April Joy Dare Week 4

.....to God for many blessings in my life

Day 24

(1 gift fragile)

402) each day we have together on this earth....

& more my own

403) laughing, me and them.... my 16 year old son playing peek a boo with his almost one year old cousin today

404) that sweet friend of my daughter... dropping off fresh fruit, yogurt and more for us to enjoy

405) my brother calling to chat and being thankful we had his wife and baby here today

Day 25

(a gift cloth, steel,wood)
406) the clothes that kept me warm today, many being a blessing from my cousin
407) our little car that gets us where we need to be
408) our dining room table that serves us so well
and my own
409) meeting with a fellow home educating mom on holiday here from another part of SA
410) blessing of groceries that will see us through a while

Day 26

(1 gift moving)
411) big dark clouds moving over the sky and bring good rains to my garden
and some my own
412) quick catch up with my dear friend, short but good to talk
413) my boys, enjoying card games together
412) my daughter's message telling me she made the grade at karate tonight, happy for her! And thankful her daddy was there to watch.

Day 27

(3 gifts my own)
413) going with my friend to find her wedding dress...just perfect, so exciting!
414) having my little nephew here while his mom and dad did birthday shopping for his big day tomorrow...putting pasta on his fingers and toes and him finding it so funny and laughing a hearty baby laugh
415) celebrating...party next door for our sweet 8 year old neighbour
416) another neighbour giving us delicious left over curry so I didn't have to cook tonight.

Day 28

(3 gifts my own)
417) Hubby and a friend cooking up a delicious bacon and egg breakfast

418) celebrating my little nephew's first birthday

&
419) getting into bed early to try and fight off this awful cold.... my sweet daughter coming to lie and chat with me, hubby bringing me tea in bed.

Day 29

(3 gifts in dirt)
420) first peas appearing from white flowers
421) garlic sprouting long green shoots
422) scattered seeds beginning to push up through the dirt
& my own
423) hubby and daughter taking care of dinner as I am still feeling yuck!

Day 30

(a gift given, made, sacrificed)
424) given: by Him, rains from the skies

425) made: by my two youngest, scones for tea and a shepherd's pie for dinner tonight, using recipes from our cultural exchange pack from the UK...still not well so it is a real blessing

426) sacrificed: God's own Son to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more…It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend… ~ Melody Beattie

April Joy Dare Week 3

All though I may not start my day thinking of things to be thankful or grateful for, by the time the day comes to a close, I have found something... 

I always remind my children that no matter what they are facing, there is something to be thankful for. Just this morning I spoke to them about being thankful for the fact that each of them is healthy. 

I have a dear friend in an African country whose little daughter is fighting leukaemia again and she is only eight. I cannot begin to imagine what her mama is going through...

Here is my list of thanks from the last week:

Day 17

(my own)

378) having my sweet nephew for the day even though his mum was not working

379) him having a good long nap so I could help our eldest with some school work

380) hubby getting supper done while I washed dishes that were piling up

381) a picnic in the park to celebrate a birthday this evening, lovely to catch up with friends and see kids running wild and free even though the wind was really cold

Day 18

(my own)

382) laughing with the younger two as they learn Afrikaans...it is always funny!

383) the eldest getting an A+ on a practice paper for up coming exams...relief that he is on the right track

384) cottage pie at dinner that turned out just right even though I didn't have the "right" tomato sauce that usually gives it great flavour

Day 19

(2 gifts square)

385) two square packs of rice...more Home Tester samples from a friend!

386) my youngest having no problems working out area in metres square today...doing maths with a smile so he could get ahead

and my own

387) a friend dropping off lunch when her son came for the afternoon...lunch that fed us lunch and dinner!

388) a long overdue chat with my mum on the phone today

Day 20

(a gift stacked, stashed, stilled)

389) stacked....the table stacked with lovely gifts from the UK
(our first parcel from a cultural exchange we are taking part in)

390) stashed...chocolates that my boy gave me a while back, shared and enjoyed after dinner

391) stilled momentarily....the worries of the day as we enjoyed a perfect autumn morning walk with our nature club

Day 21

(3 gifts found in Christ)

392)"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17 

393) Grace..... never ending

394) A hope and a future in Him

Day 22

(3 gifts close)

395) thankful for each day spent close to our precious three

396) thankful for close friends who brighten our days in many ways

397) thankful for close relationships with my siblings 

Day 23

(3 gifts my own)

398) calls and text messages today that may bring in work for me and hubby

399) a blessing that meant we could get some grocery shopping done, just when we needed to

400) my little guy, happily helping me prepare dinner, chatting in his own quirky manner while he worked alongside me
401) chatting to my sister via instant messaging today, her saying we are in her prayers and me being glad to hear her news...

April Joy Dare Week 2

So I keep counting and seeking each day, something big or small......

even in the more difficult times, the smallest of things to give thanks for,

 brings some happiness and joy.

April

Day 10

( gifts opened up)

345) His word, this morning, together as a family

346) beautiful new flowers opened up on my grannadilla vine today....I thought there would be no more

347) a package of cereal to test from Home Tester Club today

348) another box today from Home Tester for my neighbour...opened up to reveal 150 samples of Robertson's spice paste! Of course he shared some with us too!

Day 11

( gifts my own)

349) wow...more samples from a friend who got kitty food from the Home Tester Club

350) my not so well teen son lying on the couch, all wrapped in a blanket and resting his feet on my lap,

as I read aloud

351) watching my daughter re create one of Monet's works...she is blessed, art comes naturally to her

352) an autumn afternoon walk with my neighbour and our boys that needed to run in wide open spaces

353) 4 packets of hot cross buns sent by one of my daughter's friends...will enjoy some at breakfast!

354) hubby coming in from a day's work

Day 12

(3 gifts worn)

355) my comfy takkies that have carried me far

356) a striped T shirt passed on by my cousin, but still good

357) smiles of happiness as the kids and I took school outdoors this morning...art and  reading in the field across the way from their Oma, who spoiled us with a basket of tea time treats

& more my own

358) my sweet, smiling little nephew crawling to me and wanting me to pick him up when I popped in there today...and then watching him play with chocolate pudding...covered in it from head to toe

359) would you believe...more samples of kitty food today from my sister in law!

360) a big pack of sausage from my mum in law, split up and ready for 4 meals!

Day 13

(a gift bright)

361) bright, happy faces of excited kids at the science centre for their lesson on steam turbine engines

& my own

362) catching up with other home educating moms & treated to a cuppachino by a friend while the kids enjoyed their lessons

363) thankful for the blessing of a long awaited weekend out of town with hubby...just the two of us on route 62....finally celebrating our 20 years of marriage, a month after the anniversary

364) walking around the little town on a perfect, warm and windless evening.... wandering through art galleries and enjoying chatting to the locals and admiring the varied architecture..... thatched roof cottages to the grand church in the centre of the little town

Day 14

(my own)

365) knowing the children are in good hands and having fun back home

366) enjoying browsing the town market and admiring the crafts on display

367) swimming in the hot springs

368) seeing hubby relaxing with a good book and being able to do the same...no agenda and no demands

Day 15

(my own)

369) a leisurely drive home again...majestic mountains, vineyards and colourful flowers lining the roads....good for the soul

370) arriving home safely and seeing our 3...wonderful to see them again

371) after the lovely weekend, not needing to cook as friends invited us to dinner...delicious lasagna, laughter and friendship

Day 16

(3 hard eucharisteos)

372) thankful my sister and her family were kept safe when they were robbed in the night...

hard they are so far away

373) not knowing what tomorrow brings...but trusting in His goodness

374) juggling it all: 3 children at different levels (and different types of learners) needing my input during school time and with life's challenges, trying to keep house and provide healthy meals, bringing in what I can where I can ...hard and messy at times, but thankful to be here with them

&

some not hard

375) thankful for a delicious gift of fresh fruits from my daughter's sweet friend

376) orders that came in today

377) complimentary movie tickets so hubby and I could join friends at a movie

April Joy Dare Week 1

Day 3

(3 gifts surprisingly found)

320) the librarian surprisingly found that book ( that had been missing "forever") was actually returned by us on the due date, and taken out by someone else... and so the fine was no longer due

321) 10kg of dog food in my kitchen when I came in this evening.... a blessing.... delivered by my dad

322) shoes my daughter needed, just the right price, size and colour...usually it takes a number of trips to the shops to find the right shoes for her...and she was able to buy them for herself with her own money!

Day 4

(3 gifts in His word)

323) "You are all around me on every side; you protect me with your power." Psalm 139: 5

324) " If I flew away beyond the east or lived in the furthest place in the west, you would be there to lead me, you would be there to help me." Psalm 139: 9-10

325) " The Lord is righteous in ALL He does, merciful in ALL His acts. He is near to those who call to Him with sincerity." Psalm 145: 17-18

Day 5

(3 gifts @ 11am, 2pm and 6pm)

326) bumping into my sister in law at the mall and going back to her place for an unexpected visit

327) air con, cooling us down in the car on this scorching hot day

329) friends and neighbours having a bring and share braai on this beautiful evening...sitting out under the stars until late

Day 6

(my own)

330) going to church this morning...remembering what He did for us on this Good Friday

331) tasty lamb, a blessing from my sister and her husband, shared today in celebration with friends who just got engaged

332) another neighbourhood gathering..all sharing our leftovers and having dinner together

Day 7

(3 gifts waited for)

333) our three healthy children...memories of waiting 9 months for each and being truly blessed on their birthdays with healthy babies

334) this break from school, much needed before heading into the new term

335) waited for a late lunch today at special friends...worth the wait for the delicious meal enjoyed together

Day 8

(2 gifts rising up)

336) thankful that He is risen

337) prayers with the family this Easter morning

& my own

338) a thankful heart for a special day...wonderful Easter breakfast spent with hubby's parents and then pizza party with special friends, celebrating their engagement again

Day 9

(a gift hiding, held and heard)

339) hiding away in my room for a much needed nap at the end of a long, fun filled weekend

340) holding my bouncy little nephew as he played "jumpy jumpy up and down" on my lap for a few minutes this afternoon

341) hearing my sisters voice on the phone this evening, enjoying catching up on her news

& more my own

342) my dad popping in for coffee and a chat this morning...means so much to me

343) hubby making dinner tonight, blessing me by taking over that responsibility as I am just so tired

344) unplanned visit to the shop today before early closing time due to the holiday, and being able to take advantage of some really good prices before they are no longer valid tomorrow!

Last of March and counting on..

REJOICE, IT IS A DAILY CHOICE!

Day 27

(3 gifts my own)

290) waking up and knowing my mum is here and

291) finding out she does not need surgery for her persistent neck pain

292) having coffee with my mom and my dad, the three of us

293) dinner with mum and my brother, his wife and baby, laughing and enjoying our evening together

Day 28

( gifts my own)

294) my neighbour dropping off a cooked chicken when I have a house full for lunch today

295) meeting my cousin's sweet kiddies for the first time

296) my aunt and uncle driving 6 hours to see my mum while she is here

297) blessed with beautiful sunshine, good food and 30 (I kid you not) people in and out of the house today!

298) an evening of fun, hearty laughter and a good South African braai with mum and friends

Day 29

(gifts my own)

299) unexpected orders

300) aunt and uncle visiting again today, seeing my mum and her sister enjoying catching up and being together

301) happy kids...7 of them around the house today...playing Lego, beading , skating...

302) a heart-warming note of gratitude from a friend who appreciated my daughter babysitting for her

303) grandpa popping in for coffee, bearing cookies!

Day 30

(gifts my own)

304) wearing some of the almost new clothes my daughter and I were blessed with earlier in the week... 

2 bags full from my generous cousin!

305) mum surprising me with some of the best carrot cake ever from a nearby coffee shop

306) coffee and a catch up with a dear friend this afternoon

307) a neighbourhood dinner next door...tasty curried chicken and tender lamb and tomato stew

308) rain...lots of it, watering my garden over the last two days

309) sharing a good laugh with my daughter this afternoon

Day 31

(a gift heard, a gift held, a gift hoped for)

310) an apology for in-sensitiveness

311) red and green chillies gleaned from the garden

312) hoping to grow in grace in Him

&

313) a wonderful evening shared with long time friends, girls having the time the of their lives dressing up in wedding dresses, jacuzzi and pizzas, playing records...yes, old records on a record player! And seeing our teens reconnect and just all being happy together!

APRIL

Day 1

(3 gifts round)

314) round table seating eight

315) food passed round for this special meal, a Passover meal

316) round white candles, giving off beautiful light as we remembered Him tonight.

Day 2

(3 gifts white)

317) white foamy waves crashing on the shores as we drove out along the coast road today to visit my dear aunt and uncle

318) white icing topping a delicious carrot cake that my mum and I shared when she stole me away for coffee and cake today, just the two of us!

319) white, tender, succulent and tasty chicken brought by my brother and his wife for mum's farewell dinner tonight.