Joy Dare December week 3 and beyond

The year seems to have flown by....

Not such an easy one but I am thankful for God's hand which has kept us.

 I am thankful for blessings great and small each day.

 Gifts from above....

Day 18

gifts miraculous...

1168) His peace that passes all understanding when the world doesn't make sense

1169) His saving grace

Day 19

1170) house full with visiting teens from far, lots of laughter and fun

Day 20

1171) impromptu coffee, mince pies and games with neighbours this evening

1172) hubby on holiday from today

Day 21

1173) commission in the form of credit at a book store...
kids choosing numerous books and me not have having to pay a cent

1174) a refreshing swim in the neighbour's pool as ours is not ready yet

Day 22

1175) talking to my mum today, her birthday, sad not to see her but glad to be able to talk to her

1176) wonder and excitement on their faces (as big as they are) as we put up the Christmas tree tonight, carols playing and everything looking beautiful

1177) my older sister calling, good to catch up

Day 23
1178) eating from the garden today

Day 24
1179) more wonder and excitement....
 Christmas eve night drive with the kids to view lights in the neighbourhood

Day 25
1180) sharing the wonders of Christ's birth again with our children this morning
1181) wonderful day celebrating Christmas at hubby's parents

Day 27

1182) a basket of freshly picked veg and flowers from the garden to add to my Mom in law's birthday gift
1183) her delightful laughter heard as hubby and our teen daughter spend time together

Day 28
1184) visiting my Dad and his wife for the weekend with my daughter,
 unplanned but welcomed whole heartedly and with love

Day 29
1185) Hope found only in Him
1186) much needed laughter

Day 30
1187) His perfect timing

Day 31
1188) thankful for forgiveness....bringing new life to relationships
1189)  thankful for the year that taught each of us much.... though it was tough
1190) thankful for my sisters and our conversations today
1191) thankful to have family and friends celebrating new year with us tonight

Joy Dare December week 2

Giving thanks....

Day 11

1156) holiday freedom ...seeing my youngest happy and free, swimming and bike riding with friends

1157) picnic in the park today, a park a stones throw from home that we didn't know existed

Day 12

1158) my neighbour arriving at the gate with an ice cold soda for me.... just when I was wishing I had one

Day 13

1159) teen son making dinner again tonight

1160) friends popping in with dessert

Day 14

1161) sweet baby here again, fun swimming together

1162) blackberries, gift from a friend

1163) enjoying a silly but sweet Christmas movie with the kids

Day 15

1164) beautiful bright red Poinsettias, an early birthday gift, bringing cheer to my home and treasured memories of my now almost 18 year old as a toddler at Christmas time

Day 16

1165) perfect summer evening .... coffee and mince pies outdoors chatting with the neighbours

1166) meaningful chats with our teens tonight in light of the recent US tragedy

Day 17

1167) my birthday.... 

beautiful messages and phone calls from family and friends, delicious breakfast made by hubby, surrounded by family and friends, memories and laughter shared, blessed with lovely gifts....

thankful for another year and thankful for those that add joy to my life

Joy Dare December week 1

Counting blessings....

Day 4

1137) thankful for a good workout again today

1138) gift crafted...
 thankful for my daughter's help in making beautiful gifts

1139) a lovely evening spent celebrating a birthday

Day 5

1140) delicious dinner made by my teen son tonight

1141) catching up with my farm sis tonight

Day 6

1142) gift sweet...

 gorgeous baby nephew here again this evening
&

1143) my daughter unexpectedly getting a days work again

1144) friends popping in for coffee

Day 7

1145) plump delicious free range chicken, a gift from my neighbour

1146) first mince pie of the season

1147) my dad visiting

1148) surprise brandbucket full of delicious goodies to try out: cookies, nougat, sweets and iced tea

1149) my daughter's great end of term marks for art

Day 8

1150 ) gift held....
 an unexpected parcel from the USA...
a mini Christmas swap filled with all sorts

1151) gift heard...
my daughter's delight in answered prayers

&

1152) technology that allows my mum to send me photos from afar within minutes

Day 9

1153) gift ugly beautiful...
garden turned ugly with sand as the swimming pool is being repaired....

beautiful that the kids should be able to swim soon

Day 10
1154) bumping into friends from 24 years ago
1155) medical tests with good results

Joy Dare last of November

Day 27

1123) reading aloud to my tween son, enjoying that he still enjoys me reading to him

1124) coffee with a friend and talking gardening together

1124) movies and milkshakes with the teens

Day 28

(gift in community)

1125) the gift of our neighbourhood...always there for each other 

Day 29

1126) catching up with a friend that I don't see too often

1127) hubby's wise words

Day 30

1128) my neighbour doing my hair for me again

1129) enjoying an art exhibition with my daughter and neighbour this evening while hubby kindly watched over all the neighbourhood kids

December

 Day 1

1130) time spent with my daughter 

1131) perfect windless summer evening,

hubby doing a braai for dinner,

happy kids running around the garden at dusk

1132) chatting to my mum today

Day 2

1133) a call from my 'big" sister...lovely to catch up

1134) watching kids enjoying pancakes filled with home made lemon curd and  ice cream for dinner 

Day 3

(gift shining)

1135) shining lights in our home each night, thankful we have them

&

1136) catching up with a friend from my student days today

Joy Dare November week 4

Day 20

(3 gifts of traditions)

1108) birthday mornings when all the kids pile onto our bed.....

a tradition from my childhood home and carried on with my own dear ones

1109) a new tradition begun in our home last year and moving next door this year....

neighbourhood Thanksgiving dinner....

last year we were 8, this year it will be 15!

1110) a steaming cup of coffee after dinner, made by hubby or our oldest son

Day 21

( gifts family)

1111) family....blessed to have them all....near or far

1112) unexpected calls from them....always wonderful to hear their voices

1113) friends who have become family

Day 22

1114) blessed to celebrate a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with family and neighbours tonight...

sharing heartfelt thanks and counting blessings.....

 laughter, tears of joy, good food and more....

   treasured memories created 

Day 23

(  gifts only in Christ )

1115) every good gift and every perfect gift

1116) undeserved grace and forgiveness

Day 24

1117) thankful for breakfast shared with dear friends we had met in Dar es Salaam... 

they are leaving for another city.....

a "so long breakfast" instead of goodbye as I am sure we will meet again someday

1118) chit chat with my cheery niece this morning

Day 25

1119) first magnificent sunflower gracing my garden

1120) a surprise early birthday gift from my sweet daughter, something she knew I would really enjoy

1121) messages, photos and voice notes from a sweet child and her mamma in Nigeria.... 

thankful to know all is well with them

Day 26

1122) thankful for a day that was not too demanding

Joy Dare November week 3

Unlocking the fullness of life in thanksgiving....

Day 13

( 2 gifts behind a door)

1092) my son getting much needed r & r and sleeping in really late today

1093) a rest for myself this afternoon in the quiet of my room

&

1094) sharing dinner and laughs with the neighbours and a friend visiting from the UK

Day 14

( a gift silent)

1095) strong silent hugs from my hubby

&

1096) wonderful work out again today....have missed regular exercise classes

1097) paid work for my daughter today, enjoying something she loves: creating edible art

Day 15

(a gift golden)

1098) brilliant golden yellow squash flowers greeting me each morning

&

1099) sparkling fairy lights...a gift from my friend

Day 16

1100) thankful for a good workout again this morning

1101) thankful for the long drive out to exams today, giving my oldest son and me an opportunity to catch up and chat....thankful too that his exams are over 

1102) thankful for a great evening with friends & teens going to youth tonight

Day 17

( gift of laughter)

1103) loads of fun and laughter today

Day 18

( a gift shared )

1104) a beautiful day with friends

Day 19

1105) thankful that our daughter was accepted to art school for next year

1106) thankful for great times enjoyed over the past week with a friend visiting from the UK....

thankful for all the gym classes he did with us too

1107) thankful for a visit from my sister in law and her sweet baby today

Joy Dare November week 2

The past week has flown by, so much happening in this journey we call life. 

So much to be grateful for...

Day 6

1074) thankful that supper was prepared early and waiting for us after the long trek out to exams again

1075) tomato plants, gift from a friend

Day 7

1076) kind friend who ferried us around to the doctor and pathologist for my eldest who has not been well for a while

Day 8

1077) thankful for my daughter waking me in the night to see to the youngest who was not feeling well

1078) awesome gym 24 class this morning at the neighbour, 

given by her friend who is a trained gym instructor

1079) gift of a cooked chicken and some cream cheese

1080) chats with family

Day 9

1081) wonderful informative outing with my younger two this morning

1082) better news than expected from the doctor regarding our eldest's health

1083) visit from my sweet friend, 

sweetened even more by the gift of a jar of honey

1084) relaxed evening having dinner at the neighbours

Day 10

1085) a morning enjoyed in the garden,

 compost from our heap and seeds shared and sown

Day 11

1086) chats with my farm sister

1087) growth in the garden

1088) a quiet day enjoyed with family 

Day 12

1089) thankful for meaningful discussions with my teens and tween each morning when we read the Word

1090) beautiful drenching summer rains today

1091) my cheerful daughter helping me bake and prepare dinner tonight

Joy Dare, last of October and into November

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. ~~ Melody Beattie

Day 30

1053) despite heavy traffic and more than an hours drive, 

I am thankful I got my son to his exam with time to spare

1054) thankful he said it went well

1055) thankful for a delicious left over dinner after a really busy day

Day 31

1056) first flower on the granadilla vine

1057) first onion harvested

1058) marathon bake and chit chat in the kitchen with my daughter....

orange cake, pecan nut and carrot muffins, corn and chili bread and feta and spinach quiche

1059) surprise pack filled with all sorts of goodies to try out from Home Tester Club

Day 1

1060) brisk early morning walk with my daughter

1061) surprise gifts from a friend who recently travelled to New York 

Day 2

1062) full and fun day out with my younger two....

discovering new things at the zoology department of the university and then the dairy expo with friends

1063) my sweet toddler nephew sleeping here for the night again....

him running to greet me with arms outstretched,

him playing with the boys skateboards,

 screeching, laughing and splashing in the bath,

 high fiving the boys goodnight and kisses for the girls,

 him falling asleep next to me making sweet baby noises

Day 3
1064) feeding my nephew freshly picked strawberries in the garden at breakfast and him asking for more
1065) a much needed nap
1066) laughing, chatting and catching up with my daughter
1067) long overdue chat with my mum

Day 4
(a gift gathered, given, good)
1068) gathered....fresh garden greens for our meals
1069) given....a wonderful variety of seeds from my sister
1070) good....weather perfect for spending time in the garden today and a dinner time braai with neighbours and friends

Day 5
1071) happy laughter from my daughter
1072) a dear friend popping in for tea
1073) taking the kids out to see fireworks tonight, and despite the fact the fireworks were banned in that area, enjoying a beautiful evening on the  beach

Joy Dare October week 4

Giving thanks....

Day 23

1032) audio books for my boy to listen to for school as I was not feeling well today

1033) a call from my big sister

1034) boys who have taken up the slack....

doing their sister's chores while she is away, without complaining

Day 24

1035) meaningful discussions with the boys over Bible time this morning

1036) thankful my eldest is preparing diligently for his exams

1037) broad beans from my neighbours garden again

1038) happy messages from my daughter on the farm

Day 25

1039) ice cream enjoyed with a friend

1040) an unplanned, but perfect evening braaing at the neighbours

Day 26

1041) a peaceful afternoon enjoying my book and some down time as I continue to recover

1042) talking to my girl on the farm...

thankful she has been having a wonderful time

Day 27

1043) thankful to get my hair done by my kind neighbour

1044) hubby helping me in the garden

Day 28

1045) growth in character, discernment and wisdom for our precious girl

1046) meaningful chats with my teen son

1047) thankful that our children are His and He is the gardener of their hearts

Day 29

1048) our daughter's safe journey home from the farm... 

feeling complete again now that she is home

1049) grateful thanks for the blessing of my sister and her family who cared for and nurtured her 

over the last two weeks

1050) precious moments watching my three re-connect after her 2 week absence

1051)  delicious gift of a wonderful variety of home made cheeses and butter from the farm 

1052) thankful for a wonderful dinner with neighbours celebrating her return and hubby's birthday

Joy Dare October week 3

Though I decided to take a break from my blog, I could not break the "thankful habit" I have gotten into over the last while. It reminds me to constantly be thankful to Him in all circumstances for everything....

Day 16

1010) thankful that despite mix ups as to where her boarding gate was, our daughter managed to board the plane safely and on time early this morning

1011) thankful for a safe journey to the farm with her cousin and uncle...

and being able to be in touch via messaging throughout her journey

1012) thankful to hear her voice and laugh tonight...

tired but happy to be there with her special cousin whom she regards as a precious sister

1013) thankful for calls from all my siblings today

&

1014) broad beans from my neighbour's garden

Day 17

1015) delighted that my asparagus have survived when I thought they were dead and gone

Day 18

1016) morning walk with my neighbour and her dogs...the little one pulling me all the way

1017) boys in the kitchen with me, laughing, music loud, one baking bread and the other a dessert

1018) talking to my daughter on the far away farm ....hearing about her making butter, cheese and ice cream

1019) my sister sending me photos of my daughter and messaging me to let me know all is well

1020) my sister in law visiting with my baby nephew two days running

Day 19

1021) thankful we had wood for an indoor fire....

enabling us to cook toasted sandwiches for a houseful of teens at dinner when the power went out!

1022) coffee, cake and laughter celebrating another birthday with the neighbours

Day 20

1023) houseful of happy teens again

1024) talking to my sister and the girls on the farm

Day 21

1025) medicine from my neighbour to try and fight what ever it is that my body is fighting

1026) hubby taking over chores so I could rest

Day 22

1027) a gift of broccoli seedlings and straw to mulch my strawberries

1028) thankful to be feeling a little stronger today

1029) thankful for my daughter's good term marks for art, and the wonderful teacher she has
1030) thankful for a visit from my brother and the way he made me laugh today
1031) thankful that as Ann Voskamp says,
 "You defeat your dark when thanksgiving is your default."

Joy Dare October week 2

This past week I reached counting 1000 gifts to be thankful for. 

It has become a daily habit to find something to give thanks to God for no matter what we face. 

Sometimes it is not easy when life burdens one with challenges but it is worth it! 

So I will continue to count my blessings....

Day 9

989) acceptance in Him
990) His strength, not my own
&
991) knowing nothing can separate me from His love

Day 10

992) thankful to find joy, great or small even in difficult times
993) happy sounds of cousins on a long distance phone call.... knowing they will see each other soon
994) thankful for groceries just when there was little left

Day 11

995) thankful that last night's intruders did not get into our home and we were not harmed
996) thankful for some quiet time to myself while my eldest did his chemistry practicals and the youngest explored the science centre with his friend
997) humble thanks for God's family that is beyond our comprehension....
and His provision through someone we don't even know
998) thankful for financial help to replace our gate motor after it was stolen last night
999) thankful for a beautiful evening..
blessed to be surrounded by my family...
a simple meal shared outdoors...
  delicious best ever chocolate mousse for dessert
made by my eldest and his sweet girlfriend

Day 12

1000) reaching 1000 things to give thanks for no matter what life holds
1001) encouragement and blessings from my far away mum
1002) end of a challenging week...hopefully some rest and relaxation over the weekend

Day 13

1003) seeing my teen daughter and her friend enjoy a happy fun filled girls day today....

.....laughing at princess movies, eating pink food and wearing crowns!

1004) an evening of fun and dancing with hubby and some friends

Day 14

1005) conversations with my farm sister and my mum
1006) hubby's helping hands around the house today

Day 15
( a gift re-read)

1009) thankful for wise words on motherhood from Kat at Inspired to Action :

"The best I can do is to show them what following God looks like, what good choices look like, what love looks like. My job is to invite them to journey alongside me, teach them as much as I can and pray for them constantly.

Ultimately, though, their responses and decisions I must entrust to the grace of God. Unlike a marathon, boot camp or grad school, following all the rules doesn't mean I get the prize of perfect kids."

&

1008) thankful for friends who make me laugh

1009) thankful for shared lifts for the children today....giving me extra time to help my daughter get ready for her trip to the farm in the morning

Joy Dare October week 1

Day 2

(a gift falling)

970) plans falling into place for my daughter to visit far away family

&

971) visit from a friend I haven't seen in a while

Day 3

972) early morning coffee at the neighbour in my pjs

973) house full of kids and their friends...love it

974) my mum sending me photos from her visit at the farm

975) having my precious baby nephew here this afternoon

976) another generous donation of bath sprudels for my son's fund raising project for the Chaeli Campaign

977) lemon curd and ice cream for desert

Day 4

978) rain watering my garden today

Day 5

979) morning walk and talk with my daughter

980) a friend popping in unexpectedly for a visit today

981) teens filling the house....loud and happy

Day 6

982) beautiful truth in Ann Voskamp's words...

" And He knows your name and He holds the stars and His girds underneath and He never lets go and He is joy and He is light and He is the warrior who defeats the dark"

983) my dad popping in for coffee and taking my daughter out to an art exhibition
984) laughing with friends
985) winning a book prize for my youngest

Day 7

(a gift eaten)
986) doughnuts brought for us by my daughter's friend

Day 8

987) good first day back at school today after the week long break
988) a brisk walk in the biting wind ...clearing the mind and getting the heart pumping

Joy Dare, last of September

Counting my blessings...

Day 25

956) uplifting chats with my farm sister

Day 26

(2 gifts flourishing)

957) my lemon tree....flourishing since hubby moved it into a sunnier position
958) spring flowers bringing beautiful splashes of colour into my garden

&

959) thankful for a young lady, willing to give up her afternoon to help my daughter with some sewing and then my son with science tutoring

Day 27

(2 gifts unexpected)

960) free "brand bucket" delivered to my door with seven different deodorants for us to try out

961) an awesome and very early birthday present from my neighbour .... 

Margaret Roberts "My 100 Favourite Herbs" 

&

962) catching up with hubby after a long and busy day

Day 28

963) beautiful sunshine, an answer to my daughter's prayers for her tea party this afternoon
964) the blessing of a gorgeous "tea cup" cake made by my neighbour for our daughter's birthday

Day 29
965) celebrating our daughter's 15th birthday today with family and friends

Day 30
966) catching up with a friend over a cuppa
967) a day with no agenda after two days of celebration
968) calls from my sisters this weekend and seeing my brother and his little family

August
Day 1
969) get together to celebrate a friend's daughter's 21st birthday....
lovely to get out and enjoy lunch with friends

Joy Dare September into week 4

The past week was one I would not choose to re-live.

 I was "hanging on by a string" as Ann Voskamp would say...

Sometimes I think too deeply of what others say and it is not good for me. 

I am grateful to have a loving family and precious friends who help me through when things get tough.

 But most of all I am thankful for God's grace which is new every morning and His unconditional love.

Day 18

( a gift freckled)

942) my precious daughter

Day 19

( gift in conversation)

943) a friend helping me see things from a different point of view

Day 20

( gift in salvation)

944) Knowing His grace towards us and this: 

Romans 8: 1 There is no condemnation now for those who live in union with Christ Jesus

&

945) enjoying seeing my children skate fast and free with with friends at the ice rink today

946) hubby sorting dinner out when I came down with a migraine

Day 21

947) rest and much needed sleep as the migraine persisted

948) hubby making dinner again

Day 22

( a gift rattling)

949) rattling...our car that gets us from A to B, rattling all the way but doing the job

&

950) catching up with friends today...face to face and via messaging

Day 23

951) chatting with my wise and loving mum

Day 24

952) enjoying hubby's home-made pizzas with friends we haven't seen in a while

953) spending time with my daughter, laughing hard at a funny movie she knew I would enjoy

954) friends who uplift and encourage
955) my hubby standing by me when things are difficult for me

Joy Dare September into week 3

Choosing to count His blessings...

Day 11

921) dinner on the beach tonight, watching my youngest enjoy building sandcastles and my teens running fast and free on the beach, a brisk walk for me and then back to neighbours for coffee, dessert and good laughs

Day 12

922) He is faithful, 
all knowing, 
wise,
 He knows the end from the beginning,
 wants my good,
 is all powerful, 
omnipresent, 
and stays closer than a brother.

923) an unexpected visit from my sis in law and her sweet baby today

924) giggling, happy teen girls looking through photos taken over the years

925) hubby surprising me with a wasabi chocolate 

926) my brother calling just to see how I am today

Day 13
927) coffee with a friend just when I needed it
928) sounds of guitar from my teen son's room... love it
929) seeds planted.... pushing up through the earth

Day 14
930) that wonderful Friday feeling and being able to spend time just reading for school today, and knowing that it is ok to do just that
931) early afternoon escape to a local dam for a picnic 
932) unexpected visitors....evening filled with laughter...good for the soul

Day 15
933) visit to a local market with my sis in law and her sweet baby... 
watching him tasting various cheeses and breads and just being his cute little self
934) beautiful rich compost from our heap that hubby dug out for me again today
935) the gift of friendship

Day 16
(3 gifts shared)
936) early morning walk on the beach shared with my daughter and a friend
937) pancakes with strawberries and ice cream shared with family and friends
938) delicious fish braai shared with neighbours and friends

Day 17
939) smiles and laughs on a day that was difficult
940) my dad stopping by on his way to work this morning to share some melon seeds with me
941) soothing sounds of my teen son playing his guitar again tonight

Joy Dare September week 2

It is good to give thanks...

Day 4

(a gift cool, warm , sun-soaked)

897) cool waters and ice cream at the beach this afternoon with all my children, and our sweet baby nephew/ cousin and his momma

898) weather beautifully warm

899) skin soaking up a little sun on this glorious spring day

Day 5

(3 gifts Spring)

900) birds chirping their announcement of the new day

901) buds promising new life

902) longer days with beautiful calm, warmer evenings

Day 6

903) an early morning walk with my daughter and a friend, perfect way to start the day

904) my youngest helping me get the watering done and having fun splashing the water everywhere

905) relaxed afternoon at the Science Centre...

eldest son finding practical lessons helpful....

 youngest having fun exploring with a friend....

and myself enjoying catching up with friends

Day 7

906) a glorious spring day and another brisk morning walk

907) a beautiful tree, free from the nursery in exchange for a bag of old newspapers

908) free gift of a restio from the nursery

909) a perfect evening enjoyed with friends, first braai of the season, good company and good laughs

Day 8

910) perfect weather and a good days work in the garden....

 hubby's help appreciated and beautiful rich compost from our heap

911) chatting with my farm sister, always good

912) an early evening walk on the beach enjoyed with my daughter

Day 9

913) breakfast enjoyed with my Dad in celebration of his birthday this week

914) finally getting to chat with my Mum after trying to make contact all week

915) a much needed afternoon rest

Day 10

916) my hairdresser needing a model for her exam and doing my hair free today

917) my youngest helping me with my work.... with a cheerful heart

918) finding someone to help my son with his physics

919) being able to share my compost with my neighbour

920) getting hugs just when I needed them 

Last of August Joy dare and September week 1

I am grateful for so much...

Day 28

886) time spent with my eldest as my other two were busy all day today

887) thankful for short queues when we went to apply for his ID

888) delicious cake pops and cupcakes made by my daughter at a workshop today

Day 29

( a gift one, two, three)

889) one... unexpected invitation by a girlfriend

890) " two.... birds killed with one stone" as I ran errands in the hour long wait for my son 

to finish his extra lesson

891) last three... tickets for a wonderful, fun and entertaining evening as two girlfriends and I went to the Elvis Blue concert

Day 30

( 3 gifts very small)

892) broccoli seedlings that seem to be making it when I thought they wouldn't

893) small breakthroughs, bringing restoration to a precious relationship

894) small gifts as recognition for my educational toy sales this month

Day 31

(Miracles)

895) His protection over a dear friend when she got caught in a rain storm today and another car overturned close to her and her sweet girls

896) His grace and mercy new every morning

897) that He makes a way when there seems no other way

September

Day 1

898) leftover paint from a job done by hubby meant our kitchen could get a much needed fresh coat of paint

899) happy and loud sounds of teenagers visiting

890) enjoying watching our younger two take part in the Shakespeare School's Festival at the Artscape Theatre tonight....thankful it went well for them all

Day 2

(2 gifts cut)

891) delicious birthday cake as we celebrated a sweet little 8 year olds birthday

892) left over quiche cut and shared at dinner time...thankful for leftovers

&

893) hubby doing the hard work of getting wheel barrows of compost out of the heap for the veg beds

Day 3

(3 gifts yellow)

894) delicious gooseberries sun-ripened and enjoyed fresh

895) lemons from my mom in laws tree

896) nasturtium flowers brightening up the garden.

Joy Dare August Week 4

So often things get busy and seemingly crazy ....

It is good to stop and give thanks for the blessings, big or small....

They can sometimes be missed in the daily busyness....

Day 21

859) having the car unexpectedly today and being able to collect a generous donation of bath sprudels for my youngest's Chaeli Campaign fundraiser

860) a visit to the Compass bakery

861) seeing the world anew through the eyes of my sweet baby nephew

862) my friend comping along for the ride over the mountain

863) blessed to watch a beautiful integrated dance production tonight...thankful for a body that works well

Day 22

864) getting much done today

865) laughing a lot with the kids today

866) time to just relax while waiting for the kids to finish drama...reading my magazine from my mum

Day 23

867) hugs from my youngest whenever he thinks I need one

868) quiet moments in the sunshine this afternoon 

869) chatting to my farm sister...miss her ever so much

870) blessed with a bag of potatoes just when I needed some for our evening meal

Day 24

871) early morning coffee with hubby before he went to work

872) struck anew and humbled by His grace

873) specials on seedlings at the nursery...

just in time for some spring planting

874) a voucher to spend at a book store...

enjoyed browsing and finding a book for myself and two to use as gifts

875) weekend again....

 neighbourhood kids having fun together....

movie night and pizzas next door

Day 25

876) an afternoon enjoyed relaxing at friends

877) teens relaxing here tonight again

Day 26

878) early morning sounds of birds ....

a constant reminder of His care for us

Matthew 6:26

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,

 and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

879) rare treat of breakfast out with hubby

880) girlfriends popping in and a good laugh together

881) hubby helping to get things in order in the house after a busy weekend

Day 27

882) a morning walk with my baby nephew in the pram...

good to clear the Monday blues

883) lifts for the kids today

884) warm sunshine and pottering in the garden... 

the promise of  new growth

885) my mum and I messaging one another today

Joy dare August week 3

The children and I have been working through a series of  "Timely Topics for Teens".
 I loved being able to share the following with them this week...

Be grateful.

Your happiness in life doesn't depend on how you look or what you have. It depends on your attitude.

You can go through life bitter and resentful about yourself, or you can accept yourself and be thankful. You can always find something to be grateful for. A man once said, "I complained because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet."

Gratitude is happy thankfulness toward God. Gratitude gets you out of yourself and into God. God becomes the source of your happiness. Then you can get on with the real purpose of life - being what God wants you to be.

Day 14

837) a good and productive school morning

838) good nourishing food and a fire warming us again tonight

Day 15

839) lunchtime flapjacks and hot chocolate next door

840) watching all the kids (from my little nephew to the teens) enjoying playing today... 

building tall towers and watching them fall

841) the way hubby calms any upsets the kids may have...

turning tears to smiles

Day 16

( 3 gifts of family)

842) blessed by my mom in law who kindly lends us her car when ever we need a second car and is more than willing to lift the kids at other times too

843) my siblings, always there even though distance separates some of us....

they way they share in our joys and give support in the tough times....

blessed to have them in my life

844) friends who become like family

Day 17

(3 gifts in the morning)

845) the wonderful group of ladies over at the Hello Mornings Challenge...

faithful friends and prayer warriors

846) His mercy...new every morning

847) sunshine after the storms, perfect for our outing to Monkey Town today

Day 18

848) the gift of our youngest..... 

celebrating his 12th birthday today.... 

blessed to be his parents

849) wonderful fun filled day celebrating....

thankful for family and friends who made his day special!

850) the sounds of my eldest playing his guitar....

beautiful

Day 19

851) a late lie in, much needed after all the busyness

852) blessed to be lent a washing machine until ours gets fixed

853) beautiful Arums ...brought by my neighbour from her mom's farm

Day 20

854) hubby messaging me just to see how I am today

855) time alone browsing in the library in between running the kids around for the afternoon's activities

856) coffee with a smile from my eldest after dinner tonight
857) blessed by a sweet friend with a bag of butternuts

858) reading Ann's post...Chased by Grace and knowing it is true for me too...