Heart Filled with Gratitude

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly
as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom
through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit,
singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Colossians 3:16 (TNIV)

What an incredible mapping Colossians 3:16 provides for us as we begin our week:

Allow the message of our Christ to live among each of us richly.  What a wondrous thought -- each of us walking around with Christ's message living richly in each one of us because we allow the Word to dwell in and with us.

And then we are to go about teaching and admonishing each other not just with wisdom but through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit.  Not only are we to be walking about with Christ's message living in us, but we are to share that Word through psalms, hymns and songs.

And all this singing is to be lifted up to God with gratitude in our hearts.  If your heart is filled with gratitude, there will be nothing to keep you from living up to these words from Colossians.

Today is Monday and that means time to link up with Ann Voskamp and the multitude of friends counting 1000 gifts at A Holy Experience.  So, I'm ready to open my heart and share some

Credit

* * *

586.  For the gift of love shared by so many for our family.
587.  For the news that I have had a writing piece accepted for publication.
588.  Finally for the sight of tiny tomatoes on our vines.
589.  The bounty of the berries we've picked from our own bushes.
590.  Healing of inflammation in a really sore bursa.
591.  Joys of videos of our great-grandson.
592.  Time with an older sister and her husband.
593.  And time with an older brother.
594.  Relief from pain from a broken toe (not my week!).
595.  The community at A Holy Experience.
596.  Ann's gifts so willingly shared with us all.

If you want to give thanks and then share your post with the community at A Holy Experience, please come on over.

 

What a Weekend Can Hold!

Photo credit

As we are all too painfully aware, this weekend held within it the tragedy that struck movie goers in Aurora, CO.

Innocents, who had purchased their ticket and popcorn, waited patiently for the film to roll.

And then violence erupted!  Not on the screen, but in front of them.

Our hearts mourn for those who suffered loss, both the families of the victims and the family of the young man who obviously had lost his way.

Our prayers go out to these families and to those who survived as they heal and attempt to recover from these horrors.

* * *

Photo credit

Today, thousands of miles away from Aurora and as far from the horror of what these people have experienced, I attended a bridal shower for the daughter of dear friends.  So much laughter, so much so there were even some tears!  Beautifully wrapped packages, decadent foods, incredible gifts of love.

* * *

The distance between our experiences leaves us standing amazed at the disparity of emotions being felt all at the same time in our world.

And yet, God covers us all in the midst of our joys and our sorrows.  

Just as He blesses those families hurting and works to bring healing in a variety of ways, God also blesses this young couple embarking on a new life together.

Hard to believe, isn't it?

Not if you know, truly know God!

* * *

Joining with Ann Voskamp and the others who are counting gifts at A Holy Experience:

573.  Days of warmth and sunlight.
574.  A day filled with berry picking and a picnic with my husband.
575.  The patience to see me through husband's jam-making!
576.  Skill of doctors and nurses working through some lab tests.
577.  Miracle of a cortison injection.
578.  A written piece accepted for inclusion in an anthology.
579.  Quick response by emergency responders in Aurora.
580.  Heroism in action in the theater.
581.  Lives given for lives surviving.
582.  Engagements, weddings and bridal showers.
583.  Fun times spent in a room full of women.
584.  Coming home to a hubby making MORE jam!
585.  Quiet Sunday evenings together.

If you've never visited Multitudes on Mondays or begun counting to
one thousand gifts and want to know more,
won't you come on over to A Holy Experience for a visit with us?

Celebrating Marriage

Attribution

This weekend found us on the road again!  But for happier reasons this trip.

Heading the car toward Seattle, we traveled to celebrate with my husband's older sister and her husband their 60 years of marriage.

As their generation grows older and passes on, it is not likely that we'll see so many long-lived marriages.  Divorces, living together rather than marrying, and other current social trends may cause 60-year marriages to come into decline.

During our celebration, the pastor at the church where the celebratory couple attends spoke for a moment.  Yes, he reminded us of the verses found in Genesis that speak to the state of marriage.

He went on to point out that this marriage of 60 years exemplifies for all of us who come behind what marriage should be.  Despite ordinary tough times and medical crises along the way, this couple has remained as one, joined together as God would have them be.

In so many ways, my sister- and brother-in-law have been good examples for all who have come behind them.  But in this one, they are standouts!

For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother,
and will be joined to his wife. And they will become one flesh.
Genesis 2:24 (NLV)

* * *

Today is Monday so time for Multitudes on Mondays at A Holy Experience and for giving thanks for God's many gifts over the past week.  Ann Voskamp is traveling in Haiti with her son this week on behalf of Compassion International.  Whether or not Ann puts up the usual link for Mondays, I'm counting anyway!


<sup>560.  For the gift of our sister- and brother-in-law's example in marriage.
561.  Seeing family from all across the country this weekend.
562.  Once again safe travel.
563.  Joy of seeing generation to generation engaging with one another.
564.  The long-awaited arrival of summer in the Pacific NW!
565.  Blooming hydrangeas.
566.  Sitting outdoors and breathing in the fresh air.
567.  Picking blueberries from my bushes.
568.  Picking our first marionberry this morning.
569.  Looking into the eyes of my husband and giving thanks for 30 years together.
570.  Healing for our grandson.
571.  Our daughters-in-law who bring us great joy.
572.  Being at home for awhile.

Have you started counting your one thousand gifts or more?  Come on over to A Holy Experience and join the community!</sup>





 

Breathing Praise and Gratitude

Inhale.

Exhale.

Breathing.

Simple, reflexive, necessary, life act of breathing.

On each inhalation, exhalation, complete cycle of breath, we can praise and give thanks to the Lord our God.

Take the time to realize that He who gave us the breath of life, who made our body to respond to the reflexive need for air, asks us to do so little.

Draw close, need Him in our life, and let Him know by praising Him and giving thanks.

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of breath with which to praise and thank you.

* * * 

547.  Breath of life.
548.  Every living, breathing thing in creation.
549.  Freedom to declare our worship and love of the Lord.
550.  Music of the Independence Day holiday.
551.  Sharing with friends, old and new, in celebrations.
552.  Safety of our great-niece and great-nephew in Nigeria...
553.  Swift medical care for our grandson with a wound infection.
554.  Goodness of our daughter-in-law who loves her family so much.
555.  Sun, blue skies and the start of summer, finally!
556.  First harvest of lettuce and blueberries from our own plantings.
557.  Changing colors of the hydrangea blossoms.
558.  Encouragement from writing friends.
559.  Connections with other women writing about God's love on the Internet.

Although I'm counting today, I don't have the ability to link up with the gang over at Ann Voskamp's, because we're traveling.  However, I'm thinking about them and you, and want to invite you to drop in there and see what's going on:

Celebrating Marilyn

God knew what he was doing from the very beginning.
He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him
along the same lines as the life of his Son.  The Son stands first
in the line of humanity he restored. We see the
original and intended shape of our lives there in him.
After God made that decision of what his children should be like,
he followed it up by calling people by name.  After he called
them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself.
And then, after getting them established,

he stayed with them to the end,
gloriously completing what he had begun.
Romans 8:29-30 (MSG)

And so it was that we traveled to Seattle on Friday, June 29th, to celebrate the life of one of God's children, our sister-in-law, Marilyn.

It was never questioned that Marilyn loved Him, and so He lovingly shaped her life, gifting her with the necessary knowledge and talents to become:

Nurse, wife, mom, grandma, friend, family member, and so much more --

Marilyn nurtured her patients lovingly caring for the whole person, not just the illness, blending humor with healing.  Some days she rollerskated through the halls of the nursing home where she worked and often wore a green and white polka dotted hat.  Her patients knew they were more than just cared for; they were loved by this beautiful woman.

Her husband and children were equally well nurtured and loved by hands that helped her pastor husband in the churches he served, that baked bread and cookies to feed her family and the community (as well as the rest of us!), that played games and held books to read, that showed her children by example that they could do anything they set their minds to do, that shared her gift of music on the guitar and with her voice.

When grandchildren arrived, Marilyn made certain to be there before or as soon after that child came into the family as possible.  She loved them equally and never once, to my knowledge, showed any difference between them.  They too were blessed by the many gifts she had shared with their parents.  And today it shows.

Marilyn gifted her community with her theatrical and musical skills, her community spirit and giving nature, and in return she was loved by all who came to know her.

When Alzheimer's decided to take her into its grip in the late 1990s, we all began to lose someone who had impacted each of our lives in uniquely individual ways.  It was heartbreaking to see her fading away before our eyes.

But she left us a legacy to honor and her life and legacy was well celebrated by her children and her grandchildren, who led us in the service they planned themselves.  Marilyn was celebrated with the singing of her favorite music -- hymns, Broadway tunes, and yes, the Boss was there -- Mr. Springsteen's music rang the rafters in the church.  It was just the way Marilyn would have wanted it, and we believe we sensed her there tapping her foot and snapping her fingers, urging us to step up and take part!  That was her mantra -- always take part!

Readings were interspersed and the verses above are from one of the Scripture readings.  It so clearly speaks to who Marilyn is, was and will forever be in our hearts.  Marilyn lives on in a much better place, and I'm certain Heaven is a better place for her having arrived there!

Thanks be to God for our dear Marilyn!

* * *

Showing gratitude to God for these gifts:

538.  Marilyn's life and legacy.

539.  Her children and granchildren's willingness to be her memorial service.

540.  Being allowed to be a part of the same family with Marilyn.

541.  Marilyn's service to God, church, community and, above all, her family.

542.  Gathering with family not seen frequently to celebrate this amazing life.

543.  Safe travel to Seattle and back.

544.  Safety of family in the path of strange storm systems recently.

545.  Great report from my surgeon on my sixth month post-op progress.

546.  Time with family today celebrating a birthday and getting to play with the great-grands!

Linking up with:

Ann and other One Thousand Gift counters at:

and Laura at

 

Harvesting Berries -- and Still Counting 1000 Gifts

Attribution

Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach;
good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest.
~~ Proverbs 18:20 (MSG) 

These last few days our strawberries are ripening almost faster than we can pick.  We don't have a large patch of plants, but what we do have are abundantly rich in fruit.  And oh, so tasty right now!

Here in Oregon, the berries love the cool, damp climate we experience in late spring and early summer.  Of course, there are those times when the climate is too cool and too rainy, and the berries are ruined.  But not this year.  Our tummies have been wholly satisfied with this year's crop.   

Are our words as satisfying as those berries?  In our conversations with one another, or with someone else?  Do we pick a bountiful harvest of good words that will satisfy the mind and perhaps fill the heart?  Or are we careless, picking just anything to say not considering its worth or fruitfulness?

Proverbs 18:20 tells us that words satisfy the mind much like our berries have satisfied our tummies.  That good talk can be gratifying like a bountiful harvest.  In the coming week, I hope to work toward speaking words that will be satisfying to those who hear me.  Not just to tickle their ears, but to give them something to think on, to ponder.

How about you?  Will you consider trying this with me?  It might not be easy, but I do believe we can make a difference if we but try!

Now to continue counting with Ann and friends at A Holy Experience:

525.  Great six-month follow-up with my spine surgeon -- healing progressing beautifully!
526.  Son's good recovery from shoulder surgery.
527.  Successful surgery for our daughter-in-law and beginning of good recovery.
528.  Safe travels for granddaughter and her family to Alaska.
529.  Beautiful and tasty berries in the garden.
530.  Sightings of hummingbirds.
531.  Ability to return to gardening.
532.  Joy of seeing a friend return to church following colon cancer surgery and his exceptional recovery to date.
533.  Life of dear sister-in-law Marilyn who went to a better life recently.
534.  The family I married into.
535.  My husband's creative genius that makes him uniquely himself.
536.  God's continuing love for me.

Linking up with the community at A Holy Experience 

and with Laura at

Thanks + Giving = Joy -- Still Counting to 1000 Gifts

What a wonderful way to start the week by working out mathematical formulas!  Right?  No?  Well, math isn't my favorite thing to do, but I was pondering the word "thanksgiving" for no real reason, and came up with this formula:

• Thanks means to express gratitude.  Add to that --

• Giving means to make a gift something, offer something, and those together equal

• Joy meaning a feeling of excitement, exultation.

If math or algebra class had proffered such formulas to work out, I think I'd have been a happier student!

God gives so generously of His love for us in innumerable ways that to not give back to Him in gratitude is disrespectful, thoughtless and unthinkable, at least in my opinion.

So, won't you share in the joy of giving back to God in thanks today for the ways He has been good to you this past week?  We're gathering over at A Holy Experience today to do just that.

516.  The devotional book, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young.
517.  Successful surgery for our son and the start of a great recovery.
518.  Answered prayers.
519.  Joy expressed by friends at the beginning of summer vacation.
520.  Love of a good man shown in so many ways.
521.  Breakthroughs in my writing.
522.  Study of James with friends.
523.  Lovely connections with so many Christian bloggers.
524.  Gift of praying for friends in difficult situations.

Praise Him! Praise Him!
Tell of His excellent greatness.
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Ever in joyful song!

~~ Refrain from hymn, Praise Him, Praise Him

(Words by Fanny Crosby, music by Chester G. Allen, 1869)

Linking up with the community at A Holy Experience 

and with Laura at 

For the Beauty of the Earth

For The Beauty of The Earth
by Folliott S. Pierpoint, 1864

For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the skies;
For the love which from our birth,
Over and around us lies;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

***

For the Beauty of the Earth is a hymn which resonates throughout my life, since childhood in fact.  I always thought of this, the first verse, as the most beautiful.  

But I also reasoned that this was a large and grand hymn offering to God something in return for all He had given us.  A child-like observation, yes, but one that I think continues to be true, at least for me.

Another caregiver trip to Washington state brought us along Interstate 84E on Saturday afternoon.  I am continually amazed when we drive through the Columbia River Gorge at the immensity of God's world and the artistry with which He created and brought our world into being.

The height of the walls and the layers of earth upon rock
upon silt and so on, on each side of the Gorge

Attribution

 View of the Gorge from Crown Point during
a luscious spring show -- the blue sky and greens below

Attribution

 To see the first sign of nearing home,
Mt. Hood, still cloaked in white

Attribution

 And to even realize blue skies are turning to gray skies
and rain as we near Portland -- the usual

Attribution

And continuing to give God my gratitude for the goodness of His gifts to me and mine:

496.  The beauty of the world around me as told in the verses to this hymn.

497.  The opportunity to live in an area so full of God's artistry.

498.  Gifts of watching friends help our brother who see him just as he always been despite the ravages of his disease.

499.  A committed sister-in-law who is taking extraordinary care of our brother.

500.  An unexpected visit with family from Boston over the weekend.

501.  Concerned children who think their parents are doing too much.

502.  The departure of a bug or virus that hit 24-36 hours ago and appears to be long gone.

Linking up with the community at A Holy Experience 

and with Laura at 

and with L.L. Barkat at

Simply Sunday -- Letting Go

Humbly let go. Let go of trying to do, let go of trying to control,
let go of my own way, let go of my own fears.
Let God blow His wind, His trials, oxygen for joy's fire.
Leave the hand open and be. Be at peace.
Bend the knee and be small and let God
give what God chooses to give
because He only gives love and whisper a surprised thanks.
This is the fuel for joy's flame. Fullness of joy is discovered only in the
emptying of will. And I can empty. I can empty because
counting His graces has awakened me to how He cherishes me,
holds me, passionately values me.
I can empty because I am full of His love.
I can trust.

(emphasis mine)

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are
by Ann Voskmamp

Attribution

With Barbie at Freshly Brewed Sundays

and with Deidra in

and linking up with L.L. Barkat at 

Heart Full of Thanks -- Counting 1000 Gifts

Photo Credit

Last week reminded me of the old TV show called "The Week That Was."  Because that's just what kept going through our minds every step of the way. Comfort was found in the words of Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG):

 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;

   don't try to figure out everything on your own.

Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;

   he's the one who will keep you on track.

Once again, I'm in stopping in to share the gifts I've received with Ann Voskamp and others over at A Holy Experience.

474.  Once again for safe and quick travel to and from Yakima, WA.

475.  A community of friends who helped our family until we arrived.

476.  God's watchfulness over our own safety as we cared for Jim, lifting him and transferring him.

477.  For an up-to-date hospital and staff who cared for Jim until placement was made in a nursing facility.

478.  God's hand on all of us as we shook our fists, cried out our hearts, and moved in disbelief that Jim could no longer be at home.

479.  Acceptance that our decisions were the best fit for both Jim and Helen.

480.  A safe and loving nursing facility, with guidelines based in Scripture.

481.  Staff at that facility showing compassion and care to their patients.

482.  For a nephew who could help Helen work out a financial plan for them going forward.

483.  For friends who gathered round us all.

484.  For the prayers of family and friends.

485.  For the love of my circle of blogging friends from coast to coast who lifted hands and hearts in prayer and petition on our family's behalf.

 

And also stopping by Laura's for

And joining with L.L. Barkat for

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 (#443-461)

Returning home from ten days in Washington State, we drove along I-84 headed into Portland.  The drive, once we cross the Columbia River from Washington into Oregon, takes us along the dividing line between the two states -- the middle of the Columbia River itself and on either side of the river, the beautiful gorge created by the Master Artist.

On our return, this image looks exactly as the gorge looked last week.  Blue skies, high clouds, a light haze with massive walls of rock, trees, wildflowers, birds and off in the distance waterfalls and mountains.

My favorite spot along the gorge is Multnomah Falls, the place where my husband made sure 29 years ago that I fell in love with the idea of living in the Pacific Northwest, 2000+ miles away from my home in Tennessee.  I still remember how small I felt as we drove through the gorge, and how much smaller I felt as I stood at the base of the falls and looked up at the water from spring runoff pouring over the walls of the canyon to a clear pool below.

And then in the distance, the centerpiece of our drive, Mt. Hood.

Every time I see all the handiworks God created in our world, and especially here at home in the Pacific Northwest, I cannot help but be thankful for the goodness and beauty he has provided for my eyes to gaze upon.

And so today, I continue counting to 1000 gifts with Ann Voskamp and others at A Holy Experience.

I invite you to join us or to at least visit and see what we each find to be thankful for each and every week.

443.  The beauty of the earth around me.
444.  Shades of green so evident in spring.
445.  Gift of time with fading family members.
446.  Joy of being there when needed and answering the call to service.
447.  God's Word to support us.
448.  My mother's faith which keeps me strong beyond her lifetime.
449.  My father's courage and strength through adversity.
450.  The delights of springtime growth in our yard and beyond.
451.  The lovely children at church yesterday who gathered to listen to His story.
452.  New members in our church family.
453.  One more MOPS meeting to enjoy this year.
454.  Blue jay sighted on this morning's walk.
455.  Beauty of music and the comfort it brings.
456.  Friends never met face-to-face but loved via the Internet.
457.  Compassion and caring of friends.
458.  Power of prayers lifted on behalf of our family.
459.  Safety in travel.
460.  Critters and birds coming back from winter hibernations.
461.  Gift of healing for friends.

Photo credits:
Top:  Walking
Middle:  Visual Photo
Bottom:  Trails NW

Heart Full of Thanks -- Counting One Thousand Gifts (#429-442)

Simple Gifts is a favorite hymn of mine.  Written by Elder Joseph Brackett, Jr., a Shaker, the melody and words have endured since 1848.  For me, the words are full of freedom and love -- a reminder of where I ought to be and if there, I'll be in the "valley of love and delight."  How wonderful is this image!

Friday evening and all day yesterday my husband and I attended the Parkinson's Resources of Oregon Conference held in Eugene, OR.  Our attendance was an attempt to learn more about my brother-in-law's illness, which includes an insidious form of dementia which is still him from us.

Our joy and delight was found in the warmth and acceptance by Parkinson's patients and their families.  Despite their circumstances, each of this individuals and their family members had accepted their situations and found themselves in the place just right -- supporting and loving one another.

Shouldn't we all be so accepting of our circumstances and life situations?  

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.

And walk in love, as Christ also loved us and given Himself for us,

an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NKJV)

* * *

429.  Red tulips blooming in the yard

430.  First blossoms on the bleeding heart

431.  A camellia that hasn't bloomed for three years -- blooming!

432.  Circle of love in our family

433.  Bob's birthday this week

432.  Safe travel to and from Eugene

433.  New friends met and enjoyed

434.  Knowledge shared about illnesses common to many

435.  Gratitude for those who perform research in search of answers and treatments

436.  Professionals who took the time to share their expertise

437.  Gracious staff of Parkinson's Resources of Oregon 

438.  Quiet time at home today

439.  Birthday cards and calls for Bob from family

440.  Bob's impact on my life

441.  Wedding band on my finger that may be a bit more snug than the day it was slipped on 31 years ago, but no less shiny and sparkling because of the love it signifies

442.  Amazing Christian women who take time to blog and share their faith

Today I'm spending time with --

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

 

Heart Full of Thanks -- Counting One Thousand Gifts (400-413)

And so it begins . . . with Palm Sunday.

Photo credit

A week some call Holy Week.

Seven days beginning with joy and jubilation.  Shouts of hosanna!

Palm branches waving.  A man riding a donkey.

Not just any man.

Jesus.

Photo credit

A week filled with agony and deceit.

Failure on the part of those He trusted to watch.

Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane praying,

He knew God's plan for Him.

And Jesus trusted God.

Photo credit

And then the long, agonizing walk

Bearing His own cross, but not His alone.

Jesus bore our crosses and our sins.

He gave His life, according to God's plan,

to give us the hope of new life ever after.

"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one
and only Son.  And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed;

by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life."
John 3:16 (MSG)

***

Continuing to count the blessings and gifts in my life:

400.  Abundant spring rains.

401.  The safety of people living near rising streams and rivers.

402.  Good news from my husband's brother and his wife.

403.  Prayers answered for our grandson.

404.  The prayers of many for our family.

405.  Joy of another new mom at my Mothers of Preschoolers table.

406.  Gift of writing and music.

407.  Online, cyber-connected blogging friends.

408.  Marriages that last and even those that don't as there was hope there too.

409.  The joy of Palm Sunday as our children came into God's house waving palm branches and leading a donkey with Jesus walking alongside.

410.  The beauty of combined choirs singing praises to His name.

411.  Friends from out of town.

412.  The promise of Holy Week.

413.  John 3:16.

Won't you drop in at Ann Voskamp's site, A Holy Experience, and join a community of folks counting gifts each and every day and then sharing them on Mondays?  We'd love to see you there!

 And sharing with Laura Bogess at: