Heart Full of Thanks -- Counting One Thousand Gifts (#462-473)

Sunrise east of Portland looking at Mt. Hood

Mt. Hood sits majestically east of our home.  Unfortunately, we don't have a view but many mornings before retirement I could see this view from the downtown office building where I worked, especially on those very early and sleep-eyed mornings.

And even though I can't see her, I know she is there to my east, the bedroom end of our home, sitting and waiting for the sun to rise, or for the clouds to embrace her with a cloudcap.  Mt. Hood is there because God placed her there for all time.  Just thinking of this view makes me think of the hymn, Morning Has Broken:

Morning has broken
Like the first morning,
Black bird has spoken
Like the first bird.
Praise the singing!
Praise for the morning!
Praise for them springing
Fresh from the Word!

Sweet the rain's new fall
Sunlit from heaven,
Like the first dewfall
On the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness
Of the wet garden,
Sprung in completeness
Where His feet pass.

Mine is the sunlight!
Mine is the morning.
Born of the one light
Eden saw play!
Praise with elation,
Praise ev'ry morning,
God's recreation
Of the newday!

* * *

Continuing to count His marvelous gifts, along with everyone at A Holy Experience:

462.  Gifts of life, love, joy and happiness.

463.  Refreshing and renewal for my husband and me following caregiving time.

464.  Spring weather finally finding its way to the Pacific NW.

465.  Celebrating the joy of retirement for good friends.

466.  Honoring our retiring Christian Ed director at church yesterday.

467.  Seeing the children give her hugs and smiles.

468.  Planting in the yard.

469.  A mother who taught me to believe and to follow, and then to serve.

470.  Hearing from our kids on Mother's Day.

471.  Brunch with friends following church yesterday.

472.  Meeting an 8-year old girl while running errands who said, "I'm a joyful person!"

473.  The joy of God's recreation each and every morning.

Hope you decide to join us!  I'm linking up with Ann and others:

Image credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/congaman/4312011138/ 

And also sharing with Laura at: And with L.L. Berkat:

Heart Full of Thanks -- Counting One Thousand Gifts (414-428)

The risen living Christ

Calls me by my name;

Comes to the loneliness within me;

Heals that which is wounded within me;

Comforts that which grieves within me;

Releases me from that which has dominion over me;

Cleanses me of that which does not belong to me;

Renews that which feels drained within me;

Awakens that which is asleep within me;

Names that which is formless within me;

Empowers that which is newborn within me;

Consecrates and guides that which is strong within me;

Restores me to this world which needs me;

Reaches out, in endless love to others, through me.

~~ Flora Wuellner

(Scripture reference on image:  Matthew 28:1-10)

Photo credit:  St. Mary's Parish East Islip

* * *

Following Holy Week and after a glorious Resurrection Sunday, who can help but continue to count to One Thousand Gifts:

414.  Life itself.

415.  My husband's commitment to the busy choir activities of Holy Week, practices included!

416.  Privilege of praying for sick friends and their families.

417.  Life of a dear friend who has left us for a better place in Heaven.  Such a Christian example!

418.  Preparations for Easter weekend.

419.  Passover meal on Maundy Thursday prior to moving service of music and Scripture.

420.  Good Friday meditations and another moving service at church.

421.  Easter dinner and egg hunt with our son's family.

423.  Watching great-granddaughter (3 yrs.) hunt for eggs and her excitement at finding them.

424.  Cuddling and talking with great-grandson (4 months), soaking up his gorgeous blue eyes and smiles.

425.  Easter Sunday and celebrating our Risen Lord.

426.  Honor of serving communion at services on Easter.

427.  Quiet Easter afternoon spent at home reflecting on the price paid for my sins.

428.  Matthew 28:1-10.

Linking up with Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience for Monday Musings.  Have you ever stopped by to see what it's all about?  Maybe today's the day to visit.

 

And also visiting with Laura Boggess at The Wellspring