 Gifts count.
So Here I go again - listing the gifts - Eucharisteo - GRACE, THANKSGIVING and JOY here in black and white - on this blog post!!
- my grandchildren - Jay (in Heaven) Everett John, Roger Thomas, Matilda Joy and Maverick Chandler
- "Sisters Loved by God" the women I do Bible Study with here
- quiet evenings with no commitments
- Bible Study zoom calls
- being prayed for
- my sweet Man's eye specialist (after his eye stroke he has been under his care)
- spending time at The Forks
- the crunch of ice under my feet when I walk
- bumping into my sister-in-law unexpectedly and getting a hug
- my doctor's listening ear
- blood work that was done effortlessly
- honeyglazed timbits
- a cup of dark roast coffee with cream from Tim Hortons
- comfy beds
- my daughter's birthday and spending time with her
- melting snow
- pedicures by Sabina
- Ceasar salads at Grace Cafe
- converstaion over coffee with my daughter
- Skor cheesecake - yum (we shared)
- smell of a new car
- coming home to a cleaned house (thanks Harley)
- heart to heart conversation with a younger woman
- hugs
- drives with Alvin
- warm house to come home to
- River road drive to Selkirk
- more melting snow (Spring?)
- Manitoba freedom
- Aero Bubbles chocolate
- smell of chocolate cake baking
- fresh roasted Red Lake coffee
- grandeur of a bald eagle
- the hello from a stranger
- big white chair by the window
- hot pizza for lunch
- my hands mixing pastry
- my sweet man's willingness to help young single moms in need
- the love of my sweet man
- country driving
- downy wood peckers at the feeder
- fellowship over a meal
- apple pie
- hugs from my kids
- waking from a good nights sleep
- cozy beds and bedding
- puppingsitting Winston
- clear blue sky
- flitting chickadees
- another good cup of coffee
- 18% coffee cream
- the sound of turning pages
- the taste of peppermint
- puppy enjoying the snow outside
- impromptu visit by a friend
- a written thank you note
- the warmth of fireplace in the early morning
- after lots of cold wind - there is no wind
- the sound of my fountain
- twinkling lights on the white branch tree
- breakfast out with older siblings
- laughter of my grandchildren
- welcoming home my kids after a trip
- the song of a Blue Jay
- mrmories poppin gup on my facebook page
- dishwasher cleared out and dishes put away
- dishwasher reloaded
- morning stilness
- memory of a fun but deep church meeting
- converstaion with best friends over breakfast
- fresh (unlimited) coffee at the restaurant
- the warmth of the mug in my hands
- smell of fresh laundry
- the crunch of the gravel under my feet
- Ashley beginning a new joy
- side eye expression of Maverick
- the soft fur of a puppy
- hugs from our Sunday School children
- sound of clothes drying in the dryer
- meeting new friens at church
- Pastor Bruce and Nancy
- early morning snuggles
- feel of comfy quilt on me, over me, around me
- wind gentrly moving tree boughs
- monday night time with women
- my time with God
- grass showing in the yard
- geese flying and landing in field
- my son praying voer me before I leave for BC
- feeling the soft fur of Sundae
- te strong arm of my husband as I walk on the ice
- Kissing good-bye at the airport
- seat 10A man offered to put my carryon on top in the rack
- seeing the majestic Rockies
- the smell of BC
- walking across the tramac to the airport
- Seeing Mt. Lehman
- stepping into my room at the Mark Centre (feels like home again)
- labrynth in the yard - walking it
- walk in the neighbourhood
- going without a jacket
- rental car that I can easily figure out and drive (and it was an upgrade)
- sleeping under fluffy quilt (although alone)
- talking with the grounds keepers at TMC
- Sippchai Cafe
- the deliciousness of the Chai Latte
- the amazing owner and how he relates to people - Jaz
- driving to Arnold
- impromptu visit to friends of my friend T - always up to meeting people
- the smell of freshly baked donuts in my back seat
- flooded area combined with the green of new growth
- MDS trailer at 1 house in Arnold
- counrtyside driving to Chilliwack
- impromptu visit with my niece Rachel
- beautiful bouquet of flowers I brought for her
- seeing sheep in fenced area
- babbling brook
- the surprised and happy look on Rachel's face
- coffee and chat with her
- small pebble hail briefly falling, hitting the window
- cute signs that bring a smile "We think you are pretty awesome"
- walk down Old Yale Road to Fish Trapp Creek entrance
- Birth of Hazel Jo
- Birth of Cleo Elleanore
- safe arrival of twins
- happy pics of the new parents
- squirrels chasing one another
- cool breeze but still jacketless
- facetime with Alvin
- text from Ashley "I love you Mostest"
- green tinged sidewalks everywhere at TMC (because of the weather/moss etc)
- window open all night
- morning coffee brewed on tiny coffeemaker
- McDonald's pancakes and sausage with sweet syrup
- The Mark Centre and its vision
- cinnamon jellybeans
- 15 kinds of donuts at SippChai cafe - have to smile at that
- the way SippChai staff greet and say good-bye to every single patron
- a glass of red wine before bed
- a guy named NORM in a scooter in SipChai and treated royally
- Hot Chai Latte - HUGE MUG - #2
- Mom and her adult son having coffee together at SC
- paying for the person behind me at McDonalds
- seeing two friends picking out donuts for their coffee together and saying "and I'll have something disgusting to eat" as she knew she would be eating so much sweet!!
- ability to come and get away to Abbotsford
- ability to climb steps - there is alot of them to my room and down again
- my blundstones - they have covered many miles
- driving with my window down
- Steffany G's music Faith of my Father - playing in car
- hearing God speak to me
- Cathy Hardy's song "Come to the Table"
- Hot Chai Latte number 3
- thankful for the challenge to stop and give thanks
- coersation in the airport at Abbotsford
- driving to Mission and seeing the beauty of the mountains
- warm hug from Cathy
- reflection stations around Cathy's house
- meeting C and getting a big warm hug
- meeting J and hearing her heart
- feeling a connection finally with someone who I have been trying to connect wtih
- the beautiful aroma in Cathy's house
- the soft fur of the cat
- warmth of the fireplace at Cathy's
- walking the labrynth at Cathy's (she was the inspriation for ours here)
- gathering in circle
- heartfelt sharing
- driving up steep steep roads, and also driving down them
- the gift of silence
- amazing supper with our Anam Cara circle
- saltiness of the chicken - so very tasty
- berries, whipped cream and pavlova
- warm hugs good bye
- quick selfie with Cathy
- more of the spicy cinnamon jellybeans
- shutting the door, saying good-bye to the Mark Centre
- second unexpected ride to Mission
- stopped to take pictures of clouds and mountains
- serenaded by Cathy's music - the song Beautiful Presence
- effortless checkins at the airport(s)
- safe plane flight home
- welcome embrace of my sweet Man
- catching up on life at home
- a day alone to rest post trip
- Juncos on my front dec
- tiny Junco footprints in the snow
- thankful for Grant who took a look at my jaw and gave me a 100 year old medication for the pain
- safe inside during the snowstorm
- wisdom of my childre in making a big decision
- round table conversation about women in leadership
- warmth of my car seat on my back and butt
- blustery snow looks like a shaken snow globe
- time with grandchildren on snow day - M & M
- baking paska
- yummy cream cheese icing
- sending paska home to each family
- messages with my sister Heather
- seeing Robins during the storm - knowing His eye is on the Sparrow and Robin too
- deckwalking during the storm days
- amazing taste of homemade hot sweet mustard on ham
- Ham ... yum
- good conversation with my kids over pie and coffee at Easter meal on Good Friday
- warm sun melting the snow
- orange mailboxes in garden bring a pop of colour amidst the snow
- baking with Matilda Joy T!
- delicious taste of lemon orange infused paska with cream cheese icing
- no more throbbing jaw
- absence of sciatica pain
- listening to the message from "D-Dog"
- Roger healing from Covid
- Hugs
- Good Friday Service
- Pastor Bruce and Nancy - boy will I miss them!
- Chocolate Easter egg hunt with kids
- watching kids at Jurassic Quest
- talking with Roger about being "too old" for activities at JQ
- seeing the lit up signs and the cross at Kilcona Church
- Easter Sunday HE IS RISEN!!
- tears .. my heart is moved
- Sandi Patti son's - "We Shall Behold Him"
- Choir at Kilcona Church
- our 8 kids in SS
- flagging in church
- flagging with our SS kids in SS
- Everly's impromtu hugs at church
- Smiles and conversations
- Sandy
- Afternoon coffee with Nelson & Mary-Ann
- my siblings (Thomas)
- my siblings (Klassen)
- my nieces - both sides
- my nephews - both sides
- my Great Nieces and Nephews
- Cleo came home from hospital!
- Anticipation of receiving my CPP pay beginning in June
- the sound of honking geese
- water dripping off the roof
- icicles that shine
- delicious saltiness of ham soup
- making the ham soup with Alvin
- sending food to the neighbour
- the smell of wood burning in the wood stove
- spontaneous hug from Alvin
- the text replies to HE IS RISEN
- more ... good fresh coffee with cream
- again, I am thankful for our new car
- birds in the window feeder - kicking up seeds
- anticipation of our trip to the East Coast
- anticipation of our trip to California in 2023
- tonights session 3 zoom with Sisters Loved by God and more of Ann Voskamp
- More of Cathy Hardy's music playing
- Lection 365 app
- Anam Cara group
- gathering from Holy Saturday
- conversation via message with Mrs C and a reminer to pray pray pray
- sermon prep
- Robin is up close to the window
- honking of geese
- birds flying, catching the wind
- remembering the altar I built in Anola
- the writings of Ann Voskamp
- I got out of bed this morning - thank you for breath - and being alive!
- Blue Sky
- more sunshine
- Sunday snow has stopped
- warm heatin pads
- sitting in front of the fireplace
- Laughter!!
- the chatter of people at church
- excitement after a service
- seeing the children rush to their parents
- children returning after being gone so long due to covid
- more coffee
- silence ... ah, its so good for my soul
- email encouragements
- prayer
- the easy way we can sit, be, commune with LOVE
- footprints across the snow in our yard
- neighbour paying Alvin for his work
- big bags of Easter treats being dropped off for the children
- Reese's peanut butter eggs ... something about chocolate and peanut butter
- supper at W & B - good fellowship over a meal
- Ribs - yum
- orgaizing tax stuff
- my Bible!! Thank you LORD for your WORD
- the ability to work in ministry
- our Everetts love for hockey
- Rogers love for flag football
- Matilda's love for synchro
- Maverick's love for karate
- the rules from Sensi Steve - so good for life
- praying for a friend making a big decison in life/work
- the beauty of the perfect Easter Lily and hydrangeas that are so beautiful
- relationships
- memories of grandparents/parents and what they have passed on as a legacy
- laughing with my sweetheart till the tears run down our faces
- cold pillows to snuggle at night
- laying beside my husband and feeling warm, loved and secure
- friendships that span over 50 years
- covid free still (feel like it is a matter of time)
- Friends and family recovering from Covid
- sitting down with husband over lunch
- putting my hands into the hot hot water to do the dishes in the sink
- the sound of the dishwasher cleaning the dishes
- seeing that an old friend made it "big" in Toronto/film (He was severely handicapped)
- eating the last paska bun and enjoying it
- temperature that is 2 above today - a nice change
- the love of my daughters - Ashley and Leah
- the love of my son's - Joshua and Michael
- the strength that my children have - body, soul, mind and spirit - thank you LORD
- the strength and ability of my husband!! Thank you LORD
- hearing the sound of water coming out of the eaves trough
- beating last weeks steps number
- good water that feeds my body
- the groaner jokes of my husband
- praying for someone special during a period of waiting
- the reality of knowing that God is fully Sovereign and in control even when it seems like things are out of control
- the fragrance of diffusing essential oils
- the chirping serenade of birds in the trees
- the beauty of the Lord's Prayer
- blogposts of a friend who is nearing Heaven
- writing my story
- the portraits of my kids with their family that sit on my piano
- hearing that a colorado low that comes the end of this week - may bring more rain than snow
- having a sweet man who can figure out and fix anything
- living in a country that is not in war
- chocolate pie with whipping cream (the last piece - shhhh don't tell anyone lol)
- having the joy of hearing someone pray for me
- watching my grandchildren interact with one another
- seeing the relationship of my kids with their kids
- starry skies
Well ... that's it for today ... I should be at 336 but I think they will come when I do the ones for tomorrow!
Thankful,
Joy
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