3 Gifts Found

184. Finding the love of my life.

185. Finding things in the kitchen. When I moved here I had my stuff, Randy had his stuff. The kitchen was set up the way he was used to it. But I do most of the cooking (he does the cleaning up) and so I rearranged things. But - when he puts them up - he just puts then where ever he can... So sometimes I have to hunt before I can find things! Thankful we don't fight over these things!!

186. This week I'll be glad to find my voice!! I lost my voice - but now that I've "found" it I sound like a man! My voice is deeper than Randy's!

3 Gifts Hard to Give Thanks For

181. I've been sick this week. It's hard to be thankful for illness but it gives one time to slow down and in my case, sleep and read. Plus, my sweet husband fixed chicken soup for me and served me in bed!

182. Insurance costs. My health insurance is unbelievable. But I am thankful I have it because I know many that just can't afford it.

183. My phlegmatic personality. Sometimes I'm just too laid back. Sometimes I don't stand up for myself enough. Sometimes I know how I believe about something but have a hard time explaining to others.

3 Gifts Wore

178. The older I get - the more comfortable I want to be. So my first gift is comfortable shoes! If my feet hurt, I can't think! so I like to have comfortable shoes to wear.

179. Hmmm - to continue this thought - Comfortable clothes!! Maybe a little loose fitting!! and comfort has become my key word. I'm so thankful for comfy clothes.

180. I am not fond of coats. They bind - they pull across my back (see #179!) But at the beginning of winter, at an estate sale, I found a heavy sweater. It's loose fitting. It's warm. And I'm sorry to say - I wear it ALL of the time!!! I'm so afraid it's going to wear out! But it's the new me! Comfortable. You know the poem - when I'm an old woman I shall wear purple? Well, I'm 60 and I am going to feel good and I'm going to be comfortable!

So if you're tired of seeing me wear this - be glad it's not purple!!

3 Gifts Green

175. The Daffodils are peeking out of the ground!!! YEA spring!!

176. Money. We often try to ignore the subject of money. However, our society is set up in such a way that money is a necessity. Very few people barter anymore - some do but even then we need money. The love of money can be evil but being smart with our money, being responsible to God for His provision is imperative. Many years of my life I've made do - but I have never been hungry and I have always had a roof over my head. I am thankful for that.

177.  My dear friend Debra gave me a gift one time and I love it!

This cute green mouse holding a candle and reading! What's not to love about him? However, you and I both know, it's not about the gift, it's about the giver. I'm so thankful for Debra, my book buddy.

A Gift Dull, Shimmering, Cleaned

172. A Gift Dull: My glasses most of the time. I just do not know how they get so smudged so often. My husband cleans them for me numerous times a day! But to see - that is a true gift.

173. A Gift Shimmering: My husband picked out the perfect engagement and wedding ring for me. They shimmer, they shine, they profess commitment and they are beautiful.

174. A Gift Cleaned:  Every Tuesday night, Group Life members descend on our house! A true highlight of our week - each week. We always spend Tuesday's cleaning. Dusting, mopping, cleaning the bathroom - what a fun day it is because we are cleaning in expectation of a glorious evening!

3 Gifts From the Past That Help You Trust the Future

170. God's grace and mercy during hard times that prove to me He is available and with me during good times as well. His faithfulness to me in the past proves His faithfulness to me in my future.

171. He tells me He knows the plans He has for me - plans for a future and a hope - I just need to listen and follow.

172. Scripture has stood firm from the very beginning. I just need to read it and believe it. It gives me my future and my hope. God is firm and ever faithful and will always be. The world is shallow and frail and will fade away.

3 Ugly Beautiful Gifts

166. One of our storage rooms is ugly, it's not finished and is rough and cold. But it houses our inventory for Amazon and that makes it beautiful. - Sometimes the vessel is ugly but it's what is inside that makes it beautiful.

167. My reflection when using the plumb line of God's Word. How ugly it can be. But covered with the blood of Jesus Christ makes me beautiful.

168.  Some of my favorite books have been about the lives missionaries.  Much of what they lived with, were challenged with was very ugly. But their lives reflected God's grace and mercy to the extreme. The five Missionaries that were killed by the Auca Indian's in 1956 is an example of an ugly - beautiful gift. Yes these men were killed, but many were brought to Christ throughout these last 60 years because of the testimonies  of these men and their families. 

Nate and Marjorie Saint

Roger and Barbara Youderian

Pete and Olive Fleming

Ed and Marilou Mccully