Count with me?

I realize I haven’t posted my joys and thankfulness as much in October as I was busy focusing on promises from God.  But I was still counting and snapping and just feel like sharing them so I can come back to this and be reminded of JOY on days where I could use them.

I remember reading in One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp when she wrote, “daily practice of the discipline of gratitude is the way to daily practice the delight of God.”  Joy is hidden when we start giving thanks.  

In November, many make an extra effort to show their gratitude.  I’ve even seen on Facebook many friends posting each day this month something they’re thankful for.  The holidays are knocking on the front door and somehow we seem to stop and take a breath and be thankful.  But why just the month of November?  Why not all year?  We say we’re thankful for our family, our home, our Starbucks coffee, but we wouldn’t be abundantly blessed with those things if God had not given them to us.  So, first I choose to thank God first.  Thank Him for His sacrifice which is the upmost gift to be thankful for. 

Won’t you join me in counting thanks?  This month, feel free to make a comment below and share something you thank God for…not just what you’re thankful for.  What is something you thank God for that’s more than something you physically have?   Thank God for who He is and what He’s done and for His promises and grace and forgiveness.  Then, we’ll see the little gifts in our daily lives are because of Him. 

Still adding to my count of thankfulness…all gift from God!

#1710  great surprise birthday gift from my hubby

#1711  daughter in a play with more confidence each time

#1712  lunch with GMG friends…community and fellowhip

#1713  makes you laugh: watching I Love Lucy chocolate candy episode with the kids

#1714  makes you laugh: a friend’s story about thinking it was 6am when it was really 2am

#1715  watching videos of when we got our dog when he was puppy

#1716  watching videos of kids and the creations they made

#1717  laughing at the dinner table with our family

#1718  son taking pictures with my phone on the way to school at God’s sunrise art

#1719  daughter playing in sprinkler…on October!  Thanks God for warm fall days.

#1720  son had good camping trip with his Link Group from church

#1721  husband cleaned out the garage

#1722  Classic Hymn “Standing on the Promises” plays on my Pandora ‘piano’ selection as I post Day 21 Hold Tight Series. Wow.

#1723  gorgeous, autumn, sunny day being spontaneous and going to the fair with my husband and kids

#1724  fun seeing the winning pumpkin

#1725  big treats of fair food

#1726  birthday wishes from friends and family

#1727  learning a new card game

#1728  the tradition of costumes, chili, cool nights and time with friends

#1729  beautiful leaves in peak colors

#1730  never having been as excited and vocal in a meeting about Jesus ever!!

#1731  hearing the date when our good friends’ get to bring their new daughter home from Haiti

#1732  all the family and friends who wished me a Happy Birthday

#1733  Cedar Rock Park on a pretty Saturday afternoon with grandparents

#1734  son hanging around

#1735  daughter auditioned for a play and got a great role!

#1736  daughter going with group of leaders and 20+ other 5th and 6th graders from church to SuperStart conference.

#1737  sun rays shining through colored leaves

#1338  completed 31 Days!

#1739  the feeling of freedom!

#1740  breakfast and lunch with a friend and dreaming and taking the first leap!

#1741  playing in the leaves

#1742  Joining Facebook friends posting something each day in the month of November that I’m thankful for.  I’m thankful to read what others are thankful for! 

#1743  Day 1: I'm thankful that my husband’s grandparents have come to spend a few days with us and spent a rainy day together playing Mexican Train!

#1744  Day 2: I'm thankful for a beautiful, fall day outside at Cedar Rock Park with family.

#1745  Day 3:  I'm thankful for my husband Scott Hildebrand, who rescued my engagement ring today that I accidentally dropped in a crack between the seats in the van. It took a lot of work but he got it out and proposed to me again in our laundry room. He must still really love me...I'm so thankful!

#1746  Day 4:  I'm thankful for all the teachers I've had in school in my life and for the ones who've taught my children.

#1747  Day 5:  feeling of excitement and anticipation never really felt before

#1748  Day 6: I'm thankful my daughter has the heart to give. Today she made rainbow loom bracelets for our friend to take to Haiti to give the children there. She even convinced her other friend to make some too!

#1749  Day 7:  I'm thankful Billy Graham is giving one more cry out to America about our HUGE God's enormous love for us.

#1750  Day 8: Thankful for my vision...

#1751  Day 9: I'm thankful to have a day to work on books and albums with friends today! We believe in the importance of sharing your stories and passing them on to our children and generations to come!

#1752  Day 10:  I'm thankful for our next door neighbors. They take care of us all the time, spoiling our kids like their grandkids, gets our mail, and loans us whatever we need. Love to be able to call them neighbors and friends. And they gave us a beautiful poinsettia plant yesterday too! Thank you!!

#1753  the joy to invite others to study the bible with me

#1754  being asked

#1755  stepping onto the water

#1756  an excitement that’s not quite explainable but oh so fun!

#1757  starting a new bible study on Thanksgiving through Good Morning Girls