everyday gifts 2008

as 2008 comes to an end i am looking back at my year of blogging about God's blessing in my life. and i am overwhelmed. so many of the events are so insignificant that they would have been forgotten if i had not posted a quick snap shot or written a few words about it. but each and every item on the following list is evidence of God's goodness to me. when i am down about something or discouraged, reading over my continuing list has helped me keep my perspective.


may i encourage you, also, to be on the look out for your everyday gifts? i assure you, they are there. we sometimes get so focused on the difficult path before us that we miss the beauty of the wild flowers along the way, or forget to notice the shade tree that relieves us in the heat.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights

James 1:17

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Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him?

Matthew 7:9-10

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The Lord will indeed give what is good,

and our land will yield its harvest.

Psalm 85:2

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*digital cameras*reading a good book*my country girl in braids*the first Christmas gift ever, Jesus, the reason we celebrate*joseph's example of kindness and love*mary's example of humble faith*Christmas joy*God's faithfulness to all generations*a majestic and sublime sight*never knowing hunger*Christmas cookies hot from the oven*God's presence through the fire*celebrating birthdays*rosy cheeks and frozen mittens*a treasure from my grandma*a light bulb moment*pizza dough on the ceiling*whipped cream and sprinkles on top of hot cocoa*a blanket of fresh snow*seeing my son's generous heart*His unfailing love*tangy tart cranberries*a barn raising*scraps of paper that testify to God's richest blessings*a small miracle in answer to a child's prayers*a little trip to paris*family gathered around the dinner table*pumpkin orange*another learning adventure*no end to the surprises around here*a girls' night at the theater*the things that make each season special*lamb chops*enjoying the many freedoms so the USA*my american girl and her dolls*surprises along the nature trail*the season of harvest*an unexpected visitor*living hope*the privilege of having known anita, a faithful servant of Jesus*discovering an unexpected treasure on a dusty book sale shelf*working together in the kitchen*the wonderful smell of hot applesauce and cinnamon*living history lessons*hand-dipped ice cream cones*enchanted with a miniature world*enjoying time with dad*all creatures great and small*playing chess with grandy*large bunches of rosy hydrangeas*gran'dad's legacy*a well played game*a ride on dad's tractor*the smell of freshly mowed grass*weaving my family's tapestry*discovering a child's gifts*beautiful surprises*the garden's bounty*a walk in between raindrops*pale shades of blue, green, and tawny eggs*lickin' the beaters*september apples from dad*being lost in a book*rising to the challenges of the new year*learning at home*the taste of summer tomatoes*crunchy granola*sharing laughter*homemaker in training*having mark home again*a nature hike*summer days*eggs in my basket*extravagant fashion show in the garden*kids who love to learn*a friend who shares her garden*the view from a tree*memories of my brother*knowing his salvation is sure*critters in the garden*boys that cook*homegrown spuds*bringing the garden indoors*girls determined to pound those nails straight!*sharing my herbs with caterpillars*shelter in a storm*splashing in the pool on a hot summer day*an adventure in the mountains*big brothers*hummingbirds*living out our history lessons*having B all to myself on a special trip*tea parties and cookies with sugar sprinkles*hot scones and coffee for breakfast*simple pleasures around the farm*serenades of the house wren*black raspberries*fresh bread baked by a little prairie girl*an early morning walk in the garden*the thistles in my life*swedish cream with raspberry sauce for dessert*a flash of blue in the garden*late night talks at the kitchen table with dad*playing croquet in the yard*boys safely home*the sweet smell of hay mingled with the giggles of girls*fresh strawberry jam*God's presence in the midst of pain*self-sacrificing love*purple iris*witnessing the transformation of a caterpillar to a butterfly*clematis climbing on trellises built by my dad*God's faithfulness to each generation*baby birds*living school*swingin' in a hammock*muddy toes and tadpoles*incredible creativity*a fistful of weeds, picked with love*lilacs blooming*coach dad*strong legs carrying kids across the field*this incredible planet that is our home*family traditions*spending time with grandpa*sacrificial love gift*the music of our lives*finishing the race strong*kids excited about nature*keen eyes observing nature*warm muffins*garden walks*tender sprouts*school in the garden*another miracle in God's creation*sweet violets spreading joy*the miracle of new life*peeping chicks*first blooms*newborn lambs*brotherly muddy love*break resistant dishes*reading a classic*a love note*fresh asparagus*answered prayer*fingers stained with pomegranate juice*welcome signs of spring*an afternoon with the girls*melting snow*llama kisses*sweet friendship*a milestone reached*boys becoming young men*feathered friends*a valentine surprise*cookies served with nostalgia*snowflakes and snow days*hot soup on a cold day*lessons in compassion*fondue for five*daily chatter on the bed*boys being boys*coffee flavored with toffee nut*forgiveness granted and brothers restored

wishing you all a happy new year filled with everyday gifts!